Electronic equipment and control methods

Abstract

Improve the user experience through haptic feedback. [Solution] The detection unit detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on the surface as the operation value, the actuator vibrates the surface based on the drive signal, and the controller outputs a drive signal to the actuator when the operation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined detection threshold. The shorter the time interval between the first time when the operation value is equal to or greater than the first detection value and the second time when the operation value is equal to the second detection value, the more abrupt the amplitude change or the shorter the duration of the drive signal output. The second detection value is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value is smaller than the second detection value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an electronic device and a control method, for example, an input device that vibrates according to an operation.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an electronic device that vibrates according to an operation and has a haptic feedback function for an operator. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is described an electronic device including a pressure sensor that generates a pressure value when a pressing operation is detected, a processor connected to a switching circuit that generates a trigger signal when the pressure value exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold, a touch sensor that senses position data of the pressing operation, and a switching circuit that vibrates a first motor or a second motor based on the trigger signal and the position data.

[0003] The electronic device described in Patent Document 1 vibrates the first motor or the second motor when the pressure value obtained by detecting a pressing operation exceeds a predetermined pressure threshold, and stops the vibration when the pressure value falls below the pressure threshold. That is, the electronic device vibrates when the operator presses the operation unit of the electronic device, and the vibration stops when the pressing is released. By presenting vibration corresponding to the pressing operation, an operation feeling is given to the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, simply controlling whether to vibrate an actuator according to a press may not always provide a satisfactory operation feeling.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an electronic device according to a first aspect of this invention comprises: a detection unit that detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on a surface; an actuator that vibrates the surface based on a drive signal; and a controller that outputs the drive signal to the actuator when the operation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined detection threshold, wherein the controller outputs the drive signal with a rapid amplitude change or a short duration as the time interval between the first time when the operation value is equal to or greater than a first detection value and the second time when the operation value is equal to a second detection value is shorter, the second detection value is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value is smaller than the second detection value.

[0007] In the electronic device described above, the controller may output the drive signal having a principal component with a higher frequency when the interval is less than a predetermined reference value than when the time interval is equal to or greater than the reference value.

[0008] In the electronic device described above, the controller may output a drive signal with a shorter duration than when the time interval is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference value when the interval is less than a predetermined reference value.

[0009] In the electronic device described above, the detector may be a touchpad, and the actuator may include a coil.

[0010] In the electronic device described above, the touchpad may include a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a circuit board, and the controller may determine the operation value based on the pressure detected by each of the pressure sensors.

[0011] In the electronic device described above, the touchpad may include a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a circuit board, and the controller may determine the operation value based on the contact area determined from the touch sensor that detects the contact state.

[0012] A control method according to a second aspect of the present application is a control method for an electronic device comprising: a detection unit that detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on a surface as an operation value; an actuator that vibrates the surface based on a drive signal; and a controller that outputs the drive signal to the actuator when the operation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined detection threshold, wherein the electronic device outputs the drive signal with a rapid amplitude change or a short duration as the time interval between a first time when the operation value is equal to or greater than a first detection value and a second time when the operation value is equal to a second detection value is shorter, the second detection value is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value is smaller than the second detection value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the tactile feedback can be used to improve the feel of operation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is an external view showing an example of the external configuration of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating vibration control according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the first detection example of the time change in pressing force and the detection interval. [Figure 6] This figure shows the first example of a drive signal. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram showing a second detection example of the time change in pressing force and the detection interval. [Figure 8] This figure shows a second example of a drive signal. [Figure 9] This figure shows a third example of a drive signal. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. First, an overview of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the following description, the case where the electronic device 1 is a laptop PC is mainly assumed. FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the external configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The electronic device 1 has a haptic feedback function. Generally, an electronic device having a haptic feedback function vibrates when detecting an operation that contacts the surface and does not vibrate when the operation is not detected. The electronic device 1 according to this embodiment vibrates such that the amplitude change becomes steeper as the increase in the operation value detected by the operation becomes steeper, as described below. With this configuration, the user can obtain a sharper operation feeling as the operation is performed more quickly.

[0017] The electronic device 1 includes two housings 12 and 16. The housings 12 and 16 each have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The shape of the surface of each of the housings 12 and 16 is substantially rectangular. One side of each of the housings 12 and 16 is arranged in parallel and engaged with each other using hinges 18a and 18b. One of the housings 12 and 16 is connected to the other so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis A. The direction of the rotation axis A is parallel to one side of each of the housings 12 and 16. In other words, by making the angle formed by the surfaces of the housings 12 and 16 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "opening angle") variable, the two can be opened and closed. Also, when no external force is applied to the housings 12 and 16, the opening angle is maintained constant. An opening angle that is sufficiently large (for example, an angle larger than 45° to 60°) corresponds to the state where the housings 12 and 16 are open. The electronic device 1 is usually used in this state.

[0018] A display 14 is arranged on the surface of the housing 12 and covers most of it. On the surface of the housing 16, a keyboard 20k, a touch pad 20t, and a power switch 46 are arranged. On the back surface of the touch pad 20t, a drive coil 28 is installed facing a permanent magnet (described later). The touch pad 20t receives an operation of bringing a contacting object into contact on its surface and detects an operation value indicating the contact state with the contacting object. The contacting object is, for example, a user's finger. The contacting object is not necessarily limited to a part of the body and may be an object convenient for the user to hold and bring into contact with the surface of the touch pad 20t, such as a stylus pen. As the contact state, at least the presence or absence of contact is detected. When contact is detected, the intensity of the contact may also be detected. Generally, the larger the operation value, the higher the tendency of the intensity of the significant contact. The drive coil 28 generates an alternating induction magnetic field when a drive signal is supplied and vibrates the touch pad 20t by the interaction with the magnetic field of the permanent magnet.

[0019] Next, an example of the internal configuration of the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the internal configuration of the electronic device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-section passing through the line B-B' in FIG. 1. The line B-B' is a line segment that crosses the central portion of the touch pad 20t in a direction intersecting the rotation axis A.

[0020] The touchpad 20t is installed overlapping a portion of the surface of the housing 16. The touchpad 20t detects contact with other objects on its surface. Drive coils 28 are arranged on the back of the touchpad 20t. In the example in Figure 2, there are two drive coils 28. Each drive coil 28 is identified by its sub-number, drive coil 28-1, 28-2, etc. Permanent magnets 17 are placed on the surface of the housing 16 in the area covered by the touchpad 20t. Under this positional relationship, the permanent magnets 17 face the drive coils 28-1, 28-2. Therefore, by supplying drive signals that form alternating current to the drive coils 28-1, 28-2, the drive coils 28-1, 28-2 vibrate in the direction normal to the winding surface of the drive coils 28-1, 28-2. This vibration causes the touchpad 20t to vibrate, and mechanical vibration can be applied to the manipulated object in contact with the surface of the touchpad 20t. In other words, the drive coils 28-1, 28-2 and the permanent magnet 17 constitute an actuator that vibrates the surface of the touchpad 20t based on a drive signal.

[0021] The touchpad 20t comprises a glass layer 222, an adhesive layer 224, and a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) 226, which are stacked in that order. Various operating objects come into contact with the surface of the glass layer 222, protecting the various components placed on the PCBA 226. The PCBA226 is equipped with a PCB (Printed Circuit Board), on which various components such as a controller and touch sensors are arranged. Multiple touch sensors are arranged at different positions on the surface of the PCB. On the back of the PCB are drive coils 28-1 and 28-2, as well as component 282, stopper 286, and spacer 288.

[0022] Component 282 corresponds to other electronic components, including the touch controller 34. The stopper 286 is a component that prevents contact between the back surface of component 282, which is located on the back surface of the touchpad 20t, and the protective sheet 166 of the housing 16. The thickness of the stopper 286 is thinner than the distance between the back surface of the touchpad 20t and the mounting surface of the housing 16 in a stationary state, and it is made of a material that is more rigid than the spacer 288.

[0023] The spacer 288 contacts a spring 164 on its back surface, which shares the same surface as the substrate 162 of the housing 16, and is made of a material more flexible than the stopper 286 and the PCB. The thickness of the spacer 288 corresponds to the distance between the back surface of the touchpad 20t and the mounting surface of the housing 16 when stationary. The spacer 288 absorbs vibrations of the touchpad 20t and stabilizes the support provided by the housing 16.

[0024] The mounting surface of the housing 16 that is covered by the touchpad 20t comprises a substrate 162, a protective sheet 166, and a bottom sheet 168, which are stacked in that order. On the substrate 162, a spring 164 is positioned in the area facing the spacer 288 when the touchpad 20t is mounted, a permanent magnet 17 is positioned in the area facing the drive coils 28-1 and 28-2, and an opening is provided in the area facing the component 282. A stopper 286 also faces the surface of the substrate 162. When the touchpad 20t is pressed, the component 282 retracts into the opening in the substrate 162. This prevents contact between the component 282 and the housing 16. For example, a ferrite sheet can be used as the permanent magnet 17.

[0025] The bottom sheet 168 has a certain thickness and covers the part corresponding to the bottom surface of the electronic device 1. The bottom sheet 168 is in contact with the support surface (e.g., the surface of a desk, table, workbench, etc.) that supports the housing 16 when the housing 16 and housing 12 are open. The protective sheet 166 protects the substrate 162 from external forces, damage, etc. applied to the bottom sheet 168.

[0026] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment. The electronic device 1 comprises a touchpad 20t, a drive coil 28, a system device 30, an MCU 32, a touch controller 34, a haptic controller 36, a power supply circuit 38, and a power switch 46.

[0027] System device 30 comprises a host device and a controller hub. The host device is the core computer system of electronic device 1, that is, a device that constitutes the host system. The host device includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and system memory. The processor is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes instructed by instructions written in software (programs). The processor executes processes instructed by various software such as an OS (Operating System), BIOS, and application programs. The execution of processes instructed by commands written in software is sometimes called "executing software" or "running software." Main memory is writable memory used as a reading area for the processor's executable program or as a working area for writing processing data of the executable program. Executable programs include the OS, various drivers for operating hardware such as peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0028] The host device may execute a predetermined program and use operation information, including one or both of the contact position and / or pressing force detected on the touchpad 20t. A controller hub consists of one or more controllers and connects to multiple devices, enabling input and output of various types of data. These connected devices may include the host device and MCU32, as well as various peripheral devices. A controller hub is sometimes also called a chipset or PCH (Platform Controller Hub).

[0029] The MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 32 is a controller that monitors and controls the status of various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.) connected to it, regardless of the operating status of the host system. Devices with a data transmission speed for input / output that is slower than that of the controller hub are connected to the MCU 32. For example, the MCU 32 is connected to the power supply circuit 38 and the power switch 46, and controls the power supply to each device of the electronic device 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the MCU32 works in cooperation with the touch controller 34 and the haptic controller 36 to control the touchpad 20t and the actuator, respectively. Here, the MCU32 waits for input of operation information from the touch controller 34 and identifies the operation value related to the operation on the touchpad 20t instructed by the operation information input from the touch controller 34. The MCU32 controls whether or not to vibrate the actuator based on whether or not the detected operation value exceeds a predetermined click detection threshold. When the operation value exceeds the click detection threshold, the MCU32 outputs a drive command to the haptic controller 36. As will be described later, the MCU32 detects the rate of change of the operation value from the state where no contact with the touchpad 20t is detected until the click detection threshold is detected.

[0031] Here, we will explain the method for detecting the rate of change of the operation value, using the example of a user pressing on the touchpad 20t and detecting the pressing force as the operation value. As illustrated in Figure 5, the operation value increases over time and reaches a maximum value. When the pressing operation is released, the operation value decreases and gradually approaches zero. Here, the MCU 32 detects the time when the operation value exceeds a predetermined first detection value CP1 (Check Point 1) as the first time t1, and the time when it exceeds a predetermined second detection value CP2 (Check Point 2) as the second time t2. The first detection value CP1 is a reference value of the operation value that is greater than the operation detection threshold, which is the threshold for determining whether or not an operation value has been detected, and less than the second detection value CP2. The operation detection threshold is the lower limit of the operation value for determining whether or not contact has been made with the touchpad 20t. The operation detection threshold should be significantly higher than the noise level of the detection value detected when no operation is performed. The second detection value CP2 should be greater than the first detection value CP1 and less than the click detection threshold. The MCU 32 then determines the time interval ΔT from the first time t1 to the second time t2, and controls the characteristics of the drive signal supplied to the drive coil 28 that constitutes the actuator based on the determined time interval ΔT.

[0032] For example, the MCU32 selects a drive signal with a principal component whose amplitude changes more rapidly the shorter the time interval ΔT. The MCU32 causes the haptic controller 36 to output a drive signal with an amplitude change that increases rapidly with shorter time interval ΔT. In this case, the MCU32 outputs vibration control information indicating the output of a drive signal with an amplitude change that increases rapidly with shorter time interval ΔT to the haptic controller 36, along with the drive command.

[0033] Here, we consider an example where it is possible to select a drive signal having one of two pre-set characteristics for the characteristics of the drive signal. The MCU32 determines whether the time interval ΔT is longer than a predetermined reference value δT. As illustrated in Figure 5, if the time interval ΔT is less than or equal to the reference value δT, the MCU32 identifies a sine wave with a duration of τ1 (Figure 6). As illustrated in Figure 7, if the time interval ΔT is longer than the reference value δT, the MCU32 identifies a sine wave with a duration of τ2 (Figure 8). The duration τ2 is twice the duration τ1.

[0034] Returning to Figure 3, the touch controller 34 detects the contact state corresponding to the operation performed on the surface of the touchpad 20t and outputs operation information indicating the detected contact state to the MCU 32. The touch controller 34 uses a plurality of touch sensors, each positioned at different locations within a predetermined detection area that occupies most of the surface of the touchpad 20t, to detect the contact state with the object being touched. For example, pressure sensors can be used as touch sensors. Any detection principle can be employed by the pressure sensor, as long as it can detect the pressure applied to itself. For example, a capacitive pressure sensor detects pressure based on the capacitance between two electrodes facing each other with an insulator in between. A piezoelectric pressure sensor has a piezoelectric element and detects pressure based on the voltage generated by the piezoelectric effect. The touch controller 34 can, for example, integrate the pressure detected by each pressure sensor within the detection area to calculate the pressing force as an operating value indicating the strength of the contact state. The touch controller 34 outputs operating information indicating the detected operating value to the MCU 32.

[0035] Furthermore, the touch controller 34 can determine whether there is direct or indirect contact with a pressure sensor, either directly or indirectly, through an obstruction (e.g., glass layer 222, adhesive layer 224), based on whether the pressure detected by each pressure sensor located on the touchpad 20t exceeds a predetermined detection threshold. The detection threshold is controlled by the MCU 32. This adjusts the sensitivity of the contact to the pressure sensor. The touch controller 34 may determine that the positions of pressure sensors where contact has been detected constitute a series of spatially continuous contact regions, define the centroid of the contact region as the contact position, and include the contact position in the operation information.

[0036] The touch controller 34 may also determine whether it has detected a contact area whose size is greater than or equal to a predetermined lower limit as an effective contact area. The lower limit of size is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the size of the contact area that occurs when the object making contact comes into contact with the touch pad 20t. As an indicator value for size, the area of ​​the contact area, i.e., the number of pressure sensors involved in determining whether contact exists in the contact area, may be used, or the horizontal or vertical diameter of the contact area may be used. The touch controller 34 may output operation information to the MCU 32 when an effective contact area is detected, and may not output operation information to the MCU 32 when no effective contact area is detected. In addition, the touch controller 34 may calculate the pressing force by integrating the pressure detected by pressure sensors placed within the effective contact area, and ignore the pressure detected by pressure sensors placed in other areas.

[0037] The haptic controller 36 controls the vibration of the actuator according to the control of the MCU 32. The haptic controller 36 awaits input of a drive command from the MCU 32 and performs haptic presentation in response to the input of a drive command. When performing haptic presentation, the haptic controller 36 supplies a drive signal to the drive coils 28-1 and 28-2 to vibrate the touchpad 20t. Extracting vibration control information contained in the drive command, the haptic controller 36 outputs a drive signal having the characteristics indicated by the vibration control information to the drive coils 28-1 and 28-2.

[0038] The power supply circuit 38 is supplied with DC power from an AC (Alternating Current) adapter (not shown) or a battery (not shown). The power supply circuit 38 converts the voltage of the supplied DC power to the voltage required for the operation of each device in the electronic device 1, and supplies the power with the converted voltage to the target device. The power supply circuit 38 performs power supply according to the control of the MCU 32. The power supply circuit 38 includes a DC / DC (Direct Current) converter that converts the voltage of the power supplied to itself, and a charger that charges the battery with the power whose voltage has been converted.

[0039] When power is supplied from the AC adapter, the charger supplies any remaining power from each device to the battery. If power is not supplied from the AC adapter, or if the power supplied from the AC adapter is insufficient, the charger supplies power discharged from the battery to each device via a DC / DC converter. Based on commands from the MCU32, the power supply circuit 38 identifies the device to be operated and supplies the power required for operation to the identified device.

[0040] Each time a press operation is received, the power switch 46 controls the power supply state of the electronic device 1 to the host system to either power ON or power OFF. The power switch 46 switches between the power ON and power OFF states each time a press operation is received. The power switch 46 outputs the switched power supply state to the MCU 32. When power ON is notified, the MCU 32 instructs the power supply circuit 38 to start supplying power to the host system and the controller hub. When power OFF is notified, the MCU 32 instructs the host system to start executing shutdown processing, and after the host system notifies the completion of shutdown processing, it instructs the power supply circuit 38 to stop supplying power to the host system and the controller hub.

[0041] Next, an example of vibration control according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating vibration control according to this embodiment. However, the example assumes that the MCU32 selects one of the two drive signals exemplified in Figures 6 and 8 according to the time interval ΔT between the first time t1 and the second time t2.

[0042] (Step S102) The touch controller 34 detects an operation value indicating the contact state related to the operation on the surface of the touch pad 20t, and notifies the MCU 32 of the detected operation value. (Step S104) The MCU32 identifies the first time t1 in which the notified operating value exceeds the first reference value. (Step S106) The MCU32 identifies a second time t2 in which the notified operating value exceeds the second reference value.

[0043] (Step S108) The MCU32 determines whether the notified operation value exceeds the click detection threshold. If it is determined that it has exceeded the threshold (Step S108 YES), the process proceeds to step S110. If it is determined that it has not exceeded the threshold (Step S108 NO), the process returns to step S104. (Step S110) The MCU32 determines whether the time interval ΔT is longer than a predetermined reference value δT for the time interval. If it is determined to be longer (Step S110 YES), the process proceeds to Step S112. If it is determined not to be longer (Step S110 NO), the process proceeds to Step S114.

[0044] (Step S112) When the notified operation value exceeds the click detection threshold, the MCU 32 outputs a drive command to the haptic controller 36 indicating a drive signal having a gentle waveform with a duration of τ2. In response to the input of the drive command, the haptic controller 36 outputs a gentle drive signal to the drive coil 28. (Step S114) When the notified operation value exceeds the click detection threshold, the MCU 32 outputs a drive command to the haptic controller 36 indicating a drive signal having a sharp waveform with a duration of τ1. In response to the input of the drive command, the haptic controller 36 outputs a short drive signal to the drive coil 28.

[0045] In the examples shown in Figures 4 to 8, the MCU 32 outputs a drive signal to the haptic controller 36 that has a steeper amplitude change as the time interval ΔT decreases, but this is not the only example. The MCU 32 may also output a drive signal to the haptic controller 36 that has a shorter duration as the time interval ΔT decreases. In that case, the MCU 32 outputs vibration control information indicating the output of a drive signal with a shorter duration as the time interval ΔT decreases, along with the drive command, to the haptic controller 36.

[0046] For example, in step S110 (Figure 4), when the MCU 32 determines that the time interval ΔT is longer than the reference value δT (step S110 YES), in step S112, when the operating value is greater than or equal to the click detection threshold, the MCU 32 outputs a drive command to the haptic controller 36 indicating a drive signal (Figure 9) with a duration of τ1 but a waveform with a steeper amplitude change than the drive signal exemplified in Figure 6. The drive signal exemplified in Figure 9 has the same frequency as the drive signal exemplified in Figure 8 and has a sine wave of half a period as its main component.

[0047] Furthermore, in step S110 (Figure 4), if the MCU 32 determines that the time interval ΔT is not longer than the reference value δT (step S110 NO), the MCU 32 executes the process of step S114 described above, causing the haptic controller 36 to output the drive signal illustrated in Figure 6. In this way, if the operated value increases rapidly due to quick operation, a sharp vibration is applied, and if the operated value increases gradually due to gentle operation, a gentle vibration is applied.

[0048] The above explanation uses the example of the touch controller 34 calculating the pressing force as the operating value, but it is not limited to this. The touch controller 34 may also determine the operating value based on the contact area, which is the area of ​​the contact region, instead of the pressing force. This is because, when a finger or other plastic object is used as the object in contact with the touch pad 20t, the contact area tends to be larger as the pressing force is stronger and smaller as the pressing force is weaker. The touch controller 34 may determine the operating value using pressing force and contact area. For example, the touch controller 34 may determine the operating value as a weighted average of pressing force and contact area. The touch controller 34 has pre-set weighting coefficients that are multiplied by pressing force and contact area respectively in the weighted average.

[0049] If the touch controller 34 determines the operating value based on the contact area without referring to the pressing force, the touch sensor only needs to be able to detect whether or not contact is made to its part by the operation, and does not necessarily have to be a pressure sensor. For example, instead of a pressure sensor, multiple electrodes may be placed on the surface of the PCB. Each electrode is covered with a dielectric adhesive layer 224 and a glass layer 222, and they work together to form a capacitance sensor. That is, the touch controller 34 can detect whether or not contact is made at an electrode or the part covering the electrode based on the change in voltage generated at each electrode due to the change in capacitance caused by the presence or absence of contact with an object on the glass layer 222. Based on the above method, the touch controller 34 can identify the area including the electrode that is determined to be in contact as a contact area. Alternatively, the touch controller 34 may output the detection information from the touch sensor to the MCU 32, and the MCU 32 may determine the operating value based on the detection information.

[0050] In the examples in Figures 4 to 9, the MCU 32 primarily selects one of two predetermined drive signals with distinct characteristics based on a time interval ΔT, but it is not limited to this. The MCU 32 may select a drive signal with any one characteristic from three or more drive signals with different characteristics. There may even be three or more characteristics. Furthermore, although the above explanation primarily assumes that electronic device 1 is a laptop PC, it is not limited to this. Electronic device 1 can have a detection unit that vibrates when pressed, It may also be implemented in other forms, such as tablet devices or multi-functional mobile phones.

[0051] As described above, the electronic device 1 according to this embodiment includes a detection unit (e.g., touchpad 20t) that detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on a surface as an operation value (e.g., pressing force), an actuator (e.g., permanent magnet 17, drive coil 28) that vibrates the surface of the detection unit based on a drive signal, and a controller (e.g., MCU 32) that outputs a drive signal to the actuator when the operation value is equal to or greater than a predetermined detection threshold (e.g., click detection threshold). The controller outputs a drive signal with a rapid amplitude change or a short duration the shorter the time interval ΔT between the first time t1 when the operation value becomes equal to or greater than the first detection value CP1 and the second time t2 when the operation value becomes the second detection value CP2. The second detection value CP2 is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value CP1 is smaller than the second detection value CP2.

[0052] In the electronic device 1, the controller may output a drive signal having a principal component with a higher frequency when the time interval ΔT between the first time t1 and the second time t2 is less than a predetermined reference value, compared to when the time interval ΔT is greater than or equal to the reference value. The controller may output a drive signal with a shorter duration than when the time interval ΔT between the first time t1 and the second time t2 is less than a predetermined reference value.

[0053] The detection unit is a touchpad 20t, and the actuator may include a coil (for example, a drive coil 28). The touchpad 20t is equipped with multiple pressure sensors arranged on the circuit board, and the controller may determine the operating value based on the pressure detected by each pressure sensor. The touchpad 20t is equipped with multiple pressure sensors arranged on the circuit board, and the controller may determine the operating value based on the pressure detected by each pressure sensor.

[0054] In this configuration, a first time t1 is detected when the manipulated value reaches a first detection value CP1, and a second time t2 is detected when it reaches a second detection value CP2, before the manipulated value reaches a predetermined detection threshold. Based on the interval between the first time t1 and the second time t2, the magnitude of the time change in the manipulated value can be detected. Then, an actuator is driven using a drive signal that has a time change corresponding to the detected manipulated value, causing the detection unit to vibrate. Since the detection unit vibrates in accordance with the time change of the manipulated value, the user experience when operating the detection unit can be improved.

[0055] Although embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments described above, and include designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. The configurations described in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1…Electronic device, 12, 16…Housing, 14…Display, 17…Permanent magnet, 18a, 18b…Hinge, 20k…Keyboard, 20t…Touchpad, 28…Drive coil, 30…System device, 32…MCU, 34…Touch controller, 36…Haptic controller, 38…Power circuit, 46…Power switch,

Claims

1. A detection unit that detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on the surface as an operation value, An actuator that vibrates the surface based on a drive signal, The system includes a controller that outputs the drive signal to the actuator when the aforementioned operating value exceeds a predetermined detection threshold, The controller is, The shorter the time interval between the first time point when the operating value becomes equal to or greater than the first detected value and the second time point when the operating value becomes equal to the second detected value, the more the drive signal with a rapid amplitude change or a short duration is output. The second detection value is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value is smaller than the second detection value. electronic equipment.

2. The controller outputs the drive signal having a principal component with a higher frequency than when the time interval is equal to or greater than the predetermined reference value, when the time interval is less than a predetermined reference value. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The controller outputs a drive signal with a shorter duration when the time interval is less than a predetermined reference value, compared to when the time interval is equal to or greater than the reference value. The electronic device according to claim 1.

4. The detection unit is a touchpad, The actuator comprises a coil. The electronic device according to claim 1.

5. The touchpad comprises a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a circuit board, The controller determines the operating value based on the pressure detected by each pressure sensor. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The aforementioned touchpad comprises a plurality of touch sensors arranged on a circuit board, The controller determines the operation value based on the contact area determined from the touch sensor that detects the contact state. The electronic device according to claim 4.

7. A detection unit that detects a value that changes in response to an operation performed on the surface as an operation value, An actuator that vibrates the surface based on a drive signal, A control method for electronic equipment comprising: a controller that outputs the drive signal to the actuator when the operating value exceeds a predetermined detection threshold, The aforementioned electronic device is The shorter the time interval between the first time point when the operating value becomes equal to or greater than the first detected value and the second time point when the operating value becomes equal to the second detected value, the more the drive signal with a rapid amplitude change or a short duration is output. The second detection value is smaller than the detection threshold, and the first detection value is smaller than the second detection value. Control method.

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