JP3978342B2 - Input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an input device of a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, and more particularly to an input device capable of inputting a position of a pressed operation when a key top (operation body) is pressed.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a tablet using a resistive film as shown in FIG. 6 is known as an input device for inputting handwritten characters, graphics, and the like.
[0003]
This tablet has a structure in which resistive films 61a and 62a are applied or vapor-deposited on the mutually facing surfaces of two insulating sheets 61 and 62, and a plurality of resistive films 61a and 62a are provided between the resistive films 61a and 62a. Insulating dot spacers 63 are provided to separate the resistance films 61a and 62a at a predetermined interval. Electrodes 61b and 61c are provided on two opposing sides of one end of the resistance film 61a, and an electrode 62b is provided on two sides orthogonal to the electrodes 61b and 61c on the other end of the resistance film 62a. , 62c are provided.
[0004]
The tablet pressing position is detected by a control unit (not shown) in which a DC voltage is alternately applied to the electrodes 61b and 61c and the electrodes 62b and 62c in a time-division manner, and the resistance to which no voltage is applied. The position of each direction is detected by detecting a voltage from the electrode of the film.
[0005]
That is, for example, when the point P in FIG. 6 is pressed and the X direction is detected, first, the drive voltage Vcc is applied to the electrode 62b and 0 (V) is applied to the electrode 62c. Then, the divided voltage at the point P of the resistance film 62a is applied to the resistance film 61a that is in contact at the point P, and the voltage can be obtained by detecting the voltage from the electrode 61b or 61c of the resistance film 61a. it can.
[0006]
Similarly, when detecting the Y direction, the drive voltage Vcc is applied to the electrode 61b and 0 (V) is applied to the electrode 61c. Then, the divided voltage at the point P of the resistance film 61a is applied to the resistance film 62a that is in contact at the point P, and the voltage can be obtained by detecting the voltage from the electrode 62b or 62c of the resistance film 62a. it can.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0007]
However, in such an input device, when the direction is input, the center position is not known. Therefore, if the input device is not input while looking at the input device, an incorrect direction may be input, and blind input is difficult. It was.
In addition, since the insulating sheet 62 is bent and the resistance films 61a and 62a are brought into contact with each other to input the position, it is difficult for the user to know whether the resistance films 61a and 62a are in contact with each other. It was easy to misoperate that no input was made.
[0008]
Further, in the circuit for detecting the position where the resistance films 61a and 62a are in contact with each other, the control unit always applies a voltage between the two electrodes (between 61b-61c or 62b-62c) via the resistance film 61a or 62a. As a result, a small current flows, battery power is consumed, and the time for which an electronic device equipped with this input device can be used continuously has been shortened.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use input device that is easy to perform blind input, is less likely to cause an erroneous operation, and consumes less power.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The input device of the present invention as a solution for solving the above problems is a first resistance film having first and second electrodes on both ends, and laminated on the first resistance film via an insulating spacer, A second resistive film having third and fourth electrodes orthogonal to the first and second electrodes, respectively, and placed on top of the second resistive film, with a projecting portion formed annularly below; A circular operating body, removing the insulating spacer in the region corresponding to the protruding portion, and operating the operating body downward to tilt the operating body, and the protruding portion causes the second resistive film to The first resistive film and the second resistive film are brought into contact with each other to detect the operation position of the operating body, and a fulcrum part is provided below the center of the operating body, corresponding to the fulcrum part. Insulating spacers are provided .
[0011]
With this configuration, the shape of the operating body can be recognized by tactile sense, and the center can be grasped. Therefore, even if input is performed blindly, an incorrect direction is not input, and the input device is easy to operate.
[0013]
With this configuration, even if the center of the operating body is pressed, the resistance films do not come into contact with each other at two or more locations, so that the input device can be operated easily without causing an erroneous operation.
