input device

Abstract

An input device includes: an operation section on which an input operation is performed by an operator; a detection section that detects the input operation to the operation section; an actuator that imparts a vibration to the operation section; and a control section that supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, the control section supplying, as the drive signal, a single pulse signal including a triangular wave or a sine wave and having a signal waveform that is asymmetric with respect to a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval that are bounded by a peak position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an input device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the following Patent Literature 1, a technique is disclosed in which a movable panel assembly provided with a touch panel is caused to vibrate by an actuator to cause a fingertip of a user touching the touch panel to generate a tactile sensation. Further, in the following Patent Literature 1, a structure is disclosed in which a waveform that changes gently in size is presented at both or one of the start and end of a drive signal of the actuator, so that high frequency components are suppressed.

[0003] In the following Patent Literature 2, a technique is disclosed in which a panel is caused to vibrate to present a tactile sensation by using a magnetic force. Further, in the following Patent Literature 2, a structure is disclosed in which the panel is caused to vibrate so that the vibration of the panel has a gently rising waveform of a 2nd power sine wave.

[0004] PRIOR ART LITERATURE

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: JP Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-123429

[0007] Patent Literature 2: JP Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-79136 SUMMARY

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] However, in the prior art, although there is a technique to reduce the influence of sound generated at the time of driving of an actuator, in correspondence with an input operation under zero stroke or slight stroke (hereinafter, shown as "zero stroke or the like") with respect to an operation panel, the characteristics of a virtual operation sound and an operation sensation generated by the actuator cannot be appropriately adjusted by a drive signal.

[0010] For example, although it is desired that, in correspondence with an input operation under zero stroke or the like with respect to a touch panel, a low frequency click operation sensation and a low frequency click operation sound of a mechanical switch are virtually generated by an actuator, an unexpected high frequency output sound is generated, and it is possible that an operator is given a sense of incongruity.

[0011] Further, for example, although it is desired that, in correspondence with an input operation under zero stroke or the like with respect to a touch panel, a low frequency click operation sensation and a high frequency and high output level click operation sound of a mechanical switch are virtually generated by an actuator, the output level of the click operation sound is insufficient, and it is possible that an operator is given a sense of incongruity.

[0012] Further, for example, although it is desired to virtually generate a sense of a stroke operation of a mechanical switch by an actuator for a zero stroke or the like input operation of a touch panel, the displacement amount of the actual touch panel is extremely small, and it can be impossible to present a sufficient sense of a stroke operation to an operator.

[0013] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0014] An input device according to an embodiment includes an operation section on which an input operation is performed by an operator, a detection section that detects the input operation to the operation section, an actuator that imparts a vibration to the operation section, and a control section that supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, the control section supplying, as the drive signal, a single pulse signal including a triangular wave or a sine wave and having a signal waveform that is asymmetric between a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval with a peak position as a boundary.

[0015] EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

[0016] According to an embodiment, a characteristic of an operation sense including a virtual operation sound and a click sense of a simulated mechanical switch generated by the actuator in correspondence with the input operation can be appropriately adjusted by the drive signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an input device according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 is a graph showing an example of a drive signal of a conventional actuator.

[0019] Figure 3 is a graph showing Figure 2 a signal waveform of a drive signal shown in FIG. 4 and a vibration waveform of an operation section based on the drive signal.

[0020] Figure 4 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal according to an embodiment.

[0021] Figure 5 is a graph showing a vibration waveform of an operation section based on Figure 4 the drive signal shown in FIG. 5.

[0022] Figure 6 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal according to an embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal according to an embodiment.

[0024] Figure 8 is a graph showing a vibration waveform of an operation section based on Figure 7 the drive signal shown in FIG. 6.

[0025] Figure 9 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal involved in an embodiment.

[0026] Figure 10 is a graph showing a vibration waveform of an operation section based on Figure 9 the drive signal shown in FIG. 6.

[0027] Figure 11 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal involved in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] (Structure of input device 100)

[0030] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an input device 100 involved in an embodiment. Figure 1 The input device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is used as an input device for inputting an operation to an operation target apparatus (for example, a controller of a game machine, an input device for a vehicle, or the like). The input device 100 is capable of presenting a virtual operation sound and an operation sensation to an operator by generating a vibration in correspondence with an input operation of the operator.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 100 is provided with an operation section 102, a detection section 104, an actuator 106, and a control section 108. Figure 1

[0032] The operation section 102 performs an input operation of the operator. As the operation section 102, for example, a touch panel or the like having a hard and planar operation surface is used. The operation section 102 is capable of performing an input operation in which deformation in an operation direction of the operation surface is hardly generated, that is, an input operation in zero stroke or the like.

[0033] The detection section 104 detects the input operation to the operation section 102. For example, the detection section 104 detects an operation position, a pressing force, or the like of the input operation to the operation section 102 in zero stroke or the like, based on a detection signal output from various sensors (for example, an electrostatic sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like) incorporated in the operation section 102.

[0034] The actuator 106 imparts a vibration to the operation section 102. Specifically, the actuator 106 generates a vibration by being supplied with a drive signal from the control section 108. The vibration generated by the actuator 106 is transmitted to the operation section 102, and the operation section 102 is vibrated, thereby presenting an operation sensation to the operator who operates the operation section 102. As the actuator 106, for example, a piezoelectric element, a piezoelectric element, a polymer actuator, or the like can be used. ​

[0035] The control section 108 causes the actuator 106 to drive by supplying a drive signal to the actuator 106 in correspondence with the detection result of the detection section 104, thereby causing vibration to occur. For example, in a case where an input operation to the operation section 102 is detected by the detection section 104, the control section 108 causes the actuator 106 to drive by supplying a drive signal to the actuator 106, thereby causing vibration to occur. Thus, the actuator 106 can generate and present a virtual operation sound corresponding to the input operation to the user, and can present a virtual operation feel corresponding to the input operation to the operator via the operation section 102.

[0036] Here, the control section 108 can control the characteristics of the operation sound and the operation feel presented to the user by controlling the signal waveform of the drive signal supplied to the actuator 106. For example, the control section 108 can control the frequency of the operation sound presented to the user by controlling the signal waveform of the drive signal. Further, for example, the control section 108 can control the operation feel, which imitates the click feeling occurring at the time of pressing a mechanical switch, and the knock amount of the mechanical switch, presented to the user by controlling the signal waveform of the drive signal.

[0037] In particular, the control section 108 supplies a single pulse signal including a triangular wave or a sine wave and having a signal waveform in which a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval are asymmetric with respect to a peak position as a drive signal to the actuator 106. Thus, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately adjust the characteristics of the virtual operation sound and the operation feel caused by the actuator 106 in correspondence with an input operation.

[0038] (Example of a conventional drive signal and a vibration waveform)

[0039] Figure 2 is a view showing an example of a drive signal of a conventional actuator. Figure 3 is a view showing Figure 2 a signal waveform of the drive signal shown in FIG. 8 and an example of a vibration waveform of the operation section based on the drive signal. As shown in FIG. 9, the conventional drive signal has a signal waveform in which a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval are symmetric. The driving of the actuator required for presentation of the click feeling occurring at the time of pressing a mechanical switch is performed by input through the rising edge interval and the falling edge interval. As shown in the vibration waveform of FIG. 10, in a case where the actuator is driven by the drive signal shown in FIG. 8, a relatively large residual vibration depending on the natural vibration frequency of the operation section occurs after the end of the falling edge interval of the signal waveform of the drive signal. The residual vibration can cause an unexpected high-frequency and high-output-level operation sound to occur. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 2

[0040] ​​​Example of drive signal and vibration waveform (Example 1)

[0041] Figure 4 is a graph showing a signal waveform of the drive signal S1 according to an embodiment. Figure 4 The drive signal S1 shown is a first example of a drive signal supplied from the control section 108 to the actuator 106 in the input device 100 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 4 The drive signal S1 is a single pulse signal including a triangular wave and having a signal waveform in which a rising edge interval P1 and a falling edge interval P2 are asymmetric with respect to a peak position, as shown in

[0042] In particular, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S1, the falling edge interval P2 is longer than the rising edge interval P1. That is, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S1, the voltage rises steeply in the rising edge interval P1, and in contrast, the voltage falls gently in the falling edge interval P2. In particular, the signal waveform of the drive signal S1 makes the length of the falling edge interval P2 more than 20% longer than the length of the rising edge interval P1. In addition, as shown in Figure 4 The signal waveform of the drive signal S1 can make the voltage fall in the falling edge interval P2 a straight line, or a quadratic curve. At this time, with respect to the voltage rise in the rising edge interval P1, it can be a straight line, or a quadratic curve.

[0043] Figure 5 is a graph showing an example of a vibration waveform of the operation section 102 based on the drive signal S1 shown in Figure 4 Figure 5 The vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S1 shown in Figure 4 is shown together with the signal waveform of the drive signal S1. As shown in Figure 5 In the case where the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S1 shown in Figure 4 in the falling edge interval P2 of the signal waveform of the drive signal S1, generation of vibration of the actuator 106 is suppressed. As a result, the operation sound generated by the actuator 106 has a lower frequency component.

[0044] ​In particular, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can increase the difference between the drive frequency and the natural vibration frequency of the operation section 102 by making the falling edge section P2 of the drive signal S1 gentle, and can suppress the vibration at high frequencies. As a result, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can make the operation sound generated by the actuator 106 have a lower frequency component. Furthermore, the input device 100 according to the embodiment can further improve the suppression of the vibration at high frequencies by making the length of the falling edge section P2 of the drive signal S1 longer than the length of the rising edge section P1 by 20% or more. This is confirmed by simulation.

[0045] (Example of the drive signal according to the embodiment (2nd example))

[0046] Figure 6 is a graph showing the signal waveform of the drive signal S2 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 The drive signal S2 shown is a 2nd example of the drive signal supplied from the control section 108 to the actuator 106 in the input device 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 6 The drive signal S2 shown is a single pulse signal including a triangular wave and having a signal waveform in which the rising edge section P3 and the falling edge section P4 are asymmetrical with the peak position as a boundary.

[0047] The signal waveform of the drive signal S2 is compared with Figure 4The signal waveform of the drive signal S1 shown is also such that, in comparison with the rising edge interval P3, the falling edge interval P4 is lengthened. The input from the rising edge interval P3 to the falling edge interval P4 is required for the drive to give the click feeling cue at the time of pressing the mechanical switch. After that, the vibration due to the voltage input during the period until the return to the unapplied level is noise only for the vibration of the desired click feeling cue, and needs to be reduced as much as possible. However, the signal waveform of the drive signal S2 reaches the peak value of the negative voltage in the falling edge interval P4 in order to secure a sufficient drive voltage range. For this reason, the signal waveform of the drive signal S2 also has a recovery interval P5 from the peak value of the negative voltage to the return to the initial voltage value (0 V). Here, the signal waveform of the drive signal S2 preferably makes the voltage rise gently in the recovery interval P5. In order to achieve this, the recovery interval P5 preferably has a lower voltage variation rate than the falling edge interval P4. That is, the recovery interval P5 preferably has a sufficient length. Here, the "sufficient length" is preferably a length until the residual vibration that will be generated at the end of the falling edge interval P4 (i.e., when the drive voltage is the peak value of the negative voltage) converges, and a length that returns to the initial voltage value (0 V) during the period until the next vibration is generated. For example, by making the length of the recovery interval P5 longer than the length of the falling edge interval P4, it can be set to "a length until the residual vibration that will be generated near the end of the falling edge interval P4 converges". This is because the length of the vibration period of the residual vibration that will be generated near the end of the falling edge interval P4 is mostly shorter than the length of the falling edge interval P4. In this way, by setting the recovery interval P5 to a sufficient length, for example, the amount of generation of the residual vibration that will be generated when the drive voltage returns from the peak value of the negative voltage to the initial voltage value (0 V) (i.e., at the end of the recovery interval P5) can be suppressed. In addition, the drive signal S2 can displace the piezoelectric element in the convex direction (when the voltage is positive) and in the concave direction (when the voltage is negative), and is thus preferably used in a case where the actuator 106 is a piezoelectric element and the drive circuit does not have sufficient drive capacity.

[0048] (Example of drive signal and vibration waveform according to one embodiment (Example 3))

[0049] Figure 7 is a graph showing a signal waveform of a drive signal S3 according to one embodiment. Figure 7 The drive signal S3 shown is a third example of a drive signal supplied from the control section 108 to the actuator 106 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. As shown in Figure 7 The drive signal S3 is a single pulse signal that includes a triangular wave and has a signal waveform in which the rising edge interval P6 and the falling edge interval P7 are asymmetric with the peak position as a boundary.

[0050] In particular, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S3, the falling edge section P7 is made shorter than the rising edge section P6. That is, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S3, the voltage rise in the rising edge section P6 is steep, and, in contrast, the voltage fall in the falling edge section P7 is steeper.

[0051] Figure 8 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 based on the drive signal S3 shown in Figure 7 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S3 shown in Figure 8 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S3 shown in Figure 7 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S3 shown in Figure 8 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S3 shown in Figure 7 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 when the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S3 shown in

[0052] (Example of drive signal and vibration waveform according to one embodiment (4th example))

[0053] Figure 9 is a graph showing the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 according to one embodiment. Figure 9 is a graph showing the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 according to one embodiment. Figure 9 is a graph showing the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 according to one embodiment.

[0054] In particular, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S4, the falling edge section P9 is made shorter than the rising edge section P8. Specifically, in the signal waveform of the drive signal S4, the voltage rise in the rising edge section P8 is changed from steep to gradually gentle, and, in contrast, the voltage fall in the falling edge section P9 is steep as a whole. In this embodiment, the period of the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 (from the start of the rising edge section P8 to the end of the falling edge section P9) is set to 7 to 21 ms.

[0055] Figure 10 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 based on the drive signal S4 shown in Figure 9 is a graph showing the vibration waveform of the operation section 102 based on the drive signal S4 shown in Figure 10Will pass Figure 9 The vibration waveform of the operating unit 102 when the drive signal S4 drives the actuator 106, the signal waveform of the drive signal S4, and the displacement of the operating panel (operating unit 102) are shown together. Figure 10 As shown, in passing Figure 9 When the actuator 106 is driven by the drive signal S4 shown, the vibration waveform V4 of the operation unit 102 initially generates a first vibration peak at the beginning of the rising edge interval P8 (when the voltage rises steeply), followed by a weak vibration peak in the remaining interval of the rising edge interval P8 (when the voltage rises gradually), and then a maximum vibration peak at the end of the falling edge interval P9 (when the voltage drops steeply). That is, by using the drive signal S4, a weak vibration peak is indicated between the first vibration peak and the maximum vibration peak, thereby creating a temporal deviation in the sensation and imparting a movable frictional feel to the user, thus generating a tapping sensation. As a result, the input device 100 according to one embodiment can present a tapping operation sensation to the operator. In particular, in this embodiment, by setting the period of the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 to 7 to 21 ms, a click and tapping operation sensation can be presented to the operator more reliably, which was confirmed by the sensing test of the test subject. Furthermore, in this sensing experiment, it was confirmed that when the period of the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 is less than 7ms, the operator can perceive a clicking sensation; on the other hand, the operator cannot perceive a tapping sensation. Additionally, in this sensing experiment, it was confirmed that when the period of the signal waveform of the drive signal S4 is 21ms or more, the operator can perceive two stages of clicking sensation.

[0056] (An example of the driving signal and vibration waveform involved in one embodiment (Example 5))

[0057] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the signal waveform of the drive signal S5 according to one embodiment. Figure 11 The drive signal S5 shown is the fifth example of a drive signal supplied from the control unit 108 to the actuator 106 in the input device 100 according to one embodiment. Figure 11 As shown, the signal waveform of the drive signal S5 is... Figure 9 The waveform obtained by deforming the signal waveform of the driving signal S4 shown has a fixed voltage value in a fixed interval P11 with a fixed peak value between the rising edge interval P10 and the falling edge interval P12.

[0058] In passing Figure 11 When the drive signal S5 drives the actuator 106 as shown, it is in accordance with the principle of "driving the actuator 106 with the drive signal S5". Figure 9 Similarly, when the drive signal S4 drives the actuator 106, it provides the operator with a tapping sensation. In particular, when using... Figure 11In the case where the illustrated drive signal S5 drives the actuator 106, the vibration force generated by the actuator 106 becomes large, and the vibration and displacement propagated to the operation section 102 increase, compared with the case where the illustrated drive signal S4 drives the actuator 106. Therefore, the operator can more reliably feel the tapping operation. Figure 9 In the case where the illustrated drive signal S5 drives the actuator 106, the vibration force generated by the actuator 106 becomes large, and the vibration and displacement propagated to the operation section 102 increase, compared with the case where the illustrated drive signal S4 drives the actuator 106. Therefore, the operator can more reliably feel the tapping operation.

[0059] The above describes one embodiment of the present application, but the present application is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications or changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present application recited in the claims.

[0060] For example, in one embodiment, the signal waveform of each drive signal is based on a triangular wave, but is not limited thereto, and the signal waveform of each drive signal can be based on a sinusoidal wave. In this case, by providing the same characteristic points in the signal waveform of each drive signal (sinusoidal wave) as the signal waveform of each drive signal (triangular wave) described in the embodiment, the same effects as the signal waveform of each drive signal (triangular wave) can be obtained.

[0061] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-146037 filed on August 31, 2020, and the entire contents of the application are incorporated into this international application.

[0062] -Explanation of Symbols-

[0063] 100 input device

[0064] 102 operation section

[0065] 104 detection section

[0066] 106 actuator

[0067] 108 control section

Claims

1. An input device, characterized by Possessing: an operation section which is input operated by an operator; a detection section which detects the input operation to the operation section; an actuator which imparts vibration to the operation section; and a control section which supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, the control section supplies, to the actuator, a single pulse signal which contains a triangular wave or a sine wave and has a signal waveform which is asymmetric between a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval which are bordered by a peak position, in the signal waveform of the drive signal, the falling edge interval is longer than the rising edge interval, the actuator is a piezoelectric element, the signal waveform of the drive signal reaches a negative voltage in the falling edge interval.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the signal waveform of the drive signal, after reaching a peak of a negative voltage in the falling edge interval, has a recovery interval until returning to an initial voltage, the recovery interval makes a voltage variation rate lower than the falling edge interval.

3. The input device according to claim 2, wherein the recovery interval is longer than a period until a residual vibration depending on an inherent vibration frequency of the operation section converges.

4. An input device, characterized by Possessing: an operation section which is input operated by an operator; a detection section which detects the input operation to the operation section; an actuator which imparts vibration to the operation section; and a control section which supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, the control section supplies, to the actuator, a single pulse signal which contains a triangular wave or a sine wave and has a signal waveform which is asymmetric between a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval which are bordered by a peak position, the control section controls an amount of generation of a residual vibration depending on an inherent vibration frequency of the operation section by supplying the drive signal having the asymmetric signal waveform to the actuator.

5. An input device, characterized by Possessing: an operation section which is input operated by an operator; a detection section which detects the input operation to the operation section; an actuator which imparts vibration to the operation section; and a control section which supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, the control section supplies, to the actuator, a single pulse signal which contains a triangular wave or a sine wave and has a signal waveform which is asymmetric between a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval which are bordered by a peak position, in the signal waveform of the drive signal, the falling edge interval is shorter than the rising edge interval, in the signal waveform of the drive signal, a voltage rise of the rising edge interval changes from steep to gentle, a period of the signal waveform of the drive signal is 7 to 21 msec.

6. An input device, characterized by Possessing: an operation section which is input operated by an operator; a detection section which detects the input operation to the operation section; an actuator which imparts vibration to the operation section; and a control section which supplies a drive signal to the actuator in correspondence with a detection result of the detection section, The control section supplies, as the drive signal, a single pulse signal including a triangular wave or a sine wave and having a signal waveform in which a rising edge interval and a falling edge interval are asymmetric with respect to a peak position to the actuator, In the signal waveform of the drive signal, the falling edge interval is shorter than the rising edge interval, In the signal waveform of the drive signal, a voltage rise of the rising edge interval changes from steep to gradually gentle, The signal waveform of the drive signal has a fixed interval in which a voltage value is fixed between the rising edge interval and the falling edge interval.

7. The input device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The natural vibration frequency of the operation section is 1 kHz or less.

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