JPS6234220A - Information input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field of the Invention) The present invention relates to an information input device having two or more adjacent switches.

(Background of the Invention) In recent years, transparent flat switch electrodes are arranged in the X and Y directions on the top of the display, and by pressing a desired display part with a finger or the like while looking at the display, it is possible to switch the X and Y directions. Many devices have appeared that input information by contacting electrodes. In addition, as this type of information input device, a display section is provided on an opaque flat operation panel, and flat switch electrodes arranged in the X direction and Y direction are arranged below the display section, and the same operation as described above is performed. In some cases, information can be entered using

FIG. 9 shows an example of the input section of this type of conventional information input device. On the flat operation panel 1, the alphabets A to H are drawn as symbol marks, and the lower part of each alphabet is As shown in Figure 10,
Two flat X-direction switch electrodes extending in the direction x
1 and x2 are arranged in parallel, while four flat Y-direction switch electrodes Y1 extend in the Y direction perpendicular to the X direction.
~ Y4 are arranged in parallel, thereby switch electrodes Xi, X
2 and Y1 to Y4, in other words, each alphabet
/ There is an information input switch Sa~ at the position directly below the
For example, under the symbol mark A, the switch electrode x2 and Yl intersect to form the information input switch Sa, and by pressing the symbol mark A with a finger, the switch electrode x2 and This information input switch Sa is turned on by contact with Yl. Note that the information input switch corresponding to the symbol mark B-H is designated by the symbol 5b-
Represented by sh.

The ON state of each information input switch is determined by a discrimination circuit connected to each electrode, and information is input according to the discrimination result and control is performed accordingly.
The discrimination circuit is programmed in advance with the combination of the information input switches and the corresponding control contents.For example, if symbol mark A is pressed and only the information input switch Sa is short-circuited, , the control corresponding to symbol mark A is executed according to a pre-stored program.

However, when the mounting space for this type of information input switch is small, such as in cameras, each symbol mark,
In other words, the distance between adjacent information input switches is narrow,
As shown in FIG. 9, sometimes the user presses the middle between the two symbol marks A and B with his or her finger.

In this case, as shown in Table 1, the information input switches Sa and sb corresponding to symbol marks A and B are turned on, and the respective information input switches Sa and sb are turned on.
1" will be output. In this way, when two information input switches are turned on at the same time, the 1 discrimination circuit disables both of them and does not perform any control, or determines the priority order among the information input switches and determines the priority. Control can be performed according to the information input switch with a higher rank. However, in any case, there is a very high probability that the result will not comply with the operator's intention, and this is not desirable for this type of information input device.

Table 1 (Objective of the Invention) In order to solve such problems, the object of the present invention is to reliably determine the switch operation intended by the operator even if the operator operates an intermediate position between two adjacent switches. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an information input device that can perform the following functions.

(Summary of the Invention) An information input device according to the present invention has two or more switching means, and each of the switching means has a plurality of subdivided switching elements that can be input individually.

Further, the present invention has a counting means and a comparison/judgment means, counts the number of switching elements that have been inserted for each switching means, compares the counted values between the switching means, and determines whether the counted number of inserted elements is the largest. It is characterized in that it is determined that a certain switching means has been operated.

(Embodiments) First Embodiment An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a camera will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the input unit 10 of the information input device according to the present embodiment is provided on the camera top cover 11, and eight types of symbol marks L2a to 12h are displayed on a liquid crystal display device. Information input switches 5a-8h as switching means corresponding to each mark
is provided.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and (b), the information input switch 5a-sh has six X-direction switch electrodes XIA-XIG and X2A-X2C extending in the X direction, and 12 orthogonal Y direction switch electrodes YIA
-YIC, Y2A~Y2C, Y3A-Y3C, Y4A-
Y4C, and as shown in Figure 1(b), one matrix switch is formed by nine matrix switches formed at nine intersections of X and Y direction switch electrodes that intersect with each other directly below each symbol mark. For example, the information input switch Sa corresponding to the symbol mark 12a is composed of matrix switches Sal to Sa9, and the information input switch sb is composed of the matrix switch S.
It is composed of bl to Sb9.

When any of the information input switches is pressed, control of the pre-assigned shooting mode is executed. For example, when the information input switch Sf corresponding to the symbol mark (M) 12f is pressed, Manual mode information is input to the electronic control circuit of the camera to perform exposure at the aperture value and shutter speed manually set by the operator. The exposure amount is controlled.

To describe the input unit 10 in detail with reference to FIG. 3, a liquid crystal display unit 101 is provided at the bottom of the input unit 10, and eight types of symbol marks 12a to 12a are displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 101.
12h is displayed. This liquid crystal display section 1
01 is a transparent Y-direction switch panel 102, 8!
On the surface of the panel 102 there are 12 transparent Y-direction switch electrodes YIA-YIC extending in the Y-direction.

Y2A NY2C, Y3A NY3C, Y4A~Y4C
are arranged in parallel, and a transparent lead electrode YL is drawn out from each electrode.

A frame-shaped spacer 103 is placed on the panel 102, and a transparent X-direction switch panel 104 is stacked on top of the spacer 103. On the bottom surface of the panel 104,
That is, on the surface facing the Y-direction switch panel 102, six transparent X-direction switch electrodes XIA-XIC, X2A-X2C extending in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction are arranged in parallel, and transparent electrodes are formed from each electrode. A lead electrode XL is drawn out.

A transparent and flexible resin window lO5 is attached to the top surface of the X-direction switch panel 104, and a frame-shaped protrusion 10 protrudes along the periphery of the window 105.
5a is fitted into the upper cover 11. The central part of this window 105 bends appropriately when pressed with a finger, thereby causing the X-direction switch electrodes XIA-X2C and the Y-direction switch electrodes Y
IA to Y4C are in contact with each other.

Here, eight information input switches 5a-5h as switching means are provided corresponding to each symbol mark, and each information input switch 5a-3h is
), there are nine subdivided switching elements that can be input individually, that is, nine switching elements formed at the intersections of three X-direction switch electrodes and three Y-direction switch electrodes. It is composed of matrix switches, and hereinafter, the matrix switches constituting the switch Sa will be expressed as 5at-Si2, and the matrix switches constituting the switch sb will be expressed as Sbl to Sb9.

FIG. 4 shows a control block diagram of the camera including a circuit for determining which information input switch has been operated. 6
The wooden X-direction switch electrodes XIA-X2G and the twelve wooden Y-direction switch electrodes YIA-Y4G are connected to the microprocessor MP. The microprocessor MP is adapted to detect a short circuit condition for each matrix switch.

For example, when the approximate center of the symbol mark 12a indicating the continuous shooting mode and the symbol mark 12b indicating the -frame shooting mode is pressed, the matrix switches Sal to Sa9 forming the information input switch Sa corresponding to the symbol mark 12a, Assume that the short circuit states of the matrix switches Sbl to Sb9 forming the information input switch sb corresponding to the symbol mark 12b are as shown in Table 2 below, for example. In this case, four of the matrix switches Sat to Sa9 forming the switch Sa are turned on, and six of them are turned on to the matrix switches Sbl to Sb9 forming the switch sb.

The microprocessor MP counts the number of matrix switches of each of the eight switches 5a to 5h (7) in accordance with the processing procedure shown in FIG. do.

Table 2 Here, the procedure for setting the photographing mode by such majority vote will be explained with reference to FIG.

When the program shown in FIG. 5 is started, first step Sl.
In this step, it is determined whether the matrix switch is turned on or not, and when the determination is negative, this program is terminated without doing anything. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S2, and the number of matrix switches assigned to each mode that are turned on is counted. Then, in step S3, the mode with the largest number of input matrix switches is compared and determined among the eight information input switches, and then, in step S4, the mode thus determined is set.

The microprocessor MP is connected to a photometry circuit LM and an exposure factor introduction circuit EF, and the microprocessor MP controls the exposure amount based on signals from these circuits, and also controls the mechanical control after release. A switch group GS that outputs a target sequence signal is also connected, and according to a signal from the switch group GS, a control signal is supplied at a predetermined timing to a drive circuit DC that controls the shutter magnet. Furthermore, a control signal is also supplied to the film winding control circuit CC. These various control signals are transmitted through the information input switch 5
The information input at step a-5h is processed within microprocessor MP and output.

Note that the switch electrodes may be further subdivided and one information input switch may be composed of ten or more matrix switches to perform more accurate determination.

Next, a modification of the information input switch in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

The information input switch shown in FIG. 6 consists of two wide X-direction switch electrodes Xi and x2, and 12 narrow Y-direction switch electrodes YIA- orthogonal to these electrodes.
It is composed of Y2O. That is, the information input switches 5a-3h corresponding to each mode are composed of three matrix switches Sal-5a3 (X-direction switch electrode x2 and Y-direction switch electrode
(intersection of direction switch electrodes YIA-YIC).

......, shi~5h3 (X direction switch electrode 1
and the intersection of Y-direction switch electrodes Y4A-Y2O). Then, in the same manner as the processing procedure shown in FIG.
Determine which information input switch has been turned on.

This example is effective when the distance between adjacent left and right information input switches is relatively small and the distance between the upper and lower switches is relatively far, and the number of X-direction switch electrodes is greater than that of the switch shown in Figure 1. Not only can the number of input ports of the microprocessor be reduced, but also the program can be simplified.

Note that the plurality of information input switches have the same size and the same configuration. Therefore, counting and comparing the number of individual matrix switches that have been turned on is equivalent to comparing and determining the area on the information input switch pressed by a finger.

-Second Embodiment- Next, the second embodiment will be explained using FIGS. 7 and 8, except for the information input switch and the flowchart for determining which input switch is turned on. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, and only that point will be described in detail below.

The information input switch shown in FIG. 7 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 in that the information input switch 5axsh corresponding to each mode is composed of nine matrix switches, but the information input switch 5axsh corresponding to each mode is composed of nine matrix switches. Among the switches, the matrix switch in the center has the largest contact area.

To explain the information input switch Sa corresponding to the symbol mark (C) 12a, there are two narrow X-direction switch electrodes X2A, X2C, a thick X-direction switch electrode X2B, and two narrow Y-direction switches. Electrode Y
IA, YIG and wide Y direction switch electrode YIB
Nine matrix switches Sa formed at the intersections with
1 to Sa9 constitute an information input switch Sa.

Similarly, the information input switch sb corresponding to the symbol mark (S) 12b has three X direction switch electrodes X2A-X2C and Y direction switch electrodes Y2A-
Nine matrix switches Sbl to 5b9 formed at the intersections of Y2O (in FIG. 7, only the central matrix switch 2Sb5 is labeled) provide information input switch s.
b is constructed.

Signals from the matrix switch configured in this way are supplied to the microprocessor MP in the same manner as shown in FIG. 4, and it is determined which information input switch has been turned on according to the program shown in FIG.

Figure 8 shows symbol marks (C) 12a and (S) 12b.
Although only the determination processing procedure for turning on the information input switch corresponding to the above is shown, determination can be made for other information input switches using a similar program.

First, in step Sll, the matrix switch S
aL~Sa9. It is determined whether any one of Sbl to Sb9 has been input. If the determination is negative, this processing procedure ends without doing anything. On the other hand, if an affirmative determination is made in step Sll, the process proceeds to step 512, and the information input switch S
It is determined whether or not the matrix switch Sa5 located at the center of a is turned on. If an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step 517, where the rCJ mode, that is, the continuous shooting mode is set. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step SL2, the process proceeds to step 313, where it is determined whether the matrix switch Sb5 located at the center of the information input switches sb is turned on. If affirmative judgment is made, step 3
The process advances to step 18, and the r3J mode, that is, the -frame photographing mode is set.

If step 313 is negative, the process proceeds to step 514, where the input number NG of the matrix switches Sal to Sa9 of the information input switch Sa corresponding to the mode "C" is counted.Next, in step S15, the mode "S" is counted.
The number NS of input matrix switches Sbl to Sb9 of the information input switch sb corresponding to " is counted. Then, the process proceeds to step S16, where the magnitudes of NG and NS are compared, and if NC is large, the process proceeds to step S17, where the mode "C" is
", and if NS is large, the process advances to step 318 and mode "S" is set.

In this processing procedure, when the center part of the information input switch is pressed, for example, when the matrix switch Sb5 is turned on, the center matrix switch Sa5 or Sc5 for the information input switch Sa or SC adjacent to the left and right This was done based on the knowledge that there is almost no possibility that the central matrix switch (not shown) will be turned on. Therefore, if the central matrix switch is turned on, that fact alone will indicate that the central matrix It is determined that the information input switch corresponding to the information input switch has been operated, and the corresponding mode is set. If none of the matrix switches in the center are turned on, the mode to be set is determined according to the number of matrix switches that are turned on, using the same processing procedure as explained in FIG.

In the description of each of the above embodiments, information input is performed using a type of information input in which a short circuit is generated by pressing electrodes as switching elements facing each other at a certain distance via a spacer with a finger, thereby generating a detection signal. Although the present invention is not limited to these types of switches, the present invention is also applicable to switches whose capacitance changes as the switch is operated, or where multiple scanned beams of light are blocked with a finger or the like. Therefore, it can be used in various types of switches, such as a type of switch that detects which information input switch is operated.

Furthermore, instead of displaying the symbol mark on a liquid crystal display and providing a transparent electrode on it as explained in Fig. 3,
The uppermost surface of the input section may be configured with an opaque operation panel, a symbol mark may be drawn on the panel, and an opaque electrode may be provided at the lower part of the operation panel.

Moreover, although the above description has been made using a camera as an example, the present invention can be widely applied not only to cameras but also to various electronic devices including calculators, cash registers, etc., and furthermore, to other control devices.

(Effect of the invention) The present invention provides a switching means for inputting one information.
It is composed of a plurality of subdivided switching elements that can be turned on individually, and the number of turned-on switching elements is counted for each switching means, and the switching means with the most switching elements turned on is assumed to be operated. Since the determination is made, even if the midpoint between two adjacent switching means is operated and a signal indicating a short circuit of the switch is obtained from the two switching means,
It is possible to reliably determine that the switching means operation was intended by the operator, and it is possible to avoid undesired switch operations as in the prior art.

Further, according to the present invention, even if two switching means are operated at the same time, information according to the switching means intended by the operator can be reliably inputted, so that the interval between the switching means can be narrower than before. As a result, if this type of information input device is used in a device such as a camera that requires a narrow mounting space, it is effective in terms of space, and more switching means can be arranged in the same space.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1(a) is a plan view showing an example of an information input switch of the information input device of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is a partial conceptual diagram thereof.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the upper cover of the camera having an information input section using the information input switch shown in Fig.
4 is a block diagram of a circuit that detects the ON state of the information input switch shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a process for determining the operated information input switch. A flowchart showing the procedure, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of the information input switch, FIG. 7 is a plan view showing still another example of the information input switch, and FIG. 8 is a determination of the operated information input switch. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing an example of an operation panel in a conventional information input device; FIG. 10 is a plan view of an information input switch in the information input device shown in FIG. It is. 1: Operation panel 10: Information input section 11: Upper cover 12a-12h Niji 7 Polmark 5a-3h: Information input switch (switching means) Sal-Sh9: Matrix switch (switching element) Xi, X2, XIA-X2C: X direction Switch electrodes Y1 to Y4. YIA-Y2O: Y-direction switch electrode MP: Microprocessor (counting means, comparison and judgment means) Applicant: Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Fuyuki Nagai Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 1 θ figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Two or more switching means each having a plurality of subdivided switching elements that can be input individually, a counting means for counting the number of input switching elements, and an input counted by the counting means. 1. An information input device comprising: comparison and determination means that compares the number of inserted pieces between the switching means and determines that the switching means with the largest counted number of inserted pieces has been operated.