[0014]
Also, first to fourth voltage output terminals for applying driving voltages to the first to fourth electrodes, respectively, and a first for inputting voltages appearing on the first and second resistance films, respectively. And a control unit having a second analog voltage input terminal and a pull-up terminal for pulling up the first resistive film to a predetermined voltage, and the control unit sets the pull-up terminal to the predetermined voltage. And a first mode in which the third and fourth voltage output terminals are respectively set to a low level, between the first voltage output terminal and the second voltage output terminal, or the third mode. Voltage is alternately output between the voltage output terminal and the fourth voltage output terminal, and the pull-up terminal is opened, and the analog voltage value input to the first and second analog voltage input terminals is calculated. Process the first It is configured to be switched to a second mode for detecting a contact position between the anti-film and the second resistive film, and in the first mode, a voltage input to the first analog voltage input terminal is The mode is switched to the second mode when changed, and in the second mode, the mode is switched to the first mode when no voltage is input to the first and second analog voltage input terminals for a certain period of time.
[0015]
With this configuration, the control unit is in the first mode when the operating body has not been operated for a certain period of time, and since no voltage is applied to the resistance film, power consumption can be reduced, and this input device is provided. Electronic equipment can be used for a long time.
[0016]
Further, pressing portions are provided at intervals of 90 degrees below the outer peripheral portion of the operating body, and a metal dome made of a dome-shaped metal is provided below and facing each pressing portion, and the operating body is operated downward. By doing so, the pressing part descends, and the metal dome is elastically deformed.
With this configuration, when the operating body is operated, a click feeling is transmitted to the operator, and the operation can be confirmed, so that the operation can be reliably performed.
[0017]
Further, a switch element is provided below the respective metal domes so as to be turned on when the metal domes are elastically deformed.
With this configuration, when the operating body is operated, switch inputs are simultaneously performed, so two inputs can be performed with one operation, and the user can perform control that is easy to use.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, the input device of the present invention applies or vapor-deposits resistance films 11a and 12a on the surfaces of two insulating sheets 11 and 12 facing each other. A plurality of insulating dot spacers 13 are provided between the resistance film 12a and the resistance films 11a and 12a are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Electrodes 11b and 11c are provided on two opposite sides of the end of the resistance film 11a, and electrodes 12b and 12c are provided on two sides orthogonal to the electrodes 11b and 11c at the end of the resistance film 12a. It has been.
[0020]
A key top (operating body) 14 is placed above the insulating sheet 12. The key top 14 has a fulcrum part 14a formed in the lower part at the center, an annular projecting part 14b formed in the lower part on the outer side, and a pressing part 14c at the upper, lower, left and right positions at intervals of 90 degrees on the lower part of the outer peripheral part. Is formed.
Then, upward movement of the outer peripheral portion of the key top 14 is restricted by the case 15.
[0021]
Corresponding to the fulcrum part 14a of the key top 14, a dot spacer 13a larger than the tip of the fulcrum part 14a is disposed between the insulating sheets 11 and 12, and in an area corresponding to the annular protrusion 14b. The dot spacers 13 are not formed between the insulating sheets 11 and 12 without being formed as shown by the dotted concentric circles in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a metal dome 16 made of a thin dome-like metal is disposed on the upper surface of the insulating sheet 12 so as to face the pressing portion 14 c of the key top 14.
Then, facing the metal dome 16, an upper contact 12d is printed on the lower surface of the insulating sheet 12, and a lower contact 11d is printed on the upper surface of the insulating sheet 11, and the lower contact 11d. And the upper contact 12d constitute a set of switch elements.
[0022]
In the initial state, as shown in FIG. 1, in this input device, the resistance films 11a and 12a are opposed to each other with a space therebetween.
In this state, when the outer peripheral portion of the key top 14 is pressed downward, the key top 14 is inclined, the protruding portion 14b of the key top 14 is lowered, and the insulating sheet 12 is pressed downward.
Then, the insulating sheet 12 bends and the resistance films 11a and 12a come into contact with each other.
Further, when the key top 14 is inclined and the pressing portion 14c of the key top 14 is lowered, the metal dome 16 is pressed and elastically deformed by the pressing portion 14c, and the lower contact 11d of the insulating sheet 11 and the insulating sheet 12 are pressed. When the upper contact 12d comes into contact, the lower contact 11d and the upper contact 12d become conductive.
[0023]
When the load applied to the key top 14 is released, the key top 14 returns to the original position by the restoring force of the insulating sheet 12, and the resistance films 11a and 12a are not in contact with each other. Returns to its original shape due to its restoring force, and the lower contact 11d and the upper contact 12d become non-conductive.
[0024]
Here, when the metal dome 16 is elastically deformed and restored, a click feeling is transmitted to the user, and it is confirmed that the key top 14 has been operated.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a circuit for detecting the operated position of the key top 14 of this input device. This detection circuit includes a resistance film 11a having electrodes 11b (Y +) and 11c (Y−), a resistance film 12a having electrodes 12b (X +) and 12c (X−), and a controller (CPU) 17. ing.
The control unit 17 includes four voltage output terminals OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4 for supplying driving voltages to the electrodes 11b (Y +), 11c (Y−), 12b (X +), and 12c (X−), The analog voltage input terminals A / D1 and A / D2 to which the analog voltage is input and the pull-up terminal OUT5 for pulling up the resistance film 11a are provided.
The analog voltage input terminal A / D1 is connected to the electrode 11c, the analog voltage input terminal A / D2 is connected to the electrode 12c, and the pull-up terminal OUT5 is connected to the electrode 11b via the pull-up resistor R1. Yes.
[0026]
The control unit 17 opens the voltage output terminals OUT1 and OUT2, outputs a low level voltage to the voltage output terminals OUT3 and OUT4, and outputs a predetermined signal to the pull-up terminal OUT5 (first mode). Mode) and the voltage output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 or between the voltage output terminals OUT3 and OUT4, and the other voltage output terminals and the pull-up terminal OUT5 are opened. It is possible to switch to (second mode).
In the stop mode, the control unit 17 switches to the normal mode when the voltage input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1 changes. In the normal mode, the control unit 17 switches to the analog voltage input terminals A / D1 and A / D2. It is configured to switch to the stop mode when no voltage is input for a certain time.
[0027]
When the power supply is turned on, the controller 17 first outputs a low level voltage to the voltage output terminals OUT3 and OUT4, and outputs a high level voltage to the pull-up terminal OUT5.
Then, until the voltage input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1 changes, the other mode is stopped and a stop mode is entered.
At this time, this detection circuit becomes an equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 4. In this state, the resistance films 11a and 12a are spaced apart and become non-conductive, so that the high level from the pull-up terminal OUT5 is high. Little voltage (Vcc in FIG. 4) is consumed. Therefore, in this state, the mode does not consume power.
[0028]
In this state, when the key top 14 is pressed and tilted and the resistance films 11a and 12a come into contact with each other, the high level voltage (Vcc) output from the pull-up terminal OUT5 is the pull-up resistance R1, the resistance film 11a, the resistance film Since the voltage drops to a low level via the film 12a, the voltage input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1 changes (drops).
[0029]
Then, when the voltage input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1 changes, the control unit 17 stops the output of the predetermined voltage from the pull-up terminal OUT5 and opens it, and between the voltage output terminals OUT1 and OUT2. Alternatively, the normal mode in which a voltage is alternately applied between the voltage output terminals OUT3 and OUT4 is set.
[0030]
At this time, the detection circuit becomes an equivalent circuit shown in FIG.
The operation of the control unit 17 in the normal mode is as follows:
(1) A high level voltage is output to the voltage output terminal OUT1, a low level voltage is output to the voltage output terminal OUT2, the voltage output terminals OUT3 and OUT4 are opened, and input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D2. Get the analog voltage value.
(2) A high level voltage is output to the voltage output terminal OUT3, a low level voltage is output to the voltage output terminal OUT4, the voltage output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 are opened, and input to the analog voltage input terminal A / D1. Get the analog voltage value.
The above two operations are repeated in order.
