Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

Tadamitsu Sato

Masahiro Soma

Yasuji Hagiwara

Shuzo Ono

Katsumi Kato

Akihisa Itoh

Hiroshi Shigetaka

Shinji Hirano

Junichi Inamura

Tsuyoshi Ogura

Kazuhito Ohshita

Yoshiaki Ootuki

A capacitive input pad is provided at a position near input keys constituting a keyboard input unit. A left palm detecting unit and a right palm detecting unit are provided both sides of this input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit detect both palms, an input operation, corresponding to a space key input area, an L-key input portion, or an R-key input portion, is performed through an operation of the input pad. When the left palm detecting unit and the right palm detecting unit do not detect both palms, a coordinate input operation is performed using the input pad.

Input device with palm detecting unit

An input device contains a plurality of push switch elements that are connected to a single switch signal line. When a switch signal is detected from the switch signal line, it is determined which push switch element is enabled based on coordinate data obtained from a primary input sensor. By using the coordinate data, only a single switch signal line is used to determine which push switch element is enabled.

Input device

An input device is provided. The input device includes a first position detection unit having a detection section which detects the absolute position of a predetermined operation tool in a predetermined region. A second position detection unit has a detection section, which detects contact or approach of the operation tool. An input control unit that controls an input operation on the basis of an input signal obtained from the first position detection unit or the second position detection unit, or a complex input signal combining an input signal obtained from the first position detection unit and an input signal obtained from the second position detection unit. The detection section of the second position detection unit is provided to partially or entirely enclose the outer circumference of the detection section of the first position detection unit.

An input device and electronic apparatus are provided. The input device includes a detecting region that is operative to detect a change in capacitance between electrodes. The detecting region extends from an image display region that displays an image and has a predetermined area to a non-display region that is adjacent to the image display region and does not display the image.

Input device and electronic apparatus

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 image-processing apparatus includes an input unit for inputting operational signals. The input unit includes an operation surface and outputs, as the operational signals, a position detection signal representing a detected operation position of an operation instrument moving on the operation surface and a selection confirmation signal generated when a selection operation is confirmed on the operation position. The image-processing apparatus further includes a display unit and a display-controlling unit for controlling the display state of the display unit based on the operational signals. The display-controlling unit highlights an index corresponding to the operation position when the position detection signal is output in a state in which indices to be selected are displayed on the display unit, and reads and displays main data corresponding to the highlighted index when the selection confirmation signal is output.

Image-processing apparatus

A composite capacitance between a common electrode and an X detection electrode having a plurality of detours is small, whereas lengths of parallel electrodes of the X detection electrode are set to have large values. A comprehensive composite capacitance is set to be constant by increasing a composite capacitance between the common electrode and the X detection electrode. For this reason, although the detours are formed in the electrode patterns, a coordinate position can be detected with high accuracy.

Capacitive coordinate detection device

A shielding member is provided as an electrostatic protection device in extension lines that extend from a sensing area to switching devices via extension areas correspondingly. As a result, even if a body to be detected such as a finger contacts the extension area, it is possible to reduce the amount of the change of an electrostatic capacitance with respect to the movement of the body to be detected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce influences exerted on data to be detected, and an electrostatic detection apparatus having improved coordinate detection accuracy can be provided.

Electrostatic detection apparatus and method, and coordinate detection program

An input device includes a flat first input unit for a first input operation, a second input unit for a second input operation, a display unit having a display portion displaying data, and a control unit controlling each unit. The control unit gives an operator feedback by provisionally displaying input data obtained from the first input operation, and then confirms the input by the second input operation.

Inputting method and device with a flat input having sensor capable of coordinate touch input wherein display is switchable based on touch pressure

An input device including a main device composed of a coordinate input device, an operating surface having input portions displayed thereon, and a switch device having switches connected in parallel, and a control device which selects one of a first mode in which an item signal is generated in accordance with an indication item at an input portion when the input portion is operated, and a second mode in which a position signal corresponding to an operating position on the operating surface is generated independently of the indication item at the input portion. The item signal is generated on the basis of an absolute coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device and a switch signal output from the switch device in the first mode, and the position signal is generated on the basis of a relative coordinate signal output from the coordinate input device in the second mode.

Input device capable of button input and coordinate input on the same operating surface

A coordinate input device includes a coordinate input unit which performs a coordinate input operation by sliding an operating member on an operation surface which is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron. More specifically, the coordinate input device includes a capacitive sensor substrate formed by laminating two electrode layers with an upper substrate (dielectric layer) therebetween, each electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes arranged in a striped pattern. In addition, the coordinate input device also includes the operation surface formed in a convex (or concave) shape which is used for performing a coordinate input operation by sliding the operating member thereon.

Coordinate input device having non-flat operation surface and electronic apparatus

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 input device includes a belt-shaped strap section in which leads are buried, and connecting members for connecting the strap section in an annular form. The strap section includes a sheet-shaped membrane having a plurality of input sections, and belt-shaped clamping members that can hermetically sandwich portions of the membrane having the input sections. One end of the membrane extends from end portions of the clamping members to be connected to an external device with one of the connecting members therebetween.

Strap-shaped input device

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.

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Fukushima-ken, Japan

Tadamitsu Sato