INPUT DEVICE

• US 20130162582A1
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nippon Seiki Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nippon Seiki Company Limited
• Inventors: Hatano, Takayuki, Katoh, Masaki
• Application Number:
  US13/820,097
• Publication Number:
  US 20130162582A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/126 Rotatable input devices for instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/126 Rotatable input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/1446 Touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/158 Haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/25 using haptic output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04809 Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

Provided is an input device whereby a user may easily carry out a contact operation. An input device (100) comprises an obverse face cover (111), further comprising an operation screen, which receives an input operation of a user tracing a prescribed track upon the operation screen as though drawing or writing thereon. Projections (111b) which serve as input operation references are formed on the operation screen, and the input device (100) further comprises a sensor sheet (112) which is located at the reverse face side of the obverse face cover (111). The sensor sheet (112) detects the location on the operation screen that is traced by the input operation. The contact operation is easily carried out because the user can carry out the input operation with the projections (111b) serving as references.

Claims

1. An input device which receives an input operation, comprising:

an operation screen which a member to be detected performing the input operation touches; and

a sensor portion for detecting a position at which the member to be detected has touched the operation screen,

wherein the operation screen includes a projecting portion.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein:

the operation screen and the sensor portion are included in a single sheet-shaped member;

the projecting portion is formed by a bent portion of the sheet-shaped member;

the sheet-shaped member includes a first sheet-shaped member and a second sheet-shaped member;

the operation screen is a front surface of the first sheet-shaped member;

the sensor portion is the second sheet-shaped member; and

a front surface of the second sheet-shaped member is in contact with a back surface of the first sheet-shaped member, and the first sheet-shaped member and the second sheet-shaped member are integrated with each other.

3. The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation screen includes a recessed portion in the vicinity of the projecting portion.

4. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the projecting portion is formed in a substantially arcuate shape on the operation screen when seen in the front view.

5. The input device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the recessed portion is disposed further toward the center of the operation screen than the projecting portion.

6. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of projecting portions are provided and arranged at predetermined intervals on the operation screen.

7. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor portion includes a plurality of sensing electrodes and the plurality of sensing electrodes are provided corresponding to the shape of the operation screen.

8. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operation screen is formed by a single sheet member.

9. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a control means, wherein the control means controls a predetermined electronic device in accordance with a position of the member to be detected which is detected by the sensor portion.

10. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the input device is provided in a steering of a vehicle.