Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

Katsumi Kato

Tadamitsu Sato

Yasuji Hagiwara

Masahiro Soma

Tadamitsu Soto

An input device includes a pressure-sensitive or capacitive planar input unit with an indicator sheet which has input sections being secured to the surface of the planar input unit. A tactile feedback generator is provided at the back side of the planar input unit. The tactile feedback generator includes dome-shaped inversion plates that are separately provided at locations corresponding to the input sections and provide feedback to the operator. When an input section is pressed, an operation signal in accordance with what is indicated at the pressed input section is generated.

Input device which allows button input operation and coordinate input operation to be performed in the same operation plane

An input apparatus includes a flat input device of a pressure-sensitive type or a capacitive type, and an indicator sheet on which indication marks are formed is fixed on the surface of the flat input device. A tactile-feel-generating unit is provided behind the flat input device. The tactile-feel-generating unit includes dome-shaped inversion plates which are disposed at positions corresponding to the indication marks. When one of the indication marks is pressed setting an input mode, an operation signal is generated in accordance with an item represented by the indication mark, and a tactile feel is generated by a reaction force of the corresponding inversion plate. When an indication mark is touched, while in an input mode, the control unit recognizes the resulting signal to be a coordinate data signal.

Input apparatus for performing input operation corresponding to indication marks and coordinate input operation on the same operational plane

An operation member is provided with a planar input device, and a detachable display sheet is overlaid on the surface of the planar input device. There are two types of display sheets, in which input items are different. Cutouts are formed at the respective peripheral edge portions thereof, and a determination device for detecting these cutouts is provided. Wireless communication is performed between the operation member and a host, and the display sheet is replaced according to the function performed by the host.

Controller capable of operating plural operation objects by switching display of operation surface of operation member

The present invention relates to an input device capable of detecting an acceleration, in which a detecting section constituted by a combination of a weight, a coiled spring, and detecting means is supported by a support. The support is fixed to a tip end within a case of the input device. By applying a force having a predetermined or higher acceleration in W direction with a grip part of the input device as fulcrum, thereby causing the input device to rotate, the weight is moved by the resulting centrifugal force in a direction in which the coiled spring is compressed, and an electric signal outputted from the detecting means varies according to the amount of the movement of the weight. By detecting this variation it is possible to detect an acceleration upon rotation of the input device.

Growing community of inventors

Fukushima-ken, Japan

Katsumi Kato