JP4100159B2 - Input device, portable information processing device, remote control device, and piezoelectric actuator drive control method in input device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an input device that, when input is performed by a pressing operation on a panel surface, outputs the pressed position as a coordinate value, and the panel surface is displaced by driving a piezoelectric actuator to feed back a force sense to a user, The present invention relates to a portable information processing device and a remote control device including the input device, and a piezoelectric actuator drive control method in the input device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, input devices called touch panels have been widely used in information processing devices such as automatic cash handling machines such as financial institutions, railway ticket vending machines, and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants). The touch panel is provided on the surface of a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the icons displayed on the display are associated with the coordinate system on the panel, and an indicator such as a finger or a pen touches the panel. By detecting the position, a GUI (Graphical User Interface) function for the user is realized.
[0003]
In a conventional touch panel, when a user's operation input is performed, the user is notified that the input operation has been accepted, for example, by changing the display of the pressed icon or generating an operation sound. . On the other hand, recently, by changing the height of the panel itself at the timing when the icon or the like is pressed, and returning the sense of force to the finger or the indicator, it feels as if the switch button was pressed ( It is considered to improve the operational feeling of the user by giving a click feeling.
[0004]
For example, using a resistive touch panel having a structure in which a plurality of electrode sheets on which transparent electrodes are formed are arranged at predetermined intervals with the electrode surfaces facing each other, a multilayer structure using three or more electrode sheets and In addition, an actuator such as a bobbin coil is disposed between the casing for fixing the touch panel and the casing for fixing the display side, and a force sense is fed back to the touch panel (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
[0005]
As an actuator suitable for realizing such a force feedback function, an actuator using a piezoelectric element is considered. For example, a piezoelectric actuator using a piezoelectric bimorph element as one of the piezoelectric elements has a structure in which a plurality of thin plate-shaped piezoelectric materials are bonded with an electrode plate interposed therebetween, and the whole is curved when a voltage is applied from both sides. Has properties. Therefore, for example, a spacer is disposed near the center of one surface of the piezoelectric actuator, and spacers are also disposed at both ends in the longitudinal direction on the back surface of the piezoelectric actuator. The panel surface of the touch panel can be moved up and down by being sandwiched between the bodies via a spacer.
[0006]
In addition, there is an information display device that uses a piezoelectric element to detect an operation input position along with feedback of a force sense. In this information display device, for example, an operation panel is disposed on a liquid crystal display panel, and the operation panel is supported by a piezoelectric element. Then, the operation force and the operation position are detected based on the voltage generated in the piezoelectric element in response to the pressing on the operation surface of the operation panel. Further, when an operation force larger than a predetermined threshold is detected, a high frequency is applied to the piezoelectric element to vibrate the operation surface (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0007]
By the way, in order to give a good click feeling to the user using such a force feedback function, it is necessary to increase the displacement amount of the touch panel when pressed by a finger and increase the displacement speed. When a piezoelectric actuator is used, especially the displacement speed of the touch panel can be increased. However, as the displacement amount and displacement speed of the touch panel increase, the finger temporarily leaves the touch panel during the displacement, and multiple presses are often erroneously detected.
[0008]
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a malfunction that occurs when the touch panel is pressed.
For example, when the touch panel is pressed, when the touch panel is pressed, the touch panel is displaced in the pressing direction, and the touch panel is displaced in the direction opposite to the pressing direction to apply a repulsive force to the finger. There is a method. For example, when the touch panel is displaced in the pressing direction, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the displacement speed of the touch panel 301 is increased, the finger 302 cannot follow the displacement. That is, the displacement speed Vb of the finger 302 becomes smaller than the displacement speed Va of the touch panel 301, and at this time, the finger 302 is temporarily separated from the touch panel 301.
[0009]
When the finger 302 is separated from the touch panel, the touch panel 301 is displaced in the original direction. Accordingly, when the finger 302 comes into contact with the touch panel 301 again and a pressing operation is detected, the touch panel 301 is displaced again in the pressing direction. At this time, when the finger 302 is further separated from the touch panel 301, the contact / separation to the touch panel 301 is repeated in a short time. As a result, a plurality of pressing operations are detected in a short time, and a phenomenon called chattering in which the touch panel 301 repeats displacement at a short cycle occurs. The occurrence of this phenomenon significantly impairs the user's operational feeling. Furthermore, since the contact position may be different every time a plurality of contacts are made, malfunction may occur in an apparatus that performs various processes based on the output coordinate values.
[0010]
On the other hand, when the touch panel 301 is displaced in the direction opposite to the direction in which the finger 302 is pressed, the repulsive force on the finger 302 increases as the displacement amount or displacement speed of the touch panel 301 increases. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11B, the finger 302 is repelled and separated by the repulsive force of the touch panel 301 and comes into contact again. Similarly, a plurality of pressing operations are erroneously detected and chattering occurs. Resulting in.
[0011]
In this way, when trying to return the force sense more clearly to the user, a malfunction such as chattering occurs, stressing the user and impairing the operation feeling. It was.
