Input device, input method and electronic equipment

• US 20050137825A1
• Filed: 11/16/2004
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Makino, Kenichi, Takai, Motoyuki, Inoue, Makoto, Sako, Yoichiro, Terauchi, Toshiro, Miyajima, Yasushi, Shirai, Katsuya, Asukai, Masamichi
• Granted Patent: US 7,742,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/138
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof

Abstract

A detection section that detects a key-tapping speed and key-tapping intensity is provided to detect a user'"'"'s impatience level. An input device detects the key-tapping intensity and key-tapping speed. The input device compares the detection value of the key-tapping speed and an average key-tapping speed. When the detection value exceeds a stored normal key-tapping speed, the input device then compares the detection value of the key-tapping intensity and a reference pressure value. When the detection value exceeds a stored normal key-tapping intensity, information to be output for a user is changed over. In this case, displayed characters are enlarged and emphasized to a maximum extent. On the other hand, in the case where a detection value does not exceed the normal key-tapping speed and the detection value exceeds the normal key-tapping intensity, displayed characters are only slightly enlarged.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

an input operation member;

pressure intensity detection means for detecting a pressure intensity on the input operation member by a user at an input operation time; and

reference pressure value calculation means for calculating a reference pressure value based on detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the reference pressure value calculation means calculates the reference pressure value based on detection results of the pressure intensity that have been obtained during a predetermined period.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the reference pressure value calculation means calculates the reference pressure value based on detection results of the pressure intensity that have been obtained by the pressure intensity detection means, the pressure intensity having been detected by a predetermined number of input operations with respect to the input operation member.

4. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

reference pressure value storage means for storing the pressure reference value;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity detected by the pressure intensity detection mean and the reference pressure value stored in the reference pressure value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison result obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means.

5. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

change rate calculation means for calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means, the pressure intensity having been detected within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the calculation result obtained by the change rate calculation means.

6. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

level storage means for storing indicators in which pressure intensity values are classified into a plurality of levels;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity detected by the pressure intensity detection means and a pressure intensity level stored in the level storage means; and

level determination means for determining the user'"'"'s pressure intensity level from the comparison result obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means.

7. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

pressing frequency detection means for detecting a number of times the input operation member has been pressed per unit of time at the input operation time;

reference pressing frequency value calculation means for calculating a reference frequency value based on detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means.

8. The input device according to claim 7, further comprising

reference pressure value storage means for storing the pressure reference value;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity obtained in the pressure intensity detection means and reference pressure value stored in the reference pressure value storage means;

reference pressing frequency value storage means for storing the reference pressing frequency value;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means and reference pressing frequency value stored in the reference pressing frequency value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison results obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means and pressing frequency comparison means.

9. The input device according to claim 8, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the pressing frequency detection means detects the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession, and

the psychological state determination means determines the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number.

10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input operation member comprises a correct operation member that corrects a previous input operation.

11. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input operation member comprises one of:

a keyboard, mouse, numeric keypad, game controller, remote controller, touch panel, and mobile phone.

12. An input device comprising:

an input operation member;

pressing frequency detection means for detecting a pressing number by a user of the operation member per unit of time at an input operation time; and

reference pressing frequency value calculation means for calculating a reference pressing frequency value based on detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means.

13. The input device according to claim 12, further comprising:

reference pressing frequency value storage means for storing the reference pressing frequency value;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means and reference pressing frequency value stored in the reference pressing frequency value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison result obtained by the pressing frequency comparison means.

14. The input device according to claim 12, further comprising:

change rate calculation means for calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means, the pressing number having been detected within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the calculation result obtained by the change rate calculation means.

15. The input device according to claim 12, further comprising:

level storage means for storing indicators in which pressure frequency values are classified into a plurality of levels;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing numbers obtained by the pressing frequency detection means and a pressing frequency level stored in the level indicator storage means; and

level determination means for determining the user'"'"'s pressing frequency level from the comparison result obtained by the pressing frequency comparison means.

