WO2018042806A1

WO2018042806A1 - Input device

Info

Publication number: WO2018042806A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/021162
Authority: WO
Inventors: 良平杉本; 宙生川合
Original assignee: 株式会社東海理化電機製作所
Priority date: 2016-09-01
Filing date: 2017-06-07
Publication date: 2018-03-08
Also published as: JP2018037348A; JP6655506B2

Abstract

Provided is an input device comprising: a switch unit having a plurality of sensor electrodes to which a drive signal is applied and a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacity between a reference electric potential and each of the sensor electrodes; a detection unit detecting an operation being performed on the switch unit on the basis of the electrostatic capacity change in each of the sensor electrodes; a control unit performing control whereby a drive signal is applied to each of the sensor electrodes and cancel control whereby a signal having an identical waveform to the drive signal is applied to the cancel electrode. The control unit causes a drive signal to be applied to each of the sensor electrodes sequentially, and when the drive signal is being applied to any of the sensor electrodes, performs the cancel control on the cancel electrode, causing a reduction in the parasitic capacity between the reference electric potential and all the sensor electrodes.

Description

Input device

The present invention relates to an input device.

A technology has been developed to improve the detection accuracy of capacitive sensors. As a technique related to a capacitive sensor including a guard electrode to which the same voltage as the voltage applied to the detection electrode is applied, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is cited.

JP 2013-190404 A

The capacitance type input device detects, for example, the capacitance of an electrode corresponding to an electrostatic sensor (electrostatic switch), and detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode caused by an operation with an operating body such as a finger. Thus, it is determined whether or not an operation is performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the electrode. The change in the capacitance of the electrode is detected, for example, by comparing the detected capacitance of the electrode with a predetermined threshold value.

In a capacitance type input device, parasitic capacitance is generated between an electrode for detecting capacitance (hereinafter referred to as “sensor electrode”) and a reference potential point (ground). The magnitude of the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point depends on the area of the sensor electrode.

Since the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point can be a noise in the operation determination for the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode, the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point is large. However, the SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) characteristic is disadvantageous. Therefore, in order to improve the operation determination accuracy for the electrostatic sensor, it is desirable to reduce the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point.

Here, for example, in addition to the sensor electrode (the detection electrode corresponds) as in the capacitive sensor described in Patent Document 1, an electrode separate from the sensor electrode (the guard electrode corresponds). ) Is provided with a capacitance type input device.

When a drive signal (voltage signal) for detection is applied to the sensor electrode, a signal (voltage signal) having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the separate electrode. The electrode and the separate electrode have the same potential. Therefore, in the above case, no parasitic capacitance is generated between the sensor electrode and the separate electrode.

Therefore, when a drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode, a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the separate electrode, for example, between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point. It is possible to reduce the parasitic capacitance.

Therefore, when a drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode and a signal having the same waveform as that of the drive signal is applied to the separate electrode, the detection accuracy of the capacitive input device is improved. There is an advantage that it is possible to achieve.

Hereinafter, the separate electrode to which a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal applied to the sensor electrode is applied is referred to as a “cancel electrode”. Hereinafter, “control for applying a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal to the cancel electrode when the drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode” is referred to as “cancel control”. In the following,
“Control not applying a drive signal to the cancel electrode” is referred to as “non-cancel control”.

On the other hand, among the capacitance type input devices, there is an input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes respectively corresponding to a plurality of electrostatic sensors. When the input device has a plurality of sensor electrodes, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the input device has a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes on a one-to-one basis. Further, in an input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes (that is, an input device having a plurality of electrostatic sensors corresponding to each sensor electrode), a drive signal is sequentially applied to each of the sensor electrodes. There is an input device in which electrodes are controlled independently (hereinafter referred to as “input device in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are controlled independently”).

However, in the “input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes and a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes on a one-to-one basis and independently controlling the plurality of sensor electrodes”, for example, This may cause a change in the capacitance of the determination target sensor electrode (detection target sensor electrode). An example of causing a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode to be determined for operation will be described later.
・ When a dielectric other than the operating object adheres across multiple sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode that is the target of operation determination

Therefore, depending on the magnitude of the “change in capacitance of the sensor electrode subject to operation determination” that occurs in the above case, the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode is not operated by the operating body. There is a possibility that an erroneous determination is made that it is determined that an operation is being performed on.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is new and improved, which can prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body. It is to provide an input device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of sensor electrodes to which drive signals are respectively applied, and a parasitic capacitance between each of the sensor electrodes and a reference potential point are reduced. A switch unit having a cancel electrode; a detection unit for detecting an operation on the switch unit based on a change in capacitance of each of the sensor electrodes; a control for applying the drive signal to each of the sensor electrodes; A control unit that performs cancel control to apply a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal to the electrode, and the control unit sequentially applies the drive signal to each of the sensor electrodes. When the drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode, the cancel control for the cancel electrode is performed. Reduces the parasitic capacitance between all of the sensor electrode and the reference potential point, the input device is provided.

With such a configuration, for example, an increase in parasitic capacitance that occurs when the sensor electrode becomes pseudo-large due to adhesion of a dielectric so as to straddle a plurality of sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode to be determined for operation, Can be suppressed. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

In addition, the switch unit includes one cancel electrode for reducing parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point, and the control unit is connected to any one of the sensor electrodes. When the drive signal is applied, the cancel control may be performed on one cancel electrode.

In addition, the switch unit has a plurality of cancel electrodes that correspond to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes on a one-to-one basis and reduce parasitic capacitance between the corresponding sensor electrode and the reference potential point. The control unit may perform the cancel control on all the cancel electrodes when the drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes.

In the switch unit, the plurality of sensor electrodes are divided into a plurality of electrode groups, and the switch unit reduces parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode belonging to the electrode group and the reference potential point. The cancel electrode is provided for each of the electrode groups, and the control unit may perform the cancel control on all the cancel electrodes when the drive signal is applied to any of the sensor electrodes. Good.

In addition, the control unit may perform non-cancellation control in which the drive signal is not applied to the cancel electrode when the drive signal is not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the parasitic capacitance which generate | occur | produces between a sensor electrode and a reference electric potential point in the input device which has a some sensor electrode. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the parasitic capacitance which generate | occur | produces between a sensor electrode and a reference potential point, and the parasitic capacitance which generate | occur | produces between a cancellation electrode and a reference potential point in the input device which has several sensor electrodes and cancellation electrodes. It is. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the change of the electrostatic capacitance of a sensor electrode which can be produced with a dielectric material in the input device which has a cancellation electrode and several sensor electrodes are controlled independently. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the change of the electrostatic capacitance of a sensor electrode which may arise with a dielectric material in the input device which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the change of the electrostatic capacitance of a sensor electrode which may arise with a dielectric material in the input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

In the following, the parasitic capacitance generated between one object and another object is expressed as “parasitic capacitance Cpn” (n is a number for distinguishing the parasitic capacitance) using a symbol Cp. 1 to 4 illustrating the parasitic capacitance Cpn, the magnitude relation of the size of the parasitic capacitance Cpn is represented by two types of sizes of circuit symbols indicating capacitors for convenience.

[1] An example of a problem that may occur in a capacitance-type input device As described above, in a capacitance-type input device (hereinafter simply referred to as “input device”), a sensor electrode and a reference potential point are not connected. Parasitic capacitance is generated between them.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of parasitic capacitance generated between a sensor electrode and a reference potential point GND in an input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the input device has two sensor electrodes represented by “sensor 1” and “sensor 2”.

The parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 shown in FIG. 1 are as follows. As described above, the parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 depend on the sensor electrode area and the like.
Parasitic capacitance Cp1: Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance Cp2: between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance generated between

As described above, the parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 can be noise in the determination of the operation on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode.

Here, as a method of reducing the influence of the parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, as described above, “a method of further providing a cancel electrode in the input device and performing cancel control on the cancel electrode” Is mentioned.

FIG. 2 illustrates a parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point GND and a parasitic capacitance generated between the cancellation electrode and the reference potential point GND in an input device having a plurality of sensor electrodes and a cancellation electrode. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example. In FIG. 2, the input device has two sensor electrodes represented by “sensor 1” and “sensor 2”, and two cancel electrodes represented by “cancel 1” and “cancel 2”. An example is shown.

Here, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel 1” is a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. The cancel electrode represented by “cancel 2” is a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND.

Parasitic capacitances Cp1 ′, Cp2 ′, Cp3, and Cp4 shown in FIG. 2 are as follows.
Parasitic capacitance Cp1 ′: Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance Cp2 ′: Sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. The parasitic capacitance Cp3 is generated between the cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 1" and the reference potential point GND. The parasitic capacitance Cp4 is represented by "Cancel 2". Parasitic capacitance generated between the cancel electrode and the reference potential point GND

When cancel electrodes represented by “cancel 1” and “cancel 2” are provided and cancel control is performed for each cancel electrode, as described above, each corresponds to each sensor electrode and each sensor electrode. No parasitic capacitance is generated between the cancel electrode.

When cancel control is performed on each of the cancel electrodes shown in FIG. 2, parasitic capacitances Cp3 and Cp4 between the cancel electrode and the reference potential point GND cause a gap between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point GND. The parasitic capacitances Cp1 ′ and Cp2 ′ are reduced more than the parasitic capacitances Cp1 and Cp2 shown in FIG.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, when the input device has a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes on a one-to-one basis, and cancel control is performed on each of the plurality of cancel electrodes, a capacitance type In some cases, the detection accuracy of the input device can be improved.

Here, among the input devices having a plurality of sensor electrodes as shown in FIG. 2, there is an input device in which the plurality of sensor electrodes are independently controlled as described above.

Taking the input device shown in FIG. 2 as an example, an example in which the sensor electrodes are independently controlled will be described. In the input device in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are independently controlled, for example, a sensor represented by “sensor 1”. After detecting the change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the electrode, the change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 2” is detected.

More specifically, when detecting a change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1”, the plurality of sensor electrodes illustrated with reference to FIG. The controlled input device causes each electrode to be in the following state.
-Sensor electrode represented by "Sensor 1": A state where the drive signal is applied and the sensor electrode is driven-Cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 1": A signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied, and the cancel electrode is Driving state (cancellation control)
・ Sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2”: No drive signal is applied and the sensor electrode is not driven. ・ Cancel electrode represented by “Cancel 2”: A signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is not applied. The cancel electrode is not driven (non-cancel control is performed)

In addition, when detecting a change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 2”, an input in which a plurality of sensor electrodes illustrated with reference to FIG. 2 are independently controlled. The apparatus causes each electrode to be in the following state.
-Sensor electrode represented by "Sensor 1": No drive signal is applied and the sensor electrode is not driven.-Cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 1": A signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is not applied. The cancel electrode is not driven (non-cancel control is performed)
-Sensor electrode represented by "Sensor 2": A state where the drive signal is applied and the sensor electrode is driven-Cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 2": A signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied, and the cancel electrode is Driving state (cancellation control)

However, in an input device in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are independently controlled, when a dielectric other than the operating body is attached so as to straddle a plurality of sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode to be operated, the cancel electrode is Even if it is provided, it causes a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode to be determined for operation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a change in capacitance of a sensor electrode that can be caused by a dielectric in an input device having a cancel electrode and in which a plurality of sensor electrodes are independently controlled. FIG. 3 shows “sensor 1” by the dielectric D when a change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is detected in the input device shown in FIG. An example of a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode is shown.

Examples of the dielectric D include water, towels containing moisture, and metals such as iron and aluminum. In FIG. 3, for convenience, the dielectric D is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped. Needless to say, the shape of the dielectric D is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

Parasitic capacitances Cp1 ′, Cp2 ′, Cp3, Cp5, and Cp6 shown in FIG. 3 are as follows.
Parasitic capacitance Cp1 ′: Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance Cp2 ′: Sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. -Parasitic capacitance Cp3: Parasitic capacitance Cp3: Parasitic capacitance generated between the cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 1" and the reference potential point GND-Parasitic capacitance Cp5: Dielectric D and "Sensor 1" Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the parasitic capacitance Cp6: Parasitic capacitance generated between the dielectric D and the reference potential point GND

When a change in the capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is detected, and the dielectric D exists so as to straddle between the sensor electrodes, it is represented by “sensor 1”. As shown by parasitic capacitances Cp5 and Cp6, a new parasitic capacitance is generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point GND via the dielectric D. That is, the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND increases by the parasitic capacitance generated via the dielectric D.

Here, the increase in the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by the “sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND is caused by the dielectric D to be large in the sensor electrode represented by the “sensor 1”. This can be seen as an increase in parasitic capacitance.

Therefore, in the input device shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is operated with respect to the electrostatic sensor even though the operation body is not operated. There is a possibility that a misjudgment in which it is determined that is performed is generated.

[2] Outline of Input Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention Therefore, an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention reduces a parasitic capacitance between a plurality of sensor electrodes and each of the sensor electrodes and a reference potential point. Cancellation electrode. As will be described later, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention may have one cancel electrode, or may have two or more cancel electrodes.

The input device according to the embodiment of the present invention performs the following control for each of the plurality of sensor electrodes and the cancel electrode.
・ Control for multiple sensor electrodes: Apply drive signals sequentially ・ Control for cancel electrodes: When drive signals are applied to any of the sensor electrodes, cancel control is performed, and all sensor electrodes and reference potentials Reduce the parasitic capacitance between points. In addition, cancel control is not performed when drive signals are not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes (that is, non-cancel control is performed when drive signals are not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes).

More specifically, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a cancel electrode configuration as shown in the following [2-1] to [2-3], for example, and the cancel electrode configuration Control according to.

[2-1] Configuration and control of cancel electrode in input device according to first embodiment [2-1-1] Configuration of cancel electrode according to first embodiment The input device according to the first embodiment One cancel electrode is provided to reduce parasitic capacitance between all sensor electrodes and the reference potential point.

As one cancel electrode provided in the input device according to the first embodiment, for example, an electrode having a size including all the arranged sensor electrodes can be cited. The one cancel electrode is, for example, between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point so that all the sensor electrodes are included in the cancel electrode if the cancel electrode and all the sensor electrodes are overlapped. Is provided.

Note that the shape and size of one cancel electrode included in the input device according to the first embodiment is not limited to the example described above. For example, the input device according to the first embodiment has an arbitrary shape that can reduce the parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point when cancel control is performed, and / or Alternatively, it is possible to have one cancel electrode of any size.

[2-1-2] Control According to First Embodiment As described above, the input device according to the first embodiment sequentially applies drive signals to a plurality of sensor electrodes.

Further, the input device according to the first embodiment performs cancel control on one cancel electrode when a drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes. When a drive signal is not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes, the input device according to the first embodiment performs non-cancel control on one cancel electrode.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode that may be caused by a dielectric in the input device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the input device according to the first embodiment has two sensor electrodes represented by “sensor 1” and “sensor 2” and one cancel electrode represented by “cancel”. An example is shown.

Further, FIG. 4 shows “sensor 1” by the dielectric D when a change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is detected, as in FIG. The example of the change of the electrostatic capacitance of the represented sensor electrode is shown. In FIG. 4, for convenience, the dielectric D is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped. However, as described above, it is needless to say that the shape of the dielectric D is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

In FIG. 4, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel” reduces the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” and the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. This is a cancel electrode. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel” is configured by one cancel electrode so as to correspond to each of all the sensor electrodes configuring the input device according to the first embodiment. . That is, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel” is a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point GND.

Parasitic capacitances Cp1 ′, Cp2 ′, Cp5, Cp6 ′, and Cp7 shown in FIG. 4 are as follows.
Parasitic capacitance Cp1 ′: Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance Cp2 ′: Sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. -Parasitic capacitance Cp5: Parasitic capacitance Cp5: Parasitic capacitance generated between the dielectric D and the sensor electrode represented by "Sensor 1"-Parasitic capacitance Cp6 ': Dielectric D and reference potential point GND -Parasitic capacitance Cp7: Parasitic capacitance generated between the cancel electrode represented by "cancel" and the reference potential point GND

When a change in the capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is detected, and the dielectric D exists so as to straddle between the sensor electrodes, it is represented by “sensor 1”. As shown by parasitic capacitances Cp5 and Cp6 ′, new parasitic capacitance is generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point GND via the dielectric D.

Here, in the input device according to the first embodiment, when the drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1”, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel” is canceled. Control is taking place. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance Cp6 ′ generated between the dielectric D and the reference potential point GND is reduced from the parasitic capacitance Cp6 shown in FIG. 3 by the parasitic capacitance Cp7 between the cancel electrode and the reference potential point GND. .

That is, the input device according to the first embodiment has a parasitic capacitance due to the pseudo increase in the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” by the dielectric D, as shown in FIG. The increase can be suppressed by cancel control for the cancel electrode represented by “cancel”.

Therefore, in the input device according to the first embodiment, even if the dielectric D adheres so as to straddle a plurality of sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode to be determined for operation, the parasitic capacitance caused by the dielectric D There is a possibility that a misjudgment (hereinafter, simply referred to as “misjudgment” in some cases) that it is determined that an operation is performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode to be judged due to the increase in Reduced.

Therefore, the input device according to the first embodiment can prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

The input device according to the first embodiment has one cancel electrode corresponding to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes, and performs cancel control on the cancel electrode. Therefore, the input device according to the first embodiment can improve the detection accuracy in the capacitance-type input device, similarly to the input device shown in FIG.

[2-2] Configuration and control of cancel electrode in input device according to second embodiment [2-2-1] Configuration of cancel electrode according to second embodiment The input device according to the second embodiment Each of the plurality of sensor electrodes has one-to-one correspondence, and has a plurality of cancel electrodes for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the corresponding sensor electrode and the reference potential point. That is, the input device according to the second embodiment has a cancel electrode for each sensor electrode, as in the example of the input device shown in FIG.

The cancel electrode included in the input device according to the second embodiment includes, for example, an electrode having a size including a sensor electrode to which the cancel electrode corresponds (for example, an area larger than the corresponding sensor electrode) Electrode). The cancel electrode is provided between the sensor electrode and a reference potential point so that the sensor electrode is included in the cancel electrode, for example, when the sensor electrode corresponding to the cancel electrode is overlapped. It is done.

Note that the shape and size of the cancel electrode included in the input device according to the second embodiment are not limited to the example described above. For example, the input device according to the second embodiment has an arbitrary shape that can reduce the parasitic capacitance between the corresponding sensor electrode and the reference potential point when cancel control is performed, and / or Alternatively, a cancel electrode having any size can be provided. In addition, the shape and / or size of the plurality of cancel electrodes included in the input device according to the second embodiment may be the same in all cancel electrodes, or in some cancel electrodes or all cancel electrodes. May be different.

[2-2-2] Control According to Second Embodiment As described above, the input device according to the second embodiment sequentially applies drive signals to a plurality of sensor electrodes.

Also, the input device according to the second embodiment performs cancel control on all cancel electrodes when a drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes. When the drive signal is not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes, the input device according to the second embodiment performs non-cancel control for all the cancel electrodes.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode that may be caused by a dielectric in the input device according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the input device according to the second embodiment includes two sensor electrodes represented by “sensor 1” and “sensor 2”, and two cancels represented by “cancel 1” and “cancel 2”. An example having electrodes is shown.

Further, FIG. 5 shows “sensor 1” by the dielectric D when a change in capacitance with respect to the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is detected, as in FIG. The example of the change of the electrostatic capacitance of the represented sensor electrode is shown. In FIG. 5, for convenience, the dielectric D is represented by a rectangular parallelepiped. However, as described above, it is needless to say that the shape of the dielectric D is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

In FIG. 5, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel 1” is a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. The cancel electrode represented by “cancel 2” is a cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND.

The parasitic capacitances Cp1 ′, Cp2 ′, Cp3, CP4, Cp5, and Cp6 ′ shown in FIG. 5 are as follows.
Parasitic capacitance Cp1 ′: Parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 1” and the reference potential point GND. Parasitic capacitance Cp2 ′: Sensor electrode represented by “Sensor 2” and the reference potential point GND. -Parasitic capacitance Cp3: Parasitic capacitance Cp3: Parasitic capacitance generated between the cancel electrode represented by "Cancel 1" and the reference potential point GND-Parasitic capacitance Cp4: Cancellation represented by "Cancel 2" Parasitic capacitance generated between the electrode and the reference potential point GND Parasitic capacitance Cp5: Parasitic capacitance generated between the dielectric D and the sensor electrode represented by "Sensor 1" Parasitic capacitance Cp6 ': Dielectric D Parasitic capacitance generated between the reference potential point GND and the reference potential point GND

Here, in the input device according to the second embodiment, when a drive signal is applied to the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1”, the cancel electrode represented by “cancel 1” and “cancel” Cancel control is performed for each cancel electrode represented by 2 ″. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance Cp6 ′ generated between the dielectric D and the reference potential point GND is reduced from the parasitic capacitance Cp6 shown in FIG. 3 by the parasitic capacitances Cp3 and Cp4 between the cancel electrode and the reference potential point GND. Is done.

That is, the input device according to the second embodiment has a parasitic capacitance due to the fact that the sensor electrode represented by “sensor 1” is artificially enlarged by the dielectric D as shown in FIG. The increase can be suppressed by cancel control for the cancel electrode represented by “cancel”.

Therefore, in the input device according to the second embodiment, even if the dielectric D adheres so as to straddle a plurality of sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode to be determined for operation, the parasitic capacitance caused by the dielectric D The possibility of misjudgment due to an increase in the number is reduced.

Therefore, the input device according to the second embodiment can prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

Further, the input device according to the second embodiment has a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes, and performs cancel control on each of the cancel electrodes. Therefore, the input device according to the second embodiment can improve the detection accuracy of the capacitance-type input device, similarly to the input device shown in FIG.

[2-3] Configuration and Control of Cancel Electrode in Input Device According to Third Embodiment In the second embodiment, an input device having a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes is shown. It was. However, the configuration of the input device having a plurality of cancel electrodes according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration according to the second embodiment. Therefore, next, an input device having another configuration having a plurality of cancel electrodes will be described as an input device according to the third embodiment.

