JP2015007918A - Touch operation input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch operation input device capable of detecting both a touch operation position and an operator by sharing electrodes without influencing the detection of the touch operation position.SOLUTION: At a time of controlling a selected electrode driver to select a selected electrode, a controller controls the selected electrode driver to select a seated electrode other than the selected electrode. More specifically, a touch operation position is detected by detecting a pulse signal from the selected electrode driver by scanning a scan electrode, and a signal from an output device is detected while setting the timing of detecting a capacitance between the seated electrode and the selected electrode, as the timing different from that of detecting the touch operation position, to timing between scan intervals of the scan electrode or the like when the selected electrode driver switches the selected electrode.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch operation input device capable of operating various devices mounted on an automobile and specifying an operator.

  When operating a device mounted on an automobile, it is preferable to limit the operation during driving, and thus it is necessary to identify the operator. For example, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has been proposed for specifying the operator.

  In Patent Document 1, an electrode is provided in a push button type switch provided in a console or the like, and it is determined whether the electrode is energized through the driver's seat or the electrode through the passenger seat. It has been proposed to identify the operator.

  On the other hand, touch operation input devices such as touch panels are generally used for operating devices mounted on automobiles.

  Also in the touch operation input device, since it is necessary to specify the operator, for example, techniques described in Patent Documents 2 to 4 have been proposed.

  In Patent Document 2, a transparent conductor is provided on the front surface of the touch panel, and the operator is specified as in Patent Document 1.

  Further, in Patent Documents 3 and 4, when a seat sensor is provided and seating of an occupant is detected by the seat sensor, a different pulse signal is transmitted between the driver seat and the passenger seat, and is received via the touch panel. The operator is specified by the type of pulse signal.

JP 2009-163611 A JP 2007-94612 A JP 2008-233304 A JP 2006-47534 A

  However, in the touch operation input devices described in Patent Documents 2 to 4, in order to detect an operator by receiving a signal via the touch panel, as described in Patent Document 2, another electrode ( It is necessary to provide a conductor) on the touch panel. If another electrode is provided, the detection of the touch panel is affected, so there is room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and it is possible to perform both detection of the touch operation position and identification of the operator by sharing the electrodes without affecting the detection of the touch operation position. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple touch operation input device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to a touch panel including a plurality of electrodes for detecting a touch operation position, and electrostatic generated between the plurality of electrodes generated by a touch operation on the touch panel. Detection processing for detecting a touch operation position based on a change in capacitance, and touch by the detection processing based on a capacitance change between a seating electrode for detecting seating of an occupant on a vehicle seat and the touch panel And a processing unit that performs a specific process of specifying an operator at a timing different from the detection of the operation position.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch panel includes a plurality of electrodes, and the touch operation position is detected by the plurality of electrodes.

  In the processing means, the detection process for detecting the touch operation position based on the capacitance change generated between the plurality of electrodes generated by the touch operation on the touch panel and the touch operation position detection by the detection process are at different timings. Specific processing for specifying an operator is performed based on a change in capacitance between the seating electrode and the touch panel for detecting the seating of an occupant on the vehicle seat.

  In the detection process, the touch operation position is detected based on the capacitance change between the plurality of electrodes generated by the touch operation on the plurality of electrodes. For example, the touch operation position can be detected by arranging a plurality of electrodes in a matrix and detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes caused by the touch operation.

  In the specific process, the operator is detected at a timing different from the detection of the touch operation position by the detection process based on the capacitance change between the seating electrode and the touch panel.

  That is, since the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator are performed at different timings, the electrode for detecting the touch operation position can be shared with the electrode for identifying the operator. Accordingly, it is possible to perform both detection of the touch operation position and identification of the operator by sharing the electrode without affecting the detection of the touch operation position.