[0012]
As a conventional pressure sensation generating apparatus that prevents malfunction due to separation of a finger or an indicator, there are the following. In this pressure sensation generating device, a movable element composed of a piezoelectric vibrator is provided below one edge of the touch panel, and when the touch panel is pressed, for example, a voltage of a sine waveform for one cycle based on a commercial AC power source is generated. When applied to the mover, the touch panel is moved to generate a click feeling. In addition, a signal gate circuit is provided at the output stage of the input surface detection circuit that detects pressure on the touch panel, and the detection signal output from the input surface detection circuit is canceled during a certain period of prohibition of re-pressing after detecting pressure on the touch panel. By doing so, the mover is prevented from being driven by an unstable pressing operation (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0013]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-259059 (paragraph numbers [0037] to [0042], FIG. 6)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 11-212725 A (paragraph numbers [0126] to [0128], FIG. 3)
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-350592 A (paragraph numbers [0008] to [0015], FIG. 1)
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when the amount of displacement of the touch panel at the time of the pressing operation is increased, the finger or the pointing tool is temporarily separated from the touch panel, and a plurality of pressing operations are erroneously detected and a malfunction occurs. That was a problem. Further, in the press feeling generating device disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 3, the detection signal output from the input surface detection circuit is canceled during the certain re-pressing prohibition period after the press detection, so that the re-pressing prohibition period. Thus, the detection of multiple presses due to the separation of the finger or the pointing tool is not generated. However, in this method, since the pressing operation is detected only at regular intervals, it becomes impossible to perform a continuous input operation at a high speed, and the operation feeling is impaired.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides an input device that has a natural sensation of operation and has a high-performance force feedback function, and that prevents an erroneous operation during an input operation. Objective.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, in order to solve the above-described problem, when an input is performed by a pressing operation on the panel surface, the pressed position is output as a coordinate value, and the panel surface is displaced to input a force feedback to the user. In the apparatus, a panel surface displacement mechanism for displacing the panel surface using a piezoelectric actuator made of a piezoelectric bimorph element, a pressure detection means for detecting presence or absence of the pressing operation on the panel surface, and a setting operation by a user The displacement amount setting means for setting the displacement amount of the panel surface, and when the pressing operation is started based on the detection by the pressure detection means, the larger the set value of the displacement amount by the displacement amount setting means, A long correction period is counted, and during the correction period, the end timing of the pressing operation is delayed until after the correction period ends. When the pressing operation is started based on the detection by the timing correction means and the pressure detection means, the piezoelectric actuator is driven to displace the panel surface according to the setting of the displacement amount, and the timing correction Displacement mechanism control means for controlling the panel surface displacement mechanism section so as to hold the panel surface at a predetermined position until the end timing is received from the means is provided.
[0017]
Here, the displacement amount setting means sets the displacement amount of the panel surface based on a setting operation by the user. The timing correction means counts the correction period from the start of the pressing operation, and outputs the delayed end timing of the pressing operation until after the correction period while measuring the correction period. The displacement mechanism control means displaces the panel surface according to the setting of the displacement amount by the displacement amount setting means, and stops the panel surface at a predetermined position until the end timing of the pressing operation corrected by the timing correction means is received. Therefore, within the correction period from the start of the pressing operation, even if the end and start of the pressing operation are repeated by mistake, the panel surface is not displaced based on the detection of the pressing operation. Further, since the correction period is set longer as the set value of the displacement amount is larger by the timing correction means, the input operation can be performed at higher speed as the displacement amount of the panel surface is smaller.
[0018]
Furthermore, for example, a coordinate detection unit may be provided that outputs a pressed position on the panel surface by a pressing operation as a coordinate value and holds the output coordinate value during the measurement of the correction period. In this case, even when the end and start of the pressing operation are erroneously repeated within the correction period, coordinate values based on detection of such a pressing operation are not output.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020]
Hereinafter, as an example, the input device 100 used as a control panel for operating a broadcasting device such as a switcher device that switches input images will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 100 includes a liquid crystal display unit 1 and a touch panel unit 2. A flexible substrate 4 on which a piezoelectric actuator 3 is mounted is fixed to the display surface side of the liquid crystal display unit 1.
[0021]
The liquid crystal display unit 1 includes a display panel 1a on which an image is displayed and a frame 1b for holding the display panel 1a. A liquid crystal substrate, a backlight, etc. (not shown) are provided inside the display panel 1a. The frame 1b is made of, for example, metal, and is provided on the display surface of the display panel 1a so as not to block the image display area.
[0022]
The touch panel unit 2 includes a pressing unit 2a pressed by a user and a frame 2b for holding the pressing unit 2a. The pressing part 2a is made of a transparent resin sheet, and an image displayed on the display panel 1a of the liquid crystal display part 1 is transmitted. The frame 2b is made of metal, for example, and is provided so as not to block the display area of the display panel 1a.
[0023]
The touch panel unit 2 is, for example, a so-called resistive film type touch panel, and has a structure in which a plurality of electrode sheets on which transparent electrodes are formed are arranged with a certain interval with the electrode surfaces facing each other. And when the pressing part 2a in a figure is pressed with pointing tools, such as a user's finger | toe and a pen, electrode sheets will contact each other, and the indication position will be detected by detecting the resistance change on each electrode sheet at this time Is specified as a coordinate value.
[0024]
The piezoelectric actuator 3 is composed of a piezoelectric bimorph element, and bends and deforms according to a driving voltage applied through an electrode provided on the flexible substrate 4. The flexible substrate 4 is a flexible wiring substrate in which an electrode is formed on a resin film such as polyimide using a conductive metal foil such as a copper foil, and an electrode that supplies a driving voltage to the piezoelectric actuator 3. And a pair of through holes, which will be described later, are provided, and the piezoelectric actuator 3 is held using the through holes.
[0025]
In the input device 100, the touch panel unit 2 is disposed on the display surface side of the liquid crystal display unit 1 so as to sandwich the flexible substrate 4 and the piezoelectric actuator 3. An image of an operation function item such as an icon displayed on the display panel 1a of the liquid crystal display unit 1 is transmitted to the pressing unit 2a of the touch panel unit 2, and the user points to the display position of these images on the pressing unit 2a. An input operation corresponding to the display image is performed by bringing a pointing tool such as a pen or a pen into contact therewith.
