JP2000029604A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To achieve the thinnest input device as much as possible, and to provide feedback accompanying an input operation in a preferable form for an operator. An input device (1) for converting information input by an input operation by an operator into a proper electric signal by operating a switch (6) and outputting the electric signal, comprising a plurality of sheet-like members (A, B, C). A plurality of input mechanisms including switches and stress generating means 8 and 11 are provided between the sheet-shaped members and the stress is fed back to the operator from the stress generating means simultaneously with the operation of the switches. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an input device which can be made very thin without sacrificing operability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an input device for converting information input by an input operation by an operator into an electric signal and transmitting the signal to an information processing device, for example, a keyboard which is an input device used in a so-called personal computer or the like is generally used. There are provided a large number of input mechanisms for outputting an electric signal by turning on / off an electric switch by a mechanical stroke of an operation key.

FIG. 5 shows an example of an input mechanism of the keyboard. The input mechanism a includes operation keys b,
It has a support link c, a switch d, a support substrate e, and the like.

The operation key b has a recessed portion f formed on the lower side and has a shallow container shape with an opening at the bottom, and is supported from below by connecting four corners with the support link c in the recessed portion f. It is in a state of being left.

That is, when viewed from the side, a support link c in which two members are rotatably combined in an X-shape.
.. Are connected to the operation keys b, and the lower connecting parts h, h,.
Linked to

Further, a contact d and a j are disposed inside the supporting substrate e, and a switch d whose periphery is covered by a rubber elastic member is disposed. A pressing portion k protruding downward from substantially the center of the concave portion f of the operation key b is provided above the switch d.
Are fitted.

In the input mechanism a, when the operation key b is pressed downward, the pressing portion k of the operation key b deflects the resilient member of the switch d to move the contact point i downward. When the contacts i and j in the switch d come into contact with each other to generate an input signal and the operation key b is released from being pressed, the operation key b returns to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member of the switch b. Return. At the same time, a stress is generated with the return of the operation key b, and an operation sound is also generated when the operation key b is pressed and when the operation key b returns to the original position.

[0008]

By the way, in the input device, it is necessary to transmit a reaction corresponding to the input operation to the operator during the input operation, that is, it is necessary to provide appropriate feedback accompanying the input operation.

For example, a so-called non-stroke type, in which an ultra-thin sheet switch or the like is stuck on a screen of a display of a personal computer or the like and an input operation is performed by pressing an arbitrary portion of the screen. In the input device, the screen of the display changes simultaneously with the input operation by pressing the sheet switch, so that the input operation is visually fed back to the operator.

In the case of an input device using the input mechanism a shown in FIG. 5, that is, a mechanical stroke type input device, when the operation key b is pressed and a key input is made, the operation key b is pushed back to the original position, and this is fed back to the operator's finger as a tactile sensation, and the feedback is also made by the operation sound. Then, in order for the operator to feel the feedback accompanying such a key input operation preferably, the key stroke l of the input mechanism a needs to be at least 2 mm as shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the input mechanism a, it is difficult to reduce the total thickness m to 5 mm or less, that is, to make it ultra-thin when the thickness of the other parts is combined.
When used as an input device for a so-called notebook personal computer, which has been remarkably thinned and lightened in recent years, there is a problem that the thinning is limited and the number of parts is large, so that the total cost is increased. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to achieve an input device that is as thin as possible and to provide feedback associated with an input operation in a manner that is preferable for an operator.

[0013]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an input device according to the present invention is an input device for converting information input by an input operation by an operator into a proper electrical signal by operating a switch and outputting the signal. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of sheet-like members laminated; a plurality of input mechanisms including a switch and a stress generating means provided between the sheet-like members; In this case, the stress is fed back to the user.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the input device, and it is possible to perform feedback in a preferred form for the operator in accordance with the input operation.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the input device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following embodiment, the input device of the present invention is applied to a keyboard 1 for a personal computer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the keyboard (input device) 1 has a five-layer structure in which a plurality of sheet-like members covering all areas of the keyboard 1 are laminated.
In order from the front side, a first layer A made of a synthetic resin or ceramic film, a second layer B made up of a number of piezoelectric elements and their wirings described later, and a third layer made of a synthetic resin film
A space 3 is provided by sandwiching spacers 2, 2,... At an appropriate position between the layer C and the third layer C and the fifth layer E, and a switch composed of a pair of contact electrodes 4 and 5 is provided. It is composed of a fourth layer D in which many 6 are arranged, and a fifth layer E as a base substrate.

The synthetic resin film constituting the first layer A and the third layer C is made of a waterproof and flexible material such as polyester resin, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) resin or polyimide resin. The spacers 2, 2,... Are made of PET or PP (polypropylene) resin.

On the surface of the first layer A, as shown in FIG.
Are provided by an appropriate method such as printing. The piezoelectric elements 8, 8, ..., which function as a part of the stress generating means provided in the second layer 2, and the fourth
The switches 6, 6,... Provided on the layer are provided in a number corresponding to the number of the key displays 7, 7,. Have been. The contact electrodes 4 and 5, which constitute each switch 6, and the piezoelectric elements 8, 8,... Are printed on a sufficiently large sheet-like member (film) constituting each layer by means such as printing. The entire input device 1 and portions corresponding to the plurality of input devices 1, 1,... Are continuously formed, and then cut into portions corresponding to the respective input devices 1.

