JP2017151531A - On-vehicle accessory control device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an on-vehicle accessory control device that detects a contact state of an object in addition to a location of the object.SOLUTION: In a pattern storage unit, as to each of all detection areas (xn,ym)(n=1 to n, m=1 to m), a capacitance change pattern for detecting a contact location and contact state of an object is stored. A control circuit is configured to: detect a capacitance change value of each detection area; obtain a capacitance change value xy distribution expressing a capacitance change value on a xy plane; select a capacitance change pattern to which the capacitance change value xy distribution obtained by an own fits from a plurality of preliminarily stored capacitance change patterns with reference to the pattern storage unit; then, on the basis of the selected capacitance change pattern, detect the contact state of the object and detect the contact location of the object; and make an accessory instrument execute functions in accordance with the detected contact location and state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to an on-vehicle accessory control device, and more particularly to a device including an electrode group for detecting the position of a target.

  Cars are equipped with accessories such as audio devices, air conditioners, room lights, power windows, and turn signals. In many cases, the operation of the accessory device is performed by an operation panel provided on the console of the passenger compartment. Conventionally, push button type switches, rotary knob type rotary switches, rotary knob type volumes, and the like have been widely used for operation panels of accessory devices.

  In recent years, various improvements have been made to the operation panel in order to improve the comfort of the passenger compartment. For example, a switch (touch sensor) that allows an accessory device to be operated simply by tracing or lightly touching a panel is widely used. Patent Document 1 describes a switch in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are provided as such a switch, and an accessory device is operated based on a change in capacitance of each sensor electrode. In the switch described in Patent Document 1, a region where an occupant touches the instrument panel in the passenger compartment is provided. On the back side of this region, a flexible substrate to which the sensor electrode is fixed is provided. Each sensor electrode is connected to the control controller of the accessory device via wiring provided on the flexible substrate.

  Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe touch sensors that detect changes in capacitance. In this touch sensor, a plurality of electrodes extending in the vertical direction are arranged in the horizontal direction on the substrate, and a plurality of electrodes extending in the horizontal direction are arranged in the vertical direction on the substrate. Each electrode extending in the vertical direction and each electrode extending in the horizontal direction cross each other after being electrically insulated. For a plurality of electrodes extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of electrodes extending in the horizontal direction, a target such as a human body or a conductive indicator rod can be detected by detecting a set of vertical and horizontal electrodes in which the capacitance between the electrodes has changed. The touched position is detected. Then, the accessory device is caused to execute an operation associated with the position of the target.

JP 2009-43473 A JP 2010-211183 A JP 2014-7069 A

  In the touch sensors as seen in Patent Documents 2 and 3, the position touched by the target is detected, but it is difficult to detect a contact state such as a state where the target is pressed. Therefore, it may be difficult to cause the accessory device to perform various operations using the touch sensor.

  An object of the present invention is to detect a contact state of a target in addition to the position of the target.

  The present invention provides a first electrode group for detecting the position of a target object in a first direction, a second electrode group for detecting the position of a target object in a second direction intersecting the first direction, A control unit that controls the on-vehicle accessory device based on a plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode group and an interelectrode capacitance change pattern of the plurality of electrodes included in the second electrode group. It is characterized by that.

  The present invention provides a first electrode group for detecting the position of the target in the first direction, a second electrode group for detecting the position of the target in the second direction intersecting the first direction, An elastic plate-like member in which the first electrode group is arranged on the plate surface side and the second electrode group is arranged on the other plate surface side, and the first electrode group and the second electrode group The electrode group is deformable together with the plate member, and the distance between the electrode included in the first electrode group and the electrode included in the second electrode group is changed by the deformation of the plate member. .

  Desirably, a control unit that controls the on-vehicle accessory device based on a change pattern of interelectrode capacitance for the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode group and the plurality of electrodes included in the second electrode group. Prepare.

  According to the present invention, in addition to the position of the target, the contact state of the target can be detected.

It is a perspective view of an accessory control device. It is a disassembled perspective view of an accessory control apparatus. It is a figure which shows a x coordinate line electrode group. It is a figure which shows a y coordinate line electrode group. It is the schematic diagram which piled up and showed the x coordinate line electrode group and the y coordinate line electrode group. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a touch sensor and a display. It is a figure which shows the example of the capacity | capacitance change pattern which prescribes | regulates a simple contact state. It is a figure which shows the example of the capacity | capacitance change pattern which prescribes | regulates a finger pressing state. It is a figure which shows the example of the capacity | capacitance change pattern which prescribes | regulates a rod pressing state.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an accessory control device 10 mounted on a vehicle. The accessory control device 10 is attached to, for example, a console of a passenger compartment. The positive x-axis direction in FIG. 1 corresponds to the right direction from the passenger compartment toward the accessory control device 10. The positive y-axis direction corresponds to the upward direction, and the positive z-axis direction corresponds to the direction from the accessory control device 10 toward the vehicle compartment. In the following description, the direction from the accessory control device 10 toward the vehicle interior is defined as the front, and the direction from the vehicle interior toward the accessory control device 10 is defined as the rear.

