TWI898245B - Operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an operating device, such as a mouse or keyboard, that can output sounds corresponding to external conditions as operating sounds. Operating device 1 includes a push-button operating unit 11 that receives input from an operator. Operating device 1 also includes a sound input unit 13, such as a microphone, that receives external sound input, and a sound output unit 14, such as a speaker, that outputs the sound. When the push-button operating unit 11 receives an input, operating device 1 controls the sound output unit 14 so that a sound based on the external sound received by the sound input unit 13 is output as a click sound.

Description

Operating device

The present invention relates to an operating device for accepting input operations from an operator.

Operating devices such as mice and keyboards that are communicatively connected to electronic devices such as computers and accept input operations from the operator are becoming increasingly common. These operating devices use switches such as micro switches that open and close circuits when pressed by the operator (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Operating devices such as mice and keyboards are required to have various characteristics tailored to their respective uses and conditions. One of the characteristics required of operating devices is quietness. In Patent Document 1, quietness is achieved by using rubber to absorb vibrations. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document]

Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-171789

[The problem that the invention aims to solve]

However, the operating device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is always in a silent state. Even when silence is not required, it is not possible to control the sound according to the surrounding conditions.

The present invention was developed in light of this situation, and its purpose is to provide an operating device that outputs sounds corresponding to surrounding conditions. [Solution]

To solve the above-mentioned problem, the operating device described in this application includes an operating unit that accepts input operations from an operator. The operating device is characterized by including: a sound input unit that accepts input of external sound; and a sound output unit that outputs sound.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized by including a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit, and when the operating unit receives an input operation, the control unit causes the sound output unit to output a sound based on the external sound received by the sound input unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized in that the control unit outputs a sound from the sound output unit as an operation sound generated by the input operation accepted by the operating unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized by including a selection unit that receives selection of a control method for the sound output from the sound output unit, and the control unit causes the sound output unit to output the sound controlled by the control method selected by the selection unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized in that the control unit controls the sound output from the sound output unit based on the volume of the sound received by the sound input unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized in that the control unit controls the sound output from the sound output unit based on the magnitude of each frequency component of the sound received by the sound input unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized in that it is a mouse or a keyboard.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized by including a housing that houses the sound output unit, and the housing has an opening formed near a location where the sound output unit is disposed, in a direction in which sound is output from the sound output unit.

Furthermore, the operating device is characterized by including a housing that houses the sound output unit, the sound output unit being positioned near a side or bottom surface of the housing, and an opening formed on a side or bottom surface of the housing near the location of the sound output unit, in a direction in which sound is output from the sound output unit. [Effects of the Invention]

The operating device disclosed in this application includes a sound input unit, such as a microphone, for receiving external sound input, and a sound output unit, such as a speaker, for outputting sound. This allows the operating device disclosed in this application to achieve the advantageous effect of outputting sound that is responsive to the surrounding conditions.

<Applicable Examples> The following describes an example embodiment of the operating device disclosed in this application with reference to the drawings. The operating device disclosed in this application is implemented as a device such as a mouse or keyboard used to operate an electronic device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). The following describes an operating device 1 illustrated in the drawings with reference to the drawings.

<Appearance> First, the appearance of the operating device 1 will be described using the first to sixth embodiments as examples.

<First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an operating device 1 disclosed in this application. Figure 1 shows, as a first embodiment, an example of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application being applied to a mouse used to operate an electronic device such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 includes a housing 10 incorporating various structures described below. The housing 10 of the operating device 1 includes a press-down operation portion 11, such as a mouse button, which receives input by pressing the mouse button with a finger, and a mouse wheel, which receives rotational operation by the user's finger. Furthermore, this application illustrates an embodiment in which the mouse wheel is used as a selection operation portion 12 (selection portion) for selecting a function. When a mouse wheel is used as the selection operation unit 12, the operator can select a control method for the operation sound, or so-called click sound, generated by pressing the pressing operation unit 11 by operating the selection operation unit 12.

