JP2002215314A - Matrix-type input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a matrix-type input device capable of easily detecting a position pressed to a touch panel, in a short time. SOLUTION: This matrix-type input device comprises column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc., composed of first rectangular pieces insulated from each other, row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, etc., composed of second rectangular pieces insulated from the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc., while intersecting with the same, a panel-shaped switch part 20 having touch keys 22 electrically connecting the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc., to the row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, etc., by pressing the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc., an image display part 12 oppositely abutted on the switch part 20, and capable of displaying an image such as characters, a voltage applying means for successively applying the voltage at least for every other column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc, arranged in parallel in a thinning-out state, and a detecting means for specifying the pressed touch keys of the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, etc., and the row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a matrix type input device which has been frequently used as an input device in recent years.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A matrix type input device is provided with a touch panel having a large number of touch keys on the surface of a display such as a CRT, and detects a touch key pressed by a finger or a pen. The touch key is formed in a strip shape, and insulates a column conductive sheet in a column direction composed of a number of pieces and a row conductive sheet in a similar row direction, and is bonded so as to be orthogonal to each other. When the touch key is depressed, the touched key pressed by the contact between the pressed column conductive sheet and row conductive sheet is detected.

The time Te (s) required to specify that the touch key of the matrix-type input device configured as described above is pressed is determined by performing a scanning operation for sequentially applying a voltage to a large number of column conductive sheets. This is to detect that the voltage values of all the row conductive sheets change while the voltage is applied to each column conductive sheet, and can be expressed by the following equation. Te = Li · t _on · n (1) where Li: number of column conductive sheets t _on : time for applying voltage to one conductive sheet (s) n: voltage considering malfunction due to noise Further, since the detection time varies depending on the position of the pressed touch key, the average detection time T _ave is equal to the minimum detection time T
_min and the maximum detection time T _max are as follows. T _ave = (T _min + T _max ) / 2 (2) Here, for example, the touch panel has a relatively small size of 25 rows ×
The number Li of the column conductive sheets is 25 for 30 rows, and the above-mentioned t is considered in consideration of the stray capacitance of the line of the conductive sheets.
_{On is set} to 200 μs, and the number of repetitions n is set to 5 experimentally. The minimum detection time T _min is the time when the pressed touch key 2
If 2 is the conductive sheet in the first row, then T _min = Li · t _on · 4 + t _on ··· (3), but the detection time is Li · t _on (for one repetition) ≫t _On (one row), if the number of repetitions n is 4, the above equation (3) becomes the following equation. T _min = Li · t _on · 4 (4) On the other hand, the maximum detection time T _max is equal to the pressed touch key 2
If 2 is the last row of conductive sheets, the following equation is obtained. T _max = Li · t _on · 5 (5) Therefore, the average detection time T _ave is calculated according to the above (2),
The following are obtained from (4) and (5). T _ave = 25 × 200 μs × (4 + 5) / 2 = 22.
5ms

[0004]

However, if an average detection time of 22.5 ms is required to specify a touch key, the operator may sometimes feel so-called frustrated, and furthermore, the touch key may be touched by a finger. If the finger is immediately released from the touch key after being pressed, there is a problem that the pressed touch key may not be accurately detected.

To solve this problem, conventional means for increasing the processing speed of the arithmetic unit can be considered. However, it takes time for the detection voltage to rise due to stray capacitance of a conductive sheet or the like. It cannot be faster than a predetermined value. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-63720 is a prior art. According to the publication, a display control means for allocating and displaying characters and the like on a touch panel is provided, and only the column-direction and row-direction conductive sheets relating to only the characters and the like displayed by the display control means are scanned by the scanning control means. Some scan in order to reduce the detection time.

However, position information of characters and the like displayed by the display control means is stored in advance, and the row and column directions of the conductive sheet are scanned based on the stored information. If there are many characters and the like displayed on the touch panel, the control becomes more complicated. In addition, if characters or the like on the touch panel are to be changed in accordance with the use situation, not only the display control means but also the scanning control means must be changed, which is troublesome. Furthermore, if the area where characters and the like are displayed becomes larger than the total display area of the screen, the entire screen must be scanned, so that there is a problem that the detection time of the touch keys does not decrease so much.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a matrix-type input device which can easily detect a position pressed by a touch panel in a short time.

