Input device and electronic apparatus including the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016239135-A1
Application number	US-201415026831-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 31, 2014
Priority date	Oct 16, 2013
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

To provide an input device having optimal portability and electronic apparatus including the same. The input device includes an input section, a control section, a power supply section, and a support section. The input section has a detection surface, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a pressing position and a pressing amount on a detection surface. The control section determines the pressing position and the pressing amount based on the detection signal. The power supply section supplies electricity to the input section and the control section. The support section is user wearable, and supports the input section, the control section, and the power supply section.

First claim

1 . An input device, comprising:
an input section having a detection surface and configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a pressing position and a pressing amount on a detection surface; a control section configured to determine the pressing position and the pressing amount based on the detection signal; a power supply section configured to supply electricity to the input section and the control section; and a support section configured to be wearable and to support the input section, the control section, and the power supply section.

2 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the support section is concatenated such that the input device is wearable on a user's arm, and the detection surface is provided on at least one of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface of the support section.

3 . The input device according to claim 2 , wherein
the support section supports the input section, the control section, and the power supply section, and has a plurality of concatenated plate units.

4 . The input device according to claim 3 , wherein
the support section further comprises a hinge section configured to concatenate the plate units.

5 . The input device according to claim 3 , wherein
the plurality of the plate units includes an input unit configured to support the input section, a control unit configured to support the control section, and a power supply unit configured to support the power supply section.

6 . The input device according to claim 5 , wherein
the input unit has a plurality of input units, and the control section determines the pressing position and the pressing amount per the plurality of the input units.

7 . The input device according to claim 2 , wherein
the support section includes an elastically deformable C-shaped frame section.

8 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the input section is configured to output a detection signal corresponding to an input operation of squeezing and pressing the detection surface in its own plane direction.

9 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein, further comprising a communication section supported by the support section and capable of transmitting an operation signal that the control section generates on the basis of the pressing position and the pressing amount to an external device.

10 . The input device according to claim 9 , wherein
the communication section receives a signal from an external device, and the control section generates a control signal on the basis of a signal that the communication section receives.

11 . The input device according to claim 10 , further comprising a notification section supported by the support section and configured to perform a notification based on the control signal.

12 . The input device according to claim 11 , wherein
the notification section includes at least one of a light-emitting element, a sound-emitting element and a vibration element.

13 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the input section further includes a sensor substrate having a plurality of capacitative elements placed facing to the detection surface and arranged in a matrix; and an intermediate layer placed between the detection surface and the sensor substrate and having a plurality of structures configured to deformably support the detection surface.

14 . The input device according to claim 13 , wherein
the input section further includes a conductive layer placed between the detection surface and the intermediate layer.

15 . The input device according to claim 1 , wherein
the detection surface includes an input guide section configured by at least one of an image and a convex-concave shape.

16 . The input device according to claim 15 , wherein
the input unit further includes a display section on which the detection surface is provided and configured to display an image on the detection surface under control by the control section.

17 . An electronic apparatus, comprising:
an input section having a detection surface and configured to output a detection signal corresponding to a pressing position and a pressing amount on a detection surface; a control section configured to determine the pressing position and the pressing amount based on the detection signal; a power supply section configured to supply electricity to the input section and the control section; a support section configured to be user wearable and supporting the input section, the control section, and the power supply section; and a display device configured to display an image corresponding to the operation signal.

Assignees

• Sony Corp

Inventors

• Kawaguchi Hiroto
• Kodate Manabu
• Ebihara Munetake
• Izumi Sayaka

Classifications

• G08C2201/30

  User interface · CPC title

• G08C2201/32

  Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device · CPC title

• G08C2201/93

  Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop · CPC title

• G08C17/02

  using a radio link · CPC title

• G06F3/01

  Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer (G06F3/16 takes precedence) · CPC title