JP2007053642A - Touch key and equipment using same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch key capable of detecting the touch only when touched by a user's (an adult's) fingers. <P>SOLUTION: The touch key has a panel 1 composed of an electric insulator, an electrode 2 provided to the panel 1, an oscillator 3 for applying a voltage at a prescribed frequency to the electrode 2, a detector 4 for detecting the output voltage of the electrode 2, a change-level detector 5 for detecting the magnitude of a change voltage when the output voltage of the detector 4 is changed, and a determination part 6 for determining whether or not the panel 1 is touched by a person by detecting whether or not the magnitude of an output voltage of the change-level detector 5 is within a range of a prescribed voltage level by detecting the output voltage of the change-level detector 5. By this, it is determined that the panel 1 is touched by the user's (adult's) fingers when the magnitude of the output voltage of the change-level detector 5 is within the range of the prescribed voltage level. Consequently, the touch key is safe and easily usable since it is possible to distinguish the touch by the user's (adult's) fingers from the other touches. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch key that detects only a touch on a panel unit by a user and a device such as a heating cooker using the touch key.

Conventionally, this type of touch key includes an oscillation unit that outputs a high-frequency voltage, a voltage drop unit that has a predetermined impedance that lowers the output voltage of the oscillation unit, an electrode unit that is provided on the panel unit, A configuration is known in which an output voltage of a voltage drop unit is applied and a detection unit that detects a change in the terminal voltage of the electrode unit when the panel unit is touched (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-224459

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, it may be determined that a touch is made even if a part other than a human finger touches the part of the panel part facing the electrode part. For example, even when a metal pan is placed on a portion of the panel portion facing the electrode portion, or when water, broth or the like is spilled, the output voltage of the detection portion changes and it is determined that the touch has been made. In addition, there is a problem in that it is determined that the touching portion of the panel portion facing the electrode portion is touched by an animal such as an infant or a cat.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch key that detects that a user (adult) has touched only with a finger and an apparatus using the touch key. is there.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, a touch key of the present invention and a device using the touch key include a panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided in the panel unit, and a predetermined frequency in the electrode unit. An oscillation unit for applying a voltage; a detection unit for detecting an output voltage of the electrode unit; a change level detection unit for detecting the magnitude of the change voltage when the output voltage of the detection unit changes; and the change level detection A determination unit that detects whether a person touches the panel unit by detecting whether the output voltage of the unit is within a predetermined voltage level range. .

  As a result, if the magnitude of the output voltage of the change level detection unit is within the predetermined voltage level range, it is determined that the user (adult) has touched it with a finger. It will be easy.

  The touch key of the present invention and a device using the touch key are safe and easy to use for detecting that an adult person has touched only with a finger.

  1st invention detects the output voltage of the panel part which consists of an electrical insulator, the electrode part provided in the said panel part, the oscillation part which applies the voltage of the predetermined frequency to the said electrode part, and the said electrode part A detection unit; a change level detection unit that detects the magnitude of the change voltage when the output voltage of the detection unit changes; and an output voltage of the change level detection unit that detects the output voltage, and the magnitude of the output voltage is a predetermined voltage. By detecting whether it is within the level range, and by using a touch key having a determination unit that determines whether a person has touched the panel unit, the magnitude of the output voltage of the change level detection unit is a predetermined voltage If it is within the level range, it is determined that the user (adult) has touched with a finger, so that it is distinguished from other touches, and is safe and easy to use.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, and an output voltage of the electrode unit are detected. A detector, and when the output voltage of the detector changes, a timer that counts the time from the time when the output voltage of the detector starts to change to the time when the change ends and reaches a stable level; and In order to determine the touch at the touching speed of the user (adult) by using a touch key having a determination unit that determines whether or not a person has touched the panel unit based on the timing output of the unit, Distinguished from touch, it is safe and easy to use.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel portion made of an electrical insulator, an electrode portion provided on the panel portion, an oscillation portion for applying a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode portion, and an output voltage of the electrode portion. When the output voltage of the detection unit changes, when the output voltage of the detection unit changes, the second time measurement unit that measures the time of the predetermined change state in the output voltage of the detection unit, and the time output of the second time measurement unit, By using a touch key having a determination unit that determines whether or not the panel unit is touched, the touch is determined based on the speed of touch by the user (adult) or the amount of force applied when touching with a finger. Therefore, it is distinguished from other touches and is safe and easy to use.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit for applying a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, and an output voltage of the electrode unit. When the output voltage of the detection unit and the detection unit changes, the change pattern detection unit that detects the change pattern of the change voltage and the output voltage of the change pattern detection unit are detected, and the change of the output voltage of the detection unit By determining whether the pattern belongs to a predetermined change pattern and using a touch key having a determination unit for determining whether a person touches the panel unit, the change pattern of the output voltage of the detection unit is a predetermined change pattern Since it is determined that the user (adult) has touched with a finger, it is distinguished from other touches, and is safe and easy to use.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the determination unit that determines whether or not a person touches the panel unit includes a change level detection unit, a time measurement unit, and a second time measurement unit. , And the determination by the combination of at least two or more outputs in the change pattern detection unit, the touch by the finger of the user (adult) can be more reliably determined, and is distinguished from other touches, and is safe. It will be easy to use.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, by using the touch key according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the invention, even if water, broth, or the like adheres to a portion of the panel portion facing the electrode portion. A device with touch keys that are safe and can be operated while looking at an object to be heated can be realized without malfunction and without malfunction even when an animal other than an infant or a person touches the panel.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
1 and 2 show a touch key according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the touch key in the present embodiment includes a panel unit 1 made of a flat electrical insulator such as glass, an electrode unit 2 provided on the back surface of the panel unit 1, and an electrode unit 2. An oscillation unit 3 that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency, a detection unit 4 that detects the output voltage of the electrode unit 2, and a change level detection unit that detects the magnitude of the change voltage when the output voltage of the detection unit 4 changes. 5 and a determination to determine whether a person has touched the panel unit by detecting the output voltage of the change level detection unit 5 and detecting whether the magnitude of the output voltage is within a predetermined voltage level range. Part 6. And the surface part which opposes the electrode part 2 of the panel part 1 is comprised so that it may touch with the finger | toe 7. FIG.

  Here, when the position facing the electrode part 2 on the surface part of the panel part 1 is touched with the finger 7, the high frequency voltage is bypassed through the electrode part 2, the panel part 1 and the finger 7, and the voltage appearing on the electrode part 2 is 7 is lower than the voltage when not touching. The change level detector 5 detects a change ΔV between the voltage V1 when not touched and the voltage V2 when touched. The change ΔV is proportional to the contact area of the finger 7 touching the panel unit 1 in contact with the panel unit 1. That is, the larger the contact area, the larger the capacitance formed by the electrode part 2 and the finger 7 across the panel part 1, and the voltage that changes with respect to the voltage V1 when not touching becomes larger. At this time, the change ΔV may be ΔV = V1−V2 or ΔV = V1 / V2. This change ΔV is a contact area that comes into contact with the panel portion 1 when a metal pan much larger than the contact area of the finger 7 or water that has flowed into contact with the electrode portion 2 of the panel portion 1. Is larger than the ΔV obtained by touching the finger 7 and ΔV obtained when an animal such as an infant or a cat is in contact is smaller than the ΔV obtained by touching the finger 7 because the contact area contacting the panel unit 1 is small. Get smaller. This change ΔV is input to the determination unit 6. The determination unit 6 has a voltage width of the change ΔV obtained by touching the finger 7 as a predetermined value. If the input change ΔV is within the predetermined voltage width, it is determined that the finger 7 has touched. If it is not within the predetermined voltage width and the amount of change is greater than or equal to the predetermined voltage width or the amount of change is less than or equal to the predetermined voltage width, it is determined that the touch is not performed.

  FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the magnitude of the voltage change ΔV and the detection level. FIG. 2 shows the output voltage of the detection unit 4, and the change level detection unit 5 outputs this change ΔV. In FIG. 2, the voltage V1 is a voltage when not touching, the voltage V21 is a touch output voltage when the contact area is small when, for example, an infant is touched, and V22 is a contact area when the finger 7 of an adult is touching, for example. Is an appropriate touch output voltage, and V23 is a touch output voltage when the contact area is large when a conductive pan or water is touched, for example. The change Δ1 is the difference voltage between V1 and V21, the change Δ2 is the difference voltage between V1 and V22, and the change Δ3 is the difference voltage between V1 and V23. Δ1, Δ2, and Δ3 are output from the change level detection unit 5 and input to the determination unit 6. The determination unit 6 has a voltage width of a predetermined voltage width Δ10 to Δ11, and determines whether or not the changes Δ1, Δ2, and Δ3 are within the predetermined voltage width Δ10 to Δ11. If it is within Δ10 to Δ11, it is determined that it is touched, and if it is not within this voltage range, it is determined that it is not touched or an abnormal object is touched.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, if the magnitude of the output voltage of the change level detection unit 5 is within the predetermined voltage level range, it is determined that the user (adult) is touched. Distinguished from touch, it is safe and easy to use.