[0026]
Further, the liquid crystal display unit 1 and the touch panel unit 2 are actually mounted on an external housing (not shown) of the input device 100. At this time, the touch panel unit 2 is disposed with respect to the liquid crystal display unit 1 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the display surface. Thereby, the distance of the touch panel part 2 with respect to the liquid crystal display part 1 changes according to the bending deformation of the piezoelectric actuator 3. Therefore, when the user presses the pressing portion 2a of the touch panel unit 2, the piezoelectric actuator 3 is bent and deformed, so that the force sense is returned to the user, as if the switch button is pressed (click) Feeling). Note that a circuit that performs detection of a pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2 and drive control of the piezoelectric actuator 3 in accordance with the pressing operation is housed in, for example, an external housing.
[0027]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a mounting state of the piezoelectric actuator 3 on the flexible substrate 4. 2A is a plan view showing a part of the flexible substrate 4, and FIG. 2B is a side sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 2, the flexible substrate 4 includes a mounting portion 41 including a pair of through holes 41 a and 41 b for mounting the piezoelectric actuator 3, a wiring pattern 42 a for supplying a driving voltage to the piezoelectric actuator 3, and 42b is provided.
[0029]
In the mounting portion 41, the through holes 41a and 41b are formed in parallel, for example, in the same shape. Further, between the through holes 41a and 41b, the resin film constituting the flexible substrate 4 is left in a bridge shape to form a central spacer portion 41c. In the present embodiment, for example, such mounting portions 41 are provided at two locations on one flexible substrate 4.
[0030]
The wiring patterns 42 a and 42 b are provided so that each wiring is connected to one end of the mounting portion 41. On the other hand, wiring terminals 31a and 31b are provided at one end of the piezoelectric actuator 3, and when these wiring terminals 31a and 31b come into contact with the wiring patterns 42a and 42b on the flexible substrate 4, a driver (not shown) is provided. A drive voltage supplied from the circuit is supplied to the piezoelectric actuator 3.
[0031]
In the mounting portion 41, the piezoelectric actuator 3 is inserted into one through hole 41a from the front side, for example, and then inserted again from the back side into the through hole 41b through the lower portion of the central spacer portion 41c, so that both ends in the longitudinal direction are Mounting is performed in contact with the surface of the flexible substrate 4. Since the piezoelectric actuator 3 has relatively high rigidity, while the flexible substrate 4 is easily deformed, only the central spacer portion 41c bulges in the front side direction as shown in FIG. The actuator 3 is held. At this time, the wiring terminals 31a and 31b provided at one end of the piezoelectric actuator 3 and the wiring patterns 42a and 42b on the flexible substrate 4 come into contact with each other and are electrically connected. In practice, after contacting them, the contacts are fixed using solder or the like. Thereby, the piezoelectric actuator 3 itself is also fixed on the flexible substrate 4.
[0032]
After the piezoelectric actuator 3 is mounted as described above, the flexible substrate 4 is sandwiched between the frame 1 b of the liquid crystal display unit 1 and the frame 2 b of the touch panel unit 2. At this time, for example, regions 43a and 43b in which the upper surface in the drawing of the central spacer portion 41c is in contact with the frame 2b of the touch panel portion 2 and the lower surface in the drawing of the flexible substrate 4 is in contact with the piezoelectric actuator 3 are Contact with the frame 1b. With such a mounting structure, the central spacer portion 41c of the flexible substrate 4 functions as a spacer between the frame 2b of the touch panel portion 2 and the piezoelectric actuator 3, and the regions 43a and 43b of the flexible substrate 4 are liquid crystal displays. It functions as a spacer between the frame 1 b of the part 1 and the piezoelectric actuator 3.
[0033]
When a drive voltage is supplied to the piezoelectric actuator 3 in this state, the piezoelectric actuator 3 is curved and deformed. At this time, according to the displacement of the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator 3, the central spacer portion 41 c moves in a direction perpendicular to the display portion with respect to the liquid crystal display portion 1. Specifically, when the piezoelectric actuator 3 is bent upward in the figure and the central spacer portion 41c is displaced upward, the distance between the touch panel portion 2 and the liquid crystal display portion 1 is increased, and conversely, the piezoelectric actuator 3 Is curved downward in the figure, the distance between the touch panel unit 2 and the liquid crystal display unit 1 is reduced. Therefore, the touch panel unit 2 is displaced according to the bending amount and the bending direction of the piezoelectric actuator 3, and a force feedback function for the user is realized.
[0034]
A reinforcing plate made of a highly rigid material such as celluloid may be attached to the surface of the central spacer portion 41c or the back surface of the portion of the flexible substrate 4 where both ends of the piezoelectric actuator 3 are in contact.
[0035]
Further, the mounting method of the piezoelectric actuator 3 as described above is merely an example, and a spacer is provided near the center of one surface of the piezoelectric actuator 3, and the spacer is further provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction on the other surface. The piezoelectric actuator 3 may be mounted by other methods as long as the structure is provided.
[0036]
Next, a control function for controlling the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 3 in the input device 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating functions of the input device 100.
[0037]
The input device 100 includes an A / D converter 5 that converts a signal detected in the touch panel unit 2 into a digital signal, a touch panel detection unit 6 that detects the presence or absence of a coordinate value and a pressing operation based on the converted digital signal, A pressure-sensitive setting unit 7 and a pressure-sensitive setting switch (SW) 71 for setting the amount of displacement of the touch panel unit 2 at the time of force feedback, an actuator control unit 8 for controlling the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 3, and the piezoelectric actuator 3 are driven. A driver circuit 9 and a timing correction unit 10 that corrects the output timing of coordinate values and the like are provided.
[0038]
The A / D converter 5 converts the detection signal in the touch panel unit 2 into a digital signal and supplies the digital signal to the touch panel detection unit 6.
The touch panel detection unit 6 outputs a control signal for scanning the XY coordinates on the panel to the touch panel unit 2. Moreover, the press detection part 61 and the coordinate detection part 62 are comprised, and the signal from the A / D converter 5 is input into these.
