US 7,321,361 B2 | ||
Coordinate input device having non-flat operation surface and electronic apparatus | ||
Tadamitsu Sato, Fukushima-ken (Japan); and Masahiro Soma, Fukushima-ken (Japan) | ||
Assigned to Alps Electric Co., Ltd., Tokyo (Japan) | ||
Filed on Sep. 16, 2002, as Appl. No. 10/244,702. | ||
Claims priority of application No. 2001-282442 (JP), filed on Sep. 17, 2001. | ||
Prior Publication US 2003/0071784 A1, Apr. 17, 2003 | ||
Int. Cl. G06F 3/041 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 345—173 [345/174] | 7 Claims |
1. A coordinate input device comprising:
coordinate input means which performs a coordinate input operation by detecting a position of an external operating member
that contacts a non-rotating operation surface when the external operating member slides on the non-rotating operation surface,
wherein a flat base supports the non-rotating operation surface and is disposed under the non-rotating operation surface;
wherein the non-rotating operation surface is capable of having a plurality of shapes and the non-rotating operation surface
is formed in a convex shape, a concave shape, or the shape of a polyhedron, and
wherein the non-rotating operation surface is convex or concave at the side at which the operating member slides thereon;
wherein the coordinate input means comprises a capacitive sensor substrate which is formed in one of a convex shape, a concave
shape and the shape of a polyhedron, and which includes a dielectric layer and two electrode layers which are laminated with
the dielectric layer therebetween, each electrode layer having a plurality of electrodes arranged in a pattern.
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