  The accessory control device 10 includes a main body case 12, a frame 20, and a touch sensor 14. The shape of the main body case 12 is, for example, a shape obtained by deforming a part of the rectangular parallelepiped shape according to the mounting state in the automobile, the arrangement of components housed in the main body case 12, and the like. The example shown in FIG. 1 has a shape in which the right rear corner is missing in a quadrangular prism shape as viewed from the passenger compartment side. The frame 20 is fixed to the front edge of the main body case 12, and the touch sensor 14 is fixed to the inside of the frame 20. The accessory device is operated by touching the touch sensor 14 with a user's finger.

  FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the accessory control device 10. A display 22 is fixed to the front opening of the main body case 12. The touch sensor 14 includes a front panel 15, a fixing sheet 17, and a back panel 16, and is configured by stacking these members. The front panel 15, the fixing sheet 17, and the back panel 16 are transparent or translucent. An electrode group is arranged on the back side of the front panel 15, and a cable group 18 connected to the electrode group is drawn downward. An electrode group is arranged on the front side of the back panel 16, and a cable group 19 connected to the electrode group is drawn downward. The cable groups 18 and 19 are accommodated in the main body case 12 after being bent rearward. The touch sensor 14 is fixed in a frame in front of the frame 20. The frame 20 is fixed to the front edge of the main body case 12, and the display 22 is covered with the touch sensor 14.

  FIG. 3 shows x-coordinate line electrodes X <b> 1 to X <b> 19 arranged on the rear surface of the front panel 15. However, FIG. 3 shows a state in which the x-coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 are viewed from the front through the front panel 15. The front panel 15 and each x coordinate line electrode are transparent or translucent. The front panel 15 is formed of a material such as an elastic plastic resin. Each x-coordinate line electrode is formed of a conductor such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Each x coordinate line electrode may be fixed to the rear surface of the front panel 15 by a method such as sputtering, vapor deposition, or printing. Each x coordinate line electrode includes a plurality of x electrode pieces 24 arranged in the vertical direction. The plurality of x electrode pieces 24 are connected in series by a linear x electrode connection pattern 26. A plurality of x electrode pieces 24 and each x electrode connection pattern 26 connecting them in series form an x coordinate line electrode extending in the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, each x coordinate line electrode includes eleven x electrode pieces 24. The x coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 are arranged in the horizontal direction with the extending direction aligned in the vertical direction. The x coordinate values of the x coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 are x1 to x19, respectively. A cable is connected to each of the x-coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19, and this cable group is connected to a control circuit mounted on the accessory control device.

  In FIG. 4, y coordinate line electrodes Y <b> 1 to Y <b> 10 arranged on the front surface of the back panel 16 are shown. The back panel 16 is formed of a material such as an elastic plastic resin. Each y coordinate line electrode is transparent or translucent, and is formed of a conductor such as ITO. Each y coordinate electrode may be fixed to the front surface of the back panel 16 by a method such as sputtering, vapor deposition, or printing. Each y coordinate line electrode includes a plurality of y electrode pieces 28 arranged in the horizontal direction. The plurality of y electrode pieces 28 are connected in series by a linear y electrode connection pattern 30. A plurality of y electrode pieces 28 and each y electrode connection pattern 30 connecting them in series form a y coordinate line electrode extending in the horizontal direction. In this embodiment, each y coordinate line electrode includes 20 y electrode pieces 28. The y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10 are arranged in the vertical direction with the extending direction aligned in the horizontal direction. The y coordinate values of the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10 are y1 to y10, respectively. A cable is connected to each of the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10, and this group of cables is connected to the control circuit described above.

  Each x electrode piece 24 belonging to the x coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 is opposed to the gap between the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10 across the fixing sheet 17, and each y electrode piece 28 belonging to the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10 is , Facing the gap between the x-coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 with the fixed sheet 17 interposed therebetween. Each x electrode connection pattern 26 intersects with a y electrode connection pattern 30 corresponding to each x electrode connection pattern 26, and each y electrode connection pattern 30 has an x electrode connection corresponding to each y electrode connection pattern 30. Patterns 26 intersect.