The operating device 1 has two slit-shaped openings 10a formed on the front side of the housing 10. The operating device 1 houses a sound input unit 13, such as a microphone, for receiving external sound input, and a sound output unit 14, such as a speaker, for outputting sound, within the housing 10. The sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 included in the housing 10 are arranged near the front side of the housing 10. The sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 have directional properties, and the openings 10a on the front side of the housing 10 are formed in the direction in which the sound input unit 13 receives sound input and in the direction in which the sound output unit 14 outputs sound.

Furthermore, a connection cable 15 is connected to the operating device 1 for connecting to an external electronic device. The connection cable 15 serves as a communication line for transmitting and receiving electrical signals between the operating device 1 and the electronic device, as well as a power line for supplying power from the electronic device to the operating device 1. Furthermore, the operating device 1 is not limited to wired communication using the connection cable 15; it can also communicate electrical signals using various communication methods, including wireless communication. Furthermore, when wireless communication is employed, the operating device 1 can also be configured to include an internal power source such as a battery.

<Second Embodiment> Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application. The second embodiment is a configuration in which the opening 10a of the operating device 1 is formed at different locations in the first embodiment. The operating device 1 illustrated in Figure 2 has openings 10a on the left and right sides of the housing 10. The housing 10 includes a sound input unit 13 and a sound output unit 14, which are arranged near the left and right sides of the housing 10. The opening 10a on the right side of the housing 10 (not shown) is formed in the direction in which the sound input unit 13 receives sound input, while the opening 10a on the left side is formed in the direction in which the sound output unit 14 outputs sound.

<Third Embodiment> Figure 3 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application. The third embodiment is a configuration in which the opening 10a of the operating device 1 is formed in a different position than in the first embodiment. The operating device 1 illustrated in Figure 3 has an opening 10a provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. The bottom surface of the housing 10 is the surface that faces the top surface of the table when placed on it. The opening 10a formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10 is a generally circular opening. The sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 included in the housing 10 are arranged near the bottom surface of the housing 10. The opening 10a on the bottom surface of the housing 10 is formed in the direction in which the sound input unit 13 receives sound input and in the direction in which the sound output unit 14 outputs sound. Furthermore, the operating device 1 has a detection opening 10b formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10 for use by a detection unit that detects movement of the operating device 1.

<Fourth Embodiment> Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which the operating device 1 disclosed in this application is applied to a keyboard used for operating electronic equipment such as a personal computer. The operating device 1 includes a housing 10 , within which a plurality of key switches, such as character keys, numeric keys, and other function keys, are arranged as a push-button operation portion 11. Furthermore, this application illustrates an embodiment in which a portion of these key switches, such as function keys, serves as a selection operation portion 12 (selection portion) for selecting a function.

The operating device 1 has two slit-shaped openings 10a formed on the front side of the frame 10. The operating device 1 accommodates a sound input unit 13 and a sound output unit 14 in the frame 10. The sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 included in the frame 10 are arranged near the side of the frame 10. The sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 are directional, and the opening 10a of the frame 10 is formed in the direction of sound input by the sound input unit 13 and the direction of sound output by the sound output unit 14. In addition, the operating device 1 is connected to a connection line 15 for connecting to an external electronic device. Furthermore, the operating device 1 can also be configured to communicate electrical signals by wireless communication, and can also be configured to include a power supply internally.

<Fifth Embodiment> Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application. The fifth embodiment is a configuration in which the opening 10a of the operating device 1 is formed at a different position than the fourth embodiment. Figure 5 shows the operating device 1 as viewed from approximately the bottom surface. The operating device 1 illustrated in Figure 5 has an opening 10a provided on the bottom surface of the housing 10. The bottom surface of the housing 10 is the surface facing the top surface of the table when placed on a table. The opening 10a formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10 is a generally circular opening. The sound input unit 13 and sound output unit 14 included in the housing 10 are arranged near the bottom surface of the housing 10. The opening 10a on the bottom surface of the housing 10 is formed in the direction in which the sound input unit 13 receives sound input and in the direction in which the sound output unit 14 outputs sound.

