Inputting method and device with a flat input having sensor capable of coordinate touch input wherein display is switchable based on touch pressure

• US 7,359,999 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sato, Tadamitsu
• Primary Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US10/865,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20050007339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 710/15, 710/16, 710/36, 710/67, 345/173, 345/178, 345/168, 345/172, 345/169, 345/156, 382/141, 382/149
• US Class Current: 710/67
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures

Abstract

An input device includes a flat first input unit for a first input operation, a second input unit for a second input operation, a display unit having a display portion displaying data, and a control unit controlling each unit. The control unit gives an operator feedback by provisionally displaying input data obtained from the first input operation, and then confirms the input by the second input operation.

Claims

1. An inputting method to input data with a flat first input unit including a capacitance sensor or a pressure sensor and capable of coordinate input, at least one second input unit disposed behind the first input unit and switchable by pressing force when the first input unit is pressed, a control unit controlling each unit in the input device, and a display unit being integrated with or separated from the control unit, the inputting method comprising:

determining whether a first input operation of touching a surface of the first input unit was performed;

displaying, if the first input operation was performed, a provisional display of input information associated with an input region touched in the first input operation;

continuously displaying the provisional display such that, if the touched position on the surface of the first input unit was moved, the provisionally displayed input information is changed to input information associated with a newly touched input region;

determining if a second input operation was operated by a pressing force when the first input unit is pressed; and

executing a final display if the second input operation was performed,

wherein the input data is confirmed by the second input operation.

2. The inputting method according to claim 1, comprising:

performing a first input operation by operating a switch; and

performing a second input operation by operating a switch.

3. The inputting method according to claim 1, wherein the position of the provisional display on the display unit corresponds to the touched position on the surface of the flat first input unit.