[0008]

The matrix-type input device according to the first invention has a large number of first pieces formed in a strip shape, and the first pieces are insulated from each other. A sheet-like first conductor composed of the first pieces and a number of second pieces are formed in a strip shape, and the second pieces are insulated and juxtaposed. As well as
A sheet-like second conductor made of the second piece intersected with and insulated from the first conductor, and the first conductor by pressing the first or second conductor And the second conductor has a large number of touch keys that are in electrical contact with each other, and the touch keys are in close contact with the panel-shaped switch portion formed in a matrix, facing the switch portion, An image display unit capable of displaying an image such as a character and the first or second conductor are thinned out at least every other one from the order in which the first and second conductors are juxtaposed to apply the first or second voltage.
Means for applying voltage to the conductor, and the touch key pressed from among a large number of the touch keys by electrically connecting the first conductor and the second conductor. And a detecting means. According to such a matrix type input device, the voltage applied to the first conductor in the column direction by the voltage applying means is one.
Since the voltage applied to the second conductor in the row direction is applied every other row or a plurality of rows, the detection time of the touch key pressed by a simple configuration can be shortened. There is an effect that can be.

A matrix-type input device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the matrix-type input device according to the first aspect, wherein the touch key is sized to be pressed at least three times consecutively with a finger, and Alternatively, the order in which the second conductors are juxtaposed is such that a voltage is applied to the odd-numbered or even-numbered first or second conductors at each cycle, and the second conductor is arranged at the end of the cycle. Counting means for counting the number of times a voltage is applied to the first or second conductor by the voltage applying means;
When the voltage is applied by thinning out the first or second conductors whose odd number or even number of the conductors are arranged in parallel and the count of the number of times of the counting means is added once, The odd-numbered or even-numbered first
Alternatively, the first conductor is applied by applying a voltage to the second conductor.
Or, voltage application control means for applying a voltage to all of the second conductor, and when the touch keys specified by the detection means are continuous in at least two columns or two rows, two touch keys Fake control means for determining that the touched key is depressed. According to such a matrix-type input device, for example, in order to prevent malfunction due to noise, in the case where the electrical conduction is detected by pressing the touch key a plurality of times, if the number of the first conductor is N, The first conductor at the end of one cycle is the Nth or N−1th conductor, and has counting means for counting the number of times a voltage has been applied to the last first conductor. The voltage applying means applies a voltage by thinning out the odd numbered first conductors in the order in which the first conductors are arranged side by side;
When the count of the counting means is added once, the voltage is applied to all of the first conductors by applying a voltage to the odd-numbered first conductors by the voltage applying means. Further, when the touch keys are pressed at least three times in succession by the finger, the touch keys specified by the detection means are continuous in two rows, so that the touch key sandwiched between the two touch keys by the fake control means It is regarded as being pressed. Therefore, the time for sequentially applying a voltage to the first conductor is reduced,
There is an effect that the detection time for specifying that the touch key has been pressed can be reduced.

In a matrix type input device according to a third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of first pieces are formed in a strip shape, and the first pieces are insulated and juxtaposed. A sheet-like first conductor made of pieces, and a large number of second pieces are formed in a strip shape, and the second pieces are insulated and juxtaposed, and the first conductor is formed. A sheet-like second conductor made of the second piece insulated and intersected with the first conductor and the first conductor and the second conductor by pressing the first or second conductor. It has a large number of touch keys that are in electrical contact with the body, and the touch keys are in close contact with a panel-shaped switch portion formed in a matrix, facing the switch portion, and display images such as characters. An image display section that can be pressed, and a continuation key Storage means for storing position information of the continuation key, and the same for determining whether the touch key specified by the detection means and the continuation key stored in the storage means are the same. Sex determination means, continuation detection means for detecting that the continuation key has been pressed for a predetermined time, and identities determined to be the same by the identity determination means, and detection of pressing for a predetermined time by the continuation detection means In such a case, a continuation key fake means is provided for determining that the continuation key is pressed by pressing the touch key next to the continuation key. According to such a matrix-type input device, the continuation key that has been continuously pressed is set in the preset continuation key area. Since it is assumed that the key is pressed, there is an effect that execution of the continuation key is not canceled due to finger shake or the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the matrix type input device according to the first or second aspect, the touch key has a continuation key that can be pressed for a predetermined time, and stores the position information of the continuation key. Means, identity determination means for determining whether the touch key specified by the detection means and the continuation key stored in the storage means are the same, and detecting that the continuation key has been pressed for a predetermined time. The continuation detecting means and the identity determining means determine that the touch is the same, and when the continuation detecting means detects that the touch key is pressed for a predetermined time, the touch key next to the continuation key is pressed. Continuation key fake means for determining that the continuation key is pressed. According to such a matrix input device,
In addition to the effects of the first or second invention, the effects of the third invention are exhibited.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire matrix type input device according to an embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a switch unit and an image display unit in the matrix type input device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a matrix of FIG. It is a perspective view showing the column conductive sheet and the row conductive sheet of the switch part in a type input device.

