Patent ID: 7443379

Claim:
An input device comprising: at least one resistance-element series, formed by a plurality of resistance element groups connected in series; each resistance element group formed as a fixed resistive element and a corresponding deformable resistive element, the deformable resistive element oriented to face the fixed resistance element; an operating object which brings a respective deformable resistance element into contact with the corresponding fixed resistance element and which changes the contact area therebetween; an output point provided at a midpoint between two resistance element groups; and a controller in which: (a) for respective resistance element groups, when the fixed resistance element and the corresponding deformable resistance element are not in contact, said controller enters a sleep mode and sets one of the fixed resistive element and deformable resistive element to have a high potential, and sets the other of the fixed resistive element and deformable resistive element to have a low potential; (b) in the sleep mode, said controller monitors the occurrence of a change in voltage or current on a low potential side, and, when a change is detected, said controller determines that the operating object has been operated; (c) after the determination of the change, said controller applies a voltage across the ends of the resistance-element series, and sets a detection mode for obtaining, from the output point, an output based on a change in contact area between the respective fixed resistive element and deformable resistive element a switching unit for switching a power-supply voltage that, in the sleep mode, sets the ends of the at least one resistance-element series to have the same power-supply voltage and that, in detection mode, causes the ends of the at least one resistance-element series to have a potential difference; and at least one input unit provided on the deformable resistance element side of each the plurality of resistance element groups that, by detecting a change in potential applied to the input unit, monitors whether a change in voltage or current occurs on the deformable resistance element side of each of the resistance element groups.