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
OG exemplary drawing
 
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.