JP2017090942A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device which determines motion of a hand in a non-contact manner, without causing false detection.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes: a sensor unit 10 having a plurality of electrodes 11, to sense capacitance; a detection unit 20 which processes signals input from the electrodes 11 to output capacitance data thereof; and a determination unit 30 which determines input operation on the basis of the capacitance data. The determination unit 30 includes an input operation determination step of calculating at least one of gravity position of the capacitance data, and an integrated value or an average value of capacitance data in each of sub areas, which are obtained by dividing the sensor unit 10 in units of multiple electrodes 11, to determine one of predetermined operation contents for non-contact proximity of an operating body, corresponding to the input operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for controlling an electronic device, and more particularly, to an input device that discriminates the movement of a hand that is an operating body without contact.

  In recent years, contact detection type input devices such as touch panels and touch sensors have been used. For example, an electronic device is known in which a touch panel is attached to a display device such as a liquid crystal display panel to enable input by finger contact while displaying various images.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that detects a spatial position facing the arrangement surface of the sensor means and controls the display state while adjusting the detection resolution (electrode thinning interval) according to the spatial position. Has been. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the proximity detection type information display device described in Patent Document 1, and FIG. 10 (a) is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing an example of the display panel 110 used. b) is an explanatory diagram of an object detection space.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the display panel 110 includes a two-dimensional display unit 112 as a display unit. A protective plate 114 is attached to the back surface of the two-dimensional display means 112, and the sensor means 120 is provided on the front surface side. The sensor means 120 functions as a two-dimensional touch sensor, and is configured by sandwiching a transparent two-dimensional electrode 122 between two thin transparent glass plates 124 and 126. When a fingertip (which may be a specific object or a moving object) faces the space on the two-dimensional plane of the display panel surface 110a, the facing position L becomes the fingertip detection space. As shown in FIG. 10B, a dead zone space (non-detection space) is formed when it is separated from the display panel surface 110a by a certain facing position Lp, but when it is equal to or smaller than the facing position Lp, a sensitive zone space (detection) where the fingertip position can be sensed. Space). Whether or not the space can be detected is determined by whether or not the presence of the opposed fingertip can be detected as a change in capacitance, so that the detection resolution corresponding to the spatial position as shown in FIG. The detection resolution can be adjusted step by step by thinning out the electrodes.

  In the case of FIG. 10B, the detection resolution is switched in three stages according to the detection spaces I to III. The detection level when the fingertip is in a space within the first detection space I is compared with the first threshold level. The initial value of the detection sensitivity is set to the maximum value (maximum gain). Similarly, the electrode thinning interval is maximized, and the detection resolution is set to the lowest (minimum). Since the fingertip approaches from the first detection space to the second detection space, the threshold level of the detection level when moving to the second detection space II is determined. When the detection level exceeds the second threshold level, it is determined that the fingertip has approached the second detection space II. Since the detection level increases, the gain is adjusted so that the detection sensitivity becomes the middle level. In this state, the locus of the fingertip is detected. When the fingertip finally reaches the third detection space III in contact with the display panel surface 110a, the detection level at that time exceeds the third threshold level. When the third threshold level is exceeded, the gain is adjusted so as to minimize the detection sensitivity, and at the same time, the detection of the contact point is performed with the detection resolution maximized by stopping the electrode thinning process. It will be.

  By doing so, the position of the fingertip (object) existing in a predetermined space including the two-dimensional plane can be reliably detected from the two-dimensional plane of the display panel surface 110a.

  According to this, it is possible to reliably detect the movement of the object by adjusting the detection sensitivity according to the spatial position. By detecting the movement of the object, the display state of information can be controlled in accordance with the movement of the object in the space until the sensor means is touched. For this reason, not only the touching finger but also a non-contacting finger can be detected and a more interactive operation can be performed.

Japanese Patent No. 4766340

  However, when the fingertip that is the object is away from the sensor surface, the detection sensitivity is high and the electrode thinning interval is increased, so that it is easily affected by the environment. For example, the influence from the body part of the operator other than the fingertip cannot be ignored if the detection sensitivity is increased. Moreover, when it is detected as a change in capacitance of some electrodes due to electrical noise, it cannot be determined from the movement of the object. For this reason, when the detection sensitivity according to the detection of the fingertip is set, there is a problem that an input operation using the movement of the hand at the spatial position as an object is likely to be erroneously detected due to the influence of the environment.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, and in particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that discriminates the movement of a hand that is an operating body without making a false detection.

  The input device of the present invention includes a sensing unit in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged to sense capacitance, a detection unit that processes signals input from the plurality of electrodes and outputs respective capacitance data, and the static In the input device including a determination unit that determines an input operation based on capacitance data, the determination unit divides the sensing unit into a plurality of divided areas that divide the plurality of electrodes, and the capacitance data. Calculating at least one of the position of the center of gravity or the integrated value or the average value of the capacitance data for each of the divided areas, and a plurality of predetermined operations based on proximity of the operating body in a non-contact manner. An input operation determining step for determining whether the content is one of the contents is provided.

  According to this configuration, in the input operation determining step, it is determined whether or not the input operation is one of a plurality of predetermined operation contents based on the capacitance data due to the proximity of the operating body. Since the movement of the operating body without contact is detected only in the case of a specific operation content, it is possible to discriminate the movement of the hand that is the operating body without contact without erroneously detecting changes due to environmental influences. it can.

  In the input device of the present invention, the size of each of the divided areas may be determined by the position of the divided area having the maximum integral value or the average value, or by the position of the center of gravity of the capacitance data. It is preferable to set by changing the binding of the plurality of electrodes.

  When there is disturbance noise due to environmental influences, it is difficult to determine whether the operating body has moved in the divided area by non-contact input operation by moving the operating body or whether it is the influence of fluctuation of capacitance data due to noise. . Since it is possible to reliably determine that the operating tool has moved to the adjacent divided area by widening the division of the divided area where the operating tool is detected, the influence of noise can be reduced.

  In the input device according to the aspect of the invention, the input operation determining step may determine whether the adjacent operation body is a two-handed or one-handed based on the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas. A signal waveform analyzing step; and a hover operation determining step of determining a non-contact input operation of moving the operating body across the plurality of divided areas.

  According to this configuration, after performing the determination by the signal waveform analysis step for determining the proximity of the operation body based on the capacitance data, the determination by the hover operation determination step for determining the non-contact input operation by moving the operation body Thus, it is possible to accurately determine an input operation by a predetermined non-contact operation.

  In the input device according to the aspect of the invention, the determination unit may determine the non-contact input operation based on a time change of the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas.

  Capacitance data tends to fluctuate in the background level due to environmental influences, but this configuration reduces the influence of the background level by observing changes in the capacitance data over time, and moves the operating body. It can be determined accurately.

  In the input device of the present invention, it is preferable that the divided area is obtained by dividing the sensing unit into three.

  According to this configuration, since the divided area is only divided into left, center, and right, it is possible to discriminate one hand, both hands, and the movement of the operating body with a small amount of calculation in the discriminating unit.

  In the input device according to the aspect of the invention, the determination unit may be configured such that the central portion of the divided area divided into three has the highest integrated value or the average value of the capacitance data, and the difference between the central portion and both sides is the first. When it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the hand is one-handed, and when the central portion has the lowest integrated value or the average value and the difference between the central portion and the both sides is equal to or greater than the second threshold It is characterized by distinguishing with both hands.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the determination process by determining that the operating tool is positioned at the center of the divided area and that the operating tool is positioned with both hands when the operating tool is simultaneously positioned on the left and right. Discrimination can be made with a small amount of calculation.

  In the input device of the present invention, the sensing unit includes, as the plurality of electrodes, a drive electrode array in which a plurality of drive electrodes are arranged, and a detection electrode array in which a plurality of detection electrodes are arranged, and the detection unit includes: A drive unit that supplies a drive signal to the drive electrode; and an output unit that processes a response signal output from the detection electrode according to the drive signal and outputs the capacitance data. The drive electrode array or the detection electrode array is divided so as to be bundled.

  According to this configuration, the sensing area of the sensing unit is divided by the drive electrode row or the detection electrode row, and the input operation is determined based on the capacitance data in units of divided areas. Can be reduced by subdividing each divided area, and it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of the operating body and one hand or both hands.

  In the input device according to the aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the plurality of divided areas are divided only by binding in the arrangement direction of the drive electrode rows or the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows.

  According to this configuration, by dividing the divided area into drive electrode rows or detection electrode rows only in the left-right direction, the amount of calculation in the determination unit can be reduced. Further, the resolution or size in the depth direction of the sensing unit can be reduced.

  According to the present invention, in the input operation determining step, an integral value or an average value of the capacitance data for each divided area is calculated, and a plurality of predetermined operations based on the proximity of the operating body without contact with the input operation are performed. It is determined whether it is any of the contents. Since the movement of the operating body without contact is detected only in the case of a specific operation content, it is possible to discriminate the movement of the hand that is the operating body without contact without erroneously detecting changes due to environmental influences. it can. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device that discriminates the movement of the hand that is the operating body without making a false detection.

It is a block diagram which shows the input device of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a sensing part and a detection part. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an input operation, FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a mode in which both hands are brought close to both sides of the sensing area, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing a mode in which one hand is brought closer to the center of the sensing area. FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram showing a hover operation mode for moving the hand from the left to the right of the sensing area, and FIG. 3D is an explanatory diagram showing a hover operation mode for moving the hand from the right to the left of the sensing area. . It is a flowchart which shows an input operation discrimination | determination step. This is an example showing the distribution of capacitance data, where one hand is brought close to the center of the sensing area. This is an example showing the distribution of capacitance data, in which both hands are brought close to both sides of the sensing area. It is a flowchart which shows a signal waveform analysis step. It is explanatory drawing which sets the magnitude | size of a division area by changing the binding of several electrodes. It is a flowchart which shows a hover operation discrimination | determination step. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional proximity detection type | mold information display apparatus, Fig.10 (a) is principal part sectional drawing which shows an example of the display panel used, FIG.10 (b) is explanatory drawing of the detection space of an object. It is.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. For easy understanding, the dimensions of the drawings are appropriately changed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an input device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the sensing unit 10 and the detection unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a sensing unit 10 in which a plurality of electrodes 11 are arranged, and a detection unit 20 that processes signals input from the plurality of electrodes 11 and outputs respective data. And a determination unit 30 that determines an input operation based on the data. A power supply circuit (not shown) or the like is connected to the detection unit 20 and the determination unit 30 and is supplied with power.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sensing unit 10 includes a drive electrode array 12 in which a plurality of drive electrodes 11A are arranged and a detection electrode array in which a plurality of detection electrodes 11B are arranged as a plurality of electrodes 11 arranged in a planar sensing area. 13. The sensing unit 10 according to the present embodiment senses the capacitance distributed in the sensing area. In this specification, the arrangement direction of the drive electrode rows 12 in the sensing unit 10 is defined as the Y1-Y2 direction, and the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows 13 is defined as the X1-X2 direction.

  The detection unit 20 is an electronic circuit that performs a preset circuit operation. The detection unit 20 processes a response signal output from the detection electrode 11B by a drive signal and a drive unit 21 that supplies a drive signal to the drive electrode 11A. And an output unit 22 for outputting data. The detection unit 20 supplies a drive signal at a predetermined time interval, processes the response signal, and repeatedly outputs capacitance data at a predetermined time interval.

  The determination unit 30 is a microcomputer that includes a data storage unit and an arithmetic processing unit. A processing program is stored in advance, and an input operation is performed based on capacitance data output from the output unit 22 of the detection unit 20. Is determined.

  The determination result of the determination unit 30 is transmitted as a predetermined electric signal to a control unit of an electronic device (not shown) and used as an input operation of the electronic device.

  The discriminating unit 30 in the present embodiment has the following features so as not to cause an input operation (erroneous operation) due to erroneous detection as much as possible. This is because if the input device is likely to cause an erroneous operation, the operator will perform an input operation for canceling the erroneously detected input operation each time, which is rather troublesome.

