Patent Description:
<CIT> discloses an invention relating to an operating knob disposed on a touch panel.

This invention includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion at a grasping portion. The first protrusion is protruded from the grasping portion by a spring. The distance between the touch panel and the end of the first protrusion is shorter than the distance between the touch panel and the end of the second protrusion in a state in which the grasping portion faces the touch panel. The grasping portion is supported in a recess of an armoring material provided on the touch panel so as to be capable of a rotating operation and a pressing operation.

When the grasping portion is pressed, signals are produced when the first protrusion comes into contact with the touch panel and when the second protrusion comes into contact with the touch panel. Rotating the grasping portion, with the first protrusion and the second protrusion in contact with the touch panel, allows detecting the position of the rotation.

<CIT> discloses an invention relating to an input apparatus in which a knob is disposed on a touch panel.

In this invention, a ring-shaped rotary supporter is disposed on a touch panel, and a ring-shaped operation body is rotatably supported by the rotary supporter. The operation body houses a conductive connector. The conductive connector supports three conductive terminals with different diameters. The operation body and the three conductive terminals are electrically connected via the conductive connector. Operating the operation body with a finger allows detecting the positions of the three conductive terminals on the touch panel.

The operating knob disclosed in <CIT> is capable of pressing the grasping portion and rotating the grasping portion. However, the grasping portion has no hole, so that it is impossible to use a hole as a display area or an illumination area.

The operation body of the input apparatus disclosed in <CIT> has a ring shape. However the input apparatus can detect only a rotating operation not both of a rotating operation and a pressing operation. Adding a pressure detecting mechanism to the input apparatus of <CIT> would of course increase the size of the operation body.

<CIT> discloses an input device capable of stably detecting a rotary manipulation or a slide manipulation and which has rotary manipulation unit and touch panel unit equipped with rotary manipulation unit. Touch panel unit includes a touch panel and a cover panel which is made of transparent resin and stacked on the upper surface of the touch panel. The rotary manipulation unit includes a lower casing, and the lower surface of the lower casing is fitted into the cover panel. A user's rotationally manipulating rotary manipulation knob causes a contact of a variable electrode to slide on a track T1 so that the touch panel detects the shift of the variable electrode caused by a rotary manipulation. For press manipulation, when the user presses downward the upper surface of a pressing body with his/her finger or the like, elastic bodies buckling deform with steps, and pressing portions of the pressing body are brought into contact with the upper surface of connecting electrodes. Here, the user's finger and connecting electrodes are electrically connected to each other via the pressing body. This increases capacitance between the connecting electrodes and sensor electrodes. By an electronic circuit detecting the change in capacitance, the press manipulation is detected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an operating apparatus that is capable of detecting both of a rotating operation and a pressing operation using an operation body having a hole and that is simple and small in overall shape.

The invention relates to an operating apparatus according to the appended claims. Embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

In an aspect of the present invention, an operating apparatus disposed on a surface of a detection panel that detects a change in electrostatic capacitance includes a supporter, an operation body, a press detection conductor, and a rotation detecting conductor. The supporter is disposed on the surface of the detection panel. The operation body is supported by the supporter so as to be movable in a pressing direction along a reference axis orthogonal to the surface of the detection panel and a rotational direction about the reference axis. A hole is provided from the supporter to the operation body, and the reference axis is located in the hole. The press detection conductor faces the surface of the detection panel and is configured to move in the pressing direction along the reference axis. The rotation detecting conductor faces the surface of the detection panel is configured to move in the rotational direction about the reference axis. The press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor are arranged around the hole. The press detection conductor is moved in the pressing direction by the pressing operation of the operation body. The rotation detecting conductor is moved in the rotational direction by the rotating operation of the operation body.

In the operating apparatus, the operation body includes a circular outer rim about the reference axis and a circular inner rim about the reference axis, and the supporter, the rotation detecting conductor, and the press detection conductor are located between the outer rim and the inner rim.

The operating may further include a light-transmissive member in the hole, the light-transmissive member allowing the detection panel to be viewed. In this case, the light-transmissive member is preferably part of the operation body.

In the operating apparatus, at least part of the operation body may be a conductive conduction operating portion, and when at least the operation body moves in the pressing direction, the press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor may be electrically connected to the conduction operating portion.

In the operating, a first conductor of the press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor may be provided at the operation body at least part of which is a conductive conduction operating portion and may be electrically connected to the conduction operating portion, a second conductor may be supported by the supporter, and when the operation body moves in the pressing direction, the second conductor supported by the supporter may be electrically connected to the conduction operating portion.

The operating apparatus may further include a rotational operation member rotatably supported by the supporter, wherein the rotation detecting conductor may rotate together with the rotational operation member, wherein the press detection conductor may move along the reference axis together with the operation body, and wherein the rotational operation member may rotate with a rotational motion of the operation body.

The operating may further include a pressing operation member supported by the supporter so as to move along the reference axis, wherein the press detection conductor may move along the reference axis together with the pressing operation member, wherein the rotation detecting conductor may rotate together with the operation body, and wherein the pressing operation member may move along the reference axis with a pressing motion of the operation body.

In the operating apparatus, it is preferable that the pressing operation member rotate with the operation body.

In the operating apparatus, it is preferable that a relative position of the press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor do not change while the operation body rotates.

In the operating apparatus, it is preferable that when the operation body moves in the pressing direction, the rotation detecting conductor and the press detection conductor be equally spaced apart from the surface of the detection panel.

In the operating apparatus, it is preferable that the press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor be longer in circumferential length centered on the reference axis than in radial width centered on the reference axis.

An operating apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has a hole extending from the supporter to the operation body, in which the supporter, the rotation detecting conductor, and the press detection conductor are arranged in a peripheral area that does not overlap with the hole. This configuration allows the hole to be used for an area through which the detection panel can be viewed, an area in which an illumination mechanism or a display mechanism is disposed, or an area in which a new pressing operation mechanism is disposed. A light-transmissive member may be disposed in the hole so that the detection panel can be viewed through the light-transmissive member. Since the supporter, the rotation detecting conductor, and the press detection conductor are arranged around the hole, the opening area of the hole can be large, and the overall outside diameter can be small.

In particular, the structure in which the operation body has a ring shape (a doughnut shape) having a circular outer rim and a circular inner rim and in which the supporter, the rotation detecting conductor, and the press detection conductor are located between the outer rim and the inner rim of the operation body provides a simple appearance with only a ring-shaped operation body. Furthermore, since the overall surface serves as the operation body, it is easy to operate and the overall outside diameter can be decreased.

<FIG> illustrates an operating apparatus <NUM> according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a structure in which the operating apparatus <NUM> is fixed to a surface 1a of a detection panel <NUM>. The detection panel <NUM> is according to an embodiment a transparent panel, for example, a surface panel of an electronic device in a vehicle cabin. On the back (in the Y1-direction) of the detection panel <NUM>, a display screen of potential various kinds of display, such as a color liquid crystal display and an electroluminescence display, is located. The display screen displays various items of information on vehicle driving, for example, navigation information, road congestion information, moving speed information, air-conditioner operation information, or disaster warning information. Alternatively, the display screen displays audio information, television received image, or the like. The information displayed on the display screen passes through the detection panel and can be viewed from the front (Y2 side). The operating apparatus <NUM> can also be disposed on the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> provided at various electronic devices other than in-vehicle electronic devices.

The detection panel <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes a transparent panel <NUM> and a light-transmissive sensor panel <NUM> laminated on a back surface 2a of the transparent panel <NUM> facing the back (in the Y1-direction). The transparent panel <NUM> is a transparent resin panel, such as a glass panel or an acrylic panel. The sensor panel <NUM> is configured such that a plurality of transparent electrodes made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO), are provided on the surface of a transparent substrate made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or the like and detects a change in electrostatic capacitance. When a conductor having a potential close to the ground potential comes into contact with or close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>, a mutual capacitance detected between the plurality of transparent electrodes of the sensor panel <NUM> changes, or capacitances detected at the individual transparent electrodes change, allowing detecting what position on the coordinates of a plane parallel to the surface 1a the conductor is located.

<FIG> illustrate a reference axis O. The reference axis O is a virtual straight line orthogonal to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the operating apparatus <NUM> includes an operation body <NUM>. The operation body <NUM> has a ring shape (doughnut shape) centered on the reference axis O. The operation body <NUM> has a circular hole <NUM> at the center, in which the reference axis O is located.

As shown in <FIG>, the operation body <NUM> includes a conduction operating portion <NUM> and a conductor supporting portion <NUM>. The conduction operating portion <NUM> has fitting protrusions 12a protruding backward (in the Y1-direction). The conductor supporting portion <NUM> has recesses 13b in an inner peripheral surface 13a. The fitting protrusions 12a are fitted in the recesses 13b so that the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the conductor supporting portion <NUM> are fixed to each other. The conduction operating portion <NUM> is electrically conductive and made of conductive metal. Alternatively, the conduction operating portion <NUM> may be formed of a synthetic resin material, on the surface of which a conductive metal plate layer is provided. The conductor supporting portion <NUM> is non-conductive and made of a synthetic resin material.

The operation body <NUM> of an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a single member or a plurality of members joined together, at least part of which constitute a conductive conduction operating portion.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the operation body <NUM> has an upper wall 11a, an inner peripheral wall 11b, and an outer peripheral wall 11c. The upper wall 11a is a ring-shaped portion at the front of the conduction operating portion <NUM>. The front of the upper wall 11a oriented in the Y2-direction is the main operation surface. The inner peripheral wall 11b is a cylindrical portion, which is part of the conduction operating portion <NUM> and extends from the inner periphery of the upper wall 11a backward (in the Y1-direction). The outer peripheral wall 11c is formed of the cylindrical conductor supporting portion <NUM>.

The portion having the smallest inside diameter out of the surface of the inner peripheral wall 11b is the rim of the hole <NUM> and the inner rim of the operation body <NUM>. The portion having the largest outside diameter out of the outer peripheral wall 11c is the outer rim of the operation body <NUM>. As shown in the cross-sectional views of <FIG> and <FIG>, all of the components of the operating apparatus <NUM> are disposed between the inner rim and the outer rim of the operation body <NUM>. In other words, all of the components are covered with the operation body <NUM>. Accordingly, the appearance of the operating apparatus <NUM> seen from below is the same as the appearance of the ring-shaped (doughnut-shaped) operation body <NUM>.

As shown in the bottom view of <FIG> and <FIG>, the back surface 13c of the conductor supporting portion <NUM> oriented backward (in the Y1-direction) is provided with a press detection conductor <NUM>. The press detection conductor <NUM> is provided in the range of a given angle along an arc locus about the reference axis O. In other words, the press detection conductor <NUM> has a partial ring shape along the arc locus about the reference axis O, whose circumferential length is larger than the radial width. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, part of the press detection conductor <NUM> is an extension 15a extending in the front-to-back direction (Y1-to Y2-direction) along the inner peripheral surface 13a of the conductor supporting portion <NUM>. The press detection conductor <NUM> is made of a thin metal plate, which is integrated with the conductor supporting portion <NUM> by a so-called insert molding process when the conductor supporting portion <NUM> is formed. Alternatively, the press detection conductor <NUM> may be formed by applying a conductive paint to the conductor supporting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the conduction operating portion <NUM> is integrally provided with a connecting protrusion (a conductive connecting portion) 12b extending from the back surface of the upper wall 11a backward (in the Y1-direction). The connecting protrusion 12b is normally in contact with the extension 15a of the press detection conductor <NUM>. Since the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the connecting protrusion 12b are conductive, the surface of the conduction operating portion <NUM> oriented in the Y2-direction, that is, a main contact operation surface, and the press detection conductor <NUM> are electrically connected.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation body <NUM> houses a rotary assembly <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the components of the rotary assembly <NUM> in exploded view. The rotary assembly <NUM> includes a supporter <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> is made of a non-conductive material, such as a synthetic resin material, and has a circular supporter-side hole (opening) <NUM> at the center. The reference axis O is located in the hole <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> includes a ring-shaped fixing portion <NUM> and a cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> erected from the inner rim of the fixing portion <NUM> forward (in the Y2-direction).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotary assembly <NUM> is configured such that the cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> rotatably supports a rotational operation member <NUM>. The rotational operation member <NUM> is non-conductive and is made of a synthetic resin material. The rotational operation member <NUM> includes a ring-shaped gear bottom <NUM> and a connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> extending from the outer periphery of the gear bottom <NUM> forward (in the Y2-direction) which are integrated with each other. The gear bottom <NUM> has a circular slide hole <NUM> in the center. The slide hole <NUM> is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of the cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM>.

As shown in the bottom view of <FIG> and <FIG>, the back surface 30a of the rotational operation member <NUM> oriented backward (in the Y1-direction) is provided with a rotation detecting conductor <NUM>. The rotation detecting conductor <NUM> is provided in the range of a given angle along an arc locus about the reference axis O. In other words, the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> has a partial ring shape along the arc locus about the reference axis O, whose circumferential length is larger than the radial width. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, part of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> is an extension 35a extending in the front-to-back direction (in the Y1- to Y2-direction) along the inner peripheral surface 32a of the connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>. The rotation detecting conductor <NUM> is made of a thin metal plate, which is integrated with the rotational operation member <NUM> by a so-called insert molding process when the rotational operation member <NUM> is formed. Alternatively, the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> may be formed by applying a conductive paint to the rotational operation member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the conduction operating portion <NUM> is provided with a connecting protrusion (a conductive connecting portion) 12c extending from the back surface of the upper wall 11a backward (in the Y1-direction). In <FIG>, the connecting protrusion 12c is spaced apart from the extension 35a of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> forward (in the Y2-direction). When the operation body <NUM> is pushed backward (in the Y1-direction) to move, the connecting protrusion 12c comes into contact with the extension 35a to electrically connect the main contact operation surface of the conduction operating portion <NUM> oriented in the Y2-direction and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the rotary assembly <NUM> includes a ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> inside the connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>. The ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> includes click engaging portions 25a that are bent and protruded backward (in the Y1-direction) at two places. A plurality of gear recesses <NUM> are provided at regular pitches in the circumferential direction at the front of the gear bottom <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>. The two click engaging portions 25a can engage with any of the plurality of gear recesses <NUM> in order. The ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> includes a pair of engage tabs 25b protruding inward at two places. The cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> has a pair of engage recesses 24a at two places at the front. The engage tabs 25b engage with the corresponding engage recesses 24a to prevent the ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> from rotating relative to the supporter <NUM>.

The rotary assembly <NUM> includes a holder <NUM>. The holder <NUM> has a ring shape and has connecting pieces 26a integrally formed backward (in the Y1-direction) at four positions of the inner rim. At the rear end of each connecting piece 26a, a retaining piece 26b bent outward is formed. As shown in <FIG>, the cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> has connecting recesses 24b in which the connecting pieces 26a are to be fitted at four places on the inner peripheral surface.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the cylindrical supporting portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> is inserted from the back into the slide hole <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>, so that the ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> and the holder <NUM> are overlapped at the front side of the gear bottom <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>. The connecting pieces 26a of the holder <NUM> are fitted in the connecting recesses 24b of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical supporting portion <NUM>, and the retaining pieces 26b at the rear ends of the connecting pieces 26a are engaged with the back surface 23a of the fixing portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> to assemble the rotary assembly <NUM>. The rotary assembly <NUM> is configured to rotate the rotational operation member <NUM> relative to the supporter <NUM> around the reference axis O, with the supporter <NUM>, the ring-shaped plate spring <NUM>, and the holder <NUM> connected to each other. At the rotation, the gear recesses <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM> engage with the click engaging portions 25a of the ring-shaped plate spring <NUM> every given rotation angle to give the rotational operation member <NUM> click rotation resistance.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a double-sided adhesive tape <NUM> is bonded to the back surface 23a of the fixing portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> of the rotary assembly <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a ring-shaped sheet <NUM> is disposed at the front of the holder <NUM> inside the connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> of the rotary assembly <NUM>, and a returning elastic member <NUM> is disposed at the front of the ring-shaped sheet <NUM>. The ring-shaped sheet <NUM> is formed of a low-friction sheet material. The returning elastic member <NUM> is formed of a rubber material and includes elastically deformable protrusions 45a at three places on the circumference of a ring-shaped main body 45c. The elastically deformable protrusions 45a are hollow and exhibit a forward elastic returning force (in the Y2-direction) against a backward pressing force (in the Y1-direction). As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM> has connecting recesses <NUM> that open forward (in the Y2-direction). The returning elastic member <NUM> has circular bases 45b at the bases of the elastically deformable protrusions 45a. The circular bases 45b are individually fitted in the connecting recesses <NUM>. When the rotational operation member <NUM> rotates in the rotary assembly <NUM>, the returning elastic member <NUM> rotates together with the rotational operation member <NUM> on the ring-shaped sheet <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotary assembly <NUM> is housed between the inner peripheral wall 11b and the outer peripheral wall 11c of the operation body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, rotation connecting protrusions <NUM> extending in the front-to-back direction (in the Y1- to Y2-direction) are formed at three places of the inner peripheral surface 13a of the conductor supporting portion <NUM>, and rotation connecting recesses <NUM> extending in the front-to-back direction (Y1- to Y2-direction) are formed at three places of the outer peripheral surface of the connecting cylindrical portion <NUM> of the rotational operation member <NUM>. The rotation connecting protrusions <NUM> engage with the individual rotation connecting recesses <NUM>, so that the operation body <NUM> and the rotational operation member <NUM> are connected so as to rotate together. The operation body <NUM> can move in the front-to-back direction (the Y1- to Y2-direction) relative to the rotational operation member <NUM> and the supporter <NUM>. The operation body <NUM> is urged in the direction away from the rotary assembly <NUM> forward (in the Y2-direction) by the elastic force of the elastically deformable protrusions 45a of the returning elastic member <NUM>. To prevent the operation body <NUM> from being separated forward from the rotary assembly <NUM>, a retaining structure is provided between the operation body <NUM> and the rotational operation member <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, when the operation body <NUM> and the rotary assembly <NUM> are combined, the hole <NUM> at the center of the operation body <NUM> and the hole <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> communicate with each other to form a hole along the reference axis O in an area including the reference axis O in the operating apparatus <NUM>. The hole is open in the operating apparatus <NUM> in the front-to-back direction (in the Y1- to Y2-direction).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the back surface 23a of the fixing portion <NUM> of the supporter <NUM> and the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> are bonded with the double-sided adhesive tape <NUM>, so that the operating apparatus <NUM> is disposed on the detection panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, components of the operating apparatus <NUM> other than the operation body <NUM> are housed in the space between the inner peripheral wall 11b and the outer peripheral wall 11c of the operation body <NUM> (between the inner rim and the outer rim of the operation body <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, the appearance of the operating apparatus <NUM> seen from the front (Y2) is the appearance of the ring-shaped (doughnut-shaped) operation body <NUM> itself. As a result, the operating apparatus <NUM> has a simple design, good appearance, and is easy to operate with a finger.

At the center of the operating apparatus <NUM>, the circular hole <NUM> of the operation body <NUM> is open with a relatively large area. This allows part of an image displayed on the display screen on the back (in the Y1-direction) of the detection panel <NUM> to be viewed through the hole <NUM>. This also allows disposing a separate display device including a light-emitting diode (LED) by using the inner space of the hole <NUM> or disposing a separate pressure operating apparatus in the hole <NUM>.

Next, an operation on the operating apparatus <NUM> and a detection operation will be described.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, when no external force is acting on the operation body <NUM>, the operation body <NUM> is lifted forward (in the Y2-direction) by the elastic pressing force of the elastically deformable protrusions 45a formed on the returning elastic member <NUM>. This causes, as shown in <FIG>, the press detection conductor <NUM> to be separated forward (in the Y2-direction) from the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the connecting protrusion (conductive connecting portion) 12c provided at the conduction operating portion <NUM> is separated forward (in the Y2-direction) from the extension 35a of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> provided at the rotational operation member <NUM>, so that the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> are not electrically connected.

In the operation body <NUM>, the extension 15a of the press detection conductor <NUM> provided on the conductor supporting portion <NUM> is in contact with the connecting protrusion (conductive connecting portion) 12b, so that the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> are normally electrically connected. For that reason, when a finger of the operator touches the surface (the main operation surface) of the upper wall 11a of the operation body <NUM>, the potential of the press detection conductor <NUM> becomes almost the ground potential which is the same as that of the body of the operator. When the operation body <NUM> is pushed backward (in the Y1-direction) by a finger pressing operation, the conductor supporting portion <NUM> is moved backward (in the Y1-direction) with respect to the rotational operation member <NUM> to bring the press detection conductor <NUM> close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. Since the press detection conductor <NUM> is at almost the ground potential, the coordinate position to which the press detection conductor <NUM> comes close is detected by the sensor panel <NUM>.

When the operation body <NUM> is pushed backward (in the Y1-direction), the connecting protrusion 12c shown in <FIG> comes into contact with the extension 35a of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> provided at the rotational operation member <NUM> to bring the conduction operating portion <NUM> of the operation body <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> into conduction. This causes the finger that pushes the operation body <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> to have the same potential, making the potential of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> almost the ground potential. As shown in <FIG>, the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> provided on the rotational operation member <NUM> is normally close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. Accordingly, when the potential of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> becomes almost the ground potential which is the same as the potential of the finger, the coordinate position of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> is detected by the sensor panel <NUM> of the detection panel <NUM>.

A control unit (not shown) determines that a pressing operation has been performed when both of the coordinate position of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the coordinate position of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> are detected by the sensor panel <NUM> of the detection panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> have a partially ring shape extending in the direction of the arc around the reference axis O and are larger in the length in the arc direction than the width in the radial direction around the reference axis O. This provides sufficiently large areas for the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> within a narrow radial range, allowing the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> to be reliably detected by the sensor panel <NUM>. The press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> face each other at an angle of <NUM> degrees with the reference axis O therebetween, and are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. Since the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> which are partially ring-shaped do not overlap in the circumference direction centered on the reference axis O, the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> can be reliably individually detected by the sensor panel <NUM>.

When the operation body <NUM> is pushed in the Y1-direction, so that the press detection conductor <NUM> comes close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>, the facing interval between the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> in the front-to-back direction (the Y1- to Y2-direction) becomes equal to the facing interval between the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> in the front-to-back direction. When the operation body <NUM> is pushed for a rotating operation, the detection panel <NUM> can detect the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> with the same sensitivity. This allows detecting the pressure and the rotation of the operation body <NUM> with high accuracy.

When the operation body <NUM> is pressed backward (in the Y1-direction), the control unit may determine that the operation body <NUM> has been pressed when the coordinate position of the press detection conductor <NUM> is detected by the sensor panel <NUM>, irrespective of whether the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> is detected.

As shown in <FIG>, the operation body <NUM> and the rotational operation member <NUM> can move relative to each other in the front-to-back direction (in the Y1- to Y2-direction) but are connected to each other in the direction of rotation (direction R) due to the engagement of the rotation connecting protrusions <NUM> at the conductor supporting portion <NUM> of the operation body <NUM> and the rotation connecting recesses <NUM> at the rotational operation member <NUM>. For this reason, when the operation body <NUM> is rotated under pressure, the operation body <NUM> and the rotational operation member <NUM> rotate together around the reference axis O. The press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> with almost the ground potential rotate without changing in their relative position while keeping close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. The sensor panel <NUM> can detect the rotating coordinates of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM>. By detecting the movement of the coordinates of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM>, the control unit determines that the operation body <NUM> is rotated. Furthermore, the operation speed and the rotation angle of the operation body <NUM> can be respectively recognized from the speed and the angle of the change in coordinates at which the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> are detected.

Since the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> face each other at an angle of <NUM> degrees, with the reference axis O therebetween, and rotate in the direction of R without changing in relative angle, the rotary motion of the operation body <NUM> can be accurately detected by detecting changes in the coordinates of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> with the sensor panel <NUM>. Furthermore, the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> extend in the direction of the arc around the reference axis O and are larger in the length in the arc direction than the width in the radial direction around the reference axis O. This provides sufficiently large areas for the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM>, allowing the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> to be reliably detected by the sensor panel <NUM>.

In the present invention, the center of the press detection conductor <NUM> in the circumferential direction and the center of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> in the circumferential direction need not be located on the same radial line centered on the reference axis O and need only be located on different radial lines. It is preferable that the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> do not overlap even partially on the same radial line. For that purpose, it is preferable that the center of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the center of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> be disposed in the range from <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees about the reference axis O. The disposition in which the center of the press detection conductor <NUM> and the center of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> are located on different radial lines so as not to overlap in the radial direction makes it easy to detect the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> individually in a spaced-apart state.

<FIG> illustrates an operating apparatus 10A according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

The operating apparatus 10A of the second embodiment includes a rotary assembly <NUM>. The configuration of the rotary assembly <NUM> is the same as that of the rotary assembly <NUM> of the first embodiment. The rotary assembly <NUM> include a supporter <NUM> and a rotational operation member <NUM> rotatably supported by the supporter <NUM>. The rotational operation member <NUM> is provided with a rotation detecting conductor <NUM>. A press detection conductor <NUM> is provided on a conductor supporting portion <NUM> constituting an operation body <NUM>.

The operation body <NUM> of the operating apparatus 10A includes a conduction operating portion <NUM>, the conductor supporting portion <NUM>, and a light-transmissive member <NUM>. The conduction operating portion <NUM> is conductive. The conductor supporting portion <NUM> is non-conductive. The shapes of the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the conductor supporting portion <NUM> are substantially the same as those of the operating apparatus <NUM> of the first embodiment. The joined body of the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the conductor supporting portion <NUM> has a ring shape (a doughnut shape) and includes an upper wall 11a, an inner peripheral wall 11b, and an outer peripheral wall 11c. The area enclosed by the inner peripheral wall 11b is a hole <NUM>. The portion having the smallest inside diameter out of the surface of the inner peripheral wall 11b is the inner rim of the hole <NUM>, and the portion having the largest outside diameter out of the outer peripheral wall 11c is the outer rim of the operation body <NUM>. All of the components constituting the rotary assembly <NUM> of the operating apparatus 10A are disposed between the inner rim and the outer rim of the joined body of the conduction operating portion <NUM> and the conductor supporting portion <NUM>.

The light-transmissive member <NUM> is part of the operation body <NUM>. The light-transmissive member <NUM> is made of a light-transmissive resin material, such as acrylic. The light-transmissive member <NUM> closes the hole <NUM> of the operation body <NUM>. A surface 17a of the light-transmissive member <NUM> orientated forward (in the Y2-direction) is flush with the surface of the conduction operating portion <NUM>. Since the operating apparatus 10A includes the light-transmissive area having the light-transmissive member <NUM> at the center of the operation body <NUM>, part of the display screen can be viewed through the light-transmissive area and the detection panel <NUM>. A display mechanism including a light source, such as an LED, may also be disposed in the hole <NUM>.

Forming a transparent conductive layer, such as ITO, on the surface 17a of the light-transmissive member <NUM> and electrically connecting the conductive layer to the conduction operating portion <NUM> allow the surface 17a of the light-transmissive member <NUM> to be used as a contact operation surface.

<FIG> illustrates an operating apparatus <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

An operation body <NUM> of the operating apparatus <NUM> is configured such that a conductive conduction operating portion <NUM> and a non-conductive conductor supporting portion <NUM> are fixed. The operation body <NUM> has a doughnut shape having an upper wall 111a, an inner peripheral wall 111b, and an outer peripheral wall 111c. All of the components of the operating apparatus <NUM> except the operation body <NUM> are located between the inner peripheral wall 111b and the outer peripheral wall 111c. The surface of the conductor supporting portion <NUM> facing the detection panel <NUM> is provided with a rotation detecting conductor <NUM>. The rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the conduction operating portion <NUM> are electrically connected.

The operating apparatus <NUM> includes a pressing assembly <NUM>. The pressing assembly <NUM> includes a supporter <NUM>. The supporter <NUM> is bonded to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> with a double-sided adhesive tape <NUM>. A pressing operation member <NUM> is supported by the supporter <NUM> so as to be movable in the front-to-back direction (the Y1- to Y2-direction). A returning elastic member <NUM> is disposed between the supporter <NUM> and the pressing operation member <NUM>. The pressing assembly <NUM> is assembled using a holder <NUM> so that the supporter <NUM>, the returning elastic member <NUM>, and the pressing operation member <NUM> are not separated. The surface of the pressing operation member <NUM> facing the detection panel <NUM> is provided with a press detection conductor <NUM>. The press detection conductor <NUM> and the conduction operating portion <NUM> are electrically connected.

The operating apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> is configured such that, when the operation body <NUM> is pushed backward (in the Y1-direction), the pressing operation member <NUM> moves backward (in the Y1-direction) with respect to the supporter <NUM>, and the operation body <NUM> and the pressing operation member <NUM> come close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> together. When the operation body <NUM> is rotated about the reference axis O, the pressing operation member <NUM> rotates together. Also in the operating apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> keep the relative positions of <NUM> degrees about the reference axis O all the time, like the relationship between the press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The press detection conductor <NUM> and the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> have a partial arch shape at a predetermined angle about the reference axis O.

In the operating apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, when no external force is acting on the operation body <NUM>, the operation body <NUM> and the pressing operation member <NUM> are moved forward (in the Y2-direction) by the urging force of the returning elastic member <NUM>, so that both of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> are separated from the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM>. When a finger of the operator touches the conduction operating portion <NUM> of the operation body <NUM>, the potentials of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> which are electrically connected to the conduction operating portion <NUM> become almost the ground potential with the same potential as that of the finger. When the operation body <NUM> is pushed backward (in the Y1-direction) by the finger, the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> come close to the surface 1a of the detection panel <NUM> together, and the coordinate positions of both of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> are detected by the sensor panel <NUM>. Thus, a control unit (not shown) determines that a pressing operation has been performed. When the operation body <NUM> pushed by the finger is rotated as it is, the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> are rotated together, with the interval of the angle of <NUM> degrees maintained. By detecting changes in the positions of the rotation detecting conductor <NUM> and the press detection conductor <NUM> with the sensor panel <NUM>, the control unit can determine that a rotating operation has been performed.

The operating apparatus <NUM> of the first embodiment and the operating apparatus <NUM> of the third embodiment have a doughnut-shaped operation body having an inner peripheral wall and an outer peripheral wall, the components of which are located between the outer rim and the inner rim of the operation body. The pressing operation of the operation body allows the press detection conductor to be detected by the detection panel, and the rotating operation of the operation body allows the rotation detecting conductor to be detected. Since the overall structure has the same doughnut shape as that of the operation body, the overall shape is simple. Furthermore, the press detection conductor and the rotation detecting conductor are located between the outer rim and the inner rim of the operation body, thereby allowing the area of the hole of the operation body to be large, and the overall outside diameter to be small.

Claim 1:
An operating apparatus (<NUM>, 10A, <NUM>) disposed on a surface (1a) of a detection panel (<NUM>) that is configured to detect a change in electrostatic capacitance, the operating apparatus (<NUM>, 10A, <NUM>) comprising:
a supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the surface (1a) of the detection panel (<NUM>);
an operation body (<NUM>, <NUM>) supported by the supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>) so as to be movable in a pressing direction along a reference axis (O) orthogonal to the surface (1a) of the detection panel (<NUM>) and a rotational direction (R) about the reference axis (O), wherein a hole (<NUM>) is provided from the supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>) to the operation body (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the reference axis (<NUM>) is located in the hole (<NUM>),
a press detection conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing the surface (1a) of the detection panel (<NUM>), the press detection conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to move in the pressing direction along the reference axis (O); and
a rotation detecting conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) facing the surface (1a) of the detection panel (<NUM>), the rotation detecting conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to move in the rotational direction (R) about the reference axis (<NUM>), the press detection conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) and the rotation detecting conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) being arranged around the hole (<NUM>),
wherein the press detection conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is moved in the pressing direction by the pressing operation of the operation body (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the rotation detecting conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) is moved in the rotational direction (R) by the rotating operation of the operation body (<NUM>, <NUM>), characterized in that
the operation body (<NUM>, <NUM>) has a ring shape having a circular outer rim about the reference axis (O) and a circular inner rim about the reference axis (O), and
wherein the supporter (<NUM>, <NUM>), the rotation detecting conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the press detection conductor (<NUM>, <NUM>) are located between the outer rim and the inner rim.