Coordinate input device having non-flat operation surface and electronic apparatus

• US 20030071784A1
• Filed: 09/16/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sato, Tadamitsu, Soma, Masahiro
• Granted Patent: US 7,321,361 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• 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 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes

Abstract

A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input unit which performs a coordinate input operation by sliding an operating member on an operation surface which is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron. More specifically, the coordinate input device includes a capacitive sensor substrate formed by laminating two electrode layers with an upper substrate (dielectric layer) therebetween, each electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes arranged in a striped pattern. In addition, the coordinate input device also includes the operation surface formed in a convex (or concave) shape which is used for performing a coordinate input operation by sliding the operating member thereon.

Claims

1. A coordinate input device comprising:

coordinate input means which performs a coordinate input operation by detecting a position of an operating member on a non-rotating operation surface when the operating member slides on the operation surface,

wherein the operation surface is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron.

2. A coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is convex at the side at which the operating member slides thereon, and a flat base for supporting the operation surface is disposed under the operation surface.

3. A coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation surface is concave at the side at which the operating member slides thereon and a flat base is disposed under the operation surface, the flat base supporting the operation surface at a region outside an effective region in which the operating member slides on the operation surface.

4. A coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate input means comprises a capacitive sensor substrate which is formed in a concave shape, a convex shape, or the shape of a polyhedron, and which includes a dielectric layer and two electrode layers which are laminated with the dielectric layer therebetween, each electrode layer having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a pattern.

9. A coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the periphery of the operation surface is formed in a rectangular shape with straight sides.

10. A coordinate input device according to claim 9, wherein the operation surface includes a flat region at the periphery thereof.

11. A coordinate input device according to claim 10, wherein the flat region is assigned to a particular function other than the coordinate input operation.

12. An electronic apparatus comprising a coordinate input device according to claim 1.

5. A coordinate input device comprising:

coordinate input means which performs a coordinate input operation by detecting a pushing force and a sliding direction of an operating member when the operating member slides on an operation surface,

wherein the coordinate input means includes a detection sensor unit and an operation unit disposed on the detection sensor unit, the top surface of the operation unit being formed in a concave shape, a convex shape, or the shape of a polyhedron, and

wherein the coordinate input means detects the pushing force applied to the operation unit by using the detection sensor unit and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pushing force.

6. A coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein the operation surface is convex at the side at which the operating member slides thereon, and a flat base for supporting the operation surface is disposed under the operation surface.

7. A coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein the operation surface is concave at the side at which the operating member slides thereon and a flat base is disposed below the operation surface, the flat base supporting the operation surface at a region outside an effective region in which the operating member slides on the operation surface.

8. A coordinate input device according to claim 5, wherein the detection sensor unit includes a plurality of strain gauges which are arranged around the center of the bottom surface of the operation unit.