(Embodiment 2)
3 and 4 show a touch key according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch key in the present embodiment includes a detection unit 8 that detects the output voltage of the electrode unit 2, and the output voltage of the detection unit 8 changes when the output voltage of the detection unit 8 changes. A timing unit 9 that measures the time from the start time to the time when the change is completed and the stable level is reached; and a determination unit 10 that determines whether a person has touched the panel unit 1 based on the timing output of the timing unit 9 It is what has. In addition, in FIG. 3, the 2nd time measuring part 11, the change pattern detection part 12, and the change level detection part 13 are also provided.

  In FIG. 4, (a) shows the time t1 until the finger 7 is approaching the surface of the panel unit 1 from a position slightly away from the panel unit 1, and (b) shows the time t1 until the finger 7 touches the panel unit 1 surface. The time t2 during pressing and the time t3 during which the finger 7 is further pressed against the surface of the panel unit 1 are shown together with the output voltage waveform of the detection unit 8. The voltage V1 indicates a stable voltage when not touched, and the voltage V2 indicates a stable voltage when touched. In the present embodiment, a time t1 + t2 + t3 = t that is touched from the time when the voltage V1 starts to change and reaches the stable voltage V2 is detected by the time measuring unit 9, and the determination unit 10 determines whether a person has touched. It is. That is, the time t for reaching the stable level is different from the time for human operation of the device, the time for water and broth to come in contact, and the time for an infant to touch by mischief. To do.

  Thus, in this Embodiment, since a touch is determined with the speed which a user (adult) touches, it distinguishes from other touches, and it becomes safe and easy to use.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, the touch key in Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch key in the present embodiment measures the time of a predetermined change state in the output voltage of the detection unit 8 when the output voltage of the detection unit 8 that detects the output voltage of the electrode unit 2 changes. The second time measuring unit 11 is provided, and the determination unit 10 determines whether or not a person has touched the panel unit 1 based on the time output of the second time measuring unit 11. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, in the voltage change shown in FIG. 4, for example, when the change state is abrupt, the time t <b> 2 is detected by the second time measuring unit 11 and the touch detection is performed by the determination unit 10. This detection time may be the time t1 until the finger 7 comes close to the panel unit 1 and touches it, or may be the time t3 when the finger 7 touches the panel unit 1 and further presses it. These times t1, t2, and t3 indicate values that are substantially similar to each other when an adult person uses the panel unit 1. If it is in the vicinity of this value, it is determined that the person has touched, and otherwise If it is a value of, it is determined that no touch has been made, something other than a person has touched, or an infant has touched.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the touch is determined based on the speed of touch by the user (adult) or the degree of force applied when touching with a finger. It will be easy to use.

(Embodiment 4)
Next, a touch key according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch key in the present embodiment includes a change pattern detection unit 12 that detects a change pattern of the change voltage when the output voltage of the detection unit 8 that detects the output voltage of the electrode unit 2 changes. And detecting whether the change pattern of the output voltage of the detection unit 8 belongs to a predetermined change pattern, and determining whether a person touches the panel unit 1 This is determined by the unit 10. The rest is the same as in the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, when a person touches like the voltage change shown in FIG. 4, this voltage change pattern is almost shown. Therefore, the change of the voltage output of the detection unit 8 is detected by the change pattern detection unit 12, and the voltage change If the pattern is close to the change pattern shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the person has touched, and if the pattern is different, the determination unit 10 determines that something other than the person has touched.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, if the change pattern of the output voltage of the detection unit 8 belongs to the predetermined change pattern, it is determined that the user (adult) is touched, so other touches are performed. And safe and easy to use.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a touch key according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the touch key in the present embodiment is configured such that the determination unit 10 that determines whether a person has touched the panel unit 1 includes a change level detection unit 13, a clock unit 9, and a second clock unit 11. , And a combination of at least two or more outputs in the change pattern detection unit 12 (all combinations are possible).