  For example, the processing means affects the detection of the touch operation position by performing the time division of the detection of the touch operation position by the detection process and the identification of the operator by the identification process as in the invention described in claim 2. Thus, both the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator can be performed by sharing the electrodes.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 3, when the operator is specified by the specifying process, the processing unit stops specifying the operator by the specifying process during the continuous operation, and performs the detecting process. Only the touch operation position may be detected. As a result, the processing load can be reduced and the processing time can be shortened.

  Alternatively, the processing means may detect the touch operation position by the detection process after specifying the operator by the specifying process, as in the invention described in claim 4. As described above, after the touch operation position is detected by the detection process, the operator may be specified by the specifying process.

  Note that, as in the invention described in claim 6, the specifying means includes a capacitance change between one of the plurality of electrodes and the seating electrode, or between all or a part of the plurality of electrodes and the seating electrode. The operator may be specified based on the capacitance change.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the touch operation input device capable of both the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator by sharing the electrode without affecting the detection of the touch operation position. Can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the touch operation input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the detection of the touch operation position of the touch operation input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and identification of an operator. It is a figure which shows the example which abbreviate | omits specification of an operator, when an operator is specified. (A) is a figure which shows the case where only the operator of a driver's seat is specified, (B) is a figure which shows the case where an operator is specified by detecting the electrostatic capacitance between a scanning electrode and a seating electrode. (C) is a figure which shows the case where a normal touch operation position is detected, after fixing a seating electrode and scanning a scanning electrode sequentially and specifying an operator, (D) is seating It is a figure which shows the case where a touch operation position is detected, after specifying an operator first by fixing an electrode and switching a selection electrode sequentially. (A) is a figure which shows an example which specifies an operator by detecting the electrostatic capacitance of all the selection electrodes and seating sensors, (B) is the figure which shows the electrostatic capacitance of all the scanning electrodes and seating sensors. It is a figure which shows an example which specifies an operator by detecting. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the uniaxial touch operation input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (B) is a figure for demonstrating the detection of the touch operation position of a uniaxial touch operation input device, (C (A) is a figure for demonstrating the identification of the operator of a uniaxial touch operation input device, and the detection of a touch operation position.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a touch operation input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The touch operation input device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel 12 for operating various devices (for example, a navigation device, an air conditioner, an audio device, etc.) mounted on an automobile.

  On the touch panel 12, a plurality of scanning electrodes 14 and a plurality of selection electrodes 16 are arranged. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, each electrode is applied in such a manner that rhombus-shaped electrodes are arranged so that each rhombus is in a matrix shape, but the shape is limited to this. Instead, a general strip-shaped electrode may be arranged in a matrix so that the intersections are arranged in a matrix.

  The touch operation input device 10 is connected with a controller 22 for controlling the touch operation.

  The controller 22 includes a microcomputer in which a CPU 24, a ROM 26, a RAM 28, and an I / O (input / output interface) 30 are connected to a bus 32.

  The ROM 26 stores a program for detecting the touch operation position on the touch panel 12 and specifying an operator. The program stored in the ROM 26 is expanded in the RAM 28 and executed by the CPU 24 to execute the touch. The operation position is detected and the operator is specified.

  A scan electrode driver 18 to which a plurality of scan electrodes 14 are connected and a select electrode driver 20 to which a plurality of select electrodes 16 are connected are connected to the I / O 30, and each driver is controlled by an instruction from the controller 22. The

  In the present embodiment, the CPU 24 detects the touch operation position by controlling the scanning electrode driver 18 and the selection electrode driver 20. Specifically, the selection electrode driver 20 selects the selection electrode 16 through which a pulse signal flows, and the scanning electrode driver 18 sequentially scans the scanning electrodes 14 that detect a change in capacitance caused by a person touching the touch panel 12. To control. The touch operation position is detected by detecting a change in capacitance while sequentially changing the scanning electrode 14 for each selection electrode 16. In this embodiment, the pulse signal is supplied from the selection electrode driver 20 side, but the pulse signal may be supplied from the scan electrode driver 18 side.

  In the present embodiment, seating electrodes 34 are provided on seat cushions of a driver's seat and a passenger seat of an automobile, and the seating electrodes 34 are connected to the scanning electrode driver 18.

  In the present embodiment, by outputting a predetermined signal (for example, a pulse signal) from the selection electrode driver 20, the predetermined signal output from the selection electrode driver 20 is seated when the occupant touches the touch panel 12. Since the touch panel 12 is energized via the electrode 34 and the seated occupant, a predetermined signal can be detected by the touch panel 12.

  Here, when a signal is detected by the touch panel 12, if the touch operation and the signal from the seating electrode 34 are detected at the same time, the touch operation position is detected and the touch operation position cannot be detected accurately.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the controller 22 controls the selection electrode driver 20 to select the selection electrode 16, control is performed so that the seating electrode 34 is selected in addition to the selection electrode. More specifically, the touch operation position is detected by detecting a pulse signal from the selection electrode driver 20 by scanning the scanning electrode 14 and detecting the touch operation position when the selection electrode driver 20 switches the selection electrode 16. As a different timing, a timing for detecting the electrostatic capacitance between the seating electrode 34 and the selection electrode 16 is provided between the scanning of the scanning electrode 14 to detect a signal from the output device 36. Accordingly, since the operator is detected at a timing different from the detection of the touch operation position, even if the electrodes of the touch panel 12 are shared, the touch operation position is detected and the operator is detected without affecting the touch operation. Both of these can be detected.

  Next, an example of a touch operation position and operator detection method in the touch operation input device 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining detection of a touch operation position and identification of an operator of the touch operation input device according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the plurality of scan electrodes 14 connected to the scan electrode driver 18 are indicated by numerals 1, 2, 3, and 4 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the selection electrode 16 is indicated by alphabets a, b, c, d, e, and f, but the number of each electrode is simplified, and actually the detection resolution of the touch panel 12 It becomes the number according to.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the controller 22 first controls the selection electrode driver 20 to select one of the selection electrodes 16 and output a pulse signal, and the scanning electrode driver 18 selects the seating electrode 34 of the driver's seat. Control to do. That is, the pulse signal output from the selection electrode driver 20 is energized to one operation electrode driver 18 through the driver's seat seat occupant and the driver's seat seat electrode 34. Here, since the capacitance between the selection electrode and the seating electrode 34 is different when the driver's seat occupant is not touching the one selection electrode 16, it is obtained via the scanning electrode driver 18. It is determined whether the signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Thereby, it can be specified whether it is operation from a driver's seat. At this time, the scanning electrode 14 is not scanned and the touch operation position is not detected, so that the operator from the driver's seat can be identified without affecting the detection of the touch operation position.

  Subsequently, the controller 22 controls the selection electrode driver 20 to select one of the selection electrodes 16 and output a pulse signal, and controls the scanning electrode driver 18 to select the seating electrode 34 of the passenger seat. . That is, the pulse signal output from the selection electrode driver 20 is energized to one scanning electrode 14 via the passenger seated on the passenger seat and the seating electrode 34. Here, since the capacitance between the selection electrode 16 and the seating electrode 34 is different when the passenger in the passenger seat is not touching the selection electrode 16, it is obtained via the scanning electrode driver 18. It is possible to detect whether or not the operation is from the passenger seat by determining whether or not the received signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. At this time, since the scanning line electrode is not scanned and the touch operation position is not detected, the operator from the passenger seat can be identified without affecting the detection of the touch operation position.

  Subsequently, the controller 22 controls the scanning electrode driver 18 so as to sequentially scan the scanning electrodes 14 energized with the pulse signal from a to f with 1 of the selection electrodes 16 selected. Here, since the electrostatic capacitance differs depending on whether or not each intersection of one selection electrode 16 and the scanning electrodes 14 of a to f is touch-operated, a signal obtained via the scanning electrode driver 18 is different. The touch operation position can be detected by determining whether or not the predetermined threshold value is exceeded.