[2-3-1] Configuration of Cancel Electrode According to Third Embodiment In the input device according to the third embodiment, a plurality of sensor electrodes are divided into a plurality of electrode groups. Here, one electrode or a plurality of sensor electrodes belong to each electrode group.

When one sensor electrode belongs to all electrode groups, the configuration of the cancel electrode in the input device according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the cancel electrode in the input device according to the second embodiment. It becomes. When a plurality of sensor electrodes belong to at least one electrode group, the configuration of the cancel electrode in the input device according to the third embodiment is different from the configuration of the cancel electrode in the input device according to the second embodiment. It becomes.

Also, the input device according to the third embodiment has a cancel electrode for each electrode group for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode belonging to the electrode group and the reference potential point.

Examples of the cancel electrode included in the input device according to the third embodiment include an electrode having a size including all sensor electrodes belonging to the electrode group to which the cancel electrode corresponds. The cancel electrode belongs to the corresponding electrode group so that, for example, when all the sensor electrodes belonging to the electrode group corresponding to the cancel electrode are overlapped with each other, the sensor electrode is included in the cancel electrode. Provided between all sensor electrodes and a reference potential point.

Note that the shape and size of the cancel electrode included in the input device according to the third embodiment are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the input device according to the third embodiment can reduce the parasitic capacitance between all sensor electrodes belonging to the corresponding electrode group and the reference potential point when cancel control is performed. It is possible to have cancel electrodes of any shape and / or any size. In addition, the shape and / or size of the plurality of cancel electrodes included in the input device according to the third embodiment may be the same in all cancel electrodes, or in some cancel electrodes or all cancel electrodes. May be different.

[2-3-2] Control According to Third Embodiment As described above, the input device according to the third embodiment sequentially applies drive signals to a plurality of sensor electrodes.

Further, the input device according to the third embodiment, like the input device according to the second embodiment, cancels control for all the cancel electrodes when a drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes. I do. When the drive signal is not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes, the input device according to the third embodiment performs non-cancel control for all the cancel electrodes.

As described above, the input device according to the third embodiment and the input device according to the second embodiment have different correspondences between the cancel electrode and the sensor electrode depending on the number of sensor electrodes belonging to the electrode group. There is. However, in the input device according to the third embodiment, as in the input device according to the second embodiment, all sensor electrodes correspond to one of the cancel electrodes.

Further, in the input device according to the third embodiment, control is performed on each electrode similarly to the input device according to the second embodiment.

Therefore, in the input device according to the third embodiment, similarly to the input device according to the second embodiment, when the dielectric D adheres so as to straddle a plurality of sensor electrodes including the sensor electrode to be determined for operation. Even so, the possibility of erroneous determination due to an increase in parasitic capacitance caused by the dielectric D is reduced.

Therefore, similarly to the input device according to the second embodiment, the input device according to the third embodiment can prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

In addition, the input device according to the third embodiment has a plurality of cancel electrodes corresponding one-to-one to each electrode group, and performs cancel control on each cancel electrode. Therefore, the input device according to the third embodiment can improve the detection accuracy of the capacitance-type input device, similarly to the input device shown in FIG.

The input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has a cancel electrode configuration as in the embodiments described in [2-1] to [2-3], for example, and performs control according to the cancel electrode configuration. .

In the above [2-1] to [2-3], the example having two sensor electrodes is mainly shown, but the number of sensor electrodes included in the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is two. It is not restricted to, You may have three or more sensor electrodes. Even in the configuration having three or more sensor electrodes, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has the configuration of the cancel electrode as in the embodiments shown in [2-1] to [2-3]. By performing the control as in the embodiments shown in the above [2-1] to [2-3], it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operating body. . Moreover, even if it is the structure which has three or more sensor electrodes, the input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention can aim at the improvement of the detection accuracy in an electrostatic capacitance type input device.

[3] Configuration Example of Input Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described, and processing in the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described more specifically. I will explain it.

Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, an example of the configuration of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly using the input device according to the first embodiment shown in [2-1] as an example.

In the following, for the sake of convenience, the case where the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention has two sensor electrodes is taken as an example. As described above, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention may have three or more sensor electrodes.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the input device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The input device 100 includes, for example, a switch unit 102, a detection unit 104, a switching unit 106, and a control unit 108.

Further, the input device 100 may include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory, not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory, not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and the like. For example, the input device 100 connects the above-described components by a bus as a data transmission path. The input device 100 is driven by, for example, power supplied from an internal power source such as a battery provided in the input device 100 or power supplied from a connected external power source.

The ROM (not shown) stores data such as programs and calculation parameters used by the control unit 108, the processing circuit 114 described later, and the like. A RAM (not shown) temporarily stores programs executed by the control unit 108, the processing circuit 114, processing data, and the like.

The storage unit (not shown) is a storage unit included in the input device 100. The storage unit (not shown) stores various data such as application software.

Here, examples of the storage unit (not shown) include a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk and a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The storage unit (not shown) may be detachable from the input device 100.

[3-1] Switch unit 102
The switch unit 102 includes a plurality of sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and one cancel electrode CC.

The sensor electrodes E1 and E2 are electrodes for which the detection unit 104 detects capacitance. For example, a drive signal is applied to each of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 from a voltage source 110 described later.

The cancel electrode CC is provided to reduce the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and the reference potential point. The cancel electrode CC corresponds to one cancel electrode according to the first embodiment shown in [2-1] above. The cancel electrode CC is provided in parallel with, for example, the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 via a base.

As described above, when a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal applied to the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 is applied to the cancel electrode CC, the parasitic capacitance between each of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and the reference potential point is reduced. ,Decrease.

FIG. 6 shows an example of “a configuration in which the cancel electrode CC is electrically connected to the voltage source 110 by the switching unit 106 described later, and the drive signal itself is applied to the cancel electrode CC as a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal”. Show. FIG. 6 shows an example of “a configuration in which the cancel electrode CC is electrically connected to the reference potential point by the switching unit 106 described later”. That is, the cancel electrode CC shown in FIG. 6 functions as, for example, an electrode provided to reduce parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrodes E1, E2 and the reference potential point, or a reference electrode connected to the reference potential point. To do.

In addition, the structure of the switch part 102 with which the input device 100 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided is not restricted to the example shown in FIG.

For example, in the switch unit 102, the cancel electrode and the reference electrode may be separate electrodes.

FIG. 6 shows a configuration in which the switch unit 102 has one cancel electrode according to the first embodiment shown in [2-1]. However, the switch unit 102 is shown in [2-2]. A plurality of cancel electrodes according to the second embodiment shown, or a plurality of cancel electrodes according to the third embodiment shown in [2-3] may be included.

[3-2] Detection unit 104
The detection unit 104 detects an operation on the switch unit 102 based on a change in capacitance of each of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2.

The detection unit 104 detects the capacitance values of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 by the self-capacitance method. The detection unit 104 uses, for example, a sensor electrode to which a drive signal is applied, that is, a sensor electrode that is an operation determination target, as a capacitance value detection target. Then, the detection unit 104 performs an operation on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode included in the switch unit 102 by comparing the detected capacitance value with a predetermined threshold value. Detect that. In the following, “the operation has been performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode included in the switch unit 102” detected by the detection unit 104, “the operation has been performed on the switch unit 102. Sometimes ".

Here, the predetermined threshold value according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a fixed threshold value that is set in advance, or may be a variable threshold value that changes based on an operation detection result in the detection unit 104. Good. As an example of the variable threshold value based on the operation detection result, for example, “when an operation is detected by the detection unit 104, the threshold value is set to be higher than the threshold value set before the operation is detected by the detection unit 104. “A smaller value is set”.

The electrostatic capacitances of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 change, for example, when an operating body such as a finger approaches the sensor electrodes E1 and E2. The detection unit 104 detects changes in the capacitances of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 by threshold processing using a predetermined threshold as described above, and detects an operation on the switch unit 102.

Specifically, for example, when the detected capacitance value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (or when the capacitance value is greater than the predetermined threshold), the detection unit 104 causes the switch unit 102 to It is detected that an operation has been performed on the device.

Further, the detection unit 104 determines that an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102 when an operation on the switch unit 102 is detected, for example.

In addition, the determination method of operation with respect to the switch part 102 in the detection part 104 is not restricted above. For example, the detection unit 104 can determine that an operation on the switch unit 102 has been performed when an operation is detected a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number of times according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a fixed number set in advance, or may be a variable number that can be changed based on a command from the control unit 108 or an external controller. .

As described above, when the detection unit 104 determines that an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102 when an operation is detected a predetermined number of times, the possibility of erroneous determination of the operation on the switch unit 102 is further reduced. can do.

The detection unit 104 includes, for example, a voltage source 110,

measurement circuits

112A and 112B, a processing circuit 114, switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6, and ground capacitors C1 and C2.

The voltage source 110 outputs a drive signal (voltage signal) for driving the sensor electrodes E1 and E2. Note that the voltage source 110 may be a voltage source external to the input device 100.

The

measurement circuits

112A and 112B detect the capacitance value (self-capacitance value) by measuring the charging time of the capacity, for example. The measurement circuit 112A is electrically connected to the sensor electrode E1 via the switching circuit SW2, and detects the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E1. The measurement circuit 112B is electrically connected to the sensor electrode E2 via the switching circuit SW5 and detects the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2.

The

measurement circuits

112A and 112B measure the capacitance charging time using, for example, one or more comparators, and detect the capacitance value by obtaining the capacitance value from the measured charging time.

Note that the

measurement circuits

112A and 112B are not limited to the example shown above. The

measurement circuits

112A and 112B can take a configuration corresponding to an arbitrary method capable of measuring the capacitance value.

The processing circuit 114 detects an operation on the switch unit 102 based on the capacitance values of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 detected in the

measurement circuits

112A and 112B, respectively. For example, the processing circuit 114 detects an operation on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode E1 by comparing the detected capacitance value of the sensor electrode E1 with a predetermined threshold value. Further, the processing circuit 114 detects an operation on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode E2, for example, by comparing the detected capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2 with a predetermined threshold value.

Further, as described above, the processing circuit 114 may determine whether or not an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102 based on a detection result of the operation on the switch unit 102 and a predetermined number of times.

Examples of the processing circuit 114 include one or two or more processors configured by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are constituted by, for example, switching transistors, and are turned on (conductive state) or off (non-conductive state) according to the signal level (voltage level) of the applied signal. )

Examples of switching transistors include bipolar transistors, and FETs (Field-Effect Transistors) such as TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) and MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor-Field Effect Transistors).

Switching control of each of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 between the on state and the off state is performed by, for example, the control unit 108 described later.

Note that the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are not limited to switching transistors, and may be any elements (or circuits) that can be switched between an on state and an off state.

In the detection unit 104, for example, as shown in the following (a) and (b), the switching circuit SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are switched between the on state and the off state, whereby the sensor electrode E1 is statically switched. The detection of the capacitance value and the detection of the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2 are sequentially performed.