<Functional Structure> Next, an example of the functional structure of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application will be described. Figure 6 is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating an example of the functional structure of the operating device 1 disclosed in this application. The operating device 1 includes various components within its housing 10, in addition to the aforementioned push control unit 11, selection control unit 12, sound input unit 13, and sound output unit 14, such as a control unit 2, an input amplifier 16, and an output amplifier 17. The control unit 2 is supplied with power from a power source (not shown). Furthermore, the operating device 1 includes an echo canceller (not shown) between the sound input unit 13 and the sound output unit 14 to suppress the occurrence of abnormal output sounds such as howling.

The control unit 2 is a circuit that controls the entire device and is configured using a control circuit such as a microcomputer equipped with an integrated circuit such as a very large scale integration (VLSI) or a large scale integration (LSI).

The input amplifier 16 is a circuit such as an amplifier that amplifies an electrical signal based on the sound input received by the sound input unit 13 and outputs it to the control unit 2. The output amplifier 17 is a circuit such as an amplifier that amplifies the electrical signal output from the control unit 2 and outputs it to the sound output unit 14. The sound output unit 14 outputs the sound based on the electrical signal input from the output amplifier 17.

Next, we will explain the structure of the various functions implemented by the various circuits within control unit 2. Control unit 2 implements various functions, including an operation processing unit 20, an analog/digital (A/D) converter 21, a frequency converter 22, an input sound processor 23, a sound information storage unit 24, a sound selector 25, a tone adjuster 26, an equalizer adjuster 27, and a volume adjuster 28.

The operation processing unit 20 receives input based on an operation performed on the selection operation unit 12 and, based on the received input, issues commands to the sound selection unit 25, the pitch adjustment unit 26, the equalizer adjustment unit 27, and the volume adjustment unit 28. Specifically, the operation processing unit 20 issues commands to the sound selection unit 25, the pitch adjustment unit 26, the equalizer adjustment unit 27, and the volume adjustment unit 28, such as selecting a control function based on the input sound, activating the selected function, and terminating an activated function. Furthermore, the operation processing unit 20 receives input based on an operation performed on the pressing operation unit 11 and issues a command to the sound selection unit 25 to output an operation sound, or so-called click sound, in response to the received input.

The A/D converter 21 samples the analog audio signal received by the audio input unit 13 and amplified by the input amplifier 16 at a predetermined sampling interval, binarizes the sampled audio signal, and converts it into a digital signal. The digitally converted audio signal is then sent to the frequency converter 22.

The frequency conversion unit 22 performs frequency conversion on the sound signal by, for example, Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and transmits the converted signal to the input sound processing unit 23 .

The input sound processing unit 23 processes the frequency-converted sound signal according to a preset algorithm and sends the processed sound signal to the sound selection unit 25, the tone adjustment unit 26, the equalizer adjustment unit 27, and the volume adjustment unit 28.

The sound information storage unit 24 is a memory that stores a plurality of reference sound information representing the reference sounds that form the basis of the sounds output as clicks. Examples of the reference sounds stored as reference sound information include metallic sounds, dull sounds, and sounds that feel soft to the touch. The inventors of this application have discovered through experiments that the operator's operating experience is influenced by the sound of the operation. Therefore, the sound information storage unit 24 stores the reference sounds that form the basis of various operating sounds as reference sound information.

The sound selection unit 25 receives a command based on a selection operation received from the operation processing unit 20 and selects a reference sound signal corresponding to the command from a plurality of reference sound information stored in the sound information storage unit 24. Furthermore, when the sound selection unit 25 receives a command based on a press operation received from the operation processing unit 20, the sound selection unit 25 extracts the selected reference sound information from the sound information storage unit 24 based on the processed sound signal received from the input sound processing unit 23, and transmits the extracted reference sound information to the pitch adjustment unit 26.

The pitch adjustment unit 26 adjusts the pitch of the reference audio signal based on the pitch adjustment method selected by the command received from the operation processing unit 20 and the processed audio signal received from the input audio processing unit 23, and sends the adjusted audio signal to the equalizer adjustment unit 27.