[0039]
Based on the signal from the A / D converter 5, the press detection unit 61 is a timing at which a pressing operation with a user's finger or pointing tool is started on the touch panel unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as “PUSH timing”). The timing at which the finger, the pointing tool, etc. are separated from the touch panel unit 2 (hereinafter referred to as “PULL timing”) is detected. Then, the PUSH timing is supplied to the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7 and the timer 101 of the timing correction unit 10, and the PULL timing is supplied to the press end determination unit 102 of the timing correction unit 10.
[0040]
Based on the signal from the A / D converter 5, the coordinate detection unit 62 detects the position where the pressing operation is performed on the touch panel unit 2 as an XY coordinate value, and outputs the coordinate output unit 103 of the timing correction unit 10 to the coordinate output unit 103. Output at regular intervals.
[0041]
A pressure-sensitive setting switch 71 is connected to the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7. In the pressure-sensitive setting switch 71, it is possible to set the sensitivity at which the user feels a force sense in a plurality of stages by the force feedback function in the touch panel unit 2. For example, “Hard”, “Mid”, and “Soft” can be set in three steps from the higher sensitivity. Based on the setting in the pressure-sensitive setting switch 71, the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7 outputs a set value corresponding to the pressure-sensitive setting to the actuator control unit 8 and the timer 101, respectively. Further, a signal for starting the operation is supplied to the actuator control unit 8 at the PUSH timing supplied from the press detection unit 61.
[0042]
The actuator control unit 8 is based on the set value by the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7, the PUSH timing supplied from the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7, and the timing signal Spl supplied from the press end determination unit 102 of the timing correction unit 10. The drive voltage output from the driver circuit 9 is controlled.
[0043]
The driver circuit 9 applies drive voltages Vh and Vl to the piezoelectric actuator 3 based on a signal from the actuator control unit 8. The output voltage of the driver circuit 9 based on the control by the actuator controller 8 will be described in detail later.
[0044]
The timing correction unit 10 is a functional block for correcting the PULL timing detected in the touch panel unit 2 and preventing malfunctions such as chattering caused by the displacement of the touch panel unit 2. The timing correction unit 10 includes a timer 101, a press end determination unit 102, and a coordinate output unit 103.
[0045]
The timer 101 outputs a control signal St that gives a correction period for correcting the PULL timing to the press end determination unit 102 based on the timer setting value set according to the pressure setting in the pressure sensitivity setting unit 7. To do. Specifically, the count signal is started from the PUSH timing supplied from the press detection unit 61, and the control signal St is set as a correction period until the count operation for the timer set value corresponding to the pressure-sensitive setting is completed. Set to H level. Further, during the correction period counting operation, the detection of the PUSH timing from the pressure detection unit 61 is canceled so that a new counting operation is not performed.
[0046]
The press end determination unit 102 also determines the end timing of the press operation based on the control signal St from the timer 101. Specifically, when the PULL timing is received during the correction period based on the control signal St, the timing is delayed after the correction period. Based on this determination, a control signal Sps indicating the presence or absence of a pressing operation is generated and output to the coordinate output unit 103. In addition, a timing signal Spl indicating the end timing of the pressing operation is output to the actuator control unit 8.
[0047]
The coordinate output unit 103 outputs the coordinate value supplied from the coordinate detection unit 62 to the outside. Further, while the control signal Sps from the pressing end determination unit 102 is at the H level, the coordinate value to be output is held at the value at the time when the reception of the control signal Sps is started.
[0048]
Note that such an input device 100 outputs an image signal to the liquid crystal display unit 1, receives an XY coordinate value from the coordinate detection unit 62 in response to an operation input by the user to the touch panel unit 2, An information processing apparatus (not shown) that performs predetermined processing is connected. For example, the information processing apparatus displays an image of an operation function item such as an icon on the liquid crystal display unit 1. And the press position in the touch panel part 2 is received as XY coordinate value, the operation function item selected from this XY coordinate value is recognized, and the process according to the selection is performed.
[0049]
Next, drive control for the piezoelectric actuator 3 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output voltage of the driver circuit 9 and the displacement of the touch panel unit 2.
[0050]
FIG. 4 shows the drive voltages Vh and Vl output from the driver circuit 9 and the amount of displacement of the touch panel unit 2 when a pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2 is performed. Here, the drive voltages Vh and Vl are voltages applied to the two wiring terminals 31a and 31b provided in the piezoelectric actuator 3, respectively. Moreover, the displacement amount of the touch panel part 2 is shown so that the pressing direction by a user may become a downward direction in the figure as an example.
[0051]
Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that, for example, “Hard”, “Mid”, and “Soft” can be set in three steps. Here, the pressure-sensitive setting is to change the strength of the click feeling given to the user by changing the displacement amount of the piezoelectric actuator 3. As will be described later, this pressure-sensitive setting is realized by setting times t1, t2, and t3 during which the drive voltage Vh is increased from the start of the pressing operation.
[0052]
The bending amount of the piezoelectric actuator 3 increases as the potential difference between the wiring terminals 31a and 31b increases. Further, when the polarity of the voltage applied to each terminal is reversed, the piezoelectric actuator 3 bends in the opposite direction. Therefore, the polarity of the drive voltage Vl is reversed and the drive voltage Vl is applied to the other wiring terminal 31b from the state in which the drive voltage Vh is applied to the one wiring terminal 31a, for example, at timings T402 to T403 in FIG. By shifting to the state, the displacement amount of the touch panel unit 2 accompanying the bending of the piezoelectric actuator 3 can be increased. At this time, the user is given a click feeling.
