Input apparatus and input determination method

An input apparatus comprising:

• a base
• a cover covering the base to define an inner space therebetween, the cover being configured to be subjected to a pressing operation by an operator;
• an operation detection sensor configured to output an output value that varies in response to the pressing operation, the operation detection sensor being selected from a group including a capacitance sensor, an optical sensor, and a magnetic sensor;
• a processor configured to determine whether the pressing operation has been performed based on the output value;
• and
• a feel generator having a deformable contact and a pressing structure that presses and deforms the deformable contact in response to the pressing operation, the feel generator being configured to generate an operation feel to the operator,
• wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the pressing operation has been completed by:
• repeatedly sampling the output value of the operation detection sensor at a predetermined sampling interval;
• computing, for each evaluation, a degree of temporal variation of the output value over a predetermined period based on a difference between a current sample and a prior sample taken a predetermined number of samples earlier and a corresponding time difference;
• and
• determining that the pressing operation has been completed when the computed degree of temporal variation is within a predetermined range defined by a first threshold and a second threshold for at least a predetermined duration or a predetermined number of consecutive evaluations.