Alps Electric Co., Ltd.

Alps Electronics Co., Ltd.

Yasuji Hagiwara

Masahiro Soma

Tadamitsu Sato

Katsumi Kato

Masahiro Takata

Youtaro Sakakura

Kazunori Nakano

Hiroshi Nakahama

Junichi Inamura

Kazuhito Ohshita

Hirofumi Niitsuma

Takashi Kondo

Hayato Hosoya

Kenji Ohgoshi

Daihei Nakayama

Tadamitsu Soto

A flat-type input unit capable of outputting information regarding a position where a finger touches as coordinate data is provided in a casing of an input device. A main-switch unit and sub-switch units operated by the flat-type input unit are also provided in the casing. When ON output signals are simultaneously supplied from the main-switch unit and one of the sub-switch units, the flat-type input unit determines a position where the finger touches by performing a detection operation. It can be determined on the basis of the position whether the main-switch unit or the sub-switch unit is controlled. Moreover, since pressing any position of the flat-type input unit can cause the main-switch unit to supply an ON output signal, a confirmation input can be performed easily with the ON output signal supplied from the main-switch unit.

Input device

An input device includes an operation surface, a first detection means, a second detection means, an operation signal generating means, and a transmission means. The operation signal generating means generates an operation signal used to perform a first operation on a screen where a detection result of the first detection means has been reflected, if the duration of the detection, which is performed at the same contact position by the first detection means, is shorter than a predetermined time. The operation signal generating means generates an operation signal used to perform a second operation on the screen where a detection result of the second detection means has been reflected, as long as the detection is continued at the same contact position, if the duration of the detection, which is performed at the same contact position by the first detection means, reaches the predetermined time.

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 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

A strap controller (input device) includes a band-shaped strap, a connecting member which connects the strap in a looped shape, and a connecting cord which connects the connecting member to a portable audio device.

Band-shaped input device and electronic device

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

A coordinate input device includes a housing containing a movable member, a resilient member formed of a coil spring, and first and second detectors for detecting the sliding direction and the sliding distance of the movable member. The movable member in an initial position before a sliding operation faces a supporter of a first cover provided in the housing. When the movable member is slid in a certain direction, the resilient member is stretched in the certain direction and the first and second detectors detect the sliding direction and the sliding distance of the movable member. When the sliding operation of the movable member is finished, a resilient force of the resilient member stretched in the certain direction forces the movable member to return automatically to the initial position.

Coordinate input device

A switch device is provided that includes a first switch portion in which an upper electrode and lower electrodes face each other at a predetermined gap and a second switch portion having metal domes which are disposed at a lower side facing the first switch portion and expand to a predetermined height. A first spacer having a predetermined thickness A is disposed in the first switch portion to form a gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrodes, a second spacer having a thickness B equal to or greater than the expanded height of the metal domes is disposed in the second switch portion, and the thickness of the second spacer is greater than that of the first spacer.

Switch device

An operation unit is provided with an operation body operated by hand, a first detection unit for detecting the inclination operation of the operation body, and a second detection unit for detecting the pushing-down operation of the operation body. Any of 26 alphabetical characters 'A, B, C, . . . , X, Y, and Z' is selected corresponding to the inclination direction of the operation body. The displayed character is changed successively by rotating the operation body in X-Y coordinate plane. The selected character is finalized by pushing down the operation unit in Z-direction.

Character input apparatus

A controller is provided with an artificial retina chip. The artificial retina chip is connected to a display unit via a game machine body. Before starting the game, the artificial retina chip is instructed to recognize an image of frame of the display unit to store such image as the reference image. After starting the game, the controller is moved to recognize the image of frame of the display unit in order to detect the designated position by comparing the coordinate position data after the movement and the coordinate position data of the reference image.

Designated position detector and game controller utilizing the same

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.

Input device of detecting acceleration

A rotating body has paired anchoring projections and small projections projectingly disposed on one side thereof. On a shutter plate are formed guide holes in which the paired anchoring projections and small projections inserted in the shutter plate are slidable within a predetermined allowance angle range. When rotation input to a handle is broken during rotation input, the shutter plate is rotated respective to the rotating body in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotating body within the allowance angle range, and the light transmission paths are closed by the shutter plate.

Growing community of inventors

Fukushima-ken, Japan

Yasuji Hagiwara