By performing a process for releasing static electricity on the surface of the first layer A by ITO (thin film formation) or the like, it is possible to easily take measures against static electricity.

As described above, the conventional type keyboard is constructed by assembling the operation keys and switches, which are mechanical parts, and assembling them.
Formed a plurality of input mechanisms 9, 9,... Including a switch 6, having a pair of contact electrodes 4 and 5, a piezoelectric element 7, and one key display 7, etc., on a sheet-like member by printing or the like. Since the configuration can be achieved only by pasting together objects, it is possible to achieve a great advantage in terms of productivity and cost as compared with the conventional keyboard.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a circuit configuration of the input mechanism 9.

That is, the power from the power supply 12 is applied to the key input circuit 10 and the piezoelectric element driver 11 by the on / off operation of the switch 6.
When the power is applied, the key input circuit 10 outputs a key input signal, and the piezoelectric element driver 11 applies a predetermined power to the piezoelectric element 8.

When the surface of the first layer is pressed by the finger 13, that is, when there is a key input 14, the fourth layer D
In this case, the contact electrodes 4 and 5 of the switch 6 come into contact with each other to conduct, power is applied to the key input circuit 10 and the piezoelectric element driver 11, and a predetermined key input signal is output from the key input circuit 10 as described above. At the same time, a predetermined power is applied to the piezoelectric element 8 by the piezoelectric element driver 11.

Then, an inverse piezoelectric (electrostrictive) is applied to the piezoelectric element 8.
A distortion is generated by the effect, and a stress 15 is generated that presses the finger 13 in a direction opposite to the pressing by the key input 14, which is transmitted to the operator and fed back as a reaction accompanying the key input 14.

As described above, the keyboard (input device) 1
In a conventional keyboard having a mechanical stroke, the stress 15 applied by the piezoelectric element 8
At the same time as the key input 14, a feedback accompanying the key input 14 is obtained. At the same time, the keyboard 1 including the laminated sheet-like members, the piezoelectric elements, the contact electrodes, and the like is configured to obtain a response associated with the key input 14 by the electric action of the piezoelectric elements 8. Can be reduced to 1/5 to 1/10 of the conventional mechanical stroke type keyboard.

The piezoelectric elements 8, 8,... Between the first layer A and the second layer B are arranged on the second layer, as shown in FIG. Other portions may be left hollow, but may be filled with other appropriate materials.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
The first layer A and the third layer B are brought into close contact with each other by a suitable means in a portion where there is no piezoelectric element 8,.
.. May cause portions corresponding to the key displays 7, 7,... To protrude above other portions. In this manner, the positions of the individual operation keys indicated by the key displays 7, 7,... Are more easily understood, and it is possible to cope with so-called blind touch.

In the above-described embodiment, the contact electrodes 4 and 5 of each switch 6 transmit an electric signal to the key input circuit 1.
Although the function of inputting 0 and detecting the key input 14 also serves as the function of inputting to the piezoelectric element driver 11 and operating the piezoelectric element 8, the key input and the piezoelectric element 8 are operated. It is also possible to provide separate contact electrodes for actuation excitation.

It should be noted that the specific shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples for embodying the present invention, and the technical features of the present invention will be described below. The scope should not be construed as limiting.

[0031]

As is apparent from the above description, the input device of the present invention is an input device that converts information input by an input operation by an operator into a proper electric signal by operating a switch and outputs the signal. A plurality of sheet-like members are laminated, and a plurality of input mechanisms including a switch and a stress generating means are provided between the sheet-like members. Since the stress is fed back, the thickness of the input device can be reduced, and the reaction accompanying the input operation can be fed back to the operator. Further, since the input mechanism such as a switch is sandwiched between sheet-shaped members and hermetically sealed, it has excellent corrosion resistance and waterproofness.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the stress generating means is a piezoelectric element and a switch for operating the piezoelectric element. When the switch is operated, electric power is applied to the piezoelectric element to generate a stress. By the piezoelectric effect, it is possible to reliably perform a feedback in a preferred form for the operator without delay with the input operation.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the contact electrodes and the stress generating means constituting the switch are formed on the sheet-like member by a printing technique, it is only necessary to bond the sheet-like member. An input device can be configured, which is very advantageous in terms of productivity and cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the input device of the present invention together with FIGS. 1 to 4, and FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a circuit configuration.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a partially modified structure.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of an input mechanism in a conventional input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 6 ... Switch, 8 ... Piezoelectric element (stress generating means), 11 ... Drive circuit (stress generating means), A ... Sheet-shaped member, C ... Sheet-shaped member, E ... Sheet-shaped member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An input device for operating a switch to convert information input by an input operation by an operator into an appropriate electric signal and outputting the signal, wherein the input device is formed by stacking a plurality of sheet-shaped members. An input device comprising a plurality of input mechanisms comprising the switch and the stress generating means provided between the sheet-like members, and the stress is fed back to the operator from the stress generating means simultaneously with the operation of the switch. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the stress generating means is a piezoelectric element and a driving circuit thereof, and an electric power is applied to the piezoelectric element by operation of a switch to generate a stress. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the contact electrode and the stress generating means constituting the switch are formed on a sheet-like member by a printing technique.