Input device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input device comprising:
- a projection; and
a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection,wherein the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection,wherein the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection,each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, andwherein the input device further comprises;
a first electrode;
a second electrode which opposes the first electrode;
a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode; and
a contact electrically connected to the second electrode and in contact with the third electrode; and
an insulating surface in contact with the contact, wherein;
when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode,when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode,second electrode is fixed with respect to the first electrode,the contact is movable on the third electrode and the insulating surface,when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of concavities, the contact is in contact with the insulating surface, andwhen the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of convexities, the contact is in contact with the third electrode.
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Abstract
An input device has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The second electrode opposes to the first electrode while being spaced apart therefrom. The third electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode and rotatably or slidably provided relative to the second electrode. By the third electrode being brought into contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode, an electrical state between the first electrode and the second electrode changes. Based on this electrical change, a rotary manipulation or a slide manipulation is detected.
16 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a projection; and a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection, wherein the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, wherein the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, and wherein the input device further comprises; a first electrode; a second electrode which opposes the first electrode; a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode; and a contact electrically connected to the second electrode and in contact with the third electrode; and an insulating surface in contact with the contact, wherein; when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode, second electrode is fixed with respect to the first electrode, the contact is movable on the third electrode and the insulating surface, when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of concavities, the contact is in contact with the insulating surface, and when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of convexities, the contact is in contact with the third electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An input device comprising:
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a projection; and a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection, wherein; the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, the input device further comprises; a first electrode; a second electrode which opposes the first electrode; a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode; a contact electrically connected to the third electrode and in contact with the second electrode; and an insulating surface in contact with the contact, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode, the second electrode is fixed with respect to the first electrode, the contact is movable on the second electrode and the insulating surface, when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of concavities, the contact is in contact with the insulating surface, and when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of convexities, the contact is in contact with the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An input device comprising:
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a projection; a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection; a first electrode; a second electrode which opposes the first electrode; and a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode, wherein; the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode, the first electrode includes a receiver electrode opposing the second electrode, and a transmitter electrode opposing the receiver electrode, and a capacitance between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of convexities is larger than a capacitance between the receiver electrode and the transmitter electrode when the projection is positioned at the one of the plurality of concavities.
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12. An input device comprising:
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a projection; a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection; a first electrode; a second electrode which opposes the first electrode; and a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode, wherein; the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode, and the first electrode includes a receiver electrode which is annular and opposes the second electrode, and a transmitter electrode opposing the second electrode across the receiver electrode.
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13. A manipulation unit to be arranged at a position overlapping a touch panel, comprising:
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a plurality of concavities including a first concavity and a second concavity located next to the first concavity; a projection configured to contact the plurality of concavities; a fixed electrode; and a variable electrode which is movable relative to the fixed electrode, wherein the fixed electrode and the variable electrode are electrically disconnected from each other when the projection is positioned at the first concavity or at the second concavity, the fixed electrode and the variable electrode are electrically connected to each other when the projection is positioned between the first concavity and the second concavity, and the fixed electrode is configured to be capacitive-coupled with the second electrode. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. An input device comprising:
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a projection; a concavity-convexity portion that contacts the projection; a first electrode; a second electrode which opposes the first electrode; and a third electrode in contact with or spaced apart from the second electrode, wherein; the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of concavities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, the concavity-convexity portion includes a plurality of convexities, each of which changes position with respect to the projection, each of the plurality of concavities and each of the plurality of convexities is arranged alternately with each other, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of concavities, the third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode, when the projection is positioned at one of the plurality of convexities, the third electrode is in contact with the second electrode, and the first electrode is capacitive-coupled with the second electrode.
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Specification