[0053]
Further, in the present embodiment, before the timing T401 (PULL timing) that is the start time of the pressing operation, the drive voltages Vh and Vl are not applied together, thereby suppressing power consumption during standby. At time T401, a pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2 is detected. At this time, the actuator control unit 8 detects the PUSH timing through the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7, and controls the driver circuit 9 so that the drive voltage Vh gradually increases as shown in FIG.
[0054]
Next, the driver circuit 9 is controlled so as to invert the polarity of the output voltage at the timing T402 when the predetermined time t1 has elapsed. As a result, the application of the drive voltage Vh is stopped and the drive voltage Vl is set to the voltage value of the drive voltage Vh at the timing T402 until the time T403 when the time t4 has passed.
[0055]
When the pressing end determination unit 102 determines the end of the pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2, the timing signal Spl is output. At timing T404, upon receiving this timing signal Spl, the actuator control unit 8 inverts the polarity of the output voltage of the driver circuit 9 again and gently decreases the output voltage value. As a result, the application of the drive voltage Vl is stopped as shown in FIG. 4, and the application of the drive voltage Vh is started again, and the drive voltage Vh gradually decreases.
[0056]
By controlling the drive voltages Vh and Vl, the touch panel unit 2 is gradually displaced upward at timings T401 to T402 and suddenly displaced in the reverse direction (downward) at timings T402 to T403. At this time, a sense of force as if the user pressed the button switch is returned to the user. Further, after being held at this position, it is suddenly displaced again in the reverse direction (upward) at timing T404. At this time, a force sense that the button switch returns to the original state is fed back. Thereafter, the touch panel unit 2 is gradually displaced to a standby position.
[0057]
Here, by setting the time t1 for displacing the touch panel unit 2 in the upward direction to be sufficiently longer than the time t4 for displacing the touch panel unit 2 in the reverse direction, at time t1, the user almost feels the force sense associated with the displacement of the touch panel unit 2. It is possible to give a greater sense of force to the user at time t4. Therefore, a clear click feeling can be given to the user and a natural operation feeling can be given to the user while the power consumption during standby is suppressed.
[0058]
Further, at time t1 from timing T401 to T402, the actuator control unit 8 always increases the drive voltage Vh generated by the driver circuit 9 according to the same waveform regardless of the pressure-sensitive setting. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the final output voltage value of the output drive voltage Vh is reduced by shortening the voltage rise time from time t1 to time t2 or t3. As a result, the touch panel unit The amount of displacement of 2 decreases. Accordingly, it is possible to perform pressure-sensitive setting by changing the voltage rise time based on the set value from the pressure-sensitive setting unit 7.
[0059]
In FIG. 4, for example, times t1, t2, and t3 are set values of the voltage rise time in the pressure-sensitive setting of “Hard”, “Mid”, and “Soft”, respectively. At each stage, the smaller the amount of displacement of the touch panel unit 2, the shorter the response time from the pressing operation to the force feedback. For this reason, when high-speed operation is required, it is possible to selectively use “Soft”. The maximum value of the time t1 from the pressing operation to the force feedback is preferably about 200 msec.
[0060]
Next, a processing function for preventing malfunction such as chattering immediately after the pressing operation will be described.
When the haptic feedback is returned to the user by displacing the touch panel unit 2, the user's finger and the pointing tool are more often separated from the panel surface as the instantaneous displacement amount of the touch panel unit 2 is larger. At this time, the pressing and separation of the finger and the pointing tool are repeated in a short time, and the touch panel unit 2 is displaced and chattering occurs each time the pressing and separation are detected. In addition, there may be cases where the pressing operation position after the finger or the pointing tool is separated is different, or the display of the operation function item on the liquid crystal display unit 1 is changed for each pressing operation. An external information processing apparatus that receives a signal from the apparatus 100 and performs a predetermined process may malfunction.
[0061]
In order to prevent such a malfunction, the position of the touch panel unit 2 is stopped by determining that the pressed state is continued within a predetermined time after the touch panel unit 2 is displaced to give a force sense. You can do it. This is realized by delaying the timing after a predetermined time has elapsed and outputting it to the actuator control unit 8 when the PULL timing is detected immediately after giving a force sense. Further, within the correction period for correcting the timing in this way, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the external information processing apparatus connected to the input apparatus 100 by holding the output value of the coordinate value indicating the pressing operation position. It becomes.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a response time, for example, at timing T <b> 402 from when the touch operation to the touch panel unit 2 is performed at timing T <b> 401 until the user is actually given a sense of force. By setting this response time and a predetermined time thereafter as the correction period, it is possible to prevent malfunction.
[0063]
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a correction period necessary for each pressure-sensitive setting for preventing malfunction.
For example, when the pressure sensitivity setting is “Hard”, as described above, there is a response time of time t1 from the pressing operation to the force feedback. For this reason, a period obtained by adding a time t5 at which the finger or the pointing tool may be separated from the time t1 may be set as a correction period.
[0064]
By the way, when the displacement amount of the touch panel unit 2 at the time of force feedback is small, it is difficult for the finger and the pointing tool to be separated from the touch panel unit 2, and malfunctions are less likely to occur. For this reason, the correction period may be shortened as the displacement amount is smaller. Further, since the correction period is a delay time until the next pressing operation becomes possible, it is not preferable to make it longer than necessary. In the present embodiment, since the displacement amount is adjusted by the pressure sensitive setting, it is possible to set a correction period suitable for the displacement amount by changing the correction period according to the pressure sensitive setting.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 5, when the correction periods for the pressure settings of “Hard”, “Mid”, and “Soft” are (t1 + t5), (t2 + t6), and (t3 + t7), the time t5 required after the force feedback is obtained. It suffices that t6 and t7 have a relationship of t5>t6> t7. For example, t1: t5 = t2: t6 = t3: t7 may be set. In this case, when the drive voltage of about 20 V is applied using the piezoelectric actuator 3 having a length of about 30 mm, the displacement amount of the touch panel unit 2 is 200 μm at the maximum, and at this time, the time t4 when the touch panel unit 2 is displaced in the reverse direction. Is set to 2 msec to 3 msec, the malfunction can be satisfactorily prevented by setting the time t5 to about 20% to 40% of the time t1. As described above, the time t1 is set to about 200 msec or less.