  As described above, the touch sensor 14 uses the x-coordinate line electrodes X1 to X19 as the first electrode group for detecting the position of the target such as the user's finger in the x-axis direction (first direction) of the front panel 15. It is provided on the rear surface (the front side of the fixed sheet 17). The touch sensor 14 uses the y-coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y10 as the second electrode group for detecting the position of the target in the y-axis direction (second direction) intersecting the x-axis direction. (The back side of the fixed sheet 17). Accordingly, the fixed sheet 17 as a plate-shaped member, the first electrode group disposed on one plate surface side of the fixed sheet 17, and the second electrode group disposed on the other plate surface side of the fixed sheet 17, Is formed.

  FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram in which the x coordinate line electrode group and the y coordinate line electrode group are overlapped. For convenience of explanation, there are eight x-coordinate line electrodes X1 to X8 and eight y-coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y8. For example, when the user's finger contacts the front surface of the touch sensor, between the x coordinate line electrodes X1 to X8 that are close to the user's finger and the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y8 that are close to the user's finger. The capacitance changes.

  In FIG. 5, the section of the detection region where the change in capacitance between the electrodes is detected is indicated by a broken line. In each detection area, the x coordinate value of the x coordinate line electrode and the y coordinate value of the y coordinate line electrode are assigned as position coordinates. The control circuit 32 has a function as a control unit that controls the accessory device 36, and is configured by a processor or the like that executes a predetermined program. The control circuit 32 detects a change in capacitance between the electrodes for each combination of the x coordinate line electrodes X1 to X8 and the y coordinate line electrodes Y1 to Y8. And the accessory apparatus 36 is controlled according to the detection area | region corresponding to each combination, and the change value of the electrostatic capacitance between electrodes.

  By controlling the accessory device 36 based on the change value of the interelectrode capacitance in each detection region, the control circuit 32 controls the accessory device 36 according to the states shown in the following (1) to (3).

(1) The control circuit 32 controls the accessory device 36 according to the contact position of the finger when the user's finger is simply in contact with the touch sensor. Hereinafter, such a state is referred to as a simple contact state.

(2) Further, the control circuit 32 controls the accessory device 36 according to the contact position of the finger when the user's finger contacts the touch sensor and the user's finger applies pressure to the touch sensor. Hereinafter, such a state is referred to as a finger pressing state.

(3) Further, the control circuit 32 includes an accessory device according to the contact position of the operation bar when the operation bar for operating the accessory control device contacts the touch sensor and the operation bar applies pressure to the touch sensor. 36 is controlled. Hereinafter, such a state is referred to as a rod pressing state. A material having a dielectric constant smaller than that of the finger is used for the operation rod. Such a material includes a material having a relative dielectric constant close to 1, such as wood and paper.

  The principle that the control circuit 32 detects any one of the simple contact state, the finger pressing state, and the bar pressing state and detects the contact position of the user's finger or the operating bar will be described. FIG. 6 shows a cross section of the touch sensor 14 and the display 22. The touch sensor 14 has a structure in which a front panel 15, a fixing sheet 17, and a back panel 16 are stacked. The front panel 15, the fixing sheet 17, and the back panel 16 are made of an elastic material. The fixing sheet 17 is formed of a material that is elastic not only in the bending direction but also in the thickness direction. The fixing sheet 17 may be an adhesive member that joins the front panel 15 and the back panel 16. Such an adhesive member includes a transparent optical adhesive film (OCA: Optically Clear Adhesive).

  FIG. 6A shows a cross-sectional view in a simple contact state. In this state, the capacitance between the x-coordinate line electrode Xn and the y-coordinate line electrode Ym that intersect in the vicinity of the finger 44 changes as the finger 44 approaches.

  FIG. 6B shows a cross-sectional view when the finger is pressed. The x-coordinate line electrode Xn can be deformed together with the front panel 15. In the finger-pressed state, the front panel 15 and the x coordinate line electrode Xn are recessed backward by the pressure applied from the finger 44, and further, the fixing sheet 17 is thinned. As a result, the capacitance between the x-coordinate line electrode Xn and the y-coordinate line electrode Ym near the finger 44 changes, and the capacitance between the surrounding x-coordinate line electrode and the y-coordinate line electrode. Changes. Thus, in the finger pressing state, the interelectrode capacitance changes due to the change in the distance between the electrodes in addition to the approach of the user's finger.

  Note that the bar pressing state is obtained by replacing the finger 44 shown in FIG. 6B with an operation bar. Since the dielectric constant of the operating rod is smaller than the dielectric constant of the finger, the change in interelectrode capacitance due to the operating rod is smaller than the change in interelectrode capacitance due to the finger.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the capacitance change pattern in the simple contact state. This capacitance change pattern is a case where the distance between adjacent x coordinate line electrodes and the distance between adjacent y coordinate line electrodes are equal d.

  In the capacitance change pattern, a range of change values of interelectrode capacitance (hereinafter referred to as capacitance change values) in each detection region is defined. In FIG. 7, each detection region is distinguished from the minimum change region R0 and the first change region R1 to the fourth change region R4 by painting.

  The minimal change region R0 is a region where the capacitance change value C is less than the bar pressing threshold T0. The first change region R1 is a detection region in which the capacitance change value C is greater than or equal to the bar pressing threshold T0 and less than the finger contact threshold T1. The second change region R2 is a detection region in which the capacitance change value C is the maximum among the detection regions in which the capacitance change value C is greater than or equal to the bar pressing threshold T0 and less than the finger contact threshold T1. The third change region R3 is a detection region in which the capacitance change value C is greater than or equal to the finger contact threshold value T1. The fourth change region R4 is a detection region where the capacitance change value C is the maximum among the detection regions where the capacitance change value C is equal to or greater than the finger contact threshold T1.

  Here, the stick pressing threshold T0 is the minimum value of the capacitance change value when the operating stick comes into contact with the touch sensor and pressure is applied to the touch sensor. The finger contact threshold value T1 is the minimum value of the capacitance change value when the finger simply touches the touch sensor. The finger contact threshold T1 is larger than the stick pressing threshold T0. The bar pressing threshold T0 and the finger contact threshold T1 may be determined based on experiments or simulations.

  As shown on the right side of FIG. 7, the minimal change region R0 is not filled. And about 1st change area | region R1-4th change area | region R4, so that the capacity | capacitance change value C is a detection area | region large, it is darkly filled.

  In the simple contact state, the capacitance change value at the finger contact position is larger than the capacitance change value at the operation bar contact position in the bar pressed state. Although the influence of the finger extends around the contact position, the capacitance change value is smaller in the detection area around the detection area corresponding to the contact position than in the detection area corresponding to the contact position. That is, the capacitance change value is maximized in the detection region corresponding to the contact position. The influence of the finger does not reach the entire touch panel, and the capacitance change value is smaller than the bar pressing threshold T0 in each detection area that is somewhat distant from the contact position.

  In the capacitance change pattern shown in FIG. 7, the range of the capacitance change value in each detection region is shown for the simple contact state in which the user's finger contacts the position on the touch sensor corresponding to the detection region (x4, y5). Yes. The detection area (x4, y5) is the fourth change area R4. Each detection region whose distance from the detection region (x4, y5) is equal to or less than d becomes the third change region R3 except for the detection region (x4, y5). Each detection region whose distance from the detection region (x4, y5) exceeds d and is 2d or less is the first change region R1. The other detection region is a minimal change region R0.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of a capacity change pattern that defines the finger pressing state. In the finger pressed state, the capacitance change value at the finger contact position is larger than the capacitance change value at the operation bar contact position in the bar pressed state. Although the influence of the finger extends around the contact position, the capacitance change value is smaller in the detection area around the detection area corresponding to the contact position than in the detection area corresponding to the contact position. That is, the capacitance change value is maximized in the detection region corresponding to the contact position. In addition, since the finger applies pressure to the touch sensor, the influence of the finger extends over a wide range centering on the contact position. Therefore, the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than the finger contact threshold value T1 in each detection region over a wide range around the detection region corresponding to the finger contact position. Then, outside the detection area where the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than the finger contact threshold T1, the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than the bar pressing threshold T0 and less than the finger contact threshold T1.

  In the capacitance change pattern shown in FIG. 8, the capacitance change value in each detection region is shown for the finger pressing state in which the user's finger applies pressure to the touch sensor at the position on the touch sensor corresponding to the detection region (x4, y5). A range is shown. The detection area (x4, y5) is the fourth change area R4. Each detection region whose distance from the detection region (x4, y5) is 2d or less becomes the third change region R3 except for the detection region (x4, y5). The other detection region is the first change region R1.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of a capacity change pattern that defines a bar pressing state. In the bar pressed state, the capacitance change value at the contact position of the operating bar is smaller than the capacitance change value at the finger contact position in the finger contact state. Then, the capacitance change value of the detection area corresponding to the contact position of the operating rod is larger than the capacitance change value of the detection areas around it. That is, the capacitance change value is maximized in the detection region corresponding to the contact position. Since the operation bar applies pressure to the touch sensor, the interelectrode capacitance slightly changes in each detection region over a wide range centered on the contact position of the operation bar, the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than the bar pressing threshold T0, and It becomes less than the finger contact threshold T1.

  In the capacity change pattern shown in FIG. 9, the capacity change value in each detection area is indicated for a bar pressed state in which pressure is applied to the touch sensor by the operating bar at a position on the touch sensor corresponding to the detection area (x4, y5). A range is shown. The detection area (x4, y5) is the second change area R2. The other detection region is the first change region R1.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the operation of the accessory control apparatus will be described. In the pattern storage unit 38, a capacitance change pattern for detecting a simple contact state and a finger press state are detected for each of all detection regions (xn, ym) (n = 1 to 8, m = 1 to 8). A capacity change pattern for detection and a capacity change pattern for detecting a bar pressing state are stored.

  The control circuit 32 detects the capacitance change value of each detection region, and obtains a capacitance change value xy distribution that represents the distribution of the capacitance change values on the xy plane. The control circuit 32 refers to the pattern storage unit 38 and selects a capacitance change pattern to which the capacitance change value xy distribution obtained by itself is applied from a plurality of previously stored capacitance change patterns. Then, based on the selected capacity change pattern, any one of a simple contact state, a finger pressing state, and a bar pressing state is detected, and a contact position of the user's finger or operation bar is detected. Further, the control circuit 32 causes the accessory device 36 to execute a function corresponding to the detected contact position and state.

  When the detected state is a simple contact state, the control circuit 32 may perform the following control. When the accessory device 36 is an air conditioner, the control circuit 32 may control the air blowing level, the temperature, and the like according to the position coordinates of the finger contact position. When the accessory device 36 is an audio device, the control circuit 32 may control the volume, sound quality, and the like according to the position coordinates of the finger contact position. Further, the accessory device 36 may be controlled according to the movement of the finger. For example, when the finger is moved to draw a circle on the touch sensor, the position coordinates of the contact position of the finger change according to the movement of the finger. The control circuit 32 may adjust the temperature of the air conditioner and the volume of the audio device in accordance with the rotation direction indicated by the change in the position coordinates of the finger contact position.

  When the detected state is a finger pressing state or a rod pressing state, the control circuit 32 may perform the following control. When the position corresponding to a selection mark such as a button or icon displayed on the display is a contact position, the control circuit 32 may execute processing for causing the accessory device 36 to execute a function corresponding to the selection mark. Further, the control circuit 32 may cause the accessory device 36 to execute different functions for the same selection mark depending on whether the detected state is a finger pressing state or a bar pressing state.

  As described above, the accessory control device according to the present invention detects not only the simple contact state but also the finger pressing state and the rod pressing state, and also detects the contact position of the user's finger or the operating rod, and the detected state and contact Control accessory equipment according to position. Therefore, compared to the case where only the contact position under the simple contact state is detected, various controls for the accessory device are possible. That is, according to the accessory control device according to the present invention, in addition to the position of the target such as a finger or an operating rod, the contact state of the target is detected, thereby increasing the diversity of control for the in-vehicle device.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Accessory control apparatus, 12 Main body case, 14 Touch sensor, 15 Front panel, 16 Back panel, 17 Fixed sheet, 18, 19 Cable group, 20 Frame, 22 Display, 24 x electrode piece, 26 x Electrode connection pattern, 28 y Electrode piece, 30 y electrode connection pattern, 32 control circuit, 36 accessory device, 38 pattern storage unit, 44 fingers, X1 to X19 x coordinate line electrode, Y1 to Y10 y coordinate line electrode.

Claims (3)

A first electrode group for detecting the position of the target in the first direction;
A second electrode group for detecting the position of the target in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
A control unit that controls the on-vehicle accessory device based on a change pattern of capacitance between electrodes for the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode group and the plurality of electrodes included in the second electrode group; An in-vehicle accessory control device comprising: A first electrode group for detecting the position of the target in the first direction;
A second electrode group for detecting the position of the target in a second direction intersecting the first direction;
An elastic plate-like member in which the first electrode group is disposed on one plate surface side and the second electrode group is disposed on the other plate surface side;
The first electrode group and the second electrode group are deformable together with the plate member, and the distance between the electrode included in the first electrode group and the electrode included in the second electrode group is An in-vehicle accessory control device that changes due to deformation of the plate-like member. The in-vehicle accessory control device according to claim 2,
A controller that controls the on-vehicle accessory device based on a change pattern of the interelectrode capacitance for the plurality of electrodes included in the first electrode group and the plurality of electrodes included in the second electrode group; In-vehicle accessory control device.

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