  The determination unit 30 divides the drive electrode array 12 or the detection electrode array 13 into a plurality of divided areas, and performs an input operation by a non-contact operation in advance based on capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas. An input operation determining step of determining whether the content is one of a plurality of predetermined operation details; In the present embodiment, the plurality of operation contents by the non-contact operation are limited to the four-mode input operation shown in FIG. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a mode in which both hands are brought close to both sides of the sensing area. FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram showing a mode in which one hand is brought close to the center of the sensing area. FIG.3 (c) is explanatory drawing which shows the hover operation mode which moves one hand from the left of a sensing area to the right. FIG. 3D is an explanatory diagram illustrating a hover operation mode in which one hand is moved from the right to the left of the sensing area.

  In FIG. 3, the detection electrode array 13 of the sensing unit 10 is divided into three divided areas in the arrangement direction. The determination unit 30 calculates the distribution of the capacitance data and the integral value for each divided area, and the input operation is any one of a plurality of predetermined operation contents based on the proximity of the operating body when the input operation is non-contact. An input operation determining step for determining whether or not there is an input operation; More specifically, based on the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas, a signal waveform analysis step for determining whether the adjacent operating body is both hands or one hand, and straddling a plurality of divided areas A hover operation determination step of determining a non-contact input operation for moving the operating body. In the signal waveform analysis step, in order to prevent erroneous detection, the central portion of the divided area divided into three has the highest integrated value of capacitance data, and one hand is used when the difference between the central portion and both sides is equal to or greater than the first threshold value. It is determined that the operating body is both hands when the integral value is the lowest in the center and the difference between the center and both sides is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. In the hover operation determination step, after the setting of the binding of the plurality of electrodes 11 is set so as to enlarge the divided area where the center of gravity is located from the distribution of the capacitance data, for each size of the divided area, It is determined whether or not the operating body is moved across a plurality of divided areas.

  These input operation determination steps will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the input operation determination step. FIG. 5 is an example showing the distribution of capacitance data, in which one hand is brought close to the center of the sensing area. FIG. 6 is an example showing the distribution of capacitance data, in which both hands are brought close to both sides of the sensing area. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a signal waveform analysis step. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for setting the size of a divided area by changing the binding of a plurality of electrodes. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the hover operation determination step.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the input operation determination step in the determination unit 30 of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a procedure S <b> 5 for determining the four-mode input operation shown in FIG. 3 from the procedure S <b> 1 for acquiring capacitance data. Through the process up to step S8.

  In step S1, capacitance data output from the output unit 22 of the detection unit 20 is acquired. In step S2, the moving average is calculated based on the capacitance data obtained by processing the response signal of each detection electrode 11B of the detection electrode array 13 shown in FIG. In step S3, the averaging process of the capacitance data of the adjacent lines of the respective detection electrodes 11B is performed. The distribution of these capacitance data is a signal waveform. 5 and 6 are specific examples. In step S4, the barycentric position of the signal waveform is calculated from the capacitance data of all the lines of each detection electrode 11B. Since these procedures use capacitance data for all lines, even if some of the detection electrode arrays 13 are affected by disturbance noise, the influence can be reduced. If the capacitance data is greater than a preset reference value, it is determined that the touch operation is not the hover operation, and the determination of the input operation according to the following procedure is omitted. This reference value is set based on the capacitance value when the non-contact input operation is performed by hand.

  Step S5 is a signal waveform analysis step for determining whether the adjacent operating body is both hands or one hand. Details of the signal waveform analysis step in step S5 are shown in FIG.

  In step S51, for each divided area divided into three in the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows 13, an addition process for calculating an integral value of the capacitance data for each divided area is performed. In step S52, it is compared whether the integral value of the central area is larger than the integral values of the left area and the right area (whether the difference between the central portion and both sides is equal to or greater than the first threshold value). In step S53, it is compared whether the integral value of the left area is larger than the integral values of the central area and the right area (whether the difference between the left area and other areas is equal to or greater than the first threshold value). In step S54, it is compared whether the integral value of the right area is larger than the integral values of the central area and the left area (whether the difference between the right area and other areas is equal to or greater than the first threshold value). If any one of the procedures S52 to S54 is satisfied, it is determined that the waveform shape data is close to one hand. In step S55, it is compared whether the integral value of the left area and the right area is larger than the integral value of the central area (whether the difference between the central portion and both sides is equal to or greater than the second threshold value). When this condition is satisfied, it is determined that the waveform shape data is close to both hands. The waveform shape data that does not satisfy any of steps S52 to S55 is, for example, a signal waveform in an initial state, and is determined to be invalid data in step S56. In addition, when the size (number of rows) of the divided areas obtained by dividing the detection electrode row 13 varies depending on the divided areas, it is preferable to compare using the average value for each divided area instead of the integral value. Also, without using the integrated value or average value for each divided area, it is determined whether the adjacent operation body is both hands or one hand based on which divided area the calculated signal waveform centroid position belongs to. May be.

  In step S6 shown in FIG. 4, hover coordinate determination is performed to determine which divided area has an operating body (hand) among divided areas divided into three in the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows 13. The result of determining in which of the three divided areas the operating tool (hand) is stored based on the position of the center of gravity calculated in step S4 and the determination of both hands or one hand determined in step S5. If it is determined in step S5 that the operating body is both hands, the two-hand proximity mode is set regardless of the center of gravity position of all lines. If it is determined in step S5 that the operating tool is one hand, the boundary of the divided area in the hover coordinate determination at the next timing is set so as to widen the divided area where the center of gravity of the signal waveform calculated in step S4 is located. change. FIG. 8 is a specific example of this.

  The size of each divided area is set by changing the binding of the plurality of electrodes 11 so as to increase the divided area where the center of gravity of the previous capacitance data is located. Even when is located, it is possible to prevent the determination result of the divided areas in the hover coordinate determination at the next timing from varying. This is particularly effective in an environment with large disturbance noise. Instead of calculating the center of gravity, it may be estimated that the above-described divided area having a large integrated value or average value is the center of gravity position (the proximity position of the operating body).

  In step S7 shown in FIG. 4, the hover coordinate determination result stored in step S6 is compared with the previously stored hover coordinate determination result. Confirm the hover area judgment for. As described above, since the boundaries of the divided areas are changed, there is a possibility that the determination results may vary due to fluctuations in the capacitance data due to disturbance noise, as long as there is no movement of the operating body and the same is reliably consistent. Absent.

  Step S8 is a hover operation determination step of determining a non-contact input operation for moving the operating body across a plurality of divided areas. Details of the hover operation determination step in step S8 are shown in FIG.

  In steps S81 to S83, it is detected whether the hover area has moved to a different divided area with respect to the hover area determined in step S7. In step S81, it is determined that the hover coordinates have moved from the left area and the center area to the right area. In this case, it is a hover operation mode (FIG. 3C) in which one hand is moved from the left to the right of the sensing area. In step S82, it is determined that the hover coordinates have moved from the right area and the center area to the left area. In this case, it is a hover operation mode (FIG. 3D) in which one hand is moved from the right to the left of the sensing area. In step S83, it is determined that the hover coordinates have not moved from the central area. This case is a one-handed proximity mode (FIG. 3B). Note that this determination includes a case where the previous hover coordinate is the central area, and this time the hover coordinate cannot be determined. For example, this is a case of a gesture operation for returning from the state where one hand is brought close to the initial state. Step S84 is a proximity mode of both hands (FIG. 3A). Then, if any of the operation contents of the four modes, the input operation is confirmed and a predetermined circuit operation of the electronic device is performed.

  In the present embodiment, the one-hand proximity mode (FIG. 3B) is effective as the input operation mode only when the hover coordinates are located in the center area of the three divided areas. This is more likely to be influenced by the environment at both ends of the detection electrode 11B. If the position of the center of gravity of the signal waveform calculated from the capacitance data is one of the left and right areas, there is a possibility of receiving disturbance noise. This is because it cannot be excluded. On the other hand, the case where the center-of-gravity position is continuously detected in the central area and the case where both the left and right areas have larger integrated values than the central area are not considered to be affected by disturbance noise. In addition, in the case of hover operation that moves the operating body (hand) to the left and right, the situation of the center of gravity movement in the middle of the operation passing through the central area is also used for determination, so that it is possible to perform input operation instead of false detection due to disturbance noise. It can be identified. Therefore, by limiting to the four modes in FIG. 3, it is possible to discriminate the movement of the hand that is the operating body in a non-contact manner without erroneously detecting changes due to environmental influences. Furthermore, since the addition (integral value or average value) of capacitance data for each divided area is used, the influence of disturbance noise generated in some of the detection electrodes 11B is reduced. In addition, since the hover area determination is confirmed when the divided areas of the hover coordinates continuously match with the previously stored hover coordinate determination result, the influence of instantaneous disturbance noise can be reduced.

  Moreover, it is also possible to assign specific operation contents by continuously performing two types of modes among the four mode input operations. In this way, it is possible to perform more operations with only non-contact hand movements without being limited to four input operations.

  Although the present embodiment is limited to a non-contact input operation, the input device 1 shown in FIG. 1 can also perform an input operation by a touch operation.

  Hereinafter, the effect by having set it as this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The input device 1 of this embodiment includes a sensing unit 10 in which a plurality of electrodes 11 are arranged and senses capacitance, and a detection unit that processes signals input from the plurality of electrodes 11 and outputs respective capacitance data. 20 and a determination unit 30 that determines an input operation based on capacitance data, the determination unit 30 includes a plurality of divided areas in which the sensing unit 10 is divided so as to wrap the plurality of electrodes 11. At least one of the position of the center of gravity of the capacitance data or the integral value or average value of the capacitance data for each divided area is calculated, and the input operation is determined in advance by the proximity of the operating body without contact. And an input operation discriminating step for discriminating whether the content is one of a plurality of operation contents.

  According to this configuration, in the input operation determination step, it is determined whether or not the input operation is one of a plurality of predetermined operation contents based on the electrostatic capacity data based on the proximity of the hand that is the operation body. Determine. Since the movement of the hand, which is a non-contact operating body, is detected only in the case of a specific operation content, the movement of the hand, which is the operating body, is determined without contact without erroneously detecting changes due to environmental influences. can do.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the size of each divided area is determined by the position of the divided area having the maximum integral value or average value of the capacitance data, or by the position of the center of gravity of the capacitance data. It is preferable to set by changing the binding of the plurality of electrodes 11. When there is disturbance noise due to the influence of the environment, it is difficult to determine whether the operating body has been moved by a non-contact input operation by moving the operating body or whether the influence of fluctuation of capacitance data due to noise. Since it is possible to reliably determine that the operating tool has moved to the adjacent divided area by widening the division of the divided area where the operating tool is detected, the influence of noise can be reduced.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 30 determines whether the adjacent operating body is both hands or one hand based on the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas. And a hover operation determining step for determining a non-contact input operation for moving the operating body across a plurality of divided areas. According to this configuration, based on the capacitance data, after performing the determination by the signal waveform analysis step whether the adjacent operating body is both hands or one hand, the non-contact input operation by moving the operating body is determined. Since the determination by the hover operation determination step is performed, an input operation by a predetermined non-contact operation can be accurately determined.

  In the input device 1 according to the present embodiment, the determination unit 30 is characterized by determining a non-contact input operation based on a temporal change in capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas. The background level of electrostatic capacitance data is likely to fluctuate due to environmental influences. However, according to this configuration, the influence of the background level can be reduced by observing the temporal change of the electrostatic capacity data. The movement of can be accurately determined.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the divided area is obtained by dividing the sensing unit 10 into three. According to this configuration, since the divided area is only divided into the left, center, and right, one hand, both hands, and their movements can be discriminated with a small amount of calculation in the discriminating unit 30.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the determination unit 30 has the highest integrated value of capacitance data at the center of the divided area divided into three, and the difference between the center and both sides is greater than or equal to the first threshold value. In some cases, it is determined that the operating body is determined to be both hands when the integral value is the lowest in the one hand and the center and the difference between the center and both sides is equal to or greater than the second threshold. According to this configuration, it is possible to simplify the determination process by determining that the operating tool is positioned at the center of the divided area and that the operating tool is positioned with both hands when the operating tool is simultaneously positioned on the left and right. Further, it can be determined with a small amount of calculation. In addition, when the size (number of columns) of the divided area obtained by dividing the detection electrode array 13 varies depending on the divided area, an average value for each area may be used instead of the integral value for each area.

  In the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the sensing unit 10 includes, as the plurality of electrodes 11, a drive electrode array 12 in which a plurality of drive electrodes 11A are arranged and a detection electrode array 13 in which a plurality of detection electrodes 11B are arranged. The detection unit 20 includes a drive unit 21 that supplies a drive signal to the drive electrode 11A, and an output unit 22 that processes a response signal output from the detection electrode 11B by the drive signal and outputs capacitance data. According to this configuration, the sensing area of the sensing unit 10 is divided by the drive electrode row 12 or the detection electrode row 13 and the input operation is determined based on the capacitance data in units of divided areas. It is possible to reduce the influence of received noise for each divided area, and it is possible to accurately determine the presence / absence of a hand as an operating body and whether it is one hand or both hands.

  Further, in the input device 1 of the present embodiment, the plurality of divided areas are divided and set only by binding in the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows 13. According to this configuration, the amount of calculation in the determination unit 30 can be reduced by using the divided areas as a group of the detection electrode rows 13 only in the left-right direction. Further, the resolution or size in the depth direction of the sensing unit 10 can be reduced.

  As described above, the input device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Is possible. For example, the present invention can be modified as follows, and these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  (1) In this embodiment, the plurality of divided areas are set by dividing only the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows 13, but the X1-X2 direction is set as the arrangement direction of the drive electrode rows 12. In this case, the setting may be divided and set in the binding direction of the drive electrode rows 12.

  (2) In the present embodiment, the drive electrode array 12 includes a plurality of drive electrodes 11A arranged. However, the drive electrode 11A may be changed to a single sensing unit. Moreover, you may change into the detection part which processes the response signal of the other detection electrode 11B when a drive signal is supplied to some detection electrodes 11B.

  (3) In this embodiment, the divided area is divided into three, but may be divided into four or more.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 10 Sensing part 11 Electrode 11A Drive electrode 11B Detection electrode 12 Drive electrode row | line | column 13 Detection electrode row | line | column 20 Detection part 21 Drive part 22 Output part 30 Discrimination part

Claims (8)

A sensing unit in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged to sense capacitance, a detection unit that processes signals input from the plurality of electrodes and outputs respective capacitance data, and an input based on the capacitance data In an input device including a determination unit that determines operation,
The determination unit divides the sensing unit into a plurality of divided areas divided so as to bundle the plurality of electrodes, and the position of the center of gravity of the capacitance data or the integrated value of the capacitance data for each divided area or An input operation determination step of calculating at least one of the average values and determining whether the input operation is any of a plurality of predetermined operation contents due to proximity of the operating body in a non-contact manner An input device comprising:   The size of each of the divided areas is determined by changing the binding of the plurality of electrodes according to the position of the divided area where the integral value or the average value is the maximum or the position of the center of gravity of the capacitance data. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the input device is set.   The input operation determination step includes a signal waveform analysis step of determining whether the adjacent operation body is a two-handed or one-handed based on the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas; The input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a hover operation determination step of determining a non-contact input operation for moving the operation body across the divided areas.   4. The input according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the input operation based on a time change of the capacitance data corresponding to each of the divided areas. 5. apparatus.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the divided area is obtained by dividing the sensing unit into three.   The discriminating unit is one-handed when the integrated value or the average value of the capacitance data is the highest in the central part of the divided area divided into three and the difference between the central part and both sides is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. It is determined that the operation body is both hands when the central portion has the lowest integrated value or the average value and the difference between the central portion and the both sides is equal to or greater than a second threshold value. The input device according to claim 5. The sensing unit includes, as the plurality of electrodes, a drive electrode array in which a plurality of drive electrodes are arranged, and a detection electrode array in which a plurality of detection electrodes are arranged,
The detection unit includes a drive unit that supplies a drive signal to the drive electrode, and an output unit that processes a response signal output from the detection electrode by the drive signal and outputs the capacitance data,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of divided areas are divided so as to bundle the drive electrode rows or the detection electrode rows. The input device according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of divided areas are divided only by binding in the arrangement direction of the drive electrode rows or the arrangement direction of the detection electrode rows.