[0066]
The above correction period is generated by the count operation of the timer 101 in the timing correction unit 10. Further, the length of the correction period is changed by changing the timer setting value of the timer 101 according to the pressure setting by the pressure setting unit 7.
[0067]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the timer 101.
In step S601, as an initial setting, the control signal St for giving a correction period to the press end determination unit 102 is set to the L level. In step S602, the signal from the press detection unit 61 is monitored, and it is determined whether the PUSH timing is received based on this signal. If received, the process proceeds to step S603, and if not received, the process proceeds to step S608.
[0068]
In step S603, the timer count initial value corresponding to the pressure sensitive setting set by the pressure sensitive setting unit 7 is set for the count value Ct. The length of the correction period described above is determined by the count initial value set here.
[0069]
In step S604, the control signal St is set to H level. As a result, a correction period for the pressing end timing is started.
In step S605, it is determined whether or not the count value is 0. If not, the process proceeds to step S606. In step S606, the count value Ct is decreased by 1, and thereafter, the process returns to step S605.
[0070]
The determination in step S605 is executed at regular intervals, and when the count value becomes 0, the process proceeds to step S607. In step S607, the control signal St is set to the L level to notify the end of the correction period.
[0071]
In step S608, it is determined whether or not to end the process. If not, the process returns to step S602 and the next PUSH timing is monitored.
In such a process, after the PUSH timing is received in step S602, the count operation is finished, and when a new PUSH timing is received from step S608 to step S602, this reception is ignored. . As a result, when an unintended pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2 is performed within the correction period, the detection of the pressing operation is canceled and a malfunction is prevented.
[0072]
Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the press end determination unit 102.
In step S701, as an initial setting, both the control signal Sps and the timing signal Sp1 are set to the L level. In step S702, the control signal St from the timer 101 is periodically monitored. If the control signal St is at H level, the process proceeds to step S703, and if it is L level, the process proceeds to step S712.
[0073]
In step S703, the control signal Sps is set to H level to notify the coordinate output unit 103 that the pressing operation has been performed and the correction period has started.
In step S704, the control signal St from the timer 101 is periodically monitored. If the control signal St remains at the H level, the process proceeds to step S705. If the control signal St becomes the L level, the process proceeds to step S709.
[0074]
In step S705, the signal from the press detection unit 61 is periodically monitored, and it is determined whether the PULL timing has been received based on this signal. If received, the process proceeds to step S706. If not received, the process returns to step S704.
[0075]
In step S706, the signal level of the control signal St is monitored, and when this signal level becomes L level, the process proceeds to step S707.
In step S707, the control signal Sps is set to L level to notify the coordinate output unit 103 that the correction period has ended. In step S708, the timing signal Spl is output as a pulse signal to notify the actuator control unit 8 of the end timing of the pressing operation. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S712.
[0076]
Here, in the processing from step S705 to step S708, the PULL timing received during the correction period is delayed until the end of the correction period, and is notified to the coordinate output unit 103 and the actuator control unit 8. During the correction period, the second and subsequent PULL timings are ignored. When the actuator control unit 8 receives the timing signal Spl corrected in this way, the actuator control unit 8 controls the driver circuit 9 to return the touch panel unit 2 to the direction opposite to the pressing direction. As a result, even when a finger or a pointing tool is separated from the touch panel unit 2 during the correction period, the pressed position of the touch panel unit 2 is maintained, and chattering does not occur.
[0077]
Note that if the finger or the pointing tool accidentally moves away from the touch panel unit 2 and receives the PULL timing from Step S705 through Steps S708 and S712 to Step S702, the reception is ignored. Is done. Accordingly, in this case, unnecessary operation of the piezoelectric actuator 3 is not performed.
[0078]
On the other hand, when the control signal St becomes L level in step S704, the process proceeds to step S709. In step S709, the control signal Sps is set to L level. In step S710, reception of the PULL timing from the press detection unit 61 is monitored, and if received, the process proceeds to step S711. In step S711, the timing signal Spl is output. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S712.
[0079]
Here, the processing from step S704 to step S711 is executed when the PULL timing is not received during the correction period. In other words, this is a case where the finger or the pointing tool is not separated from the touch panel unit 2 by mistake during the correction period. Therefore, when the PULL timing is generated in step S710, this timing is directly used as the pressing end timing to the actuator control unit 8. Be notified.
[0080]
In step S712, it is determined whether or not to end the process. If not, the process returns to step S702 to monitor the control signal St.
Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the coordinate output unit 103.
[0081]
From the coordinate detection unit 62 of the touch panel detection unit 6, the detected coordinate value is output to the coordinate output unit 103 at regular intervals while the pressing operation is performed. In step S801, the coordinate output unit 103 monitors the signal from the coordinate detection unit 62 according to the output cycle of this signal. If a coordinate value is received, the process proceeds to step S802. If not received, the process proceeds to step S807.
[0082]
In step S802, the signal level of the control signal Sps from the press end determination unit 102 is referred to. If it is H level, the process proceeds to step S803, and if it is L level, the process proceeds to step S806.
[0083]
In step S803, the output coordinate value is updated using the value from the coordinate detection unit 62. In step S804, the control signal Sps is monitored in the coordinate value output cycle. If the control signal Sps remains at the H level, the process proceeds to step S805. If the control signal Sps has changed to the L level, the process proceeds to step S807. In step S805, the coordinate value to be output is held at the previously output value (the output value in step S803).
