Input apparatus for generating tactile sensations and control method of input apparatus

• US 9,904,363 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• 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): Patel, Kumar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Onyekaba, Amy C
• Application Number:
  US13/001,591
• Publication Number:
  US 20110102358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,990 Days
• Field of Search: 345173-174, 3404072
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 using force sensing means to determine a position

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 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, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard lower than the predetermined standard for receiving the input to the input unit. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided when an operator operates the input unit of a pressure type, which enables a continuous input operation without a feeling of strangeness.

Claims

1. An input apparatus comprising:

a touch panel;

a load detector configured to detect a pressure load on the touch panel;

a vibrator configured to vibrate the touch panel; and

a controller configured to control a drive of the vibrator such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch panel, in accordance with a standard of press,

wherein the controller controls a drive of the vibrator such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, in accordance with a standard of release, wherein the standard of release is lower than the standard of press, wherein

the second tactile sensation is the same as the first tactile sensation, and wherein

the standard of press and the standard of release are used to control provision of the first and the second tactile sensations,

wherein at least one of the standard of press and the standard of release is user configurable such that a user can recognize that an input operation is completed for a single input, for repetitive inputs, and for continuous inputs.

2. An input apparatus comprising:

a touch panel;

a load detector configured to detect a pressure load on the touch panel;

a vibrator configured to vibrate the touch panel; and

a controller configured to control a drive of the vibrator such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch panel, in accordance with a standard of press,

wherein the controller controls a drive of the vibrator such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, in accordance with a standard of release, wherein the standard of release is lower than the standard of press, and

wherein the second tactile sensation is different from the first tactile sensation, and wherein

the standard of press and the standard of release are used to control provision of the first and second tactile sensations,

wherein at least one of the standard of press and the standard of release is user configurable such that a user can recognize that an input operation is completed for a single input, for repetitive inputs, and for continuous inputs.

3. A control method of an input apparatus comprising a touch panel configured to receive a pressure input, and a load detector configured to detect a pressure load on the touch panel and a vibrator configured to vibrate the touch panel, the control method comprising the step of:

controlling a drive of the vibrator such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch panel, in accordance with a standard of press,

controlling a drive of the vibrator such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, in accordance with a standard of release, wherein the standard of release is lower than the standard of press,

wherein the standard of press and the standard of release are used to control provision of the first and the second tactile sensations, and

wherein the second tactile sensation is the same as the first tactile sensation,

wherein at least one of the standard of press and the standard of release is user configurable such that a user can recognize that an input operation is completed for a single input, for repetitive inputs, and for continuous inputs.

4. A control method of an input apparatus comprising a touch panel configured to receive a pressure input, and a load detector configured to detect a pressure load on the touch panel and a vibrator configured to vibrate the touch panel, the control method comprising the step of:

controlling a drive of the vibrator such that a first tactile sensation is provided to an object pressing the touch panel, in accordance with a standard of press,

controlling a drive of the vibrator such that a second tactile sensation is provided to the object, in accordance with a standard of release, wherein the standard of release is lower than the standard of press,

wherein the standard of press and the standard of release are used to control provision of the first and the second tactile sensations, and

wherein the second tactile sensation is different from the first tactile sensation,

wherein at least one of the standard of press and the standard of release is user configurable such that a user can recognize that an input operation is completed for a single input, for repetitive inputs, and for continuous inputs.