JP4005833B2 - Display screen operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information terminal device such as a personal computer, a PDA, and a mobile phone, as well as a game device, a car navigation device, various AV devices, an integrated or external display device such as a remote control switch attached to various devices. It is related with the apparatus which performs scrolling about various apparatuses provided with.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In various devices as described above that are provided with a display device integrally or externally, there are restrictions on the display area of the display device, so the contents such as text and images are displayed by scrolling. As an operation device for performing the scrolling, for example, a personal computer, a PDA, or a mobile phone has a known direction key, and an operation of pressing the direction key until a necessary scroll amount is obtained is performed. This is a typical conventional scrolling operation. As used herein, “display screen” is a term that means a screen such as text or an image that is displayed in the display area of the display device, and “scroll” is a display screen that cannot be displayed in the display area of the display device. Is used as a term meaning the operation to display the non-display part of the display area in the display area, and "scroll direction" is a term meaning the direction of moving the display screen to at least one of up, down, left, right Used.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the display screen is scrolled with the direction key as described above, the direction key must be continuously pressed in the target scrolling direction, which causes fatigue in the operation. Moreover, although the direction of the key arrangement is general for such direction keys, each key operation is merely a static monotonous operation that keeps pressing. For these reasons, the scrolling performed by the conventional direction keys is not necessarily good in operability.
[0004]
In addition, these conventional direction keys are generally provided as dedicated keys for scrolling. However, it is impossible to meet the demands for highly functional and downsized devices.
[0005]
The present invention has been made against the background of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to propose a display screen operating device with good operability.
[0006]
Another object of the present invention is to propose an operation device for a display screen that meets the demand for higher functionality and downsizing of equipment.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a plurality of contact input portions arranged at a lower position of an operation member having an annular operation surface, and a plurality of contacts along an annular track formed by the operation surface of the annular shape. A display screen operating device is provided that includes scroll control means for scrolling the display screen according to the scroll direction set for the contact input unit detected as the operation start point when an operation for sequentially inputting the input unit is applied.
[0008]
When a plurality of contact input portions are arranged below the operation member having an annular operation surface, and an operation of sequentially inputting the plurality of contact input portions along an annular track formed by the annular operation surface is performed. The scroll control means scrolls the display screen in accordance with the scroll direction set for the contact input unit detected as the operation start point, so that a plurality of contact input units are sequentially input along the entire circumference or part of the annular track. The display screen can be scrolled by a circular operation with movement, and the operability can be improved.
[0009]
In the scroll control means of the present invention, when a plurality of contact input units are sequentially input along an annular track formed by an annular operation surface, and the contact input unit is input in the return direction, the scroll direction is The display screen can be scrolled in the opposite reverse direction.
[0010]
When a plurality of contact input portions are sequentially input along an annular track formed by an annular operation surface, and the contact input portion is input in the return direction, the scroll control means is in a reverse direction opposite to the scroll direction. Since the display screen is scrolled, even if the scroll is performed in the reverse direction, it can be performed by a continuous operation without any break, and the operability can be improved.
[0011]
The present invention provides a specific configuration of the scroll control means that exerts the above-described operations and effects, a direction setting means for setting the scroll direction of the display screen with respect to the input of each contact input section, and each of the contact input sections. Scroll execution means for scrolling the display screen in a predetermined scroll direction set for the contact input section when an input is detected is provided. In this case, when the scroll execution unit detects an input of the contact input unit that is the operation start point, the direction setting unit sets the same direction as the scroll direction set in the contact input unit as the scroll direction of the other contact input unit. Can be configured as a setting.
[0012]
According to the present invention, as another specific configuration of the direction setting means in the scroll control means, when the scroll execution means detects the input of the contact input unit in the return direction, the reverse of the set scroll direction is reversed. The direction was set as the scroll direction.
[0013]
The scroll control means of the present invention can be configured to include a speed control means for variably controlling the scroll speed of the display screen in accordance with the input time interval of the contact input section that is sequentially input.
[0014]
Since the speed control means variably controls the scrolling speed of the display screen according to the input time interval of the contact input unit sequentially input, for example, the scrolling speed is increased as the input time interval of the contact input unit becomes shorter, or the input As the time interval becomes longer, the scroll speed can be reduced, the scrolling of the display screen can be made more efficient, and this is particularly suitable when the scroll amount is long or frequently scrolled.
[0015]
The annular operation surface in the present invention can be configured in two modes. In one aspect of the present invention, the annular operation surface is a donut plate operation surface. Therefore, since the circular operation of sequentially inputting the plurality of contact input portions along the annular track formed by the donut plate-shaped operation surface can be performed smoothly, the operability can be improved.
[0016]
In another aspect of the present invention, the annular operation surface is an operation surface in which a plurality of operation small surfaces are arranged in an annular shape. The operation surface is the same and continuous like the donut-shaped operation surface described above, but it is optimal for circular operation, but the same is true for the annular operation surface in which multiple operation facets are arranged in a ring. Smooth operation is possible.
[0017]
In the present invention, the contact input unit is disposed at a position below each region obtained by dividing the annular operation surface into a plurality of plane directions, and the scroll control unit is configured to input the contact input unit for each region. The division position and the scroll direction of the display screen are set to coincide with each other.
[0018]
Since the scroll control means sets the division position and the scroll direction of the display screen for the input of the contact input unit for each area, the scroll operation can be performed with good operability.
[0019]
As a specific configuration example, in the present invention, first, a contact input unit is arranged at a position below each region obtained by dividing an annular operation surface into an upper region and a lower region or a right region and a left region in the surface direction. And the scroll control means (more specifically, the direction setting means) sets the upward direction for the input of the contact input portion in the upper region, the downward direction for the input of the contact input portion in the lower region, The right direction is set for the input of the contact input unit in the right region, and the left direction is set for the input of the contact input unit in the left region as the scroll direction. For this reason, two-way scrolling in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction can be performed with particularly good operability.
[0020]
As another specific configuration example, in the present invention, the contact input unit is arranged at a lower position of each area obtained by dividing the operation surface of the annular shape into four areas in the plane direction: an upper right area, a lower right area, an upper left area, and a lower left area The scroll control means (more specifically, the direction setting means) performs a right direction and an upward direction for the input of the contact input unit in the upper right region, and a right direction for the input of the contact input unit in the lower right region. As for the scroll direction, the left direction and the upward direction are set for the input of the contact input unit in the upper left region, and the left direction and the downward direction are set for the input of the contact input unit in the lower left region. For this reason, not only two-way scrolling but also four-way scrolling in the up, down, left, and right directions can be performed with particularly good operability.
[0021]
In the case where the contact input unit is arranged at the boundary where the regions are adjacent to each other, the scroll control means does not set the scroll direction as the operation start point for the boundary contact input unit, and the next input contact What is necessary is just to comprise as what detects an input part as an operation start point, and, thereby, the control mistake of a scroll direction can be suppressed.
[0022]
As described above, the present invention capable of realizing good operability can be configured to further include an operation mode switching unit that uses the input of the contact input unit as a key input for item selection.
[0023]
In order to further include an operation mode switching means that uses the input of the contact input section as a key input for item selection, the present invention can be used not only for the scroll operation of the display screen described above but also as a key input for item selection. Since it is possible, it is not necessary to provide an input key for item selection in the device, and it is possible to collectively respond to the demand for higher functionality and downsizing required for the device.
[0024]
As another means for responding to the demand for higher functionality and downsizing as described above, the present invention provides a display unit that displays at least one of input elements such as letters, numbers, symbols, and figures on an annular operation surface. And an operation mode switching means for disposing a contact input unit at a position below each input element and using the input of the contact input unit as a key input of the input element.
[0025]
For this reason, in the present invention, not only can the scroll operation of the display screen described above be performed, but also input elements such as characters, numbers, symbols, and figures can be input, and there is a high need for high functionality and space saving. It is particularly suitable for use in information terminal devices such as mobile phones, PDAs, notebook type personal computers, and car navigation systems.
[0026]
In the present invention, a step surface having a surface difference in the height direction with respect to the operation surface is provided at a close position on the inner side or the outer side of the operation surface in an annular form.
[0027]
When a circular operation for scrolling the display screen is performed, the surface difference from the step surface functions as a guide for performing the operation along the annular operation surface, so that stable operability is obtained. In this case, an input key can be provided inside or outside the annular operation surface, and the top surface of the input key can be the step surface.
[0028]
The plurality of contact input portions of the present invention can be configured by membrane switches. For this reason, since the membrane switch does not cause a click feeling in the conduction between the contacts, the circular operation for scrolling the display screen can be smoothly performed. Instead of the membrane switch, a metal disc spring switch or a conductive rubber contact may be used.
[0029]
The scroll control means, direction setting means, scroll execution means, speed control means, and operation mode switching means in the present invention include a scroll control program, direction setting program, scroll execution program, speed control program, and key input control program. It can be realized by a CPU that reads out from a memory and executes predetermined arithmetic processing and instruction processing, and the operation by each of these means is performed integrally or externally by display data generated by the CPU through a data processing system corresponding to the device. Thus, it is output to the display device provided in the device and displayed on the display screen.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
First embodiment
[0032]
The operating device 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted on a mobile phone 2 as illustrated in FIG. Therefore, the display screen scrolled by the cellular phone 2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 provided integrally therewith.
[0033]
The operating device 1 includes an operating member 4 and a contact input unit 5. The operation member 4 has a resin key top 7, 8, 8 formed of a thermoplastic resin or the like as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 on a keypad 6 formed of a rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer. 9 is pasted. The resin key top 7 at the center has a disk shape, which mainly functions as the confirmation key 7. The outer resin key top 8 has a donut plate shape, which mainly functions as the item selection key 8. A total of twelve small-diameter disk-shaped resin key tops 9 arranged to form an annular shape on the outermost periphery are the scrolls of the display screen according to this embodiment, and the characters and numbers displayed on the operation surface 9a. , Functions as operation input keys 9 for executing input of input elements such as symbols. Since the operation input key 9 is made of a hard resin such as a thermoplastic resin, the operation surface 9a can be made slippery, and a plurality of operation surfaces 9a that are continuously pressed down during a scroll operation to be described later. Operation is very easy. The resin key top 7 and the resin key top 8 are exposed to the outside through a common window hole 2 b that opens in the housing 2 a of the mobile phone 2. A total of 12 resin key tops 9 are also exposed to the outside through the corresponding window holes 2c. Each resin key top 7, 8, 9 has an operation in which the top surface of the resin key tops 7, 8, 9 is slightly protruded from the window holes 2 b, 2 c when not operated, and input by the contact input unit 5 is performed. Sometimes, the top surface is incorporated into the inside of the housing 2a as a height position where the top surface slightly sinks inside the window holes 2b, 2c. Therefore, since the operation input key 9 does not sink greatly into the window hole 2c when an input is made by the contact input portion, the above-described circular operation can be performed very easily also in this respect.
[0034]
The contact input unit 5 includes a contact 10 a of the printed circuit board 10 and a metal switch 10 b made of a dome shape. The contact input unit 5 is disposed below the resin key tops 7, 8, 9. Specifically, one metal switch 10b is disposed below the confirm key 7, and a metal switch 10b is disposed below the item selection key 8 immediately below the upper, lower, left, and right marks shown in FIG. Yes. One metal switch 10b is also arranged below each operation input key 9 arranged in an annular form. When the resin key tops 7, 8, 9 are pressed, the pusher portion 6 a protruding as a downward cylindrical shape on the back surface of the keypad 6 buckles the metal switch 10 b to generate a click feeling, thereby buckling. When the metal switch 10b contacts the contact 10a, the substrate circuit (not shown) is closed at the contact 10a. Thereby, the input by the contact input part 5 is made. Since key input with a click feeling can be performed in this way, key operation can be performed reliably.
[0035]
Next, the configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.
[0036]
In the operation device 1 of the present embodiment, the contact input unit 5 having the above-described structure is connected to a scroll control device 11 that constitutes a “scroll control means” constituted by a CPU, a memory 12, and a liquid crystal display 3. Yes. Among these, the scroll control apparatus 11 comprises the operating device 1 in this embodiment with the operation member 4 and the contact input part 5 which were mentioned above. When an input is made at the contact input unit 5, a command is input to the scroll control device 11, a predetermined program for performing each control operation is read from the memory 12, arithmetic processing is performed, and display control for the liquid crystal display 3 is performed. I do. In this way, the display screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 can be scrolled.
[0037]
The scroll control unit 11 includes a scroll execution unit 13 as a “scroll execution unit”, a direction setting unit 14 as a “direction setting unit”, a speed control unit 15 as a “speed control unit”, and an “operation mode switching unit”. ”As an operation mode switching unit 16.
[0038]
The scroll execution unit 13 detects an input of each contact input unit 5 during a scroll operation, and performs display control on the liquid crystal display 3 to scroll the display screen in a predetermined scroll direction set for the contact input unit 5. Do it. Further, predetermined display control is executed in accordance with control signals from a direction setting unit 14, a speed control unit 15, and an operation mode switching unit 16 described later.
[0039]
The direction setting unit 14 sets the scroll direction of the display screen with respect to the input of each contact input unit 5 during a scroll operation, and supplies a direction setting signal to the scroll execution unit 13.
[0040]
When the scroll amount of the display screen is long, it is very efficient and preferable to scroll at a high speed after first scrolling at a high speed and approaching a display target. The speed control unit 15 variably controls the scroll speed of the display screen according to the time interval of the contact input unit 5 that is sequentially input during the scroll operation, and outputs the generated speed control signal to the scroll execution unit 13. As variable control in this case, for example, the time interval is measured using a timer (not shown), the scroll speed is increased as the time interval becomes shorter, and the scroll speed is decreased as the time interval becomes longer. Control.
[0041]
The operation mode switching unit 16 uses the input by the contact input unit 5 as key input for item selection and key input for inputting input elements such as characters, numbers, symbols, and figures. Therefore, when a command to change the operation mode is input to the operation mode switching unit 16, a predetermined switching signal for enabling or disabling the operation of the scroll execution unit 13 is output to the scroll execution unit 13, and the scroll mode and The key input mode is switched.
[0042]
Next, various operations performed according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0043]
I . Key input mode
[0044]
In the key input mode for inputting the input elements displayed on the operation surface 9a of the operation input key 9, that is, characters, numbers, and symbols, a switching command for setting the operation mode to the key input mode is input to the operation mode switching unit 16, and the operation is performed. This can be performed in a state where the operation of the scroll execution unit 13 is invalidated by the mode switching unit 16. In this embodiment, the display screen cannot be scrolled using the operation input key 9 in the key input mode. For example, when an e-mail is created by the mobile phone 2, if the operation of the scroll execution unit 13 is invalidated, an input element such as a character displayed on each operation surface 9a can be input. The confirmation key 7 and the item selection key 8 can be used in this key input mode, and can be used or disabled in the scroll mode described below.
[0045]
II . Scroll mode
[0046]
i . Direction settingThe operation of the scroll execution unit 13 is validated in order to shift the input of the contact input unit 5 corresponding to the operation input key 9 from the key input mode to the scroll mode. When the mode is switched to the scroll mode, the direction setting unit 14 sets the scroll direction for the inputs of the contact input unit 5 corresponding to a total of 12 operation input keys 9. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the setting when the display screen W <b> 2 is larger in all directions in the vertical and horizontal directions than the display area W <b> 1 of the liquid crystal display 3 will be described.
[0047]
In such a case, the entire display screen W2 cannot be displayed unless the display screen W2 is scrolled in all directions of up, down, left, and right with respect to the display area W1. Therefore, the direction setting unit 14 sets the scroll direction as shown in FIG.
[0048]
That is, the direction setting unit 14 divides the operation surface 9a arranged in an annular shape into a quarter area, that is, an upper right area Ru, a lower right area Rd, an upper left area Lu, and a lower left area Ld. For the input of the contact input unit 5 corresponding to the upper right area Ru, the right direction Dr and the upper direction Du are set as the scroll directions corresponding to the division positions “right” and “up”. Similarly, the lower right region Rd displays the right direction Dr or the lower direction Dd, the upper left region Lu displays the left direction D1 or the upper direction Du, and the lower left region Ld displays the left direction Dl or the lower direction Dd. Set as scroll direction of screen W2. However, for the operation input keys 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii (simply referred to as “boundary keys 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii” in this specification) arranged so as to straddle adjacent areas, the scroll direction is set. Not set. Therefore, at the start of scrolling, the operation that is first detected by the scroll execution unit 13 as the operation start point is not the boundary key 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii, but the operation input next to the boundary key 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii. Any one of the input keys 9i, 9ii, 9iv, 9v, 9vii, 9viii, 9x, 9xi, and the scroll direction is set accordingly.
[0049]
ii . scrollNext, scrolling of the display screen W2 is performed in the following steps (see FIG. 7). Here, as shown in FIG. 5, an operation method of scrolling the display screen W2 in the downward direction Dd and then scrolling in the right direction Dr in order to display the entire screen portion p will be described as a specific example.
[0050]
First, the scroll execution unit 13 is set in a standby state for input from the contact input unit 5 corresponding to the operation input key 9 (s101), and if there is no key input, the standby is continued as it is (s103). When a key input is detected, it is determined whether it is a boundary key 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii (s105). Here, in the case of the boundary keys 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii, since it does not become the scroll operation start point as described above, it again waits for key input (s101). On the other hand, if any one of the operation input keys 9i, 9ii, 9iv, 9v, 9vii, 9viii, 9x, 9xi is used instead of the boundary keys 9iii, 9vi, 9ix, 9xii, the input of the contact input unit 5 is previously set. Two set scroll directions are specified here (s107).
[0051]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen portion p is scrolled downward to the position indicated by the screen portion p1. Therefore, the operation input key 9 included in either the lower right region Rd or the lower left region Ld shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the operation input key 9iv in the lower right region Rd is pressed. Thereby, the two directions of the right direction Dr and the downward direction Dd are specified as the scroll direction.
[0052]
Next, the scroll execution unit 13 enters a standby state for the next key input (s109). When the scroll execution unit 13 detects the next key input, the scroll execution unit 13 selects one of the two directions specified as the scroll direction by the adjacent direction based on the operation input key 9 operated first, The scroll direction is determined (s111).
[0053]
Specifically, if the operation input key 9v pressed next to the operation input key 9iv is in the clockwise adjacent position, the downward direction Dd is determined as the scroll direction. On the other hand, if the next input is the boundary key 9iii located at the counterclockwise adjacent position, the right direction Dr is determined as the scroll direction. Here, it is assumed that the operation input key 9v is input and the downward direction Dd is determined as the scroll direction.
[0054]
When the scroll direction is determined in this way, the direction setting unit 13 sets the scroll direction made by the input of the contact input unit 5 of all the operation input keys 9i to 9xii to the same direction as the determined scroll direction (s113). . Specifically, the scroll direction of all the operation input keys 9i to 9xii is set as the downward direction Dd.
[0055]
Then, the key input standby state is resumed (s115), and if the next key input is made, it is determined whether it is a forward key or a reverse key (s117). Specifically, when the next input after the operation input key 9v is the boundary key 9vi in the clockwise adjacent position, it is determined as a forward key, and the display screen W2 is scrolled downward Dd. (S119). On the other hand, when the operation input key 9iv is in the counterclockwise adjacent position, the operation key is determined to be a reverse direction key, and the process proceeds to an operation for performing reverse scroll, which will be described later (s121, s123). Here, it is assumed that the boundary key 9vi is input.
[0056]
As described above, a cyclic operation is performed by sequentially pressing the operation input key 9iv in the clockwise direction (forward direction) such as 9iv → 9v → 9vi → 9vii → 9viii → 9ix → 9x → 9xi → 9xii →. Then, the scroll execution unit 13 detects the input from the contact input unit 5 and scrolls the display screen W2 in the downward direction Dd (s119). As a result, the screen portion p can first be sent to the screen portion p1.
[0057]
Next, the screen portion p1 is scrolled to the position of the screen portion p2, and the operation in this case is the same as the above-described operation method. That is, the finger of the operation that scrolled in the downward direction Dd is released, and the operation input key 9 included in either the upper right region Ru or the lower right region Rd that can be scrolled in the right direction Dr is pressed. Enter. Here, it is assumed that the operation input key 9i in the upper right area Ru is pressed. Thereby, two directions of the right direction Dr and the upward direction Du are specified as the scroll direction.
[0058]
If the next input is the boundary key 9xii at the counterclockwise adjacent position, the upward direction Du is determined as the scroll direction. Here, the operation input key 9ii at the clockwise adjacent position is pressed to Is determined as the scroll direction. Then, if the direction setting unit 13 sets the scroll direction of all the operation input keys 9i to 9xii as the right direction Dr and performs a circular operation counterclockwise as it is from the operation input key 9ii as described above, The screen portion p2 can be scrolled to the position.
[0059]
iii . Reverse scrollIn the above description, for example, when the screen portion p is scrolled downward Dd to the position of the screen portion p1, the screen portion p3 may be over-scrolled to the position of the screen portion p3 due to an operation error. In this case, the reverse scrolling of the display screen W2 up to the position of the screen portion p1 is performed as follows.
[0060]
In the above description, the operation input key 9iv is input as an operation start point for scrolling in the downward direction Dd, and scrolling downward in the clockwise direction from there. Even though the operation input key 9xii can be input to stop at the position of the screen portion p1, the operation input key 9i and the operation input key 9ii are input to exceed the position of the screen portion p3. Suppose you have scrolled. In this case, the operation input key 9i which becomes a reverse direction key is returned from there counterclockwise (s117). When the scroll execution unit 13 detects the key input in the return direction, the direction setting unit 14 resets the scroll direction of the downward direction Dd set for all the operation input keys 9 to the upward direction Du opposite thereto. (S121). When a circular operation is performed so as to return to the operation input key 9xii, the display screen W2 can be reverse scrolled to the position of the target screen portion p1 (s123).
[0061]
iv . Two-way scrollIn the above description, as shown in FIG. 5, the direction setting unit 14 is divided into an upper right region Ru, a lower right region Rd, an upper left region Lu, and a lower left region Ld, and an example in which four-way scrolling is possible is shown. However, some display screens may fit within the display area. In this case, it is only necessary to scroll only in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction. Therefore, the direction setting unit 14 compares the size of each display screen displayed in the display area and determines whether to apply the two-way scroll or the four-way scroll. In the case of two-way scrolling up and down, an upper region in which the upper right region Ru and the upper left region Lu shown in FIG. 6 are integrated, and a lower region in which the lower right region Rd and the lower left region Ld are integrated The upper direction is set as the scroll direction for the input of the contact input unit 5 in the upper region, and the lower direction is set as the scroll direction for the contact input unit 5 in the lower region. Similarly to the upper and lower cases, the right and left regions are set for the left and right two-way scroll, the right direction is set for the right region, and the left direction is set for the left region. In an Internet web page or the like, there is often a difference in size for each individual web page developed by links (for each display screen). Even in such a case, the direction setting unit 14 can determine the necessary scroll direction and can perform scrolling with good operability on any display screen.
[0062]
As an example of the modification of the operation device 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the total number of operation input keys 9 is 12, but it may be increased or decreased, and the shape of the operation surface 9a is not a circle but a polygon. Or other shapes. The boundary of each region is set as a cross shape as shown in FIG. 5, but may be an X shape. Furthermore, although the item selection key 8 is arranged on the inner side and the operation input key 9 is arranged on the outer side, the arrangement may be reversed. Although an example of mounting on the mobile phone 2 has been shown, the mobile phone 2 may be mounted on a PDA, a car navigation system, a notebook type personal computer, or the like.
[0063]
Second embodiment
[0064]
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the operation device 21 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the operation member 22 and the contact input unit 23. Note that the description of the key input mode and the scroll mode performed by the operation device 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0065]
The operation member 22 of the present embodiment is formed with resin key tops 24, 25, and 26 having the same shape as the first embodiment. These are formed by drawing a flat resin film such as polyethylene terephthalate to form a hollow inner convex portion 24a, an intermediate annular convex portion 25a, and an outer convex portion 26a, and then flowing a liquid resin in the mold. The main body portions 24b, 25b, and 26b that form the skeleton of the resin key tops 24, 25, and 26 are formed and configured. Each of the main bodies 24b, 25b, and 26b is formed by projecting pusher portions 24c, 25c, and 26c having a downward cylindrical shape.
[0066]
The contact input unit 24 of the present embodiment is configured as a membrane switch 27. The membrane switch 27 has a laminated structure in which an insulating spacer 30 is interposed between an insulating upper film 28 and a lower film 29 and these are integrated. A contact 28 a is formed of conductive ink on the upper film 28 and a similar contact 29 a is formed on the lower film 29, and these are arranged facing each other with a spacer 30 in a separated state. When the resin key tops 24, 25, 26 are pressed, the upper film 28 is bent and the contacts 28a, 29a are brought into contact with each other, so that various inputs such as scrolling of the display screen can be performed. Therefore, the contacts 29a and 30a of the membrane switch 27 which are located below the resin key top 26 and which form a pair in the vertical direction constitute the contact input unit 23 in the present embodiment. Since the contact input unit 23 is configured by the membrane switch 27, in this embodiment, when the contact input unit 23 is input, there is no click feeling like the metal switch 10b of the first embodiment. There is an advantage that the circular operation of inputting the part 23 can be performed very smoothly. In addition, since the membrane switch 27 can be configured to be very thin and light, it can greatly contribute to the reduction in thickness and weight of the device on which the operation device 21 is mounted.
[0067]
When attention is paid to the resin key top 26 that performs the scroll operation, unlike the first embodiment, the operation surface 26d is an endless annular series of donut plate-shaped operation surfaces. Therefore, the circular operation performed by tracing the operation surface 26d with the finger F can be performed smoothly. Further, when attention is paid to the operation surface 25d of the resin key top 25 located adjacent to the inner peripheral side of the operation surface 26d, the operation surface 25d is one step higher than the operation surface 26d. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11, the user can perform a circular operation so as to trace the operation surface 26d while receiving the guide by placing the belly of the finger F to be operated on the edge of the operation surface 25d having a surface difference. Operational stability can also be obtained.
[0068]
Third embodiment
[0069]
The operation devices 1 and 21 of the first and second embodiments can perform both the key input mode for inputting input elements such as characters and the scroll mode of the display screen for the operation input key 9 and the resin key top 26. I did it. In the operation device 31 of the third embodiment, the scroll operation is realized with respect to the resin key tops 8 and 25 that mainly perform item selection in those embodiments.
[0070]
That is, the operation device 31 of the present embodiment is different from the above embodiments in the configuration of the operation member 32 and the contact input unit 33. First, the operating member 32 is formed of a rubber-like elastic body such as silicone rubber, and has a central convex portion 34 and an annular convex portion 35, which function as a resin key top. Of these, a hard resin portion 34a is adhered to the top surface of the central convex portion 34, and this mainly functions as a confirmation key. On the other hand, the annular convex portion 35 is provided with a display portion 35a displaying upper, lower, left, and right triangle marks, and each triangle mark is pressed when selecting an item. Then, the contact input units 33 located on both sides of the triangle are input together, and thereby item selection can be performed. This item selection is performed in the same manner as the key input mode described in the first embodiment. When the mode is switched to the scroll mode, the display screen can be scrolled by performing a circular operation similarly to the above-described embodiment.
[0071]
Further, the contact input portion 33 of the present embodiment includes a contact 36 a formed by applying conductive ink to the lower end portion of a pusher portion 36 protruding as a downward cylindrical shape on the back surface of the operation member 32, and a printed board 37. Contact point 37a. Further, only four contact input portions 33 are provided below the annular convex portion 35, but each contact point for performing the four-way scroll and the two-way scroll as shown in the first embodiment. The setting of the scroll direction for the input of the input unit 9 can be similarly performed for each contact input unit 33 having only four in this embodiment. Therefore, even if the number of contact input parts 33 is small, four-way scrolling or two-way scrolling is possible with good operability, and since the number of contact input parts 33 is small, the manufacturing cost is very advantageous. is there.
[0072]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the display screen can be scrolled with good operability. In addition, it is possible to meet the demand for higher functionality and downsizing of equipment. More specifically, the following excellent effects can be exhibited.
[0073]
When a plurality of contact input portions are arranged below the operation member having an annular operation surface, and an operation of sequentially inputting the plurality of contact input portions along an annular track formed by the annular operation surface is performed. The scroll control means scrolls the display screen according to the scroll direction set for the contact input unit detected as the operation start point. According to the present invention, a plurality of contact input units are arranged along the entire circumference or part of the annular track. The display screen can be scrolled by a circular operation with a movement of sequentially inputting.
[0074]
When a plurality of contact input portions are sequentially input along an annular track formed by an annular operation surface, and the contact input portion is input in the return direction, the scroll control means is in a reverse direction opposite to the scroll direction. According to the present invention for scrolling the display screen, scrolling in the reverse direction can be performed by a continuous operation without a break.
[0075]
According to the present invention in which the speed control means variably controls the scroll speed of the display screen in accordance with the input time interval of the contact input section that is sequentially input, the scroll of the display screen can be made efficient by making the scroll variable. It is.
[0076]
According to the present invention in which the annular operation surface is a donut plate-shaped operation surface, it is possible to smoothly perform a circular operation of sequentially inputting a plurality of contact input portions along an annular track formed by the donut plate-shaped operation surface.
[0077]
According to the present invention in which the scroll control means sets the division position and the scroll direction of the display screen in accordance with the input of the contact input unit for each area, the two-way scroll and the four-way scroll can be performed with good operability.
[0078]
According to the present invention further comprising an operation mode switching means that uses the input of the contact input section as an item selection key input, it can be used not only as a scroll operation of the display screen but also as an item selection key input. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the device with an input key for item selection, and it is possible to collectively respond to the demand for higher functionality and downsizing required for the device.
[0079]
According to the present invention in which a step surface having a surface difference in the height direction with respect to the operation surface is provided at a close position inside or outside the annular operation surface, a circular operation for scrolling the display screen is performed. At this time, since the surface difference from the step surface functions as a guide for performing an operation along the annular operation surface, a stable operation can be performed.
