INPUT APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF INPUT APPARATUS

• US 20110102358A1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Tashiro, Kaoru, Shiokawa, Yuta, Aono, Tomotake
• Granted Patent: US 9,904,363 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position

Abstract

An input apparatus has an input unit for receiving a pressure input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit, a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit, and a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a click sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit and for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that the click sensation is provided to the object, after the input to the input unit is received, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided when an operator operates the input unit of a pressure type, which enables a continuous input operation without a feeling of strangeness.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. An input apparatus comprising:

an input unit for receiving a pressure input;

a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit;

a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit; and

a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, and for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit after the input to the input unit is received, wherein the second tactile sensation is the same as the first tactile sensation.

3. An input apparatus comprising:

an input unit for receiving a pressure input;

a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit;

a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit; and

a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, and for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit after the input to the input unit is received, wherein the second tactile sensation is different from the first tactile sensation.

4. A control method of an input apparatus comprising an input unit for receiving a pressure input, and a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit and a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit, the control method comprising the step of:

controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, and controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit after the input to the input unit is received, wherein the second tactile sensation is the same as the first tactile sensation.

5. A control method of an input apparatus comprising an input unit for receiving a pressure input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on the input unit and a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit, the control method comprising the step of:

controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, and controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit after the input to the input unit is received, wherein the second tactile sensation is different from the first tactile sensation.