Input device, information processing system, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract

To improve recognition accuracy of a contact point relative to a touch panel.SOLUTION: An input device comprises: a body part that serves a non-conductive member; a conductive part that serves a conductive member; and at least four contacts that protrude downward from the conductive part, and each have a contact face with a touch panel. At least three contacts are arranged on a circle centering one contact of the at least four contacts. With the one contact as an apex of a corner, angles of corners formed by two half-lines each extending from the apex of the corner relative to adjacent arbitrary two contacts of the at least three contacts are different from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been known in which a user inputs various pieces of information by touching an input device (e.g., an electronic stamp) to a touch panel while holding the input device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an operation input device that determines the operation of one or more operation devices arranged on a touch panel based on the distance between touch points and the positional relationship of three or more touch points. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6391893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a user (e.g., a user with relatively small hands such as an infant) touches an input device such as the operation device of Patent Document 1 to a touch panel, there is a risk that not only the input device but also a part of the user's body (e.g., fingers other than those holding the operation device, at least a part of the palm and the back of the hand, etc.) may touch the touch panel. If a part of the user's body other than the input device touches the touch panel, there is a risk that the contact point of the input device on the touch panel may not be correctly recognized.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve the accuracy of recognizing a contact point on a touch panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An input device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body portion which is a non-conductive material, a conductive portion which is a conductive material, and at least four contacts protruding downward from the conductive portion, each of the at least four contacts having a contact surface with a touch panel, at least three contacts are arranged on a circle centered on one of the at least four contacts, and the one contact is set as a vertex of an angle, and the angles formed by two half lines extending from the vertex of the one contact to any two adjacent contacts of the at least three contacts are different from each other.

[0007] According to this aspect, even if a part of the user's body touches the touch panel other than the at least four contacts of the input device, it is possible to identify the contact points on the touch panel corresponding to each of the four contacts, thereby improving the accuracy of recognizing the contact points of the input device on the touch panel.

[0008] In the above input device, the radius of the circle on which the at least three contacts are arranged may be smaller than the distance between the center of the circle and the outer surface of the main body. According to this aspect, the contact points corresponding to the at least four contacts of the input device are located inside the outer surface (outer periphery) of the main body, while a part of the user's body that touches the touch panel other than the input device is located outside the outer surface of the main body, making it easier to identify the contact points on the touch panel that correspond to the four contacts.

[0009] In the above input device, the contact surface of each of the at least four contacts is circular, the radius of the circle on which the at least three contacts are arranged is greater than twice the radius of the contact surface, and the distance between the center of the circle and the outer surface of the main body is greater than three times the radius of the contact surface. According to this aspect, the at least four contacts of the input device are arranged inside the outer surface of the main body without overlapping, making it easier to identify contact points on the touch panel corresponding to each of the four contacts.

[0010] In the input device, the conductive portion is formed so as to extend substantially around the outer surface of the main body at a position away from the contact surface. According to this aspect, it becomes easier for a user to grip at least a part of the conductive portion.

[0011] An information processing system according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system including the above-mentioned input device and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device includes the touch panel, a detection unit that detects a number of contact points on the touch panel that is greater than the at least four contacts of the input device, and a determination unit that determines contact points corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of the positions of the detected contact points and the distance between the detected contact points.

[0012] In the above information processing system, the terminal device may further include a memory unit that stores an operation of the input device in association with a predetermined operation on an application installed on the terminal device, and a control unit that executes on the application an operation associated in the memory unit with the operation of the input device at a contact point corresponding to each of the at least four contacts determined by the determination unit.

[0013] An information processing method according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing method in an information processing system including the above-mentioned input device and a terminal device, wherein the terminal device includes a step of detecting a number of contact points on the touch panel that is greater than the at least four contacts of the input device, and a step of determining contact points corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of the positions of the detected contact points and the distance between the detected contact points.

[0014] An information processing program according to another aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing program used in an information processing system including the above-mentioned input device and a terminal device, and causes the terminal device to execute the steps of detecting a number of contact points on the touch panel that is greater than the at least four contacts of the input device, and determining contact points corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of the positions of the detected contact points and the distance between the detected contact points. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the accuracy of recognizing a contact point of an input device on a touch panel. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 5A to 5C are diagrams illustrating an example of a character's movement operated using the input device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the input device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a terminal device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of M contact points according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same or similar configurations.

[0018] (overview) 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes an input device 10 and a terminal device 20. The input device 10 is, for example, an electronic stamp. The terminal device 20 is, for example, a tablet, a smartphone, or a personal computer. The terminal device 20 includes at least a touch panel 21 that accepts input from the input device 10, and a display device 22. The touch panel 21 and the display device 22 may cooperate as an integrated touch panel display.

[0019] 1, a user performs various operations using the input device 10 on a touch panel 21 while holding the input device 10 with a part of the body (for example, the fingers of the hand). Operations by the user using the input device 10 on the touch panel 21 may include, for example, at least one of sliding, tapping, double tapping, swiping, long pressing, pressing down, placing, rotating, rubbing, and scratching (rubbing) the input device 10 on the touch panel 21. The terminal device 20 accepts input of an operation using the input device 10 on the touch panel, and performs processing according to the operation.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a character's movement operated using an input device according to this embodiment. Fig. 2(a) to (d) show a state in which a predetermined character performs a predetermined movement in response to a predetermined operation using the input device 10 on the touch panel 21 on an application installed on the terminal device 20. Fig. 2(a) to (d) assume that the predetermined character is a black creature, and the black creature is placed on the input device 10 so that it can be visually recognized that the movement is that of the black creature, but is not limited to this.

[0021] 2(a) and (b), for example, a user places the input device 10 on the touch panel 21 while holding the input device 10 with the fingers of the hand, whereby a first action (e.g., sucking up water and storing it in the character) is performed by a predetermined character on an application installed on the terminal device 20. The first action performed by the predetermined character may change (e.g., the amount of water absorbed by the predetermined character may change) based on how the input device 10 is placed on the touch panel 21 (e.g., the time and / or range of placement, etc.). The first action performed by the predetermined character may be displayed on a display device 22 (described later) of the terminal device 20.

[0022] 2(c) and (d), a user rotates the input device 10 in a predetermined direction on the touch panel 21 while holding the input device 10 with the fingers of the hand, whereby a second action (e.g., an action of spitting out water stored in the character) is performed by the predetermined character on the application. The second action performed by the predetermined character may change (e.g., the amount of water spit out may change) based on the way the input device 10 is rotated on the touch panel 21 (e.g., the number of rotations, etc.) and / or the first action. The second action performed by the predetermined character may be displayed on the display device 22 of the terminal device 20.

[0023] 2(a) to (d) are merely examples, and the operation of the input device 10 and the actions of the characters are not limited to those shown in the drawings. In addition, in FIG. 2(a) to (d), a predetermined character is attached to the input device 10, but this is not limited thereto, and the character operated using the input device 10 does not have to be attached to the input device 10. In addition, there is no question as to whether or not the character is displayed on the display device 22.

[0024] In this way, a specific operation performed by the user on the touch panel 21 while holding the input device 10 may be associated in advance with a specific action of a character on an application installed in the terminal device 20. By operating the input device 10 on the touch panel 21, the user (e.g., a small child) can naturally understand and learn the relationship between the operation on the touch panel 21 and the corresponding action of the character.

[0025] (composition) <Input device> The configuration of the input device 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the input device according to this embodiment. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the input device according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the input device 10 includes a main body 11 and a conductive part 12. Note that the external appearance of the input device 10 shown in Fig. 3 is merely an example and is not limited to the one shown in the figure.

[0026] The main body 11 is a member that forms the outer shape of the input device 10, and is formed so as to cover at least a part of the conductive portion 12. The main body 11 is, for example, a non-conductive (insulating) member such as resin. For example, in FIG. 3, the outer shape of the main body 11 is substantially cylindrical, but is not limited thereto, and may be any shape such as an n-sided prism shape (n is an integer greater than or equal to 3), such as a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, or a pentagonal prism.

