Input devices

Abstract

An input device and an information processing system capable of improving usability are provided. [Solution] The input device is a pen-type input device comprising a housing formed into a long, thin rod shape, a pen tip portion provided at the tip of the housing, a vibration generating portion disposed within the housing at a position closer to the pen tip portion than the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction, which receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal, and a sound output portion disposed at a position away from the vibration generating portion, which transmits sound vibrations in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component generated by the vibration generating portion via a vibration transmission medium and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a pen-type input device and an information processing system including the input device and an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] Information processing devices such as notebook PCs, tablet PCs, and smartphones often use a pen-type input device for input operations on a touch screen. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a vibration generating device is provided inside a rod-shaped housing of a touch pen used for inputting to a touch panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-187411 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An input device equipped with the vibration generating device as described above is also called a haptic pen, and has a tactile feedback function. The tactile feedback is intended to improve the usability by generating vibrations in response to contact with a touch screen that displays characters, etc.

[0005] In addition to the vibrations that can be sensed by touch, common writing implements such as pencils and ballpoint pens also produce sounds that contribute to improving the user experience. However, conventional input devices do not take such sounds into consideration.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems with the conventional technology, and has an object to provide an input device and an information processing system that can improve usability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a pen-type input device comprising a housing formed in a long, thin rod shape, a pen tip portion provided at the tip of the housing, a vibration generating portion disposed within the housing at a position closer to the pen tip portion than the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction, the vibration generating portion receiving an input of a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component and generating vibrations in accordance with the drive signal, and a sound output portion disposed at a position away from the vibration generating portion, transmitting sound vibrations in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component generated by the vibration generating portion via a vibration transmission medium and outputting the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing.

[0008] The sound output section may be disposed at a position closer to the end of the pen on the opposite side to the tip section than to a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

[0009] The sound output portion may have a hole formed through an outer wall of the housing.

[0010] The sound output portion may have a hollow space communicating with the hole portion and amplifying the sound vibration.

[0011] The device may further comprise a button switch supported on the housing so as to cover a portion of an opening provided in the housing, and the hole may be a gap formed between the button switch and the housing.

[0012] A communication path is formed within the housing, extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting between the vibration generating unit and the sound output unit, and the vibration transmission medium may include air within the communication path.

[0013] The sound output unit may have a hollow space provided inside the housing for amplifying sound vibrations transmitted through the vibration transmission medium, and a diaphragm provided to cover an opening formed in an outer wall of the housing and form one side of the hollow space.

[0014] the sound output unit has a metal pen clip attached to an outer wall of the housing, The vibration transmission medium may include a metal rod extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting between the vibration generating unit and the pen clip.

[0015] The sound output unit may include a cap-shaped member that is removably attached to the housing, and the sound output unit may have a hollow space provided in the cap-shaped member that amplifies the sound vibrations, and a hole portion formed through an outer wall of the cap-shaped member and communicating with the hollow space.

[0016] The vibration transmission medium may include a metal rod extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting between the vibration generating unit and the sound output unit.

[0017] An information processing system according to a second aspect of the present invention is an information processing system comprising an information processing device and a pen-type input device, the input device comprising a housing formed in a long, thin rod shape, a pen tip portion provided at the tip of the housing, a vibration generating portion arranged within the housing at a position closer to the pen tip portion than the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction, the vibration generating portion receiving an input of a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component and generating vibrations in accordance with the drive signal, and a sound output portion arranged at a position away from the vibration generating portion, transmitting sound vibrations in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component generated by the vibration generating portion and outputting the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the feeling of use can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration example of an information processing system including an input device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic internal structure of the input device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an input device according to a modified example of the input device shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an input device according to another modified example of the input device shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic internal structure of an input device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic internal structure of an input device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic internal structure of an input device according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an input device and an information processing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of an information processing system 12 including an input device 10 according to an embodiment. The input device 10 is a pen-type input device used for input operations on an information processing device 14. The input device 10 is also called a digital pen, a stylus, an electronic pen, a smart pen, or the like. In this embodiment, a tablet terminal is exemplified as the information processing device 14. The information processing device on which the input device 10 is used may be, other than a tablet terminal, for example, a notebook PC, a smartphone, or the like.

[0022] The information processing device 14 includes a device housing 16 having a thin, flat, plate-like shape, and a touch screen 18 covering one side of the device housing 16. Inside the device housing 16, various electronic components are mounted, such as a motherboard on which a processing device such as a CPU is mounted, and a battery device.

[0023] The touch screen 18 includes a display unit 18a and a touch sensor 18b. The display unit 18a is formed of liquid crystal, organic EL, or the like, and can display various information. The touch sensor 18b is disposed on the surface of the display unit 18a. The touch sensor 18b is a touch panel capable of detecting an input operation of the input device 10 on a surface 18c of the touch screen 18. The information processing device 14 can monitor the presence or absence of an input operation, identify the position where the input operation is detected, and execute data input or editing based on the input operation. For example, the information processing device 14 causes the display unit 18a to display a trajectory of the contact position where the input device 10 contacts the touch sensor 18b.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of the input device 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0025] The input device 10 can be used for inputting and editing data such as characters, symbols, and figures by being held by a user and moved while touching the surface 18c of the touch screen 18.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 2, the input device 10 includes a housing 20, a pen tip unit 22, a vibration generating unit 24, a sound output unit 26, a communication path 27, a circuit board 28, a wireless communication unit 30, and a battery device 31. In Fig. 2, thick lines connecting the circuit board 28 with the vibration generating unit 24 and the battery device 31 indicate wiring, and the same applies to Figs. 4 to 8.

[0027] The housing 20 is a thin, rod-like cylinder made of resin, metal, wood, etc. The housing 20 may have various cross-sectional shapes, such as a circular or elliptical cylinder, or a square tube. The housing 20 has a length and thickness suitable for holding in the hand, similar to a writing instrument such as a pencil or ballpoint pen.

[0028] The pen tip section 22 is an input section for the touch screen 18. The pen tip section 22 is provided so as to protrude from the tip section 20a of the housing 20. The tip section 20a has a tapered shape, for example, a truncated cone shape. The pen tip section 22 protrudes from the center of the tip section 20a along the axial direction A of the housing 20. The axial direction A is the direction extending in the longitudinal direction of the elongated rod-shaped housing 20. The pen tip section 22 has a thin rod-shaped base end section 22a supported by a holder 32 inside the housing 20, and a conical pen tip 22b exposed to the outside of the housing 20. The holder 32 is supported near the tip inside the housing 20. The pen tip section 22 is supported in a detachable or non-detachable manner with respect to the holder 32.

[0029] The vibration generating unit 24 vibrates in response to a drive signal transmitted from the information processing device 14 through a circuit board 28. The vibration generating unit 24 is supported on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20, for example, via a bracket 34. The vibration generating unit 24 is configured, for example, by a linear resonant actuator (LRA) and includes an actuator 24a that vibrates back and forth (see also FIG. 3). The vibration generating unit 24 can be disposed so that the vibration direction of the actuator 24a is along the axial direction A. In this case, the vibration generating unit 24 generates vibration along the axial direction A within the housing 20. The vibration generating unit 24 can also be disposed so that the vibration direction of the actuator 24a is perpendicular to the axial direction A. In this case, the vibration generating unit 24 generates vibration in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A within the housing 20.

[0030] The bracket 34 is a block-shaped member made of, for example, resin or metal. The bracket 34 is, for example, a cylindrical member or a columnar member interposed between the vibration generating unit 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20. The bracket 34 can firmly cover the side surface of the vibration generating unit 24 so that the vibration does not escape. The bracket 34 transmits vibrations according to the vibration components of the vibration generating unit 24, which will be described later, to the housing 20 and the fingers holding the housing 20. For example, in the input devices 60 and 70 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, it is also effective to form the bracket 34 from a rubber material or the like that can support the vibration generating unit 24 in a floating manner. The bracket 34 may be omitted. In this case, the vibration generating unit 24 may be directly fixed to the inner wall of the housing 20 with a screw, an adhesive, or the like.

[0031] The sound output unit 26 is a part that outputs the sound vibration generated by the vibration generating unit 24 to the outside of the housing 20. The sound output unit 26 is provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit 24. The sound output unit 26 of this embodiment is configured with a hole 26a formed through the outer wall 20b of the housing 20. The sound output unit 26 can be arranged at a position closer to the pen end 20c than the center in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. The hole 26a of this embodiment opens on the side of the housing 20 near the pen end 20c of the housing 20. The pen end 20c is a base end on the opposite side to the pen tip 22 (tip 20a) side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. The hole 26a is a fine hole formed on the side of the outer wall 20b. There may be one hole 26a, or multiple holes may be formed along the circumferential direction of the outer wall 20b.

[0032] The communication path 27 is a space extending in the longitudinal direction (direction A) of the housing 20. The communication path 27 is an air passage connecting the vibration generating unit 24 and the sound output unit 26. The communication path 27 shown in Fig. 2 is a long and narrow space that communicates from the hole 26a to the vibration generating unit 24. Inside the housing 20, electronic components such as the vibration generating unit 24, a circuit board 28, a wireless communication unit 30, and a battery device 31, as well as various structural components, are housed. The communication path 27 extends along the axial direction A while avoiding these electronic components and structural components.

[0033] The circuit board 28 is supported within the housing 20. The circuit board 28 is a control board for the input device 10, and has, for example, an MCU (Micro Controller Unit) 38 mounted thereon. The MCU 38 is a processing device that comprehensively controls the functions of the input device 10. The MCU 38 includes a processor, memories such as ROM and RAM, and various input / output interfaces. The MCU 38 operates independently of the information processing device 14. The wireless communication unit 30 is a wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data to and from a wireless communication unit 46 (see FIG. 3) of the information processing device 14. The battery device 31 is a power source for the input device 10. The battery device 31 may be a dry cell or a rechargeable battery.

[0034] Next, an example of the functional configuration of the information processing system 12 will be described.

[0035] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing system 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.

[0036] The information processing device 14 includes a touch screen 18, a control unit 40, a touch pen module 42, a drawing application 44, and a wireless communication unit 46. As described above, the touch screen 18 includes the display unit 18a and the touch sensor 18b.

[0037] The control unit 40 comprehensively controls the functions of the information processing device 14. The control unit 40 may be realized by causing a processing device such as a CPU to execute a program, that is, by software, or may be realized by hardware such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), or may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The control unit 40 of this embodiment includes software such as an OS (Operating System) and a processing device such as a CPU.

[0038] The touch pen module 42 cooperates with the control unit 40 to control the touch screen 18 and the input device 10. The touch pen module 42 may be configured as a sub-card connected to a motherboard on which a CPU or the like is mounted, for example. The drawing application 44 is application software that controls the touch screen 18 and the input device 10 via the touch pen module 42. The wireless communication unit 46 is a wireless communication module for transmitting and receiving wireless data to and from the wireless communication unit 30 of the input device 10.

[0039] The input device 10 includes an MCU 38, a wireless communication unit 30, and a vibration generating unit 24.

[0040] Vibration control information and sound control information are input to the MCU 38 from the information processing device 14 using the wireless communication unit 30. The sound control information and vibration control information are information for, for example, the touch pen module 42 cooperating with the control unit 40 to control the vibration frequency during an input operation on the touch screen 18 of the input device 10, and at the same time, to control the volume, frequency, etc. of the sound (writing sound) generated by this vibration. The MCU 38 uses this control information to generate a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component. The MCU 38 outputs the generated drive signal to the vibration generating unit 24.

[0041] The vibration generating unit 24 includes an actuator 24a, a DAC 24b, and an amplifier 24c. The DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) 24b converts a digital drive signal input from the MCU 38 into an analog drive signal. The DAC 24b outputs the converted analog drive signal to the amplifier 24c. The amplifier 24c adjusts the amplitude of the drive signal input from the DAC 24b, and outputs the amplitude-adjusted drive signal to the actuator 24a. The actuator 24a is a vibration generating source that generates vibration according to the vibration component of the drive signal input from the amplifier 24c, and is also a sound generating source that generates sound vibration according to the sound component.

[0042] Next, the input operation and the effects thereof using the input device 10 will be described.

[0043] 1, an input operation of the input device 10 is to bring the pen tip 22b into contact with and move the surface 18c of the touch screen 18. Then, the input device 10 receives control information from the touch pen module 42 via the drawing application 44 and the control unit 40. Based on this control signal, the input device 10 inputs a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component to the vibration generating unit 24 under the control of the MCU 38, and drives the actuator 24a to generate vibration.

[0044] 2, the vibration generating unit 24 generates vibration (vibration H) in accordance with a drive signal of a vibration component. This vibration H can be sensed as a touch by the finger holding the housing 20. Therefore, the user can receive the vibration H accompanying writing on the input device 10 at the fingertips, providing a high usability. The resonance frequency of the vibration H can be set to, for example, about 150 to 300 Hz, which is a frequency that is easily sensed by humans.

[0045] Furthermore, the vibration generating unit 24 generates sound vibrations (sound S) according to the drive signal of the sound component. This sound S is transmitted to the sound output unit 26 using the air in the communication path 27 as a vibration transmission medium, and is efficiently output from the hole 26a to the outside of the housing 20. The arrows shown by dashed lines in FIG. 2 show the transmission of sound signals in a schematic manner, and are the same in FIG. 4 and the subsequent figures. Therefore, the user can sense the sound S accompanying writing with the input device 10 with his / her ears, and an even higher usability can be obtained. The resonant frequency of the sound S can be, for example, about 500 Hz to 2 kHz, which is within the human audible range and provides high sensitivity.

[0046] As described above, the input device 10 of this embodiment includes the housing 220 formed in a long and thin rod shape, the pen tip unit 22 provided at the tip of the housing 20, the vibration generating unit 24 arranged in a position closer to the pen tip unit 22 than the center in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20, and the sound output unit 26 provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit 24. The vibration generating unit 24 receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component, and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal. The sound output unit 26 transmits sound vibrations in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component generated by the vibration generating unit 24 via a vibration transmission medium, and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing 20.

[0047] Therefore, the input device 10 is capable of performing an input operation while outputting tactile vibration H and auditory sound S to the user, providing a high level of usability similar to that of a writing instrument such as a pencil or ballpoint pen. Moreover, the input device 10 can generate the vibration H and sound S using a common vibration generating unit 24 mounted inside the housing 20. As a result, the input device 10 can reduce power consumption while also reducing costs by simplifying the configuration and reducing the number of parts.

[0048] In particular, it is difficult for the vibration generating unit 24 to produce a loud sound even when an actuator 24a capable of outputting sufficient haptic vibration is used. That is, when vibration is output by an actuator, the actuator has a resonant frequency in the haptic vibration range of 200 to 300 Hz. For this reason, when trying to produce sound together with haptic vibration, if a frequency in the sound frequency band is also input to the actuator, the sound will be produced at the same time, but it is difficult to produce a sufficiently loud sound. In this regard, the input device 10 has a sound output unit 26 (hole 26a) for outputting the sound vibration generated by the actuator 24a to the outside of the housing 20, and therefore is capable of outputting a loud sound S.

[0049] On the other hand, the writing sound of the input device 10 may be generated, for example, from a speaker of the information processing device 14. However, in this case, although the speaker can produce a sufficient volume, it is difficult to obtain synchronization between the sound generation position and the vibration, which gives the user a sense of incongruity. In this respect, in the input device 10 of the present embodiment, the sound S is generated from the input device 10 itself, so the sound generation position is synchronized with the writing position. Furthermore, the input device 10 has the advantage that a high level of usability without incongruity can be obtained because the sound S and vibration are also synchronized. In particular, the sound output unit 26 is located near the pen end 20c, and can be said to be the closest position to the user's ears in the input device 10. Therefore, even if the volume of the sound S is low, it has the advantage that it is easy for the user to detect it with their hearing.

[0050] The sound output section 26 of the input device 10 is configured by a hole 26a formed in the outer wall 20b of the housing 20. Therefore, even though the sound output section 26 has a simple configuration, it can efficiently output the sound S generated from the vibration generating section 24 inside the housing 20 to the outside of the housing 20. The hole 26a is formed penetrating the housing 20 of the input device 10. Therefore, the input device 10 can provide waterproofing treatment such as waterproof coating on electronic components such as the circuit board 28 and each connection terminal housed in the housing 20.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an input device 10A according to a modified example of the input device 10 shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 4, the same reference symbols as those shown in Figs. 1 to 3 indicate the same or similar configurations, and therefore, as they have the same or similar functions and effects, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the same applies to Fig. 5.

[0052] Compared to the input device 10 shown in Fig. 2, the input device 10A shown in Fig. 4 includes a sound output section 26A having a different configuration from the sound output section 26. The sound output section 26A has a hollow space 26b together with a hole section 26a.

[0053] The hollow space 26b is a cavity formed inside the housing 20. The hollow space 26b has a cross-sectional area larger than that of the communication path 27, for example. The hollow space 26b is provided, for example, between the pen end portion 20c and the battery device 31. The hollow space 26b in the configuration example shown in FIG. 4 is formed between a cover (pen end portion 20c) that closes the base end opening of the housing 20 and a standing wall 20d provided at the rear of the battery device 31. The standing wall 20d is, for example, integrally formed with a wall portion that forms the outer wall 20b of the housing 20, and is a joint-like member that divides the internal space of the housing 20 in the axial direction A. The communication path 27 penetrates a part of the standing wall 20d, thereby communicating the communication path 27 with the hollow space 26b. The standing wall 20d may be omitted. In this case, a part accommodated in the housing 20, for example, the battery device 31, may be used instead of the standing wall 20d.

[0054] The hollow space 26b corresponds to the internal space of the speaker enclosure. The hollow space 26b is a space that amplifies the sound vibration (sound S) from the vibration generating unit 24 transmitted via the communication path 27. The sound output unit 26A can efficiently output the sound S amplified in the hollow space 26b from the hole 26a to the outside of the housing 20. Therefore, the input device 10A can output a loud writing sound to the user.

[0055] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an input device 10B according to another modified example of the input device 10 shown in FIG.

[0056] 5 includes a sound output section 26B having a different configuration from the sound output section 26, as compared with the input device 10 shown in FIG.

[0057] The housing 20 of the input device 10B has a button switch 48 provided in an opening 20e formed in an outer wall 20b. The opening 20e is, for example, a cylindrical opening formed in the pen end portion 20c of the housing 20. The button switch 48 is disposed so as to cover most of the opening 20e, and is a push button that can be advanced and retreated along the axial direction A. The button switch 48 can be used, for example, to turn on and off the power of the input device 10B. A gap (clearance) for the button switch 48 to advance and retreat is formed between the button switch 48 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 20e. This gap functions as the hole 26c of the sound output unit 26B instead of the hole 26a of the sound output unit 26.

[0058] Therefore, in the input device 10B as well, the writing sound (sound S) can be efficiently output to the user from the hole 26c. The hole 26c of the input device 10B utilizes the gap required for the forward and backward movement of the button switch 48. Therefore, the input device 10B does not need to form the hole 26a in the outer wall 20b of the housing 20, improving the appearance quality.

[0059] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of an input device 50 according to a second embodiment. In Fig. 6, the same reference symbols as those shown in Figs. 1 to 5 indicate the same or similar configurations, and therefore, as they have the same or similar functions and effects, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted, and the same applies to Figs. 7 and 8.

[0060] 6 includes a cap-shaped member 52 that is detachably attached to the housing 20. The cap-shaped member 52 is a cap that is opened and closed, for example, when replacing the battery device 31. The cap-shaped member 52 has, for example, a threaded portion 52a on the tip side. The threaded portion 52a can be tightened to a female thread formed on the inner circumferential surface of the pen butt end portion 20c of the housing 20.

[0061] The input device 50 includes a sound output unit 26A in a cap-shaped member 52 similar to the input device 10A shown in FIG. 4. The cap-shaped member 52 has a hole 26a formed through its outer wall 52b, and a hollow space 26b communicating with the hole 26a is provided inside. In the input device 50, the sound vibration (sound S) generated by the vibration generating unit 24 in accordance with a driving signal of a sound component is transmitted to the sound output unit 26A of the cap-shaped member 52, for example, through the wall portion forming the outer wall 20b of the housing 20 as a vibration transmission medium. The outer walls 20b and 52b are preferably formed of a hard metal such as stainless steel. The sound S transmitted from the outer wall 20b to the outer wall 52b is amplified in the hollow space 26b and then output to the outside of the cap-shaped member 52 from the hole 26a.

[0062] Therefore, the input device 50 can also output writing sounds (sounds S) to the user. The input device 50 has a sound output unit 26A provided on a cap-shaped member 52. Therefore, the input device 50 can be configured so that the sound output unit 26A is substantially detachable. The input device 10B can be lined up in two specifications: one with a cap-shaped member that does not have a sound output unit and is simply used to replace the battery device 31, and the other with a cap-shaped member 52 that has the sound output unit 26A. In other words, the cap-shaped member 52 that has the sound output unit 26A can be used as an optional part for increasing the writing sound that is replaceable externally to the input device, and high versatility and convenience are obtained.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of an input device 60 according to the third embodiment.

[0064] 7 includes a sound output unit 62 having a different configuration from the sound output unit 26A compared to the above-described input device 10A, and includes a metal rod body 64 instead of the communication path 27. The sound output unit 62 has a diaphragm 66 that forms one surface of the hollow space 26b.

[0065] The diaphragm 66 is fixed so as to close the opening 20e formed in the outer wall 20b of the housing 20. The diaphragm 66 is a component that generates sound by vibrating, and can be configured similarly to a diaphragm (cone) provided in a general speaker. The input device 60 uses a space including the opening 20e as a hollow space 26b, and has a configuration in which the diaphragm 66 closes one side of the hollow space 26b.

[0066] The metal rod 64 is a metal rod, such as a hard stainless steel rod, that extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. One end of the metal rod 64 is connected to the vibration generating unit 24, and the other end is connected to the diaphragm 66. This allows the metal rod 64 to function as a vibration transmission medium that transmits to the diaphragm 66 the sound vibrations (sound S) generated by the vibration generating unit 24 in accordance with a drive signal for a sound component.

[0067] In the input device 60, the sound vibration (sound S) generated by the vibration generating unit 24 is transmitted to the diaphragm 66 via the metal rod 64, and the diaphragm 66 functions as an active radiator. This allows the input device 60 to output the sound S amplified in the cavity space 26b by the vibration of the diaphragm 66 to the outside of the housing 20. The other end of the metal rod 64 may be disposed in the cavity space 26b without being directly connected to the diaphragm 66. In this case, the diaphragm 66 functions as a passive radiator, and the sound S amplified in the cavity space 26b can be output to the outside of the housing 20.

[0068] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view that illustrates a schematic internal structure of an input device 70 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0069] 8 includes a sound output unit 72 having a different configuration from the sound output unit 26, and includes a metal rod 64 instead of the communication path 27, as compared with the above-described input device 10. The sound output unit 72 has a pen clip 74.

[0070] The pen clip 74 is a clip that can be used to hang the input device 70 on the edge of a pocket of clothes, etc. The pen clip 74 is preferably made of a metal such as hard stainless steel that can amplify sound vibrations (sound S). One end of the metal rod 64 is connected to the vibration generating unit 24, and the other end is connected to the pen clip 74. The pen clip 74 may be formed integrally with the end of the metal rod 64. The pen clip 74 may be configured to be attached to the outer wall 20b of the housing 20, and in this case, it is preferable that the pen clip 74 is firmly fixed to the end of the metal rod 64 exposed to the outer wall 20b with an adhesive or the like.

[0071] In the input device 70, sound vibrations (sound S) generated by the vibration generating unit 24 in accordance with a drive signal of a sound component are transmitted to the pen clip 74 via the metal rod body 64 as a vibration transmission medium. This allows the pen clip 74 to function as a vibration plate similar to the vibration plate 66 shown in FIG. 7, and the sound S can be amplified and output to the outside of the housing 20.

[0072] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can of course be freely modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10, 10A, 10B, 50, 60, 70 Input Devices 12 Information Processing Systems 14 Information processing equipment 20. Cabinet 20c Pen end 22 Pen tip 24 Vibration generating unit 24a Actuator 26, 26A, 26B, 62, 72 Sound output section 26a,26c hole 26b Cavity space 27 Communication Path 48 Button Switch 52 Cap-shaped member 64 Metal rod 66 Diaphragm 74 Pen Clip

Claims

1. A pen-type input device, A housing formed in a long and thin rod shape; a pen tip portion provided at a tip of the housing; a vibration generating unit that is disposed in the housing at a position closer to the pen tip unit than the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction, receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component, and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal; a sound output unit that is provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit, transmits sound vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component via a vibration transmission medium, and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing; Equipped with The synthesized drive signal includes a drive signal that causes the vibration generating unit to generate a vibration having a frequency band of 150 to 300 Hz as the vibration component, and a drive signal that causes the sound output unit to generate a sound having a frequency band of 500 Hz to 2 kHz as the sound component, the sound output unit is disposed at a position closer to a pen end portion on the opposite side to the pen tip portion than to a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, The sound output unit has a hole formed through an outer wall of the housing, The electronic device further includes a button switch supported by the housing so as to cover a part of an opening provided in the housing, The hole is a gap formed between the button switch and the housing.

1. An input device comprising:

2. 2. An input device according to claim 1, a communication path is formed within the housing, the communication path extending along a longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting the vibration generating unit and the sound output unit; The vibration transmission medium includes the air in the communication path.

1. An input device comprising:

3. A pen-type input device, A housing formed in a long and thin rod shape; a pen tip portion provided at a tip of the housing; a vibration generating unit that is disposed in the housing at a position closer to the pen tip unit than the center of the housing in the longitudinal direction, receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component, and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal; a sound output unit that is provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit, transmits sound vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component via a vibration transmission medium, and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing; Equipped with The synthesized drive signal includes a drive signal that causes the vibration generating unit to generate a vibration having a frequency band of 150 to 300 Hz as the vibration component, and a drive signal that causes the sound output unit to generate a sound having a frequency band of 500 Hz to 2 kHz as the sound component, the sound output unit is disposed at a position closer to a pen end portion on the opposite side to the pen tip portion than to a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, The sound output unit is a hollow space provided inside the housing for amplifying the sound vibration transmitted through the vibration transmission medium; a diaphragm that is provided to close an opening formed in an outer wall of the housing and forms one side of the hollow space; have 1. An input device comprising:

4. A pen-type input device, A housing formed in a long and thin rod shape; a pen tip portion provided at a tip of the housing; a vibration generating unit that is disposed in the housing at a position closer to the pen tip unit than a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component, and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal; a sound output unit that is provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit, transmits sound vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component via a vibration transmission medium, and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing; Equipped with The synthesized drive signal includes a drive signal that causes the vibration generating unit to generate a vibration having a frequency band of 150 to 300 Hz as the vibration component, and a drive signal that causes the sound output unit to generate a sound having a frequency band of 500 Hz to 2 kHz as the sound component, the sound output unit is disposed at a position closer to a pen end portion on the opposite side to the pen tip portion than to a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, the sound output unit has a metal pen clip attached to an outer wall of the housing, The vibration transmission medium includes a metal rod extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting the vibration generating unit and the pen clip.

1. An input device comprising:

5. A pen-type input device, A housing formed in a long and thin rod shape; a pen tip portion provided at a tip of the housing; a vibration generating unit that is disposed in the housing at a position closer to the pen tip unit than a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, receives a drive signal that combines a vibration component and a sound component, and generates vibrations in accordance with the drive signal; a sound output unit that is provided at a position away from the vibration generating unit, transmits sound vibrations generated by the vibration generating unit in accordance with the drive signal of the sound component via a vibration transmission medium, and outputs the sound vibrations to the outside of the housing; Equipped with The synthesized drive signal includes a drive signal that causes the vibration generating unit to generate a vibration having a frequency band of 150 to 300 Hz as the vibration component, and a drive signal that causes the sound output unit to generate a sound having a frequency band of 500 Hz to 2 kHz as the sound component, the sound output unit is disposed at a position closer to a pen end portion on the opposite side to the pen tip portion than to a center in a longitudinal direction of the housing, a cap-shaped member detachably attached to the housing, The sound output unit is a hollow space provided in the cap-shaped member for amplifying the sound vibration; a hole formed through an outer wall of the cap-shaped member and communicating with the hollow space; have 1. An input device comprising:

6. 6. An input device according to claim 5, The vibration transmission medium includes a metal rod extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing and connecting between the vibration generating unit and the sound output unit.

1. An input device comprising:

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