  Thus, in this Embodiment, since the determination part 10 determines with the combination of two or more outputs, the touch by a user's (adult) finger can be determined more reliably, and it is distinguished from other touches, It will be safe and easy to use.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 5 shows a device with a touch key according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention. The same elements as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In this Embodiment, the form which used the touch key of Embodiment 1-5 for the electromagnetic cooker is shown. Touch keys 17 and 18 are provided on the panel portion 1 of the electromagnetic cooker 14 to indicate the facing positions of the electrode portion 2 so that the touch keys 17 and 18 can be operated while watching a heated object such as a cooked food. Yes. The panel unit 1 has display units 15 and 16 for placing a pan or the like on the right and left, a heating coil (not shown) below the display units 15 and 16, and a display unit by a high-frequency magnetic field generated from the heating coil. An induction current is passed through the pans 15 and 16 and heated. Furthermore, a heater 19 that can directly heat a pan or the like is provided on the panel unit 1. Moreover, the touch keys 17 and 18 are provided in the front part of the front surface of the electromagnetic cooking device 14 from the ease of operation.

  Thus, in this embodiment, by using the electromagnetic cooker using the touch keys in each of the first to fifth embodiments, water spilled on the panel unit 1 or spilled broth from the pot being heated, etc. Touching the touch keys 17 and 18 does not malfunction, the conductive pan or the like does not malfunction on the touch keys 17 and 18, and a small animal such as a cat walks on the panel unit 1 to touch the touch keys 17 and 18. An electromagnetic cooker with a touch key that can be operated on the surface of the panel unit 1 while looking at an object to be heated can be realized without touching the touch panel or touching the touch keys 17 and 18 by an infant.

  As described above, the touch key according to the present invention and the device using the touch key are safe and easy to detect that an adult person touches only with a finger. It can also be applied to household appliances such as a microwave oven or various devices.

The block diagram of the touch key in Embodiment 1 of this invention Output voltage waveform diagram of the detector in the same touch key Block diagram of touch keys in Embodiments 2 to 5 of the present invention Output voltage waveform diagram of the detector shown along with the touch operation of the same touch key The perspective view of the apparatus in Embodiment 6 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel part 2 Electrode part 3 Oscillation part 4, 8 Detection part 5, 13 Change level detection part 6, 10 Judgment part 7 Finger 9 Time measurement part 11 2nd time measurement part 12 Change pattern detection part 14 Electromagnetic cooker 17, 18 Touch Key

Claims (6)

A panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, a detection unit that detects an output voltage of the electrode unit, and the detection A change level detection unit that detects the magnitude of the change voltage when the output voltage of the unit changes, and detects the output voltage of the change level detection unit, and whether the magnitude of the output voltage is within a predetermined voltage level range A touch key having a determination unit that determines whether or not a person has touched the panel unit by detecting whether or not the panel has been touched. A panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, a detection unit that detects an output voltage of the electrode unit, and the detection When the output voltage of the part changes, the time measuring unit that measures the time from the time when the output voltage of the detecting unit starts changing to the time when the change reaches the stable level, and the time output of the time measuring part, A touch key having a determination unit that determines whether a person has touched the panel unit. A panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, a detection unit that detects an output voltage of the electrode unit, and the detection When the output voltage of the unit has changed, whether the person has touched the panel unit by the second timing unit that measures the time of the predetermined change state in the output voltage of the detection unit and the timing output of the second timing unit A touch key having a determination unit for determining whether or not. A panel unit made of an electrical insulator, an electrode unit provided on the panel unit, an oscillation unit that applies a voltage of a predetermined frequency to the electrode unit, a detection unit that detects an output voltage of the electrode unit, and the detection When the output voltage of the change unit changes, a change pattern detection unit that detects a change pattern of the change voltage and an output voltage of the change pattern detection unit are detected, and the change pattern of the output voltage of the detection unit is a predetermined change pattern A touch key having a determination unit that determines whether or not the user touches the panel unit. The determination unit that determines whether or not a person touches the panel unit is determined by a combination of at least two or more outputs in the change level detection unit, the time measurement unit, the second time measurement unit, and the change pattern detection unit. Item 5. The touch key according to any one of items 1 to 4. The apparatus using the touch key of any one of Claims 1-5.

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