[0080]
According to the present invention in which the plurality of contact input units are configured by membrane switches, it is possible to smoothly perform a circular operation for scrolling the display screen without a click feeling.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external front view of a mobile phone to which an operation device according to a first embodiment is applied.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the operation member shown in FIG.
3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 2SA-SA line including a printed board.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the operating device according to the first embodiment.
5 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between a display area of a liquid crystal display and a display screen of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 and scrolling of the display screen. FIG.
6 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting state of a scroll direction for the annular operation surface shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a scroll operation according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of an operation member according to a second embodiment.
9 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the line SB-SB in FIG. 8 including a membrane switch.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram schematically showing an operation of tracing the operation surface of the resin key top with a finger.
FIG. 11 is a plan view of an operation member according to a third embodiment.
12 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to the SC-SC line of FIG. 11 including a printed board.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 operating device (first embodiment)
2 Mobile phone
2a housing
2b, 2c Window hole
3 Liquid crystal display
4 Operation members
5 Contact input section
6 Keypad
6a Pusher
7 Resin key top (confirmation key)
8 Resin key top (item selection key)
9 Resin key top (operation input key)
9a Operation surface (operation surface)
10 Printed circuit board
10a contact
10b Metal switch
11 Scroll control device (scroll control means)
12 memory
13 Scroll execution part (scroll execution means)
14 Direction setting unit (direction setting means)
15 Speed controller (speed control means)
16 Operation mode switching part (operation mode switching means)
21 Operating device (second embodiment)
22 Operation members
23 Contact input section
24 resin key top
24a Inner convex part
24b Body
24c Pusher part
25 resin key top
25a Intermediate annular projection
25b Body
25c Pusher part
25d operation surface
26 Resin key top
26a Outer convex part
26b body
26c Pusher part
26d operation surface
27 Membrane switch
28 Upper film
28a contact
29 Lower film
29a contact
30 Spacer
31 Operating Device (Third Embodiment)
32 Operation members
33 Contact input section
34 Central convex part
34a Hard resin part
35 Annular convex
35a Display section
36 Pusher
36a contact
37 Printed circuit board
37a contact

Claims (11)

A plurality of contact input portions that are arranged along a circumferential direction of the operation surface at a lower position of an operation member having an annular operation surface, and sequentially input by a circular operation that presses the operation surface along the annular track; ,
Direction setting means for setting the scroll direction of the display screen with respect to the input of each contact input unit, and the sequential input of the contact input unit are detected, and the display screen is displayed in the predetermined scroll direction set for the input of the contact input unit. Scroll control means having scroll execution means for scrolling, and a display screen operating device comprising:
The direction setting means selects two scroll directions having different directional axes from the top, bottom, left, and right so that the combination of the scroll directions is different for each of the plurality of areas obtained by dividing the operation surface in the circumferential direction. Set to the input of the contact input section at the position,
When the scroll execution means detects the input of the contact input section that is the operation start point, the scroll execution means identifies the two scroll directions set in the contact input section and detects the input of the next contact input section that is sequentially input. , Confirm one of them as scroll direction,
The direction setting means is an operation device for a display screen that sets the determined scroll direction to the input of other contact input units that are sequentially input.   The operation device according to claim 1, wherein the direction setting means sets a reverse direction opposite to the set scroll direction as the scroll direction when the scroll execution means detects an input of the contact input unit in the return direction.   The operating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the scroll control means further comprises speed control means for variably controlling the scroll speed of the display screen in accordance with the input time interval of the contact input section sequentially input.   The operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular operation surface is a donut plate operation surface.   The operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular operation surface is a plurality of operation small surfaces that are separated along a circumferential direction of the annular track.   The direction setting means detects the next input contact input portion as an operation start point without setting two scroll directions as operation start points for the contact input portion at the boundary position where the regions are adjacent to each other. The operation device according to any one of claims 5 to 5.   The operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the scroll control unit further includes an operation mode switching unit that uses the input of the contact input unit as a key input for item selection. Provided at the upper position of each contact input part on the operation surface of the annular form, a display part representing at least one of input elements such as letters, numbers, symbols, figures, etc.,
The operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the scroll control means further includes an operation mode switching means for using the input of the contact input unit as a key input of the input element.   The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a step surface having a surface difference in a height direction with respect to the operation surface is provided at a close position inside or outside the operation surface in an annular form.   The operation device according to claim 9, wherein the step surface is a top surface portion of an input key provided inside or outside the annular operation surface.   The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the plurality of contact input portions are membrane switches.

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