Input apparatus

• US 8,816,969 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• 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:
  US13/001,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20110102355A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,709 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-178, 178 1801- 1809, 178/18.11, 463/30, 340/4.12, 340/407.1, 340/407.2, 715/702
• 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 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 vibration unit for vibrating the input unit; and

a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a click sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, wherein

the drive depends on a pressure on the input unit, wherein the pressure is after an initial contact of the input unit, and

the vibration unit is configured of piezoelectric.

2. An input apparatus comprising:

an input unit for receiving a pressure;

a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit; and

a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit to vibrate the input unit at a frequency such that a click sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, wherein

the drive depends on a pressure on the input unit, wherein the pressure is after an initial contact of the input unit, and

the vibration unit is configured of piezoelectric.

3. An input apparatus comprising:

an input unit for receiving a pressure input;

a vibration unit for vibrating the input unit; and

a control unit for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that a click sensation is provided to an object pressing the input unit, and for controlling drive of the vibration unit such that the click sensation is provided to the object after the input to the input unit is received, wherein

the drive depends on a pressure on the input unit, wherein the pressure is after an initial contact of the input unit, and

the vibration unit is configured of piezoelectric.