[0084]
In step S806, the output coordinate value is updated using the value from the coordinate detection unit 62. In step S807, it is determined whether or not the process is to be ended. If not, the process returns to step S801 and the signal from the coordinate detection unit 62 is monitored.
[0085]
Here, in the processing from step S802 to step S805, the same coordinate value output at the start of the correction period is continuously output until the correction period ends. As a result, coordinate values due to pressing operations not intended by the user are not output, and malfunctions in the information processing apparatus that receives and processes the coordinate values are prevented. Further, the process in step S806 is executed when the finger or the indicator does not come off within the correction period. In this case, the PULL timing is recognized as the correct pressing end timing, and is detected at this time. The coordinate value is output as it is.
[0086]
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing examples of waveforms of output signals and output voltages in the input device 100.
FIG. 9 shows an example of the waveform of the output signal and the output voltage when the finger and the pointing tool are separated and pressed by mistake on the touch panel unit 2 within the correction period. In the example of this figure, the pressing operation on the touch panel unit 2 is started at timing T901. At this time, the correction period is started, and the control signal St from the timer 101 and the control signal Sps from the press end determination unit 102 become H level. Further, the drive voltage Vh is gradually increased, and the piezoelectric actuator 3 is bent in one direction. At timing T902, the driving voltage Vl is applied, and the bending direction of the piezoelectric actuator 3 is suddenly reversed, whereby the sense of force is fed back to the user.
[0087]
Along with the feedback of the force sense, the PUSH timing and the PULL timing are detected a plurality of times from the timing T902 to the timing T903 at which the correction period ends, and the finger and the pointing tool are separated and pressed on the touch panel unit 2 repeatedly. It is. Since the timing signal Spl is not output to the actuator control unit 8 during the correction period, the touch panel unit 2 is not displaced when such a finger or pointing tool is separated or pressed. Then, at timing T903 when the correction period ends, a driving voltage Vh is applied based on the timing signal Spl, and the force sense that the touch panel unit 2 is displaced in the direction opposite to the pressing direction and the button switch is returned is fed back. The
[0088]
Therefore, chattering does not occur within the correction period. In addition, since the piezoelectric actuator 3 does not cause unnecessary deformation, the life of the piezoelectric actuator 3 can be extended, and noise during deformation can be prevented.
[0089]
Further, as the output coordinate value from the coordinate output unit 103, the coordinate value detected at the start of the correction period is held until the end based on the control signal Sps. Therefore, during the correction period, it is possible to prevent a coordinate value due to a pressing operation not intended by the user from being output. Although not shown, when the PULL timing is not detected within the correction period, that is, when the finger or the pointing tool is not separated, the next PULL timing is detected after timing T903 when the correction period ends. Until then, the coordinate value detected by the coordinate detection unit 62 is output from the coordinate output unit 103 as it is.
[0090]
As described above, during the correction period, even when the finger or the pointing tool is separated from the touch panel unit 2 against the user's intention, the malfunction associated with this situation does not occur. In addition, since the correction period changes according to the displacement amount of the touch panel at the time of force feedback, for example, it is possible to perform a high-speed continuous input operation by setting the displacement amount small, for example. Occurrence of malfunction can be prevented without impairing the sense. In addition, the operation feeling of the user can be made closer to the feeling when the switch button is pressed.
[0091]
In the above-described embodiment, after the touch operation is started, the touch panel unit 2 is gradually displaced in one direction, and then is suddenly displaced in the reverse direction to return the force sense. However, the present invention can also be applied to an input device configured to feed back a force sense when a pressing operation is performed. In this case, with respect to the correction period from the start of the pressing operation, by setting a longer time as the displacement amount of the touch panel portion at the time of force feedback is larger, the occurrence of malfunction is prevented without impairing the operation feeling. Is possible.
[0092]
In the above-described embodiment, the touch panel unit 2 is suddenly displaced in the pressing direction during the pressing operation, thereby giving the user a click feeling. However, the displacement of the touch panel unit 2 after the pressing operation may be completely opposite to the above. In this case, a large repulsive force is given to the user's finger or pointing tool to make the user perceive that the input has been made.
[0093]
Furthermore, the input device as described above can be suitably used as a display input device for an information processing device such as a personal computer (PC), in particular, a portable information terminal such as a portable phone or a PDA. . In addition, in order to operate the above-described broadcasting devices such as the switcher device, all devices such as an automatic teller machine (CD), an automatic teller machine (ATM), and a game device set in a financial institution. It may be used as a display input device. Further, it may be used as a display input device of a remote control device for remotely operating these devices.
[0094]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a remote control device for a video tape recorder (VTR) to which the present invention is applied as an example.
The remote control device 200 shown in FIG. 10 displays items for operating the VTR, and transmits information to the VTR, such as a display input unit 210 that receives selection inputs for these items, and a command code associated with the selection input. Infrared transmission unit 220 and a pressure-sensitive setting switch 230 for setting a feedback amount of force sense at the display input unit 210. Here, the input device of the present invention is applied as the display input unit 210, and a force sense is fed back when an operation is input to the display input unit 210. This prevents chattering from occurring in the display input unit 210 particularly when a large amount of feedback of force sense is set, and prevents malfunctions in the VTR caused by unintended operation inputs.
[0095]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the input device that displaces the touch panel provided on the image display surface has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to an input device that does not have an image display unit. In this case, the piezoelectric actuator is preferably provided at a uniform position on the back side of the panel surface of the touch panel unit.
[0096]
As such an input device having no display unit, it can be applied to, for example, an input pad provided as a pointing device in an input operation unit of a notebook PC, a tablet device for graphic drawing software, or the like.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the input device according to the present invention, even when the end and start of the pressing operation are erroneously repeated within the correction period from the start of the pressing operation, the panel surface based on the detection of such a pressing operation is used. There is no displacement. For this reason, malfunctions such as occurrence of chattering immediately after the pressing operation are prevented. Further, since the correction period is set longer as the set value of the displacement amount is larger, the smaller the displacement amount of the panel surface, the faster the input operation becomes possible and the user's operational feeling is improved.
