CN103608752B - Capacitive sensor device and the method being used for operating input equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a kind of capacitive sensor device, comprising: at least one measures electrode, at least one ground electrode, and apparatus for evaluating, it couples with at least one measurement electrode described and is configured to the described capacitive couplings between at least one measurement electrode and ground connection of described apparatus for evaluating of detection, at least one of which ground electrode described earth current with described apparatus for evaluating can couple via switch, the switching state of described switch wherein can be changed by described apparatus for evaluating, and wherein said apparatus for evaluating be further adapted for the detection when the described switching state of described switch changes described at least one measure the described capacitively coupled common mode variations between electrode and described ground connection of described apparatus for evaluating.The invention further relates to a kind of input equipment, be the keyboard with the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention in particular, and a kind of method for operating the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention.

Description

Capacitive sensor device and the method being used for operating input equipment

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of capacitive sensor device and input equipment (in particular for keyboard), described input equipment Including the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention.The invention further relates to a kind of (specific next for operating input equipment Say as keyboard) method, described input equipment includes the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention.

Background technology

Known offer has the display device (such as computer screen) of touch-sensitive input area and leads to by finger with (such as) Cross mobile described finger move on the display region or control cursor.But, this operational concept has the disadvantages that user must Its hands must be made to leave keyboard with cursor mobile on the viewing area of screen.Therefore, this operational concept and user are via individually meter The corresponding input of calculation machine mouse does not have substantive difference.Attempt by providing for controlling or mobile cursor on keyboard Corresponding input equipment overcome this shortcoming.

For example, as it is known that keyboard includes in the region of numeric keypad or so-called in the region of the alpha-numeric keypad of keyboard Tracing point, described tracing point can move with the finger of the hands rested on keyboard.But, this tracing point mobile needs outstanding skill Art and be difficult to learn so that despite the presence of tracing point, user the most still returns to external mouse.Because tracing point is arranged in key Between multiple keys of dish, so on the one hand described tracing point may interfere with the use of the expectation to keyboard, i.e. word input, and the opposing party Face is the unexpected movement of inevitable described tracing point when inputting word.

The another kind of method solving described problem is the so-called trace ball of layout, described trace ball on keyboard or at keyboard It also is able to control computer mouse.Owing to the size of described trace ball, described trace ball is arranged in outside keypad, but, This has the disadvantages that user must make its hands leave described keypad and hands move to described trace ball to control cursor.Separately One shortcoming is: trace ball needs exceptional space on keyboard so that the size of whole keyboard tends to bigger.

The another kind of known method of described problem that solves is for providing extra input area (such as, to be close to numeral on keyboard Keypad), described input area is configured to touch-sensitive input area.On described touch-sensitive input area, mobile finger may result in light and is marked on screen Mobile.This concept also has the disadvantages that user must make its hands leave keyboard to perform input on the touch sensitive regions of keyboard. And, touch-sensitive input area needs exceptional space, thus causes keyboard bigger.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention

The present invention is to provide solution with without making hands leave the keypad of keyboard and avoid existing simultaneously based on problem Have in technology and control to select device (in particular for figure with input equipment (in particular as keyboard) in the case of known shortcoming The cursor of shape user interface).

Solution according to the present invention

According to the present invention, by capacitive sensor device, input equipment (in particular for have the electricity according to the present invention The keyboard of capacitive pick-up device) and for realizing according to the method for the input equipment of the present invention according to the operation of independent technique scheme This purpose.In corresponding attached technical scheme, relate to the advantageous embodiment of the present invention and develop further.

The present invention provides a kind of capacitive sensor device, comprising:

-at least one measures electrode,

-at least one ground electrode, and

-apparatus for evaluating, it couples with at least one measurement electrode described and is configured to detection at least one measurement described Capacitive couplings between the ground connection of electrode and described apparatus for evaluating,

At least one of which ground electrode can couple with the earth current of described apparatus for evaluating via switch, wherein can lead to Cross described apparatus for evaluating and change the switching state of described switch, and wherein said apparatus for evaluating is further adapted at described switch When switching state changes detection described at least one measure between electrode and ground connection of described apparatus for evaluating capacitively coupled Common mode variations.

Each ground electrode in some ground electrodes can couple with the earth current of described apparatus for evaluating via switch, Wherein said apparatus for evaluating can be further adapted for changing respectively the switching state of switch according to predefined procedure, and detects at least one survey Capacitively coupled common mode variations between amount electrode and the ground connection of described apparatus for evaluating.

The change of described switching state can include the disconnection of described switch.

Additionally, the present invention provides a kind of input equipment including shell and the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention (being keyboard in particular), at least one measurement electrode wherein said and at least one ground electrode described are relative according in the following manner At the described shell that is arranged at each other: during operating described input equipment with hands, they can at least partly be capped and/or touch Touch.

Described at least one measure electrode can form sensor region, described sensor region be configured to relative to Described sensor region moves at least one finger of hands and controls to select device (in particular for the light of graphical user interface Mark), wherein can activate described when at least one or more than one finger of described hands covers at least one ground electrode described Sensor region is with the movement of detection at least one finger described.

Described ground electrode can be arranged at described shell with isolation method.

At least one ground electrode described can include metal.

At least one ground electrode described may be arranged in the chamber of described shell.

At least one ground electrode described can include the first ground electrode and the second ground electrode, and described electrode is respectively arranged In the chamber of described shell and/or be arranged in mechanical keys.

At least one measurement electrode described may be arranged in the region of multiple keys of keyboard.

Additionally, the present invention provides a kind of method for operating input equipment (in particular for keyboard), wherein assess dress Put to measure at least one and tap sensor signal at electrode with detection at least one measurement electrode described and described apparatus for evaluating Ground connection between capacitive couplings, and wherein at least one ground electrode

-in switch step, take switch to second switching state from the first switching state, institute can be made via described switch State at least one ground electrode to couple with the earth current of described apparatus for evaluating,

-in testing procedure, it is described that described apparatus for evaluating checks that the change of the switching state of described switch has caused the most The common mode variations of sensor signal, and

Wherein, in changing step, the change in the switching state of described switch has caused being total to of described sensor signal In the case of moding, described sensor device is changed into the second operator scheme from the first operator scheme by described apparatus for evaluating.

Described first operator scheme can include that keyboard mode and described second operator scheme can include mouse mode.

The change of the switching state of described switch can perform with predetermined time interval.

Preferably, reach predetermined level once described sensor signal in the switching state changing described switch to change just The common mode variations of described sensor signal detected.

The each of at least one ground electrode described can be performed described switch step and described testing procedure.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Can exemplary in conjunction with the graphic further detail below finding the present invention in the following description and feature and the present invention Embodiment.Described figure shows:

Fig. 1 show for input equipment (being keyboard in particular) the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention etc. Effect circuit diagram；

Fig. 2 is illustrated in some sensor signals of tap time in time at the measurement electrode of capacitive sensor device Process；

Fig. 3 shows the one exemplary embodiment of the input equipment (keyboard in particular) according to the present invention；

Fig. 4 shows the cross section of the leading edge portion of keyboard, wherein arranges the electric capacity according to the present invention in the chamber of keyboard case Two ground electrodes of property sensor device；

Fig. 5 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, wherein arranges additional rollers between said two ground electrode；

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, wherein arranges generally in the region between said two ground electrode The roller of horizontal orientation；

Fig. 7 a, 7b each show the cross section of the leading edge portion of keyboard, wherein arrange ground electrode between two keys；And

Fig. 8 shows (have some sensor regions and some ground electrodes in particular according to the input equipment of the present invention Keyboard) another embodiment.

Detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1 shows the capacitive sensor according to the present invention for electric hand-held device (in particular for input equipment) The equivalent circuit diagram of device, described capacitive sensor device is for detection and described handheld apparatus or described input equipment Close.Described handheld apparatus includes the sensor region A formed by some sensor electrode SE (also referred to as measuring electrode). " sensor electrode " is the synonym being used as " measurement electrode " below.Can not touch or without touching described sensing at finger Determine that finger tip is relative to described by (such as) described sensor electrode SE in the case of device region A or described sensor electrode SE The position of sensor region A.Additionally, finger tip can be detected close to sensor region described in described sensor region A or Fingertip touch.

The sensor electrode of described sensor region and (such as) broad-area electrode can being configured to and may be arranged at institute State the emission electrode below sensor electrode (transmitter electrode) to couple with the apparatus for evaluating of capacitive sensor device.Described hands The shell G of held device or described input equipment preferably includes electrically non-conductive material.Described sensor electrode and described transmitting electricity Pole is arranged at described shell G.Described shell G may also comprise conductive material, wherein said sensor electrode and described transmitting electricity Pole is arranged at described shell G with isolation method.

Being disposed with at described handheld apparatus can be extra with what the apparatus for evaluating of described capacitive sensor device coupled Ground electrode E_M.Preferably, described ground electrode E_MCan at least partly cover by hands and/or by one or more finger with it Lid or the mode touched are arranged at described handheld apparatus or are arranged at described input equipment.Preferably, described ground connection electricity Pole E_MCan be launched or touch sensing above sensor region A by the thumb contact of hands and other finger or at least forefinger with it The mode of device region A is arranged at described handheld apparatus or is arranged at described input equipment.

Detecting sensor signal at the sensor electrode SE of sensor region A, described sensor signal is relative with finger tip Relevant in the position of sensor region A.

During the normal operating of described electric hand-held device or described capacitive sensor device, ground electrode E_MWith institute State the ground connection GND current coupling of capacitive sensor device.Ground electrode E_MCoupling with the ground connection GND of capacitive sensor device Conjunction can (such as) realize via the switch S of switching device.

By ground electrode E_M, during at sensor electrode SE, the signal of tap can detect the presumptive area of (such as) keyboard (i.e., wherein arrange ground electrode E_MRegion in) whether there is the thumb of the hands operating described keyboard.At (such as) thumb At ground electrode E_MTime upper, sensor region A can be switched to mouse mode from keyboard mode.

In described keyboard mode, as described in detail, ground electrode E whether it is placed on only about finger_MThe while of upper The fact that whether fingers/hand is simultaneously placed on sensor region analyze the signal of tap at sensor electrode SE.Work as institute Analysis display finger (such as, thumb) of the sensor signal during stating keyboard mode is located in ground electrode E_MTime upper, institute State capacitive sensor device or sensor region A can be switched to mouse mode from keyboard mode.

In described mouse mode, as long as a finger is placed on ground electrode E_MOn, described capacitive sensor device Or the apparatus for evaluating of described capacitive sensor device i.e. analyzes the shifting relative to sensor region A of the one or more finger Move or the position of one or more finger.When finger leaves ground electrode E_MTime, this is also examined by described apparatus for evaluating Survey so that described capacitive sensor device or sensor region A can be switched back to keyboard mode.

The finger detected in the mouse mode movement relative to sensor region A can be used to control or mobile figure The cursor of shape user interface.Therefore, this be first can operate the hands of described keyboard without leaving the keypad of keyboard in the case of By described hand control cursor, because making the thumb of (such as) manipulator rest on ground electrode E_MOn may result in sensor region A It is switched to mouse mode from keyboard mode.Preferably, ground electrode E_MHands on said keyboard can put without leaving with it It is arranged in by the mode of the thumb contact of described hands in the case of described keypad at the shell of described keyboard.

Measuring the sensor values detected at electrode SE or the sensor values measured in sensor device for measuring Electric capacity C between electrode SE and ground connection GND_SETolerance.

For disconnecting switch (S=0), by C given below_SE

$C_{\mathrm{SE}}(S=0)=C_{H1}\⊕\left(\right[C_{H2}\⊕\left(C_M\right|\left|C_S\right)\left]\right|\left|C_{H3}\right).$

For Guan Bi switch (S=1), by C given below_SE

$C_{\mathrm{SH}}(S=1)=C_{H1}\⊕\left(C_{H2}\right|\left|C_{H3}\right).$

C_H1、C_H2And C_H3For hands and measurement electrode SE, ground electrode E_MOr the electric capacity between ground connection GND.C_MAnd C_SFor ground connection Electrode E_MAnd the electric capacity between ground connection GND or the parasitic capacitance of switch S.Electric capacity C1 Yu C2 is connected in series referred to asAnd It is connected in parallel as referred to as C1 | | C2.

Ground electrode E_MCan via switch S the ground connection GND current coupling of apparatus for evaluating with capacitive sensor device, That is, ground electrode E_MCouple with the ground connection of capacitive sensor device in the case of switch S Guan Bi.The state of described switch S (such as) microcontroller of capacitive sensor device can be controlled by.Switch S also can be controlled by the microcontroller of input equipment, its In only switch the state of S and must be sent to the apparatus for evaluating of capacitive sensor device by the microcontroller of input equipment.

In the case of switching (disconnecting switch S or Guan Bi switch S), examine at the sensor electrode SE of sensor region A The common mode of the sensor signal measured changes.The degree that in the case of switching, common mode changes is substantially dependent on ground electrode E_MWith Touch the electric capacity C between the finger of described ground electrode_H2.Described switching also results at the sensor electrode of sensor region A The sensor signal detected or the sensing data measured at the sensor electrode of sensor region A are owing to modified Capacitance ratio and change.In keyboard mode, owing to finger and ground electrode E_MBetween supposition distance, corresponding electric capacity C_H2For Low, and the change of the switching state that this is switch S only on detection sensor signal generation subtle effects or do not produce impact Reason.

If ground electrode E_MOn there is not finger, then common mode variations only to detected sensor signal produce trickle shadow Ring or can't detect described common mode variations.In this case, it may be assumed that after the handover, ground electrode E_MOn there is not finger. Then, can continue to operate sensor region A or capacitive sensor device in keyboard mode.

Hands H is via coupling electric capacity C_H1And C_H3And with at least one sensor electrode SE of sensor region A or and capacitive character The ground connection GND coupling of sensor device.Ground electrode E_MVia coupling electric capacity C_MAnd C_SAnd with the ground connection of capacitive sensor device Coupling.When thumb is placed in above, it is assumed that coupling electric capacity C_MAnd C_SRelative to coupling electric capacity C_H2For low.

Such as, the thumb making the hands of operation keyboard rests on ground electrode E_MOn cause couple electric capacity C_H2Increase.Switch S cuts Change and cause the capacitive couplings between described hands and the ground connection of capacitive sensor device to change, and therefore also result in measurement electrode Capacitive couplings between SE and the ground connection of sensor device changes, thus causes the sensor of tap at sensor electrode SE The common mode variations of signal.

When finger is placed on ground electrode E_MTime upper, described common mode variations produces considerably more intense impact to sensor signal, makes Must sensor signal occur in the case of the predetermined variation that level is △ P when as switching switch S, it may be assumed that ground electrode E_MQuilt Finger touches.Such as, the disconnection of switch causes the capacitive couplings between described hands and the ground connection of capacitive sensor device to subtract Little, and the most also cause the capacitive couplings measuring between electrode SE and the ground connection of sensor device to reduce, thus cause common mode Change, i.e. cause the level of the sensor signal of tap at sensor electrode SE to reduce.

Disposed outside ground electrode E at shell G_MBe conducive to maximizing finger during the switching of switch S and be placed on ground connection Electrode E_MCommon mode variations in the case of on so that (such as) thumb is rested on ground electrode E_MOn at ground electrode E_MWith described Current coupling is produced between thumb.

Capacitive sensor device according to the present invention is advantageous particularly, because without for extra ground electrode E_MThere is provided extra Similar front end, this is because ground electrode E_MOnly apparatus for evaluating with capacitive sensor device must couple via switch, i.e. Ground electrode E_MMust couple with the earth current of capacitive sensor device.

Can perform at a regular interval for ground electrode E_MOn whether there is the test of finger.For example, it is possible to about The time interval of 200 milliseconds performs described test.It is of course also possible to much shorter or much longer time interval test ground electrode The existence of upper finger, described time interval ultimately depends on the particular requirement to input equipment.When this test detects sensor During the common mode variations of signal, it may be assumed that finger is in ground electrode E_MOn so that capacitive sensor device can be from keyboard mode It is switched to mouse mode.

Fig. 2 provide 5 sensor signals of tap at the sensor electrode of each comfortable contact area A time dependent enter The example of journey.Hands is in the region of sensor electrode SE, and its middle finger is placed on ground electrode E_MGo up or touch ground electrode E_M。

In the case of sample 180,620,1140 and 1520, the disconnection of switch S causes capacitive sensor device ground connection Electrode E_MIt is temporarily separated with the ground connection of capacitive sensor device, thus causes common mode variations, i.e. cause the electricity of sensor signal Flat decline.Detected common mode variations or detected sensor signal level decline be used as activating sensor device or The event of sensor region switching from keyboard mode to mouse mode.Example as an alternative, switch S also can be in the normal operation period Close and disconnect with predetermined time interval so that resting on sensor region and the ground electrode E of finger touch simultaneously at hands_MFeelings There is essentially signal process in condition, described signal process is contrary with the signal process shown in Fig. 2.

Additionally, may be assumed that and only reach predetermined level change (△ when changing the switching state of switch (S) in sensor signal P) just there is the switching from keyboard mode to mouse mode time.This mode ensure that and is not enough to switching operation modes but still causes electricity Flat change to ground electrode E_MClose to being not result in the switching from keyboard mode to mouse mode.This mode also assures that electric capacity Abundance, this represents that hands/finger is sufficiently close to sensor region, because otherwise common mode variations will be little.This contributes to Effect avoids erroneous activation.

And, it will be assumed that for predetermined number signal level, it is necessary to detect predetermined level change △ P with Activate the switching from keyboard mode to mouse mode.Such as, it will be assumed that must be about at least two sensor signal detection to right Level is answered to change.In another alternative, it will be assumed that at least average level change △ P of all the sensors signal must be detected To cause the change of operator scheme.

It may be advantageous that until detect that in predetermined period at least the change of predetermined number level just changes operation mould Formula is to avoid erroneous activation as far as possible, such as, at finger by mistake close to ground electrode E_MIn the case of.Such as, it will be assumed that Such as in the predetermined period of 200 milliseconds, it is necessary at least three level change of the △ P order of magnitude detected.

Fig. 3 schematically shows the keyboard according to the present invention.Outside described keyboard includes preferably being manufactured by electrically non-conductive material Shell G.It is disposed with some keys, it is provided that described key is intended to use described keyboard wittingly in the upside of described keyboard.Under described key Presence sensor region A, described sensor region A are formed by some sensor electrode SE (not shown here) in side.Ground electrode E_MIn being arranged at front side wall or in forefoot area, being preferably arranged in the region of so-called " space bar " TS.

Sensor electrode or sensor region A and ground electrode E_MFor being arranged at keyboard according in the following manner: rest at hands In the case of on keyboard, thumb tangible ground electrode E_MAnd at least finger (such as forefinger) in residue finger can simultaneously The movement on surface relative to described keyboard is performed in the region of sensor region A.When thumb rests on ground electrode E_MTime upper, Capacitive sensor device or sensor region A are in mouse mode so that by measurement electrode or sensor electrode SE Detection (such as) forefinger is relative to the movement on the surface of keyboard, and described movement can be converted into the mouse of graphical user interface Corresponding mobile.Detection finger is relative to the movement of surface of keyboard without being in contact.This means that (such as) user only must Its forefinger above key must be moved on in the region of sensor region A, to cause the corresponding mobile of mouse.To this without touching The key of described keyboard.

The specific advantages of the present invention is: only one finger (such as thumb) must rest on ground electrode E_MOn with by keyboard from Keyboard mode is switched to mouse mode, and wherein hands is without leaving described keyboard.Another advantage is: be used for without providing at keyboard The predefined bond of mouse mode it is switched to from keyboard mode.Mode according to this, can collect according to the capacitive sensor device of the present invention Become in already present keyboard, and without changing the layout of described keyboard.Another advantage is for on the one hand by described keyboard Switch to mouse mode from keyboard mode and on the other hand control light target to keyboard according to the movement of finger mouse mode Intuitive operation.

Fig. 4 shows the cross section of the keyboard in the region of space bar TS according to the present invention, and described space bar TS is arranged in keyboard Key T bottom row in.In the region in space bar TS front, the shell G of described keyboard includes the chamber of edge part office, First ground electrode E in described chamber_M1And the second ground electrode E_M2Located adjacent one another and arrange.Described ground electrode E_M1、E_M2Can arrange At the inner face of the surface of shell G or shell G.Ground electrode E_M1、E_M2Also can embed in described shell.

Described chamber configures according in the following manner: the thumb resting on the hands on keyboard seeks sky to meet ergonomics advantageous manner Between.Two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2All can couple via switch ground connection with the apparatus for evaluating of capacitive sensor device respectively.

By changing the first ground electrode E subsequently_M1The switching state of switch and the second ground electrode E_M2The cutting of switch Change state and measuring the common mode variations of the signal of tap at electrode SE by analyzing, it may be determined that thumb is placed on said two and connects In ground electrode on which ground electrode or determine whether described thumb touches described both ground electrodes.When described thumb rests on Said two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2In one on time, capacitive sensor device or sensor region A are brought to mouse mould In formula.Depend on that described thumb rests on said two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2In on which electrode, measuring electrode SE punishment The signal connect can be interpreted by difference.

Alternate embodiment according to the keyboard such as the present invention, it is possible to two mechanical keys of layout in described chamber, described two Individual mechanical keys includes ground electrode E the most in its surface_M1、E_M2.Described mechanical keys can each serve as mouse button.This has Advantages below: on the one hand, rests on the mouse mode that can activate keyboard in the one in said two mechanical keys, and another by thumb Aspect, can be without making thumb or hands be performed by the one pressing in said two mechanical keys in the case of leaving described keyboard Input.Mode according to this, only with rest on a hands on keyboard can realize graphical user interface (such as) light target control with And the confirmation that the graphic operation that (such as) is to selecting by described cursor controls.

Another advantage is: presses the mouse button in described chamber when hands the most correspondingly rests on keyboard and only results in sharp Correspondence of living event, because the common mode disturbances of sensor signal needs sufficient electric capacity C_H1。

Said two ground electrode E is touched for detection_M1、E_M2In which ground electrode or described both ground electrodes The most all by thumb contact, it will be assumed that (such as) initial, each make that described ground electrode couples with the ground connection of apparatus for evaluating two Individual switch Guan Bi.It is then turned off switch and analyzes respectively at sensor electrode with predefined procedure simultaneously or measure tap at electrode Signal.When to when at described measurement electrode, the electrical signal detection of tap is to common mode variations, it may be assumed that thumb is merely resting on described On the current ground electrode for disconnecting of switch.Example as an alternative, initially can disconnect all switches and then with predefined procedure difference Close all switches.When measuring the common mode change of the signal of telecommunication of tap at electrode, it may be assumed that thumb rests on the ground connection electricity of correspondence Extremely go up.

Fig. 5 shows the cross section of the keyboard shown in Fig. 4, wherein at said two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2Between arrange roller SW.Described roller can provide and additionally input function.Such as, described roller SW may be used to realization and scrolls through screen content.Because Described roller is arranged in said two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2Between, so may be assumed that described roller is only when hands rests on keyboard Activate.Therefore, the unexpected input via described roller can be avoided when hands is not put on said keyboard.

Fig. 6 shows the cross section of the keyboard shown in Fig. 4, wherein at said two ground electrode E_M1、E_M2Between arrange substantially The roller of upper horizontal orientation.This roller SW may also provide and additionally inputs possibility.According to a particular embodiment of the invention, also can only carry For generally horizontally oriented this roller SW to promote that thumb (such as) is from left side ground electrode E_M1To right side ground electrode E_M2Move Dynamic, or give sense of touch feedback when described thumb moves to another ground electrode from a ground electrode to user so that user Understand which ground electrode thumb is currently placed on.