1 to 3, a matrix type input device 1 has a rectangular panel shape and can display images such as characters, and has a large number of touch keys 22 arranged in a matrix. One for example 3
The touch panel 10 includes a touch panel 10 having a square shape of mm × 3 mm, and a control unit 30 for detecting the position of the touch key 22 pressed and displaying characters on the touch panel 10. Here, when the touch keys 22 are pressed with a finger, at least three consecutive rows of the touch keys 22 are pressed.

The touch panel 10 is attached to an image display unit 12 composed of a liquid crystal display for displaying images such as characters, and is superposed on the surface of the image display unit 12.
A switch unit 20 having a large number of touch keys 22.

The switch section 20 is formed of a transparent sheet-like strip-shaped first piece having electrical conductivity, and is composed of an odd number of a plurality of first pieces insulated from each other. Column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, C as first conductors
i... Ni and row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, C as second conductors composed of a large number of second pieces like the first pieces
j ... Nj and column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci ...
Row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, C
j ... Nj and a large number of touch keys 22 formed in a matrix. Touch key 22
In the normal state, the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci
.. Ni and the row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, Cj... Nj are electrically open, and a part of the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci. Then, a large number of switches are formed by making electrical contact with a part of the row conductive sheets Aj, Bj, Cj,.

The matrix-type input device 1 includes an image display unit 12 and a switch unit 20.
When the touch key 22 such as a character displayed in is pressed,
For example, the control unit 30 detects that a voltage is applied to the corresponding column conductive sheet Ci for a predetermined time and the column conductive sheet Ci and the row conductive sheet Cj come into contact with each other and becomes electrically conductive. It is specified that the touch key 22 in the column direction Ci and the row direction Cj from 22 is pressed.

The control unit 30 includes a well-known CPU 31 and a CP.
Well-known RAM and ROM in which operation commands of U31 are stored
, An output interface for applying a voltage to the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci... Ni of the switch section 20 (hereinafter, the interface is referred to as an I / F), and each row conductive section of the switch section 20. Sheet Aj, B
j, Cj... Nj for reading the voltage applied to each of the row conductive sheets Aj, Bj,
Cj... Nj are grounded via resistors Ra, Rb, Rc... Rn (not shown), and resistors Ra, Rb,
One end of Rc... Rn (not shown) is a knot gate G
a, Gb, Gc... Gn (not shown)
/ F37.

The operation of the matrix type input device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the matrix type input device, and FIG.
5 is a time chart showing the operation of the matrix input device.

Now, if it is assumed that the touch keys 22 in the column directions Ci to Ei and the row directions Cj to Ej are pressed with a finger after the start switch (not shown) is pressed, the CPU 31 outputs the output I / F 35. Column conductive sheet Ai, Bi, Ci ...
A predetermined column conductive sheet Bi (A
i), Di (Ci)... are thinned out, and a voltage is sequentially applied (high voltage). It is determined whether or not the number of rounds is an odd number (step S101).
Odd-numbered column conductive sheets Ai, Ci... N from F35
i is sequentially applied with a square wave voltage of 200 μs (step S
103), when a voltage is applied to each column conductive sheet Ai, Ci... Ni, the voltage applied to the resistors Rc and Re changes from low to high, and as shown in FIG. Is read from the input I / F 37, and the rows Ci and Ej and the columns Cj and Ej on which the touch keys 22 are pressed are specified (step S105). On the other hand, if it is an even number in step S101, the CPU 31 applies a square wave voltage of 200 μs to the even-numbered column conductive sheets Bi, Di... (N−1) i in order from the output I / F 35 (step S104). , N when a voltage is applied to each column conductive sheet Bi, Di... (N-1) i.
j is read from the input I / F 37 (step S
105).

If an odd-numbered row voltage is applied, the CPU 31 determines whether it is the last row conductive sheet Ni. If an even-numbered row voltage is applied, the CPU 31 determines whether it is the last row conductive sheet (N-1) i (step S107). If it is the last column conductive sheet, it is determined whether there are two continuous column conductive sheets pressed on the same row (step S109), and there are two continuous column conductive sheets Ci and Ei. The touch key 22 corresponding to the column conductive sheet Di sandwiched between the column conductive sheets Ci and Ei is also regarded as being pressed and stored in the storage unit 33 (step S111). In step S107, if it is not the last row conductive sheet, steps S101 and S1 are executed.
03, S104, and S105 are executed. Also, in step S109, when two column conductive sheets are not continuous, step S111 is skipped and the next step S1 is executed.
Step 13 is executed.

