US 2004/0164954 A1 · Input apparatus, portable electronic device and input method for a portable electronic device

Abstract

There is provided an input apparatus which makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus on which it is mounted while improving the ease of use through its jog dial functionality. On a joint section for allowing a first housing and a second housing to be opened to a predetermined angle is provided the input apparatus (jog dial function section) that functions as a jog dial. This input apparatus is formed on at least a part of a cylindrical section of a structure in which the cylindrical section, which is part of the second housing, is fitted between a pair of shoulder portions of the first housing. As used above, “at least a part” refers to an area that can be touched by a user's finger when the first housing and the second housing are opened.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An input apparatus that is provided on a housing of a portable electronic device and with which an input operation by a user is performed, comprising:

a contact detection sensor, which is provided near a rotating component of said portable electronic device, and which detects contact by a living body or an object based on an input operation by said user with a portion of a surface of a cylindrical member as a detection area;
control means, which performs input processing for accepting input of a predetermined function in accordance with a contact position, a change in said contact position or the area of a contacted portion detected by said contact detection sensor, and which outputs an actuating signal based on a change in said contact position of or above a predetermined amount and/or the size of said area of said contacted portion;
and
an actuator for temporarily vibrating at least an area close to where said contact detection sensor is provided by said actuating signal outputted by said control means.

1 more element

A portable electronic device, comprising:

an input apparatus including:
a rotating component;
a contact detection sensor that is provided close to said rotating component and that detects contact by a living organism or by an object based on an input operation by a user with a portion of a surface of a cylindrical member as a detection area;
control means that performs input processing for accepting input of a predetermined function in accordance with a contact position, a change in said contact position and the area of a contacted portion detected by said contact detection sensor, and that outputs an actuating signal based on a change in said contact position of or above a predetermined amount or the area of said contacted portion;
and
an actuator that temporarily vibrates at least an area that is close to where said contact detection sensor is provided;
and
information processing means for performing information processing as desired by said user in accordance with an input from said input apparatus.

5 more elements

An input method for a portable electronic device including a rotating component, comprising:

an input processing step of performing input processing for accepting input of a predetermined function in accordance with a contact position, a change in said contact position, or the area of a contacted portion detected by a contact detection sensor that is provided close to said rotating component and that detects contact by a living organism or by an object based on an input operation by a user with a portion of a surface of a cylindrical member as a detection area;
an actuating signal outputting step of outputting an actuating signal based on a change in said contact position of or above a predetermined amount or a size of the area of said contacted portion;
and
a vibrating step of temporarily vibrating at least an area close to where said contact detection sensor is provided by said actuating signal outputted in said actuating signal outputting step.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Input apparatus, portable electronic device and input method for a portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Input apparatus, portable electronic device and input method for a portable electronic device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15