Input device which allows button input operation and coordinate input operation to be performed in the same operation plane
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An input device comprising:
- a planar input that generates a coordinate input operation;
an indicator section provided at a surface of the planar input, the indicator section having a plurality of input sections; and
a control section that generates an operation signal in accordance with an input signal that the control section has received from the planar input, wherein, when the input device is set in ma first input mode, the control section detects that any one of the input sections has been touched, and generates an operation signal in accordance with a prescribed item of the input section, and, wherein, when the input device is set in a second mode, the control section recognizes the input signal from the planar input as coordinate data regardless of what is indicated at the touched input section.
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Abstract
An input device includes a pressure-sensitive or capacitive planar input unit with an indicator sheet which has input sections being secured to the surface of the planar input unit. A tactile feedback generator is provided at the back side of the planar input unit. The tactile feedback generator includes dome-shaped inversion plates that are separately provided at locations corresponding to the input sections and provide feedback to the operator. When an input section is pressed, an operation signal in accordance with what is indicated at the pressed input section is generated.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An input device comprising:
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a planar input that generates a coordinate input operation;
an indicator section provided at a surface of the planar input, the indicator section having a plurality of input sections; and
a control section that generates an operation signal in accordance with an input signal that the control section has received from the planar input, wherein, when the input device is set in ma first input mode, the control section detects that any one of the input sections has been touched, and generates an operation signal in accordance with a prescribed item of the input section, and, wherein, when the input device is set in a second mode, the control section recognizes the input signal from the planar input as coordinate data regardless of what is indicated at the touched input section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An input device having a first mode and a second mode, the input device comprising:
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a planar input having an upper surface that includes a plurality of input sections, each input section generating a signal when operated; and
a control section that determines the mode of the input device and generates an operation signal corresponding to a combination of the mode and the signal received from the planar input, the control section generating a first operation signal when the input device is in the first mode and a second operation signal when the input device is in the second mode, the first operation signal corresponding to a particular function indicated by the contacted input section and the second operation signal corresponding to coordinate data of the contacted input section, the coordinate data independent of the particular function indicated by the contacted input section. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An input device having a first mode and a second mode, the input device comprising:
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a planar input having an upper surface that includes a plurality of input sections, each input section generating a signal when operated;
a control section that automatically controls the mode of the input device and generates an operation signal corresponding to a combination of the mode and the signal received from the planar input, the control section generating a first operation signal when the input device is in the first mode and a second operation signal when the input device is in the second mode, the first operation signal corresponding to a particular function indicated by the operated input section and the second operation signal corresponding to coordinate data of the operated input section, the coordinate data independent of the particular function indicated by the contacted input section;
a display mechanism disposed separately from the planar input, the display mechanism providing a display in correspondence with the coordinate data when the input device is in the second mode; and
a single tactile feedback generator disposed at one location at a back side of the planar input, the tactile feedback generator producing a uniform reactive force that resists deformation of the operated input section when any of the input sections are pressed.
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19. An input device having a first mode and a second mode, the input device comprising:
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a planar input having an upper surface that includes a plurality of input sections, each input section generating a signal when operated;
a control section that automatically controls the mode of the input device and generates an operation signal corresponding to a combination of the mode and the signal received from the planar input, the control section generating a first operation signal when the input device is in the first mode and a second operation signal when the input device is in the second mode, the first operation signal corresponding to a particular function indicated by the operated input section and the second operation signal corresponding to coordinate data of the operated input section, the coordinate data independent of the particular function indicated by the contacted input section;
a display mechanism disposed separately from the planar input, the display mechanism providing a display in correspondence with the coordinate data when the input device is in the second mode; and
a plurality of dome-shaped inversion plates disposed at a back side of the planar input, each inversion plate individually provided at a location of a corresponding input section and generating a reactive force that resists deformation of the operated input section, the reactive forces of the inversion plates being uniform with each other.
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20. A method of increasing operability of an input device, the method comprising:
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operating an input section of a planar input;
generating a signal corresponding to the operation of the input section;
automatically controlling a mode of the input device;
generating a first operation signal corresponding to a particular function indicated by the operated input section when the input device is in a first mode and a second operation signal corresponding to coordinate data of the contacted input section when the input device is in a second mode; and
ignoring the particular function indicated by the contacted input section when the input device is in the second mode. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification