Input apparatus, information processing apparatus, operation input method, and sensor sheet

An information processing apparatus, comprising:

• an input operation section including an operation member configured to mechanically receive an input operation, and
• a first detection circuit configured to detect the input operation of the operation member;
• a capacitive sensor including a plurality of electrodes formed on an insulating sheet base material which are arranged around the operation member, and each of which has a capacitance variable due to an approaching of a detection target, and
• a second detection circuit configured to detect the capacitance of each of the plurality of electrodes;
• a casing configured to house the operation member, the capacitive sensor, and a support substrate by surrounding both the capacitive sensor and the support substrate configured to support the operation member, the casing including an opening through which the operation member is exposed to an outside of the casing;
• an insulating sheet and a metal plate formed between the insulating sheet base material and the support substrate;
• and
• a control section configured to generate an input signal corresponding to the input operation of the input operation section, based on an output of the first detection circuit and an output of the second detection circuit.

An operation input method in an information processing apparatus having an input operation section that includes an operation member, comprising:

• detecting, by a first detection circuit, an input state of the operation member, which is arranged on the input operation section and is configured to mechanically receive an input operation;
• detecting, by a second detection circuit, a capacitance of each of a plurality of electrodes formed on an insulating sheet base material arranged around the operation member;
• and
• generating an input signal corresponding to the input operation of the input operation section based on an output of the first detection circuit and an output of the second detection circuit, wherein the input operation section includes a casing configured to house the operation member, the capacitive sensor, and a support substrate by surrounding both the capacitive sensor and the support substrate configured to support the operation member, the casing including an opening through which the operation member is exposed to an outside of the casing, wherein the input operation section has an insulating sheet and a metal plate formed between the insulating sheet base material and the support substrate.

A sensor sheet, comprising:

• an insulating sheet base material which is installed in an input operation section of an input apparatus including an operation member configured to mechanically receive an input operation, and includes a mounting portion to which the operation member can be mounted;
• a plurality of electrodes, which are formed on the sheet base material to surround the mounting portion, and each of which has a capacitance variable due to an approaching of a detection target;
• and
• a connection terminal, which is attached to the sheet base material, and electrically connects the plurality of electrodes to a detection circuit configured to detect the capacitance of each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein the input operation section further includes a casing configured to house the operation member, the capacitive sensor, and a support substrate by surrounding both the capacitive sensor and the support substrate configured to support the operation member, the casing including an opening through which the operation member is exposed to an outside of the casing, wherein an insulating sheet and a metal plate are formed between the insulating sheet base material and the support substrate.