16. The input device according to claim 12, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the pressing frequency detection means detects the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession, and

the psychological state determination means determines the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number or not.

17. The input device according to claim 12, wherein the input operation member comprises a correct operation member that corrects a previous input operation.

18. The input device according to claim 12 wherein the input operation member comprises one of a keyboard, mouse, numeric keypad, game controller, remote controller, touch panel, and mobile phone.

19. An electronic equipment comprising:

an input operation member;

an operation unit including pressure intensity detection means for detecting a pressure intensity on the input operation member by a user at an input operation time;

information presentation means for presenting information; and

presentation control means for changing information presentation modes on the information presentation means depending on the pressure intensity detected by the pressure intensity detection means.

20. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, further comprising:

reference pressure value calculation means for calculating a reference pressure value based on detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means, the pressure intensity having been detected during a predetermined period or by a predetermined number of input operations with respect to the input operation member;

reference pressure value storage means for storing the pressure reference value;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means and reference pressure value stored in the reference pressure value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison result obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the psychological state determination means.

21. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, further comprising:

change rate calculation means for calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means, the pressure intensity having been detected within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the calculation result obtained by the change rate calculation means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the psychological state determination means.

22. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, further comprising:

level storage means for storing indicators in which pressure intensity values are classified into a plurality of levels;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means and a pressure intensity level stored in the level storage means; and

level determination means for determining the user'"'"'s pressure intensity level from the comparison result obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the level determination means.

23. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, further comprising:

pressing frequency detection means for detecting a pressing number of the input operation member per unit of time at the input operation time;

reference pressing frequency value calculation means for calculating a reference pressing frequency value based on detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means; and

reference pressing frequency value storage means for storing the reference pressing frequency value.

24. The electronic equipment according to claim 23, further comprising:

reference pressure value storage means for storing the pressure reference value;

pressure intensity comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressure intensity obtained by the pressure intensity detection means and the reference pressure value stored in the reference pressure value storage means; and

reference pressing frequency value storage means for storing the reference pressing frequency value;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means and the reference pressing frequency value stored in the reference pressing frequency value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison results obtained by the pressure intensity comparison means and the pressing frequency comparison means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the psychological state determination means.

25. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the pressing frequency detection means detects the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession, and

the psychological state determination means determines the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number.

26. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, wherein the input operation member is a correct operation member that corrects a previous input operation.

27. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, wherein the information presentation means comprises a display means for displaying at least one of video-image data, still-image data, and text data.

28. The electronic equipment according to claim 27, wherein the presentation control means controls a brightness of an image displayed on the display means.

29. The electronic equipment according to claim 27, wherein the presentation control means controls a contrast of an image displayed on the display means.

30. The electronic equipment according to claim 27, wherein the presentation control means changes a size of an object displayed on the display means.

31. The electronic equipment according to claim 27, wherein the presentation control means changes a color of an object displayed on the display means.

32. The electronic equipment according to claim 27, wherein the presentation control means blinks an object displayed on the display means.

33. The electronic equipment according to claim 19, wherein the information presentation means comprises a voice output means.

34. The electronic equipment according to claim 33, wherein the presentation control means controls a volume of a voice output from the voice output means.

35. The electronic equipment according to claim 33, wherein the presentation control means controls a tone of a voice output from the voice output means.

36. An electronic equipment comprising:

an input operation member;

an operation unit including pressing frequency detection means for detecting a pressing number of the input operation member by a user per unit of time at an input operation time;

information presentation means for presenting information; and

presentation control means for changing information presentation modes on the information presentation means depending on the pressing number detected by the pressing frequency detection means.

37. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, further comprising:

reference pressing frequency value calculation means for calculating a reference pressing frequency value from the pressing number detected by the pressing frequency detection means;

reference pressing frequency value storage means for storing the reference pressing frequency value;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means and reference pressing frequency value stored in the reference pressing frequency value storage means; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison results obtained by the pressing frequency comparison means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the psychological state determination means.

38. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, further comprising:

change rate calculation means for calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressing number obtained by the pressing frequency detection means, the pressing number having been detected within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

psychological state determination means for determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the calculation result obtained by the change rate calculation means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the psychological state determination means.

39. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, further comprising:

level storage means for storing indicators in which pressure frequency values are classified into a plurality of levels;

pressing frequency comparison means for comparing detection results of the pressing number obtained in the pressing frequency detection means and a pressing frequency level stored in the level storage means; and

level determination means for determining the user'"'"'s pressing frequency level from the comparison result obtained by the pressing frequency comparison means, wherein

the presentation control means changes information presentation modes on the information presentation means based on the determination of the level determination means.

40. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the pressing frequency detection means detects the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession, and

the psychological state determination means determines the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number.

41. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, wherein the input operation member is a correct operation member that corrects a previous input operation.

42. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, wherein the information presentation means comprises display means that displays at least one of video-image data, still-image data, and text data.

43. The electronic equipment according to claim 42, wherein the presentation control means controls a brightness of an image displayed on the display means.

44. The electronic equipment according to claim 42, wherein the presentation control means controls a contrast of an image displayed on the display means.

45. The electronic equipment according to claim 42, wherein the presentation control means changes a size of an object displayed on the display means.

46. The electronic equipment according to claim 42, wherein the presentation control means changes a color of an object displayed on the display means.

47. The electronic equipment according to claim 42, wherein the presentation control means blinks an object displayed on the display means.

48. The electronic equipment according to claim 36, wherein the information presentation means comprises voice output means.

49. The electronic equipment according to claim 48, wherein the presentation control means controls a volume of a voice output from the voice output means.

50. The electronic equipment according to claim 48, wherein the presentation control means controls a tone of a voice output from the voice output means.

51. An input method comprising the steps of:

detecting pressure intensity by a user on an input operation member at an input operation time; and

calculating a reference pressure value based on detection results of the pressure intensity that have been obtained during a predetermined period or by predetermined number of input operations.

52. The input method according to claim 51, further comprising the steps of:

comparing detection results of the pressure intensity and reference pressure value; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison result.

53. The input method according to claim 52, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting a number of times a same input operation member has been pressed in succession; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number.

54. The input method according to claim 51, further comprising the steps of:

calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressure intensity obtained within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from a calculation result.

55. The input method according to claim 51, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a pressing number of the input operation member per unit of time at input operation time; and

calculating a reference pressing frequency value based on detection results of the pressing number that have been obtained during a predetermined period.

56. The input method according to claim 55, further comprising the steps of:

comparing detection results of the pressure intensity and reference pressure value;

comparing detection results of the pressing number and reference pressing frequency value; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison results related to the pressure intensity and pressing frequency.

57. The input method according to claim 51, wherein the input operation member is a correct operation member and further comprising the step of correcting a previous input operation.

58. An input method comprising:

detecting a pressing number of the input operation member by a user per unit of time at an input operation time; and

calculating a reference pressing frequency value based on detection results of the pressing number obtained during a predetermined period.

59. The input method according to claim 58, further comprising the steps of:

comparing detection results of the pressing number and reference pressing frequency value; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the comparison result.

60. The input method according to claim 59, wherein

a plurality of characters are assigned to the input operation member, the characters being changed for input depending on a number of times a same input operation member is pressed in succession,

the method further comprising the steps of:

detecting a number of times a same input operation member has been pressed in succession; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state depending on whether the number of times the same input operation member has been pressed in succession exceeds a predetermined number.

61. The input method according to claim 58, further comprising the steps of:

calculating a change rate in detection results of the pressure intensity obtained within a predetermined time period or predetermined number of input operations; and

determining the user'"'"'s psychological state from the calculation result.

62. The input method according to claim 58, wherein the input operation member is a correct operation member and further comprising the step of correcting a previous input operation.