[0027] The conductive portion 12 is a conductive member, for example, a conductive resin. In Fig. 3, the conductive portion 12 having a predetermined width W is formed so as to go around the outer surface of the main body portion 11 at a position away from the bottom surface. For example, the conductive portion 12 may be formed on a disk centered on the center O of the input device 10. While a part of the user's body (for example, a finger) is in contact with the conductive portion 12 shown in Fig. 3, the conductive portion 12 is in a conducting state.

[0028] 3, at least four contacts 121O, 121P, 121Q, and 121R are formed inside the main body 11 so as to protrude downward from the conductive portion 12. For example, the contacts 121O, 121P, 121Q, and 121R are cylindrical with centers at points O, P, Q, and R, respectively, and have a circular contact surface with the touch panel 21 having a radius R1.

[0029] For example, when the input device 10 is viewed from the bottom side as shown in FIG. 4, at least three contacts 121P, 121Q, and 121R are arranged on a circle C1 centered on the contact 121O. Specifically, the center of the contact 121O is arranged at a position equal to the center O of the input device 10, and the centers of the contacts 121P, 121Q, and 121R are arranged at points P, Q, and R on a circle C1 of radius t with the center O of the contact 121O as the center. Hereinafter, when the contacts 121O, 121P, 121Q, and 121R are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as the contacts 121. The input device 10 is also assumed to include N contacts 121 (for example, N=4 in FIG. 4). The N contacts 121 are extended from the conductive portion 12, and may be, for example, a conductive member such as a conductive resin.

[0030] 4, the radius t of a circle C1 on which the N-1 contacts 121 are arranged is smaller than the distance R2 between the center O of the circle C1 and the outer surface S of the main body 11. For example, in FIG. 4, since the input device 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape, the cross section of the outer surface S is a circle with a radius R2. By making the radius t of the circle C1 smaller than the radius R2, as will be described later in FIG. 7, contact points T (e.g., parts of the user's body) other than the N contact points T corresponding to the N contacts 121 are located outside the outer surface S, making it easier to identify the N contact points T.

[0031] Also, the radius t of the circle C1 on which the N-1 contacts 121 are arranged is greater than twice the radius R1 of the contact surface of each contact 121. As a result, for example, in FIG. 4, the contact 121O and the contacts 121P, 121Q, or 121R arranged on the circle C1 can be arranged without overlapping. Also, the distance between the center O of the circle C1 and the outer surface S of the main body 11 is greater than three times the radius R1 of the contact surface of each contact 121. As a result, for example, the contacts 121P, 121Q, or 121R arranged on the circle C1 can be arranged inside the outer surface S of the main body 11. In this way, since the N contacts 121 are arranged inside the outer surface S of the main body 11 without overlapping, it becomes easier to identify the N contact points T on the touch panel 21 corresponding to the N contacts 121, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 7. For example, the radius R1 is 4 mm, the radius R2 is 21.5 mm, and the radius t of the circle C1 is 14.0 mm, but is not limited to this. In FIG. 4, the contact surfaces of the N contactors 121 are circles with the same radius R1, but this is merely an example and is not limited to this. The shape of at least one contact surface of the N contactors 121 may be different. When the shape of at least one contact surface of the N contactors 121 is different, the radius R1 may be rephrased as the length from the center to the outer edge of the contact surface of the contactor 121 having the largest contact surface (for example, the radius if the contact surface is a circle, or the length of the diagonal / 2 if the contact surface is a square).

[0032] In addition, when one of the N contacts 121 is set as the apex of an angle, the angles of the angles formed by two half lines extending from the apex of the angle to any two adjacent contacts 121 among the N-1 contacts 121 on the circle C1 are different from each other. In Fig. 4, when the center O of the contact 121O is set as the center of the angle, the angle of ∠POQ formed by two half lines extending from the center O to the centers P and Q of the contacts 121P and 121Q, the angle of ∠QOR formed by two half lines extending from the center O to the centers Q and R of the contacts 121Q and 121R, and the angle of ∠ROP formed by two half lines extending from the center O to the centers R and P of the contacts 121R and 121P are different from each other.

[0033] For example, ∠POQ may be 130 degrees, ∠QOR may be 120 degrees, and ∠ROP may be 110 degrees. Alternatively, ∠POQ may be 110 degrees, ∠QOR may be 120 degrees, and ∠ROP may be 130 degrees. Different input devices 10 may be identified by different combinations of the magnitudes of the angles ∠POQ, ∠QOR, and ∠ROP.

[0034] The shape of each contact 121 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, and may be any shape as long as it protrudes downward from the conductive section 12 and has a predetermined contact surface with the touch panel 21. In FIG. 4, the contact surfaces of the N contacts 121 have the same shape, but the shape of the contact surface of at least one contact 121 may be different from the shapes of the other contacts 121. For example, the shape or radius of the contact surface of contact 121O centered on point O may be different from the shapes or radii of the remaining contacts 121. In FIG. 4, three contacts 121 are arranged on the circle C1 of radius t, but more than three contacts 121 may be arranged.

[0035] <Terminal device> The configuration of the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 20 includes, as the hardware configuration, a touch panel 21, a display device 22, a processor 23, a storage device 24, and a communication device 25. At least two of the hardware configurations shown in Fig. 5 are connected to each other via a bus so as to be able to transmit and receive data to and from each other.

[0036] The touch panel 21 is a multi-touch touch panel capable of simultaneously detecting contact at multiple contact points T. For example, the touch panel 21 may be, for example, a capacitance type, a low-durability type, or an ultrasonic surface acoustic wave type, but is not limited to these types and may be any type as long as it is capable of simultaneously detecting contact at multiple contact points T. The touch panel 21 may function as an "input unit."

[0037] The display device 22 is a display configured with a display element, such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The touch panel 21 is provided superimposed on the display device 22, and the touch panel 21 and the display device 22 may cooperate as a touch panel display under the control of the processor 23. The display device 22 may function as a "display unit."

[0038] The processor 23 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and is a device that controls the execution of programs stored in the storage device 24 and calculates and processes data. The processor 23 receives various input data from the touch panel 21 and / or the communication device 25, and outputs (for example, displays) the results of calculations on the input data to the display device 22, stores the results in the storage device 24, or transmits the results via the communication device 25. The processor 23 may function as a "control unit."

[0039] The storage device 24 is at least one of a memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage device 24 may function as a "storage unit." The storage device 24 may store an information processing program executed by the processor 23. The information processing program may be stored in a recording medium (not shown).

[0040] The communication device 25 is a device that communicates via a wired and / or wireless network, and may include, for example, a network card, a communication module, a chip, an antenna, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor, etc. The communication device 25 may function as a "transmitter" and / or a "receiver".

[0041] The hardware configuration described above is merely an example. The terminal device 20 may omit some of the hardware shown in FIG. 5, or may include hardware not shown in FIG. 5. The hardware shown in FIG. 5 may be configured with one or more chips. When the terminal device 20 is configured with multiple devices, each device may include at least some of the hardware.

[0042] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device according to the present embodiment. Note that the functional configuration of the terminal device 20 shown in Fig. 6 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that the terminal device 20 may have functional configurations not shown, or may not have some functional configurations.

[0043] 6, the terminal device 20 includes a detection unit 201, a determination unit 202, a storage unit 203, and an execution unit 204. The detection unit 201 may be realized by an information processing program executed by the processor 23 and at least a part of the touch panel 21. The determination unit 202 may be realized by an information processing program executed by the processor 23.

[0044] The detection unit 201 detects a plurality of contact points T on the touch panel 21. Specifically, the detection unit 201 detects a number M (e.g., M>4) of contact points T that exceeds the number N (e.g., N≧4) of contactors 121 included in the input device 10. For example, the detection unit 201 detects M contact points T when a part of the body of a user holding the conductive portion 12 of the input device 10 (e.g., a part other than the fingers of the hand holding the conductive portion 12) touches the touch panel 21.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of M contact points according to this embodiment. Note that the size, shape, and the like of the touch panel 21 and each contactor 121 shown in FIG. 7 are schematic and may differ from the actual size. Also, in FIG. 7, the number of contactors 121 is assumed to be N=4. In FIG. 7, the detection unit 201 detects four contact points T corresponding to the four contactors 121O, 121P, 121Q, and 121R, respectively. 121O , T 121P , T 121Q and T 121R In addition, for example, when a part of the body of a user holding the input device 10 touches the touch panel 21, the detection unit 201 detects a contact point T 1 , T 2 and T 3 It is assumed that at least one of the following is detected.

[0046] The determination unit 202 determines N contact points T corresponding to the N contacts 121 from among the M (M>N) contact points T detected by the detection unit 201. Specifically, the determination unit 202 may determine the N contact points T based on at least one of the positions of the M detected contact points T and the distances between the detected contact points T. The positions may be indicated by coordinate positions on the touch panel 21.

[0047] For example, in FIG. 7, the detection unit 201 detects four contact points T 121O , T 121P , T 121Q and T 121R In addition to the contact point T 1 , T 2 Or T 3When detecting any one of the above, the determination unit 202 determines N (=4) contact points T based on the positions of the detected M (=5) contact points T and the distances between the detected contact points T. 121O , T 121P , T 121Q and T 121R As described in FIG. 4, the input device 10 has three contacts 121P, 121Q, and 121R on a circle C1 centered on the contact 121O. In FIG. 7, suppose that the contact point T 1 If detected, the contact point T 121R , T 121Q and T 1 Contact point T near the center of 121O_P1 Therefore, the determination unit 202 determines that the contact point T 1 There are N contact points T 121O , T 121P , T 121Q and T 121R Similarly, it can be determined that the contact point T 2 Or T 3 Even if a contact point T 121O_P2 Or T 121O_P3 is not detected, the determination unit 202 2 Or T 3 It can be determined that does not correspond to one of the N contact points T.

[0048] In this manner, the determination unit 202 may select N contact points T of the input device 10 from the M contact points T based on the positions of the M contact points T detected by the detection unit 201. The determination unit 202 may also identify each of the N contact points T based on the distance between the selected N contact points T. As described in FIG. 4, since the angles of ∠POQ, ∠QOR, and ∠ROP are different from each other, the determination unit 202 may determine the contact points T 121P and T 121Q Distance between the centers of contacts T 121Q and T 121R Distance between the centers of the contact points T 121R and T 121P The distances between the centers of the contacts 121P, 121Q, and 121R are also different from each other.121O and T 121P Distance between the centers of the contact points T 121O and T 121Q Distance between the centers of the contact points T 121O and T 121R Therefore, the determination unit 202 determines the distance between the centers of the contact points T corresponding to the contacts 121O, 121P, 121Q, and 121R based on the distance between the centers of the selected N contact points T. 121O , T 121P , T 121Q and T 121R may be identified.

[0049] Note that, if the positions of N contact points T among the positions of the M contact points T detected by the detection unit 201 and the positions of the N contacts 121 included in the input device 10 have a similar relationship within a predetermined range, the determination unit 202 may determine the N contact points T as the N contacts T corresponding to the N contacts 121 even if they are not the same positions. Similarly, if the distance between the contact points T and the distance between the contacts 121 have a similar relationship within a predetermined range, the determination unit 202 may determine the N contact points T as the N contacts T corresponding to the N contacts 121 even if they are not the same distance.

[0050] The storage unit 203 stores an operation of the input device 10 and a predetermined action on an application installed in the terminal device 20 in association with each other. The predetermined action is, for example, a character's action on the application, but is not limited to this. For example, as described in FIG. 2, the touch panel 21 of the input device 10 and a first action of a predetermined character (for example, sucking up water and storing it in the character) may be stored in association with each other. Similarly, the rotation of the input device 10 in a predetermined direction on the touch panel 21 and a second action of a predetermined character (for example, an action of spitting out the water stored in the character) may be stored in association with each other.

[0051] The execution unit 204 causes an application to execute an action associated in the storage unit 203 with an operation of the input device 10 at a contact point T corresponding to each of the N contacts 121 determined by the determination unit 202. For example, the execution unit 204 may cause a predetermined character to execute an action associated in the storage unit 203 with an operation of the input device 10 at the contact point T. Furthermore, the execution unit 204 may control the manner of an action to be executed by the predetermined character (for example, the amount of water that the character inhales or exhales) depending on the manner of the operation (for example, the duration, range, and / or number of rotations of the placement, etc.).

[0052] (operation) Next, the operation of the information processing system according to this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Note that Fig. 8 is merely an example, and some steps (e.g., steps S101 and / or S107 to S109, etc.) may be omitted, steps not shown may be added, and the order of some steps (e.g., step S110) may be changed.

[0053] In step S101, the terminal apparatus 20 detects M contact points T on the touch panel 21, the M contact points T being greater than the number N of the contacts 121 of the input device .

[0054] In step S102, the terminal apparatus 20 determines N contact points T of the input device 10 based on at least one of the positions of the M contact points T detected in step S101 and the distances between the contact points T detected in step S101.

[0055] In step S103, the terminal device 20 causes a predetermined character on an application installed on the terminal device 20 to execute an action associated with the operation of the input device 10 at the N contact points T determined in step S102. Note that the action is not limited to the action of the character, and may be any action on an application associated with the operation of the input device 10 in the storage unit 203.

[0056] As described above, in the information processing system according to this embodiment, N-1 contacts 121 are arranged on a circle centered on one of the N (N≧4) contacts 121 included in the input device 10, and the one contact 121 is set as a vertex of an angle, and the angles formed by two half lines extending from the vertex of the angle for any two adjacent contacts 121 among the N-1 contacts 121 are different from each other. As a result, even if a part of the user's body other than the N contacts 121 included in the input device 10 comes into contact with the touch panel 21, N contact points T on the touch panel 21 corresponding to each of the N contacts 121 can be identified, thereby improving the recognition accuracy of the contact points T of the input device 10 on the touch panel 21.

[0057] The embodiments described herein are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. The elements of the embodiments, as well as their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate. In addition, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1...information processing system, 10...input device, 20...terminal device, 11...main body, 12...conductive portion, 21...touch panel, 22...display device, 23...processor, 24...storage device, 25...communication device, 121...contact, 201...detection unit, 202...determination unit, 203...storage unit, 204...execution unit

Claims

1. A main body portion which is a non-conductive material; A conductive portion that is a conductive member; at least four contacts protruding downward from the conductive portion, each contact having a contact surface with a touch panel; At least three contacts are arranged on a circle centered on one of the at least four contacts, and the one contact is set as a vertex of an angle, and angles formed by two half lines extending from the vertex of any two adjacent contacts among the at least three contacts are different from each other. Input devices.

2. a radius of the circle on which the at least three contacts are arranged is smaller than a distance between a center of the circle and an outer surface of the body portion; 2. The input device of claim 1.

3. the contact surface of each of the at least four contacts is circular; a radius of the circle on which the at least three contacts are arranged is greater than twice the radius of the contact surface, and a distance between the center of the circle and an outer surface of the body is greater than three times the radius of the contact surface; 3. The input device according to claim 2.

4. The conductive portion is formed so as to surround substantially the entire outer surface of the main body at a position away from the contact surface.

4. The input device according to claim 3.

5. An information processing system including the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a terminal device, The terminal device The touch panel; a detection unit that detects contact points on the touch panel that are greater than the at least four contacts of the input device; a determination unit that determines a contact point corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of a position of the detected contact point and a distance between the detected contact points. Information processing system.

6. The terminal device a storage unit that stores an operation of the input device and a predetermined action on an application installed in the terminal device in association with each other; and an execution unit that causes the application to execute an operation associated in the storage unit with an operation of the input device at a contact point corresponding to each of the at least four contacts determined by the determination unit.

6. An information processing system according to claim 5.

7. 5. An information processing method in an information processing system including the input device according to claim 1 and a terminal device, comprising: The terminal device detecting a number of contact points on the touch panel that is greater than the at least four contacts of the input device; determining a contact point corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of a position of the detected contact point and a distance between the detected contact points. Information processing methods.

8. 5. An information processing program for use in an information processing system including the input device according to claim 1 and a terminal device, The terminal device, detecting a number of contact points on the touch panel that is greater than the at least four contacts of the input device; determining a contact point corresponding to each of the at least four contacts based on at least one of positions of the detected contact points and distances between the detected contact points; Information processing program.

Images