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Input Apparatus Electronic Device And Sensor Sheet

Abstract: There is provided an input apparatus including a deformable sheet like operational member having a plurality of key areas; an electrode substrate having a plurality of first electrode lines and a plurality of second electrode lines disposed facing to a plurality of the first electrode lines and crossing with a plurality of the first electrode lines being capable of electrostatically detecting a change in a distance to each of a plurality of the key areas; and a support having a plurality of structures connecting the electrode substrate and the operational member first spaces formed between a plurality of the structures corresponding to each of a plurality of the key areas and second spaces formed between a plurality of the structures common to a predetermined plurality of the key areas.

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Patent Information

Application #
Filing Date
16 July 2015
Publication Number
30/2016
Publication Type
INA
Invention Field
ELECTRONICS
Status
Email
remfry-sagar@remfry.com
Parent Application
Patent Number
Legal Status
Grant Date
2022-11-14
Renewal Date

Applicants

SONY CORPORATION
1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075

Inventors

1. KAWAGUCHI Hiroto
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
2. GOTO Tetsuro
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
3. KANO Toshio
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
4. TANAKA Hideo
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
5. HASEGAWA Hayato
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
6. ITAYA Takashi
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
7. TANAKA Takayuki
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
8. IIDA Fumihiko
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
9. SUZUKI Tomoaki
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
10. NISHIMURA Taizo
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
11. TAKAHASHI Yuji
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
12. ITOSHIRO Yasushi
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075
13. SHINKAI Shogo
c/o SONY CORPORATION 1 7 1 Konan Minato ku Tokyo 1080075

Specification

Description Title of Invention: INPUT APPARATUS, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND SENSOR SHEET Technical Field [0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2013-010448 filed January 23, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present technology relates to an input apparatus, an electronic device and a sensor sheet capable of electrostatically detecting an input operation. Background Art [0002] In a so-called keyboard widely used as a key input apparatus, a sinking (a stroke) and a feeling (a click feeling) provided when a predetermined key is pressed by a finger enable a good and stable key input. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a keyboard including a membrane switch having contact points composed of a pair of electrodes disposed at a position corresponding to the key, and a key member disposed facing to the contact point such that the contact points are contacted by pushing down the key member. [0003] On the other hand, there is also known an input apparatus capable of key inputting by touching a keyboard displayed on a display. For example, Patent Literature 2 discloses an input device where GUI parts such as a software keyboard are displayed on a touch panel having a function of a display device, and when a key displayed is touched, the key is displayed. Citation List Patent Literature [0004] PTL 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-129140 PTL 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2012-146267 Summary Technical Problem [0005] In recent years, a thin keyboard is demanded. By the configuration described in Patent Literature 1, thinning of the keyboard is limited. Also, as the contact points should be positioned corresponding to each key, the positions of the contact points should be undesirably changed depending on key layouts. [0006] On the other hand, in the input apparatus described in Patent Literature 2, an operator cannot rest fingers on keys displayed on a screen, and has to touch a desired key area while the fingers are always floated. Thus, operability is low. In addition, the stroke feeling and the click feeling cannot be provided, and there is a disadvantage of being unsuitable for a high-speed input. [0007] In view of the circumstances as described above, there is a need to provide an input apparatus, an electronic device and a sensor sheet capable of accepting a plurality types of possible key layouts while providing operability of a key input. Solution to Problem [0008] According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an input apparatus including an operational member, an electrode substrate and a support. The operational member has a plurality of key areas. The electrode substrate has a plurality of first electrode lines and a plurality of second electrode lines disposed facing to a plurality of the first electrode lines and crossing with a plurality of the first electrode lines and is capable of electrostatically detecting a change in a distance to each of a plurality of the key areas. The support has a plurality of structures, first spaces and second spaces. A plurality of the structures connects the electrode substrate and the operational member. The first spaces are formed between a plurality of the structures corresponding to each of a plurality of the key areas. The second spaces are formed between a plurality of the structures common to a predetermined plurality of the key areas. [0009] The input apparatus allows an input operation to the key areas to be detected utilizing a change in capacitances of the first and second electrode lines on the electrode substrate based on a change in a facing distance to the key areas. In this way, the input operation becomes possible while the fingers and the like are rest on the operational member, thereby preventing the operability from degrading. The respective areas are supported on the electrode substrate via the first and second spaces formed between a plurality of the structures, thereby providing the predetermined stroke feeling and the click feeling. [0010] In addition, the second spaces are formed common to a predetermined plurality of the key areas dissimilar to the first spaces formed corresponding to the respective key areas. It is therefore possible to freely change the number or the position of the key areas in the second space. Furthermore, a common support and a common electrode substrate can be used for a plurality types of the operational members having different key layouts in the second space. [001 1] The electrode substrate may have a plurality of detector sections. A plurality of the detector sections are formed at crossing regions of a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines, and are configured such that capacitance is variable depending on a relative distance to a plurality of the key areas. Typically, a plurality of the detector sections are disposed corresponding to a plurality of the key areas of the operational member, may not match the number or the layout of the key areas, and may be designed to have the number or the layout so that the input operation of each of the key areas can be detected. [0012] In this case, a plurality of the structures is disposed on non-crossing regions of a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines. In this way, as the number of the detector sections facing to the respective key areas increases, a detection sensitivity of the key input operation can be improved. [0013] Typically, a plurality of the detector sections includes a predetermined plurality of the detector sections capable of detecting an input operation to a predetermined plurality of the key areas. A predetermined plurality of the detector sections may be disposed on the second spaces such that the number of a predetermined plurality of the detector sections is greater than the number of a predetermined plurality of the key areas, or may be disposed on the second spaces at arrangement pitches different from those of a predetermined plurality of the key areas. In this way, layout freedom of the key areas in the second spaces can be increased. [0014] The support may further have a through hole capable of communicating a plurality of the first spaces and a plurality of the second spaces with outside air. By providing the support with the through hole, internal pressures of the first and second spaces can be changed depending on an outside pressure. This allows stable operability can be assured not depending on usage environment. [0015] The operational member may further have a conductor layer that is partly deformable corresponding to the input operation to a plurality of the key areas against the electrode substrate. Thus, an adequate input operation is possible even when a user wears gloves, for example. [0016] The input apparatus may further include a control unit. The control unit is electrically connected to the electrode substrate, and is capable of generating information about the input operation to each of a plurality of the key areas based on outputs from a plurality of the detector sections. [0017] The control unit may have a memory, and an arithmetic unit. The memory stores key layout information about a plurality types of operational members having different layouts of a plurality of the key areas. The arithmetic unit executes input determination to a predetermined plurality of the key areas based on the key layout information stored in the memory and the outputs from a plurality of detector sections. By this configuration, the adequate input operation can be determined on a plurality of the operational members having different key layouts. [0018] The arithmetic unit may generate different control signals depending on the amount of the capacitance change in at least one detector section among a plurality of the detector sections. It is thus possible not only to determine on/off of the key areas but also to determine whether or not the key areas are touched as well as an operational force or the like. [0019] Alternatively, the arithmetic unit may generate a control signal when the amount of the capacitance change in at least one detector section among a plurality of the detector sections exceeds a predetermined value. By this configuration, since the control signal is outputted to the device main unit (processing apparatus) only when an operation to be controlled is done, it is possible to decrease a signal throughput in the device main unit. [0020] On the other hand, the control unit may be configured such that information about a position of an operational object adjacent to the operational member can be generated based on the capacitance change in a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines. In this way, it is possible to detect the finger movement on the operational members. The input apparatus can be used as a pointing device. [0021] The input apparatus may further includes a light source capable of emitting an i l luminated light to illuminate a plurality of the key areas. The operational member is composed of a light transmitting material capable of transmitting the illuminated light. This allows visibility of each key area to be increased. [0022] The light source may be disposed on anywhere, e.g., on the operational member, the electrode substrate or the like. [0023] When the light source is disposed on the operational member, the operational member has a first surface where the input operation is made by the user, a second surface facing to the support, a light guide section formed between the first surface and the second surface and having a side face, and a diffuser section formed on the second surface diffusing the illuminated light to a plurality of the key areas. [0024] The diffuser section may be configured of a concave/convex section formed on the second surface, or a bonded section of the second surface and a plurality of the structures. [0025] When the light source is disposed on the electrode substrate, the electrode substrate supports a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines, and further has a base material composed of a light transmitting material capable of transmitting the illuminated light and having a side face. The light source is disposed on the side face of the base material. A plurality of the structures is composed of a light transmitting material capable of transmitting the illuminated light. [0026] The light source may be disposed on a back face of the base material. In this case, the electrode substrate supports a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines, and further has a base material composed of a light transmitting material capable of transmitting the illuminated light. A plurality of the structures is composed of a light transmitting material capable of transmitting the illuminated light, and the light source is composed of a sheet-like light source facing to the operational member via the electrode substrate. [0027] According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an electronic device including an operational member, an electrode substrate, a support and a controller. The operational member has a plurality of key areas. The electrode substrate has a plurality of first electrode lines and a plurality of second electrode lines disposed facing to a plurality of the first electrode lines and crossing with a plurality of the first electrode lines, and is capable of electrostatically detecting a change in a distance to each of a plurality of the key areas. The support has a plurality of structures, first spaces and second spaces. A plurality of the structures connects the electrode substrate and the operational member. The first spaces are formed between a plurality of the structures corresponding to each of a plurality of the key areas. The second spaces are formed between a plurality of the structures common to a predetermined plurality of the key areas. The controller has a control unit electrically connected to the electrode substrate, and is capable of generating information about the input operation to each of a plurality of the operational members based on outputs from a plurality of the detector sections. [0028] According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided a sensor sheet including a first wiring substrate, a second wiring substrate, and a support. The first wiring substrate has a plurality of first electrode lines. The second wiring substrate is disposed facing to the first wiring substrate, and has a plurality of second electrode lines and forms detector sections at crossing regions of a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines. The support is disposed on the first wiring substrate, and includes a plurality of structures, a first concave part and a second concave part. A plurality of the structures is disposed on non-crossing regions of a plurality of the first electrode lines and a plurality of the second electrode lines. The first concave part is formed between a plurality of the structures, and houses at least one detector section. The second concave part is formed between a plurality of the structures, and house two or more detector sections. Advantageous Effects of Invention [0029] As described above, according to the present technology, a plurality types of possible key layouts is accepted while providing operability of a key input. Brief Description of Drawings [0030] [fig.l]Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an input apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present technology. [fig.2]Fig. 2 is a plan view of the input apparatus. [fig.3]Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross- sectional view of a main part of the input apparatus. [fig.4A]Fig. 4A is a main part plan and sectional view showing an alternative em bodiment of an operational member configuration in the input apparatus. [fig.4B]Fig. 4B is a main part plan and sectional view showing an alternative em bodiment of an operational member configuration in the input apparatus. [fig.4C]Fig. 4C is a main part plan and sectional view showing an alternative em bodiment of an operational member configuration in the input apparatus. [fig.5A]Fig. 5A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an alternative em bodiment of an operational member configuration in the input apparatus. [fig.5B]Fig. 5B is a schematic cross- sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of an operational member configuration in the input apparatus. [fig.6]Fig. 6 is a plan view of a first wiring substrate configuring an electrode substrate in the input apparatus. [fig.7]Fig. 7 is a plan view of a second wiring substrate configuring the electrode substrate. [fig.8]Fig. 8 is a plan view of a support in the input apparatus. [fig.9]Fig. 9 is a main part enlarged view of Fig. 8. [fig.lO]Fig. 10 is a main part plan view of a bottommost area in the support shown in Fig. 8. [fig. 11A]Fig. 11A is a main part schematic diagram showing an alternative em bodiment of a support configuration. [fig. 1lB]Fig. 1IB is a main part schematic diagram showing an alternative em bodiment of a support configuration. [fig. 1lC]Fig. 11C is a main part schematic diagram showing an alternative em bodiment of a support configuration. [fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a main part schematic diagram showing an alternative embodiment of the support configuration. [fig.l3]Fig. 13 is a plan view showing capacitative elements formed between electrodes being at right angles to each other. [fig.l4A]Fig. 14A is a main part plan view showing an alternative embodiment of two electrode configuration. [fig.l4B]Fig. 14B is a main part plan view showing an alternative embodiment of two electrode configuration. [fig.l4C]Fig. 14C is a main part plan view showing an alternative embodiment of two electrode configuration. [fig.l4D]Fig. 14D is a main part plan view showing an alternative embodiment of two electrode configuration. [fig.l5A]Fig. 15A is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5B]Fig. 15B is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5C]Fig. 15C is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5D]Fig. 15D is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5E]Fig. 15E is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5F]Fig. 15F is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5G]Fig. 15G is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l5H]Fig. 15H is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between a key area and a sensor area corresponding to the key area in the input apparatus. [fig.l6A]Fig. 16A is a plan view of an operational member illustrating a key layout of the input apparatus. [fig.l6B]Fig. 16B is a plan view of an operational member having a key layout being different from that shown in Fig. 16A. [fig.l7A]Fig. 17A is a plan view showing a bottommost key arrangement in the key layout shown in Fig. 16A. [fig.l7B]Fig. 17B is a plan view showing a bottommost key arrangement in the key layout shown in Fig. 16B. [fig.l7C]Fig. 17C is a plan view showing a bottommost key arrangement in the key layout shown in Fig. 16A or 16B. [fig.l7D]Fig. 17D is a plan view of the support showing an area corresponding to the key arrangement shown in Fig. 16A or 16B. [fig.l7E]Fig. 17E is a view showing an alternative embodiment of the configuration shown in Fig. 17D. [fig.l8]Fig. 18 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the input apparatus [fig. 19] Fig. 19 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.20]Fig. 20 is a view illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.21]Fig. 2 1 is a view illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.22]Fig. 22 is a view illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.23]Fig. 23 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.24]Fig. 24 is a flow chart illustrating an operation of the input apparatus. [fig.25]Fig. 25 is a block diagram showing an alternative embodiment of a con figuration of the input apparatus. [fig.26]Fig. 26 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device including the input apparatus. [fig.27]Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device including the input apparatus. [fig.28]Fig. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an input apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present technology. [fig.29]Fig. 29 is a schematic side view showing a configuration example of an input apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present technology. [fig.30]Fig. 30 shows a configuration example of a predetermined key area including parts A and B; the part A is a main part plan view and the part B is a B1-B 1 line sectional view of the part A. [fig.31]Fig. 3 1 shows another configuration example of the key area including parts A and B; the part A is a main part plan view, and the part B is a B2-B2 line sectional view of the part A. [fig.32]Fig. 32 shows another configuration example of the key area including parts A and B; the part A is a main part plan view, and the part B is a B3-B3 line sectional view of the part A. [fig.33A]Fig. 33A is a main part plan view showing another configuration example of the key area. [fig.33B]Fig. 33B is a B4-B4 line sectional view of Fig. 33A. [fig.34A]Fig. 34A is a main part plan view showing another configuration example of the key area. [fig.34B]Fig. 34B is a B5-B5 line sectional view of Fig. 34A. [fig.35]Fig. 35 is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. [fig.36]Fig. 36 is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. [fig.37]Fig. 37 is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. [fig.38A]Fig. 38A is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. [fig.38B]Fig. 38B is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. [fig.38C]Fig. 38C is a schematic side view showing another configuration example of the input apparatus. Description of Embodiments [0031] Hereinbelow, the embodiments according to the present technology will be described referring to the drawings. [0032]

