Information input apparatus, and information processing apparatus, method, recording medium, and program

• US 7,187,368 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2005
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Rekimoto, Junichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Osorio; Ricardo
• Application Number:
  US11/219,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20060001649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 550 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/174, 345/175
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/141 Activation of instrument input devices by approaching fingers or pens
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0362 with detection of 1D translations or rotations of an operating part of the device, e.g. scroll wheels, sliders, knobs, rollers or belts
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2003/0293 with an integrated touch switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/032 Feedback about selected symbol, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/036 Radio; TV
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/006 Containing a capacitive switch or usable as such
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/233 including a pointing device, e.g. roller key, track ball, rocker switch or joystick constructional details of pointing devices per se G06F3/033
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/56 including a user help function

Abstract

An information processing apparatus comprises a key and a proximity sensor. When the user places a finger on a depressing portion of the key, the proximity sensor detects the event, and inputs, to the information processing apparatus, proximity information indicating that the user'"'"'s finger is in proximity to the key. Based on the proximity information which has been input, the information processing apparatus displays information relating to the function assigned to the key. When the depressing portion is depressed with the user'"'"'s finger, the key inputs, to the information processing apparatus, information indicating that its contacts are in an on-state. Based on the input information, the information processing apparatus is able to execute the function. Thus, a function assigned to a physical key may easily be recognized by a user.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising:

buttons arranged on a grid for detecting an input based on one or more of the buttons being pressed down by a person;

a condenser for detecting an input based on the person touching, or the person placing part of their body in proximity to, one or more of the buttons;

a state identifying means for identifying a state where one or more of the buttons are being touched, or where part of the person'"'"'s body is in proximity to one or more of the buttons, based on a change of capacity within the condenser;

a control means for controlling the display of information relating to one or more buttons, when the state identifying means identifies the state;

a first storing means for storing information for identifying the state; and

a second storing means for storing information to reconfigure the apparatus by assigning a function to the state, the state corresponding to a person'"'"'s body movement near the grid.

2. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said condenser comprises:

a plurality of line-shaped transmission electrodes; and

a plurality of line-shaped reception electrodes not in contact with the transmission electrodes;

wherein the transmission electrodes and the reception electrodes cross each other.

3. The information processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

function assigning means for assigning a function corresponding to one or more buttons when part of the person'"'"'s body is determined to be in proximity to the buttons;

wherein the control means executes the corresponding function, assigned by the function assigning means, when proximity is identified by the state identifying means.

4. An information processing method, comprising the steps of:

detecting a first input when one or more buttons arranged on a grid are pressed;

detecting a second input, using a condenser, when a person touches or places part of their body in proximity to one or more of the buttons;

identifying a state where one or more of the buttons are being touched, or where part of the person'"'"'s body is in proximity to one or more of the buttons, based on a change of capacity within the condenser;

controlling the display of information relating to one or more buttons, when the state has been identified;

storing information for identifying the state; and

storing information to reconfigure the apparatus by assigning a function to a state, the state corresponding to a person'"'"'s body movement near the grid.