# US 2013/0154942 A1 · Input device, and electronic apparatus provided with same

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- Number: US 2013/0154942 A1
- Document ID: US20130154942A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/819,554
- Filed: 2011-08-25
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-30
- Assignees: NEC Casio Mobile Communications, Ltd.
- Inventors: Takashi Okada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130154942A1

## CPC

- G06F 3/02: Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
- G06F 3/0338: with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
- G06F 3/0354: with detection of two-dimensional [2D] relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
- H03K 17/97: using a magnetic movable element
- H01H 2239/01: combined with other elements on the same substrate
- H01H 2239/024: with inductive switch
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H03K: PULSE TECHNIQUE (measuring pulse characteristics G01R; modulating sinusoidal oscillations with pulses H03C; transmission of digital information H04L; discriminator circuits detecting phase difference between two signals by counting or integrating cycles of oscillation H03D3/04; automatic control, starting, synchronisation or stabilisation of generators of electronic oscillations or pulses where the type of generator is irrelevant or unspecified H03L; coding, decoding or code conversion, in general H03M)
- H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00)

## Abstract

An input device includes a substrate, a key top, a magnet, magnetic sensors, and electromagnetic converters. The substrate includes first and second surfaces. The key top is arranged on a first surface side, slides from a reference position in directions parallel to the substrate, and moves in a perpendicular direction. The magnet is fixed on a substrate side, and moves together with the key top. The magnetic sensors are fixed on the second surface, are respectively arranged apart in different directions parallel to the substrate, and detect a position of the magnet. The electromagnetic converters are fixed on the second surface, are respectively arranged apart in different directions parallel to the substrate, are arranged at positions different from the magnetic sensors, and generate magnetic force in a direction in which the magnet is away from the substrate in the perpendicular direction, in accordance with a supply of electrical power.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An input device comprising:
a substrate that includes a first surface and a second surface on a opposite side of the first surface;
a key top that is arranged on a first surface side of the substrate, the key top sliding from a reference position on the substrate in a plurality of directions parallel to the substrate, the key top moving in a perpendicular direction with respect to the substrate;
a magnet that is fixed on a substrate side of the key top, and moves together with the key top;
a plurality of magnetic sensors that are fixed on the second surface of the substrate, the magnetic sensors being respectively arranged apart in different directions parallel to the substrate centered on the reference position, the magnetic sensors detecting a position of the magnet that moves accompanying sliding of the key top; and
a plurality of electromagnetic converters that are fixed on the second surface of the substrate, the electromagnetic converters being respectively arranged apart in different directions parallel to the substrate centered on the reference position, the electromagnetic converters being arranged at positions different from the magnetic sensors, the electromagnetic converters generating magnetic force in a direction in which the magnet is away from the substrate in the perpendicular direction, in accordance with a supply of electrical power.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The input device according to claim 1, wherein:
the key top slides from the reference position on the substrate in any direction parallel to the substrate; and
the magnet is a ring-shaped magnet having a ring shape, and including a first end surface on which the key top is fixed and a second end surface that faces the substrate, with the reference position being a center of a ring when the key top exists at the reference position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The input device according to claim 2, wherein:
the plurality of magnetic sensors are on the second surface of the substrate, and are fixed on a first circumference that is centered on the reference position; and
the plurality of electromagnetic converters are on the second surface of the substrate, and are fixed on a second circumference that is centered on the reference position, a diameter of a second circumference being different from a diameter of the first circumference.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The input device according to claim 3, wherein:
the diameter of the second circumference is set so that the plurality of electromagnetic converters overlap in the perpendicular direction with the ring-shaped magnet when the key top exists at the reference position; and
the diameter of the first circumference is greater than the diameter of the second circumference and an outer diameter of the ring-shaped magnet.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The input device according to claim 2, wherein:
the key top includes: a contact portion that the operator touches; and a support portion that is fixed to the first end surface of the ring-shaped magnet and supports the contact portion to be able to move into and out of a ring of the ring-shaped permanent magnet; and
the input device further includes a switch at the reference position on the first surface of the substrate, the switch outputting a signal in accordance with the contact portion moving into and out of the ring-shaped magnet.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a resilient member that biases the key top slid from the reference position in a direction of returning to the reference position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The input device according to claim 2, further comprising:
a top plate that is arranged on the first surface side of the substrate, with a gap opened with the substrate; and
a resilient member that biases the key top slid from the reference position in a direction of returning to the reference position, wherein:
the ring-shaped magnet is arranged between the top plate and the substrate;
the top plate includes an opening portion provided at a part corresponding to the reference position on the substrate so that the key top is faced from outside; and
the resilient member includes an inner portion, a resilient portion formed on an outer side of the inner portion, and an outer portion formed on an outer side of the resilient portion, the inner portion is attached to the ring-shaped magnet or the key top, and the outer portion is attached to a part around the opening portion that is a part of the top plate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The input device according to claim 1, comprising:
a drive circuit that supplies electrical power to each of the plurality of electromagnetic converters, and
an arithmetic circuit that is electrically connected with the driver circuit and the plurality of magnetic sensors, the arithmetic circuit instructing the drive circuit of the electrical power to be supplied to the plurality of electromagnetic converters, and calculating a coordinate of pointer that is shown on a display in accordance with outputs of the plurality of magnetic sensors.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 8, and the display.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An electronic apparatus comprising the input device according to claim 1.