Input apparatus

• US 8,330,737 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2010
• Issued: 12/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Aono, Tomotake, Shiokawa, Yuta, Tashiro, Kaoru
• Primary Examiner(s): SHERMAN, STEPHEN G
• Application Number:
  US12/979,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20110148795A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178 1801- 1809, 178/18.11
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04105 Pressure sensors for measuring the pressure or force exerted on the touch surface without providing the touch position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/008 with a haptic or a tactile feedback controlled by electrical means, e.g. a motor or magnetofriction
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2215/05 electromechanical
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 11/02 Details

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 14 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. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided upon operation of the input unit of a pressure type by an operator.

Claims

1. 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 driving the vibration unit with only a drive signal when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, 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 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 steps of:

driving the vibration unit with a only a drive signal when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a predetermined standard for receiving an input to the input unit, 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.