Inputting method and input device

• US 20050007339A1
• Filed: 06/10/2004
• Published: 01/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sato, Tadamitsu
• Granted Patent: US 7,359,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 input unit including a capacitance sensor or a pressure sensor and capable of coordinate input and to display the input data with a display unit, the inputting method comprising:

giving an operator feedback by provisionally displaying input data obtained from a first input operation; and

confirming the input data by a second input operation.

2. An input device comprising:

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; and

a control unit controlling each unit in the input device,

the input device further comprising a display unit having a display portion displaying data, the display unit being integrated with or separated from the control unit,

wherein the control unit allows the display unit to provisionally display input data obtained from a touch operation of the first input unit, and confirms the input data by an operation of the second input unit.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the first input unit includes an input key on a surface thereof.

4. The input device according to claim 2, wherein said at least one second input unit comprises one second input unit, and the second input unit confirms the coordinate input through the first input unit.

5. The input device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one second input unit comprises one second input unit, and the second input unit confirms the coordinate input through the first input unit.