The equalizer adjustment unit 27 adjusts the size of the components of each frequency band of the adjustment audio signal received from the tone adjustment unit 26 based on the sound frequency adjustment method set by the command received from the operation processing unit 20 and the processed sound signal received from the input sound processing unit 23, and sends the adjusted audio signal with the adjusted size for each frequency band to the volume adjustment unit 28.

The volume adjustment unit 28 adjusts the volume of the adjustment audio signal received from the equalizer adjustment unit 27 based on the volume adjustment method selected by the command received from the operation processing unit 20 and the processed sound signal received from the input sound processing unit 23, and outputs the adjusted adjustment audio signal to the output amplifier 17.

The output amplifier 17 amplifies the electric signal input as the adjustment sound signal from the volume adjustment unit 28 of the control unit 2 , and outputs a sound based on the amplified electric signal from the sound output unit 14 as a click sound (operation sound).

As described above, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application controls the sound output in response to an input operation, namely, a so-called click sound, using a control method based on external sound input received by the sound input unit 13. Specifically, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application outputs a click sound whose pitch, the magnitude of each frequency component, and the volume are controlled by the control unit 2 based on the external sound.

<Processing Example> Next, an example of specific processing in the operating device 1 disclosed in this application will be described. For example, when the function selected by the self-selection operating unit 12 is volume adjustment mode, the operating device 1 controls the operating sound based on the externally input sound using the control method set to volume adjustment mode. Specifically, in volume adjustment mode, the volume of the click sound is controlled so that the volume of the externally input sound increases, and the volume of the click sound decreases as the volume of the externally input sound decreases.

Furthermore, as a mute mode, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application can also be controlled to suppress the output of operating sounds when the volume of sound input from the outside is below a predetermined lower limit. Furthermore, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application can be developed into various configurations, such as by adding a mute mode button installed on the housing 10. By pressing the mute mode button, the output of operating sounds can be suppressed regardless of external sounds.

Furthermore, for example, if the function selected from the selection operation unit 12 is masking mode, the operation device 1 controls the operation sound based on the externally input sound using the control method set to masking mode. Specifically, in masking mode, the operation sound is controlled based on the magnitude of each component of the externally input sound within each frequency band. By controlling the operation sound based on the magnitude of each component of the external sound within masking mode, a masking effect is created, making it difficult to hear one sound when two sounds of the same frequency overlap. This masking effect makes the operation device 1 disclosed in this application difficult to hear external sounds or operation sounds.

Furthermore, for example, when the function selected from the selection operation unit 12 is the inversion mode, the operation device 1 controls the operation sound based on the externally input sound using the control method set to the inversion mode. Specifically, in the inversion mode, the operation sound is output based on the sound with the phase inverted for each frequency band based on the magnitude of the components of each frequency band of the external input, thereby canceling out the external sound and the operation sound.

Furthermore, for example, if the function selected from the selection operation unit 12 is in highlight mode, the operation device 1 controls the operation sound based on the external sound input using the control method set to highlight mode. Specifically, in highlight mode, the operation device 1 controls the operation sound based on the external sound, emphasizing a specific frequency band component that is relatively small in the external sound. This allows the operation device 1 to output an easily audible operation sound that is not masked by external sound.

As described above, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application controls the operating sound according to the external sound. This has the excellent effect of being able to output the operating sound according to the external conditions.

In particular, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application has an opening 10a formed on the side or bottom of the housing 10, which outputs sound from the opening 10a. This allows the operator to distinguish sounds emitted from the sound output portion 14 as operating sounds originating from within the housing 10. Furthermore, the operating device 1 allows the operator to recognize sounds leaking from gaps in the housing 10, such as when pressing the edge of the operating portion 11, as operating sounds.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the embodiments described are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined by the scope of the patent application and is not limited in any way by the specification. Furthermore, all variations and modifications falling within the scope of the patent application are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the above embodiment shows an operating device 1 adapted for communicably connecting to an electronic device. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented in various forms, such as an operating device 1 integrated with an electronic device. Examples of operating devices 1 integrated with an electronic device include controller-integrated game consoles and notebook personal computers.

