Operation device, electronic book device and electronic apparatus

• US 20070033541A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited (Fujitsu Limited)
• Inventors: Arita, Takashi, Harada, Keita, Sakurai, Satoshi, Akieda, Shinichiro, Uchiyama, Takuya, Yatsu, Nobuo
• Granted Patent: US 8,077,165 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/776
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

An operation device includes: an operated boy; an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body; and a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body. The operation device may be applied to an electronic book device for flipping of pages.

Claims

1. An operation device comprising:

an operated boy;

an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body; and

a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body.

2. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part comprises:

a touch member that is provided to the operated body and is touchable to an object that operates the operated body; and

a driver driving the touch member.

3. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operated body holds the touch member.

4. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operated body holds the touch member and the driver.

5. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the operated body holds the driver.

6. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driver is built in the operated body.

7. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part comprises:

multiple touch members that are provided to the operated body and are touchable to an object that operates the operated body; and

a driver driving the multiple touch members.

8. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch member partially protrudes from a surface of the operated body through an opening formed in the operated body.

9. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch member has a protrusion that protrudes from a surface of the operated body through an opening formed in the operated body.

10. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the touch member is partially exposed from a surface of the operated body.

11. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driver comprises a piezoelectric element that drives the touch member that includes a film-like member.

12. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part has a vibratory element that partially protrudes from the operated body.

13. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part comprises:

a touch member having a bladed wheel touchable to an object that operates the operated body; and

a motor rotating the bladed wheel of the touch member.

14. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part comprises:

a touch member having an endless belt having multiple protrusions touchable to an object that operates the operated body; and

a motor rotating the endless belt of the touch member in opposite directions.

15. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation signal producing part comprises a switch circuit that produces the operation signal based on the operation on the operated body.

16. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the operated body is supported so as to swing about a given axis; and

the operation signal producing part comprises a switch circuit that produces the operation signal based on swing positions of the operated body.

17. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the operated body is supported so as to slide; and

the operation signal producing part comprises a switch circuit that produces the operation signal based on slide positions of the operated body.

18. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation signal producing part comprises a detection element that detects an amount of operation on the operated body.

19. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation signal producing part comprises multiple elements that detect a direction in which the operated body is operated.

20. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation signal producing part comprises a light-emitting element attached to the operated body, and a light-receiving element converting light emitted from the light-emitting element into an electric signal.

21. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operation signal producing part comprises magnetoelectric elements that detect magnetic flux generated by a driver that drives a touch member of the tactile information presenting part, the touch member being touchable to an object that operates the operated body.

22. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein:

the driver comprises an electromagnetic actuator having a coil and a magnet; and

one of the coil and the magnet is connected to the touch member, and the other is fixed to the operated body.

23. The operation device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driver comprises a cam member provided so as to engage the touch member, and a motor that rotates the cam member.

24. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile information presenting part comprises an actuator that generates force opposite to a direction in which the operated body is operated in order to change force necessary to manually operate the operated body.

25. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the operated body is provided so as to swing about a given axis; and

the operation device further comprises electromagnetic solenoid actuators provided in association with swing positions of the operated body.

26. The operation device as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the operated body is provided so as to slide in sliding directions; and

the operation device further comprises magnets arranged side by side in the sliding directions having opposite magnetic poles, and a coil associated with the magnets,

either the coil or the magnets being attached to the operated body.

27. An electronic book device comprising:

a display;

a memory that stores book data to be displayed on the display;

an operation device instructing flipping of pages of the book data; and

a processor controlling the display, the memory and the operation device,

the operation device including;

an operated boy operated at the time of flipping of pages;

an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on flipping of pages on the operated body; and

a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body, the tactile information being based on flipping of pages.

28. An electronic device comprising:

a processor; and

an operation device connected to the processor,

the operation device including;

an operated boy;

an operation signal producing part that produces an operation signal based on an operation on the operated body, the operation signal being sent to the processor; and

a tactile information presenting part that presents tactile information through the operated body under the control of the processor.