(A) When detecting capacitance value of sensor electrode E1 Switching circuit SW1, SW2: ON state Switching circuit SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6: OFF state

(B) When detecting capacitance value of sensor electrode E2 Switching circuit SW4, SW5: ON state Switching circuit SW1, SW2, SW3, SW6: OFF state

For example, on / off control of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 as shown in the above (a) and (b) is performed, so that the detection unit 104 applies each to the sensor electrodes E1 and E2. The drive signals are sequentially applied to the

measurement circuits

112A and 112B, and the capacitance values (self-capacitance values) of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 are sequentially detected.

The switching circuits SW3 and SW6 are switching circuits for initializing the measurement of the capacitance value.

For example, as shown in (c) below, the measurement of the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E1 is initialized by switching the switching circuits SW1, SW2, and SW3 between on and off states. Here, the ON / OFF control of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, and SW3 shown in (c) below detects the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E1, for example, when detecting the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2. When not done.

(C) When initializing measurement of sensor electrode E1 • Switching circuit SW2, SW3: ON state • Switching circuit SW1: OFF state

Further, for example, as shown in (d) below, the switching circuit SW4, SW5, SW6 is switched between the on state and the off state, whereby the measurement of the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2 is performed. Here, the on / off control of the switching circuits SW4, SW5, and SW6 shown in (d) below detects the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E2, for example, when detecting the capacitance value of the sensor electrode E1. When not done.

(D) When initializing measurement of sensor electrode E2 • Switching circuit SW5, SW6: ON state • Switching circuit SW4: OFF state

The grounding capacitor C1 is connected between the sensor electrode E1 and the switching circuit SW2, for example. The grounding capacitor C1 may be a parasitic capacitor or a circuit element such as a capacitor.

The grounding capacitor C2 is connected between the sensor electrode E2 and the switching circuit SW5, for example. The ground capacitance C2 may be a parasitic capacitance or a circuit element such as a capacitor.

The detection unit 104 detects the electrostatic capacitance values (self-capacitance values) of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 with the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, and detects the capacitance with respect to the switch unit 102 based on changes in the electrostatic capacitances of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2. Detect operations.

Note that the configuration of the detection unit 104 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

For example, the detection unit 104 can take any configuration that can measure the capacitance values (self-capacitance values) of the sensor electrodes E1 and E2.

For example, when the control unit 108 described later has a function of performing the same processing as the processing circuit 114, the detection unit 104 may not include the processing circuit 114.

Further, the detection unit 104 sequentially detects the capacitance values of the plurality of sensor electrodes E1 and E2. Therefore, the detection unit 104 may be configured to include one measurement circuit corresponding to the plurality of sensor electrodes E1 and E2.

[3-3] Switching unit 106
The switching unit 106 includes a switching circuit including switching circuits SW7 and SW8, and the switching circuit is electrically connected to the cancel electrode CC.

The switching circuits SW7 and SW8 are constituted by, for example, switching transistors, and are turned on (conductive state) or off (non-conductive state) according to the signal level (voltage level) of the applied signal.

Note that the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 are not limited to switching transistors, and may be arbitrary elements (or circuits) capable of switching between an on state and an off state.

When each of the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 is turned on (conductive state) or turned off (non-conductive state), the cancel electrode CC is connected to the voltage source 110 or the reference potential point.

In the switching unit 106, the cancel electrode CC is connected to the voltage source 110 and not connected to the reference potential point, for example, by switching the on state and the off state of the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 as described below. Here, the state where the cancel electrode CC is connected to the voltage source 110 corresponds to a state where cancel control is performed on the cancel electrode CC.
・ Switching circuit SW7: ON state ・ Switching circuit SW8: OFF state

Further, in the switching unit 106, the cancel electrode CC is connected to the reference potential point and is not connected to the voltage source 110, for example, by switching between the ON state and the OFF state of the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 as described below. Here, the state where the cancel electrode CC is not connected to the voltage source 110 corresponds to a state where non-cancel control is performed on the cancel electrode CC.
・ Switching circuit SW7: OFF state ・ Switching circuit SW8: ON state

Switching between the ON state and the OFF state of each of the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 is performed by the control unit 108, for example.

Note that the configuration of the switching unit 106 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. For example, the switching unit 106 can have any configuration that can connect the cancel electrode CC to one of the voltage source 110 and the reference potential point.

[3-4] Control unit 108
The control unit 108 performs control on the sensor electrode and control on the cancel electrode.

[3-4-1] Control of Sensor Electrode in Control Unit 108 As described above, the control unit 108 performs control for sequentially applying drive signals as control for a plurality of sensor electrodes.

For example, the control unit 108 transmits a signal for switching between an on state and an off state to each of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 included in the detection unit 104, thereby a plurality of sensors. Driving signals are sequentially applied to the electrodes.

In addition, the control unit 108 transmits, for example, a control signal including a command to switch the on state / off state of each switching circuit to the processing circuit 114 configuring the detection unit 104, thereby transmitting the control signal to the plurality of sensor electrodes. On the other hand, drive signals may be sequentially applied. When the control unit 108 transmits the control signal to the processing circuit 114, the detection unit 104 causes the “processing circuit 114 to send to the switching circuits SW 1, SW 2, SW 3, SW 4, SW 5, SW 6 based on the transmitted control signal. On the other hand, by transmitting a signal for switching between the on state and the off state, sequential application of drive signals to a plurality of sensor electrodes is realized.

[3-4-2] Control on Cancel Electrode in Control Unit 108 As described above, the control unit 108 cancels the cancel electrode CC when a drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes. Control is performed to reduce the parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes E1, E2 and the reference potential point.

Further, as described above, the control unit 108 performs non-cancellation control when the drive signals are not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes E1 and E2.

For example, the control unit 108 transmits a signal for switching between the on state and the off state to the switching circuits SW7 and SW8 included in the switching unit 106, thereby canceling the cancel electrode CC or canceling the cancel electrode CC. Non-cancellation control for CC is performed. Here, the example of the control in the control unit 108 described above corresponds to an example of the control according to the first embodiment described in [2-1], for example.

