INPUT APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD OF INPUT APPARATUS

• US 20110163984A1
• Filed: 12/27/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: AONO, Tomotake
• Granted Patent: US 8,179,378 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 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9625 using a force resistance transducer
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96062 with tactile or haptic feedback

Abstract

An input apparatus has a touch sensor for receiving an input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating the touch face, and a control unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard for providing a tactile sensation, for controlling drive of the tactile sensation providing unit to vibrate the touch face at a frequency such that a click sensation is provided to an object (means) pressing the touch face. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided when an operator operates the touch sensor.

Claims

1. An input apparatus comprising:

a touch sensor for receiving an input;

a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor;

a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating the touch face; and

a control unit for driving the tactile sensation providing unit with a single drive signal when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard for providing a tactile sensation, wherein

the drive signal has a frequency of 140 Hz or higher, and

the drive signal is used for a period determined in a range from ¼

period to 5/4 period of the drive signal.

2. A control method of an input apparatus comprising a touch sensor for receiving an input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor, and a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating the touch face, the control method comprising the step of:

driving the tactile sensation providing unit with a single drive signal when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard for providing a tactile sensation, wherein

the drive signal has a frequency of 140 Hz or higher, and

the drive signal is used for a period determined in a range from ¼

period to 5/4 period of the drive signal.