[0098]
Furthermore, for example, a coordinate detection unit may be provided that outputs a pressed position on the panel surface by a pressing operation as a coordinate value and holds the output coordinate value during the measurement of the correction period. In this case, even when the end and start of the pressing operation are erroneously repeated within the correction period, coordinate values based on detection of such a pressing operation are not output. For this reason, it is prevented that an unintended coordinate value is output immediately after the pressing operation and malfunctions.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a mounting state of a piezoelectric actuator on a flexible substrate.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the output voltage of the driver circuit and the displacement of the touch panel unit.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a correction period necessary for each pressure-sensitive setting for preventing malfunction.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a timer.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process flow in a press end determination unit.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a coordinate output unit.
FIG. 9 is a time chart showing an example of waveforms of an output signal and an output voltage in the input device.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a remote control device for a video tape recorder to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a malfunction that occurs when a touch panel is pressed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid crystal display part, 1a ... Display panel, 1b ... Frame, 2 ... Touch panel part, 2a ... Pressing part, 2b ... Frame, 3 ... Piezoelectric actuator, 4 ... Flexible substrate, 5 ... A / D converter, 6 ... Touch panel detection unit, 7 ... Pressure sensitive setting unit, 8 ... Actuator control unit, 9 ... Driver circuit, 10 ... Timing correction unit, 31a, 31b ... Wiring terminal, 41 ... ... Mounting part, 41a, 41b ... through hole, 41c ... center spacer part, 42a, 42b ... wiring pattern, 61 ... press detection part, 62 ... coordinate detection part, 100 ... input device, 101 ... Timer, 102 ...... Pressing end determination unit, 103 ... Coordinate output unit

Claims (13)

When an input is performed by a pressing operation on the panel surface, the pressing position is output as a coordinate value, and in the input device that the panel surface is displaced and a force feedback is returned to the user,
A panel surface displacement mechanism that displaces the panel surface using a piezoelectric actuator comprising a piezoelectric bimorph element;
Pressure detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the pressing operation on the panel surface;
A displacement amount setting means for setting a displacement amount of the panel surface in accordance with a setting operation by a user;
When the pressing operation is started based on the detection by the pressing detection means, the longer the correction period set by the displacement amount setting means, the longer the correction period is set, and during the correction period measurement. Timing correction means for delaying and outputting the end timing of the pressing operation until after the end of the correction period;
When the pressing operation is started based on detection by the pressing detection means, the piezoelectric actuator is driven to displace the panel surface according to the setting of the displacement amount, and the end timing from the timing correction means is set. Displacement mechanism control means for controlling the panel surface displacement mechanism unit so as to hold the panel surface in a predetermined position until receiving,
An input device comprising: 2. The input according to claim 1, further comprising coordinate detection means for outputting a pressed position with respect to the panel surface by the pressing operation as a coordinate value, and holding the coordinate value to be output during counting of the correction period. apparatus. When the pressing operation is started, the displacement mechanism control unit displaces the panel surface in a reverse direction after gradually displacing in one direction, and a displacement time of the panel surface in the one direction. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the panel surface displacement mechanism unit is controlled to be sufficiently longer than the displacement time in the reverse direction. The displacement mechanism control means, when displacing the panel surface in the one direction, always gradually increases or decreases the driving voltage for the piezoelectric actuator according to the same waveform, and increases or decreases the driving voltage according to the waveform. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the amount of displacement of the panel surface is changed by changing the time to be changed. The input device according to claim 4, wherein the timing correction unit measures a time obtained by multiplying a displacement time of the panel surface in the one direction by n times (n> 1) as the correction period. 6. The input device according to claim 5, wherein n = 1.2 to 1.4. The displacement mechanism control unit controls the panel surface displacement mechanism unit so as to hold the panel surface displaced in the reverse direction until the end timing is received from the timing correction unit. The input device according to claim 3. When the displacement mechanism control means receives the end timing from the timing correction means, the applied voltage to the piezoelectric actuator becomes 0 V in a time sufficiently longer than the displacement time after the panel surface is further displaced in the reverse direction. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the panel surface displacement mechanism unit is controlled so as to be displaced to a state. The panel surface displacement mechanism section is disposed near the first spacer disposed on the surface near the center of the piezoelectric actuator, and at both ends in the longitudinal direction on the opposite surface of the first spacer disposed surface. The second and third spacers, and the piezoelectric actuator is bent in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement surface of the spacers, so that the surface of the first spacer and the second and third spacers are curved. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the panel surface is displaced by changing a distance between the spacer and the surface of the spacer. A display means for displaying a screen through the panel surface is provided, and selection input is performed by pressing an operation function item displayed on the display means through the panel surface. Item 1. The input device according to Item 1. A portable information processing apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1. A remote control device comprising the input device according to claim 1. When an input is performed by a pressing operation on the panel surface, the pressing position is output as a coordinate value, and an input device that displaces the panel surface using a piezoelectric actuator made of a piezoelectric bimorph element and feeds back a force sense to the user In the piezoelectric actuator drive control method in
Set the amount of displacement of the panel surface according to the setting operation by the user,
When the pressing operation on the panel surface is started, the longer the correction period is set, the longer the correction period is set, and during the correction period, the end timing of the pressing operation is set to the correction period. Correct the end timing to delay until after the end,
When the pressing operation is started, the panel surface is displaced according to the setting of the displacement amount, and the panel surface is held at a predetermined position until the end timing corrected based on the correction period is received. Controlling the driving of the piezoelectric actuator;
A piezoelectric actuator drive control method in an input device.

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