IP Library Granted Patent US 8,842,850
Granted Patent B2
US 8,842,850 · App. 13/239,849 · Granted Sep 23, 2014

Input device

Inventors: Kazuhiro Akaike (Kanagawa, JP); Takahiro Muraguchi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Sony Corporation
H04R1/1041H04M2250/02H04M1/05H04R5/033H04R1/1083H04M1/6066
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,842,850
App. No.
13/239,849
Granted
Sep 23, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input device of an electronic apparatus including an input detection unit which is provided on the electronic apparatus at a position that is difficult to be seen by a user who uses the input device, and which detects an input operation of the user; a movement distance detection unit that detects a movement distance of an input position over the input detection unit; and an action control unit that controls a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based on the movement distance detected by the movement distance detection unit.

Claims (22)

1. An input device of an electronic apparatus, the input device comprising:

an input detection unit, comprising a surface, which is provided on the electronic apparatus, the input detection unit being configured to detect touch input of a user on the surface;

a movement detection unit configured to detect a movement distance and direction of the touch input along the surface of the input detection unit; and

an action control unit configured to control a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based at least in part on the detected movement distance and direction detected by the movement detection unit;

wherein the electronic apparatus comprises headphones, and the input detection unit is provided on a headband extending between the headphones.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one dividing unit that divides the input detection unit into a plurality of regions.

3. The input device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the dividing unit is a protrusion that is provided on the input detection unit.

4. The input device of claim 2 , wherein the movement detection unit is configured to detect a movement of the touch input from a position in one of the plurality of regions to a position in another of the plurality of regions.

5. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising an input time measuring unit that measures a time during which an input to the input detection unit is continuing,

wherein the action control unit performs a comparison between an input continuation time measured by the input time measuring unit and a predetermined threshold value, and controls a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based at least in part on a comparison result.

6. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a lock setting unit that invalidates a user's touch input to the input detection unit; and

a lock releasing unit that releases a lock by the lock setting unit.

7. The input device of claim 1 , wherein the movement detection unit is configured to detect a movement in a substantially linear direction between a first position and a second position on the surface of the input detection unit.

8. An input device of an electronic apparatus, the input device comprising:

an input detection unit, comprising a surface, configured to detect a touch input of a user on the surface;

a movement detection unit configured to detect a movement distance and direction of the touch input along the surface of the input detection unit;

an action control unit configured to control a predetermined action of the electronic apparatus based at least in part on the movement distance and direction detected by the movement detection unit;

a lock setting unit configured to invalidate a user's touch input to the input detection unit; and

a lock releasing unit configured to release a lock set by the lock setting unit;

wherein the electronic apparatus comprises headphones, and the input detection unit is provided on a headband extending between the headphones.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2011
From: AKAIKE, KAZUHIRO; MURAGUCHI, TAKAHIRO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026956/0167 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-223502 · Oct 1, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120082321A1 · Apr 5, 2012