Fig. 7 a and 7b each shows the alternate embodiment in the cross section of the keyboard in space bar TS front.In figure 7 a, in chamber Middle layout ground electrode E_M.And, the left and right sides at described ground electrode arranges such as mouse button T respectively₁And T₂Machinery Key.As the sufficiently close together described ground electrode E of thumb_MTime (that is, when to measuring at electrode the electrical signal detection of tap to abundance common mode During change), (such as) these mouse buttons T can be activated₁、T₂。

According to Fig. 7 b, in the way of identical with according to Fig. 7 a, at keyboard, arrange ground electrode E_MAnd said two mouse presses Button T₁、T₂, this cross section of wherein said keyboard does not provides any chamber.

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the input equipment (being keyboard in particular) according to the present invention.Described keyboard includes Some key T arranged routinely.If the end face at described keyboard case G provides each via dry measure electrode not shown here Two sensor region A that SE is formed₁、A₂.Additionally, arrange some ground electrode E at shell G_M1To E_M5, wherein said ground connection Electrode E_M1To E_M4It is arranged in the edge part office of described keyboard and described ground electrode E_M5It is arranged at the end face of described shell.

This of ground electrode is arranged and can be indicated some position about hands for user so that mouse can be more readily detected Input in pattern.Such as, the ground electrode E at the left side of shell_M4Layout force the left hand of user to be stayed at described shell And only with the movement of right hand execution mouse, cause more clearly detecting described movement.Equally, ground electrode E_M5May be arranged at described At the right side of shell so that the right hand of user is stayed at described shell and performs the movement of mouse with left hand.Two can be implemented replace For example to realize preferably disposing, in order to the left hand realizing described device uses and right hand use.

Arrange that in the side of keyboard conventional mice button additionally aids realization and operates these mouses by not moving light target hands Button.Mode according to this, this hands is sufficiently apart from active region and will not undesirably make sensor signal distortion.

Ground electrode E in the middle of before shell_M1By promoting user, the thumb of hands is stayed ground electrode E_M1Place also uses institute The residue finger stating hands performs the movement of mouse.This helps avoid and rests on ground electrode E_M1On thumb undesirably make for Purpose that cursor controls and the sensor signal distortion of AC field measured, thus cause robustness and accuracy of detection to increase. Then another hands can be used for holding described device, and this is particularly conducive to the midget plant of such as net book.

Some sensor region A are provided₁、A₂And some ground electrode E_M1To E_M5Make to provide the most multiple difference in functionality. As it has been described above, such as, with thumb contact ground electrode E_M1And simultaneously at sensor region A₁The mobile forefinger in top may result in cursor Mobile.With thumb contact ground electrode E_M3And simultaneously relative to sensor region A₂Mobile (such as) forefinger (such as) can cause screen On curtain, the screen content of display moves according to the movement of forefinger.

Keyboard shown in before can (such as) be the keyboard that may be connected to electronic data processing equipment.But, described keyboard It is alternatively the keyboard of the portable computer of such as notebook.

Additionally, the capacitive sensor device according to the present invention or the input equipment according to the present invention have the advantage that Need not additionally receive electronic installation, because the most extra electrode (ground electrode) must be connected to described capacitive character via switch The already present reception electronic installation of sensor device.

Ground electrode can include metal and can be arranged in the outside of shell G according in the following manner: when user changes from keyboard mode When becoming mouse mode, user is provided extra sense of touch to feed back by the touch of ground electrode.

Claims (18)

1. a capacitive sensor device, comprising:

At least one measures electrode,

At least one ground electrode, it is configured to directly be touched by the hands of user at least in part, and

Capacitive sensor, it couples with at least one measurement electrode described, and is configured to according to from least one survey described The measurements sensor signal that amount electrode receives determine described at least one measure electrode and described capacitive sensor ground connection it Between capacitive couplings,

At least one of which ground electrode by switch with the direct electric coupling of described ground connection of described capacitive sensor, wherein Described capacitive sensor device is configured to change the switching state of described switch, and

Wherein said capacitive sensor be further adapted for described switch described switching state change with by described ground connection with When direct electric coupling between at least one ground electrode described separates, detect the phase received from least one measurement electrode described Level for the described measurement sensor signal of ground connection declines, and wherein said level declines to be opened described in response to described user Touch described ground electrode during described change in the switching state closed and produce.

