Multidirectional control switch and multidirectional input device using the same
First Claim
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1. A multi-directional control switch comprising:
- a disc-shaped operating member;
a ring-shaped resistive layer, with said operating member being movable relative to said resistive layer;
a first ring-shaped conductive layer facing said resistive layer; and
a second ring-shaped conductive layer insulated from said first conductive layer and facing said resistive layer, said second conductive layer surrounding and being concentric with said first conductive layer, wherein (i) a first switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said first conductive layer, with said first switch contact being for outputting a first signal that continuously varies while a top surface of said operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus in arc form, and (ii) a second switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said second conductive layer, with said second switch contact being for outputting a second signal while the top surface of said operating member is pressed by a first force.
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Abstract
A multidirectional control switch of the present invention is used in a variety of electronic apparatuses including a portable telephone and a personal digital assistant. A first switch contact of this switch outputs a first signal continuously varying as a top surface of a substantially disc-shaped operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus substantially in arc form. With a stronger press, a second switch contact outputs a second signal. The multidirectional control switch has a simple structure and can be reduced in size because these two switch contacts are integrally formed, thereby eliminating a need to combine discrete elements.
16 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A multi-directional control switch comprising:
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a disc-shaped operating member;
a ring-shaped resistive layer, with said operating member being movable relative to said resistive layer;
a first ring-shaped conductive layer facing said resistive layer; and
a second ring-shaped conductive layer insulated from said first conductive layer and facing said resistive layer, said second conductive layer surrounding and being concentric with said first conductive layer, wherein (i) a first switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said first conductive layer, with said first switch contact being for outputting a first signal that continuously varies while a top surface of said operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus in arc form, and (ii) a second switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said second conductive layer, with said second switch contact being for outputting a second signal while the top surface of said operating member is pressed by a first force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A multi-directional input device comprising:
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a multi-directional control switch including (i) a disc-shaped operating member, (ii) a ring-shaped resistive layer, with said operating member being movable relative to said resistive layer, (iii) a first ring-shaped conductive layer facing said resistive layer, and (iv) a second ring-shaped conductive layer insulated from said first conductive layer and facing said resistive layer, said second conductive layer surrounding and being concentric with said first conductive layer, wherein (a) a first switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said first conductive layer, with said first switch contact being for outputting a first signal that continuously varies while a top surface of said operating member undergoes a sliding press along a locus in arc form, and (b) a second switch contact is defined by said resistive layer and said second conductive layer, with said second switch contact being for outputting a second signal while the top surface of said operating member is pressed by a first force;
a display unit; and
a controller, connected to said multi-directional control switch and said display unit, for controlling display on said display unit upon detection of the first signal and the second signal. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification