Patent Description:
Among input devices used for game operations, there is one that has an operation pad having a touch sensor on an upper surface of the input device. <NUM> of the specification of <CIT>, an input device in which a light emitting region is defined on a surface of an operation pad is disclosed. For example, when plural users play a game at the same time, the light emitting region of the operation pad emits light of a color assigned to each user. Previously proposed arrangements are disclosed by <CIT>.

However, since a light source (specifically, a light emitting diode) for allowing a light emitting region to emit light is attached to a position apart downward from an operation pad in an input device of the specification of <CIT>, a structure (for example, a light guide member) for guiding light of the light source to the light emitting region becomes large. Therefore, for example, it is difficult to provide plural light emitting regions on the operation pad, and the position selection of the light emitting regions is also largely restricted.

The invention is set out by the input device of claim <NUM>.

Hereinafter, an input device proposed in the present disclosure will be described. As an example of the input device proposed in the present disclosure, an input device <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and the like will be described in the specification.

In the following description, directions indicated by X1 and X2 in <FIG> are referred to as right and left, respectively, and directions indicated by Y1 and Y2 are referred to as front and rear, respectively. In addition, directions indicated by Z1 and Z2 in <FIG> are referred to as upper and lower, respectively.

The input device <NUM> is used as an input device for an information processing device having a function of executing a game program, a function of reproducing a moving image, a function of communicating through the Internet, and the like. The input device <NUM> can perform wired or wireless communications with the information processing device, and transmits to the information processing device a signal according to an operation performed for the input device <NUM> by a user. The input device <NUM> incorporates various sensors (an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, and the like) used to detect an attitude and movement of the input device <NUM>, a battery, and the like.

As depicted in <FIG>, the input device <NUM> is a device that is held and operated with both hands, and has a right held portion 10R held with the right hand and a left held portion <NUM> held with the left hand. Operation members are arranged on an upper surface of the right held portion 10R and an upper surface of the left held portion <NUM>. For example, four operation buttons <NUM> positioned at apexes of a rhombus are arranged on the upper surface of the right held portion 10R. A cross-shaped direction key <NUM> is arranged on the upper surface of the left held portion <NUM>. Operation buttons <NUM> are arranged on a front surface of the right held portion 10R and a front surface of the left held portion <NUM>. Each of the right held portion 10R and the left held portion <NUM> has a swelling portion G extending rearward from regions where the operation members (the direction key <NUM> and the four operation buttons <NUM> in the example of the input device <NUM>) on the upper surface are arranged.

As depicted in <FIG>, the input device <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> positioned between the right held portion 10R and the left held portion <NUM>. The swelling portions G of the held portions 10R and <NUM> extend further rearward relative to a rear end of the central portion <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> has an operation pad <NUM> that is a plate-like operation member. In the example of the input device <NUM>, the operation pad <NUM> is arranged on the upper surface of the central portion <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>. The operation pad <NUM> is positioned between the operation members (specifically, the four operation buttons <NUM>) arranged on the upper surface of the right held portion 10R and the operation member (specifically, the direction key <NUM>) arranged on the upper surface of the left held portion <NUM>. The structure of the operation pad <NUM> will be described in detail later. The input device <NUM> further has operation buttons 19R and <NUM> arranged on the right side and left side of the operation pad <NUM>, respectively, and operation sticks 17R and <NUM> positioned behind the operation pad <NUM>.

The shape of the input device proposed in the present disclosure is not limited to the example of the input device <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and the like. For example, the rear end of the central portion <NUM> may reach the rear ends of the held portions 10R and <NUM>. That is, the held portions 10R and <NUM> do not need to have the swelling portions G extending rearward. As still another example, the input device may be operated with one hand. For example, the input device may be in a rod shape. In this case, the operation pad <NUM> may be arranged at a position that can be operated with the thumb.

In addition, the types and arrangement of the operation members are not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. For example, the positions of the four operation buttons <NUM> and the positions of the direction key <NUM> and the operation sticks 17R and <NUM> may be appropriately changed. For example, the direction key <NUM> may be arranged on the right held portion 10R and the operation buttons <NUM> may be arranged on the left held portion <NUM>. In addition, the input device <NUM> does not need to have both or either of the two operation sticks 17R and <NUM>.

The operation pad <NUM> is arranged at a front portion of the upper surface of the central portion <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the operation pad <NUM> has an exterior plate <NUM> and a touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The exterior plate <NUM> is positioned at the uppermost part of the operation pad <NUM> and configures a part of the upper surface of the central portion <NUM>. The touch sensor substrate <NUM> is attached to the rear surface (lower surface) of the exterior plate <NUM>. The touch sensor substrate <NUM> is bonded to, for example, the exterior plate <NUM>. Plural detection electrodes arranged in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are formed on the upper surface (the surface in contact with the exterior plate <NUM>) of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, and the touch sensor substrate <NUM> functions as a touch sensor for detecting the position touched with a finger when the user touched the exterior plate <NUM> with the finger. The touch sensor substrate <NUM> is, for example, an electrostatic capacitive touch sensor, but the type thereof is not limited to this. As depicted in <FIG>, plural IC (Integrated Circuit) chips 22a functioning as a driving circuit of the touch sensor, a driving circuit of light sources S1 to S2 to be described later, and the like are mounted on the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. These driving circuits may be mounted on a main substrate <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The input device <NUM> has an exterior member configuring the exterior thereof. The exterior member has an upper case 40U (see <FIG>) and a lower case <NUM> (see <FIG>) combined with the upper case 40U in the up-down direction. A rectangular opening 40a (see <FIG>) is formed in the upper case 40U. The operation pad <NUM> is fitted inside the opening 40a.

The operation pad <NUM> can be moved up and down, and functions as a push button. As depicted in <FIG>, the operation pad <NUM> has a back frame <NUM> attached to the rear surface side (lower side) of the exterior plate <NUM>. The back frame <NUM> covers the lower surface of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and is attached to the exterior plate <NUM>. The back frame <NUM> has a push portion 23a positioned substantially at the center of the operation pad <NUM>. The push portion 23a has, for example, a columnar shape protruding downward. The main substrate <NUM> is arranged below the back frame <NUM>. The main substrate <NUM> is a circuit substrate on which a communication circuit for transmitting a signal indicating an operation of the operation members to an information processing device such as a game device and a control circuit for controlling charging/discharging of a battery are mounted. The main substrate <NUM> has, at the position corresponding to the push portion 23a, a sensor for detecting depression of the operation pad <NUM>, that is, a change in the position of the operation pad <NUM> in the up-down direction. In the example of the input device <NUM>, a switch <NUM> is used as the sensor. The switch <NUM> is, for example, an on/off switch. When the operation pad <NUM> is pushed by the user, the push portion 23a pushes the switch <NUM>. Thus, the position pushed by the user can be detected based on an output signal of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and an output signal of the switch <NUM>. The output signal of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and the output signal of the switch <NUM> are input to, for example, a microprocessor mounted on the main substrate <NUM> and transmitted to the information processing device (game device). Note that the type of the sensor is not limited to the switch <NUM>. Instead of the switch <NUM>, a sensor that can detect the pressing amount of the operation pad <NUM> may be used.

The input device <NUM> has an elastic member (not depicted in the drawing) for pushing the operation pad <NUM> upward. The operation pad <NUM> is pushed down by the user and then returned to the initial position by the force of the elastic member. As depicted in <FIG>, the input device <NUM> has a frame <NUM> between the main substrate <NUM> and the operation pad <NUM>. The elastic member is arranged, for example, on the upper side of the frame <NUM> to push the back frame <NUM> upward. The support structure of the operation pad <NUM> is not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. For example, the elastic member may be arranged on the main substrate <NUM>.

In the example of the input device <NUM>, the operation pad <NUM> is positioned foremost on the upper surface of the central portion <NUM>. In addition, the operation pad <NUM> configures a front edge of the central portion <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, the exterior plate <NUM> has a portion 21a (hereinafter, referred to as an upper plate portion) configuring the upper surface of the central portion <NUM> and a portion 21b (front plate portion) configuring the front surface of the central portion <NUM>. The upper plate portion 21a has a quadrangular shape in plan view. The front plate portion 21b extends downward from a front portion of the upper plate portion 21a to configure the front surface of the input device <NUM>. The opening 40a of the upper case 40U in which the operation pad <NUM> is arranged opens not only upward but also forward.

The arrangement and shape of the operation pad <NUM> are not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. For example, the operation pad <NUM> may be positioned apart rearward from the front edge of the central portion <NUM>. In this case, the exterior plate <NUM> does not need to have the front plate portion 21b.

As depicted in <FIG>, the exterior plate <NUM> has plural light-emitting units E1 to E5. The light-emitting units E1 to E5 are regions which are defined on the surface (upper surface) of the exterior plate <NUM> and from which light visually confirmed by the user exits. In the example of the input device <NUM>, the exterior plate <NUM> is formed of an opaque material, and the light-emitting units E1 to E5 are holes formed in the exterior plate <NUM>. As will be described later, the exterior plate <NUM> may be formed of a material through which light passes. In this case, the light-emitting units E1 to E5 may be regions that are defined by light shielding portions and through which light passes.

The light-emitting unit E1 is positioned, for example, at the center of the front edge of the upper plate portion 21a in the left-right direction. The light-emitting units E2 to E5 are positioned, for example, at four corners of the upper plate portion 21a. Plural light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface of the operation pad <NUM>. As the light sources S1 to S5, light emitting diodes (LEDs) can be used. The light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the operation pad <NUM>, and thus moved up and down together with the operation pad <NUM> when the operation pad <NUM> receives a depression operation. The light sources S1 to S5 are provided to the plural light-emitting units E1 to E5, respectively. The operation pad <NUM> has optical paths, on the rear surface thereof, configured using light diffusion members H1 to H5. The light of the light sources S1 to S5 passes through the optical paths toward the light-emitting units E1 to E5, and allows the light-emitting units E1 to E5 to shine.

As described above, since the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface of the operation pad <NUM>, the optical paths from the light sources S1 to S5 to the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be shortened, the structure for allowing the light-emitting units E1 to E5 to shine can be downsized, and the degree of freedom for the position selection of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be increased. In addition, the light sources S1 to S5, the optical paths that are the light diffusion members H1 to H5, and the light-emitting units E1 to E5 are provided in the operation pad <NUM> itself. Therefore, when the operation pad <NUM> is pushed down, the light sources S1 to S5, the optical paths, and the light-emitting units E1 to E5 are integrally moved. That is, even when the operation pad <NUM> is moved up and down, the positional relation among the light sources S1 to S5, the optical paths, and the light-emitting units E1 to E5 is kept. As a result, the brightness and colors of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be appropriately maintained.

A microprocessor mounted on the main substrate <NUM> or the touch sensor substrate <NUM> separately controls lighting of the light sources S1 to S5. In addition, the light sources S1 to S5 are provided to the plural light-emitting units E1 to E5, respectively. Accordingly, the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can separately shine. For example, only one of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 arranged at the four corners can shine, or only the light-emitting unit E1 arranged on the front side can shine. When the light-emitting units E1 to E5 shine, the user can be guided to, for example, a position to be touched with a finger. For example, when the light-emitting unit E1 blinks, the user can recognize the light-emitting unit E1 as a position to be touched with a finger.

The IC chips 22a functioning as a driving circuit of the touch sensor are mounted on the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> (see <FIG>). The touch sensor substrate <NUM> is electrically connected to the main substrate <NUM>, and a signal obtained by the touch sensor substrate <NUM> is input to the microprocessor mounted on the main substrate <NUM>. The touch sensor substrate <NUM> and the main substrate <NUM> are connected to each other through, for example, a flexible printed circuit (FPC). The above-described light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. In more detail, the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface (lower surface) of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. In the example of the input device <NUM>, the light source S1 is positioned at the center of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> in the left-right direction. As will be described in detail later, the light sources S2 to S5 are arranged while being associated with the four corners of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>.

According to the structure of the input device <NUM> in which the light sources S1 to S5 are mounted on the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, the number of parts of the operation pad <NUM> can be reduced. For example, an electric wire for supplying electric power to the light sources S1 to S5 and an electric wire for transmitting a signal of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> can be commonalized. That is, electric power can be supplied to the light sources S1 to S5 by using an FPC for transmitting the signal of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. As depicted in <FIG>, a connector 22b for connecting the FPC is mounted on the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. A circuit pattern for electrically connecting the terminals of the connector 22b to the plural light sources S1 to S5 is formed on the touch sensor substrate <NUM>.

In addition, since the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, a ratio of a contact detectable region of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> to the upper plate portion 21a can be increased. That is, for example, when the light sources S1 to S5 are arranged next to the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, the regions where the light sources S1 to S5 are arranged do not function as regions where contact detection by the touch sensor substrate <NUM> is possible, and thus the detectable region is narrowed only by the regions where the light sources S1 to S5 are arranged. On the other hand, when the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, the light sources S1 to S5 are positioned within the detectable region of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> in plan view of the operation pad <NUM>, and thus a ratio of the detectable region of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> to the upper plate portion 21a can be increased.

The attachment structure of the light sources S1 to S5 is not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. That is, some or all of the light sources S1 to S5 do not need to be attached to the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. For example, the operation pad <NUM> may have an FPC separately from the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. In addition, some or all of the light sources S1 to S5 may be attached to the FPC.

As depicted in <FIG>, the operation pad <NUM> has the light source S1 that intersects with the center line L1 (the center line of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>) of the operation pad <NUM> along the front-rear direction. The light-emitting unit E1 is also arranged so as to intersect with the same center line L1, and shines with light from the light source S1. The light-emitting unit E1 is formed forward relative to the front edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The light source S1 is arranged so as to emit light forward. In the example of the input device <NUM>, the light-emitting unit E1 has a long narrow strip shape in the left-right direction. The shape and size of the light-emitting unit E1 are not limited to this.

As depicted in <FIG>, the four light sources S2 to S5 are arranged so as to surround the center Cp of the operation pad <NUM>. Specifically, the four light sources S2 to S5 are arranged in a region R1 defined on the right front side with respect to the center Cp, a region R2 defined on the left front side with respect to the center Cp, a region R3 defined on the left rear side with respect to the center Cp, and a region R4 defined on the right rear side with respect to the center Cp, respectively. More specifically, the light sources S2 to S5 are arranged at the respective four corners of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>.

Thus, the four light sources S2 to S5 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the center line L1 of the operation pad <NUM> along the front-rear direction and the center line L2 of the operation pad <NUM> along the left-right direction. That is, the light source S2 and the light source S3 are positioned on the sides opposite to each other across the center line L1 along the front-rear direction, the light source S4 and the light source S5 are positioned on the sides opposite to each other across the center line L1 along the front-rear direction, the light source S3 and the light source S4 are positioned on the sides opposite to each other across the center line L2 along the left-right direction, and the light source S5 and the light source S2 are positioned on the sides opposite to each other across the center line L2 along the left-right direction.

As depicted in <FIG>, the light-emitting units E2 to E5 are positioned so as to surround the center Cp of the operation pad <NUM> as similar to the light sources S2 to S5. Specifically, the four light-emitting units E2 to E5 are positioned in the above-described regions R1 to R4, respectively. More specifically, the light-emitting units E2 to E5 are positioned at the respective four corners of the operation pad <NUM>. The light-emitting units E2 to E5 are positioned outside the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The four light sources S2 to S5 emit light toward the outside of the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. In the example of the input device <NUM>, the shapes of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 are circles (points). The shapes and sizes of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 are not limited to this. For example, each of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 may have a strip shape or a polygonal shape.

The arrangement and number of the light sources S1 to S5 are not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. For example, the operation pad <NUM> does not need to have the light source S1 and the light-emitting unit E1 that are positioned at the center in the left-right direction. In addition, the light sources S2 to S5 do not need to be positioned at the corners of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. For example, two light sources may be arranged so as to intersect with the center line L1 and/or the center line L2 of the operation pad <NUM> along the left-right direction. In this case, the number of light sources provided in the operation pad <NUM> may be two (the light source on the right side and the light source on the left side). In addition, the number of light-emitting units and the number of light sources may be five or more. For example, plural light-emitting units and plural light sources may be arranged along the respective four edges (the front edge, left edge, rear edge, and right edge) of the operation pad <NUM>. In still another example, the number of light-emitting units and the number of light sources do not necessarily need to match each other. That is, plural light sources may be provided for one light-emitting unit.

As described above, the operation pad <NUM> can be moved up and down. The positions where the light-emitting units E1 to E5 are formed can be separately pushed down. For example, the operation pad <NUM> can be tilted so as to lower the position of the light-emitting unit E2, and the operation pad <NUM> can be tilted so as to lower the position of the light-emitting unit E3. According to this structure, for example, the user can be guided to a position where a depression operation is to be applied or a position where a depression operation can be input by allowing the light-emitting units E1 to E5 to shine. For example, by blinking the light-emitting unit E1, the user can recognize the light-emitting unit E1 as a position to be pushed or a position that can be pushed.

As described above, the switch <NUM> is mounted on the main substrate <NUM>, and the push portion 23a is formed at the center of the operation pad <NUM>. The depression operation for each of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be detected by one switch <NUM>. That is, when the position of the light-emitting unit E1 is pushed down, the push portion 23a pushes the switch <NUM>, and the depression operation to the position of the light-emitting unit E1 can be detected. The same is true for the other light-emitting units E2 to E5. When the depression operation to the positions of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 is detected by the switch <NUM>, the input device <NUM> transmits to the information processing device a signal (coordinate information) indicating the position touched by the user and a signal indicating that the switch <NUM> is pushed.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation pad <NUM> has a flange portion 21d at the outer edge thereof. The flange portion 21d is formed at the right edge, the left edge, the rear edge, and the front edge (lower edge) of the operation pad <NUM>. The flange portion 21d is formed at, for example, the exterior plate <NUM>. The flange portion 21d is a portion formed further outside the above-described upper plate portion 21a (the portion exposed upward) and the front plate portion 21b (the portion exposed forward). The flange portion 21d is positioned on the lower side of the edge of the opening 40a formed in the upper case 40U, and the upward movement is restricted by the edge of the opening 40a. Thus, for example, when the position of the light-emitting unit E2 on the right side is pushed down, the operation pad <NUM> is tilted, and the push portion 23a is lowered to push the switch <NUM>. In addition, when the position of the light-emitting unit E3 on the left side is pushed down, the operation pad <NUM> is tilted, and the push portion 23a is lowered to push the switch <NUM>.

As described above, the operation pad <NUM> has the light diffusion members H1 to H5 as optical paths for light emitted from the light sources S1 to S5. The light diffusion members H1 to H5 are, for example, resin with a material (particle) for reflecting light added, and light entering the light diffusion members H1 to H5 diffuses inside, and spreads to the whole of the light diffusion members H1 to H5.

As depicted in <FIG>, the light diffusion members H1 to H5 are arranged along the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. Specifically, the light diffusion member H1 where light of the light source S1 enters extends in the left-right direction along the front edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The light diffusion member H2 where light of the light source S2 enters has a first portion h1 extending in the left-right direction along the front edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and a second portion h2 extending in the front-rear direction along the right edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The light diffusion member H2 has a coupling portion h3 for connecting the first portion h1 and the second portion h2 while avoiding the position of the light source S2. The light diffusion member H3 has a structure symmetrical to the light diffusion member H2, and has a first portion h1, a second portion h2, and a coupling portion h3. In addition, each of the light diffusion members H4 and H5 similarly has a first portion h1, a second portion h2, and a coupling portion h3.

As depicted in <FIG>, the light-emitting units E1 to E5 are defined outside the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. The light diffusion members H1 to H5 are positioned below the light-emitting units E1 to E5, respectively (see <FIG>). That is, the light-emitting units E1 to E5 and the optical paths (the light diffusion members H1 to H5) for light that allows the light-emitting units E1 to E5 to shine are formed or arranged using a region between the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and the outer edge (specifically, the outer edge of the upper plate portion 21a) of the exterior plate <NUM>. The exterior plate <NUM> is formed of, for example, an opaque material. In this case, for example, holes penetrating the exterior plate <NUM> in the up-down direction are formed at the positions of the light-emitting units E1 to E5. The plural light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the rear surface (that is, the contact detectable region) of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, and emit light toward the outside of the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM>, that is, toward the light diffusion members H1 to H5. The light entering the light diffusion members H1 to H5 diffuses inside, and exits to the upper side of the exterior plate <NUM> through the holes that are the light-emitting units E1 to E5. In other words, the plural light sources S1 to S5 emit light from the inside of the contact detectable region to the outside, and allow the light-emitting units E1 to E5 exposed at the surface of the exterior plate <NUM> to shine through the optical paths (the light diffusion members H1 to H5) formed between the edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and the edge of the exterior plate <NUM> (the upper plate portion 21a).

As depicted in <FIG>, the light diffusion members H1 to H5 have projection portions h4 at the positions of the light-emitting units E1 to E5. On the other hand, the rear surface of the exterior plate <NUM> has recess portions 21c at the positions of the light-emitting units E1 to E5. The projection portions h4 are fitted in the recess portions 21c. According to this structure, since the distances from the light diffusion members H1 to H5 to the surface (upper surface) of the exterior plate <NUM> are reduced, the luminance of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be sufficiently secured.

As depicted in <FIG>, the back frame <NUM> attached to the rear side (lower side) of the exterior plate <NUM> has a plate shape and covers the lower side of the light sources S1 to S5. The back frame <NUM> is formed of an opaque material and suppresses light of the light sources S1 to S5 from leaking downward.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the light diffusion members H1 and H2 are arranged and held between the upper plate portion 21a of the exterior plate <NUM> and the back frame <NUM>. According to the attachment structure of the light diffusion members H1 and H2, the exterior plate <NUM> can prevent the light of the light diffusion members H1 and H2 from leaking downward without increasing the number of parts. As similar to the light diffusion members H1 and H2, the light diffusion members H3 to H5 are arranged and held between the upper plate portion 21a of the exterior plate <NUM> and the back frame <NUM>. With this structure, the exterior plate <NUM> can prevent the light of the light diffusion members H3 to H5 from leaking downward.

The light sources S1 to S5 are configured to emit light in different colors. For example, each of the light sources S1 to S5 includes a red light emitting element, a blue light emitting element, and a green light emitting element. In addition, a control device of the input device <NUM> changes the light emitting color of each of the light sources S1 to S5 in accordance with, for example, an instruction from the information processing device.

The operation pad <NUM> has a light shielding wall for preventing color mixing of light. For example, the light shielding wall is arranged between two adjacent light sources. In an inventive embodiment of the input device <NUM>, as depicted in <FIG>, light shielding walls 23b and 23c are formed so as to surround each of the light sources S1 to S5. The light source S1 arranged at the center in the left-right direction is surrounded by the light shielding wall 23b and the light diffusion member H1 in plan view of the input device <NUM>. The light shielding wall 23b and the light diffusion member H1 define a closed region. The light source S2 arranged at the corner of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> is surrounded by the light shielding wall 23c and the light diffusion member H2 in plan view of the input device <NUM>. As similar to the light source S2, the light sources S3 to S5 are also surrounded by the light diffusion members H3 to H5 and the light shielding walls 23c.

In accordance with the invention, as depicted in <FIG>, the light shielding walls 23b and 23c are formed integrally with the back frame <NUM>. The light shielding walls 23b and 23c project upward from the back frame <NUM>, and the upper ends thereof reach the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. Unlike the example of the input device <NUM>, a dedicated member having the light shielding walls 23b and 23c may be attached to the operation pad <NUM>.

In addition, the operation pad <NUM> also has a light shielding wall arranged between two adjacent light diffusion members. Specifically, as depicted in <FIG>, a light shielding wall 21f is formed between the central light diffusion member H1 and the left and right light diffusion members H2 and H3. The light shielding wall 21f prevents light of the light diffusion member H1 from being mixed with light of the light diffusion member H2, and prevents light of the light diffusion member H1 from being mixed with light of the light diffusion member H3. In addition, a light shielding wall <NUM> is formed between the first portion h1 of the light diffusion member H4 and the first portion h1 of the light diffusion member H5 on the left and right sides. Further, light shielding walls <NUM> are formed between the second portions h2 of the light diffusion members H2 and H3 on the front side and the second portions h2 of the light diffusion members H5 and H4 on the rear side. As similar to the light diffusion members H1 to H5, the light shielding walls 21f, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged using a region between the outer edge of the touch sensor substrate <NUM> and the outer edge (specifically, the outer edge of the upper plate portion 21a) of the exterior plate <NUM>. These light shielding walls 21f, <NUM>, and <NUM> are formed integrally with, for example, the exterior plate <NUM>.

As depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, the operation pad <NUM> further has a light shielding wall 23e formed along the outer edge of the operation pad <NUM>. The light shielding wall 23e is arranged outside the light diffusion members H2 to H5 in plan view, and surrounds these light diffusion members H2 to H5. That is, the light shielding wall 23e is formed along the right sides of the light diffusion members H2 and H3, the rear sides of the light diffusion members H3 and H4, and the right sides of the light diffusion members H4 and H5. The presence of the light shielding wall 23e can suppress light from leaking from between the operation pad <NUM> and the edge of the opening 40a of the upper case 40U.

In the example of the input device <NUM>, the front plate portion 21b of the exterior plate <NUM> is formed along the front side of the light diffusion members H1 to H3. Therefore, the front plate portion 21b also functions as a light shielding wall. As depicted in <FIG>, a gap k is secured between the front edge (lower edge) 40b of the opening 40a of the upper case 40U and the lower edge <NUM> of the front plate portion 21b to permit the up and down movement of the operation pad <NUM>. The inner surface 21i of the front plate portion 21b extends obliquely downward and reaches a position behind the front edge of the back frame <NUM>. This structure of the front plate portion 21b suppresses light from leaking out of the gap k.

Note that the shapes of the light diffusion members H1 to H5 are not limited to the example of the input device <NUM>. Each of the light diffusion members H2 to H5 does not need to have the second portion h2 bent with respect to the first portion h1 and the coupling portion h3 for coupling them to each other. That is, the light diffusion members H2 to H5 may have only portions positioned in the light emitting directions of the light sources S2 to S5.

As described above, the operation pad <NUM> has the exterior plate <NUM> having the light-emitting units E1 to S5 and the touch sensor substrate <NUM> attached to the rear surface of the exterior plate <NUM>, and can be moved up and down. In addition, the operation pad <NUM> has the light sources S1 to S5 attached to the rear surface thereof and the light diffusion members H1 to H5 that are optical paths through which light of the light sources S1 to S5 passes toward the light-emitting units E1 to E5. In the input device <NUM>, since the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the operation pad <NUM>, the optical paths from the light sources S1 to S5 to the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be shortened, the structure for allowing the light-emitting units E1 to E5 to shine can be downsized, and the degree of freedom for the positions of the light-emitting units E1 to E5 can be increased.

In addition, the light sources S1 to S5 are attached to the touch sensor substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, the number of parts of the input device <NUM> can be reduced.

Note that the input device proposed in the present disclosure is not limited to the example of the above-described input device <NUM>.

According to the invention, the light diffusion members H1 to H5 are used as the optical paths in the input device <NUM>. However, in accordance with the invention, a light guide member may be used as an optical path. The light guide member is formed of, for example, a transparent material. In addition, light entering the inside of the light guide member is totally reflected on the outer surface of the light guide member so as to advance to a light emitting surface (emission surface of light) formed at a part of the outer surface of the light guide member.

<FIG> depicts an example of an operation pad having the light guide member. The cutting position of <FIG> is the same as that of <FIG>, and the light source S1 is depicted in the drawing. An operation pad <NUM> depicted in <FIG> has a light guide member J1 that receives light of the light source S1. The operation pad <NUM> has a light shielding member <NUM> in which the light guide member J1 is arranged. An opening 125b is formed at a part of an upper wall 125a of the light shielding member <NUM>, and light entering the light guide member J1 exits upward from the opening 125b. An exterior plate <NUM> of the operation pad <NUM> is formed of a light transmissive material. Light that exited from the opening 125b passes through the exterior plate <NUM> and exits upward. Thus, the position of the opening 125b corresponds to the light-emitting unit E1. That is, the range of the light-emitting unit E1 is defined by the light shielding member <NUM>. The light shielding member <NUM> has, for example, a light shielding wall 125c formed along the front side of the light guide member J1 and a light shielding wall 125d formed along the lower side of the light guide member J1. For each of the other light sources S2 to S5, the operation pad <NUM> may have the light guide member and the light shielding member <NUM> defining the range of each of the light-emitting units E2 to E5.

In addition, each of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 may have a strip shape. For example, as depicted in <FIG>, each of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 may have a substantially L-shape bent along the corner of the exterior plate <NUM>. Each of the light-emitting units E2 to E5 in this case may be a hole formed in the exterior plate <NUM> or may be defined by the opening 125b of the light shielding member <NUM> as exemplified in <FIG>.

In addition, in the above description, each of the LEDs as the light sources S1 to S5 included the red light emitting element, the blue light emitting element, and the green light emitting element, and the light emitting color of each of the light sources S1 to S5 could be controlled. Unlike this, for example, only the light emitting color of the light source S1 can be changed, and the light emitting colors of the remaining light sources S2 to S5 may be fixed to, for example, white.

In addition, in the above description, the operation pads <NUM> and <NUM> have the five light sources S1 to S5, and an operation pad <NUM> has the four light sources S2 to S5. However, the number of light sources provided in each operation pad may be one, or five or more.

Claim 1:
An input device (<NUM>) comprising:
an operation pad (<NUM>) having an exterior plate (<NUM>) having at least one light-emitting unit (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5), a touch sensor substrate (<NUM>) attached to a rear surface of the exterior plate, and a back frame (<NUM>) attached to the rear surface of the exterior plate and covering a rear surface of the touch sensor substrate, wherein the exterior plate and the back frame are integrally movable in a vertical direction;
a plurality of light sources (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) attached to the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate; and
an optical path through which light of at least one of the plural light sources passes toward the at least one light-emitting unit, wherein the optical path is a light diffusion member (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5) or a light guide member (J1, J2, J3, J4, J5),
characterized in that
a plurality of light shielding walls (23b, 23c) are formed integrally with, and protrude from, the back frame toward the rear surface of the touch sensor substrate, and respectively surround respective ones of the plurality of light sources.