The control in the control unit 108 is not limited to the example shown above. For example, as in the embodiments shown in [2-2] and [2-3], for example, the control unit 108 can perform control according to the configuration of the cancel electrode that configures the switch unit 102. is there.

Further, the control unit 108 may play a role of controlling the entire input device 100.

The control unit 108 includes, for example, one or two or more processors and various processing circuits configured by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU.

The input device 100 has a configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example.

6 includes two sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and one cancel electrode CC for reducing the parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and the reference potential point. Further, the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 6 performs cancel control on one cancel electrode CC when a drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes.

Therefore, in the input device 100 illustrated in FIG. 6, as illustrated with reference to FIG. 4, the plurality of sensor electrodes E <b> 1 and E <b> 2 (an example of the plurality of sensor electrodes including the above-described operation determination target sensor electrodes) are straddled. Thus, even when a dielectric other than the operating body adheres, the capacitance that occurs when the sensor electrode becomes pseudo large due to the dielectric can be suppressed by the cancel electrode CC. In other words, in the input device 100, there is a low possibility that an erroneous determination is caused by an increase in parasitic capacitance caused by a dielectric other than the operating body.

Therefore, the input device 100 can prevent an erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

In addition, the input device 100 has one cancel electrode CC corresponding to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes E1 and E2, and performs cancel control on the cancel electrode CC. Therefore, the input device 100 can improve the detection accuracy in the capacitance-type input device, similarly to the input device shown in FIG.

The configuration of the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

For example, when the connection between the cancel electrode CC and the voltage source 110 or the connection between the cancel electrode CC and the reference potential point is switched by an external switching circuit, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a switching unit. 106 may not be provided. In the above case, in the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 108 controls the external switching circuit similarly to the control for the switching circuit constituting the switching unit 106 shown in FIG. The same effect as the input device 100 shown in FIG.

6 shows an example in which the drive signal output from the voltage source 110 is applied to the sensor electrodes E1 and E2 and the cancel electrode CC. However, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is The configuration may be such that a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the cancel electrode CC from a voltage source different from the source 110.

For example, as described above, the switch unit 102 includes a plurality of cancel electrodes according to the second embodiment shown in [2-2], or a third embodiment shown in [2-3]. A plurality of cancel electrodes may be provided. The switch unit 102 includes a plurality of cancel electrodes according to the second embodiment shown in [2-2] or a plurality of cancel electrodes according to the third embodiment shown in [2-3]. If so, the control unit 108 performs control according to the configuration of the cancel electrode constituting the switch unit 102 as in the embodiments described in [2-2] and [2-3].

For example, as described above, the number of sensor electrodes constituting the switch unit 102 is not limited to two as illustrated in FIG. 6, and the switch unit 102 may include three or more sensor electrodes. .

Further, for example, an input device having the same function as the switch unit 102, the detection unit 104, and the switching unit 106 illustrated in FIG. 6 and a processing device having the same function as the control unit 108 (for example, a micro device outside the input device). A system having a function similar to that of the input device 100 shown in FIG.

[4] Application Example of Input Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention An input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a vehicle such as a vehicle (or a UI (User Interface) part constituting a vehicle system). It can be applied to various systems and devices such as communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones, tablet devices, television receivers, and computers such as PCs (Personal Computers).

[5] Program according to the embodiment of the present invention A program for causing a computer to function as the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention (for example, a program for causing the computer to function as the control unit 108 illustrated in FIG. 6) By being executed by the processor or the like, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of an operation caused by a dielectric other than the operation body.

In addition, a program for causing a computer to function as the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is executed by a processor or the like in the computer, thereby controlling each electrode in the input device according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention ( For example, the effect produced by the control in the control unit 108 shown in FIG. 6 can be produced.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

For example, in the above description, it is shown that a program (computer program) for causing a computer to function as an input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided. However, the embodiment of the present invention further stores the program. The recorded recording medium can also be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Input device 102 Switch part 104 Detection part 106 Switching part 108 Control part E1, E2 Sensor electrode CC Cancel electrode GND Reference potential point

Claims

A plurality of sensor electrodes to which drive signals are respectively applied, and a switch unit having cancel electrodes for reducing parasitic capacitance between each of the sensor electrodes and a reference potential point;
A detection unit that detects an operation on the switch unit based on a change in capacitance of each of the sensor electrodes;
A control unit that performs control to apply the drive signal to each of the sensor electrodes and cancel control to apply a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal to the cancel electrode;
With
The controller is
The drive signal is sequentially applied to each of the sensor electrodes,
When the drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes, the cancel control is performed on the cancel electrode, and the parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point is reduced. Characteristic input device.
The switch unit includes one cancel electrode for reducing parasitic capacitance between all the sensor electrodes and the reference potential point,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the cancel control on one of the cancel electrodes when the drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes.
The switch unit has a plurality of the cancel electrodes, which correspond to each of the plurality of sensor electrodes on a one-to-one basis, and reduce a parasitic capacitance between the corresponding sensor electrode and the reference potential point,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the cancel control on all the cancel electrodes when the drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes.
In the switch unit, the plurality of sensor electrodes are divided into a plurality of electrode groups,
The switch unit includes the cancel electrode for reducing the parasitic capacitance between the sensor electrode belonging to the electrode group and the reference potential point for each electrode group,
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the cancel control on all the cancel electrodes when the drive signal is applied to any one of the sensor electrodes.
The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs non-cancel control in which the drive signal is not applied to the cancel electrode when the drive signal is not applied to the plurality of sensor electrodes. The input device according to any one of the above.