JP2005018284A - Portable type electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a variety of operation inputs in a portable type electronic device with a narrow area of an operation input part such as a cellular phone. <P>SOLUTION: The cellular phone has an operation input means which has a ten key pad, wherein a key mat 21 in which the ten key buttons 21a-21c having protrusions 21aa-21cc on a lower face side thereof are arranged is disposed on a key substrate 22 in which contacts 22a-22c corresponding to the protrusions 21aa-21cc respectively are arranged; and an electrostatic capacity pad 30 having through-holes for projection insertion corresponding to the protrusions 21aa-21cc respectively and disposed between the key mat 21 and the key substrate 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a portable electronic device (hereinafter referred to as “mobile phone or the like”) such as a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a notebook personal computer or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile phone having a numeric keypad and a capacitance pad. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mobile phone or the like that detects an area where an operator's finger touches an operation input unit and realizes a desired function according to the detected area.
[0002]
[Prior art]
By configuring a keypad using a key mat with a capacitance sensing plate on the bottom side, it has the same key input function as the conventional one, and also has an input function as a finger detection pad that detects the touch of a finger. In addition, a user interface device (a user interface device such as a mobile telephone) provided with the above is disclosed (see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-196856.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, since the area of the operation input unit is small, functions that can be operated and input are limited.
It is an object of the present invention to enable various functions to be operated and input in a portable electronic device having a small operation input unit area such as a mobile phone.
For example, (1) a numeric keypad and a character key or a function key assigned to the numeric keypad can be switched by a simple operation; (2) selection of a desired item name and a plurality of items of the desired item name A desired item value in a value can be set by a simple operation, (3) selection of a desired item name incorporated in the hierarchical structure, and a plurality of desired item names Setting of desired item value among item values can be performed with a simple operation. (4) Characters and character separators are given with a simple operation to an application that recognizes characters handwritten with fingers. (5) Select and execute a desired function in the area touched with fingers, and (6) Select and execute a desired process determined for each application in the area touched with fingers. To be able to That.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is configured as the following [1] to [15].
[1] Configuration 1:
As operation input means
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A portable electronic device comprising:
The protrusion on the back of the numeric keypad comes into contact with the corresponding contact on the key board when the numeric keypad is pressed. As a result, the operator can feel the same click feeling as when the normal numeric keypad is pressed. In order to obtain this effect, it is desirable that the protrusions and contacts are hard.
Instead of the capacitance pad, for example, a known impedance sensing pad such as a pad for sensing a resistance change may be used as appropriate.
The capacitance pad may be not only a planar shape but also a curved shape such as along the surface of the case body. The capacitance pad may be in the form of a plate or a flexible film.
[0006]
[2] Configuration 2:
A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
An item name storage means for holding a predetermined item name in association with each of one or two or more divided areas divided into capacitance pad areas;
An item name acquisition means for acquiring an item name associated with a segmented region to which a representative coordinate of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Item value determining means for determining the value of the item name acquired by the item name acquiring means according to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising:
The operation input signal means a signal input by an operator input operation.
The representative coordinates are, for example, the barycentric coordinates of the detection area. That is, it is a coordinate point that represents the position of the detection area. In addition, you may employ | adopt the coordinate of representative positions other than a gravity center as a representative coordinate.
As the item name, for example, the key type (numeric key / character key / function key, etc.) of the numeric keypad can be listed. For example, when the capacitance change is a small area, that is, when touched with the tip of the fingertip, it functions as a numeric key, and when the capacitance change is a medium area, that is, when touched with the entire fingertip, This is a case where it is made to function as a function key when functioning as a character key and the capacitance change is large, that is, when touching not only with a fingertip but also with a finger pad. The segmented area may be set at a part off the numeric keypad (see Configuration 4 described later), or may be set at a part of the numeric keypad (see Configuration 5 described later). In the former, each numeric key is operated after first setting the key type. In the latter, the key type of the ten key is set for each operation of the ten key.
Other item names include, for example, line thickness, line color, line type, background (see configuration 3 below), height for 3D drawing, call / mail / camera, etc. The mode to switch can be mentioned.
[0007]
[3] Configuration 3:
In configuration 2,
A signal generating means for collectively generating temporal changes in representative coordinates of a region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change as an operation input signal;
The item name storage means holds the line thickness, line color, and background in association with each of the three divided areas provided at the edge in the capacitance pad area.
A portable electronic device.
The operation input signal of a set of temporal changes in the representative coordinates is a signal corresponding to a trajectory drawn on the capacitance pad by the operator.
If a trace is drawn on the capacitance pad after setting the thickness / color of the line in the edge area (example: lower) in the capacitance pad area, the trace will be the set thickness / color. Is input as a trajectory. If a trajectory is input without setting the line thickness / color, the trajectory has a default thickness / color.
[0008]
[4] Configuration 4:
In configuration 2,
The item name storage means associates and holds an item name for causing the numeric keypad to function as an additional function key in a section area provided in the capacitance pad area and where the numeric keypad button is removed.
A portable electronic device.
The additional function key is, for example, a character key such as alphabet or hiragana, or a key for realizing a predetermined function.
[0009]
[5] Configuration 5:
In the configuration 2,
The item name storage means holds the item name for causing the numeric keypad to function as an additional function key in each of the divided areas provided in the capacitance pad area and in each numeric keypad part.
A portable electronic device.
[0010]
[6] Configuration 6:
In any one of configurations 2 to 5,
Display means for displaying an item value display area corresponding to each of the divided areas in a display area corresponding to the capacitance pad area;
Item value display means for displaying the item value determined by the item value determination means in the item value display area of the item name;
A portable electronic device characterized by further comprising:
The determined item value is displayed when, for example, the character type (representative characters “A” and “a” in the character type) is displayed when the key type is set to the character key, or the line thickness is set. Display the line of the set thickness, display the line of the set type when the line type is set, and display the line or character of the color when the line or character color is set And so on.
[0011]
[7] Configuration 7:
In configuration 6,
The item name storage means holds item names as a hierarchical structure,
When the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit is an item name of an upper layer, the item value determination unit acquires the item name of the lower layer according to the area of the detection region,
The item value display means displays the item name in the corresponding item value display area when the item value determination means acquires the item name.
A portable electronic device.
For example, if an area with an item name “line” is defined as a segmented area, touching with the tip of the fingertip will result in an area with the item name “line thickness”, and touching with the entire fingertip will result in “line type” In the item name area, and when touched with the belly of a finger, it becomes the area of the item name "line color". Note that the item value “thin line / middle line / thick line” can be selectively set in the item name “line thickness”, and the item name “line type” is “dashed line / solid line / dashed line, etc.” The item value can be selectively set, and the item name “red / blue / green, etc.” can be selectively set for the item name “line color”. It goes without saying that a hierarchical structure may be adopted for the item values.
[0012]
[8] Configuration 8:
A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A signal generating means for collectively generating temporal changes in representative coordinates of a detection region in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change as an operation input signal;
Signal control means for controlling when the area of the detection region exceeds a predetermined area as a break of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means;
A portable electronic device comprising:
For example, after drawing a trajectory with a fingertip, when pressing of the capacitance pad on the entire belly of the finger is detected, this is defined as a break.
[0013]
[9] Configuration 9:
In configuration 8,
Further comprising character recognition means for recognizing a character based on a trajectory of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means;
The signal control means gives the delimiter to the character recognition means as a delimiter for character recognition based on the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means.
A portable electronic device.
For a technique for recognizing characters from coordinates accumulated as a handwritten locus, for example, “Recognition of Handwritten Characters by Computer (http://www.nemoto.ecei.tokyo.ac.jp/˜wai/manu/manu/.html) And is well known.
When the area of the detection region exceeds a predetermined area, this is given to the character recognition means and recognized as a character break.
[0014]
[10] Configuration 10:
A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A detection area acquisition means for acquiring an area of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Signal generating means for generating an operation input signal having a meaning corresponding to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising:
For example, the normal phone mode is switched when touched with the tip of the fingertip, the mail creation mode is switched when touched with the entire fingertip, and the camera mode is switched when touched with the belly of the finger.
In game software or the like, for example, the input of the area corresponding to the tip of the fingertip may be moved to the right, the input of the area corresponding to the entire fingertip may be moved to the left, and the like.
[0015]
[11] Configuration 11:
A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A detection area acquisition means for acquiring an area of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Signal generating means for generating an operation input signal in response to detection of a change in capacitance by the capacitance pad;
Signal control means for controlling the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means according to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising:
This configuration 11 is substantially the same as the configuration 10, but the “meaning to have” is fixed in the configuration 10, whereas the configuration 12 can be appropriately controlled.
[0016]
[12] Configuration 12:
In any one of configurations 1 to 11,
The numeric keypad button is a button printed on the key mat.
A portable electronic device.
In the configuration 12, the key mat is directly provided with a protrusion.
[0017]
[13] Configuration 13:
In any one of configurations 1 to 12,
The portable electronic device is a mobile phone;
A portable electronic device.
[0018]
[14] Configuration 14:
In any one of configurations 1 to 12,
The portable electronic device is a portable information terminal;
A portable electronic device.
[0019]
[15] Configuration 15:
In any one of configurations 1 to 12,
The portable electronic device is a notebook computer;
A portable electronic device.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the portable electronic device of the present invention is embodied as a mobile telephone will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2A is an exploded view schematically showing an arrangement relationship between a numeric keypad 20 (21, 22) and a capacitance pad 30 of the mobile phone. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A as viewed from inside B, FIG. 3A is a front view of the mobile phone in an unfolded state, and FIG. 3B is a display on the liquid crystal panel 60 of the mobile phone. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a numeric keypad and a capacitance pad.
[0021]
The mobile phone shown includes a liquid crystal display panel 60, a numeric keypad 20 (key mat 21, key board 22), a capacitance pad 30, a speaker 71, a microphone 72, and the like. Note that other known parts constituting the mobile phone are not directly related to the gist of the present invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the numeric keypad 20 includes a key mat 21 in which a plurality of numeric key buttons 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and the like are arranged, and a key substrate 22 provided as a lower layer of the key mat 21. Each of the numeric keypad buttons 21a, 21b, 21c is formed with a projection 21aa, 21bb, 21cc, on the back side (lower surface side). Further, contacts 22aa, 22bb, 22cc,... Are provided on the key substrate 22 so as to correspond to these protrusions 21aa, 21bb, 21cc,. For this reason, when the user presses the numeric key button, the protrusion on the back surface of the numeric key button comes into contact with the corresponding contact on the key board 22, and the signal is output to the keypad interface 201 (see FIG. 4). In addition, the user feels that response. That is, it feels a click feeling. In order to feel this click feeling well, it is desirable that the protrusions and / or contacts on the back of the numeric keypad are hard. In the illustrated example, the numeric keypad is a member different from the keymat, but the numeric keypad may be integrally formed on the keymat by printing or the like. In that case, a protrusion is provided on the back surface of the key mat.
[0023]
Between the key mat 21 and the key substrate 22, a capacitance pad 30 having an insertion hole corresponding to each projection is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance pad 30 includes a first pad 31 and a second pad 32, and is bonded and integrated by the adhesive layer 12. Striped electrodes (eg, ITO electrodes) are formed on the pads 31 and 32, respectively, and the first pads 31 are formed so that the striped electrodes form an orthogonal direction (= form a grid). And a second pad 32 is provided. When a human body part such as a fingertip comes into contact (or close proximity), the capacitance between the electrode of the first pad 31 and the electrode of the second pad 32 near the contact (or close proximity) part changes, Output to the capacitance interface 301. That is, a change in capacitance is detected. The illustrated configuration shows an example of a capacitance pad, and it is needless to say that a capacitance pad having a configuration other than the above may be adopted as appropriate.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 1, the circuit of this mobile telephone encodes an electric signal (audio signal) input from an audio input device (microphone) 72 and supplies it to the radio interface circuit 82 and also from the radio interface circuit 82. A codec circuit 81 that outputs audio by decoding data (audio data or the like; description of data other than audio data is omitted) and outputting the data as an electric signal (audio signal) to an audio output device (speaker) 71; The data supplied from the codec circuit 81 is converted into an electric signal and output from the antenna 50, and the electric signal received by the antenna 50 is converted into data (audio data, etc .; explanation is omitted for data other than audio data). A wireless interface circuit 82 for outputting to the codec circuit 81 A controller 83 for controlling such an operation of the click circuit 81 and wireless interface circuit 82, a memory 84 for use as needed controller 83. The codec circuit 81, the radio interface circuit 82, the controller 83, and the memory 84 constitute a conventionally known mobile telephone circuit 80.
[0025]
In addition to the codec circuit 81 and the wireless interface circuit 82, the controller 83 receives electrical signals (press detection signals) generated by pressing the keys 21 a, 21 b, etc. of the keypad 20 in the keypad interface circuit 201. It is converted into (press detection data) and input. In addition, a change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 30 in response to contact (or proximity) of a human body is converted into data by the capacitance sensor interface circuit 301 and input to the controller 83. .
[0026]
Touch any one of the divided areas 301/302/303 provided at the lower edge of the capacitance pad area (the hatched area in the dotted line frame in FIGS. 3A and 3B) with your finger to select the desired item. A procedure for setting a desired item value in the name will be described.
[0027]
In the example shown in FIG. 3, the section area 301 is an area for selecting a background, the section area 302 is an area for selecting a line thickness, and the section area 303 is an area for selecting a line color.
For example, when the segmented region 302 is touched with the tip of the fingertip, the area of the detection region is “small”, so “thin line” is selected as the line thickness, and the selected thickness line is displayed on the liquid crystal display panel. The corresponding display area 602 in 60 is displayed. Similarly, when the entire region of the fingertip touches the segmented region 302, the area of the detection region is “medium”, so that “middle line” is selected as the thickness of the line, and the selected thickness line is displayed on the liquid crystal. It is displayed in the corresponding display area 602 in the display panel 60. Similarly, when the area of the detection region is “large” when the segmented region 302 is touched with the belly of the finger, “thick line” is selected as the thickness of the line, and the selected thickness line is displayed on the liquid crystal display. A corresponding display area 602 in the panel 60 is displayed.
[0028]
Further, when the segmented region 303 is touched with the tip of the fingertip, the area of the detection region is “small”, so that “warm color” is selected as the line color type and the warm color can be selected. Furthermore, when the segmented region 303 is touched with the tip of the fingertip in the warm color selection state, the area of the detection region is “small”, so “red” is selected as the line color, and the line of the selected color Is displayed in the corresponding display area 603 in the liquid crystal display panel 60. Similarly, another warm color can be selected in the warm color selection state, or a desired cold color can be set and displayed by setting the selection state of the cold color type.
The section area 301 is an area for selecting a background, and the selected background is displayed over the entire liquid crystal display panel 60.
[0029]
The above is the case where the segmented area is a line thickness, a line color, and a background, but it may be configured so that item names and item values other than these can be selected and set.
Further, selection and setting of item names and / or item values may be performed by following a hierarchical structure.
Further, the above is a case where the segmented region is provided at the lower edge portion in the capacitance pad region, but is not limited to the lower edge portion, and may be provided at another portion in the capacitance pad region.
Further, the above is a case where a desired item value is set in advance prior to the input of the trajectory, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a desired item value may be set as needed. . For example, it may be configured such that a divided region is set for each numeric keypad, and the input of the numeric keypad is cut off according to the area touching the numeric keypad. For example, when the numeric keypad is touched with the tip of the fingertip, a predetermined normal number is input to the numeric keypad. When the numeric keypad is touched with the entire fingertip, the numbers are sequentially associated from the beginning of the alphabet to the 12th (when there are 12 numeric keys). Alternatively, the characters may be input in the corresponding order, and when the numeric keypad is touched with the finger pad, the characters may be input in the corresponding order in the 13th to 24th alphabets.
As other item names, for example, the height in the case of drawing a three-dimensional figure, a mode for switching a call / mail / camera, and the like can be cited.
[0030]
An example of converting a locus into characters will be described.
FIG. 5 shows a procedure for notifying the character recognition function that the character is separated (start of the next character) when the contact area of the finger F handwriting the character on the capacitance pad 30 changes. . Note that the character recognition function is realized by the controller 83 executing known character recognition software.
[0031]
First, when it is time to detect a sensor signal (YES in S01), an output signal from the capacitance type sepad 30 is captured (S03). Further, the position of the detection area detected this time, that is, the position of the center of gravity is given to the character recognition function (S05). Thereby, the character recognition function accumulates the position of the detection area detected this time on the memory. That is, it is added to the character trajectory.
[0032]
Next, the area of the detection region is obtained and compared with a predetermined threshold value (S07). That is, it is determined whether the number of dots detected at the same time is the number of dots corresponding to the tip of the fingertip or the entire fingertip, or the number of dots corresponding to the belly of the finger.
[0033]
If the detected area is the number of dots corresponding to the tip of the fingertip or the entire fingertip (NO in S09), the process returns to step S01. That is, the locus input is continued. On the other hand, if the detected area is the number of dots corresponding to the belly of the finger (YES in S09), the character recognition function is notified to start the next character because it is a character delimiter (S11).
[0034]
An example of determining a process to be executed according to the area touched by the fingertip (the area of the simultaneous detection region) will be described with reference to FIG.
Steps S01, S03, and S07 are the same as those in FIG.
In step S21, the process to be executed corresponding to the detection area obtained in step S07 is acquired from the “direction-process table (FIG. 6B)” for the current application. The “direction-processing table” is assumed to be held by the mobile phone for each application. In the example shown in the figure, for example, if the detection area (number of dots) obtained in step S07 is in the range of “corresponding to the tip of the fingertip”, a process of “lower left movement” is executed.
[0035]
The above-described embodiment is an example in which the present invention is embodied as a mobile phone. However, the present invention is not limited to a mobile phone. For example, a portable electronic device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a notebook computer is used. Can be applied in the same manner as described above.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
In the configuration 1, as an operation input means, a key mat in which numeric key buttons having projections on the lower surface side are arranged is provided on a key board on which contacts corresponding to the projections are arranged; Since it has a corresponding through hole for inserting a protrusion and has a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate, the mobile phone has a small area of the operation input section such as a mobile phone. In the type electronic apparatus, operation input of various functions can be realized.
[0037]
The configuration 2 includes a numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key board on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged, and a protrusion insertion corresponding to the protrusion. A through-hole, a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate, and a predetermined area in each of one or more divided areas divided into the capacitance pad area. Item name acquisition means for acquiring an item name associated with a segment area to which representative coordinates of a detection area in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change belongs to an item name storage unit that associates and holds the item name And item value determination means for determining the value of the item name acquired by the item name acquisition means in accordance with the area of the detection region, so that selection of a desired item name and the desired item name has Multiple items A desired setting item values in, can be realized by a simple operation.
[0038]
The configuration 3 further includes signal generation means for collectively generating temporal changes in representative coordinates of the region in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change in the configuration 2 as an operation input signal. The item name storage means holds the line thickness, the line color, and the background in association with each of the three divided areas provided at the edge in the capacitance pad area. For the drawn trajectory, the selection of the item name as its thickness and the setting of the item value, the selection of the item name as its color and the setting of the item value, and the selection of the item name as the background of the trajectory and the setting of the item value, respectively This can be realized with a simple operation.
[0039]
The configuration 4 is an item for causing the item name storage means to function as an additional function key in a section area provided in the capacitance pad area and where the numeric keypad button is removed from the configuration pad. Since the names are stored in association with each other, in addition to the effect of the configuration 2, there is an effect that the numeric keys and the character keys and function keys assigned to the numeric keys can be switched by a simple operation.
[0040]
In the configuration 5, in the configuration 2, the item name storage means causes the numeric keypad to function as an additional function key in the divided area provided in the capacitance pad area and in each numeric keypad part. Therefore, in addition to the effect of the configuration 2, the function assigned to the numeric keypad can be switched by a simple operation.
[0041]
In the configuration 6 according to any one of the configurations 2 to 5, the display unit displays the item value display area corresponding to each of the divided areas on the display area corresponding to the capacitance pad area, and the item In addition to the effects of the configurations 2 to 4, the item specified by the operator is further included. The item value display unit displays the item value determined by the value determination unit in the item value display area of the item name. There is an effect that the operator can visually recognize the item value determined by the operator.
[0042]
In the configuration 7, in the configuration 6, the item name storage means holds the item names as a hierarchical structure, and the item value determination means uses the item name acquired by the item name acquisition means as an item in the upper hierarchy. In the case of a name, the item name of the lower hierarchy is acquired according to the area of the detection region, and the item value display means displays the item name corresponding to the item value when the item value determination means acquires the item name Since it is displayed in the area, in addition to the effect of the configuration 5, there is an effect that the item selection by the hierarchical structure and the item value of the selected item name can be set. That is, there is an effect that selection of a desired item name incorporated in the hierarchical structure and setting of a desired item value among a plurality of item values of the desired item name can be realized with a simple operation.
[0043]
The configuration 8 includes a numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface side is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged, and a protrusion insertion corresponding to the protrusion. Change of the representative coordinates of the detection area where the capacitance pad detects a capacitance change, and the capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate. And a signal control means for controlling when the area of the detection region exceeds a predetermined area as a break of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means. The break of the locus handwritten with a finger can be given with a simple operation.
[0044]
The configuration 9 further includes character recognition means for recognizing a character based on a trajectory of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means in the configuration 8, wherein the signal control means sets the delimiter to the signal Since the character recognition means is given to the character recognition means as a character recognition delimiter based on the operation input signal generated by the generation means, it is possible to give a character-character break with a simple operation to an application that recognizes a character handwritten with a finger. .
[0045]
The configuration 10 includes a numeric keypad formed by providing a key mat on which a numeric key button having a protrusion on the lower surface side is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged, and for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion. A detection area for acquiring an area of a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate, and a detection region in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change. And a signal generating means for generating an operation input signal having a meaning corresponding to the area of the detection region, so that a desired function can be selected and executed by an area touched by a finger.
[0046]
The configuration 11 includes a numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key board on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged, and a protrusion for inserting the protrusion corresponding to the protrusion. A detection area for acquiring an area of a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate, and a detection region in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change. Means for generating an operation input signal in response to detection of a capacitance change by the capacitance pad, and controlling the operation input signal generated by the signal generation unit in accordance with the area of the detection region Since it has the signal control means, it is possible to select and execute a desired process determined for each application by an area touched with a finger.
[0047]
In the configuration 12, in any of the configurations 1 to 11, since the numeric key button is a button printed on the key mat, it is not necessary to separately provide the numeric key button, and the cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment.
2A is an exploded view schematically showing an arrangement relationship between a numeric keypad 20 (21, 22) and a capacitance pad 30 of the mobile phone, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view as viewed in B in FIG. .
3A is a front view of the mobile phone in an unfolded state, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the relationship between the display on the liquid crystal panel 60 of the mobile phone and the divided areas of the capacitance pad 30. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a configuration example of a numeric keypad and a capacitance pad.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for detecting a break of a handwritten character according to the area of a detection region.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for selecting a process according to the area of a detection region.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 Keymat
21a-21c numeric keypad
21aa-21cc protrusion
22 Key board
22a-22c contact
30 Capacitive pad
60 LCD panel
71 Speaker
72 microphone

Claims (15)

As operation input means
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A portable electronic device comprising: A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
An item name storage means for holding a predetermined item name in association with each of one or two or more divided areas divided into capacitance pad areas;
An item name acquisition means for acquiring an item name associated with a segmented region to which a representative coordinate of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Item value determining means for determining the value of the item name acquired by the item name acquiring means according to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising: In claim 2,
A signal generating means for collectively generating temporal changes in representative coordinates of a region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change as an operation input signal;
The item name storage means holds the line thickness, line color, and background in association with each of the three divided areas provided at the edge in the capacitance pad area.
A portable electronic device. In claim 2,
The item name storage means associates and holds an item name for causing the numeric keypad to function as an additional function key in a section area provided in the capacitance pad area and where the numeric keypad button is removed.
A portable electronic device. In claim 2,
The item name storage means associates and holds item names for causing the numeric keypad to function as an additional function key in the divided areas provided in the capacitance pad area and in the portions of the numeric keypads, respectively.
A portable electronic device. In any one of Claims 2-5,
Display means for displaying an item value display area corresponding to each of the divided areas in a display area corresponding to the capacitance pad area;
Item value display means for displaying the item value determined by the item value determination means in the item value display area of the item name;
A portable electronic device characterized by further comprising: In claim 6,
The item name storage means holds item names as a hierarchical structure,
When the item name acquired by the item name acquisition unit is an item name of an upper layer, the item value determination unit acquires the item name of the lower layer according to the area of the detection region,
The item value display means displays the item name in the corresponding item value display area when the item value determination means acquires the item name.
A portable electronic device. A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A signal generating means for collectively generating temporal changes in representative coordinates of a detection region in which the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change, as an operation input signal;
A signal control means for controlling when the area of the detection region exceeds a predetermined area as a break of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means;
A portable electronic device comprising: In claim 8,
Further comprising character recognition means for recognizing a character based on a trajectory of the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means;
The signal control means gives the delimiter to the character recognition means as a delimiter for character recognition based on the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means.
A portable electronic device. A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A detection area acquisition means for acquiring an area of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Signal generating means for generating an operation input signal having a meaning corresponding to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising: A portable electronic device that operates in response to an operation input signal,
A numeric keypad having a key mat on which a keypad button having a protrusion on the lower surface is arranged on a key substrate on which contacts corresponding to the protrusion are arranged; and
A through hole for inserting a protrusion corresponding to the protrusion, and a capacitance pad provided between the key mat and the key substrate;
A detection area acquisition means for acquiring an area of a detection region where the capacitance pad has detected a capacitance change;
Signal generating means for generating an operation input signal in response to detection of a change in capacitance by the capacitance pad;
Signal control means for controlling the operation input signal generated by the signal generation means according to the area of the detection region;
A portable electronic device comprising: In any one of Claims 1-11,
The numeric keypad is a button printed on the key mat.
A portable electronic device. In any one of Claims 1-12,
The portable electronic device is a mobile phone;
A portable electronic device. In any one of Claims 1-12,
The portable electronic device is a portable information terminal;
A portable electronic device. In any one of Claims 1-12,
The portable electronic device is a notebook computer;
A portable electronic device.

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