Capacitive sensor device the most according to claim 1, it includes multiple ground electrode, each of which ground electrode Through operation with the described ground connection electric coupling with described capacitive sensor via described switch, and wherein said capacitive sensor Device is further adapted for changing respectively the described switching state of described switch with predefined procedure, and detection is from least one measurement described The level of the described measurement sensor signal that electrode receives declines.

Capacitive sensor device the most according to claim 1, at least one measurement electrode wherein said is configured to inspection Survey the relative position of the finger not touched.

4. an input equipment, described input equipment includes shell and capacitive sensor device, and described capacitive sensor fills Put and include:

At least one measures electrode,

At least one ground electrode, it is interior directly to be touched by the hands of user at least in part that it is arranged in described shell, and

Capacitive sensor, it couples with at least one measurement electrode described, and is configured determine at least one measurement described Capacitive couplings between the ground connection of electrode and described capacitive sensor,

At least one of which ground electrode via switch with the direct electric coupling of described ground connection of described capacitive sensor, wherein Described capacitive sensor device is configured to change the switching state of described switch, and

Wherein said capacitive sensor device is further adapted for changing in the described switching state of described switch to connect described When direct electric coupling between ground and at least one ground electrode described separates, detect and receive from least one measurement electrode described The level of described measurement sensor signal decline, wherein said at least one measure electrode and at least one ground electrode described Being arranged in described shell and sentence the relative position of the finger that detection does not touches, the decline of wherein said level exists in response to described user Touch described ground electrode during described change in the switching state of described switch and produce.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, its multiple measurement electrodes being included in sensor region, described sensing Device region is configured to move at least finger of described hands to control graphical user relative to described sensor region Interface, and wherein activate described sensing when covering at least one ground electrode described by least another root finger of described hands Device region is with the described movement of at least finger described in detection.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, wherein said ground electrode is arranged at described shell with isolation method.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, at least one ground electrode wherein said includes metal.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, at least one ground electrode arrangement wherein said is in the chamber of described shell In.

Input equipment the most according to claim 8, at least one ground electrode wherein said include the first ground electrode and Second ground electrode, it is arranged in the described chamber of described shell and/or it is arranged in mechanical keys.

Input equipment the most according to claim 4, at least one measurement electrode wherein said is arranged in the district of the key of keyboard In territory.

11. input equipment according to claim 4, wherein said input equipment is keyboard.

12. input equipment according to claim 4, it includes multiple ground electrode, in wherein said multiple ground electrodes Each ground electrode through operation with the described ground connection electric coupling via described switch Yu described capacitive sensor, and wherein Described capacitive sensor is further adapted for changing respectively the described switching state of described switch with predefined procedure, and detection is from institute State at least one level measuring the described measurement sensor signal that electrode receives to decline.

13. input equipment according to claim 4, wherein said at least one measure electrode and be configured to detect and do not touch The relative position of finger.

14. 1 kinds are used for the method operating input equipment, and it comprises the following steps:

Measure electrode from least one and receive sensor signal to determine at least one measurement electrode described and described input equipment Ground connection between capacitive couplings, and

Thering is provided at least one ground electrode, it is configured to directly be touched by the hands of user at least in part；

The directly described ground connection of electrical connection at least one ground electrode described and described input equipment, measure from described at least one Measure the described sensor signal of electrode；

Disconnect described being directly connected between at least one ground electrode and the described ground connection of described input equipment, and measure from institute State at least one described sensor signal measuring electrode；

When the described ground connection of at least one ground electrode described with described input equipment disconnects, determine that described measurement sensor is believed Number level decline；And

Change the operator scheme of described input equipment when predetermined level declines and has been detected, wherein said level declines response During the described user described change in the switching state of described switch, touch described ground electrode and produce.

15. methods according to claim 14, wherein the first operator scheme includes keyboard mode and the second operator scheme bag Include mouse mode.

16. methods according to claim 14, wherein perform the institute of the switching state of described switch with predetermined time interval State change.

17. methods according to claim 14, wherein provide multiple ground electrode and in the plurality of ground electrode Each performs connection, disconnects and determine the described step that level declines.

18. methods according to claim 14, wherein said input equipment is keyboard.