[0031]
In the above repetition, for example, in FIG. 2, if the resistance films 12a and 11a are in contact with each other at the point P, the control unit 17 performs an arithmetic processing on the analog voltage value obtained in (1) to obtain the point P. The Y coordinate is detected, and the analog voltage value obtained in (2) is arithmetically processed to detect the X coordinate of the P point.
[0032]
When the resistance films 12a and 11a are not in contact with each other and no voltage is input to the analog voltage input terminals A / D1 and A / D2 for a certain period of time, the control unit 17 switches to a power saving stop mode to reduce power consumption. To reduce.
In this way, the control unit 17 detects the operated position of the key top 14 while reducing power consumption.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the input device according to the present invention includes the first resistance film having the first and second electrodes at both ends, and the first resistance film is stacked via the insulating spacer. A second resistive film having third and fourth electrodes orthogonal to the second electrode, and a circular operating body placed above the second resistive film and having an annular projecting portion below the second resistive film And removing the insulating spacer in the region corresponding to the protruding portion, and operating the operating body downward to tilt the operating body, and the protruding portion deflects the second resistive film, Since the first resistance film and the second resistance film are brought into contact with each other to detect the operation position of the operation body, the shape of the operation body can be recognized by touch and the center can be grasped. An input device that is easy to operate without entering the wrong direction. It becomes.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an input device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of an insulating sheet of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a circuit for detecting an operated position of a key top of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an equivalent circuit diagram in a stop mode of a circuit for detecting the operated position of the key top of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram in a normal mode of a circuit for detecting the operated position of the key top of the input device of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventionally proposed input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
11, 12 Insulating sheets 11a, 12a Resistive films 11b, 11c, 12b, 12c Electrodes 11d, 12d Switch element 13 Insulating spacer 14 Elastic body (key top)
14a fulcrum part 14b protrusion part 14c pressing part 15 case 16 metal dome 17 control part (CPU)
A / D1, A / D2 Analog voltage input terminals OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4 Voltage output terminal OUT5 Pull-up terminal R1 Pull-up resistor

Claims (4)

A first resistance film having first and second electrodes at both ends, and third and fourth layers laminated on the first resistance film via an insulating spacer and orthogonal to the first and second electrodes, respectively. And a circular operating body placed above the second resistance film and having a circular projecting portion formed below, and insulating a region corresponding to the projecting portion. By removing the spacer and operating the operating body downward, the operating body is inclined, and the projecting portion deflects the second resistive film, and the first resistive film and the second resistive film are An input device characterized in that the operation position of the operating body is detected by contacting the operating body, a fulcrum portion is provided below the center of the operating body, and an insulating spacer corresponding to the fulcrum portion is provided . First to fourth voltage output terminals for applying driving voltages to the first to fourth electrodes, respectively, and first and first for inputting voltages appearing on the first and second resistance films, respectively. A control unit having two analog voltage input terminals and a pull-up terminal for pulling up the first resistance film to a predetermined voltage;
The control unit sets the pull-up terminal to the predetermined voltage and sets the third and fourth voltage output terminals to low level, the first voltage output terminal, and the second voltage output terminal, respectively. The voltage output terminal is alternately output between the third voltage output terminal and the fourth voltage output terminal, and the pull-up terminal is opened, and the first and second voltage output terminals are opened. The analog voltage value input to the analog voltage input terminal is calculated and switched to a second mode for detecting a contact position between the first resistive film and the second resistive film,
In the first mode, when the voltage input to the first analog voltage input terminal changes, the mode is switched to the second mode,
Wherein when the second mode, the input device according to claim 1, characterized in that switching to the first mode when the both fixed time voltage to the first and second analog voltage input terminal is not input . A pressing portion is provided at intervals of 90 degrees below the outer peripheral portion of the operating body,
A metal dome made of a dome-shaped metal is provided below and facing each of the pressing portions,
3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein when the operation body is operated downward, the pressing portion is lowered to elastically deform the metal dome. 4. Opposing each of the metal domes, a switch element is provided below,
The input device according to claim 3 , wherein the switch element is turned on when the metal dome is elastically deformed.

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