JP2012181732A - Input support device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give an operational feeling to the input of a touch panel of a capacitance type while avoiding an uncomfortable feeling thereof.SOLUTION: In a support pad 110, one or more through-holes are formed that have the same layout as the key layout of a touch panel 20, and the support pad 110 is placed on the touch panel 20 at the time of use. A key button 120 is provided for each through-hole of the support pad 110. When the support pad 110 is placed on the touch panel 20, the key button 120 is pressed down to pass the through-hole and its bottom face comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel 20. Also, the key button 120 is formed of conductive materials.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for supporting key input of a capacitive touch panel.

  Input to an electronic device whose input device is a touch panel is performed by touching a key (hereinafter referred to as a software key) displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel of the touch panel.

  When inputting with the touch panel, there is no feeling of operation obtained by pressing down like a physical key, so an unskilled input person may be confused by the operation. There is a touch panel that generates vibration and voice according to the touch operation on the software key to give the operator a sense of operation. However, in the case of continuous fast input, the vibration or voice that occurs every time the software key is touched. Gives a sense of incongruity.

  Further, since the software key has no physical unevenness, it is necessary to always look at the software key when inputting with the touch panel, and blind touch is difficult.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a key input support body that can ensure key input on a touch panel. This support body is a keypad panel placed on the surface of the touch panel, and a key area having an arrangement similar to the software key arrangement of the touch panel is formed on the base. A key button constituting a key area is inserted into a through hole formed in the base. Furthermore, it is disclosed that a synthetic resin is desirable as a material for the key button and the base body (key pad sheet) (claim 5, paragraph “0014”, etc.)

JP-A-2005-174114

  Generally, since the synthetic resin is an insulator, the key input support body in which the key button is configured by the synthetic resin as disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot be applied to a capacitive touch panel.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a technique capable of giving an operational feeling to an input of a capacitive touch panel and avoiding a sense of incongruity.

  One aspect of the present invention is an input support device for a touch panel. This support apparatus has a support pad and a key button.

  The support pad has one or more through holes having the same arrangement as the key arrangement of the touch panel, and is placed on the touch panel when in use.

  The key button is provided for each through hole. When the support pad is placed on the touch panel, the key button is pressed to contact the bottom surface of the touch panel through the through hole. Further, the key button is made of a conductive material.

  Note that a representation obtained by replacing the input support apparatus of the above aspect with a method, a system including the apparatus, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the technology according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operational feeling and to avoid a sense of incongruity by inputting from a capacitive touch panel.

It is an overhead view of the input assistance apparatus concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure seen from the side, when the assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the touch panel (example 1). In the example shown in FIG. 2, it is the figure seen from the side, when the key button of an assistance apparatus is pressed down. It is the figure seen from the side, when the assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the touch panel (example 2). In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is the figure seen from the side, when the key button of an assistance apparatus is pressed down. It is a figure which shows the structure of a key button (the 1). FIG. 7 is a side view when the key button shown in FIG. 6 is pressed. It is a figure which shows the structure of a key button (the 2) FIG. 8 is a view from the side when the key button shown in FIG. 7 is pressed (Example 1). FIG. 8 is a view from the side when the key button shown in FIG. 7 is pressed (Example 2). It is a figure which shows the example of the shape of the top face of a key button. It is a figure which shows another example of the shape of the top surface of a key button. It is the figure seen from the side, when the assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the touch panel (example 3). In the example shown in FIG. 13, it is the figure seen from the side, when the key button of an assistance apparatus is pressed down. It is the figure seen from the side, when the assistance apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on the touch panel (example 4). In the example shown in FIG. 15, it is the figure seen from the side, when the key button of an assistance apparatus is pressed down. It is a figure which shows the assistance apparatus concerning the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. Moreover, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted as needed.
<First Embodiment>

  FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a support device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The support device 100 supports key input of a capacitive touch panel, and is placed on the touch panel when in use. In addition, in order to understand the correspondence between the key button arrangement of the support apparatus 100 and the key arrangement of the touch panel, FIG. 1 also shows an example of an electronic apparatus (electronic apparatus 10) using the touch panel as an input unit.

  The electronic device 10 is a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, and includes a touch panel 20 serving as an input unit. The touch panel 20 is of an electrostatic capacity type, and is provided with a plurality of software keys (hereinafter simply referred to as keys) 30.

  The support device 100 includes a support pad 110 and a plurality of key buttons 120 provided on the support pad 110.

  The support pad 110 is provided with a plurality of through holes (not shown) having the same arrangement as the key arrangement of the touch panel 20, and a key button 120 is provided for each of these through holes. When the support pad 110 is placed on the touch panel 20, the key button 120 is pressed so that the bottom surface comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel 20 through the through hole.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example when the support device 100 is viewed from the side when it is placed on the touch panel 20. The mesh portion in the figure shows a through hole 112 formed in the touch panel 20.

  In this example, when the support device 100 is placed on the touch panel 20, the bottom surface of the support pad 110 is in contact with the surface of the touch panel 20. The key button 120 is provided on the surface of the support pad 110 at the position of the corresponding through hole 112. That is, the key button 120 is entirely located outside the through hole 112 when not pressed.

  FIG. 3 is a view seen from the side when the B button, which is one of the key buttons 120 of the support apparatus 100, is pressed in the example shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, when the B button is pressed, the button B descends through the through hole 112, and the bottom surface thereof corresponds to the surface of the touch panel 20, more specifically, the corresponding key 30 (key B) on the surface of the touch panel 20. Touch the area.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example when the support apparatus 100 is viewed from the side when being placed on the touch panel 20. Also in this example, when the support device 100 is mounted on the touch panel 20, the bottom surface of the support pad 110 is in contact with the surface of the touch panel 20.

  However, the key buttons 120 are provided so as to be fitted into the corresponding through holes 112. That is, a part of the key button 120 is located in the through hole 112 when not pressed.

  FIG. 5 is a view seen from the side when the B button of the support apparatus 100 is pressed in the example shown in FIG. 4. As shown in the figure, when the B button is pressed, the button B descends through the through hole 112, and the bottom surface thereof contacts the area of the key B on the surface of the touch panel 20.

  Next, the key button 120 of the support apparatus 100 will be described in more detail with reference to the side views of FIGS. As an example, it is assumed that the key button 120 is inserted into the through hole 112 as shown in FIG. Further, it is assumed that the bottom surface of the support pad 110 comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel 20 when the support device 100 is placed on the touch panel 20. Further, for the sake of easy understanding, the illustration of the through hole is omitted below.

  The key button 120 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is entirely formed of a conductive material. As shown in FIG. 7, when the key button 120 is pressed by the finger 130, the entire bottom surface of the key button 120 contacts the area of the key 30 corresponding to the key button 120 on the surface of the touch panel 20. .

  Therefore, pressing the key button 120 with the finger 130 causes a change in the capacitance of the touch panel 20, similar to touching the area of the corresponding key 30 on the touch panel 20 with the finger 130. As a result, input can be performed by pressing the key button 120.

  When the support device 100 provided with such a key button 120 is placed on a capacitive touch panel for input, an operation feeling derived from a click (pressing of the key button 120) can be given to the input person. In addition, since it is not necessary to generate vibration or voice, it is possible to avoid a sense of incongruity even with continuous fast input.

  Further, since the input is performed via the protruding key button 120, a blind touch is possible.

  The key button 120 shown in FIG. 6 is entirely formed of a conductive material. However, when pressed, the key button 120 is in contact with the touch panel 20 on the bottom surface from the portion of the top surface where the finger touches. If a portion can be electrically conductive, only a portion may be formed of a conductive material. An example will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the key button 120 has a core part 122 and a protection part 124. The protection part 124 encloses the core part 122 except for the top surface and the bottom surface of the core part 122.

  The core part 122 is made of a conductive material, and the protection part 124 is made of an insulating material.

  When pressed by the finger 130, the key button 120 descends through a through hole 112 (not shown) of the support pad 110, as shown in FIG. The area of the key 30 corresponding to is touched.

  Such a key button 120 can also obtain the same effect as the key button 120 shown in FIGS. Further, the key button 120 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is excellent in durability because the core portion 122 made of a conductive material is protected by a protection portion 124 made of an insulating material.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the entire key button 120 is lowered when the finger 130 is pressed. However, if the bottom surface of the core 122 can contact the surface of the touch panel 20, the entire key button 120 is not necessarily lowered. Not necessary.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the key button 120 may be configured such that when pressed by the finger 130, the protection part 124 does not move and only the core part 122 is lowered.

  Furthermore, various devices may be added so as to improve operability. The example shown in FIG. 11 has a concave top surface with respect to the key button 120 of FIG. By denting the top surface of the key button 120, it is possible to prevent the finger from slipping and to make the blind touch easier.

  In the example shown in FIG. 12, the top surface of the core 122 is made concave with respect to the key button 120 shown in FIG. Such a key button 120 can obtain the same effect as the key button 120 shown in FIG. 11, and further guides the input person's finger to the core portion 122 made of a conductive material, thereby further improving the input. Can be sure.

  Of course, the shape of the top surface of the key button 120 or the core portion 122 is not limited to the concave surface shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example when the support apparatus 100 is viewed from the side when being placed on the touch panel 20. The example shown in FIG. 13 corresponds to the example shown in FIG. 2, and the key button 120 is entirely located outside the through-hole 112 when not pressed. Here, the through hole on the support pad 110 is not shown.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this example, when the support device 100 is stacked on the touch panel 20, a gap indicated by a vertical line pattern is formed between the bottom surface of the support pad 110 and the surface of the touch panel 20. is there.

  Many touch panels are provided with a protruding frame surrounding the display for protecting the display. This protrusion frame is indicated by a protrusion 40 in FIG.

  If the size of the support pad 110 is designed so that the support device 100 is placed on the protrusion 40 when the support device 100 is placed on the touch panel 20, the support pad 110 and the touch panel are provided as shown in FIG. 13. A gap is formed between the 20 surfaces. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the surface of the touch panel 20 from being damaged by the direct contact between the bottom surface of the support pad 110 and the surface of the touch panel 20.

  When there is no protruding frame surrounding the display of the touch panel 20, the support apparatus 100 is supported so that a gap is formed between the support pad 110 and the surface of the touch panel 20 when the support apparatus 100 is placed on the touch panel 20. A protrusion may be provided on the pad 110. In this case, the protrusion 40 shown in FIG. 13 is provided on the support pad 110 side.

  Regardless of whether the protrusion 40 is provided on the support pad 110 or the touch panel 20, the key button 120 descends through a through hole (not shown) when pressed, and the bottom surface of the key button 120 is the surface of the touch panel 20. To touch. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the B button is pressed, the bottom surface of the B button contacts the area of the corresponding key 30 (key B) on the surface of the touch panel 20.

  Also in this case, as the configuration of the key button 120, any one shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 may be used, and detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted here.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example viewed from the side when there is a gap between the bottom surface of the support pad 110 and the surface of the touch panel 20 when the support device 100 is placed on the touch panel 20. In this example, the key button 120 is provided so as to be inserted into the corresponding through hole 112, that is, a part of the key button 120 is located in the through hole 112 when not pressed. To do.

  FIG. 16 is a side view of the example shown in FIG. 15 when the key button 120 is pressed. As shown in the figure, when the B button which is one of the key buttons 120 is pressed, the bottom surface of the B button comes into contact with the area of the corresponding key 30 (key B) on the surface of the touch panel 20.

Of course, also in this case, as the configuration of the key button 120, any one shown in FIGS. 6 to 12 may be used.
<Second Embodiment>

  FIG. 17 shows a support apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The support device 200 supports key input of a capacitive touch panel, and includes a support pad 210 and a plurality of key buttons 120 provided on the support pad 210.

  The support pad 210 has a cylindrical shape and can hold the inserted electronic device 10. Further, when the electronic device 10 is inserted into the support pad 210, the portion of the support pad 210 where the key button 120 is provided is placed on the touch panel 20 of the electronic device 10.

  The arrangement and configuration (including materials) of the key buttons 120 are the same as those of the key buttons 120 in the support apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  The support device 200 of the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as the support device 100 shown in FIG.

  As a method for fixing the input support device to the touch panel, for example, sticking with a tape or the like can be considered. However, this method has a problem that dust and the like are likely to adhere to the support device. Therefore, by providing the support pad 210 that has a cylindrical shape that can hold the electronic device 10 having the touch panel 20 as in the support device 200, sticking with a tape becomes unnecessary, and the support device is less likely to get dirty.

  The present invention has been described above based on the embodiment. The embodiment is an exemplification, and various changes, increases / decreases, and combinations may be added to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications to which these changes, increases / decreases, and combinations are also within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the electronic device including the touch panel can be provided with an angle or unevenness to facilitate the attachment of the input support device and to prevent the displacement.

  In addition, the support device according to the technology of the present invention can be applied to any capacitive touch panel regardless of the surface type and the projection type.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic device 20 Touch panel 30 Key 40 Protrusion 100 Support apparatus 110 Support pad 112 Through-hole 120 Key button 122 Core part 124 Protection part 130 Finger 200 Support apparatus 210 Support pad

Claims (3)

An input support device for a touch panel,
One or more through-holes having the same arrangement as the key arrangement of the touch panel are drilled, and a support pad that is placed on the touch panel when in use;
When the support pad is placed on the touch panel, the support pad is provided for each of the one or more through-holes so that the bottom surface comes into contact with the surface of the touch panel through the through-holes when pressed. With key buttons,
The input support device, wherein the key button is made of a conductive material. The key button is
The core,
Excluding the top and bottom surfaces of the core part, and having a protective part enclosing the core part,
The core is formed of a conductive material,
The input support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the protection unit is formed of an insulating material. A cylinder capable of holding an electronic device provided with the touch panel;
The input support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support pad is a part of the cylinder.

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