Input devices

Abstract

Provided is an input device which enables, when multiple operation units are provided, the operation units to be arranged at arbitrarily selected positions and the positions of the operation units to be easily changed as desired by a user.　The input device is provided with: position detection sensors; an operation unit comprising position indication parts, which are arranged on an input surface serving as a position detection area for the position detection sensors and serve to indicate a position by interacting with the position detection sensors, and being configured to be able to receive a predetermined operation; an operation detection unit for detecting an operation received by the operation unit on the basis of the interaction between the position indication parts of the operation unit and the position detection sensors; and a control signal output unit for outputting a control signal corresponding to the operation detected by the operation detection unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an input device that supplies control signals to electronic devices such as personal computers and game consoles in response to user operations. [Background technology]

[0002] Input devices known as game controllers or game pads are generally used for input to computer equipment, particularly for input in video games. These types of input devices are not simply comprised of a row of push buttons, but are equipped with multiple operation units such as a joystick, a cross key, and even operation keys that can input analog values, enabling versatile input suited to various applications (see, for example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2004-33371 A)). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-33371 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional input devices of this type, each of the multiple operating sections is composed of an independent operating mechanism section, and each of these independent mechanism sections is positioned and arranged in a fixed position within a single housing.

[0005] As described above, conventional input devices of this type require an independent operating mechanism for each operating section to be disposed at a predetermined position on the housing, which results in a problem that the structure of the independent mechanism for each operating section is complicated, and the overall structure of the input device is also complicated, resulting in a problem of high cost.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can solve the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor; On the input surface that is the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor Arrangement a plurality of operation units each including a position indication unit for indicating a position by interacting with the position detection sensor and configured to be able to receive predetermined operations; an operation detection unit that detects an operation accepted by each of the plurality of operation units based on an interaction between the position indication unit of each of the plurality of operation units and a position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor; The operation detected by the operation detection unit Accepted by each of the multiple operation units a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal in response to an operation; Equipped with The position indication units of the plurality of operation units each have a resonance circuit with a different resonance frequency, and the plurality of operation units can be distinguished from one another by the difference in the resonance frequency. 、 the plurality of operation units include an operation unit configured to receive an operation to change a height position of the position indication unit separated from the input surface, the operation detection unit detects the height position of the position indication unit, which changes based on an operation accepted by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the height position of the position indication unit detected by the operation detection unit. The present invention provides an input device characterized by the above features.

[0008] The input device having the above-described configuration is configured such that the operation unit is placed on the input surface of the position detection sensor, and the operation mode predetermined for the operation unit is detected based on the interaction between the position detection sensor and the position indication unit of the operation unit.

[0009] Therefore, the input device of the above configuration can be constructed by simply arranging an operation unit configured to accept user operations in a predetermined manner on a position detection sensor, and providing an operation detection unit and a control signal output unit for the position detection sensor, so that the configuration is simple and it can be manufactured inexpensively. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram for explaining a main part of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a configuration example of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation unit used in the first embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation section used in the first embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation section used in the first embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation section used in the first embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a diagram for explaining a part of an example of the configuration of an electronic circuit of a first embodiment of an input device according to the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of an operation unit used in a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining another example of the operation section used in the second embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing operations in a second embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining an example of an operation unit used in an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an input device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [First embodiment] 1 is a perspective view of an input device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, seen obliquely from above the input device 1. The input device 1 in this example is intended to be used as a game controller.

[0013] The input device 1 of this embodiment has a thin plate-like appearance, and is configured by housing an input device main body 3 in a frame case 2 that is open on the top side.

[0014] The input device 1 of this embodiment is configured such that a plurality of operation input acceptance units, five operation input acceptance units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E in the example of Fig. 1, which accept different modes of operation are arranged in each of non-overlapping areas (see dotted lines in Fig. 1) on the top surface of the input device main body 3 as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1. Note that the dotted lines in Fig. 1 are drawn for the sake of convenience to clearly show that the plurality of operation input acceptance units are arranged in non-overlapping areas, and dotted boundaries are not actually drawn on the top surface of the input device main body 3.

[0015] In this example of the input device 1, the input device main body 3 is configured so that the conventional push button switch Psw is also provided in an area separate from the area in which the five operation input receiving sections 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E are arranged.

[0016] The operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E are configured to have one or more operation units and are configured to be able to receive operations in one-dimensional, two-dimensional, or three-dimensional space.

[0017] In this embodiment, the manner of operation to be accepted is determined in advance for each of the five operation input accepting units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E depending on the number of operation units and the operation spaces of the operation units. In this case, the manner of operation to be accepted by each of the operation input accepting units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E is not limited to one type, but multiple types of operation are determined.

[0018] The input device 1 is configured to detect the type of operation received by each of the operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, and to send out different control signals according to the type of operation detected.

[0019] 1, a total of four push button operation units 11, two in the horizontal direction and two in the vertical direction, are arranged to form a diamond in the region of the operation input acceptance unit 4A on the top surface of the input device main body 3 of the input device 1. The push button operation unit 11 includes an operator 11H for accepting an operation to change the position in the height direction perpendicular to the top surface of the input device main body 3. The operation accepted by this push button operation unit 11 is an operation to change only the position in the height direction without changing the position on the top surface of the input device main body 3, and therefore is defined here as an operation in one-dimensional space.

[0020] In the region of the operation input receiving section 4B on the top surface of the input device main body 3, two push button operation sections 11 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction.

[0021] One finger insertion operation unit 12 is arranged in each of the regions of operation input acceptance unit 4C and operation input acceptance unit 4D on the top surface of the input device main body 3. The finger insertion operation unit 12 in this example includes an operation element 12H having a portion into which the user inserts a finger, for example, a thumb, and is configured as a three-dimensional operation unit that allows the user to change the position of the operation element 12H in the vertical and horizontal directions on the top surface of the input device main body 3 and can also accept operations to change the position in the height direction perpendicular to the top surface of the input device main body 3.

[0022] A single cross-shaped operation unit 13 is arranged in the region of the operation input receiving unit 4E on the top surface of the input device main body 3 of the input device 1. In this embodiment, the cross-shaped operation unit 13 includes a cross-shaped operator 13H that crosses the top surface of the input device main body 3 in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0023] The user can press any of the four ends of the cross-shaped operator 13H, namely the upper end 13H1, the right end 13H2, the lower end 13H3, and the left end 13H4 (see Figure 1), to cause the cross-shaped operator 13H to make a seesaw motion in the vertical and horizontal directions on the top surface of the input device main body 3, with the intersection point of the cross as the fulcrum.

[0024] The cross-shaped operation unit 13 in this example can also be configured as a two-dimensional operation unit, but in this embodiment, as will be described later, when operating the upper end 13H1 side, lower end 13H3 side, left end 13H4 side or right end 13H2 side of the cross-shaped operation element 13H, the height position of each end can be changed in the same way as the push button operation unit 11, making it a three-dimensional operation unit.

[0025] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an example of the configuration of the input device 1 of this embodiment, particularly the input device main body 3. However, Fig. 3 shows a state in which the operation units 11, 12, and 13 of the operation input acceptance units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E are detached.

[0026] The input device body 3 of this embodiment includes a circuit board 31, a position detection sensor 32, a protective cover 33, and a (sensor cover) 33 and an operation portion holding member 34 are stacked.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 3, a circuit board 31 is housed in the bottom of the frame case 2. As will be described later, this circuit board 31 has formed thereon an electronic circuit (see Fig. 8) including a position detection circuit 100, an operation information processing circuit 200, a wireless communication unit 300, etc. Also, a conventional push button switch Psw is disposed at a predetermined position on this circuit board 31.

[0028] A position detection sensor 32 is disposed on top of the circuit board 31. In this example, the position detection sensor 32 is configured as an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor. In this example, the position detection sensor 32 is configured by arranging a plurality of loop coils on a flexible substrate. The upper surface of the position detection sensor 32 is covered and protected by a sensor cover 33. In this embodiment, the position detection sensor 32 and the sensor cover 33 have through holes 32a and 33a formed therein for inserting the pressing portion of the push button switch Psw disposed on the circuit board 31.

[0029] The multiple loop coils of the position detection sensor 32 are electrically connected to a position detection circuit 100 by, for example, a flexible substrate (not shown), and the position detection circuit 100 is configured to detect the position indicated by the position indicator in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32.

[0030] In this embodiment, an operation unit holding member 34 is disposed on top of the position detection sensor 32 via a sensor cover 33 in a state where it overlaps the entire position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32. Materials The upper surface of the input device body 3 is the upper surface of the operation unit holding MaterialsThe operation input receiving portions 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E described above are formed on the operation portion holding member 34. In this embodiment, the operation portion holding member 34 also has a through-hole 34a formed therein for inserting the depression operation portion of the push button switch Psw disposed on the circuit board 31 therethrough.

[0031] This operation unit holding member 34 has recesses 41A, 41B, 41C, 41D, and 41E formed in the areas of the operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E on its top surface, as shown in Figure 3, which form spaces for holding and fixing the operation units 11, 12, and 13 of the operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E, respectively.

[0032] Moreover, circular recesses 41C and 41D for holding and fixing the finger insertion operation unit 12 are formed in the areas of operation input acceptance units 4C and 4D of the operation unit holding member 34. Furthermore, a cross-shaped recess 41E corresponding to the cross-shaped operation element 13H is formed in the area of ​​operation input acceptance unit 4E of the operation unit holding member 34.

[0033] In this embodiment, each of the push button operation unit 11, the finger insertion operation unit 12, and the cross-shaped operation unit 13 includes a position indication unit for the position detection sensor 32.

[0034] In this embodiment, because position detection sensor 32 is an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor, the position indicating units for the position detection sensors provided in each of push button operation unit 11, finger insertion operation unit 12, and cross-shaped operation unit 13 are position indicating coils that interact with the position detection sensor through electromagnetic induction coupling. Each position indicating coil is connected to a capacitor to form a resonant circuit that interacts with the position detection sensor. In this embodiment, the resonant circuit has a different frequency for each position indicating coil, and the position detection sensor is configured to detect which position indicating coil it is interacting with based on the difference in frequency.

[0035] Push button operation unit 11 is provided with one position indication coil as it is only required to accept and indicate an operation in the height direction, which is an operation in one-dimensional space. In contrast, finger insertion operation unit 12 and cross-shaped operation unit 13 are provided with multiple position indication coils, four in this example, as they are required to accept operations in three-dimensional space, namely, the vertical and horizontal directions on the top surface of input device body 3, as well as the height direction. In other words, the number of position indication coils provided in each of operation units 11 to 13 depends on the type of operation that each operation unit 11 to 13 accepts.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of position indication coils provided in the operation units 11, 12, and 13 of the operation input acceptance units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E on the operation unit holding member 34. Fig. 2 shows the arrangement of the position indication coils by removing the operators 11H, 12H, and 13H of the operation units 11, 12, and 13 of the operation input acceptance units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E.

[0037] [Configuration example of push button operation unit 11] As described above, the push button operation unit 11 includes one position indication coil 11L. As shown in FIG. Materials In this example, the position indication coil 11L is provided at approximately the center of each of the four and two circular recesses 41A and 41B in the area of ​​the operation input receiving section 4A and 4B of 34. Materials 34. The push button operation unit 11 is provided with the push button operation unit 11 so as to be movable in the height direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the push button operation unit 34.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the push button operation unit 11. Materials 34. The push button operation unit 11 disposed in the recess 41A in the area of ​​the operation input reception unit 4A on the top surface of the touch panel 34. The push button operation unit 11 disposed in the recess 41B in the area of ​​the operation input reception unit 4B has a similar configuration, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0039] FIG. 4A shows the state in which the operation element 11H of the operation unit 11 is removed. Materials 4(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the push button operation unit 11 with the operation element 11H attached (operation unit holding Materials 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the top surface of 34.

[0040] In this example, the position indication coil 11L is disposed on the lower surface of a circular flexible substrate 111 having a diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the circular recess 41A. In this case, the position indication coil 11L is provided by winding a wire one or more times and attaching it to the lower surface of the flexible substrate 111. Note that the position indication coil 11L can also be formed by winding a conductor pattern one or more times around the lower surface of the flexible substrate 111.

[0041] 4A and 4B, the winding start and end of the position indication coil 11L are connected to one end and the other end of a capacitor 11C provided on the lower surface of the flexible substrate 111. As a result, the position indication coil 11L and the capacitor 11C form a resonant circuit.

[0042] The upper surface of the flexible substrate 111 is bonded to the end surface of the cylindrical operation element 11H in this example by, for example, an adhesive. The flexible substrate 111 bonded and attached to the operation element 11H and the operation unit holding Materials An elastic member, in this example, a coil spring 112, is provided between the operation element 11H and the bottom surface 41Aa of the recess 41A of the operation element 11H. This coil spring 112 is a return spring that elastically displaces when the operation element 11H is pressed down in a height direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 41Aa, and returns the operation element 11H to its original height position when the pressing force is removed.

[0043] Since the push button operation unit 11 is configured as described above, the user can change the distance between the position indication coil 11L and the bottom surface 41Aa of the recess 41A, that is, the height position, by pressing the operation element 11H.

[0044] In this embodiment, the operation unit holding Materials An electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 32 provided below 34 transmits a signal to a resonance circuit formed by a position indication coil 11L and a capacitor 11C of the push button operation unit 11, as will be described later, and receives a signal from the resonance circuit.

[0045] In this embodiment, as described above, the electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 32 is electromagnetically coupled with the position indication coil 11L of the push button operation unit 11 and receives a signal returned from the position indication coil 11L. In this case, the strength of the electromagnetic coupling between the position detection sensor 32 and the position indication coil 11L varies depending on the height position of the position indication coil 11L, and therefore the level of the signal received by the position detection sensor 32 from the position indication coil 11L varies depending on the height position of the position indication coil 11L.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining another example of the configuration of the push button operation unit 11, and this example is an example configured so that the pressure when pressing the operator 11H of the push button operation unit 11 can be detected by a position detection circuit 100, which will be described later. In this example of Fig. 5, the same parts as in the example of Fig. 4 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0047] That is, in the push button operation unit 11' in the example of Fig. 5, a through hole 111a is provided at the center position of the flexible substrate 111'. Then, as shown in Fig. 5, the capacitor 11C is disposed at a position on the flexible substrate 111' that avoids the position of the through hole 111a.

[0048] In this example, a pressure detection unit 113 is provided at the center of the bonding surface of the operator 11H' with the flexible substrate 111'. This pressure detection unit 113 uses a variable capacitance capacitor with a well-known configuration, such as that described in JP 2016-126503 A. The variable capacitance capacitor configured in the pressure detection unit 113 is connected in parallel to the position indication coil 11L and the capacitor 11C to form part of a resonant circuit. A pressure transmission member 114 is fitted into the pressure detection unit 113 via the through-hole 111a.

[0049] Therefore, when the user presses the button operation unit 11', the applied pressure is transmitted to the pressure detection unit 113 via the pressure transmission member 114 and detected as a change in the capacitance of the variable capacitor.

[0050] The push button operation unit 11' in the example of Figure 5 is configured as described above, so that when the user presses the operator 11H', the height, which is the distance from the bottom surface 41Aa of the recess 41A of the position indication coil 11L, can be changed, and the pressure applied by the user to the operator 11H' is detected as a change in the capacitance of the variable capacitor of the pressure detection unit 113.

[0051] [Configuration example of finger insertion operation unit 12] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6(A), the finger insertion operation section 12 includes four position indication coils 12L1, 12L2, 12L3, and 12L4.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of the finger insertion operation unit 12. Note that FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the operation unit holding Materials 34. The finger insertion operation unit 12 disposed in the recess 41C of the operation input reception unit 4C on the top surface of the touch panel 34 is shown. The finger insertion operation unit 12 disposed in the recess 41D of the operation input reception unit 4D has a similar configuration, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0053] FIG. 6(A) shows the operation unit holding device with the operation element 12H of the finger insertion operation unit 12 removed. Materials6(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the finger insertion operation unit 12 with the operation element 12H attached (operation unit holding Materials 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the top surface of 34.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 6(A), the four position indicating coils 12L1 to 12L4 are held by the operation unit. Materials 34 are provided in the circular recesses 41C in the area of ​​the operation input receiving section 4C.

[0055] In this case, the circular bottom surface of the recess 41C is divided into four 90-degree angular ranges in the circumferential direction, and the four position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 are arranged separately in each of the divided angular ranges of the 90-degree angular range.

[0056] These four position indicating coils 12L1 to 12L4 are moved in the vertical and horizontal directions on the top surface of the operation portion holding member 34 by operating the operation element 12H. move The finger insertion operation portion 12 is provided in a state in which the finger insertion operation portion 12 can move in the height direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the operation portion holding member 34.

[0057] 6(A) and 6(B), the four position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 are disposed on the lower surface of a circular flexible substrate 121 having a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the circular recess 41C. In this case, each of the four position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 is provided by winding a wire once or multiple times and attaching it to the lower surface of the flexible substrate 121. In this case, each of the four position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 is wound in a fan shape and disposed within a 90-degree angular range on the lower surface of the circular flexible substrate 121, as shown in FIG.

[0058] 6(A) and 6(B), the position indication coils 12L1, 12L2, 12L3, and 12L4 are connected to capacitors 12C1, 12C2, 12C3, and 12C4, respectively, provided on the lower surface of the flexible substrate 121, to form resonant circuits. Each resonant circuit is electromagnetically inductively coupled to the position detection sensor, so that each of the position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 is configured to indicate a position to the position detection sensor 32.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6B, the flexible substrate 121 and the operation unit holding Materials An elastic member, in this example, a coil spring 122, is provided between the operation element 12H and the bottom surface 41Ca of the recess 41C of the operation element 34. This coil spring 122 is elastically displaced when the operation element 12H is pressed down in the height direction perpendicular to the bottom surface 41Ca, and also functions as a return spring.

[0060] In this example, the flexible substrate 121 is a device for holding an operation unit. Materials 34 in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the operation unit holding Materials 34 is held in the recess 41C in a state in which it can move vertically and horizontally on the top surface of the device.

[0061] That is, in this example, flexible substrate 121 is attached to elastic holding member 123 made of an elastic material that easily expands and contracts elastically, such as elastic rubber. Elastic holding member 123 has coupling portion 123a for coupling with operation element 12H at the center position of circular recess 41C. Elastic holding member 123 also has four strip-shaped portions 123b, 123c, 123d, and 123e that extend from coupling portion 123a in a direction parallel to bottom surface 41Ca of recess 41C and in directions perpendicular to one another.

[0062] The four strip-shaped portions 123b, 123c, 123d, and 123e of the elastic holding member 123 are connected by four arc-shaped portions 123f, 123g, 123h, and 123i that are formed along a circumference of a predetermined radius from the center position of the connecting portion 123a. In this example, the radius of the four arc-shaped portions 123f, 123g, 123h, and 123i from the center position of the connecting portion 123a is the same as or slightly smaller than the radius of the circular flexible substrate 121.

[0063] In this example, as shown in Figures 6(A) and (B), the upper surface side of the flexible substrate 121 is fixed to the elastic holding member 123 with the center position of the circular flexible substrate 121 and the center position of the connecting portion 123a of the elastic holding member 123 approximately coinciding.

[0064] The elastic holding member 123 is attached to the recess 41C by fastening the tips of its four strip-shaped portions 123b, 123c, 123d, and 123e to the side wall surface 41Cb (see FIG. 6(B)) of the circular recess 41C.

[0065] In addition, the height-direction fixing positions of the tips of the four strip-shaped portions 123b, 123c, 123d, and 123e of the elastic holding member 123 on the side wall surface 41Cb of the circular recess 41C are set to the height positions when the coil spring 122 is interposed between the flexible substrate 121 and the bottom surface 41Ca of the recess 41C and no pressing force is applied to the operating element 12H, as shown in Figure 6(B).

[0066] 6(B), the operation element 12H is coupled to the elastic holding member 123 at the coupling portion 123a of the elastic holding member 123. As shown in FIG.

[0067] The finger insertion operation unit 12 in the example of FIG. 6 is configured as described above, so that the user can insert the operation element 12H into the operation unit. Materials When the operating part 34 is moved in the vertical and horizontal directions parallel to the top surface of the operating part 34, the connecting part 123a of the elastic holding member 123 elastically holds the operating part. Materials34, the position of the position indicating coils 12L1 to 12L4 can be changed in the direction of the displacement. Also, when the user presses down the operation element 12H, the position of the coupling portion 123a of the elastic holding member 123 in the height direction is elastically displaced, so that the position indicating coils 12L1 to 12L4 can be changed in the direction of the displacement. 12L1~12L4 Recess 41 C Bottom of 41 C The height, which is the distance from a, can be changed.

[0068] [Configuration example of the cross-shaped operation unit 13] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the cross-shaped operation unit 13 includes four position indication coils 13L1, 13L2, 13L3, and 13L4.

[0069] Figure 7 shows the operation unit Materials 7A is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the cross-shaped operation unit 13 disposed in the recess 41E of the operation input receiving unit 4E on the top surface of the operation unit holding device 34. FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the cross-shaped operation unit 13 disposed in the recess 41E of the operation input receiving unit 4E on the top surface of the operation unit holding device 34. Materials 7(B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cross-shaped operating unit 13 with the operating element 13H attached (operation unit holding Materials 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the top surface of 34.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the four position indicating coils 13L1 to 13L4 are held by the operation unit. Materials 34 are respectively disposed at the ends of the cross-shaped recessed portion 41E in the region of the operation input receiving portion 4E, the recessed portions 34 being intersecting each other.

[0071] These four position indicating coils 13L1 to 13L4 are held by the operation of the cross-shaped operating element 13H. Materials 34. The cross-shaped operation unit 13 is provided with the cross-shaped operation unit 13 so as to be movable in the height direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the cross-shaped operation unit 13.

[0072] 7A and 7B, the four position indication coils 13L1, 13L2, 13L3, and 13L4 are disposed on the lower surfaces of circular flexible substrates 1311, 1312, 1313, and 1314, each having a diameter smaller than the width of the groove of the cross-shaped recess 41E. 13 L1~ 13 Each of L4 is provided by winding a wire rod once or multiple times and attaching it to the lower surface of flexible substrates 1311-1314.

[0073] 7(A) and 7(B), the position indication coils 13L1, 13L2, 13L3, and 13L4 are connected to capacitors 13C1, 13C2, 13C3, and 13C4 provided on the lower surfaces of the flexible substrates 1311, 1312, 1313, and 1314. As a result, each of the position indication coils 13L1 to 13L4 and each of the capacitors 13C1 to 13C4 form a resonance circuit, and each of the resonance circuits is electromagnetically inductively coupled to the position detection sensor, so that each of the position indication coils 13L1 to 13L4 is configured to indicate a position to the position detection sensor 32.

[0074] Each of the flexible substrates 1311 to 1314 and the operation unit holder Materials 34 and a bottom surface 41Ea of the recess 41E, elastic members, in this example, coil springs 1321, 1322, 1323, and 1324, are provided. These coil springs 1321, 1322, 1323, and 1324 are return springs that elastically displace when each of the four ends 13H1, 13H2, 13H3, and 13H4 (see FIGS. 1 and 7(B)) of the cross-shaped operating element 13H is pressed, and return each to its original height position when the pressing force is released.

[0075] In this example, a support shaft 13Ho for the seesaw motion of the cross-shaped operator 13H is formed at the center position of the cross-shaped operator 13H, as shown in Fig. 7(B). Meanwhile, a support bearing portion 134 that supports the tip of the support shaft 13Ho of the cross-shaped operator 13H is provided at the center position where the recessed grooves intersect on the bottom surface 41Ea of the recess 41E of the operation input accepting portion 4E of the cross-shaped operation unit 13, as shown in Figs. 7(A) and 7(B).

[0076] The cross-shaped operating unit 13 in the example of Figure 7 is configured as described above, so that by the user pressing down any of the four ends 13H1, 13H2, 13H3, and 13H4 of the operating element 13H, the distance, i.e., the height position, of any of the four position indication coils 13L1, 13L2, 13L3, and 13L4 from the bottom surface 41Ea of the recess 41E can be changed.

[0077] [Example of electronic circuit configuration for input device 1] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the electronic circuit configuration of the input device 1 of this embodiment. A position detection circuit 100, an operation information processing circuit 200, and a wireless communication unit 300 are provided on a circuit board 31. As shown in Fig. 8, a position detection sensor 32 is connected to the position detection circuit 100. An output from the position detection circuit 100 is supplied to the operation information processing circuit 200, and an output (control signal) from the operation information processing circuit 200 is transmitted to a game console or a personal computer via the wireless communication unit 300. In this example, the wireless communication unit 300 performs wireless communication using a communication method conforming to the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

[0078] 8, in this example, the position detection sensor 32 is configured by laminating an X-axis direction loop coil group 321X and a Y-axis direction loop coil group 321Y on, for example, a flexible substrate. n and the loop coils Y1 to Y of the Y-axis loop coil group 321Y. mEach of the loop coils may have one turn or may have two or more turns. The numbers n and m of the loop coils in each of the loop coil groups 321X and 321Y may also be determined appropriately depending on the size of the position detection sensor 32.

[0079] The position detection circuit 100 includes an oscillator 101, a current driver 102, a selection circuit 103, a switching connection circuit 104, a receiving amplifier 105, and a position detection processing circuit 106. The loop coils of each of the loop coil groups 321X and 321Y of the position detection sensor 32 are connected to the selection circuit 103.

[0080] The position detection processing circuit 106 detects the coordinate positions of the position indication coil 11L of the push button operation unit 11, the position indication coils 12L1 to 12L4 of the finger insertion operation unit 12, and the position indication coils 13L1 to 13L4 of the cross-shaped operation unit 13 on the position detection sensor 32. If the operation unit is equipped with a pressure detection unit as in the example of Fig. 5, the position detection processing circuit 106 also performs processing to detect pressure.

[0081] The position detection processing circuit 106 also has the function of controlling the selection of the loop coil of the position detection sensor 32 in the selection circuit 103 and the switching of the switching connection circuit 104, as well as controlling the processing timing of the position detection and pressure detection.

[0082] The X-axis direction loop coil group 321X and the Y-axis direction loop coil group 321Y of the position detection sensor 32 are connected to a selection circuit 103. The selection circuit 103 sequentially selects one of the two loop coil groups 321X and 321Y. The oscillator 101 generates an AC signal having a frequency corresponding to the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit including the position indication coils 11L, 12L1 to 12L4, and 13L1 to 13L4. The oscillator 101 supplies the generated AC signal to a current driver 102. The current driver 102 converts the AC signal supplied from the oscillator 101 into a current and sends it to a switching connection circuit 104.

[0083] The switching connection circuit 104 switches the connection destination (transmission side terminal T, reception side terminal R) to which the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 103 is connected under the control of the position detection processing circuit 106.

[0084] When the switching connection circuit 104 is switched to the terminal T side, a current is supplied from the current driver 102 to the loop coil selected by the selection circuit 103. This generates a magnetic field in the loop coil, which transmits a signal (radio wave) to act on the resonant circuits of the operation units 11 to 13 disposed opposite the position detection sensor 32. Since the resonant circuits including the position indication coils 11L, 12L1 to 12L4, and 13L1 to 13L4 have different resonant frequencies, the oscillator 101 is configured to generate AC signals of successively different frequencies.

[0085] 8 shows, as an example, a resonant circuit RC1 consisting of a position indication coil 11L1 and a capacitor 11C of the push button operation unit 11 of the operation units 11 to 13. In the case of the push button operation unit 11', as shown on the right side of the upper left of FIG. 8, the resonant circuit RC1 consists of the position indication coil 11L1 of the push button operation unit 11', the capacitor 11C, and a variable capacitance capacitor 113C consisting of the pressure detection unit 113. 1 ´ is constructed.

[0086] When each resonant circuit of the operation units 11 to 13 receives an AC signal of the respective frequency from the position detection sensor 32 by electromagnetic induction coupling, it feeds back the received signal to the position detection sensor 32 when the position detection sensor 32 enters a receiving state.

[0087] The position detection processing circuit 106 connects the switching connection circuit 104 to the terminal T to connect the operation units 1 to 13 to the resonant circuits. From Oscillators 101 After transmitting the AC signal by electromagnetic induction coupling, the switching connection circuit 207 is switched to the terminal R side.

[0088] Then, an induced voltage generated in the loop coil of the position detection sensor 32 by a feedback signal from the resonant circuit of the operation units 11 to 13 is sent to the receiving amplifier 105 via the selection circuit 103 and the switching connection circuit 104. The receiving amplifier 105 amplifies the induced voltage supplied from the loop coil and sends it to the position detection processing circuit 106 as a received signal.

[0089] The position detection processing circuit 106 detects which loop coil was selected when the received signal from the receiving amplifier 105 was obtained, and thereby detects the coordinate positions on the position detection sensor 32 of the position indication coils 11L, 12L1-12L4, and 13L1-13L4 of the resonant circuits of the operation units 11-13 that are the senders of the received signal.The position detection processing circuit 106 then detects the signal level of the received signal from the receiving amplifier 105. The signal level of this received signal exhibits a level that corresponds to the height position of the position indication coils 11L, 12L1-12L4, and 13L1-13L4 of the operation units 11-13, respectively.

[0090] Furthermore, when the resonant circuits of the operating units 11 to 13 include variable capacitors consisting of pressure detection units, the position detection processing circuit 106 detects the pressure being applied to the operating units by synchronously detecting the received signal with the transmitted signal from the oscillator 101 and detecting the frequency displacement (phase difference) between them.

[0091] The position detection processing circuit 106 supplies the operation information processing circuit 200 with information on the coordinate positions of the detected position indication coils 11L, 12L1 to 12L4, and 13L1 to 13L4, the received signal levels thereof, and information on the detected pressure.

[0092] 8, the operation information processing circuit 200 includes an operation detection circuit 210 and a control signal output circuit 220. The operation information processing circuit 200 can be configured as a microprocessor unit using an IC (Integrated Circuit).

[0093] The operation detection circuit 210 of the operation information processing circuit 200 comprises an area storage unit 211, an area discrimination circuit 212, area-specific operation detection circuits 213, 214, 215, 216, and 217, and a switch discrimination unit 218. Each unit of the operation detection circuit 210 can be configured as a software function unit that is executed by executing a program. Of course, the area storage unit 211 can also be an external component attached to the microprocessor unit.

[0094] As described above, in the input device 1 of this embodiment, the position detection sensor 32 is disposed so as to overlap with the operation unit holding member 34. Therefore, the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32 includes the operation unit holding member 34, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Materials Five detection areas DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE corresponding to the areas of the five operation input receiving sections 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E can be set.

[0095] In this example, the area memory unit 211 stores, as shown in FIG. 9, correspondence table information between area range information of five detection areas DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE set in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32, information on the operation unit to be detected, and information on detection application software (abbreviated as detection app) for detecting the type of operation to be detected for each operation unit.

[0096] In this example, the five detection areas DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE are all rectangular areas, so the area range information is specified by the coordinates of the upper left corner and the coordinates of the lower right corner of each rectangular area in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32, as shown in Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 3, the X-axis direction of the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32 is determined by the coordinates of the operation unit holding member 34 The horizontal direction is the Y-axis direction of the operation unit holding member. 34 In the vertical direction, for example, the coordinates of the upper left corner of the detection area DA are (xa, ya) and the coordinates of the lower right corner are (xb, yb).

[0097] With respect to the operation units to be detected, four push button operation units 11 of operation input reception unit 4A are associated and stored for detection area DA, two push button operation units 11 of operation input reception unit 4B are associated and stored for detection area DB, finger insertion operation unit 12 (left thumb) of operation input reception unit 4C is associated and stored for detection area DC, finger insertion operation unit 12 (right thumb) of operation input reception unit 4D is associated and stored for detection area DD, and cross-shaped operation unit 13 of operation input reception unit 4E is associated and stored for detection area DE.

[0098] The information of the detection app stored in the area memory unit 211 is information APR1, APR2, APR3, APR4, and APR5 for launching the detection app to detect the operation modes as described above received by the operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E corresponding to the detection areas DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE, respectively.

[0099] In this example, the detection applications for detecting the above-mentioned operation modes received by the operation input receiving units 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, and 4E are configured as area-specific operation detection circuits 213, 214, 215, 216, and 217, respectively.

[0100] The information stored in the area storage unit 211 can be stored in advance, or can be downloaded from a designated website by a user who has purchased the input device 1 and starts using the input device 1. Each of the detection applications configured as the area-specific operation detection circuits 213, 214, 215, 216, and 217 can be downloaded in the same manner.

[0101] In this case, access to the website and downloading from the website are performed via a game console or personal computer to which the input device 1 is wirelessly connected via the wireless communication unit 300.

[0102] The area determination circuit 212 of the operation information processing circuit 200 receives coordinate information and height position information of the position indication coil of each of the operation units 11 to 13 from the position detection processing circuit 106. Then, the area determination circuit 212 refers to the area range information in the area storage unit 211, and determines, based on the coordinates of the received position indication coil, in which of the detection areas DA, DB, DC, DD, and DE the position indication coil of the operation unit belongs.

[0103] When the area determination circuit 212 determines that the position indication coil that has received the coordinate information from the position detection processing circuit 106 is the position indication coil of the operation part within the detection area DA, it starts up an area-by-area operation detection circuit 213 consisting of a detection application for area DA based on the stored information in the area storage unit 211, and supplies the coordinate information and height position information of the position indication coil received from the position detection processing circuit 106 to the area-by-area operation detection circuit 213.

[0104] Similarly, when the area determination circuit 212 determines that the position indication coil that has received coordinate information from the position detection processing circuit 106 is the position indication coil of an operation part within one of the detection areas DB, DC, DD, or DE, it starts either an area-by-area operation detection circuit 214 consisting of a detection application for the determined detection area DB, or an area-by-area operation detection circuit 215 consisting of a detection application for the determined detection area DC, or an area-by-area operation detection circuit 216 consisting of a detection application for the determined detection area DD, or an area-by-area operation detection circuit 217 consisting of a detection application for the determined detection area DE, based on the stored information in the area memory unit 211, and supplies the coordinate information and height position information of the position indication coil received from the position detection processing circuit 106 to one of these area-by-area operation detection circuits 214 to 217.

[0105] The area-by-area operation detection circuit 213 for the detection area DA first detects the coordinate position of each of the position indication coils 11L of the four push button operation units 11 of the operation input reception unit 4A, and also detects the height position of each of the position indication coils 11L from the magnitude of the signal level of the received signal from each of the position indication coils 11L.

[0106] The per-area operation detection circuit 213 then performs processing to detect the various operation modes as described above assigned to the four push button operation units 11 of the operation input receiving unit 4A from the detection outputs of the height positions of the position indication coils 11L of the four push button operation units 11. The per-area operation detection circuit 213 then supplies information on the detected operation mode to the control signal output circuit 220. Similarly, for the detection areas DB, DC, DD, and DE, the per-area operation detection circuits 214, 215, 216, and 217 perform operations according to each detection area.

[0107] 8, in this embodiment, a push button switch Psw is connected to the operation information processing circuit 200, and the operation information processing circuit 200 is provided with a switch discrimination unit 218. The switch discrimination unit 218 monitors the push button switch operation of the push button switch Psw and discriminates the switch state of the push button switch Psw. The switch discrimination unit 218 then supplies information on the switch state of the push button switch Psw to the control signal output circuit 220.

[0108] The control signal output circuit 220 receives information on the operation modes detected by each of the area operation detection circuits 213 to 217 and information on the switch state of the push button switch Psw, and generates a control signal to be transmitted to the game console or personal computer. The control signal output circuit 220 then transmits the generated control signal to the game console or personal computer via the wireless communication unit 300.

[0109] As described above, the input device 1 of the above-described embodiment can be realized by a simple configuration in which an operation unit holding member 34 is disposed on an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor 32, and the operation units 11 to 13 equipped with position indication coils are held by the operation unit holding member 34.

[0110] In the input device 1 of the above-described embodiment, the area on the top surface of the operation unit holding member 34 and the detection area of ​​the position detection sensor are divided into multiple non-overlapping areas, and operation input receiving units 4A to 4E capable of receiving different operation modes are assigned to each of the divided areas, thereby making it possible to easily generate control signals corresponding to multiple types of operation modes.

[0111] In the input device of the above-described embodiment, an operation detection application is provided corresponding to the operation input receiving unit assigned to each of the divided areas, so that if the assignment of the operation input receiving unit to the divided areas is changed, this can be easily dealt with by changing the operation detection application.

[0112] Furthermore, in the input device of the above-described embodiment, the operation detection application corresponding to the operation input receiving unit assigned to each divided area is configured so that it is sufficient to process only the coordinate information and the reception level information of the received signal detected in the detection area of ​​the assigned position detection sensor as target information, which has the effect of enabling faster and more accurate operation detection processing compared to processing the entire position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor as target information.

[0113] Therefore, the design of the input device can be easily changed by changing the division of the operation unit holding member into multiple regions, the allocation of operation input acceptance units to the divided regions, and the allocation of detection applications corresponding to the allocated operation input acceptance units. In this case, the position detection sensor does not need to be structurally changed, and it is only necessary to divide the detection region for its position detection region to match the region of the operation input acceptance unit of the operation unit holding member. In other words, structurally, the design of the input device can be easily changed by simply changing only the operation unit holding member according to the operation input acceptance unit to be allocated.

[0114] In other words, in conventional input devices of this type, it was necessary to place each of the multiple operating units in a fixed position in consideration of operability, and it was not easy to change the position of the operating units on the housing, and the types of multiple operating units arranged on the input device were also necessarily fixed. However, the input device of the above-mentioned embodiment can solve the conventional problems.

[0115] [Second embodiment] As described above, the input device according to the present invention is structurally easy to change in design by simply changing the operation unit holding member according to the operation input receiving unit to be assigned. The second embodiment is an example of an input device that effectively utilizes this advantage.

[0116] In the second embodiment, the operation unit holding member 34 of the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above is configured to be replaceable. Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view for explaining an outline of a configuration example of this second input device 1EX. However, in Fig. 10, the case 2 and circuit board 31 of the input device 1 of the first embodiment are not shown. In Fig. 10, parts that are the same as those of the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0117] As shown in FIG. 10, the second input device 1EX includes a position detection sensor 32 with a protective cover 33 attached to the upper surface thereof, similar to the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0118] 10 , the input device 1EX of the second embodiment is provided with three types of operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 of the same size as operation unit holding members disposed on the position detection sensor 32 via the protective cover 33. The input device 1EX of the second embodiment is configured so that any one of the three operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 can be joined to the position detection sensor 32 via the protective cover 33 using a joining member such as double-sided tape. In this case, the joining member such as double-sided tape is configured to allow the operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 to be easily attached to and detached from the protective cover 33.

[0119] The three operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 of the input device 1EX of the second embodiment are configured to be capable of performing different operation modes from one another. That is, in this example, the three operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 are configured to hold multiple operation units, as shown in Fig. 10, and are divided into different regions as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 10, with predetermined operation units disposed in each region.

[0120] In this example, identification information areas 341ID, 342ID, and 343ID are provided as small area ranges at the same position on the top surface of each of the operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343, respectively, for transmitting identification information for identifying each of the operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 to the position detection sensor 32. In this example, position indication coils can be installed at two positions, one on the left and one on the right, as shown in Fig. 10 within the identification information areas 341ID, 342ID, and 343ID, and binary information can be identified depending on the position of the coil.

[0121] In this example, the operation unit holding member 342 is configured to include a control stick operation unit 14 that is useful for a flight simulator, etc. An example of the configuration of this operation unit holding member 342 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0122] 10 and 11, operation unit holding member 342 in this example has a plurality of push button operation units 11 arranged in each of operation input acceptance units 5A, 5B, and 5C, and has control stick operation unit 14 arranged in operation input acceptance unit 5D. Control stick operation unit 14 consists of an operator 14H and an operator holding unit 14BS that mounts and holds operator 14H on operation unit holding member 342.

[0123] The manipulator holding portion 14BS is held and fixed in the area of ​​the operation input receiving portion 5D of the operation unit holding member 342. The manipulator 14H is coupled and held by this manipulator holding portion 14BS in a state in which it can be tilted forward, backward, left, and right as shown by the arrows in Figures 11(A) and 11(B) and the tip side of the manipulator 14H can be rotated.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 11(B), the operator 14H of the joystick operation unit 14 is configured by housing 141, which is a cylindrical member deformed into a grip shape that can be held by the user's hand, and which houses a position indication coil 142, a capacitor 143 that forms a resonant circuit together with the position indication coil 142, and a pressure detection unit 144.

[0125] 11(B), in this example, position indication coil 142 is wound around a magnetic core, in this example, ferrite core 145, and is provided at the end of housing 141 on the side where it is coupled to operator holding portion 14BS. In this example, pressure detection unit 144 is provided on the side of ferrite core 145 around which coil 142 is wound, opposite the side where it is coupled to operator holding portion 14BS of housing 141, in the axial direction of housing 141. This pressure detection unit 144 is configured to detect pressure as a change in capacitance of a variable capacitor, similar to pressure detection unit 113 shown in the example of push button operation unit 11 in FIG.

[0126] In this example, although not shown in the figure, the ferrite core 145 has a through hole in its axial direction, and an opening is provided on the side of the housing 141 where it is joined to the operator holding portion 14BS, so as to communicate with the through hole of the ferrite core 145 in the axial direction.

[0127] Then, as shown in FIG. 11(B), a thin rod-shaped core body 146 made of, for example, hard resin is inserted into the housing 141 through the opening of the housing 141 and the through-hole of the ferrite core 145, and the end of the core body 146 is fitted into the fitting portion of the pressure detection unit 144.

[0128] Therefore, when the operator 14H is pressed, the core body 146 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the holding recess for the joystick operating unit 14 of the operation input receiving unit 5D of the operating unit holding member 342, and pressure corresponding to the user's pressing force is applied to the core body 146, and this pressure is detected as a change in capacitance by the pressure detection unit 144.

[0129] A circuit board 147 is disposed in the housing 141. The circuit board 147 is provided with a capacitor 143 that is connected between one end and the other end of the position indication coil 142 to form a resonance circuit.

[0130] 11(C), a resonant circuit 14RC is formed on the circuit board 147. That is, a capacitor 143 is connected in parallel to the position indication coil 142, and a variable capacitor 144C formed by the pressure detection unit 144 is connected in parallel to the position indication coil 142. Furthermore, a series circuit of a switch 148 and a capacitor 149 is connected to the position indication coil 142. As shown in FIG. 11(A), a button 14SW for turning the switch 148 on and off is arranged on the operator 14H.

[0131] Therefore, the resonant frequency of resonant circuit 14RC is displaced (phase displaced) according to the capacitance of variable capacitor 144C configured in pressure detection unit 144, and also changes depending on whether switch 148 is on or off. In position detection circuit 100, by detecting the frequency displacement (phase displacement) and change of the received signal according to the displacement of the resonant frequency of resonant circuit 14RC, it is possible to detect the pressure detected by pressure detection unit 144 and to detect the on or off state of switch 148. The pressure detected by pressure detection unit 144 is used to detect the pressing operation on operator 14H of control stick operation unit 14 and the pressing force.

[0132] 11(B), an elastically deforming portion 141F formed in a bellows shape in this example is provided on the side of the housing 141 of the operator 14H of the joystick operation unit 14 that is coupled to the operator holding portion 14BS. The operator 14H is configured so that, by operation by the user, the operator 14H can be tilted forward, backward, left, and right around the operator holding portion 14BS as a fulcrum, and the tip side of the operator 14H can also be rotated by this elastically deforming portion 141F.

[0133] FIG. 11(D) is a diagram for explaining a method for detecting the tilt angle and tilt direction of the control element 14H of the joystick control unit 14.

[0134] When the axial direction of the operator 14H is tilted with respect to the upper surface of the operation-unit holding member 342, the position detection sensor 32 receives the signal fed back from the position indicating coil 142 within the range of an ellipse as shown in Fig. 11(D). The major axis direction of this ellipse is the tilt direction (the direction of the arrow in Fig. 11(D)), and the distance d from the position Pc in the major axis direction corresponds to the tilt angle. Therefore, the position detection circuit 100 connected to the position detection sensor 32 can detect the tilt angle and tilt direction of the axial direction of the operator 14H with respect to the upper surface of the operation-unit holding member 342.

[0135] Therefore, the operation input receiving section 5D of the operation unit holding member 342 can receive the operation modes of tilting and rotating the operator 14H of the joystick operation unit 14, and by detecting the received operation modes with the operation information processing circuit 200, a control signal can be generated in accordance with the operation of the operator 14H of the joystick operation unit 14.

[0136] Next, the operation part holding member 343 is a steering wheel operation part useful for a driving simulator, etc. 15 An example of the configuration of this operation portion holding member 343 will be further described with reference to FIG.

[0137] 10 and 12, in the operation unit holding member 343 of this example, a plurality of push button operation units are arranged in each of the operation input receiving units 6A, 6B, and 6C, and the steering wheel operation unit 15 is arranged in the operation input receiving unit 6D. The steering wheel operation unit 15 is made up of an operator 15H having a steering wheel shape and an operator holding unit 15BS that mounts and holds the operator 15H on the operation unit holding member 343.

[0138] The operation element holding portion 15BS is an operation input receiving portion of the operation element holding member 343. 6 The operator 15H is held and fixed in the area D of the operator holding portion 15BS. 12(B) As shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the operation element 15H is coupled and held in a state in which it can be rotated.

[0139] As shown in Figures 12(A) and (B), the operator 15H of the steering wheel operating unit 15 is composed of a cylindrical rotating shaft portion 151 that is rotatably connected to the operator holding portion 15BS, a ring-shaped wheel portion 152 that the user grips and rotates, and multiple arm portions 153a, 153b, and 153c in this example, for connecting the wheel portion 152 to the rotating shaft portion 151.

[0140] In this embodiment, the operator 15H is provided with a position indication coil for detecting a rotation angle with the rotation shaft 151 of the wheel 152 as the rotation center position. In this example, a position indication coil 154 is provided on the rotation shaft 151 of the operator 15H, and a position indication coil 155 is provided at one predetermined position in the circumferential direction of the wheel 152. These position indication coils 154 and 155 are used for position detection. Sensor 32 and electromagnetic induction system, and the position detection circuit is arranged so that the indicated position can be easily detected.

[0141] 12(C), a method for detecting the rotation angle of the wheel portion 152 of the operator 15H of the steering wheel operation unit 15 will be described. That is, the position detection circuit 100 detects a position P0 of the position indication coil 154 and a position P1 of the position indication coil 155 in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor 32.

[0142] Here, the position P0 of the position indicating coil 154 is a predetermined fixed position within the area of ​​the operation input receiving unit 6D, and therefore, the fixed position P0 is to be confirmed. In Fig. 12(C), the position coordinates of this position P0 are (x0, y0).

[0143] Furthermore, when the operator 15H is in the home position, the position P1 of the position indicating coil 155 is at a predetermined position within the area of ​​the operation input receiving unit 6D. For example, in the example of Fig. 12, the position indicating coils 154 and 155 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction of the operation unit holding member 343 at the home position, so that the position P1 of the position indicating coil 155 when the operator 15H is in the home position is (xi, y0), as shown in Fig. 12(C). Here, xi is a position spaced apart from x0 by the radius of the wheel unit 152.

[0144] When the wheel portion 152 of the operator 15H is operated and rotated from the home position, and the position indicating coil 155 moves from position P1 to position P1' as shown in Fig. 12(C), the rotation angle θ1 is calculated by calculation from the position coordinates of position P1 and position P1'. Similarly, the rotation angle θ2 when the position indicating coil 155 moves from position P1 to position P1'' is calculated by calculation from the position coordinates of position P1 and position P1''.

[0145] Therefore, the operation input receiving section 6D of the operation section holding member 343 can receive the rotational operation mode of the operator 15H of the steering wheel operation section 15, and by detecting the received operation mode with the operation information processing circuit 200, a control signal can be generated in accordance with the rotational operation of the operator 15H of the steering wheel operation section 15.

[0146] In the input device 1EX of this second embodiment, an electronic circuit consisting of a position detection circuit 100, an operation information processing circuit 200, and a wireless communication unit 300 is provided on the circuit board 31, similar to the electronic circuit shown in Figure 8 of the input device 1 of the first embodiment described above.

[0147] However, in the input device 1EX of this second embodiment, the memory contents of the area memory unit 211 of the operation information processing circuit 200 are rewritten depending on whether the operation unit holding member attached to the position detection sensor 32 via the protective cover 33 is the operation unit holding member 341, 342, or 343, and the detection processing application of the area-specific operation detection circuits 213, 214, 215, 216, and 217 is changed.

[0148] The operation of the input device 1EX of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 13. The flowchart of Fig. 13 starts from the start when, for example, the input device 1EX is powered on. Note that the flowchart of Fig. 13 shows the flow of processing operations in the operation information processing circuit 200 of the input device 1EX, which is configured by a microprocessor.

[0149] When the input device 1EX is powered on, the operation information processing circuit 200 recognizes the identification information of the operation unit holding member from the detection information of the position indication coils 7L, 7R in the identification information areas 341ID, 342ID, 343ID of the operation unit holding members 341, 342, 343 sent from the position detection circuit 100 (step S1).

[0150] Next, the operation information processing circuit 200 determines whether the identification information is

[00] as a result of the recognition in step S1 (step S2). If it is determined in step S2 that the identification information is

[00] and that none of the operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343 is attached to the position detection sensor 32, the operation information processing circuit 200 operates to execute the function of a digitizer for an electronic pen (step S3).

[0151] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S2 that the identification information is not

[00] , it is determined whether the identification information recognized in step S1 is the same as that before power was turned on (step S4). If it is determined in step S4 that the identification information recognized in step S1 is the same as that before power was turned on, the operation unit holding member attached to the position detection sensor 32 has not changed from the previous time, and the area storage unit 211 stores correspondence table information for the currently attached operation unit holding member, so the operation information processing circuit 200 executes the current operation detection process using the correspondence table information stored in the area storage unit 211 (step S5).

[0152] If it is determined in step S4 that the identification information recognized in step S1 is not the same as that before power-on, the operation information processing circuit 200 transmits the identification information recognized in step S1 to the above-mentioned web server via the wireless communication unit 300 and the game console or the personal computer, and sends a request to acquire the correspondence table information and the detection application (step S6).The operation information processing circuit 200 then waits for and receives reply information from the web server via the wireless communication unit 300 (step S7).

[0153] In step S7, when the reply information is received from the web server, the operation information processing circuit 200 stores the correspondence table information included in the reply information in the area storage unit 211, and also installs a detection application as the area-specific operation detection circuits 213 to 217 (step S8). As a result, the area storage unit 211 stores the correspondence table information for the newly attached operation unit holding member, and also installs detection applications for the multiple operation input receiving units of the newly attached operation unit holding member as the area-specific operation detection circuits 213 to 217.

[0154] After the processing in step S8, the operation information processing circuit 200 uses the correspondence table information newly stored in the area memory unit 211 and also uses the newly installed detection application to execute an operation detection process (step S9) so as to generate a control signal corresponding to the type of operation received by each of the operation input receiving units of the newly attached operation unit holding member.

[0155] After step S3, step S5, or step S9, the operation information processing circuit 200 determines whether the power is turned off and the operation is terminated (step S10), and if the operation is not terminated, continues the processing of step S3, step S5, or step S9, respectively. If the operation is terminated in step S10, the operation information processing circuit 200 terminates this processing routine.

[0156] As described above, according to the input device 1EX of the second embodiment, it is possible to change the operation unit holding member attached to the position detection sensor 32 via the protective cover 33, so that a single input device 1EX can be used as not only a normal game controller but also various controllers such as a controller for a flight simulator or a controller for a driving simulator, which is very convenient.

[0157] In this case, in the case of the input device of the second embodiment, there is no need to purchase all of the multiple operation unit holding members such as operation unit holding members 341, 342, and 343, and the user only needs to purchase the operation unit holding members that he or she needs.

[0158] In conventional input devices of this type, it is difficult for a user to obtain an input device equipped with all of the operation units that the user needs, and so the user has to purchase multiple input devices and use them by switching between them as needed. In contrast, with the input device 1EX of the second embodiment described above, the same effect as purchasing multiple input devices can be obtained by simply switching between the operation unit holding members.

[0159] In the input device 1EX of the second embodiment, the method for obtaining identification information for identifying each of the multiple operation unit holding members is not limited to the method of providing an identification information area on each operation unit holding member and arranging a position indication coil that interacts with a position detection sensor in the identification information area, as described above, but various other methods can be used. For example, an optical identification method may be applied in which a through-hole is provided at a different predetermined position on each operation unit holding member, light passing through the through-hole is detected on the circuit board 31 side, and each operation unit holding member is detected based on the position of the through-hole where the light is detected.

[0160] In the input device 1EX of the second embodiment, it is not essential that the acquisition of the correspondence table information and the detection application for each of the multiple operation unit holding members 341, 342, 343 be performed automatically as described above. The user may recognize any one of the attached operation unit holding members 341, 342, 343, input identification information that specifies the recognized operation unit holding member, access a web server, acquire the correspondence table information and the detection application for the attached operation unit holding member, store them in the area memory unit 211 of the operation information processing circuit 200, and install them as area-specific operation detection circuits 213 to 217.

[0161] In conventional input devices, the arrangement of each operating part on the housing of the input device is fixed, which can make it difficult for some users to use. However, in this second embodiment, by doing as described above, it is possible to obtain an input device in which the operating parts are arranged in a way that the user prefers, and the operating parts can be operated in the way that the user desires.

[0162] In addition, instead of the user deciding on the specifications of the operation unit holding member and requesting the manufacturer, the user may be able to select from various specifications of the operation unit holding member available from the manufacturer.

[0163] [Other examples of control panel] In the description of the above-mentioned embodiment, finger insertion operation unit 12 has been described as an example of a three-dimensional operation unit that can be slid back and forth and left and right in directions parallel to the upper surface of the operation unit holding member and can also be moved in the height direction. However, this type of three-dimensional operation unit is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and can also be configured as, for example, a palm-held operation unit 16 as shown in FIG. 14.

[0164] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the palm-held operation unit 16, with Fig. 14(A) being a perspective view showing its appearance and Fig. 14(B) being a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof. Fig. 14(C) is a diagram illustrating a power spring 162 for returning the operating element 16H of the palm-held operation unit 16 to its original state after sliding it back and forth, left and right, etc.

[0165] As shown in Figures 14(A) and (B), the palm-held operating unit 16 in this example comprises an operator holding unit 16BS fixedly arranged in a recess (not shown) for the palm-held operating unit 16 provided in the operating unit holding member, and an operator 16H connected to the operator holding unit 16BS so as to be able to slide back and forth, left and right, etc.

[0166] 14(A) and 14(B), the operator holder 16BS includes a hollow, flat, cylindrical holder housing 161. This holder housing 161 is configured by joining a lower housing half 1611, which is a circular plate with side walls on the circumferential edge, and an upper housing half 1612, which is also a circular plate with side walls on the circumferential edge, so that the end faces of the respective side walls abut against each other.

[0167] 14(B) and 14(C) is disposed in hollow portion 161c of holder housing 161. In this case, the outermost periphery of spiral spring 162 is fixed to the side walls of lower housing half 1611 and upper housing half 1612 of housing 161 and is slightly spaced apart from the bottom surface of lower housing half 1611, allowing the central portion of spiral spring 162 to be freely elastically displaced, and after displacement, spiral spring 162 returns to its original state by its own elastic biasing force.

[0168] An opening 1612a having a predetermined radius from the center of the upper surface of the upper housing half 1612 of the holding unit housing 161 is formed in the upper surface of the upper housing half 1612. As will be described later, this opening 1612a defines a movable range within which the operating element 16H can slide back and forth, left and right, etc. The spiral spring 162 is disposed such that its center is directly below the opening 1612a of the upper housing half 1612 of the housing 161. As shown in FIG. 14(B), the spiral spring 162 is provided with a fall-off prevention flange 162b having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the opening 1612a to prevent the spiral spring 162 from coming off the opening 1612a of the operating unit housing 161.

[0169] 14(A) and 14(B), the operator housing 163 of the operator 16H of the palm-held operation unit 16 of this example has an external appearance formed integrally with a cylindrical portion 163a and a protruding portion 163b that protrudes a predetermined length from a semicircular side wall surface of the cylindrical portion 163a in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion. With such a shape, a user can place the palm of their hand over the cylindrical portion 163a of the operator 16H and hold the protruding portion 163b between their thumb and index finger to perform operations such as sliding movement.

[0170] In this example, the operator housing 163 is configured by fitting an upper housing section 1632 onto a lower housing section 1631, and has a hollow section 163c inside.

[0171] 14(B), a protruding coupling and fixing portion 1631a is provided below the cylindrical portion 163a of the lower housing portion 1631 of this operator housing 163 so as to fit into a central portion of the spiral spring 162 provided in the holder housing 161. Meanwhile, a recess 162a is formed in the central portion of the spiral spring 162 so as to fit into the coupling and fixing portion 1631a of the lower housing portion 1631 of the operator housing 163, as shown in FIGS. 14(B) and (C). Then, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the coupling and fixing portion 1631a of the lower housing portion 1631 of the operator housing 163 is fitted into the recess 162a of the spiral spring 162, and the operator 16H is fixed to the operator holder 16BS.

[0172] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the position of the lower housing portion 1631 of the operator housing 163 facing the opening 1612a of the upper housing half 1612 of the holder housing 161 has a smaller diameter than the other portions (the center of the diameter is the center of the cylindrical portion 163a). Therefore, the operator 16H can move together with the spiral spring 162 in any direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical holder housing 161 within the range of the circular opening 1612a of the upper housing half 1612 of the holder housing 161. That is, the operator 16H can slide not only forward and backward and left and right, but also diagonally and along an arc. When the user removes the sliding force on the operator 16H, the operator 16H returns to its original state (position) due to the elastic biasing force of the spiral spring 162.

[0173] In addition, in the palm-held operation unit 16 of this example, the cylindrical portion of the upper housing portion 1632 of the operation element housing 163 163a An opening 1632a having a predetermined radius and centered on the central position is provided in the center of the control element 16H. The control element 16H is provided with an operation button 164 arranged so that a pressing operation portion 164a protrudes through the opening 1632a.

[0174] In this case, as shown in FIG. 14(B), the operation button 164 is configured to be elastically biased by a coil spring 165 provided between the lower housing portion 1631 of the operator housing 163 and the operation button 164 so that the pressing operation portion 164a always protrudes from the opening 1632a.

[0175] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14(B), a through-hole 1631b of a predetermined diameter is formed in the center of the columnar portion 163a of the operator housing 163 in the lower housing portion 1631 of the operator housing 163, and a position indication coil 167 wound around a magnetic core, for example, a ferrite core 166, is disposed in this through-hole 1631b. In this example, as shown in Fig. 14(B), a fitting hole 162c into which the ferrite core 166 is fitted is formed in the bottom of the recess 162a in the center of the power spring 162. When the ferrite core 166 around which the position indication coil 167 is wound is fitted in this fitting hole 162c, the ferrite core 166 is locked so as not to move in the axial direction.

[0176] 14(B), in this example, a through-hole 166a is formed in the ferrite core 166 in the axial direction. A protrusion 164b is provided in the operation button 164, which is inserted into the through-hole 166a of the ferrite core 166. Meanwhile, a coil spring 168 is disposed in the through-hole 166a of the ferrite core 166. The coil spring 168 is configured to engage with the protrusion 164b of the operation button 164 and elastically bias it when the operation button 164 is pressed down a predetermined distance or more against the elastic biasing force of the coil spring 165.

[0177] That is, when the operation button 164 is pressed for a length shorter than the predetermined length, only the coil spring 165 elastically contributes to the pressing of the operation button 164, whereas when the operation button 164 is pressed for a length longer than the predetermined length, not only the coil spring 165 but also the coil spring 168 elastically contributes to the pressing of the operation button 164. In this embodiment, the coil spring 165 has a small spring constant, and the coil spring 168 has a large spring constant. In this way, by using coil springs with different spring constants that contribute to the elastic bias of the operation button 164, when a threshold is set on the position detection circuit 100 side for pressing the operation button 164 to detect, for example, two-stage pressing, it is possible to change the pressing feel of the operation button 164 in accordance with the threshold.

[0178] 14(B) and 14(C), a magnetic body, in this example, a ring-shaped ferrite 169, is disposed within the operation button 164 of the palm-held operation unit 16. In this case, the ferrite 169 is disposed so as to move in the pressing direction when the operation button 164 is pressed.

[0179] As shown in FIG. 14(B), a circuit board 17 is provided in the hollow portion 163c of the operator housing 163 of the operator 16H, and on this circuit board 17, a position indication coil 167 and a capacitor 17C are connected in parallel to form a resonant circuit.

[0180] The palm-held operation unit 16 in the example of FIG. 14 is configured as described above, and when it is placed on an operation unit holding member disposed on the position detection sensor 32 via the protective cover 33, the position indicated by the position indication coil 167 wound around the ferrite core 166 is detected by the position detection circuit 100 connected to the position detection sensor 32, in the same way as the operation unit of the above-described embodiment.

[0181] When the user grips the operation element 16H and slides it in any direction, the position detection circuit 100 detects, via the position detection sensor 32, a change in the indicated position of the position indication coil 167 in response to the sliding movement.

[0182] Furthermore, when operation button 164 of operating element 16H is pressed, the positional relationship in the height direction between ferrite 169 and position indication coil 167 changes in response to the pressing operation, which changes the inductance of position indication coil 167 and the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit made up of position indication coil 167 and capacitor 17C. Therefore, position detection circuit 100 can detect the height position of operation button 164 by detecting a frequency change (phase change) of the signal received from palm-held operation unit 16. That is, according to operation unit 16 of this example, with the above-mentioned configuration, the height position of operation button 164 can be detected without providing a pressure detection unit.

[0183] In this case, by setting one or more threshold values ​​for the change in the resonance frequency detected by the position detection circuit 100, it is possible to obtain a plurality of detection outputs for the height position.

[0184] In the configuration example of the operation unit 16 described above, the ferrite 169 is arranged above the position indication coil 167, but the ferrite 169 may be arranged below the position indication coil 167 as long as the configuration allows the positional relationship in the height direction between the ferrite 169 and the position indication coil 167 to be changed in response to pressing of the operation button 164 of the operator 16H.

[0185] Then, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the above-described correspondence table information for the palm-held operation unit 16 is stored in the area memory unit 211 of the operation information processing circuit 200 connected to the position detection circuit 100, and an application for detecting operation modes that can be accepted by the operation unit 16 is installed as an operation detection circuit for each area, whereby, similarly to the above-described example, the operation information processing circuit 200 can generate a control signal that is set for the operation unit 16.

[0186] [Other embodiments or other modifications] Although the input device of the above embodiment is an example of a device having multiple types of operation input receiving units, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a device having only one type of operation input receiving unit. When multiple operation units are provided, each operation unit can be disposed at any position on the position detection sensor, and an input device can be provided in which the user can easily change the setting of each operation unit to the position desired.

[0187] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the operation unit holding member and the position detection sensor have a planar (flat) shape, but are not limited to a planar (flat) shape, and may have, for example, a bent portion, or a curved shape such as a bent surface, a dome-shaped curved shape, or a curved shape.

[0188] In the above-described embodiment, the resonant frequency formed by the position indicating coil and the capacitor provided in the operation input receiving unit is configured to be different for each position indicating coil. However, since the position of each position indicating coil is fixed, it is possible to detect which position indicating coil it is based on the coordinate position detected by the position detection sensor. By utilizing this, the resonant frequency formed by the position indicating coil and the capacitor may be common (identical).

[0189] Furthermore, as described above, since the detection areas occupied by the multiple types of operation input receiving units on the position detection sensor are different, each detection area may be detected as a coordinate area range on the position detection sensor, and the resonant frequencies of the multiple position indication coils included in each operation input receiving unit may be configured to be different.

[0190] Furthermore, although the input device of the above-described embodiment has been described as using an electromagnetic induction-type position detection sensor and position detection circuit, it may also be configured as using an electrostatic-type position detection sensor and position detection circuit. That is, the position indication portion of the operation unit may be configured as a conductor, and the position of this conductor on the position detection sensor may be detected based on interaction caused by electrostatic coupling between the position detection sensor and the conductor. The height position of the conductor, which is the position indication portion of the operation unit, may be detected according to the signal level obtained from the position detection sensor through interaction.

[0191] Furthermore, by constructing the conductor from a rod-shaped member and providing a through hole that passes through the tip of this rod-shaped member in the bottom surface of the recess in which the operating unit of the operating unit holding member is arranged, the electrostatic coupling between the position detection sensor and the conductor can be increased.

[0192] In the case of the active capacitance type, the operation unit is provided with a signal generating circuit that generates a signal to be transmitted from the conductor, and the input device is configured to include a power source that supplies a drive voltage to this signal generating circuit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0193] 1...input device, 2...frame case, 3...input device main body, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E...operation input acceptance section, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D...operation input acceptance section, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D...operation input acceptance section, 341ID, 342ID, 343ID...identification information area, 11...push button operation section, 12...finger insertion operation section, 13...cross-shaped operation section, 14...jog stick operation section, 15...steering wheel operation section, 16...palm-held operation element 11H , 12H, 13H, 14H, 15H, 16H...operator, 11L, 12L, 13L...position indication coil, 31...circuit board, 32...position detection coil, 33...protective cover, 34, 341, 342, 343...operation unit holding member, 100...position detection circuit, 200...operation information processing circuit, 211...area memory unit 211...area discrimination circuit, 213 to 217...operation detection circuit for each area, 220...control signal output circuit, Psw...push button switch

Claims

1. an electromagnetic induction type position detection sensor; a plurality of operation units, each of which is disposed on an input surface that serves as a position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor, and which includes a position indication unit for indicating a position by interacting with the position detection sensor, and which is configured to be able to accept predetermined operations; an operation detection unit that detects an operation accepted by each of the plurality of operation units based on an interaction between the position indication unit of each of the plurality of operation units and a position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor; a control signal output unit that outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation received by each of the plurality of operation units detected by the operation detection unit; Equipped with the position indication units of the plurality of operation units each have a resonance circuit with a different resonance frequency, and the plurality of operation units can be distinguished from one another by the difference in the resonance frequency; the plurality of operation units include an operation unit configured to receive an operation to change a height position of the position indication unit separated from the input surface, the operation detection unit detects the height position of the position indication unit, which changes based on an operation accepted by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the height position of the position indication unit detected by the operation detection unit. An input device characterized by:

2. the plurality of operation units include an operation unit configured to be able to accept an operation to change a coordinate position of the position detection area on the input surface of the position indication unit, the operation detection unit detects the coordinate position on the input surface of the position indication unit that changes based on the operation accepted by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the coordinate position on the input surface of the position indication unit detected by the operation detection unit.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

3. The plurality of operation units include an operation unit configured to be able to accept an operation to change a height position of the position indication unit away from the input surface and to be able to accept an operation to change a coordinate position of the position detection area on the input surface of the position indication unit, The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the height position of the position indication unit and the coordinate position of the position indication unit on the input surface, which are detected by the operation detection unit.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

4. the operation unit includes an operation unit configured to be able to accept an operation mode that changes a coordinate position of the position detection area on the input surface of the position indication unit, the operation detection unit detects the coordinate position and the direction of change of the coordinate position on the input surface of the position indication unit, which change based on the operation accepted by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the coordinate position on the input surface of the position indication unit detected by the operation detection unit and a direction of change in the coordinate position.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

5. the plurality of operation units include an operation unit that houses the position indication unit in a housing that is provided with an axial direction that intersects with the input surface, and that is configured to be able to accept an operation to change an inclination angle that the axial direction of the housing forms with respect to the input surface, the operation detection unit detects an inclination angle of the housing in an axial direction with respect to the input surface based on the operation received by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the tilt angle of the housing in the axial direction with respect to the input surface detected by the operation detection unit.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

6. the plurality of operation units include operation units configured to be able to accept an operation to rotate at least two of the position indication units around a predetermined coordinate position in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor as a rotation center position, the operation detection unit detects a rotation angle with the predetermined coordinate position as a rotation center position based on the operation accepted by the operation unit; The control signal output unit outputs a control signal for performing control according to the rotation angle detected by the operation detection unit.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

7. an operation unit fixing member is disposed in a state where it covers the input surface of the position detection sensor; The plurality of operation units are fixedly disposed in separate regions on the input surface of the position detection sensor by the operation unit fixing member in a state in which the position indication unit can be displaced on the position detection sensor in accordance with the operation.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

8. The operation unit fixing member to which the plurality of operation units are fixed is configured to be separable from the position detection sensor.

8. An input device according to claim 7.

9. The operation unit fixing member to which the plurality of operation units are fixed is replaceable, and a means for changing the operation detection unit to one that corresponds to the plurality of operation units fixed to the replaced operation unit fixing member; 9. An input device according to claim 8.

10. The operation unit fixing member holds the coil that constitutes the resonance circuit of the position indication unit on the position detection sensor in a state in which the coil can be displaced on the position detection sensor in accordance with the operation.

8. An input device according to claim 7.

11. The plurality of operation units are arranged on the position detection sensor in a state where the operation units occupy different position detection areas in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

12. The operation detection units are provided in a plurality of locations corresponding to the areas occupied by the plurality of operation units, and each of the plurality of operation detection units is configured to detect the operation assigned to the corresponding operation unit.

12. An input device according to claim 11.

13. an operation unit fixing member is disposed in a state in which the operation unit fixing member covers the input surface of the position detection sensor; The plurality of operation units are arranged and held by the operation unit fixing member in a state where the areas occupied by the operation units are different from each other in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor.

12. An input device according to claim 11.

14. The operation unit fixing member is disposed on the position detection sensor via a sensor cover that covers the input surface of the position detection sensor.

14. An input device according to claim 7 or claim 13.

15. The operation unit fixing member on which the plurality of operation units are held is configured to be separable from the position detection sensor, and the operation unit fixing member on which the plurality of operation units are held is replaceable, a means for changing the operation detecting units to the plurality of operation detecting units corresponding to the plurality of operation units held in the replaced operation unit fixing member; 14. An input device according to claim 13.

16. a position detection circuit that detects coordinates of the position of the position indication unit in a position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor based on an interaction between the position detection sensor and the position indication unit of each of the plurality of operation units; an area determination unit that determines whether the coordinates of the position detected by the position detection circuit are within any of the detection areas occupied by the plurality of operation units; a means for executing the operation detection unit corresponding to the detection area determined by the area determination unit; 13. The input device of claim 12, comprising:

17. a correspondence storage table for storing range information of each of the occupied detection areas occupied by each of the plurality of operation units, and correspondence information between the operation detection units corresponding to the operations of each of the plurality of operation units disposed in the occupied detection area, for the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor; The area determination unit refers to the correspondence storage table to determine whether the coordinates of the position detected by the position detection circuit are within any of the detection areas occupied by the plurality of operation units, and also recognizes the corresponding operation detection unit and controls the recognized operation detection unit to detect the operation.

17. An input device according to claim 16.

18. An operation unit fixing member is arranged in a state where it covers the input surface of the position detection sensor, the plurality of operation units are arranged and held by the operation unit fixing member in a state where the areas occupied by the operation units are different from one another in the position detection area of ​​the position detection sensor, The contents stored in the correspondence storage table are rewritten in response to replacement of the operation unit fixing member.

18. An input device according to claim 17.

19. a through-hole penetrating the position detection sensor and the operation unit fixing member is provided at a predetermined position thereof, A push button switch is disposed in the through hole.

14. An input device according to claim 7 or claim 13.

20. The position detection sensor transmits AC signals of different frequencies to the resonance circuits of the position indication units of the plurality of operation units.

2. The input device according to claim 1 .

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