  Next, the selection electrode 16 is sequentially switched to 2, 3,..., And each time the selection electrode is switched, the selection of the seating electrode 34 for the driver seat and the passenger seat and the scanning of the scanning electrode 14 are sequentially performed as described above. The controller 22 controls to repeat. Then, when the scanning of the entire surface of the touch panel 12 is completed, the above series of flows (FIG. 2) is sequentially repeated. Thereby, detection of a touch operation position and identification of an operator can be performed simultaneously.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, both the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator are performed at different timings by scanning the scanning electrode 14 and detecting the signal from the seating electrode 34 in a time division manner. Thereby, even if the electrode of the touch panel 12 (the selection electrode 16 in the present embodiment) is shared, the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator can be performed without affecting each of them.

  In the example of FIG. 2, the example which is operating from the driver's seat side is shown. That is, FIG. 2 shows an example in which the driver's seat occupant touches the two selection electrodes 16, and the driver's seating electrode 34 (scanning electrode D in FIG. 2) and the two selection electrodes. Between 16 the electrostatic capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold (dotted line in FIG. 2). Therefore, by detecting this, it can be specified that the operator is a driver. Further, regarding the touch operation position, in the example of FIG. 2, the capacitance between the scanning electrode 14 of d and the selection electrode 16 of 3 is large, and by determining whether or not this is equal to or greater than a threshold value, It is possible to detect that a touch operation is performed on the intersection.

  In the example of FIG. 2 described above, for each selection electrode 16, the operator is specified (signal detection from the seating electrodes 34 in the driver's seat and the passenger's seat) and the scanning electrode 14 for detecting the touch operation position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, during a continuous operation including no predetermined short-time touch, the operation is performed when the operator is detected. The identification of the operator may be stopped and the identification of the operator may be omitted thereafter. In the example of FIG. 3, the operator is not specified by the first scan of the entire touch panel 12 in the upper part of FIG. 3, and the operator is specified by the second scan of the entire touch panel 12. As shown in the lower part of FIG. 3, in the case of continuous operation, the operator may be omitted and only the touch operation position may be detected until the touch operation position cannot be detected. As a result, the processing load can be reduced and the processing time can be shortened. Or you may make it abbreviate | omit specification of an operator from the time of the next switching of the selection electrode 16 at the time of specifying an operator.

  In the above embodiment, the seating sensors 34 are provided in both the driver seat and the passenger seat to detect signals from the seating electrodes 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only the driver seat 4 is provided with a seating sensor 34, and as shown in FIG. 4A, only the signal detection from the seating electrode 34 in the driver's seat (D in FIG. 4A) is performed to detect the touch operation. If is not specified, it may be determined that the operation is from outside the driver's seat.

  In the above embodiment, the operator is specified by detecting the capacitance between the selection electrode 16 and the seating electrode 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the scanning electrode 14 and the seating electrode are not limited thereto. The operator may be detected by detecting the electrostatic capacity between 34. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, detection of the touch operation position (capacitance between the scanning electrode 14 and the selection electrode 16) and identification of the operator (static between the scanning electrode and the seating electrode 34) are performed for each scanning electrode. (Capacitance) may be detected.

  In the above embodiment, the detection of the touch operation position and the identification of the operator are sequentially performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the identification of the operator is first performed on the entire surface of the touch panel 12. After that, the touch operation position may be detected on the entire surface. For example, when an operator is specified by a capacitance change between the scanning electrode 14 and the seating electrode 34, as shown in FIG. 4C, the seating electrode 34 is first fixed and the scanning electrode 14 is sequentially scanned. Then, after specifying the operator, the normal touch operation position is detected. In addition, when an operator is detected by a change in capacitance between the seating electrode 34 and the selection electrode 16, as shown in FIG. 4D, the seating electrode 34 is fixed and the selection electrode 16 is sequentially switched. First, the operator is specified on the entire surface of the touch panel 12, and then the touch operation position is detected.

  In the above embodiment, when the operator is specified, the capacitance between the single selection electrode 16 or the scanning electrode 14 and the seating sensor 34 is detected. As shown in FIG. 5B, the operator may be specified by detecting the capacitances of all the selection electrodes 16 and the seating sensors 34, or as shown in FIG. The operator may be specified by detecting the electrostatic capacitance between the electrode 14 and the seating sensor 34. Alternatively, the capacitances of some of the selection electrodes 16 or the scanning electrodes 14 and the seating sensor 34 are detected, that is, the capacitances of the plurality of selection electrodes 16 or the plurality of scanning electrodes 14 and the seating sensor. The operator may be specified by detecting.

  4 (B) to (D) and FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B) show examples in which the detection of the passenger seat is omitted as shown in FIG. 4 (A). You may make it perform detection (P) of a passenger seat like a form.

  In the above embodiment, the touch panel 12 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the touch panel 12 is applied to a uniaxial touch operation input device as illustrated in FIG. May be.

  In the example of FIG. 5A, a plurality of scan electrodes 14 (af in FIG. 6A) are connected to the grounded controller 23, and the driver's seat of the automobile is similar to the above embodiment. The seat electrode 34 is provided on the seat cushion of the passenger seat. A seating electrode 34 of each seat is connected to the controller 23.

  In the uniaxial touch operation input device as shown in FIG. 6A, the touch operation position is detected as shown in FIG. 6B. Specifically, a predetermined pulse signal is generated from the controller 23 to sequentially scan the scan electrodes a to f. Thereby, since a capacitance change occurs in the scanning electrode during the touch operation, the touch operation position can be detected.

  Also in such a uniaxial touch operation input device, an operator can be specified as in the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6C, the timing for specifying the operator is provided as a timing different from the detection timing of the touch operation position for each scan of the scanning electrodes a to f that detects the touch operation position. . Accordingly, when a predetermined signal output from the controller 23 is received by the scanning electrode 14 via the operator and the seating electrode 34 at a timing for specifying the operator, the scanning electrode 14 and the seating touched by the operator are seated. An electrostatic capacitance change occurs between the electrode 34 and the operator can be specified by detecting this. Here, FIG. 6C shows an example in which detection of the passenger seat (P) is omitted as in FIGS. 4A to 4D, but detection of the passenger seat is performed as in the above embodiment. (P) may be added.

  In the above embodiment, the operator identification and the touch operation position detection may not be performed until the first touch operation position is detected, or the operator is identified first. Until the touch operation position is detected.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Touch operation input device 12 Touch panel 14 Scan electrode 16 Selection electrode 18 Scan electrode driver 20 Selection electrode driver 22, 23 Controller 34 Seating electrode 36 Output device

Claims (6)

A touch panel including a plurality of electrodes for detecting a touch operation position;
A detection process for detecting a touch operation position based on a change in capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes generated by a touch operation on the touch panel; a seating electrode for detecting seating of an occupant on the vehicle seat; A processing unit for performing a specific process for identifying an operator at a timing different from the detection of the touch operation position by the detection process based on a change in capacitance with the touch panel;
Touch operation input device equipped with.   The touch operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit performs time-division detection of a touch operation position by the detection process and identification of an operator by the identification process.   The processing means stops the identification of the operator by the identification process during continuous operation and only detects the touch operation position by the detection process when an operator is identified by the identification process. Alternatively, the touch operation input device according to claim 2.   The touch operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit detects a touch operation position by the detection process after an operator is specified by the specifying process.   The touch operation input device according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit is configured to specify an operator by the specifying process after detecting the touch operation position by the detection process.   The specifying means is based on a capacitance change between one of the plurality of electrodes and the seating electrode, or a capacitance change between all or a part of the plurality of electrodes and the seating electrode, The touch operation input device according to claim 1, wherein an operator is specified.

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