Next, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the number of rounds is one (step S113). If it is not the first round, the pressed touch key 22 is compared with the current time and the previous time stored in the storage unit 33. Are determined to be the same (step S11).
5) If they are the same, the number of times is added once and counted.
It is determined whether the count value is five (step S11).
9) The process ends when the number of times reaches five. Step S113
In the case of the first time, the CPU 31 increments the number of times by one and counts it, and determines whether or not the count value is five (step S119). If the count has not reached five, the steps S101 and S103 are performed. ~ S105, S107, S
Steps S109, S111 and S113 are executed.

On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S115 is not the same, the number of rounds is cleared (step S117). Also, in step S119,
If the number of times has not reached 5, the aforementioned steps S101 and S10
3 to S105, S107, S109, S111, S11
Steps S115 and S117 are executed. In addition, 5 times is the number of repetitions of voltage application considering malfunction due to noise.
It is determined experimentally.

According to such an embodiment, after applying a voltage to the odd-numbered column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci... Ni to make a round, the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci.
When a voltage is applied to the even number of Ni and the touch keys 22 specified by the detecting means are continuous in at least two rows, it is considered that the touch key 22 sandwiched between the two touch keys 22 is pressed. Therefore, the detection time of pressing the touch key 22 can be reduced as compared with the related art, and the touch key 22 that has been pressed can be detected accurately.

In the above embodiment, the number of times of applying a voltage to the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci... Ni [the last column conductive sheet Ni or (N−1) i] is odd or even. The odd-numbered rows and even-numbered rows of the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci... Are selected depending on the above, but voltages may be sequentially applied by selecting only the odd-numbered rows or even-numbered rows. This is because, for example, the switch unit 20 is formed by a large number of touch keys 22 each having a size of 3 mm × 3 mm, and when the touch keys 22 are pressed with a finger, the pressing is over three or more rows of the touch keys 22. This is because the pressing of the touch key 22 can be detected even if the conductive sheets Ai, Bi, Ci,.

Embodiment 2 Another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an image display unit of a matrix type input device according to another embodiment. In an application in which the touch key 22 in a predetermined area is continuously pressed, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, when the inching key 22a on which “inching” is displayed is pressed with a finger, the finger is shaken, There is a case where the user moves out of the area of the inching key 22a. As a conventional technique for simulating that the inching key 22a is effectively pressed even when the finger is shaken, the touch key 22 is continuously pressed as long as the touch key 22 is present even when the finger is released from the inching key 22a. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the touch key 22z is pressed by continuously pressing and moving (dotted line) with a finger as shown in FIG. However, the pressing of the jog key 22a continues to move and the speed key 22
If the user presses the speed key 22b, the user may press the speed key 22a, causing a setting error. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to specify that the speed key 22b is pressed by the above-described usage, and furthermore, even if the finger pressing the inching key 22a is shaken to move out of the area of the inching key 22a, It is assumed that the touch key 22 called the moving key 22a is pressed.

In FIGS. 1 and 6, the matrix type input device 1 specifies the position of the jog key 22a as a continuation key of the display unit, for example, by using two columns Ci and Di and two rows Cj and Dj. Information on the specified key switch 22 is stored in the storage unit 33 in advance.

The operation of the matrix type input device configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the matrix type input device shown in FIG. Now, when a start switch (not shown) is pressed, the character "Jog" is displayed on the touch panel 10, and the jog key 22a is pressed with a finger, and
31 applies a square wave voltage from the output I / F 35 to the odd-numbered column conductive sheets Ai, Ci... And applies a row voltage to each column conductive sheet Ai, Ci. Aj, Bj, Cj... Nj input voltage values I
/ F37, it is detected that the inching key 22a is pressed due to the voltage of the row conductive sheets Cj, Dj going from high to low (step S201), and the storage unit 3
It is determined whether the information of the jogging key 22a stored in No. 3 is the same as the pressed jogging key 22a (step S203).

Since the inching key 22a is pressed, the CPU 31 determines that they are the same, and further determines whether or not the inching key 22a has been pressed for a predetermined time (step S20).
5), if pressed for a predetermined time, the peripheral touch keys 23 corresponding to the conductive sheet in the row or column next to the inching key 22a
Is pressed, it is considered that the inching key 22a is pressed (step S207).

