JP2012033508A - Electronic equipment operation switch and operation control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new operation switch composed of a turned-into-jog metal dome switch capable of generating a pleasant feel of clicking, and an operation control method therefor.SOLUTION: An electronic equipment operation switch comprises a casing 14 and a sensor, disposed on the casing 14 oppositely thereto, which detects a signal generated by an operation performed on the casing 14, the sensor being adapted to be able to continuously contract or expand in width. In this construction, it is preferable that the sensor be an electrostatic capacitance sensor and the signal be of an electrostatic capacitance, and that the electrostatic capacitance changes continuously according to an operation performed on the casing 14. Further, it is preferable that there be included an operation button between the casing 14 and the sensor corresponding to that sensor and a metal dome switch beneath the sensor corresponding to the operation button.

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation switch and operation control method for an electronic device, and more particularly, to an operation switch and operation of an electronic device such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a mobile phone, a digital camera, a digital video camera, and a music terminal. It relates to a control method.

  Conventionally, a switch using a metal dome switch 110 (also referred to as a membrane switch) including a metal dome 115 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is generally used as an operation switch for many portable information devices such as mobile phones. in use. FIG. 13 is a sectional view of an operation switch of a conventional electronic device, and FIG. 14 is a plan view of the metal dome switch 110 among the operation switches.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the metal dome switch 110 is arranged so that the periphery is connected to the electrode portion 114 formed of the circular electrode 112 and the ring electrode 113 formed on the substrate 111 and the ring electrode 113. The metal dome 115 and the circuit wiring 116 that is formed on the substrate 111 and transmits an electric signal to the electrode portion 114 are configured. As shown in FIG. 13, the metal dome switch 110 is mounted on a pedestal 102 that supports the substrate 111 with the substrate 111 facing down. A protrusion 117 is attached to the top of the metal dome 115, and an operation button 118 provided on the front housing 119 is disposed on the protrusion 117. The operation switch 100 having such a structure has a simple structure and high reliability, and when the operation button 118 is pressed and the metal dome 115 is buckled, conduction between the circular electrode 112 and the ring electrode 113 can be achieved. At the same time, a preferable click feeling is generated.

  The operation of the metal dome switch 110 will be described in a little more detail. As described above, in the metal dome switch 110, the circumferential portion of the metal dome 115 is always in contact with the outer ring electrode 113 in the pair of electrode portions 114 arranged concentrically on the substrate 111. From this state, the metal dome 115 is buckled and deformed by pressing the vicinity of the dome apex of the metal dome 115 toward the substrate 111 side. The vicinity of the apex of the metal dome 115 contacts the circular electrode 112 positioned inside the pair of electrode portions 114, and the ring electrode 113 and the circular electrode 112 are connected via the metal dome 115. This is used to switch on / off. The pushing load reaction force when the metal dome 115 is buckled is transmitted as a click feeling through a finger to the operator side, and the operation feeling is good. It is known that this click feeling is amplified when the metal dome 115 is pressed by the protrusion 117.

  A dial-type jog is known as an operation switch different from the above-described operation switch (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The dial-type jog described in Patent Document 1 is provided on a fixed telephone and provides a scroll function for selecting characters and conversion candidates displayed on a display screen by the rotation thereof. A rotary encoder is arranged on the rotary encoder, and a rotary dial directly connected to the rotary encoder is the basic structure. The jog shown in Patent Document 1 further includes a push switch and can determine characters and conversion candidates. However, since the number of parts is large and the mounting volume is large, one jog is usually mounted per device. ing.

  As another operation switch, an operation switch using a touch sensor is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The operation switch described in Patent Document 2 includes an electrode formed on a substrate, and a rubber plate and an electrode portion provided above the electrode. This operation switch is used for an analog pointing device (or a four-way key), and functions as a switch for detecting a change in capacitance between the electrode portion and the electrode accompanying the deformation of the rubber plate during operation. One set of such operation switches is usually mounted per apparatus.

  As mobile phones become widespread, e-mail and browser functions are generally used, and the use of information transmission / reception as a network has increased more than conventional communication using telephone calls. Along with this, opportunities for text input using operation switches of mobile phones have increased, and in Japanese input software for mobile terminals, efforts have been made to improve operability such as outputting prediction candidates.

  On the other hand, the mechanism related to the input of a mobile phone or the like has not changed greatly from the past, and 10 keys typified by mobile phones (sometimes called 12 keys including “*” and “#”) are used in Japanese and Japanese. Other methods for easily inputting character information have been performed.

  For example, in a mobile phone using the above metal dome switch or the like as an operation switch, when inputting characters (Japanese, Roman characters, etc.), a method of changing the input candidates assigned to 10 keys by key operation to forward feeding is common. It is. For example, when the character “su” is to be input, the “sa line” key is pressed three times (sa → se → su) in a normal operation. However, if you accidentally press it and send it to “SE”, you have to press the “SAGO” key four times and change it to “SU” (SE → SO → SA → SE → SE). There is complexity. On the other hand, there is a mobile phone that can perform reverse feed using a reverse feed dedicated key. In such a mobile phone, if you accidentally send “s”, you can press “reverse key” once to select “s”, but if you do not move your finger to the reverse key There is the complexity of not becoming. Such complication is due to the fact that the input signal of a membrane switch such as a metal dome switch is only a binary value of ON / OFF and there is no signal indicating the forward / reverse feed direction.

  On the other hand, a dial type jog is known as a method for selecting a forward / reverse feed direction. As described above, a dial having a rotary encoder for identifying a direction and a push switch (or sensor for identifying a determining operation). ) Are arranged, the number of parts is large, the structure is complicated and the size is large. For this reason, one mobile phone or mobile device is usually installed, and it is impossible to jog all 10 keys due to restrictions on mounting space.

  Although it is not a character input means, in order to move the cursor for selecting a menu displayed on the display screen of the mobile phone, an operation is provided in which a capacitance sensor is provided in the 10-key area and the finger is slid on the 10-key area. Means have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 and 4).

JP 2001-053854 A (FIGS. 2 and 4) WO02 / 44649 (FIGS. 1 to 3) JP 2002-196856 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-334738

  An object of the present invention is to provide a new operation switch obtained by jogging a metal dome switch that generates a preferable click feeling and to provide an operation control method. For example, in a mobile phone, 10 keys (or 12 keys) are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation switch and its operation control method capable of inputting all Japanese characters and other text information more easily by making them all jog.

Operation switch engagement Ru electronic device to the present invention for solving the above problems, organic and housing, provided opposite to the housing, and a sensor for detecting a signal generated by operation on the housing And
The width of the sensor is continuously reduced or enlarged.

Operation switches smell of an electronic device according to the present invention Te, the sensor is a capacitance sensor, wherein the signal is a capacitance.

In the operation switch of the electronic device according to the present invention, the capacitance changes continuously according to the operation on the casing.

In the operation switch of the electronic device according to the present invention, an operation button corresponding to the sensor is provided between the housing and the sensor, and a metal dome switch corresponding to the operation button is provided below the sensor.

Operation control method of an electronic apparatus according to the present invention for solving the above problems, caused by operation on the housing, a continuously varying signal is detected by the sensor in response to the operation,
A preset input candidate is selected or a display state is changed based on the detected signal.

In the operation control method for an electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the sensor is a capacitance sensor, and the signal is a capacitance.

  According to the operation switch and the operation control method of the electronic device of the present invention, it is possible to jog a metal dome switch that generates a preferable click feeling, and particularly, for example, in a mobile phone, all 10 keys (or 12 keys) are jog. To make it easier to input Japanese and other text information.

The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment used for the 1st example in a first embodiment is shown. FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view in which only the substrate and the capacitance sensor are extracted. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the change of the electrostatic capacitance detected with an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment used for the 2nd example in a first embodiment is shown. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment used for the 3rd example in a first embodiment is shown. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment used for the 4th example in a first embodiment is shown. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment used for the 1st example in a 2nd embodiment is shown. The schematic top view of the mobile telephone used for the 1st Example in 2nd embodiment is shown. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of electronic equipment at the time of using the electrode pad in a second embodiment as a capacitance sensor is shown. In the second embodiment, a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic device when the distance from the substrate surface to the electrode pad is continuously changed in the substrate thickness direction and used as a capacitance sensor. Show. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of electronic equipment and the top view of a cellular phone at the time of using a trapezoidal electrode pad in a second embodiment as a capacitance sensor are shown. The typical sectional view of the operation switch of the electronic equipment which changed the arrangement of the metal dome switch in the second embodiment is shown. Sectional drawing of the operation switch of the conventional electronic device is shown. The top view of a metal dome switch is shown among the operation switches of the electronic device shown in FIG.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist thereof.

[First embodiment]
In the present embodiment, an electronic device in which an operation button, a capacitance sensor including a shape element whose capacitance continuously changes in response to the operation of the operation button, and a metal dome switch are arranged. In the operation switch, a capacitance sensor is provided on the surface of the first substrate, and a metal dome switch is provided on the surface of the second substrate. That is, in the present embodiment, a substrate for a capacitance sensor (first substrate) and a substrate for a metal dome switch (second substrate) are used. A specific example (example) of the operation switch of such an electronic device will be described below.

(First embodiment)
In this embodiment, the rear surface of the first substrate and the front surface of the second substrate on which the metal dome switch is provided are arranged to face each other.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch 1 of an electronic device such as a portable information device used in the first embodiment. The operation switch 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1 includes a rear housing 2, a main board 3, a pedestal claw 4, a pedestal 5, boards 6, 11, a metal dome 9 and an electrode portion 8, and a projection 10 , A capacitance sensor 12 including a detection electrode 12a and a detection electrode 12b, an operation button 13, a front case 14, and a connection structure unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a main board 3 having an original function of the apparatus is attached on the rear housing 2. The main board 3 is disposed in a pedestal 5 set at a height that does not interfere with the mounted components of the main board 3, and the pedestal 5 and the main board 3 are fixed by pedestal claws 4. And on the base 5, the board | substrate 6 (2nd board | substrate) with which the some metal dome switch 7 was provided in the surface is arrange | positioned. The metal dome switch 7 includes an electrode portion 8 having a pair of concentric electrodes provided on the surface of the substrate 6, an electrode provided coaxially with the electrode, and a circumferential portion thereof positioned outside the pair of electrodes. And a metal dome 9 disposed in contact with. Since the metal dome switch 7 may be the same as that conventionally used, the description thereof is omitted here.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a substrate 11 (first substrate) is disposed above the metal dome switch 7, and a push installed on the lower surface of the substrate 11 at a position facing the top of each metal dome 9. A projection 10 serving as a child is provided. The protrusion 10 and the metal dome 9 come into contact with each other, but the distance between the substrate 11 and the substrate 6 is adjusted so that the metal dome 9 does not buckle. On the other hand, a plurality of capacitance sensors 12 including detection electrodes 12a and 12b are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 11. A plurality of operation buttons 13 are arranged on each capacitance sensor 12 corresponding to each 10 key, and are fixed by a front casing 14 from above the operation buttons 13. That is, the operation button 13 and the capacitance sensor 12 correspond to each other one to one.

  As the electrostatic capacitance sensor 12, a conventionally well-known one can be used. Specifically, examples of the capacitance sensor 12 include an electrode plate, a pattern on a substrate and a capacitance detection circuit connecting them.

  A part of the boards 6 and 11 is a flexible connection structure 15 for signal connection with the main board 3. The connection structure portion 15 is a flexible connection member, and an FPC is used as an example of the structure. Although not shown in FIG. 1, circuits for transmitting signals related to the operation switches are formed on the substrates 6 and 11, respectively. In particular, each capacitance sensor 12 is connected to a CV conversion circuit (not shown) that converts the capacitance into a voltage by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on the substrate 11. As the CV conversion circuit related to the capacitance detection, a circuit well known to those skilled in the art may be used, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the operation switch 1 of the electronic device, the centers of the electrostatic capacitance sensors 12 (the centers of the detection electrodes 12a and 12b) and the central axes of the metal dome switches 7 are arranged to be aligned. ing. A plurality of combinations of the metal dome switch 7 and the capacitance sensor 12 configured in the stacking direction are arranged to constitute 10 keys. In addition, in FIG. 1, it arrange | positions so that the center of each operation button 13 and the center axis | shaft of each metal dome switch 7 may align. As a result, the operation button 13, the capacitance sensor 12, and the metal dome switch 7 are arranged in this order, and this corresponds to one of 10 keys.

  Next, the capacitance sensor 12 and the substrate 11 will be described in more detail. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of only the substrate 11 and the capacitance sensor 12 extracted from FIG. 2, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the capacitance sensor 12 includes a pair of detection electrodes 12a and 12b. And the said capacitance sensor arrangement | positioning part (part of the board | substrate 11 which supports each capacitance sensor 12) of the board | substrate 11 with which the capacitance sensor 12 was provided is a part other than the said arrangement | positioning part (other than the board | substrate 11). It is a structure that is supported flexibly with respect to the portion (1). This is for enabling the metal dome switch 7 to operate when each operation button 13 is pressed with the finger 16.

  Next, an operation mechanism of the operation switch 1 of the electronic device will be described. In FIG. 1, when the operator's finger 16 approaches the operation button 13 having 10 keys, a capacitance change occurs in the capacitance sensor 12 provided on the substrate 11. The change in capacitance is converted into a voltage by a CV conversion circuit (not shown in FIG. 1), and the control circuit (not shown in FIG. 1) of the main board 3 through the circuit of the board 11 and the connection structure unit 15. Is transmitted to.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capacitance sensor 12 is configured by providing a pair of detection electrodes 12 a and 12 b symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the metal dome switch 7. For this reason, when a finger is brought close to a certain key, a voltage corresponding to the capacitance is obtained from the capacitance sensor 12 having the pair of detection electrodes 12a and 12b. This state will be described more specifically below.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor. More specifically, FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch 1 of the electronic apparatus, but the finger 16 is moved from the detection electrode 12a to the detection electrode 12b on a certain key. This shows the state. On the other hand, FIG. 3B shows changes in capacitance detected by the detection electrodes 12a and 12b as the finger 16 moves. 3, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the finger 16 is moved in the direction from the detection electrode 12a to the detection electrode 12b, the capacitance of the detection electrode 12b increases with the movement of the finger 16, and conversely, The capacitance decreases. By associating the change amount of the capacitance with the moving direction of the finger 16, it can be used as a jog having a direction component.

  As described above, the change in capacitance detected by the capacitance sensor 12 can be operated as a jog function for selecting a preset input candidate or changing the display state. Here, the detection signal indicating the capacitance change corresponds to the difference value of the capacitance. Since a plurality of capacitance sensors 12 are arranged side by side, they can also act as a jog on adjacent keys such as front / rear / left / right of the switch.

  Next, the operation for determining the input candidate selected by the jog will be described. When a desired input candidate is obtained by moving the finger 16 from the detection electrode 12a to the detection electrode 12b, the operation button 13 is pressed downward by the finger 16. By pressing the operation button 13, the metal dome switch 7 formed on the substrate 6 disposed below the capacitance sensor 12 used as a jog is pushed (see FIG. 3A). . As a result, the metal dome 9 is pushed and buckled by the protrusions 7 formed on the substrate 11, and the pair of concentric electrodes in the electrode portion 8 are short-circuited by the metal dome 9, and the switch is connected. At the same time, the load change during buckling is transmitted to the operator as a click feeling. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capacitance sensor placement portion of the substrate 11 on which the capacitance sensor 12 is provided (the portion of the substrate 11 that supports the capacitance sensor 12) is a portion other than the placement portion. Since it is supported flexibly from (other parts of the substrate 11), when the metal dome switch 7 is pushed in, only the corresponding metal dome switch 7 is pushed in, and the other parts are not easily affected by the pushing operation. .

(Second embodiment)
In this embodiment, the back surface of the first substrate and the back surface of the second substrate are arranged to face each other.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch 20 of the electronic device used in the second embodiment. 4, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The basic configuration and operation mechanism (operation) of the operation switch 20 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 4 are the same as those described in the first embodiment (operation switch 1 of the electronic device of FIG. 1). Only the configuration characteristic of the second embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the substrate 11 (first substrate) on which the capacitance sensor 12 is provided and the substrate 6 (second substrate) on which the metal dome switch 7 is provided are the back surfaces of the respective substrates. Are arranged to touch. Thereby, the back surface of the substrate 11 and the back surface of the substrate 6 are arranged to face each other. Further, the protrusion 10 installed at a position facing the apex of the metal dome 9 is provided on the base 5. And the space | interval of the board | substrate 6 and the base 5 ensures the space | interval of the grade which the metal dome 9 does not buckle by the protrusion 10. FIG.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the following configuration is employed in accordance with the contact between the back surface of the substrate 11 and the back surface of the substrate 6. That is, in order to smoothly and independently press down each metal dome switch 7 corresponding to each 10 key, the capacitance sensor arrangement portion of the substrate 11 on which the capacitance sensor 12 is provided (each of the substrates 11 on the substrate 11). Each portion supporting the capacitance sensor 12) is not only configured to be flexibly supported from a portion other than the arrangement portion (the other portion of the substrate 11), but also a metal dome switch on the substrate 6 Each part that supports 7 is also structured to be flexibly supported from other parts of the substrate 6.

  Other configurations may be the same as those of the operation switch 1 of the electronic apparatus shown in FIG. For example, also in FIG. 4, the centers of the electrostatic capacitance sensors 12 provided on the substrate 11 and the central axis of the metal dome switch 7 provided on the substrate 6 are arranged to be aligned. Moreover, it is the same as that in FIG. 1 in that a plurality of combinations of the metal dome switch 7 and the capacitance sensor 12 configured in the stacking direction are arranged to form a 10 key. Further, each capacitance sensor 12 is also connected to a CV conversion circuit (not shown) that converts capacitance to voltage by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on the substrate 11. Same as 1.

(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, the surface of the first substrate on which the capacitance sensor is provided and the surface of the second substrate on which the metal dome switch is provided are arranged to face each other.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch 30 of the electronic device used in the third embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same elements as those in FIG. The basic configuration and operation mechanism (operation) of the operation switch 30 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 5 are the same as those described in the first embodiment (operation switch 1 of the electronic device of FIG. 1). Only the configuration characteristic of the third embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the substrate 11 (first substrate) on which the capacitance sensor 12 is provided and the substrate 6 (second substrate) on which the metal dome switch 7 is provided include the capacitance sensor 12. And the metal dome switch 7 is arranged to face each other so as to face each other. A protrusion 10 exists between the capacitance sensor 12 and the metal dome switch 7 so as to be disposed at a portion facing the apex of the metal dome 9. Further, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to make the portion of the substrate 6 that supports the metal dome switch 7 flexibly supported from other portions of the substrate 6.

  The other configuration may be the same as that of the operation switch 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

(Fourth embodiment)
In this embodiment, the front surface of the first substrate on which the capacitance sensor is provided and the back surface of the second substrate on which the metal dome switch is provided are arranged to face each other.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch 40 of the electronic device used in the fourth embodiment. 6, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The basic configuration and operation mechanism (operation) of the operation switch 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 6 are the same as those described in the first embodiment (operation switch 1 of the electronic device of FIG. 1). Only the configuration characteristic of the fourth embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the substrate 11 (first substrate) on which the capacitance sensor 12 is provided and the substrate 6 (second substrate) on which the metal dome switch 7 is provided include the capacitance sensor 12. Are in contact with the back surface of the substrate 6 (the surface on which the metal dome switch 7 is not provided). And the protrusion 10 is arrange | positioned at the base 5 which opposes the vertex of the metal dome 7. FIG. Further, in this embodiment, the metal dome switch placement portion of the substrate 6 on which the metal dome switch 7 is provided (each portion of the substrate 6 that supports the metal dome switch 7) is also a portion other than the placement portion ( The structure is flexibly supported from other portions of the substrate 6.

  The other configuration may be the same as that of the operation switch 1 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 1, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

[Second Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, an electronic device in which an operation button, a capacitance sensor including a shape element whose capacitance continuously changes in response to the operation of the operation button, and a metal dome switch are arranged. In the operation switch, a capacitance sensor and a metal dome switch are provided on both sides of the double-sided board. That is, in this embodiment, a capacitance sensor is provided on the front (or back) of one substrate, and a metal dome switch is provided on the back (or front) of this substrate. In the present embodiment, a single substrate is used. This embodiment has an advantage that the mounting space can be further reduced and the operation unit can be downsized as compared with the case where they are combined with different substrates (first embodiment). A specific example of the operation switch of such an electronic device will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the operation switch 50 of the electronic device used in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the mobile phone used in the first embodiment. 7 and 8, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The basic configuration of the operation switch 50 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 7 is the first embodiment (FIG. 1 described as the first example) except for the configuration around the substrate, the capacitance sensor, and the metal dome switch. This is the same as the operation switch 1) of the electronic devices. The operation mechanism (operation) for jog selection and determination is basically the same as that of the first embodiment (the operation switch 1 of the electronic apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 described as the first example). .

  Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 7, a main board 3 having an original function of the apparatus is attached on the rear housing 2. The main board 3 is disposed in a pedestal 5 set at a height that does not interfere with the mounted components of the main board 3, and the pedestal 5 and the main board 3 are fixed by pedestal claws 4. On the pedestal 5, a substrate 17 (double-sided substrate) in which a plurality of metal dome switches 7 are provided on the lower surface and a plurality of capacitance sensors 12 are provided on the upper surface is disposed.

  More specifically, a plurality of metal dome switches 7 are provided on one surface of the substrate 17 (this surface may be referred to as a lower surface or a back surface). The metal dome switch 7 includes an electrode portion 8 having a pair of concentric electrodes provided on the lower surface of the substrate 17, and an electrode that is provided coaxially with the electrode and whose circumferential portion is located outside the pair of electrodes. And a metal dome 9 disposed in contact with. Since the metal dome switch 7 may be the same as that conventionally used, the description thereof is omitted here. On the other hand, a plurality of protrusions 10 serving as pushers are provided on the upper surface of the base 5. These protrusions 10 are respectively disposed at positions facing the apexes of the plurality of metal domes 9 to be disposed on the lower surface of the substrate 17. The protrusion 10 and the metal dome 9 come into contact with each other, but the distance between the base 5 and the substrate 17 is adjusted so that the metal dome 9 does not buckle.

  On the other surface of the substrate 17 (this surface may be referred to as an upper surface or a surface), a plurality of capacitance sensors 12 including detection electrodes 12a and 12b are provided. A plurality of operation buttons 13 are arranged on each capacitance sensor 12 corresponding to each 10 key, and are fixed by a front casing 14 from above the operation buttons 13. That is, the operation button 13 and the capacitance sensor 12 are in a one-to-one correspondence.

  A part of the substrate 17 is a flexible connection structure 15 for signal connection with the main substrate 3. As a structural example of the connection structure unit 15, for example, FPC is used. Although not shown in FIG. 7, circuits for transmitting signals related to the operation switches are formed on both surfaces of the substrate 17, respectively. In particular, each capacitance sensor 12 is connected to a CV conversion circuit (not shown) that converts capacitance to voltage by a wiring pattern (not shown) provided on the substrate 17. As the CV conversion circuit related to the capacitance detection, a circuit well known to those skilled in the art may be used, and the description thereof is omitted here.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the operation switch 50 of the electronic device, the centers of the electrostatic capacitance sensors 12 (the centers of the detection electrodes 12a and 12b) and the central axes of the metal dome switches 7 are arranged to be aligned. ing. A plurality of combinations of the metal dome switch 7 and the capacitance sensor 12 configured in the stacking direction are arranged to constitute 10 keys. In addition, in FIG. 7, the center of each operation button 13 and the center axis of each metal dome switch 7 are arranged to be aligned. As a result, the operation button 13, the capacitance sensor 12, and the metal dome switch 7 are arranged in this order to form a set and correspond to one of 10 keys.

  Next, the capacitance sensor 12, the substrate 17, and the front housing 14 will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 shows a schematic plan view of a mobile phone. Further, FIG. 8 is a schematic enlarged view of the front casing 14 in the mobile phone, and a schematic plan view in which the operation switch 50 portion of the electronic device of FIG. 7 is seen through from the front casing 14 side is shown. ing. 8, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the capacitance sensor 12 is composed of a pair of detection electrodes 12a and 12b. And the said capacitance sensor arrangement | positioning part (part of the board | substrate 17 which supports each capacitance sensor 12) of the board | substrate 17 with which the capacitance sensor 12 was provided is a part other than the said arrangement | positioning part (other than the board | substrate 17). The structure is supported flexibly from This is for enabling the metal dome switch 7 to operate when each operation button 13 is pressed with the finger 16. Further, in order to ensure the operation of the metal dome switch 7, the central axis of the metal dome 9 is arranged so as to coincide with the center of the capacitance sensor 12.

  The operation mechanism (operation) of the operation switch 50 of the electronic device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the first embodiment (the operation switch 1 of the electronic device of FIGS. 1 to 3 described as the first example) as described above. Since it is the same as that described in, description here is omitted.

(Second Embodiment: Variation of Capacitance Sensor Shape Elements)
In the first embodiment, the capacitance sensor is composed of a pair of detection electrodes (the same applies to the capacitance sensor described in the first embodiment). However, in the present invention, various types of capacitance sensors can be used. For example, the capacitance sensor may be formed by providing two or more electrodes capable of detecting a change in the capacitance for one operation button.

  Further, the shape element of the capacitance sensor may include an electrode pattern capable of detecting a change in capacitance. Some of such specific examples are described below. In addition, although the variation of the electrostatic capacitance sensor demonstrated below is each demonstrated as one of the Example in 2nd embodiment for convenience, the variation of the following shape elements of an electrostatic capacitance sensor is in 1st embodiment. Needless to say, this is applicable.

(First variation)
FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device when the electrode pad is used as a capacitance sensor. More specifically, FIG. 9A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device, and FIG. 9B shows a change in capacitance detected by a capacitance sensor (electrode pad 18). The schematic diagram for demonstrating is shown. 9, the same elements as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  The operation switch 60 of the electronic device shown in FIG. 9A uses a single electrode pad 18 as a capacitance sensor. In other words, the capacitance sensor disposed on the substrate 17 is disposed as one electrode pad 18 for each key and used as a jog. Except for this configuration, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) is used. For this reason, hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 9A, only a change in capacitance detected when the finger 16 is moved on the front housing 14 (electrode pad 18) will be described.

  The capacitance of the electrode pad 18 on the substrate 17 varies depending on the operation. By obtaining this change amount in advance and associating input candidates with the capacitance detected within the change amount range, it is possible to select an input and change the display state. When the change in the capacitance corresponding to the change in the capacitance obtained in advance is caused by the movement of the finger 16 shown in FIG. 9A, the display of the input candidates and the display state are performed. Make a change. For example, in FIG. 9B, settings are made so that each character of the sub-line is displayed in response to a change in capacitance.

  As a result, even a single detection electrode of the capacitance sensor can be operated as a jog, which has the advantages of space saving and cost reduction.

(Second variation)
In this variation, as the shape element of the capacitance sensor, the distance from the substrate surface of the substrate on which an electrode capable of detecting a change in capacitance is provided to the electrode surface of the electrode is changed from one to the other in plan view. An electrode pattern that decreases or increases continuously is used. A specific example of this variation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device when the distance from the substrate surface to the electrode pad is continuously changed in the substrate thickness direction and used as a capacitance sensor. More specifically, FIG. 10A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device, and FIG. 10B shows a change in capacitance detected by a capacitance sensor (electrode pad 19). The schematic diagram for demonstrating is shown. 10, the same elements as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 10, one electrode pad 19 is used as a capacitance sensor corresponding to each of the 10 keys, but the distance between the finger and the electrode pad 19 is gradually shortened along the moving direction of the finger 16. This arrangement is used. Therefore, the electrode pad 19 is embedded in the substrate 17 step by step. Except for these configurations, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) is used. Therefore, hereinafter, only a change in capacitance detected when the finger 16 is moved on the front housing 14 (electrode pad 19) as shown in FIG. 10A will be described.

  In FIG. 10A, the distance from the upper surface of the electrode pad 19 (capacitance sensor) provided on the substrate 17 to the surface of the substrate 17 is changed. Accordingly, the relative distance in the thickness direction of the substrate 17 between the finger 16 and the electrode pad 19 changes with the movement of the finger 16 in FIG. As a result, the detected capacitance changes. If this change in capacitance is used, it is possible to select an input or change the display state by associating an input candidate or the like with the capacitance detected within the range of the change amount.

(Third variation)
In this variation, an electrode pattern in which the width of an electrode capable of detecting a change in capacitance is continuously reduced or enlarged from one to the other in plan view is used as a shape element of the capacitance sensor. . A specific example of this variation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device and a plan view of a mobile phone when a trapezoidal electrode pad is used as a capacitance sensor. More specifically, FIG. 11A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device, and FIG. 11B is a plan view of a mobile phone including the operation switch of the electronic device of FIG. And the typical top view which expanded and saw through the front housing | casing 14 is shown. In FIG. 11, the same elements as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In FIG. 11, one electrode pad 21 is used as a capacitance sensor corresponding to each of the 10 keys, but a shape in which the width of the electrode pad 21 gradually changes along the operation direction is used. More specifically, the electrode pad 21 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape as shown in FIG. Except for this configuration, the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (FIGS. 7 and 8) is used. For this reason, below, the change of the electrostatic capacitance detected when a finger | toe is moved on the front housing | casing 14 (electrode pad 19) in the operation direction shown in FIG.11 (b) is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, the shape of the electrode pad 21 is controlled so that the detected capacitance continuously changes with respect to the linear movement (operation direction) of the finger. It can be seen that the opposing area of the finger and the electrode pad 21 changes depending on the relative position between the electrode pad 21 and the electrode pad 21. As a result, when the finger is moved in the operation direction indicated by the arrow, the capacitance changes and the operation as a jog becomes possible.

(Third embodiment: metal dome switch arrangement change)
In the first and second embodiments described above, “10 keys are configured by arranging a plurality of combinations of metal dome switches and capacitance sensors arranged in the stacking direction” (first embodiment). The same applies to the form). That is, one set of capacitance sensor and metal dome switch is used for each of the 10 keys.

  However, in the present invention, it is not always necessary to use a capacitance sensor and a metal dome switch as a set. For example, an embodiment in which a plurality of capacitance sensors are provided on the front surface of the substrate and at least one metal dome switch is provided on the back surface of the substrate can be used. Such an embodiment will be described below. In addition, although the following description demonstrates as one of the Examples in 2nd Embodiment for convenience, it cannot be overemphasized that the technique demonstrated below is applicable to 1st Embodiment. When applied to the first embodiment, a plurality of capacitance sensors are provided on the surface of the first substrate, and at least one metal dome switch is provided on the surface of the second substrate.

  FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an operation switch of an electronic device in which the arrangement of the metal dome switch is changed. 12, the same elements as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, at least one metal dome switch 7 is disposed on the surface of the substrate 17 (double-sided substrate) opposite to the surface on which the plurality of capacitance sensors 12 are provided. Except for the circuit portion (connection structure portion 15) that transmits a signal related to the operation button 13 to the main substrate 3, the substrate 17 has sufficient substrate strength (the metal dome switch 7 to buckle the metal dome 9 of the metal dome switch 7). Has sufficient strength to turn on / off. The signal transmission unit of the substrate 17 is flexibly connected to the main substrate 3 via the connection structure unit 15. As a result, the determination operation can be performed by pressing the entire board 17 with the jog function by the capacitance sensor 12 arranged in each key. Further, the click feel can be obtained at the same time as the contact is connected by the buckling of the metal dome 9.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since the metal dome switch 7 can be omitted for each number of keys, the structure is simple and the cost can be reduced.

[Others]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various design changes can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention. For example, a conductive substance (for example, conductive rubber) can be used as the metal dome 9. Moreover, although the case where the operation button has 10 keys has been described in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that the operation button may have 12 keys.

  The operation mechanism of the portable device of the present invention can be applied to all portable devices such as PCs, PDAs, mobile phones, digital cameras, DVCs, music terminals and the like.

  As an application example of the present invention, it is effective for a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, a wearable PC, a PDA, etc., which is not accompanied by a full keyboard.

1, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 Electronic device operation switch 2 Rear housing 3 Main board 4 Base claw 5 Base 6, 11, 17 Board 7 Metal dome switch 8 Electrode 9 Metal dome DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Protrusion 12 Capacitance sensor 12a, 12b Detection electrode 13 Operation button 14 Front housing 15 Connection structure part 16 Finger 18, 19, 21 Electrode pad 100 Operation switch of the conventional portable information device 101 Main board 102 Base 110 Metal dome switch 111 Substrate 112 Circular electrode 113 Ring electrode 114 Electrode portion 115 Metal dome 116 Circuit wiring 117 Projection 118 Operation button 119 Front case 160 Finger

Claims (6)

A housing and a sensor that is provided opposite the housing and detects a signal generated by an operation on the housing;
An operation switch of an electronic device, wherein the width of the sensor is continuously reduced or enlarged . The operation switch of the electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a capacitance sensor, and the signal is a capacitance. The operation switch of the electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the capacitance changes continuously according to an operation on the housing. The operation button corresponding to the sensor is provided between the housing and the sensor, and the metal dome switch corresponding to the operation button is provided below the sensor. Electronic device operation switch. A signal that changes continuously according to the operation on the housing is detected by the sensor,
Operation control method of an electronic device and performing selection or change in the display state of the input candidate which is preset by 該検out signal. The operation control method of the electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the sensor is a capacitance sensor, and the signal is a capacitance.

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