Input device

Abstract

The present invention provides an input device that enables predetermined input to an information processing device while reducing the use of desk space. [Solution] The system includes a plurality of input devices 3 for performing predetermined inputs to an information processing device, a transmission unit 7 for transmitting input information corresponding to the operation of the input devices 3 to the information processing device, and a mounting unit 2 for detachably attaching to a pen-type input device P for performing inputs to the information processing device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device.

Background Art

[0002] As an input means for a touch panel, a pen tablet, etc. equipped in an information processing device such as a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a smartphone, etc., a pen-type input tool (referred to as a "pen-type input device" in Patent Document 1) as described in Patent Document 1 may be used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a pen-type input tool, for example, when using a so-called "eraser" function to delete a specified part of a drawn image, etc., it is necessary to select and press a menu, etc. displayed on the screen. In the case of a frequently used function such as the "eraser" function, etc., an operation of selecting and pressing a menu, etc. displayed on the screen was required every time the function was used, which was troublesome for the operator operating the pen-type input tool.

[0005] Also, there may be a case where a shortcut key for using a "eraser" function, etc. is registered in software such as an illustration creation application, etc., but when using a keyboard for inputting such a shortcut key or other input devices placed on the desk, there was a disadvantage that the space on the desk would be reduced.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to provide an input device that enables predetermined input to an information processing device while reducing the use of desk space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The input device of the present invention comprises a plurality of input operating tools for performing predetermined inputs to an information processing device, a transmission unit for transmitting input information corresponding to the operation of the input operating tools to the information processing device, and a mounting unit for detachably attaching to a pen-type input tool for performing inputs to the information processing device. The device is configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of the pen-type input device when attached to the pen-type input device, and has a wide portion and a narrow portion that is located on the pen tip side of the pen-type input device when attached to the pen-type input device, and whose width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pen-type input device when attached to the pen-type input device is narrower than the wide portion. .

[0008] According to this invention, it is possible to input predetermined data into an information processing device by using an input device. Furthermore, since it is attached to a pen-type input device, it can be used without taking up desk space, thereby reducing the amount of desk space used.

[0009] In the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of input devices are arranged within a range that can be operated by the fingers of the operator operating the pen-type input device.

[0010] With this configuration, the input controls are positioned within the range of the operator's fingers, allowing the operator to operate the input controls without having to change their grip on the pen-type input device.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the mounting portion is configured to cover more than half of the circumferential direction of the pen-type input device at the location where the mounting portion is located.

[0012] With this configuration, the attachment portion is designed to cover more than half of the pen-type input device's circumference, ensuring that it is securely attached to the pen-type input device.

[0013] In the present invention, it is preferable that a connector for external charging is provided, and that the connector is positioned so that a charging cable can be connected when the pen-type input device is attached to it.

[0014] This configuration allows the charging cable to be connected to the connector without having to remove the input device from the pen-type input tool.

[0015] In the present invention, the connector is located The aforementioned The wide portion and the width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the pen-type input device when attached to the pen-type input device are narrower than the wide portion. The aforementioned It has a narrow portion, and it is preferable that the input device is located in the narrow portion.

[0016] This configuration allows for the placement of components such as a battery or control device in the wider section, thereby creating a narrower section in the area outside the wider section. The narrower section provides a comfortable finger position for the operator using the pen-type input device. By positioning the input device in this narrow section, multiple input devices are placed close to the operator's fingers, enabling the operator to control multiple input devices with one hand.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that the device is equipped with a charging status indicator lamp that indicates the charging status and indicates charging.

[0018] With this configuration, the operator can check the charging status using the charging status indicator lamp, and determine whether or not charging is necessary based on whether or not a charging indicator is displayed.

[0019] In the present invention, it is preferable that a battery holder is provided for detachably holding a battery that supplies power.

[0020] According to this configuration, it is configured to supply power from a battery. When power is supplied from the battery, even if the power of the battery decreases, it becomes possible to immediately use it by replacing the battery. Also, since there is no need to perform charging, it becomes possible to avoid using it while connecting a charging cable.

[0021] In the present invention, it is preferable that an input mode change operation tool for switching the input information between a first mode and a second mode is provided.

[0022] According to this configuration, by switching between the first mode and the second mode, the input information corresponding to the operation of the input operation tool is switched. That is, since it becomes possible to transmit a plurality of input information to the information processing device with one input operation tool, while suppressing an increase in the input operation tool, the types of input information transmitted to the information processing device can be increased, and more operations can be performed.

[0023] In the present invention, it is preferable that the predetermined input is a shortcut key.

[0024] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to perform an input corresponding to the shortcut key only by operating the input operation tool on the information processing device.

[0025] In the present invention, it is preferable that the transmission unit transmits the input information to the information processing device by communication conforming to the Bluetooth standard.

[0026] According to this configuration, it becomes possible to transmit input information to the information processing device using wireless communication conforming to the generally used Bluetooth standard.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is an overall perspective view of the input device. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the configuration of the mounting part of the input device. [Figure 3]This is a diagram showing the input device viewed from the width direction. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the input device viewed from the length direction towards the pen tip. [Figure 5] This block shows the control configuration for the input device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] [Overall configuration of the input device] The input device 100 of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in Figure 1, the input device 100 is used by attaching it to a pen-type input device P that is used to input data to a touch panel or pen tablet provided on an information processing device M such as a notebook PC, tablet PC, or smartphone. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the length direction of the pen-type input device P and the length direction of the input device 100 will be simply referred to as the "length direction," the width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the pen-type input device P and the input device 100 will be simply referred to as the "width direction," and the side of the length direction where the pen tip of the pen-type input device P is located will be simply referred to as the "pen tip side."

[0029] The input device 100 has a main body portion 1 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the pen-type input device P when attached to the pen-type input device P. The main body portion 1 has a wide portion W which is wider in the width direction and a narrow portion T which is narrower than the wide portion W in the width direction. The narrow portion T is located on the pen tip side in the longitudinal direction and is configured to be narrower than the wide portion W in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pen-type input device P when attached to the pen-type input device P. The operator operating the pen-type input device P grasps the narrow portion T. The wide portion W is located on the opposite side from the pen tip side in the longitudinal direction.

[0030] The main body 1 includes a mounting section 2, which is integrally formed with the main body 1 and is detachably attached to a pen-type input device P, and a plurality of input devices 3 for performing predetermined inputs to the information processing device M.

[0031] [Configuration of the mounting part] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the mounting portion 2 is formed on the wide portion W of the main body 1 and has a holding mechanism 20 that holds the portion of the pen-type input device P opposite to the pen tip side. Here, the portion of the pen-type input device P where the mounting portion 2 is located is referred to as the "held portion Ph". Generally, the held portion Ph of the pen-type input device P is configured in a cylindrical shape, and the holding mechanism 20 is configured in a shape that corresponds to the cylindrical shape of the held portion Ph. Specifically, the holding mechanism 20 has a groove with a C-shaped cross-section formed by having an opening 21. The holding mechanism 20 also extends along the entire length of the mounting portion 2 and has two side walls 22 that sandwich the pen-type input device P from both sides in the width direction. The two side walls 22 are configured to be closer to each other on the opening 21 side. The holding mechanism 20 of the mounting portion 2 is configured to cover more than half of the circumferential direction of the pen-type input device P on the held portion Ph of the pen-type input device P.

[0032] In this embodiment, the holding mechanism 20 is made of a flexible material such as resin. When attaching the input device 100 to the pen-type input tool P, the part of the pen-type input tool P to be held, Ph, is pressed against the edges of the two side walls 22. When the input device 100 is further pushed into the pen-type input tool P, the two side walls 22 deform and move away from each other, slightly widening the opening 21. When the pen-type input tool P enters the inside of the holding mechanism 20 (groove) through the widened opening 21, the shapes of the two side walls 22 and the opening 21 return to their original shapes, and the pen-type input tool P is held. In this way, the input device 100 is attached to the pen-type input tool P. When removing the input device 100 from the pen-type input tool P, the pen-type input tool P is pushed towards the opening 21, which deforms the two side walls 22 and slightly widens the opening 21. The input device 100 is removed from the pen-type input device P by moving it out of the widened opening 21 to the outside of the holding mechanism 20 (groove).

[0033] In the narrow portion T, a groove 11 is formed that is continuous with the groove of the holding mechanism 20. In other words, the groove of the holding mechanism 20 and the groove 11 form a groove along the entire length of the main body portion 1 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the groove 11 is configured to cover less than half of the circumference of the pen-type input tool P and is not configured to hold the input device 100 like the holding mechanism 20.

[0034] [Configuration of various operating devices] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the information processing device M is equipped with three push-button type input devices: a first input device 31, a second input device 32, and a third input device 33. The first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33 are located in the narrow section T and are positioned within a finger-operable range R, which is the range that can be operated by the fingers of an operator operating a pen-type input device P. Specifically, the finger-operable range R is located at or near the position where the index finger of an operator operating a pen-type input device P to which the input device 100 is attached is located. Furthermore, in the width direction, the finger-operable range R is located on the side opposite to the side where the groove 11 (see Figure 2) is located.

[0035] The main unit 1 is equipped with an input mode change tool 34 that switches the mode of input information transmitted to the information processing device M when the input device 3 is operated. Specifically, when the input device 3 is operated, it switches between a first mode that transmits input information for performing a pre-set shortcut key operation and a second mode that transmits input information for performing a shortcut key operation registered by the operator. The system is configured to switch alternately between the first mode and the second mode each time the operator presses the input mode change tool 34.

[0036] The input mode change control 34 is located in the wide section W, and in the length direction, it is on the opposite side from the pen tip side and at a distance from the input control 3. In the width direction, it is located on the side opposite to the side on which the holding mechanism 20 is provided.

[0037] The main unit 1 is equipped with a power control device 35 for turning the power on and off. The power control device 35 is located on the opposite side of the pen tip in the longitudinal direction, that is, away from the input control device 3, and is positioned next to the input mode change control device 34. Each time the operator presses the power control device 35, the power is switched alternately on and off.

[0038] [Configuration of the connector for external charging] The main body 1 is equipped with a battery B for power supply. A connector 4 for external charging is provided on the wide portion W of the main body 1. A charging cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 4 when charging the battery B. The connector 4 is located on the end face 12 of the input device 100 opposite to the pen tip side. With this configuration, the connector 4 is positioned so that the charging cable can be connected when it is attached to the pen-type input tool P. The type of connector is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a USB Type-C (registered trademark) standard connector is used.

[0039] [Configuration of the notification device] The main unit 1 is equipped with an alarm device 5 (corresponding to the "charging status indicator lamp" of the present invention) that uses multiple lighting patterns to indicate the charging status and to instruct charging. In the main unit 1, the alarm device 5 is arranged in the longitudinal direction to be aligned with the input mode change control 34 and the power control 35.

[0040] In this embodiment, the notification device 5 lights up when the power is on, and blinks when the battery B needs charging. In this embodiment, the notification device 5 lights up orange when a charging cable (not shown) is connected to the connector 4 and charging is in progress, lights up green when charging is complete, and turns off when the charging cable is disconnected. Furthermore, in the first mode, it emits green light, in the first mode, it emits blue light, and when connection start processing with the information processing device M is being performed, it emits light in a manner that alternates between red and blue. The present invention is not limited thereto, and notifications may be made with different colors or lighting / blinking patterns than those described above, and the colors and lighting patterns may be configured to be customizable.

[0041] [Control when an input device is pressed] The main unit 1 contains a control unit 6 that performs control according to the operation of the first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33, and a transmission unit 7 that transmits input information corresponding to the operation of each of these devices to the information processing device M. In this embodiment, the transmission unit 7 transmits input information to the information processing device M via wireless communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard.

[0042] The control of the control unit 6 and the transmission unit 7 when the first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33 are operated will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0043] When the control unit 6 detects that the first input device 31 has been operated in the first mode, it controls the transmission unit 7 to send operation information corresponding to the operation of the first input device 31, which has been registered in advance, to the information processing device M. When the transmission unit 7 transmits the operation information, the information processing device M receives the operation information corresponding to the operation of the first input device 31 in the first mode as input information. In this embodiment, the input information corresponding to the operation of the first input device 31 in the first mode is shortcut key operation information, and the software SW installed in the information processing device M executes processing when a pre-set shortcut key is entered. In this embodiment, the software SW is an illustration creation application, and the shortcut key executed when the first input device 31 is operated in the first mode is "Brush (a function to switch to brush drawing mode)".

[0044] When the control unit 6 detects that the second input device 32 and the third input device 33 have been operated in the first mode, it controls the transmission unit 7 to send operation information corresponding to these operations to the information processing device M, similar to when the first input device 31 is operated. The information processing device M receives the operation information corresponding to the operation of the second input device 32 and the third input device 33 in the first mode as input information. In this embodiment, the input information corresponding to the operation of the second input device 32 and the third input device 33 in the first mode is shortcut key operation information, and the software SW installed in the information processing device M executes processing when a pre-set shortcut key is entered. In this embodiment, the shortcut key executed when the second input device 32 is operated in the first mode is "back (a function to return the drawing to the previous state)", and the shortcut key executed when the third input device 33 is operated in the first mode is "eraser (a function to delete a specified part of the drawn image)".

[0045] In the second mode, when the control unit 6 detects that the first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33 have been operated, it controls the transmission unit 7 to send operation information corresponding to these operations to the information processing device M, similar to the first mode. The information processing device M receives operation information corresponding to the operation of the first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33 in the second mode as input information. In the second mode, instead of the shortcut keys "brush," "undo," and "eraser" that are executed when the first input device 31, the second input device 32, and the third input device 33 are operated, the processing that occurs when each user inputs a shortcut key registered by the user is executed. The method for registering shortcut keys to be executed when the input device 3 is operated in the second mode is not particularly limited, but for example, the registration work can be performed using dedicated software.

[0046] [Another embodiment] The following are examples of alternative embodiments that modify the above embodiments.

[0047] (1) In the above embodiment, when the input device 3 is operated, in the first mode, a process is executed when a preset shortcut key is entered, and in the second mode, a process is executed when a shortcut key registered by the operator is entered. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in both the first and second modes, a process may be executed when a preset shortcut key is entered, or a process may be executed when a shortcut key registered by the operator is entered.

[0048] (2) In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described as an example in which the input device 3 is provided with three push-button type input devices (first input device 31, second input device 32, and third input device 33), but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the input device 3 may be a touch sensor type. Also, the input device 3 may be configured to have two or fewer input devices, or to have four or more input devices.

[0049] (3) In the above embodiment, the main body 1 was described as having a rechargeable battery B that supplies power, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention may have a battery holder that detachably holds a battery, and power may be supplied from a battery instead of the battery B.

[0050] (4) In the above embodiment, the notification device 5 was described as having a configuration that indicates the charging status and charging using a plurality of lighting and flashing patterns, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, it may have a configuration that indicates the charging status and charging using a plurality of sound patterns. Furthermore, the notification device 5 may be configured to notify which of the first mode and the second mode is currently in operation.

[0051] (5) In the above embodiment, the transmission unit 7 was described as transmitting input information to the information processing device M via wireless communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the input information may be transmitted to the information processing device M via infrared communication, or via wired communication.

[0052] (6) In the above embodiment, the configuration in which the input mode change operator 34, the power control operator 35, and the notification device 5 are arranged in the longitudinal direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the input mode change operator 34, the power control operator 35, and the notification device 5 may be arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0053] (7) In the above embodiment, the mounting portion 2 was described as being integrally configured with the main body portion 1, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the mounting portion 2 may be configured separately from the main body portion 1. In this case, the holding mechanism 20 may be configured as a belt that can be attached to a pen-type input device P, for example, instead of being a groove with an opening 21 and a side wall 22.

[0054] Furthermore, the configurations disclosed in the above embodiments (including other embodiments, the same applies hereinafter) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, as long as no inconsistencies arise. In addition, the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative, and the embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the object of the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0055] This invention is applicable to input devices. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 100: Input device 2: Mounting part 3: Input device 4: Connector 5: Notification device (charging status indicator lamp) 7: Transmitter 34: Input mode change control T: Narrow part W: Wide part M: Information Processing Device P: Pen-type input device

Claims

1. Multiple input devices for performing predetermined inputs to an information processing device, A transmitting unit that transmits input information corresponding to the operation of the input device to the information processing device, An input device comprising a pen-type input tool for inputting data into the aforementioned information processing device, and a mounting part for detachably attaching it to the pen.

2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of input devices are arranged within a range that can be operated by the fingers of the operator operating the pen-type input device.

3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion is configured to cover more than half of the circumferential direction of the pen-type input device at the location where the mounting portion is located.

4. It is equipped with a connector for external charging, The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connector is positioned so that a charging cable can be connected when it is attached to the pen-type input device.

5. It has a wide portion on which the connector is located, and a narrow portion whose width direction perpendicular to the length direction of the pen-type input device when attached to the pen-type input device is narrower than the wide portion, The input device according to claim 4, wherein the input operating device is arranged in the narrow portion.

6. The input device according to claim 4, further comprising a charging status indicator lamp that indicates the charging status and indicates charging.

7. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a battery holder for detachably holding a battery that supplies power.

8. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising an input mode changing device for switching the input information between a first mode and a second mode.

9. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined input is a shortcut key.

10. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits the input information to the information processing device via communication compliant with the Bluetooth standard.

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