JP2009026153A - Operation device and electric apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device capable of performing a complicated and complex operation, and to provide an electric apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The operation device 1 including an operation plate 12 movable in a plurality of directions from a prescribed position, and outputting an operation signal corresponding to the movement direction of the operation plate 12 includes: a plurality of touch sensors 13 arranged on the front surface of the operation plate 12 so as to detect the existence of contact of an object; and operation signal output connectors 16 for outputting operation signals in response to the detection results of the touch sensors 13 and the movement direction of the operation plate 12. The operation device 1 is arranged in the electric apparatus and operated in response to the operations of the operation plate 12 and the touch sensors. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an operating device that includes an operating body that can move in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position, and that outputs an operation signal in accordance with the moving direction of the operating body, and an electrical apparatus including the operating body.

  Various electric devices such as a notebook personal computer, a mobile phone, and a DVD recorder provided with a pointing device have been proposed as an operation device (for example, Patent Document 1).

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional pointing device 701. A conventional pointing device 701 includes an operation rod 714 supported so as to be tiltable with respect to a plate-like base 711. The tip of the operation rod 714 is covered with a rubber cap 712, and a touch sensor 713 is provided on the upper surface of the rubber cap 712.
When the user presses the rubber cap 712 and tilts the operation rod 714, the weight sensor 715 provided at the base end portion of the operation rod 714 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the tilt direction of the operation rod 714. Further, when a finger touches the touch sensor 713, the touch sensor 713 outputs a contact operation signal.

  When detecting the tilt of the operation rod 714, the control device mounted on an electric device, for example, a notebook computer, executes a process corresponding to the tilt direction of the operation rod 714 regardless of the presence or absence of the contact operation signal. For example, the pointer displayed on the display of the notebook computer is moved. In addition, when the control device 714 detects a contact operation signal of the touch sensor 713 in a state where the operation rod 714 does not detect tilting, the control device executes determination processing. For example, processing corresponding to the soft key selected with the pointer is executed.

In the conventional pointing device 701 configured as described above, a function corresponding to one button can be added to the pointing device 701, and space saving can be achieved.
JP-A-8-335141

  However, in the conventional pointing device, when operating the operation stick, since the finger always touches the touch sensor, the operation stick and the touch sensor cannot be operated independently, and there is a problem that the operation efficiency is poor. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and includes an operation body capable of moving in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position, and a plurality of contact detection units arranged on the surface of the operation body. An object of the present invention is to provide an operating device and an electric device that can operate a plurality of contact detection units simultaneously with operation of an operating body, and can perform more complicated and complex operations.

  An operating device according to the present invention includes an operating body capable of moving in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position, and is provided on a surface of the operating body in an operating device that outputs an operation signal corresponding to the moving direction of the operating body. A plurality of contact detection units for detecting presence or absence of contact of an object, and an operation signal output unit for outputting an operation signal according to a detection result of the contact detection unit and a moving direction of the operation body. And

  An electrical device according to the present invention includes an operating body capable of moving in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position, and in an electrical device that operates according to the moving direction of the operating body, the electrical device is disposed on a surface of the operating body. It is characterized by comprising a plurality of contact detectors for detecting the presence or absence of contact of an object, and a control means for controlling the operation according to the detection result of the contact detector and the moving direction of the operating body.

  In the electrical device according to the present invention, the control means detects a contact by a single contact detection unit, and when the operation plate moves, the control unit performs a first operation according to a moving direction of the operation plate. Means for controlling, and a plurality of the contact detectors detect contact, and when the operation plate moves, there are provided means for controlling the second operation according to the moving direction of the operation plate. Features.

  The electrical device according to the present invention includes the plurality of contact detection units arranged in parallel, and includes a timing unit that starts timing when the first contact detection unit detects contact, and the control unit includes If the second contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects contact before the time measurement unit counts the predetermined time, the unit for controlling the first operation and the time measurement unit for the predetermined time And a means for controlling the second operation when the third contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects contact before measuring the time.

  In the electrical device according to the present invention, the control means controls a first operation according to a moving direction of the operating body when the operating body moves when the contact detecting unit detects a contact. And a means for controlling a second operation in accordance with a moving direction of the operating body when the operating body moves when the other contact detecting unit detects contact. To do.

  The electric device according to the present invention is characterized in that the operation body has a disc shape, and the plurality of contact detection portions have a fan shape or an arc shape, and are arranged so as to be discrete in a circumferential direction.

  In the electric device according to the present invention, the operation plate has a disc shape, and the plurality of contact detection units are arranged in an annular shape or a cross shape around a substantially central portion of the surface of the operation body. And

In the present invention, the operating body can move in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position. In addition, a plurality of contact detection units are arranged on the surface of the operation body, and the operation signal output unit outputs an operation signal according to the moving direction of the operation body and the detection result of the contact detection unit.
Since the contact detection unit is arranged on the surface of the operation body, the user can move the operation body at the same time as operating the contact detection unit, and the operation device or the electric device can be operated simultaneously with the operation body and the contact detection unit. Can accept operations.
In addition, since the plurality of contact detection units are provided, the operation device or the electric device can accept more complex operations. For example, the user can control the operation of the electric device by moving the operation body while touching each contact detection unit individually or by moving the operation body while simultaneously touching a plurality of contact detection units.

In the present invention, the control means detects the contact by the single contact detection unit, and controls the first operation when the operation plate moves, and the plurality of contact detection units detect the contact. When the operation plate moves, the second operation is controlled.
Therefore, the operation that can be operated by the operating body is switched depending on whether the user touches a single contact detection unit to move the operation plate or touches a plurality of contact detection units to move the operation plate.

In the present invention, the timing means starts timing when the first contact detection unit detects contact. When the second contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects contact before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit controls the first operation. In addition, the control unit controls the second operation when the third contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects contact before the predetermined time elapses.
Therefore, different operations can be performed according to the direction in which the user traces the plurality of contact detection units.

In the present invention, the control means controls the first operation according to the moving direction of the operating body when one contact detection unit detects contact, and the other contact detection unit detects contact. The second operation is controlled according to the moving direction of the operating body.
Therefore, the operation that can be operated by the operating body is switched by contact with each of the plurality of contact detection units.

In the present invention, the plurality of contact detection units are fan-shaped or arc-shaped, and the contact detection units are arranged on the disc-shaped operation plate so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction.
Therefore, an operation for designating the rotation direction can be easily performed at each contact detection unit.

In the present invention, the plurality of contact detection units are arranged in a ring shape or a cross shape around the disk-shaped operation plate.
Therefore, it is possible to easily perform an operation of touching each contact detection unit in the circumferential direction or the cross direction in order.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of contact detection units can be operated simultaneously with the operation of the operating body, and a more complicated and complex operation can be performed.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
(Embodiment 1)
1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a pointing device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically illustrating the pointing device, and FIG. 3 is a side view schematically illustrating the pointing device. It is.

  In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a pointing device (operation device) according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The pointing device 1 includes a base 11, an operation plate 12 supported so as to be movable and depressable in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position with respect to the base 11, and a plurality of touch sensors (contact detection units) disposed on the operation plate surface 12a. 13 and an operation signal output connector 16 that outputs an operation signal according to the moving direction of the operation plate 12 and the presence or absence of an object contact with each touch sensor 13.

  The base 11 has a flat, hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is made of, for example, resin. A hole is formed in a substantially central portion of the base surface 11a, and an operation rod 14 projects from the hole so as to be parallel, and an operation plate 12 is provided at a distal end portion of the operation rod 14. A disc portion 15a is formed at the base end portion of the operating rod 14, and a magnet 15b is disposed at a substantially central portion of the lower surface of the disc portion 15a so that the lower portion is an N pole and the upper portion is an S pole. Yes. The disc part 15a is supported by a support part (not shown) so as to be movable and depressable. For example, an elastic body for supporting the operation plate 12 so that it can be pressed is interposed between the disc portion 15a and the support portion. A sensor IC that outputs a signal in accordance with the position of the magnet 15b is disposed in a detection region that is further below the disc portion 15a and that can detect the magnetic field of the magnet 15b. The sensor IC detects a plurality of hall elements 15d that detect the magnetic field of the magnet 15b, calculates the position of the magnet 15b based on the output of each hall element 15d, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the moving direction of the operation plate 12. Part 15c. By using the Hall element 15d, it is possible to detect the pushing of the operation plate 12.

  The operation signal output connector 16 is provided at an appropriate position on the back surface of the base 11 and is configured to output an operation signal corresponding to the moving direction and pressing of the operation plate 12 and a detection result of the touch sensor 13. Yes.

  The touch sensor 13 is a capacitance type sensor that detects contact of an object, and is a fan-shaped upper touch sensor 13U, a lower touch sensor 13D, a left touch sensor 13L, and a right sensor that are equally arranged in the circumferential direction of the operation plate surface 12a. A touch sensor 13R is provided.

  The operation signal output connector 16 is provided at an appropriate position on the back surface of the base 11, and detects an operation signal corresponding to the moving direction of the operation plate 12, a detection result of each touch sensor 13, and a depression of the operation plate 12. An operation signal corresponding to the state of the switch is output.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an operation state of the pointing device 1. When the user presses the peripheral surface 12b of the operation plate 12 or the operation plate surface 12a in the direction along the base surface 11a, the operation plate 12 and the magnet 15b move in parallel, and the output of each Hall element 15d changes. The detection unit 15 c calculates the movement direction of the operation plate 12 based on the change in the output of each hall element 15 d and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the movement direction of the operation plate 12 from the operation signal output connector 16. When an object comes into contact with each touch sensor 13, the touch sensor 13 that detects the contact of the object outputs an operation signal from the operation signal output connector 16.

  Hereinafter, an example in which the pointing device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is mounted on a video recording / reproducing apparatus will be described. In addition to the video recording / playback function, the video recording / playback apparatus has a function of displaying a still picture list based on still picture data recorded on a DVD.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the video recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The video recording / reproducing apparatus includes a control unit 36 that controls operations of various components.

  The control unit 36 includes a microcomputer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a time measuring unit 36a, and the like, and controls operations by giving control signals to various hardware. The control unit 36 is provided with a reception unit 38 that receives an infrared light signal transmitted from the remote operation device 39, a display unit 40, an operation unit 41, and the like.

The remote operation device 39 includes the pointing device 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, a power button, and the like, and transmits infrared signals according to the operating state of the pointing device 1 and various buttons. The receiving unit 38 receives the infrared signal transmitted from the remote operation device 39 and detects the operation state of the operation unit 41.
The display unit 40 includes a liquid crystal display, and displays the operation state, time, and the like of the video recording / reproducing device.
The operation unit 41 includes the pointing device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention at an appropriate position of the housing, and controls the operation of various components according to the operation of the pointing device 1.

  In the figure, reference numeral 21 denotes a digital tuner that amplifies an RF signal (broadcast signal) received by the antenna A and selects a signal of a specific channel, and the digital tuner 21 gives the selected signal to the demodulator 22.

  The signal given from the digital tuner 21 is modulated by an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method, and the demodulator 22 demodulates the signal into stream data in the MPEG2TS (Transport Stream) format and demodulates the stream data. Is given to the switching unit 23.

  A hard disk drive 32 and a DVD drive 33 (to be described later) are connected to the switching unit 23 via a buffer memory 37. The switching unit 23 is supplied from the hard disk drive 32, the DVD drive 33, or the demodulating unit 22. Stream data or still image data is given to the separation unit 24. Further, the switching unit 23 switches the stream data to be given to the separation unit 24 in accordance with the control signal given from the control unit 36. The stream data given from the DVD drive 33 is in the MPEG2PS (Program Stream) format.

  Stream data in the TS format and PS format is composed of a plurality of packets. In particular, a packet in the TS format is a packetization of time-sequential video data and audio data, program sequence information (SI: Service Information), and the like constituting videos of one to three programs. Video data and audio data in time series order are restored from the plurality of packets.

The separation unit 24 selects a packet related to video data and audio data of one program from the stream data, and supplies the video data and audio data including the selected packet to a video buffer and an audio buffer (not shown), respectively. The video buffer and the audio buffer supply the video data and the audio data supplied from the separation unit 24 to the video decoder 25a and the audio decoder 26, respectively, at a predetermined timing.
Further, the separation unit 24 selects program arrangement information included in the stream data, and provides the selected program arrangement information to an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) decoder 27. The program arrangement information includes information such as a title of a broadcast program, a channel, a broadcast start time, a broadcast end time, and a genre to which a program such as a movie or a drama belongs.
Further, when the still image data read from the DVD 35 is input via the switching unit 23 as will be described later, the separation unit 24 gives the still image data to the still image decoder 25b.

  The EPG decoder 27 generates image data of the program guide based on the program arrangement information given from the separation unit 24, and gives the generated program guide image data to the OSD (On Screen Display) display processing unit 28. The OSD display of the program guide by the EPG decoder 27 and the OSD display processing unit 28 is controlled by the control unit 36.

  The video decoder 25a demodulates the video data supplied from the video buffer according to the MPEG2 compression / decompression method, and supplies the demodulated video data to the OSD display processing unit 28. The video decoder 25 a gives the demodulated video data to the MPEG encoding unit 31.

  The still image decoder 25b demodulates still image data in accordance with a compression / decompression method such as JPEG, and provides the demodulated still image data to the OSD display processing unit 28.

  The OSD display processing unit 28 generates video data of video obtained by OSD displaying the video of the image data supplied from the EPG decoder 27 or the control unit 36 on the video of the video data supplied from the video decoder 25a. Video data is given to the video signal output unit 29 at a predetermined timing. In addition, when still image data is input from the still image decoder 25b, the OSD display processing unit 28 generates video data of a video in which one or a plurality of still images are juxtaposed based on the still image data, and the generated video data Is supplied to the video signal output unit 29.

  The audio decoder 26 demodulates the audio data given from the audio buffer according to a predetermined compression / decompression method, for example, the compression / decompression method of AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) or AC3 (Audio Code number 3), and the demodulated audio data is It is given to the audio signal output unit 30 at a predetermined timing. In addition, the audio decoder 26 provides the demodulated audio data to the MPEG encoding unit 31.

  The video signal output unit 29 and the audio signal output unit 30 DA convert the video data and audio data given from the OSD display processing unit 28 and the audio decoder 26 into an analog video signal and audio signal, and the DA converted video signal. And the audio signal are output to an external display device and speaker (not shown). Note that the control unit 36 can raise or lower the volume of the output audio by raising or lowering the signal level of the audio signal.

  The MPEG encoding unit 31 re-encodes the video data and audio data supplied from the video decoder 25 a and the audio decoder 26 into MPEG2PS format stream data, and the encoded stream data via the buffer memory 37 to the hard disk drive 32. Or, it is given to the DVD drive 33.

  The DVD drive 33 includes a modulation unit that modulates the stream data 8-16 and an optical pickup that records the modulated stream data on the DVD 35. The DVD drive 33 includes a demodulation circuit (not shown) that demodulates stream data or still image data read from the DVD 35 by an optical pickup, and supplies the demodulated stream data to the switching unit 23 via the buffer memory 37.

  The hard disk drive 32 includes a modulation unit that modulates stream data and a head unit that records the modulated stream data on the hard disk 34. The hard disk drive 32 includes a demodulation circuit (not shown) that demodulates the stream data or still image data read from the hard disk 34, and supplies the demodulated stream data to the switching unit 23 via the buffer memory 37.

Hereinafter, a specific example of an operation method using the pointing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams conceptually showing the image processing operation method, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing the image processing operation method by the pointing device 1. 6 and 7 show a plurality of still images B displayed on an external display device (not shown). A rectangular frame indicated by a broken line is a cursor K1 for selecting one still image B. As shown in FIG. 8, cursor movement is assigned to the operation plate 12, and when the user moves the operation plate 12 in the state shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6B, another still image B is selected with the cursor K1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, an image rotation operation is assigned to each touch sensor 13, and the user touches the touch sensors 13 arranged in the circumferential direction in the state shown in FIG. In this case, for example, when 13R is touched sequentially after 13U, the still image B selected by the cursor K1 rotates as shown in FIG.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, image enlargement and reduction processing is assigned to each touch sensor 13, and the upper touch sensor 13U and the lower touch sensor 13U arranged in the vertical direction in the state shown in FIG. When the touch sensors 13D are touched in order, the still image B selected by the cursor K1 is enlarged or reduced as shown in FIG. 7B.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, a page moving operation is assigned to each touch sensor 13, and when the user touches each touch sensor 13 on a single occasion, a plurality of still images B group on different pages are displayed. It is displayed on the display device.

  9 and 10 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the control unit 36 related to the image processing operation by the pointing device 1. The control unit 36 detects the operation state of the pointing device 1 based on the signal from the pointing device 1 of the operation unit 41 or the signal received through the remote operation device 39 and the receiving unit 38 (step S11). Specifically, the control unit 36 detects the moving direction of the operation plate 12 and the presence or absence of an object contact with each touch sensor 13.

  Then, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 12 is moving (step S12). When it is determined that the operation plate 12 is moving (step S12: YES), the control unit 36 moves the cursor K1 in the substantially same direction as the operation plate 12 as shown in FIG. 6 (step S13), and performs the process. Finish.

  When it is determined that the operation panel 12 has not moved (step S12: NO), the control unit 36 is in an ON state of any of the upper touch sensor 13U, the lower touch sensor 13D, the left touch sensor 13L, or the right touch sensor 13R. It is determined whether there is, that is, whether any of the touch sensors 13 has detected contact (step S14). When it determines with not detecting the contact (step S14: NO), the control part 36 complete | finishes a process.

  When it is determined that any of the touch sensors 13 has detected contact (step S14: YES), the control unit 36 starts measuring time (step S15). Next, the control unit 36 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of timing (step S16). When it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed (step S16: YES), the control unit 36 executes a process related to page movement (step S17) and ends the process related to the image processing apparatus.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S16: NO), the control unit 36 is any one of the upper touch sensor 13U, the right touch sensor 13R, the lower touch sensor 13D, or the left touch sensor 13L adjacent in the circumferential direction. Is turned on, that is, it is determined whether any of the touch sensors 13 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction has detected contact (step S18). When it is determined that any of the touch sensors 13 adjacent in the circumferential direction has detected contact (step S18: YES), the control unit 36 rotates the still image B selected by the cursor K1 to the left or the right. (Step S19). For example, when the upper touch sensor 13U detects contact within a predetermined time after the left touch sensor 13L detects contact, the control unit 36 rotates the still image B selected by the cursor K1 clockwise. When the lower touch sensor 13D detects contact within a predetermined time after the left touch sensor 13L detects contact, the control unit 36 rotates the still image B selected by the cursor K1 counterclockwise.

  When it is determined that none of the touch sensors 13 adjacent in the circumferential direction has detected contact (step S18: NO), the control unit 36 determines whether the upper touch sensor 13U or the lower touch sensor 13D adjacent in the vertical direction It is determined whether any one of the touch sensors 13 in the on state, that is, any of the touch sensors 13 adjacent in the vertical direction has detected contact (step S20). When it is determined that none of the touch sensors 13 adjacent in the vertical direction has detected contact (step S20: NO), the control unit 36 returns the process to step S16. When any of the touch sensors 13 adjacent in the vertical direction detects contact (step S20: YES), the control unit 36 enlarges or reduces the still image B selected by the cursor K1 (step S21). The process related to the image processing operation is finished. For example, when the lower touch sensor 13D detects contact within a predetermined time after the upper touch sensor 13U detects contact, the control unit 36 reduces the still image B selected by the cursor K1. When the upper touch sensor 13U detects contact within a predetermined time after the lower touch sensor 13D detects contact, the control unit 36 enlarges the still image B selected by the cursor K1.

Next, another specific example of the operation method using the pointing device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.
11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams conceptually showing the recording reservation operation method. The outermost rectangular frame and the list displayed inside the rectangular frame are the program table C displayed in OSD. The list consists of cells arranged in a matrix. Each row corresponds to a channel, and the channel number is displayed in the heading of each row. Each column of the list corresponds to the broadcast time, and the time of 17: 00-22: 00 is displayed in the heading of each column. In each cell constituting the list, the name, genre, and the like of the program broadcast at the corresponding channel and broadcast time are displayed. In addition, a thick rectangular frame surrounding one square indicates a cursor K2 for selecting a program that is a recording reservation target candidate.

FIG. 12A shows a state in which the broadcast time zone displayed in the program guide C has been changed, and FIG. 12B shows a state in which the channel group displayed in the program guide C has been changed in page. Yes.
Cursor movement is assigned to the operation plate 12, and when the user moves the operation plate 12, the cursor K2 moves as shown in FIG.
Further, page movement is assigned to each touch sensor 13, and when the user touches the upper touch sensor 13U or the lower touch sensor 13D, it is displayed in the program table C as shown in FIG. When the broadcast time zone is changed and the user touches the left touch sensor 13L or the right touch sensor 13R, the channel group displayed in the program guide C is changed as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 36 relating to recording reservation by the pointing device 1. The control unit 36 detects the operation state of the pointing device 1 of the operation unit 41 (step S31).

  Then, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 12 is moving (step S32). When it is determined that the operation plate 12 is moving (step S32: YES), the control unit 36 moves the cursor K2 in accordance with the moving direction of the operation plate 12 as shown in FIG. Finish.

  When it is determined that the operation plate 12 has not moved (step S32: NO), the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 12 is pushed into the base 11 (step S34). When it determines with the operation panel 12 having been pushed in (step S34: YES), the control part 36 performs the reservation process of the selected program (step S35), and complete | finishes a process.

  When it is determined that the operation panel 12 is not pushed in (step S34: NO), the control unit 36 is in a state where any one of the touch sensors 13 is on, that is, any one of the touch sensors 13 detects a contact. It is determined whether or not (step S36). When none of the touch sensors 13 detects contact (step S36: NO), the control unit 36 ends the process. If it is determined that any of the touch sensors 13 has detected contact (step S36: YES), the control unit 36 moves the page of the program guide C up, down, left, and right (step S37) and ends the process. For example, when the upper touch sensor 13U detects contact, the control unit 36 moves the page of the program guide C upward, and when the lower touch sensor 13D detects contact, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C downward. Let When the left touch sensor 13L detects contact, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the left page. When the right touch sensor 13R detects contact, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the right page. Let

In the pointing device 1 and the video recording / reproducing apparatus according to the first embodiment, since each of the plurality of touch sensors 13 is arranged on the disk-shaped operation plate 12, simultaneously with the operation of the operation plate 12. A plurality of touch sensors 13 can be operated, and more complicated and complex operations can be performed. For example, operations such as page switching, cursor movement, image rotation, enlargement, and reduction can be performed with one operation device.
In particular, since the touch sensors 13 are arranged vertically and horizontally so as to be dispersed in the circumferential direction, the touch sensors 13 are suitable for operation control operations that require designation of directions, and the operational feeling can be improved.

  Further, different operations can be controlled according to the direction in which the user traces a plurality of touch sensors. Specifically, the image can be rotated by tracing each touch sensor 13 in the circumferential direction, and the image can be enlarged or reduced by tracing each touch sensor 13 in the linear direction.

  Furthermore, since the touch sensor 13 is arranged on the operation plate 12, the operation plate 12 and the touch sensor 13 of the pointing device 1 can be performed with one hand, that is, one finger, and a space-saving and efficient operation environment can be achieved. Can be provided.

  In the first embodiment, the example of performing image processing operations such as image rotation, enlargement and reduction, cursor and page movement, and volume and channel adjustment using the operation device has been described. The operation that can be operated with is not limited to this. For example, the operation device according to this embodiment may be configured to perform operations such as scrolling, moving a character in a video game, or moving the viewpoint.

  In the first embodiment, the disk-shaped operation plate has been described. However, the shape of the operation plate is not limited to the disk shape, and may be other shapes such as a rectangular plate shape or a triangular shape. good.

  Moreover, although the case where four touch sensors were provided was demonstrated, the number of touch sensors and the arrangement | positioning method are not limited to Embodiment 1. FIG.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the video recording / reproducing apparatus has been described as an electric apparatus provided with a pointing device. However, the pointing of the present invention is applied to other electric apparatuses such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, a music reproducing apparatus, and a PDA. Devices may be applied.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing the pointing device 201 according to the second embodiment. A pointing device 201 according to the second embodiment includes a base 11, an operation plate 212, and the like similar to those of the first embodiment. In addition, a plurality of touch sensors 213 are arranged side by side in an annular shape on the circumferential portion of the operation plate surface 212a.
A video recording / reproducing apparatus (not shown) according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and includes a pointing device 201.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram conceptually showing an operation method of volume adjustment and channel change by the pointing device 201. When the user touches a plurality of touch sensors 213 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction in order during video display, the volume increases and decreases. Further, when the user moves the operation panel 212 in the vertical direction, the channel to be displayed is changed.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 36 related to volume adjustment and channel change by the pointing device 201. The control unit 36 detects the operation state of the pointing device 201 (step S51).

  Next, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 212 has moved (step S52). If it is determined that the operation plate 212 is moving (step S52: YES), the control unit 36 changes the channel (step S53) and ends the process.

  When it is determined that the operation plate 212 has not moved (step S52: NO), the control unit 36 determines whether one touch sensor 213 is in an on state, that is, whether contact has been detected (step S54). When it determines with the touch sensor 213 not detecting a contact (step S54: NO), the control part 36 complete | finishes a process.

  When it determines with the touch sensor 213 detecting the contact (step S54: YES), the control part 36 starts time-measurement (step S55). Next, the control unit 36 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of time measurement (step S56). When it determines with predetermined time having passed (step S56: YES), the control part 36 complete | finishes a process.

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S56: NO), the control unit 36 detects that the other touch sensor 213 adjacent to the one touch sensor 213 in the circumferential direction is on, that is, detects contact. It is determined whether or not (step S57). When it determines with the other touch sensor 213 not detecting the contact (step S57: NO), the control part 36 returns a process to step S56.

  When it determines with the other touch sensor 213 having detected contact (step S57: YES), the control part 36 raises / lowers a sound volume according to the tracing direction (step S58), and complete | finishes a process.

In the second embodiment, different operations can be controlled according to the direction of tracing each adjacent touch sensor 213. Specifically, the volume can be increased by tracing each touch sensor 213 clockwise, and the volume can be decreased by tracing each touch sensor 213 counterclockwise.
In particular, since the touch sensors 213 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction, the touch sensors 213 are suitable for operation control operations that require sequentially touching the touch sensors 213 along the circumferential direction, and the operational feeling can be improved.

  Other configurations, operations, and effects of the pointing device 201 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the pointing device 1 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the parts to be described, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 17 is a plan view schematically showing the pointing device 301 according to the third embodiment. A pointing device 301 according to the third embodiment includes a base 11, an operation plate 312 and the like similar to those of the first embodiment. A plurality of touch sensors 313 are arranged in a cross shape on the operation plate surface 312a. A video recording / reproducing apparatus (not shown) according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and includes a pointing device 301.

  The control unit 36 can perform cursor movement and page movement according to the operation of the pointing device 301 as in the first or second embodiment. For example, when the operation plate 312 moves up, down, left, and right, the control unit 36 moves the cursor in the program guide C according to the moving direction of the operation plate 312. When the touch sensor 313 sequentially detects contact from the upper side to the lower side, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the lower page. Similarly, when the touch sensor 313 sequentially detects contact from the bottom to the top, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the upper page. When the touch sensor 313 detects contact in order from left to right, the control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the right page, and when the touch sensor 313 detects contact in order from right to left, The control unit 36 moves the program guide C to the left page.

  Note that the movement of the cursor and the page is an example, and the touch sensor 313 may be configured to raise or lower the volume and channel. Moreover, you may comprise so that a still image may be expanded or reduced.

  In the third embodiment, since the touch sensors 313 are arranged side by side in the cross direction, the touch sensor 313 is suitable for an operation that requires touching each touch sensor unit along the cross direction in order, and improves the operational feeling. be able to.

  Other configurations, operations, and effects of the pointing device 301 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the third embodiment are the same as those of the pointing device 1 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the parts to be described, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 18 is a plan view schematically showing a pointing device 401 according to the fourth embodiment. A pointing device 401 according to the fourth embodiment includes a base 11, an operation plate 412 and the like similar to those of the first embodiment. Further, an arc-shaped upper touch sensor 413U is provided at the upper end portion of the operation plate surface 412a, and an arc-shaped lower touch sensor 413D is provided at the lower end portion of the operation plate surface 412a.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 36 related to a recording reservation operation by the pointing device 401. The control unit 36 detects the operation state of the pointing device 401 (step S71). Specifically, the control unit 36 detects the moving direction of the operation plate 412 and the contact detection state of the touch sensors 413U and 413D.

  Then, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 412 is moving (step S72). When it is determined that the operation plate 412 is moving (step S72: YES), the control unit 36 determines whether or not both the upper touch sensor 413U and the lower touch sensor 413D are in an on state, that is, a contact is detected. (Step S73). When both the upper touch sensor 413U and the lower touch sensor 413D detect contact (step S73: YES), the control unit 36 moves the program guide page according to the moving direction of the operation panel 412 (step S74), and performs processing. Finish.

  When it is determined that either the upper touch sensor 413U or the lower touch sensor 413D has not detected contact (step S73: NO), the control unit 36 moves the cursor according to the moving direction of the operation plate 412 (step S73). S75), the process ends.

  When it determines with the operation board 412 not moving by step S72 (step S72: NO), the control part 36 determines whether the operation board 412 is pushed in to the base 11 (step S76). If it is determined that the operation plate 412 is not pushed in (step S76: NO), the control unit 36 ends the process. If it is determined that the operation panel 412 is pushed in (step S76: YES), the control unit 36 executes a reservation process for the program selected by the cursor (step S77) and ends the process.

  In the operation device and the video recording / playback device according to the fourth embodiment, the operation that can be operated with the operation plate 412 can be switched according to how the touch sensor is touched. Specifically, when the operation plate 412 is moved while simultaneously touching the upper touch sensor 413U and the lower touch sensor 413D, the page is moved, while touching either the upper touch sensor 413U or the lower touch sensor 413D, or When the operation plate 412 is moved without touching both, the cursor can be moved.

  The other configurations, operations, and effects of the pointing device 401 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the fourth embodiment are the same as the configurations, functions, and effects of the pointing device 1 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the parts to be described, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 5)
The pointing device 401 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the fifth embodiment have the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment, and only the processing procedure is different from that of the pointing device 401 according to the fourth embodiment. The point will be described.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the control unit 36 related to volume adjustment and channel change by the pointing device 401 according to the fifth embodiment. The control unit 36 detects the operation state of the pointing device 401 (step S91).

  Then, the control unit 36 determines whether or not the operation plate 412 is moving (step S92). When it is determined that the operation plate 412 has not moved (step S92: NO), the control unit 36 ends the process. When it is determined that the operation plate 412 is moving (step S92: YES), the control unit 36 determines whether or not the upper touch sensor 413U is in an on state, that is, detects contact (step S93). When it determines with the upper touch sensor 413U detecting the contact (step S93: YES), the control part 36 raises / lowers a sound volume according to the moving direction of the operation board 412 (step S94), and complete | finishes a process.

  When it is determined that the upper touch sensor 413U has not detected contact (step S93: NO), the control unit 36 determines whether the lower touch sensor 413D is in an on state, that is, whether contact has been detected (step S95). ). When it is determined that the lower touch sensor 413D detects contact (step S95: YES), the control unit 36 changes the channel according to the moving direction of the operation plate 412 (step S96), and ends the process. If it is determined that the lower touch sensor 413D has not detected contact (step S95: NO), the control unit 36 moves a pointer (not shown) (step S97), and ends the process.

  In the operation device and the video recording / playback device according to the fifth embodiment, the operation that can be operated by the operation plate 412 can be switched by the touch sensors 413U and 413D to be touched. For example, the volume can be adjusted by moving the operation plate 412 in the vertical direction while touching the upper touch sensor 413U, and the channel can be changed by moving the operation plate 412 in the vertical direction while touching the lower touch sensor 413D. .

  The other configurations, operations, and effects of the pointing device 401 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the fifth embodiment are the same as the configurations, functions, and effects of the pointing device 1 and the video recording / playback apparatus according to the first embodiment. The same reference numerals are assigned to the parts to be described, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 21 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a mobile phone according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a front view schematically showing the mobile phone. The mobile phone according to the sixth embodiment includes the pointing device 1 according to the present invention, and can perform complex and complex operations as in the first to fifth embodiments.

  A mobile phone according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention includes a control unit 50, an antenna 51 for receiving wireless communication and a television broadcast signal, a demultiplexing unit 52, a wireless unit 53, a communication control unit 54, a tuner 55, A signal processing unit 56 and a display unit 60 are provided.

  The control unit 50 is, for example, a microcomputer provided with a CPU, and controls the operation of each component constituting the mobile phone. An operation unit 61 is connected to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 controls the operation according to the operation state of the operation unit 61.

  The operation unit 61 includes the pointing device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a call button, a numeric button, and the like. The configuration of the pointing device 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The antenna 51 performs radio communication with the base station via radio waves, and transmits and receives voice data, character data, image data, and the like. The antenna 51 can receive a television signal.

  The demultiplexing unit 52 separates the radio signal and the broadcast signal received by the antenna 51, sends the separated radio signal to the radio unit 53, and sends the separated broadcast signal to the tuner 55.

  The communication control unit 54 controls the operation of the wireless unit 53. The communication control unit 54 causes the radio unit 53 to demodulate the radio received from the base station via the antenna 51 at the time of reception, and gives the demodulated signal to the control unit 50. Further, at the time of transmission, the communication control unit 54 modulates various data transmitted from the control unit 50 based on a predetermined protocol, and transmits the modulated radio signal from the antenna 51 via the demultiplexing unit 52.

The tuner 55 selects and amplifies one channel from the broadcast signal, and sends the selected signal to the signal processing unit 56.
The signal processing unit 56 separates the signal sent from the tuner 55 into a video signal and an audio signal, and the separated video signal is output to the display unit 60 and the audio signal is output from a speaker (not shown).

  The mobile phone also includes an imaging unit 57, an image processing unit 58, a memory 59, and a storage medium 62.

  The imaging unit 57 includes a lens, an imaging device, for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and the like. The imaging unit 57 sequentially transmits image data obtained by imaging to the image processing unit 58.

  The image processing unit 58 performs effect processing such as complement processing on the image data, and sends it to the memory 59. The display unit 60 sequentially displays images based on the image data written in the memory 59.

  The recording medium 62 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory. The control unit 50 has a function of recording, on the recording medium 62, still image or moving image image data captured by the imaging unit 57, or video and audio obtained from a broadcast signal. In addition, the control unit 50 can perform thumbnail display of recorded video, display of a still image, and the like as in the first or second embodiment, and the cursor movement, page movement, and still image display according to the operation of the pointing device 1. Rotation, enlargement and reduction can be performed.

  In the sixth embodiment, as in the first to fifth embodiments, the operation of each of the plurality of touch sensors 13 can be performed simultaneously with the operation of the operation plate, and a more complicated and complex operation can be performed.

  Since the other configuration, operation, and effect of the pointing device 1 according to Embodiment 6 are the same as the configuration, operation, and effect of the pointing device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the pointing device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows a pointing device typically. It is a side view which shows a pointing device typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the operating state of a pointing device. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the video recording / reproducing apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the image processing operation method. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the image processing operation method. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the image processing operation method by a pointing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on the image processing operation by a pointing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on the image processing operation by a pointing device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the recording reservation operation method notionally. It is explanatory drawing which shows the recording reservation operation method notionally. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on the video recording reservation by a pointing device. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a pointing device according to a second embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows notionally the operation method of the volume adjustment and channel change by a pointing device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on the volume adjustment and channel change by a pointing device. FIG. 6 is a plan view schematically showing a pointing device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a pointing device according to a fourth embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part which concerns on the video recording reservation operation by a pointing device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control unit related to volume adjustment and channel change by a pointing device according to a fifth embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the mobile telephone based on Embodiment 6 of this invention. It is a front view which shows a mobile phone typically. It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a conventional pointing device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pointing device 11 Base part 12 Operation board 13 Touch sensor 14 Operation rod 15a Disk part 15b Magnet 15c Detection part 15d Hall element 16 Operation signal output connector 36 Control part

Claims (7)

In an operating device comprising an operating body capable of moving in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position, and outputting an operation signal corresponding to the moving direction of the operating body,
A plurality of contact detectors arranged on the surface of the operating body for detecting the presence or absence of contact of an object;
An operation device comprising: an operation signal output unit that outputs an operation signal in accordance with a detection result of the contact detection unit and a moving direction of the operation body. In an electrical device comprising an operating body capable of moving in a plurality of directions from a predetermined position and operating in accordance with the moving direction of the operating body,
A plurality of contact detectors arranged on the surface of the operating body for detecting the presence or absence of contact of an object;
An electrical apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls an operation according to a detection result of the contact detection unit and a moving direction of the operating body. The control means includes
When a single contact detection unit detects contact and the operation plate moves, means for controlling the first operation according to the moving direction of the operation plate;
A plurality of the contact detection units detect contact, and when the operation plate moves, there are provided means for controlling a second operation in accordance with a moving direction of the operation plate. 2. The electric device according to 2. The plurality of contact detection units are juxtaposed,
When the first contact detection unit detects a contact, the first contact detection unit includes a timing unit that starts timing,
The control means includes
Means for controlling the first operation when the second contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects contact before the time measuring unit counts the predetermined time;
And a means for controlling a second operation when the third contact detection unit adjacent to the first contact detection unit detects a contact before the time counting unit measures a predetermined time. The electric device according to claim 2. The control means includes
Means for controlling a first operation according to a moving direction of the operating body when the operating body has moved when the one contact detecting unit detects contact;
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for controlling a second operation in accordance with a moving direction of the operation body when the other operation detection unit detects contact and the operation body moves. Electrical equipment as described in. The operation body has a disk shape,
The electric device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the plurality of contact detection units have a fan shape or an arc shape and are arranged so as to be discrete in a circumferential direction. The operation plate has a disc shape,
The plurality of contact detection units are:
The electric device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the electric device is arranged in a ring shape or a cross shape about a substantially central portion of the surface of the operation body.

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