Touchpad and Computer

Abstract

To prevent a click operation that a user does not intend from occurring when the user is performing input using a stylus on a click pad, and prevent disturbance of handwriting and discontinuous writing pressure values from occurring due to physical displacement of a touch panel.SOLUTION: A touch pad 2 comprises: a touch panel 3; a push button switch 15a disposed between the bottom surface of a recess and the lower surface of the touch panel 3; an integrated circuit 11 for detecting the position of an object on a touch detection surface 3s and generating a button press state value based on the on / off state of the push button switch 15a; and an actuator 18 disposed between the bottom surface of the recess and the lower surface of the touch panel 3. The touch panel 3 is configured to be displaced downward in response to a pressing force from above to press the push button switch 15a, and the actuator 18 prevents the displacement of the touch panel 3 when current is supplied from the integrated circuit 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a non-discrete touchpad and a computer having such a touchpad.

Background Art

[0002] A touchpad or trackpad (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "touchpad") provided in a notebook computer or the like generally has buttons or button functions in order to realize functions equivalent to the right-click or left-click functions of a mouse device. A touchpad is classified into either a discrete type or a non-discrete type depending on whether the touch panel and the buttons are provided by separate mechanisms.

[0003] FIG. 13(a) is a diagram showing a notebook computer 100a having a discrete touchpad 200a. As illustrated in the figure, this type of touchpad 200a is configured to have dedicated buttons 202 and 203 for click operations realized by a mechanism separate from the touch panel 201.

[0004] On the other hand, FIG. 13(b) is a diagram showing a notebook computer 100b having a non-discrete touchpad 200b. As illustrated in the figure, this type of touchpad 200b does not have dedicated buttons for click operations, and the click operation is realized by pressing the touch panel 204.

[0005] The non-discrete touchpad 200b can be further classified into two types, namely, "click pad" and "pressure pad", according to the specific structure for realizing clicks by pressing the touch panel 204. The click pad is a type of touchpad in which the touch panel 204 is displaced downward by the user's pressing, and in many cases, it is configured to have a push button switch directly below the touch panel 204. The click operation on the click pad is realized by the downward-displaced touch panel 204 turning on this push button switch. On the other hand, the pressure pad is a type of touchpad that detects the pressing force applied to the touch panel 204 by a force sensor and realizes clicks by determining the threshold of the output of this force sensor. In the pressure pad, even if the touch panel 204 itself bends slightly, it does not displace as much as the click pad.

[0006] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that the touchpad includes the above three types (discrete type, click pad, pressure pad), and the content of the report supplied from the touchpad to the host. Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a specific reporting method for the pressed state of the button realized by the touchpad.

[0007] Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose examples of mechanisms for realizing a touchpad. The touchpad described in Patent Document 1 can be said to be a click pad in that the touchpad itself is displaced downward, but it has a force sensor instead of a push button switch. Also, the touchpad described in Patent Document 2 is a pressure pad in which the touchpad itself does not displace, but it has a function of slightly horizontally moving the entire touchpad in response to detecting a click in order to give a click feeling.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Non-Patent Document

[0009]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] Incidentally, although a touch pad is originally provided to receive input operations with a finger, it is considered convenient for the user if it can also receive input operations with a stylus. For example, applications such as using the area of the touch pad as an area for signing with a stylus can be considered. Thus, when the inventor of the present application proceeded with the development of a touch pad that can also receive input operations with a stylus, it was found that the following problems occur with non-discrete touch pads.

[0011] Specifically, conventionally, in both click pads and pressure pads, the threshold value of the pressing force (the pressure applied to the touch detection surface), which is the condition for button operation, is optimized so that the best experience can be obtained when the touch panel is pressed with a finger. Also, when the user uses a stylus on the touch pad, the user tries to write by applying force to the tip of the pen with the same pen pressure as when using a pen on paper. As a result, when performing an input operation with a stylus, an unintended click operation may occur.

[0012] Also, particularly in click pads, when performing an input operation with a stylus, the touch panel may be displaced, and as a result, the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus pen may change suddenly, causing the handwriting to be disrupted, or the pen pressure value detected inside the stylus may become discontinuous.

[0013] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a touch pad and a computer that can prevent an unintended click operation from occurring when a user is performing input with a stylus on a non-discrete touch pad.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch pad and a computer that can prevent the occurrence of disrupted handwriting and discontinuous pen pressure values due to physical displacement of the touch panel when a user is performing input with a stylus on a click pad.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0015] The touch pad according to the first aspect of the present invention is a touch pad corresponding to operations by an object including a finger and a stylus, and has a touch detection surface that also serves as a position detection area for detecting a button and the position of the object. The touch pad includes a touch panel, an integrated circuit including an object detection function for detecting the position of the object on the touch detection surface and a button function for detecting the pressed state of the button in response to a force applied to the touch detection surface, and button function stopping means for stopping the output of the integrated circuit of the button pressed state value indicating the pressed state detected by the button function according to the operation state of the stylus or the setting related to the operation of the stylus.

[0016] Note that the touch pad according to the first aspect of the present invention may be a non-discrete touch pad corresponding to operations by an object including a finger and a stylus, and having a touch detection surface that also serves as a position detection area for detecting a button and the position of the object. The touch pad includes a touch panel, an integrated circuit including an object detection function for detecting the position of the object on the touch detection surface and a button function for detecting the pressed state of the button in response to a force applied to the touch detection surface, and button function stopping means for stopping the output of the integrated circuit of the button pressed state value indicating the pressed state detected by the button function according to the operation state of the stylus or the setting related to the operation of the stylus.

[0017] The touch pad according to the second aspect of the present invention is the touch pad according to the first aspect of the present invention, and further, the touch panel is configured to be displaced in response to a force applied to the touch detection surface, and the button function stopping means is displacement suppressing means for suppressing the displacement of the touch panel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, during an input operation with a stylus, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit can be stopped. Therefore, when a user is performing input with a stylus on a non-discrete touch pad, it is possible to prevent an unintended click operation from occurring.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, during an input operation with a stylus, the displacement of the click pad can be suppressed. Therefore, when a user is performing input with a stylus on the click pad, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of handwriting distortion and discontinuous pen pressure values due to physical displacement of the touch panel.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a notebook computer 1 having a non-discrete type touch pad 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The notebook computer 1 has various components typically provided in a commercially available notebook computer, such as the illustrated housing 7, display 8, keyboard 9, and CPU 6 shown in FIG. 2(a) described later, in addition to the touch pad 2. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 1, the direction corresponding to the lateral direction as viewed from the user using the notebook computer 1 is referred to as the x direction, the direction corresponding to the depth direction is referred to as the y direction, and the direction corresponding to the height direction is referred to as the z direction.

[0023] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing a cross section of the notebook computer 1 in the y direction in the vicinity of the touch pad 2, and FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing a cross section of the notebook computer 1 in the x direction in the vicinity of the touch pad 2. Further, FIG. 2(c) is a diagram showing the planar positional relationship between the touch panel 3 and the four force sensors 10a to 10d constituting the touch pad 2. Note that the CPU 6 and the integrated circuit 11 shown in FIG. 2(a) are not necessarily structures that actually appear in the cross section, but are shown here to assist in understanding the configuration of the touch pad 2.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the notebook computer 1 is configured to include a CPU 6 (host computer). The CPU 6 is the central processing unit of the notebook computer 1, and in cooperation with a storage device (not shown), it is configured to be able to execute the operating system of the notebook computer 1, various applications, driver software for various hardware including the touch pad 2, and the like. Further, the CPU 6 performs processes such as receiving inputs from various input devices including the touch pad 2 and the keyboard 9 shown in Fig. 1, outputting the execution results of the operating system and various applications to various output devices including the display 8 shown in Fig. 1, and communicating with other computers via communication means (not shown).

[0025] The touch pad 2 is the pressure pad described above, and as shown in Figs. 2(a) to 2(c), it is configured to include a touch panel 3, four force sensors 10a to 10d, and an integrated circuit 11. In the following description, when there is no need to particularly distinguish the force sensors 10a to 10d, they may be collectively referred to as the force sensor 10.

[0026] The touch panel 3 is a touch panel corresponding to the capacitance method. As a specific configuration of the touch panel 3, a configuration in which a plurality of linear electrodes (hereinafter referred to as "X electrodes") extending in the x direction at equal intervals and a plurality of linear electrodes (hereinafter referred to as "Y electrodes") extending in the y direction at equal intervals are superimposed, or a configuration in which a plurality of island-shaped electrodes are arranged in a matrix can be preferably adopted. In the following, the description will continue on the premise of adopting the former configuration.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the touch panel 3 and each force sensor 10 are disposed inside a recess 7a provided in the housing 7. The upper surface of the touch panel 3 is exposed on the surface of the housing 7, and constitutes a touch detection surface 3s for receiving user input by an object such as the finger F or the stylus S shown in FIG. 1. The touch detection surface 3s also serves as a click button and a position detection area for detecting the position of an object. Therefore, the touch pad 2 is of the "non-discrete type". Further, the touch panel 3 is configured not to be displaced by the pressing force applied to the touch detection surface 3s. Therefore, the touch pad 2 is a "pressure pad".

[0028] Each force sensor 10 is fixed between the touch panel 3 and the bottom (base) of the recess 7a, and serves to detect the pressing force applied to the touch detection surface 3s. The type of the force sensor 10 is not particularly limited. For example, a piezoelectric element, a strain gauge, a capacitive element, an electromagnetic sensor, an optical sensor, a resistance sensor, etc. can be preferably used as the force sensor 10.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2(c), the four force sensors 10 are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to the four corners of the touch panel 3 in a planar manner. Although details will be described later, the integrated circuit 11 divides and stores the touch detection surface 3s into one or more regions (= buttons), and is configured to determine the pressed state for each region by acquiring the pressed position based on the output of each force sensor 10. Thereby, so-called right click and left click are realized.

[0030] [[ID=ll]] The integrated circuit 11 is a dedicated integrated circuit provided to execute various processes related to the touch pad 2 described later, and is connected to the touch panel 3, each force sensor 10, and the CPU 6. However, part or all of the processes performed by the integrated circuit 11 may be executed by the driver software of the touch pad 2 operating on the CPU 6. In this case, this driver software also constitutes a part of the touch pad 2 according to the present invention.

[0031] The integrated circuit 11 performs a process of detecting the position on the touch detection surface 3s of various objects including the finger F and the stylus S illustrated in FIG. 1 via the touch panel 3. The specific method of position detection is not particularly limited, but for example, it is preferable to adopt a detection method in which detection of the finger F by the capacitance method and detection of the stylus S by the active electrostatic method are performed in a time-division manner. Hereinafter, the description will continue on the premise of adopting this detection method.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the integrated circuit 11. As shown in the figure, the integrated circuit 11 is functionally configured to include an object detection unit 30, a button unit 31, an output unit 32, and a button function stop unit 33. Among these, a stylus detection unit 35 and a contact state detection unit 36 are provided in the object detection unit 30.

[0033] The object detection unit 30 is a functional unit that realizes a function (object detection function) of detecting the position of an object on the touch detection surface 3s. Specifically, it is configured to perform detection of the finger F by the capacitance method and detection of the stylus S by the active electrostatic method in a time-division manner. Hereinafter, each will be described in detail.

[0034] When detecting the finger F, the object detection unit 30 supplies a finger detection signal composed of pulses corresponding to the number of X electrodes to each of the plurality of X electrodes in the touch panel 3 and receives it at each of the plurality of Y electrodes in the touch panel 3. Then, it calculates the correlation between the signal received at each Y electrode and the finger detection signal supplied to each X electrode, and is configured to derive the position of the finger F based on the result. The amplitude of the finger detection signal received at a certain Y electrode reflects the capacitance at the intersection of that Y electrode and each X electrode, and since the capacitance at each intersection decreases due to the approach of the finger F, the object detection unit 30 can derive the position of the finger F by the above process.

[0035] On the other hand, regarding the detection of the stylus S, the object detection unit 30 is configured to operate in either discovery mode or communication mode. Among these, the discovery mode is a mode entered when the stylus S has not been detected yet. The object detection unit 30 entering the discovery mode periodically transmits uplink signals from each of a plurality of X electrodes or Y electrodes, and sequentially scans each X electrode and each Y electrode in the touch panel 3, thereby waiting for reception of a downlink signal transmitted by the stylus S that has received the uplink signal. When the downlink signal is received, the object detection unit 30 derives the position of the stylus S based on the reception intensity at each X electrode and each Y electrode (global scan). By thus deriving the position, the object detection unit 30 detects the stylus S and enters the communication mode with the stylus S. After entering the communication mode, the object detection unit 30 is configured to update the position of the stylus S by scanning only the linear electrodes located in the vicinity of the position derived immediately before (local scan).

[0036] The downlink signal transmitted by the stylus S includes a burst signal (e.g., a single-frequency and unmodulated signal) for the object detection unit 30 to detect the position of the stylus S as described above, and a data signal modulated by various data held in the stylus S. The data transmitted by the data signal is what the object detection unit 30 has instructed to transmit by transmitting an uplink signal including a command, and includes, for example, a pen pressure value indicating the pen pressure applied to the tip of the stylus S, information indicating the on / off state of a switch arranged on the surface of the stylus S, a pen ID for identifying the stylus S, and the like. The object detection unit 30 that has received the data signal acquires the data transmitted by the stylus S by decoding the received data signal.

[0037] While in the communication mode, the object detection unit 30 intermittently executes instructions to the stylus S by transmitting an uplink signal, detecting the position of the stylus S by receiving a downlink signal, and receiving data transmitted by the stylus S. When the downlink signal is not received for a predetermined time because the stylus S moves away from the touch panel 3, etc., the object detection unit 30 releases the communication mode and returns to the discovery mode.

[0038] The stylus detection unit 35 is a functional unit that detects that the user is operating with the stylus S. The stylus detection unit 35 according to the present embodiment is configured to detect that the user is operating with the stylus S based on the detection result of the downlink signal described above. More specifically, when the object detection unit 30 enters the communication mode with the stylus S, it is determined that the user is operating with the stylus S, and when the object detection unit 30 enters the discovery mode, it is determined that the user is not operating with the stylus S. However, the stylus detection unit 35 may determine whether the user is operating with the stylus S by other methods. Specific examples of such determination will be described later.

[0039] The contact state detection unit 36 is a functional unit that detects whether the stylus S is in contact with the touch detection surface 3s. Specifically, referring to the pen pressure value included in the data signal received from the stylus S, when the pen pressure value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 0), it is determined that there is no contact, and when the pen pressure value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is contact.

[0040] Here, in this specification, for both the finger F and the stylus S, the state indicating whether or not it is in contact with the touch detection surface 3s is referred to as the "contact state", and the state of being in contact with the touch detection surface 3s is referred to as "contacting". When the finger F is "contacting", coordinates indicating the position of the finger F are supplied from the object detection unit 30 to the output unit 32. On the other hand, when the stylus S is "contacting", coordinates indicating the position of the stylus S and received data from the stylus S are supplied from the object detection unit 30 to the output unit 32. Also, in this case, the determination result of the stylus detection unit 35 is "operating by the stylus S", and the determination result of the contact state detection unit 36 is "contacting".

[0041] Further, in this specification, for the stylus S, a state where it exists within an area capable of communicating with the object detection unit 30 but is not in contact with the touch detection surface 3s is referred to as "hovering". When the stylus S is "hovering", coordinates indicating the position of the stylus S and data received from the stylus S are supplied from the object detection unit 30 to the output unit 32, and the determination result of the stylus detection unit 35 is "operating by the stylus S", but the determination result of the contact state detection unit 36 is "not contacting".

[0042] The button unit 31 is a functional unit that realizes a function (button function) of detecting the pressed state of the button corresponding to the force applied to the touch detection surface 3s. Specifically, the button unit 31 virtually divides the touch detection surface 3s into one or more areas (= buttons) and stores them, and acquires the pressing force for each area based on the output of each force sensor 10. Then, for the area where the pressing force exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that it has been pressed by the user.

[0043] The button unit 31 is configured to periodically execute the above determination and generate a button press state value indicating the pressed state for each area each time the determination is made. In one example, when it is determined that a certain button is pressed, the button press state value of that button is set to "1", and when it is determined that a certain button is not pressed, the button press state value of that button is set to "0". The button press state value generated by the button unit 31 is supplied to the output unit 32.

[0044] The output unit 32 is a functional unit that functions as an interface between the object detection unit 30, the button unit 31, and the CPU 6. Hereinafter, the data supplied from the output unit 32 to the CPU 6 will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the data supplied from the output unit 32 to the CPU 6. The figure shows an example in which the touch detection surface 3s is divided into two areas (= button 1, button 2) and used. As shown in the figure, in this case, the data supplied from the output unit 32 to the CPU 6 includes each data of the number of contacts, the button press state value of button 1, the button press state value of button 2, the contact state of finger F, the coordinates of finger F, the contact state of stylus S, the coordinates of stylus S, and the received data from stylus S. The output unit 32 acquires these data based on the various data acquired by the object detection unit 30 and supplies them to the CPU 6.

[0046] Specifically explaining each data shown in FIG. 4, when finger F is in contact, the output unit 32 sets the "contact state of finger F" to "1" (times t1 to t4), and when finger F is not in contact, the output unit 32 sets the "contact state of finger F" to "0" (times t5 to t 14 )). Also, when stylus S is in contact, the output unit 32 sets the "contact state of stylus S" to "1" (times t2 to t8), and when stylus S is not in contact, the output unit 32 sets the "contact state of stylus S" to "0" (times t1, t9 to t 14)。The "number of contacts" is the total value of the "contact state of finger F" and the "contact state of stylus S", and serves to inform the CPU 6 of the number of objects in contact with the touch detection surface 3s.

[0047] Also, when coordinates indicating the position of finger F are supplied from the object detection unit 30, the output unit 32 transfers those coordinates to the CPU 6 as the "coordinates of finger F" (at times t1 to t4). On the other hand, when coordinates indicating the position of finger F are not supplied from the object detection unit 30, the output of the "coordinates of finger F" is stopped (at times t5 to t 14 )。The same applies to the "coordinates of stylus S" and the "received data from stylus S". Note that P shown in FIG. 4 n indicates the coordinates (x, y), and D n indicates the received data. Also, "NR" is an abbreviation for "Not Reported", meaning that the output is stopped.

[0048] Furthermore, for each of button 1 and button 2, when a button press state value is supplied from the button unit 31, the output unit 32 transfers that button press state value to the CPU 6 as the "button press state value". On the other hand, when a button press state value is not supplied from the button unit 31, the output of the "button press state value" is stopped. However, when it is shown by the button press state value supplied from the button unit 31 that the button is not pressed (i.e., when the button press state value is "0"), even if a button press state value is supplied from the button unit 31, after transferring the button press state value to the CPU 6 only once (at time t5 for button 1 and at time t 13 ) for each button, the output of the "button press state value" is stopped. This is because there is no need to continuously notify the CPU 6 that the button is not pressed.

[0049] Return to FIG. 3. The CPU 6 that has received the supply of data from the output unit 32 first obtains the number of position indicators (finger F or stylus S) during contact by referring to the "number of contacts". Further, the CPU 6 obtains the contact state of each of the finger F and the stylus S by referring to the "contact state of finger F" and the "contact state of stylus S".

[0050] Furthermore, when the "coordinates of finger F" or the "coordinates of stylus S" are supplied, the CPU 6 performs cursor movement processing, digital ink generation processing, etc. based on the supplied coordinates. Also, when the "received data from stylus S" is supplied, the CPU 6 performs processing according to the content of the received data. For example, if the received data is a pen pressure value, processing for controlling the line width or transparency of the digital ink according to the pen pressure value is performed.

[0051] Also, when the button press state value supplied from the output unit 32 is "1", the CPU 6 executes, for the corresponding button, the processing (such as character selection) predetermined as the processing when the button is pressed, and when the button press state value becomes "0" or stops, for the corresponding button, the processing (such as cancellation of character selection) predetermined as the processing when the button press is released is executed.

[0052] Returning to the description of the configuration within the integrated circuit 11, the button function stop unit 33 is a functional unit (button function stop means) that stops the output (output from the output unit 32 to the CPU 6) of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 according to the operation state of the stylus S. Specifically, when the stylus detection unit 35 detects that the operation is being performed by the stylus S, the output unit 32 is controlled to stop the output of the button press state value. As a result, during the input operation with the stylus S, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 1 will stop.

[0053] As described above, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, during the input operation with the stylus S, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 stops. Therefore, since the processing at the time of button press by the CPU 6 is not performed, it is possible to prevent an unintended click operation from occurring when the user is inputting with the stylus S on the non-discrete type touch pad 2.

[0054] Note that in the above embodiment, the button function stop unit 33 stops the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 by controlling the output unit 32 so as to stop the output of the button press state value. However, other methods may be used to stop the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11. For example, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 may be stopped by stopping the output of each force sensor 10, or by controlling other parts in the integrated circuit 11 (for example, stopping the function of the button unit 31 so that the button press state value is not supplied to the output unit 32) to stop the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11.

[0055] Also, in the above embodiment, the button function stop unit 33 stops the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 when the stylus detection unit 35 detects that the operation is being performed with the stylus S. However, in other cases, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 may be stopped. For example, when the contact state detection unit 36 detects that the stylus S is in contact with the touch detection surface 3s, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 may be stopped. By doing so, since the output of the button press state value is not stopped when the stylus S is hovering, for example, it becomes possible to use the touch pad 2 for a click operation using the finger F while hovering the stylus S.

[0056] In addition, the button function stop unit 33 may stop the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 according to the setting related to the operation of the stylus S, rather than according to the operation state of the stylus S. As a specific example of this process, for example, when the user turns off a hard switch (operation unit) (not shown), the process of stopping the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11, or when the user explicitly sets in the driver software of the touch pad 2 that the stylus is being operated, the process of stopping the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11, etc. may be mentioned.

[0057] Also, in the above embodiment, the stylus detection unit 35 detects that the operation is being performed by the stylus S based on the detection result of the downlink signal. However, it may also detect that the operation is being performed by the stylus S based on other information. For example, if both the notebook computer 1 and the stylus S support Bluetooth (registered trademark), when pairing by Bluetooth (registered trademark) is being performed with the stylus S, it may be detected that the operation is being performed by the stylus S. Also, when the user takes out the stylus S from the garage 7c (see FIG. 11) described later (that is, when it is shown by the output of the garage switch described later that the stylus S is not stored in the notebook computer 1), it may be detected that the operation is being performed by the stylus S.

[0058] Also, in the above embodiment, the detection of the stylus S is performed by the active electrostatic method. However, the detection of the stylus S may also be performed by the same capacitance method as the finger F. In this case, it is preferable that the stylus detection unit 35 detects that the operation is being performed by the stylus S based on the area of the region where the object is detected by the object detection unit 30 (that is, the region where the change amount of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a predetermined value). That is, since the area of the above region is smaller for the stylus S than for the finger F, it is preferable to detect that the operation is being performed by the stylus S when the area of the above region is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0059] Next, the touch pad 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that haptics is used to produce a click feeling of the touch pad 2, and is the same as the first embodiment in other respects. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0060] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing a y-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing an x-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing these figures with FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the touch pad 2 according to the first embodiment in that it has a haptics device 12 between the touch panel 3 and the bottom (base) of the recess 7a.

[0061] The haptics device 12 is a device that gives sensory feedback to the user. The type of the haptics device 12 is not particularly limited as long as it can give sensory feedback to the user. For example, the haptics device 12 can be configured by a vibrator, a magnetic fluid, an artificial muscle, an actuator, or the like.

[0062] FIG. 5(c) is a diagram showing the planar positional relationship among the touch panel 3, the four force sensors 10a to 10d, and the haptics device 12 that constitute the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the haptics device 12 is disposed within a region surrounded by the force sensors 10a to 10d near the center of the touch detection surface 3s.

[0063] Here, the button unit 31 according to the present embodiment is configured to be used without dividing the touch detection surface 3s. Therefore, one button is constituted by the entire touch detection surface 3s. The arrangement of the haptics device 12 shown in FIG. 5(c) corresponds to such a button configuration. Of course, the touch detection surface 3s may be divided and used. In that case, it is preferable to individually arrange the haptics devices 12 corresponding to the respective divided regions.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the integrated circuit 11 according to the present embodiment. The button unit 31 according to the present embodiment controls the haptics device 12 to output a sensory feedback in response to the force applied to the touch detection surface 3s. More specifically, when it is determined that the pressing force exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the haptics device 12 is caused to output a sensory feedback. Thereby, it becomes possible to give a click feeling to the user who presses the touch detection surface 3s, although the displacement of the touch panel 3 does not occur unlike the click pad described later.

[0065] The button function stop unit 33 according to the present embodiment is configured to stop the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, according to the operation state of the stylus S or the setting related to the operation of the stylus S, and further stop the output of the sensory feedback by the haptics device 12. This stop may be realized by directly controlling the haptics device 12, or may be realized by controlling the button unit 31 so as not to control the haptics device 12. Thereby, it is possible to prevent only the sensory feedback from being given to the user, although the occurrence of the click operation is suppressed by the stop of the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11.

[0066] As described above, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, not only the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 is stopped during the input operation with the stylus S, but also the output of the haptic feedback by the haptic device 12 is stopped. Therefore, although the occurrence of the click operation is suppressed, only the haptic feedback is given to the user, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the user from being confused.

[0067] Next, the touch pad 2 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that it is a click pad instead of a pressure pad, and is the same as the first embodiment in other respects. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0068] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing a y-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an x-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 7(c) and 7(d) are diagrams showing the planar positional relationship of the touch panel 3, push button switches 15a and 15b, indicating member 16, and spacer 17 that constitute the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing these figures with FIGS. 2(a) to 2(c), the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the touch pad 2 according to the first embodiment in that it has push button switches 15a and 15b instead of force sensors 10a and 10b, does not have force sensors 10c and 10d, and has an indicating member 16 and a spacer 17.

[0069] The push buttons switches 15a and 15b are switches that turn on when a force equal to or greater than a certain value is applied from above and return to the off state when the force is lost. They are configured such that their height (length in the z direction) changes within a certain range in accordance with the force applied from above. When no force is applied from above, the push buttons switches 15a and 15b support the touch panel 3. On the other hand, when a force equal to or greater than a certain value is applied from above, the push buttons switches 15a and 15b function as stoppers for the touch panel 3. Also, the push buttons switches 15a and 15b are configured to be able to give the user a clicking sensation when changing from off to on, for example, by including rubber contacts.

[0070] As can be understood from FIGS. 7(b) to 7(d), the indicating member 16 is a triangular prism-shaped member arranged horizontally along one side located on the back side in the y direction as viewed from the user of the rectangular touch detection surface 3s in the space between the touch panel 3 and the bottom surface of the recess 7a. One of the three side surfaces of the indicating member 16 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess 7a as a whole. Also, one side of the indicating member 16 facing the side surface adhered to the bottom surface of the recess 7a is in contact with the lower surface of the touch panel 3 as a whole. Since the indicating member 16 has such a structure, when the user applies a pressing force to the touch detection surface 3s, the touch panel 3 is displaced along the arrow A shown in FIG. 7(b). Due to this displacement, the touch panel 3 presses the push button switches 15a and 15b, and when the push button switches 15a and 15b are turned on, the CPU 6 executes the processing of the corresponding click operation (details will be described later).

[0071] Note that the touch panel 3 according to the present embodiment is designed to bend slightly when a pressing force is applied from above. When the user presses the right side of the touch detection surface 3s, only the push button switch 15a is turned on, and when the user presses the left side of the touch detection surface 3s, only the push button switch 15b is turned on. Thereby, so-called right-click and left-click are realized.

[0072] The spacer 17 is, for example, a plate-like member, and is detachably configured between the touch panel 3 and the housing 7 through an opening (not shown) provided in the housing 7. Since this detachment is performed by a manual operation of the user, the spacer 17 constitutes an operation unit provided in the notebook personal computer 1.

[0073] When the spacer 17 is attached between the touch panel 3 and the housing 7, the spacer 17 functions as displacement suppressing means for suppressing displacement of the touch panel 3. That is, even if a pressing force is applied from above the touch panel 3, the spacer 17 prevents displacement of the touch panel 3, so that the touch panel 3 cannot be displaced. As a result, the push button switches 15a and 15b do not turn on. On the other hand, when the spacer 17 is not attached between the touch panel 3 and the housing 7, since there is nothing to prevent displacement, the touch panel 3 can be displaced according to the pressing force applied to the touch detection surface 3s, and thus, the push button switches 15a and 15b can be turned on.

[0074] Note that FIG. 7(c) shows an example in which the spacer 17 is attached between the push button switches 15a and 15b, but as long as it functions as displacement suppressing means for suppressing displacement of the touch panel 3, the spacer 17 may be attached at other positions.

[0075] FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the integrated circuit 11 according to the present embodiment. The difference between this figure and FIG. 3 is that a button function stop unit 33 is not provided in the integrated circuit 11, and instead, a spacer 17 is provided.

[0076] The button unit 31 according to the present embodiment is configured to generate a button press state value of button 1 based on the on / off state of the push button switch 15a, and generate a button press state value of button 2 based on the on / off state of the push button switch 15b. Specifically, when the push button switch 15a is on, the button press state value of button 1 is set to "1 (a value indicating that it is being pressed)", and when the push button switch 15a is off, the button press state value of button 1 is set to "0 (a value indicating that it is not being pressed)". Also, when the push button switch 15b is on, the button press state value of button 2 is set to "1", and when the push button switch 15b is off, the button press state value of button 2 is set to "0".

[0077] When the spacer 17 is attached between the touch panel 3 and the housing 7 by the user, as described above, even if the user presses the touch detection surface 3s, the push button switches 15a and 15b do not turn on. As a result, the button press state value generated by the button unit 31 always becomes "0", and the output of the output unit 32 becomes the stop state ("NR" state shown in FIG. 4). Therefore, in the present embodiment, it can be said that the spacer 17 functions as a button function stop means for stopping the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value in response to the setting regarding the operation of the stylus S (that is, the insertion of the spacer 17 by the user). Accordingly, similar to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to stop the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 during the input operation with the stylus S.

[0078] As described above, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, since the spacer 17 functions as a button function stop means, similar to the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent an unintended click operation from occurring when the user is performing an input with the stylus S.

[0079] In addition, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, when the spacer 17 is inserted, the touch panel 3 does not displace. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the touch panel 3 from suddenly displacing when input is being performed with the stylus S, and as a result, a sudden change in the pressure applied to the tip of the stylus S. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the handwriting from being disturbed and a discontinuous pen pressure value from occurring.

[0080] Next, the touch pad 2 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that it has an actuator 18 instead of the spacer 17, and a button function stop portion 33 similar to that of the first embodiment is provided in the integrated circuit 11. Since the other points are the same as those of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the third embodiment, and the differences from the third embodiment will be described below.

[0081] FIG. 9(a) is a diagram showing the planar positional relationship among the touch panel 3, push button switches 15a and 15b, indicating member 16, and actuator 18 that constitute the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to have an actuator 18 at a position corresponding to the center of the touch panel 3 when viewed in plan. Note that the position where the actuator 18 is installed may be between the push button switches 15a and 15b, similar to the spacer 17 of the third embodiment.

[0082] Figures 9(b) and 9(c) are diagrams showing a y-direction cross-section of the notebook computer 1 (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the actuator 18. As shown in these figures, the actuator 18 is composed of an electromagnet 18a fixed to the housing 7 (more specifically, the bottom surface of the recess 7a shown in FIG. 7(a) etc.) and a permanent magnet 18b fixed to the lower surface of the touch panel 3. A predetermined gap G is provided between the upper surface of the electromagnet 18a and the lower surface of the permanent magnet 18b. The gap G is set to a value larger than the displacement amounts of the push button switches 15a and 15b when pressed by the touch panel 3. The electromagnet 18a is connected to the integrated circuit 11. Note that it is also possible to fix the electromagnet 18a to the lower surface of the touch panel 3 and fix the permanent magnet 18b to the bottom surface of the recess 7a.

[0083] The integrated circuit 11 is configured to be able to control the presence or absence of the generation of the magnetic force from the electromagnet 18a by controlling the current flowing through the electromagnet 18a. Note that the direction of the current that the integrated circuit 11 causes to flow through the electromagnet 18a is such that the electromagnet 18a and the permanent magnet 18b repel each other. For example, FIG. 9(c) shows an example in which the lower surface of the permanent magnet 18b is an S pole. In this case, the integrated circuit 11 controls the direction of the current flowing through the electromagnet 18a so that the upper surface of the electromagnet 18a becomes an S pole.

[0084] When current is being supplied from the integrated circuit 11, the actuator 18 functions as displacement suppressing means for suppressing the displacement of the touch panel 3. That is, when a magnetic force is generated from the electromagnet 18a due to the supply of current from the integrated circuit 11, a repulsive force acts between the electromagnet 18a and the permanent magnet 18b, so that even if a pressing force is applied to the touch detection surface 3s, the touch panel 3 cannot be displaced. As a result, the push button switches 15a and 15b do not turn on. On the other hand, when no current is supplied from the integrated circuit 11 to the actuator 18, no repulsive force is generated between the electromagnet 18a and the permanent magnet 18b, so that the touch panel 3 can be displaced according to the pressing force applied to the touch detection surface 3s, and thus the push button switches 15a and 15b can turn on.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing the functional blocks of the integrated circuit 11 according to the present embodiment. As can be understood by comparing this figure with FIG. 8, the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the touch pad 2 according to the third embodiment in that it has an actuator 18 instead of the spacer 17 and a button function stop unit 33 is provided in the integrated circuit 11. The function of the button function stop unit 33 is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the actuator 18 is the control target instead of the output unit 32. Also, the function of the button unit 31 according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment.

[0086] The button function stop unit 33 according to the present embodiment is configured to control the current flowing through the electromagnet 18a in the actuator 18 according to the operation state of the stylus S or the settings related to the operation of the stylus S. Specifically, as described above, when the stylus detection unit 35 detects that the operation is being performed by the stylus S, when the contact state detection unit 36 detects that the stylus S is in contact with the touch detection surface 3s, when the user turns off a hard switch (operation unit) not shown, when the user explicitly sets in the driver software of the touch pad 2 that the operation is being performed by the stylus, etc., the current flowing through the electromagnet 18a is controlled so that the touch panel 3 cannot be displaced. As a result, during the input operation with the stylus S, the output of the button press state value by the integrated circuit 11 stops. Here, a plurality of conditions are listed as the conditions for the button function stop unit 33 to pass current through the electromagnet 18a, but in reality, any one or more of the conditions may be adopted.

[0087] As described above, according to the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment, since the button function stop unit 33 can control the current flowing through the electromagnet 18a to suppress the displacement of the touch panel 3, it is possible to prevent an unintended click operation from occurring when the user is inputting with the stylus S, similar to the first and third embodiments.

[0088] In addition, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, since the touch panel 3 does not displace when a current is passed through the electromagnet 18a, it is possible to prevent the touch panel 3 from suddenly displacing when input is performed with the stylus S, and as a result, a sudden change in the pressure applied to the pen tip of the stylus S. Therefore, similar to the third embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of disrupted handwriting and discontinuous pen pressure values.

[0089] Next, the touch pad 2 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment is different from the third embodiment in the specific configuration of the displacement suppressing means, and is the same as the third embodiment in other respects. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the third embodiment, and the following description will focus on the differences from the third embodiment.

[0090] FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing a y-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing an x-direction cross section of the notebook computer 1 in the vicinity of the touch pad 2 according to the present embodiment. As shown in these figures, the housing 7 according to the present embodiment is configured to have a garage 7c below the push button switches 15a and 15b. The garage 7c is an elongated hole portion configured to be able to house the stylus S, and communicates with the recess 7a through an opening 7b provided on the bottom surface of the recess 7a.

[0091] The push button switches 15a and 15b according to the present embodiment are fixed to a rectangular parallelepiped base 19 disposed in the opening 7b, rather than on the bottom surface of the recess 7a. When the stylus S is housed in the garage 7c, the base 19 rides on the stylus S, and its upper surface is flush with the bottom surface of the recess 7a. Therefore, the touch pad 2 functions as a normal click pad.

[0092] The garage 7c, the opening 7b, the base 19, and the stylus S constitute a garage switch configured such that whether or not the touch panel 3 can be displaced depends on whether or not the stylus S is stored in the notebook computer 1. Since the attachment and detachment of the stylus S into and from the garage 7c is performed by the manual operation of the user, this garage switch also constitutes an operation unit provided in the notebook computer 1.

[0093] FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b) are diagrams each showing a state in which the stylus S is removed in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b). When the stylus S is removed from the garage 7c, the base 19 drops into the garage 7c. Along with this, the push button switches 15a and 15b and the touch panel 3 are displaced downward, but the touch panel 3 is configured such that its corners are caught by the bottom surface of the recess 7a. As a result, the base 19 and the push button switches 15a and 15b are in a floating state. In this state, even if the user presses the touch detection surface 3s with the finger F or the stylus S, the touch panel 3 cannot be displaced. Therefore, it can be said that the garage 7c, the opening 7b, the base 19, and the stylus S constitute a garage switch configured such that whether or not the touch panel 3 can be displaced depends on whether or not the stylus S is stored in the notebook computer 1.

[0094] In the state shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), even if the user presses the touch detection surface 3s with the finger F or the stylus S, the push button switches 15a and 15b do not turn on, so the button press state value generated by the button unit 31 is always "0", and the output of the output unit 32 is in a stopped state. Therefore, it can be said that the garage switch constituted by the garage 7c, the opening 7b, the base 19, and the stylus S functions as a button function stop means for stopping the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value in response to the setting regarding the operation of the stylus S (that is, the removal of the stylus S from the garage 7c).

[0095] As described above, according to the touch pad 2 of the present embodiment, since the garage switch constituted by the garage 7c, the opening 7b, the base 19, and the stylus S functions as button function stop means, as in the third embodiment, when the user is inputting with the stylus S, it is possible to prevent an unintended click operation from occurring. Further, it is also possible to prevent the occurrence of blurred handwriting and discontinuous pen pressure values due to sudden displacement of the touch panel 3.

[0096] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

[0097] For example, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the present invention is applied to a non-discrete type touch pad provided in a notebook personal computer has been described. However, the present invention is widely applicable to non-discrete type touch pads.

[0098] Also, in each of the above embodiments, when a change in the operation state of the stylus S or a change in the setting related to the operation of the stylus S occurs, the button function stop unit 33 immediately stops the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value. However, after a predetermined time has elapsed since these changes or changes occurred, the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value may be stopped. For example, when the contact state detection unit 36 detects that the stylus S has transitioned to the hovering state, instead of immediately stopping the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value, it may wait for a predetermined time to elapse since the detection and then stop the output by the integrated circuit 11 of the button press state value. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the frequent occurrence of switching between the validity / invalidity of the click operation.

[0099] Also, in each of the above embodiments, the touch panel 3 is a capacitive type. However, the present invention is also preferably applicable when using a pressure-sensitive type touch panel.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0100] 1 Notebook computer 2 Non-discrete touchpad 3 Touch panel 3s Touch detection surface 6 CPU 7 Housing 7a Recess 7b Opening 7c Garage 8 Display 9 Keyboard 10, 10a~10d Force sensor 11 Integrated circuit 12 Haptics device 15a, 15b Push button switch 16 Indicator member 17 Spacer 18 Actuator 18a Electromagnet 18b Permanent magnet 19 Base 30 Object detection unit 31 Button unit 32 Output unit 33 Button function stop unit 35 Stylus detection unit 36 Contact state detection unit F Finger S Stylus

Claims

1. A touch pad corresponding to operations on an object including a finger and a stylus, having a touch detection surface that also serves as a button and a position detection area for detecting the position of the object, and a touch panel disposed in a predetermined orientation inside a recess provided in a housing; a push button switch disposed between the bottom surface of the recess and the lower surface of the touch panel; an integrated circuit that detects the position of the object on the touch detection surface and generates a button press state value based on the on / off state of the push button switch; an actuator disposed between the bottom surface of the recess and the lower surface of the touch panel, wherein the touch panel is configured to be displaced downward in response to a pressing force from above to press the push button switch; and the actuator is configured to prevent the displacement of the touch panel when current is supplied from the integrated circuit. Touch pad.

2. The actuator includes an electromagnet fixed to one of the bottom surface of the recess and the lower surface of the touch panel, and a permanent magnet fixed to the other of the bottom surface of the recess and the lower surface of the touch panel, and is configured to prevent the displacement of the touch panel by a repulsive force acting between the electromagnet and the permanent magnet when current is supplied from the integrated circuit to the electromagnet. The touch pad according to claim 1.

3. The integrated circuit supplies the current to the actuator when the user turns off a hard switch provided in a computer including the touch pad, or when it is set in the driver software of the touch pad that a stylus operation is in progress. The touch pad according to claim 1.

Images