Furthermore, for example, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application can be embodied as various devices other than a mouse or keyboard. For example, the operating device 1 disclosed in this application can be implemented as a joystick controller including an operating unit such as a joystick that accepts rotational operation, a mixer including an operating unit such as a dial that accepts rotational operation, and a slider that accepts sliding operation.

Furthermore, for example, in the above embodiment, the opening 10a for the sound input unit 13 and the opening 10a for the sound output unit 14 are formed on the same surface of the operating device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be developed into various configurations. For example, the operating device 1 can be developed into various configurations, such as one in which the opening 10a for the sound input unit 13 is formed on the side surface of the housing 10, and one in which the opening 10a for the sound output unit 14 is formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10. Furthermore, the operating device 1 can be developed into various configurations, such as one in which the opening 10a for the sound output unit 14 is formed on the bottom surface of the housing 10, and one in which the opening 10a for the sound input unit 13 is not formed.

1: Operating device (mouse, keyboard) 2: Control unit 10: Frame 10a: Opening 10b: Detection opening 11: Pressing operation unit (operation unit) 12: Selection operation unit (selection unit) 13: Sound input unit 14: Sound output unit 15: Connection cable 16: Input amplifier 17: Output amplifier 20: Operation processing unit 21: A/D converter 22: Frequency converter 23: Input sound processing unit 24: Sound data storage unit 25: Sound selection unit 26: Tone adjustment unit 27: Equalizer adjustment unit 28: Volume adjustment unit

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the operating device disclosed in this application. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the operating device disclosed in this application. Figure 3 is a schematic bottom view showing an example of the external appearance of the operating device disclosed in this application. Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the operating device disclosed in this application. Figure 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the external appearance of the operating device disclosed in this application. Figure 6 is a functional block diagram schematically showing an example of the functional structure of the operating device disclosed in this application.

1: Operating device (mouse, keyboard) 2: Control unit 11: Press operation unit (operation unit) 12: Selection operation unit (selection unit) 13: Sound input unit 14: Sound output unit 16: Input amplifier unit 17: Output amplifier unit 20: Operation processing unit 21: A/D converter unit 22: Frequency converter unit 23: Input sound processing unit 24: Sound data storage unit 25: Sound selection unit 26: Tone adjustment unit 27: Equalizer adjustment unit 28: Volume adjustment unit

Claims (4)

An operating device includes an operating unit that accepts input operations from an operator, and the operating device is characterized in that it includes: a sound input unit that accepts input of external sound; a sound output unit that outputs sound; a control unit that controls the sound output from the sound output unit; and a selection unit that accepts selection of a control method for a click sound generated by the input operation and output from the sound output unit, wherein when the operating unit accepts an input operation, the control unit causes the click sound based on the external sound accepted by the sound input unit to be output from the sound output unit, wherein the control unit causes the click sound controlled by the control method selected by the selection unit to be output from the sound output unit, wherein In response to the selected control method being the highlight mode, the control unit controls the output of the click sound from the sound output unit based on the external sound received by the sound input unit, emphasizing a specific frequency band component that is small in the external sound, so as to output the click sound that is not masked by the external sound and is easily heard. In response to the selected control method being the volume adjustment mode, the control unit controls so that the click sound output from the sound output unit becomes louder as the volume of the external sound received by the sound input unit becomes louder, and the click sound output from the sound output unit becomes smaller as the volume of the external sound becomes smaller. The operating device as described in claim 1 is a mouse or a keyboard. The operating device according to claim 1 includes: a housing that houses the sound output unit, wherein the housing has an opening formed near a location where the sound output unit is disposed, the opening being oriented in a direction in which sound is output from the sound output unit. The operating device as described in claim 2 includes: a frame that accommodates the sound output unit, the sound output unit is arranged near the side or bottom of the frame, and the frame has an opening formed on the side or bottom near the configuration position of the sound output unit, in the direction of sound output from the sound output unit.