Documents

Application Documents

# Name Date
1 POWER OF AUTHORITY.pdf 2015-07-17
2 PCT-IB-304.pdf 2015-07-17
3 OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENT.pdf 2015-07-17
4 FORM 5.pdf 2015-07-17
5 FORM 3.pdf 2015-07-17
6 FORM 2 + SPECIFICATION.pdf 2015-07-17
7 6244-DELNP-2015.pdf 2015-07-23
8 6244-delnp-2015-Form-1-(11-08-2015).pdf 2015-08-11
9 6244-delnp-2015-Correspodence Others-(11-08-2015).pdf 2015-08-11
10 6244-delnp-2015-Form-3-(27-10-2015).pdf 2015-10-27
11 6244-delnp-2015-Correspondence Others-(27-10-2015).pdf 2015-10-27
12 Form 18 [19-01-2017(online)].pdf 2017-01-19
13 6244-DELNP-2015-FER.pdf 2019-03-22
14 6244-DELNP-2015-PETITION UNDER RULE 137 [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
15 6244-DELNP-2015-FER_SER_REPLY [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
16 6244-DELNP-2015-DRAWING [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
17 6244-DELNP-2015-CORRESPONDENCE [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
18 6244-DELNP-2015-CLAIMS [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
19 6244-DELNP-2015-ABSTRACT [13-09-2019(online)].pdf 2019-09-13
20 6244-DELNP-2015-Power of Attorney-170919.pdf 2019-09-19
21 6244-DELNP-2015-Correspondence-170919.pdf 2019-09-19
22 6244-DELNP-2015-PatentCertificate14-11-2022.pdf 2022-11-14
23 6244-DELNP-2015-IntimationOfGrant14-11-2022.pdf 2022-11-14

Search Strategy

1 6244_18-02-2019.pdf

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