As described above, if the inching key 22a is kept pressed by the finger, the finger is shaken, the area outside the inching key 22a is pressed, and the peripheral touch key 23 is pressed.
Since it is assumed that a has been pressed, it is possible to obtain the jogging key 22a that is not easily affected by camera shake. In the first and second embodiments, the column conductive sheets Ai, Bi, C
i... and a row conductive sheet Aj, Bj, C
The touch keys 22 pressed to read the voltage values of j... are specified.
j, Cj... to apply a voltage to the column conductive sheets Ai, B
The voltage values of i, Ci... may be read.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an entire matrix type input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a touch key and an image display unit in the matrix input device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a column conductive sheet and a row conductive sheet of touch keys in the matrix type input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of the matrix type input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing an operation of the matrix type input device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an image display unit of a matrix-type input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation of the matrix type input device according to FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 matrix type input device, 12 image display unit, 20
Switch part, 22 touch key, 22a continuation key, 3
0 Control unit.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Katsunori Shigeta 1071-Kami 5-chome, Higashi-Osone-cho, Kita-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture Inside Mitsubishi Electric Mechatronics Software Co., Ltd. (72) Yoshifumi Nishizawa 2-chome Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No.2-3 Mitsubishi Electric Corporation F-term (reference) 5B020 DD04 EE01 FF04 5B068 AA02 AA22 BB04 BE01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A large number of first pieces are formed in a strip shape, and the first pieces are juxtaposed and insulated from each other.
A sheet-shaped first conductor made of the first piece and a plurality of second pieces are formed in a strip shape. The second pieces are insulated and juxtaposed with each other, and the second piece is insulated. A sheet-like second conductor made of the second piece crossed and insulated with the first conductor, and pressing the first or second conductor to form the first conductor and the first conductor. The touch panel includes a large number of touch keys that are in electrical contact with the second conductor, and the touch keys are in close contact with a panel-shaped switch portion formed in a matrix shape so as to face the switch portion. An image display unit capable of displaying the first image or the second image;
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the first or second conductor by thinning out at least every other conductor from the order in which the conductors are arranged side by side, the first conductor and the second conductor, Detecting means for specifying the touch key pressed from among the large number of touch keys due to the electrical conduction of the touch key. 2. The touch key is sized to be pressed at least three times in succession by a finger, and the voltage applying means is arranged such that the order in which the first or second conductors are arranged is every cycle. A voltage is applied to the odd-numbered or even-numbered first or second conductor, and a voltage is applied to the first or second conductor at the end of the circuit by the voltage applying means. Counting means for counting the number of times the voltage is applied, and the voltage application means for thinning out the odd or even numbered first or second conductors in the order in which the first or second conductors are juxtaposed. When a voltage is applied and the count of the number of times of the counting means is incremented by one, the voltage is applied to the odd-numbered or even-numbered first or second conductor by the voltage applying means. 1 or the second conductor Voltage application control means for applying a voltage to all, if the touch keys specified by the detection means are continuous in at least two columns or two rows,
2. The matrix-type input device according to claim 1, further comprising: simulation control means for determining that the touch key sandwiched between the two touch keys is pressed. 3. A large number of first pieces are formed in a strip shape, and the first pieces are insulated and juxtaposed with each other.
A sheet-shaped first conductor made of the first piece and a plurality of second pieces are formed in a strip shape. The second pieces are insulated and juxtaposed with each other, and the second piece is insulated. A sheet-like second conductor made of the second piece crossed and insulated with the first conductor, and pressing the first or second conductor to form the first conductor and the first conductor. The touch panel includes a large number of touch keys that are in electrical contact with the second conductor, and the touch keys are in close contact with a panel-shaped switch portion formed in a matrix shape so as to face the switch portion. An image display unit capable of displaying an image of the same, a continuation key capable of continuously pressing the touch key for a predetermined time, storage means for storing position information of the continuation key, and the touch key specified by the detection means And the continuation key stored in the storage means. Are identical, a continuation detecting means for detecting that the continuation key is pressed for a predetermined time, and the identities are determined to be the same by the identity determining means. If it is detected that the continuation key has been pressed for a predetermined time, the continuation key is assumed to be pressed by pressing the touch key next to the continuation key. Matrix type input device. 4. The touch key includes a continuation key that is pressed and held for a predetermined time, storage means for storing position information of the continuation key, the touch key specified by the detection means, and the storage means. Is determined by the identity determination means to determine whether the continuity key is the same as the continuation key stored in the storage means, a continuation detection means to detect that the continuation key is pressed for a predetermined time, and the identity determination means In addition, when the continuation detection means detects that the continuation key has been pressed for a predetermined time, the continuation key imitation means determines that the continuation key is pressed by pressing the touch key next to the continuation key. The matrix-type input device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: