JP2012190694A - Electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus capable of preventing the missing of operation.SOLUTION: An operating portion 103 is pressed by an external article. A fixed contact formed on a substrate 101 and a moving contat portion 102 are pressed by the operating portion 103 to toggle a switch. An electrostatic sensor portion 104 is stacked above the substrate 101 and the moving contact portion 102, and changes capacitance according to an area of a part where the proximity of the external article is less than a predetermined distance. A case 105 stores the substrate 101, the moving contact portion 102, the operating portion 103, and the electrostatic sensor 104, and has a recessed portion 112 into which the external article pressing the operating portion 103 enters. A control portion 108 temporarily registers key input based on the toggling of the switch detected at a switch portion input determining portion 107, confirms the key input based on the detected state of the switch and the detected change of the capacitance in the electrostatic sensor 104, and starts a predetermined action.

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a switch unit that a human presses with a finger.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a switch device that prevents erroneous operation is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The switch device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a push button, a capacitance sensor unit that is turned on and off by a capacitance formed between a detection electrode and a target that is depressing the push button, and a push button is depressed. And a mechanical switch part in which the switch contact is turned on by the operation.

  According to Patent Document 1, an ON signal is output to the outside only when both the capacitance sensor unit and the mechanical switch unit are turned on. Therefore, when the push button is pressed by an operation force other than a human being, etc. It is possible to prevent erroneous operation.

  According to Patent Document 1, since the capacitance sensor unit is activated after the mechanical switch unit is turned on, the capacitance sensor unit is kept off when the mechanical switch unit is off. Can be saved.

JP 2007-115440 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when the finger is released at a high speed such as continuous hitting, the mechanical switch is turned off before the mechanical sensor is turned on and the electrostatic sensor is activated to determine the capacitance. Thus, there is a problem that the on signal is not output to the outside even though the button is normally pressed. In a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a portable game machine, it is assumed that an operator repeatedly hits a button, and there is a high possibility that an operation will be lost.

  The objective of this invention is providing the electronic device which can prevent omission of operation.

  An electronic device according to the present invention is disposed in an stacked manner on an operation unit that is pressed by an external object, a switch unit that is pressed by the operation unit to switch between an electrically conductive state and a non-conductive state, and the switch unit. Detecting a sensor unit that outputs information indicating an area close to the external object, a case housing the operation unit, the switch unit, and the sensor unit, and switching to a conductive state in the switch unit. And the structure which has a control part which determines whether the said switch part was normally pressed based on the result of the said detection and the information which shows the said area is taken.

  With this configuration, input determination accuracy can be improved, input omission can be prevented even when the switch is pressed and released immediately at a high speed such as continuous hitting, and the operation intended by the user can be reliably reflected.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, when the control unit detects that the switch unit is switched to a conductive state and the area indicated by the information indicating the area is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the switch unit The structure which determines with having been normally pressed is taken.

  With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate an operation by an object having an area smaller than the threshold and prevent an erroneous operation.

  Further, in the electronic device of the present invention, even when the control unit is switched to the conductive state in the switch unit, the switch unit is not connected when the area indicated by the information indicating the area is less than the threshold value. The structure which determines with having not been pressed normally is taken.

  With this configuration, it is possible to eliminate an operation by an object having an area smaller than the threshold and prevent an erroneous operation.

  In addition, the electronic device according to the present invention employs a configuration in which the sensor unit is started after the switch unit is switched to the conductive state and is stopped until the switch unit is switched to the conductive state. .

  With this configuration, when the switch unit is in a non-conducting state, the capacitance sensor unit can be kept in a stopped state, and power consumption can be reduced.

  Moreover, the electronic device of this invention takes the structure by which the said sensor part is laminated | stacked by the said switch part between the said case and the said switch part.

  With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the switch unit is touched, and it is possible to prevent omission of input when the switch unit is separated from the switch unit at a high speed such as continuous hitting.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the switch unit moves in the pressing direction by the pressing of the operation unit when switching to the conductive state, and the sensor unit is closer to the pressing direction than the switch unit. The configuration in which the switches are stacked on the switch is adopted.

  With this configuration, it is possible to improve the input determination accuracy by using the proximity area of the sensor unit that changes when the switch unit is pressed.

  In the electronic device according to the aspect of the invention, the sensor unit may be an electrostatic sensor whose capacitance changes according to an area where a conductive object is close, and the information indicating the area is a change in the capacitance. The structure which is the information which shows is taken.

  With this configuration, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy of the input by the conductive object by using the capacitance of the sensor unit that changes when the switch unit is pressed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent omission of input even in an operation in which a switch is pressed immediately at a high speed such as continuous hitting.

The front view of the principal part of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The front view of the principal part of the electronic device when the switch part is pressed with the human finger in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The figure which shows the operation | movement with respect to time when the switch part is pressed with the human finger | toe in Embodiment 1 of this invention. The front view of the principal part of the electronic device just before a finger leaves | separates from the switch in Embodiment 1 of this invention The figure which shows the operation with respect to time when the switch is pushed at high speed, such as repeated hits of the prior art, and the finger is released The figure which shows the operation | movement with respect to time when a switch is pushed at high speed in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and the finger | toe removed. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. The figure explaining the principle at the time of detecting the change of the electrostatic capacitance of an electrostatic sensor part The front view of the principal part of the electronic device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The front view of the principal part of the electronic device when a switch part is pressed by the human finger in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a front view of a main part of electronic device 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  1, the electronic device 100 includes a substrate 101, a movable contact portion 102, an operation unit 103, an electrostatic sensor unit 104, a case 105, an electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106, and a switch unit input determination unit. 107 and a control unit 108. Moreover, the board | substrate 101 and the movable contact part 102 comprise a switch part. Each configuration will be described in detail below.

  The substrate 101 is accommodated in a case 105, and a conductive fixed contact (not shown) is provided. In addition, the movable contact portion 102 is placed on the substrate 101. Further, a fixed contact (not shown) of the substrate 101 is electrically connected to the movable contact portion 102 when the movable contact portion 102 is buckled.

  The movable contact portion 102 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate material so as to have a convex shape upward, and is placed on the substrate 101 in a state where the end portion is in contact with the substrate 101. . In addition, the movable contact portion 102 is in contact with the lower end portion of the operation portion 103, is pressed downward in FIG. 1 by the operation portion 103, buckles, and is electrically connected to the fixed contact on the substrate 101.

  The operation unit 103 is pressed downward in FIG. 1 by the external object via the bending unit 114. Further, the operation unit 103 is inserted through the through-hole 111 formed in the electrostatic sensor unit 104, and its end is in contact with the movable contact unit 102 in a state where the operation unit 103 is not pressed, so that the downward movement is restricted. . In addition, the operation unit 103 is disposed in a recess 112 formed in the case 105 so as to be slidable in the pressing direction when not pressed. The operation unit 103 is opposed to the inner wall surface 113 by providing a predetermined distance with respect to the inner wall surface 113 of the case 105 in the left-right direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. Further, when the operation unit 103 is pressed from the outside in the downward direction in FIG. 1 through the bending portion 114, the movable contact unit 102 is pressed in the downward direction in FIG. 1 to buckle the movable contact unit 102.

  The electrostatic sensor unit 104 is stacked on the switch unit between the case 105 and the movable contact unit 102. Further, the electrostatic sensor unit 104 is formed with a through hole 111 penetrating in the vertical direction through which the operation unit 103 is inserted. Further, when the electrostatic sensor unit 104 is pressed from the outside, the electrostatic sensor unit 104 comes into contact with the bending unit 114 with an area corresponding to the pressing area of the external object to be pressed. Further, when the external object is a conductive object (such as a human finger), the electrostatic sensor unit 104 is close to the electrostatic sensor unit 104 by a predetermined distance or more (including contact). ) Capacitance changes according to the area of the portion. Here, the pressing area is a contact area between the case 105 and an external object that is to press the switch portion.

  Case 105 houses substrate 101, movable contact portion 102, operation portion 103, and electrostatic sensor portion 104 therein. In addition, the case 105 has a thin bent portion 114 formed above the movable contact portion 102. In addition, the case 105 has an inner wall surface 113 extending downward from the end of the bending portion 114, and a recess 112 surrounded by the inner wall surface 113 is formed above the movable contact portion 102.

  When the operation unit 103 is pressed, the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 calculates a change value of the capacitance in the electrostatic sensor unit 104 due to an external object that has approached via the bending unit 114 due to the pressing. To detect. The electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 compares the detected capacitance change value with a threshold value. Further, the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 outputs the comparison result to the control unit 108.

  The switch unit input determination unit 107 detects conduction and non-conduction between a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the substrate 101 and the movable contact unit 102. Further, the switch unit input determination unit 107 outputs the detection result to the control unit 108.

  Based on the comparison result input from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 and the detection result input from the switch unit input determination unit 107, the control unit 108 determines whether or not to accept an input to the switch unit. Specifically, when the non-conduction detection result is input from the switch unit input determination unit 107, the control unit 108 determines that the switch unit is not pressed and does not accept the input. In addition, the control unit 108 receives the detection result of continuity from the switch unit input determination unit 107 and the comparison result from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 that the change value of the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold value. Accepts the input as if the switch part was pushed normally. In addition, the control unit 108 receives the detection result of continuity from the switch unit input determination unit 107 and the comparison result that the capacitance change value is less than the threshold value from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106. Is determined to be an erroneous operation, and the switch unit is handled as not being pressed. In addition, when receiving an input to the switch unit, the control unit 108 outputs a predetermined signal indicating that the switch unit has been pressed to the outside. This signal is received by another control unit that controls the operation of the entire electronic device, and a function corresponding to pressing of the switch unit is executed.

  The concave portion 112 is formed below the bent portion 114 of the case 105, and is formed by denting the case 105 in the thickness direction above the location where the movable contact portion 102 is disposed. The operation portion 103 is disposed in the recess 112 so as to be slidable in the pressing direction. The concave portion 112 is a space for allowing the bending portion 114 to bend when the bending portion 114 is pressed in the pressing direction. In addition, an external object that presses the operation unit 103 enters the recess 112.

  The bending portion 114 is formed integrally with the case 105 above the location where the movable contact portion 102 is disposed. Further, the bending portion 114 is thin in the thickness direction of the case 105. Further, when the bending portion 114 is pressed downward, it bends into the concave portion 112 to press the operation portion 103 downward.

  Above, description of the structure of the electronic device 100 is completed.

  Next, the operation of the electronic device 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic device 100. The case where the electronic device 100 stops the function of the electrostatic sensor unit 104 in the initial state of FIG. 2 will be described as an example.

  From FIG. 2, the switch unit input determination unit 107 determines whether or not the switch unit is in the ON state (step ST201). That is, the contact point (not shown) of the substrate 101 and the movable contact unit 102 come into contact with each other. If the part is conductive, it is determined to be on, and if it is not conductive, it is determined not to be on.

  When it is determined that the switch unit is not in the on state (step ST201: No), the electronic device 100 does not activate the electrostatic sensor unit 104.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the switch unit is in the on state (step ST201: Yes), the electronic device 100 performs temporary registration of the input on signal by the mechanical switch in the control unit 108 (step ST202), and then statically. The electric sensor unit 104 is activated (step ST203), and determination by the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 is performed. The electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 determines whether or not the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step ST204). As described above, after the mechanical switch is turned on (that is, after the above-described switch portion is conductive), the electrostatic sensor unit that consumes relatively large power by activating the electrostatic sensor unit 104. It is possible to suppress power consumption due to 104.

  If the change value of the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold value (step ST204: Yes), the control unit 108 determines that the switch unit has been normally pressed, and the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST202. And a predetermined signal indicating that is output (step ST205).

  On the other hand, when the change value of the capacitance is less than the threshold value (step ST204: No), the control unit 108 determines that the operation is erroneous (step ST207), and erases the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST202. However, as in the case where the switch portion is not pressed, a predetermined signal is not output and the electrostatic sensor is turned off (step ST206).

  Next, the operation of the electronic device 100 will be described in more detail.

  The operation of electronic device 100 when the switch unit is pressed by a human finger will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of a main part of the electronic device 100 showing a state when the switch unit is pressed by a human finger.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the switch portion is pressed by a human finger, the bending portion 114 is bent into the recess 112, and the human finger enters the recess 112 to press the operation portion 103 downward in FIG. . Accordingly, the operation unit 103 presses the movable contact portion 102 downward in FIG. 3 to buckle the movable contact portion 102, and the fixed contact (not shown) of the substrate 101 and the movable contact portion 102 are electrically connected. . At this time, the switch unit input determination unit 107 detects conduction of the switch unit.

  In addition, since the contact area of the case 105 that is in contact with a human finger is sufficiently large, the area of a conductive object (human finger) that is in proximity to the electrostatic sensor unit 104 via the flexure 114 is sufficiently large. The electric sensor unit 104 shows a large change in capacitance. At this time, the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 detects that the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than the threshold value.

  Accordingly, when the switch unit is pressed by a human finger, the control unit 108 outputs a predetermined signal indicating that the switch unit has been pressed.

  FIG. 4 shows the above operation as an operation graph with respect to time. When both the mechanical switch and the electrostatic sensor are turned on, a switch-on signal is output.

  Next, the operation of the electronic device 100 when the switch is pressed at a high speed such as continuous hitting and the finger is released will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the main part of the electronic device 100 when the switch is pressed at a high speed such as continuous hitting and the finger is about to be released.

  First, the operation when the switch is pushed at a high speed such as continuous hitting in the prior art and the finger is released will be described with reference to FIGS. In the state of the art in the state of FIG. 5, the finger is separated from the mechanical switch, so that the mechanical switch is turned off, and even if the detection result of the electrostatic sensor is on, both the mechanical switch and the electrostatic sensor are turned on. Therefore, the switch-on signal is not output and the operation is lost.

  FIG. 6 shows an operation graph with respect to time of an operation when the switch is pressed at a high speed such as continuous hitting in the prior art and the finger is released. When the mechanical switch is turned on and immediately turned off, even if the electrostatic sensor is activated and detected to be turned on, the mechanical switch is turned off, so that the switch-on signal is not output and the operation is lost.

  Next, the operation when the switch is pressed at a high speed such as continuous hitting of the present invention and the finger is released will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present invention, by temporarily registering the mechanical switch, the finger is released from the mechanical switch as shown in FIG. 5, and even if the mechanical switch is turned off, the detection determination of the electrostatic sensor is waited. It can be used as a determination time until the user leaves, and operation omission can be prevented.

  FIG. 7 is an action graph with respect to time when the switch is pressed at a high speed such as the continuous hit of the present invention and the finger is released. Even if the mechanical switch is turned on and turned off immediately after that, the mechanical switch on signal is temporarily registered and waits for detection detection of the electrostatic sensor. A signal can be output to prevent operation loss.

  However, in the control of FIG. 2 of the present invention, when simultaneous pressing of different switches or continuous pressing of different switches occurs, it is impossible to determine which switch is effective, and there is a possibility that it cannot be determined correctly.

  In order to cope with the case where different switches are simultaneously pressed and different switches are continuously pressed, the control in FIG. 8 is performed. An operation of electronic device 100 under the control of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the electronic device 100. The case where the electronic device 100 stops the function of the electrostatic sensor unit 104 in the initial state of FIG. 8 will be described as an example.

  From FIG. 8, the switch unit input determination unit 107 determines whether or not the switch unit is in the ON state (step ST301). That is, the contact point (not shown) of the substrate 101 and the movable contact unit 102 come into contact with each other to switch. If the part is conductive, it is determined to be on, and if it is not conductive, it is determined not to be on.

  When it is determined that the switch unit is not in the on state (step ST301: No), the electronic device 100 does not activate the electrostatic sensor unit 104.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the switch unit is in the on state (step ST301: Yes), the electronic device 100 temporarily registers with the priority flag in the order in which the input on signal from the mechanical switch is pressed by the control unit 108. After performing (step ST302), the electrostatic sensor unit 104 is activated (step ST303). As described above, after the mechanical switch is turned on (that is, after the above-described switch portion is conductive), the electrostatic sensor unit that consumes relatively large power by activating the electrostatic sensor unit 104. It is possible to suppress power consumption due to 104.

  Next, it is determined whether the state of the mechanical switch is simultaneously pressed by the switch unit input determination unit 107 and the control unit 108 (step ST304).

  In the case of simultaneous pressing (step ST304: Yes), the mechanical switch signal with the highest priority attached in ST302 is waited for confirmation (ST305), and the electrostatic sensor area corresponding to the mechanical switch signal with the highest priority is static. The capacitance change is determined by the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 (ST306). The electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 determines whether or not the capacitance change value is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step ST307).

If the change value of the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold (step ST307: Yes), the control unit 108 determines that the switch unit has been normally pressed, and the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST302. And a predetermined signal indicating this is output (step ST308).
After the processing is completed, the electrostatic sensor is turned off (step ST309).

  On the other hand, when the change value of the capacitance is less than the threshold value (step ST307: No), the control unit 108 determines that the operation is erroneous (step ST310), and erases the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST302. Then (step ST311), as in the case where the switch portion is not pressed, a predetermined signal is not output and the electrostatic sensor is turned off (step ST309).

  If not simultaneously pressed in step ST304 (step ST304: No), the mechanical switch signal with the highest priority attached in ST302 is put on standby for confirmation (ST312), and the static switch corresponding to the mechanical switch signal waiting for confirmation is placed. The capacitance change in the electric sensor area is determined by the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 106 (ST314).

  When the change value of the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold (step ST314: Yes), the control unit 108 determines that the switch unit has been normally pressed, and the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST302. And a predetermined signal indicating that is output (step ST315).

  In ST302, it is confirmed whether there is any other confirmation waiting signal accompanied with the priority (ST316). If there is no other signal (ST316: Yes), the electrostatic sensor is turned off (step ST309). If yes (ST316: No), the process returns to ST312.

  On the other hand, when the change value of the capacitance is less than the threshold value (step ST314: No), the control unit 108 determines that the operation is erroneous (step ST317), and discards the input on signal temporarily registered in step ST302. However, as in the case where the switch portion is not pressed, a predetermined signal is not output.

  In ST302, it is confirmed whether there is any other confirmation waiting signal accompanied with the priority (ST316). If there is no other signal (ST316: Yes), the electrostatic sensor is turned off (step ST309). If yes (ST316: No), the process returns to ST312.

  Above, description of operation | movement of the electronic device 100 is finished.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the principle when detecting a change in the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor unit 104.

  From FIG. 9, the electrostatic capacitance C can be obtained by the equation (1).

C = Eo × Es × (S / d) (1)
Where Eo is the vacuum dielectric constant
Es is relative permittivity
d is the distance between the surface 601 in proximity to an external object and the detection electrode 602.
S is the area of the surface 601 close to the external object. From the equation (1), the vacuum dielectric constant Eo, the relative dielectric constant Es, and the distance d between the surface 601 close to the external object and the detection electrode 602 change substantially. Therefore, the capacitance C is almost determined by the area S close to an external object on the surface 601 of the electrostatic sensor unit 104. Therefore, by detecting a change in the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor unit 104, it is possible to estimate whether an external object close to the surface 601 is a human finger.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when an operation is erroneously performed by an object other than a human finger, an input to the switch unit is not accepted, and therefore, when the switch unit is erroneously pressed when stored in a bag or the like. Can be prevented from malfunctioning. Also, by performing temporary registration, the time until the finger completely leaves the switch can be assigned to the electrostatic sensor detection time. It is possible to prevent omissions, prevent any functions from being activated due to malfunctions, realize power saving, and prevent omissions in correct operations.

  Further, in this embodiment, even when simultaneous pressing of switches or continuous pressing of different switches occurs, it is possible to prevent omission of correct operation by giving priority to temporary registration.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a front view of a main part of electronic device 700 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  7, the electronic device 700 includes an electrostatic sensor unit 701, a substrate 702, a movable contact unit 703, an operation unit 704, a case 705, an electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706, and a switch unit input determination unit. 707 and a control unit 708 are mainly configured. The substrate 702 and the movable contact part 703 constitute a switch part. Each configuration will be described in detail below.

  The electrostatic sensor unit 701 is stacked on the switch unit on the pressing direction side (lower side of the substrate 702 in FIG. 10) than the substrate 702. In addition, the electrostatic sensor unit 701 is close to an external object via the bending portion 713, the operation unit 704, the movable contact portion 703, and the substrate 702 with an area corresponding to the pressing area pressed by the external object. Here, if the external object is a conductive object, the electrostatic sensor unit 701 is static in accordance with the area of a portion of the external object that is close to the electrostatic sensor unit 701 for a predetermined distance or more. The capacitance changes.

  The substrate 702 is housed in a case 705 and is provided with a conductive fixed contact (not shown). Further, the movable contact portion 703 is placed on the substrate 702. Further, a fixed contact (not shown) of the substrate 702 is electrically connected to the movable contact portion 703 when the movable contact portion 703 is buckled.

  The movable contact portion 703 is formed by bending a conductive metal plate material so as to be convex upward, and is placed on the substrate 702 in a state where the end portion is in contact with the substrate 702. . Further, the movable contact portion 703 is in contact with the lower end portion of the operation portion 704 and is pressed downward by the operation portion 704 in FIG. 10 to buckle and be electrically connected to the fixed contact on the substrate 702.

  The operation unit 704 is pressed downward by an external object via the flexure 713 in FIG. Further, the operation unit 704 has its end abutted against the movable contact portion 703 in a state where the operation unit 704 is not pressed, and the downward movement is restricted. The operation unit 704 is disposed in a recess 711 formed in the case 705 so as to be slidable in the pressing direction when not pressed. The operation unit 704 faces the inner wall surface portion 712 at a predetermined distance from the inner wall surface portion 712 of the case 705 in the left-right direction orthogonal to the vertical direction. Further, the operation unit 704 is pressed in the downward direction of FIG. 10 from the outside through the bending portion 713, thereby pressing the movable contact portion 703 in the downward direction of FIG. 10 to buckle the movable contact portion 703.

  The case 705 houses the electrostatic sensor unit 701, the substrate 702, the movable contact unit 703, and the operation unit 704 inside. In addition, the case 705 has a thin bent portion 713 formed above the movable contact portion 703. Further, the case 705 has an inner wall surface portion 712 extending downward from the end portion of the bending portion 713, and a recess 711 surrounded by the inner wall surface portion 712 is formed above the movable contact portion 703.

  When the operation unit 704 is pressed by an external object, the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706 is externally approached via the bending unit 713, the operation unit 704, the movable contact unit 703, and the substrate 702 by the press. The change value of the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor unit 701 due to the object is detected. The electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706 compares the detected capacitance change value with a threshold value. In addition, the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706 outputs the comparison result to the control unit 708.

  The switch unit input determination unit 707 detects conduction and non-conduction between a fixed contact (not shown) formed on the substrate 702 and the movable contact unit 703. Further, the switch unit input determination unit 707 outputs the detection result to the control unit 708.

  The control unit 708 determines whether or not an input to the switch unit should be accepted based on the comparison result input from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706 and the detection result input from the switch unit input determination unit 707. Specifically, when the non-conduction detection result is input from the switch unit input determination unit 707, the control unit 708 determines that the switch unit is not pressed and does not accept the input. In addition, the control unit 708 receives a detection result of continuity from the switch unit input determination unit 707 and a comparison result from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706 that has a capacitance change value equal to or greater than a threshold value. Accepts the input as if the switch part was pushed normally. In addition, the control unit 708 receives the detection result of continuity from the switch unit input determination unit 707 and the comparison result that the capacitance change value is less than the threshold value is input from the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706. Is determined to be an erroneous operation, and the switch unit is handled as not being pressed. In addition, when receiving an input to the switch unit, the control unit 708 outputs a predetermined signal indicating that the switch unit has been pressed to the outside. This signal is received by another control unit that controls the operation of the entire electronic device, and a function corresponding to pressing of the switch unit is executed.

  The recess 711 is formed below the bending portion 713 of the case 705, and is formed by denting the case 705 in the thickness direction above the location where the movable contact portion 703 is disposed. In addition, the operation portion 704 is disposed in the recess 711 so as to be slidable in the pressing direction. The concave portion 711 is a space for allowing the bending portion 713 to bend when the bending portion 713 is pressed in the pressing direction. In addition, an external object that presses the operation unit 704 enters the recess 711.

  The bending portion 713 is formed integrally with the case 705 above the location where the movable contact portion 703 is disposed. Further, the bending portion 713 is thin in the thickness direction of the case 705. Further, when the bending portion 713 is pressed downward, it bends into the recess 711 to press the operation portion 704 downward.

  This is the end of the description of the configuration of the electronic device 700.

  Since operations of the electrostatic sensor unit input determination unit 706, the switch unit input determination unit 707, and the control unit 708 of the electronic device 700 according to the second embodiment are the same as those in FIGS. 2 and 8, description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, when an operation is erroneously performed by an object other than a human finger, an input to the switch unit is not accepted, and therefore, when the switch unit is erroneously pressed when stored in a bag or the like. Can be prevented from malfunctioning. Also, by performing temporary registration, the time until the finger completely leaves the switch can be assigned to the electrostatic sensor detection time. It is possible to prevent omissions, prevent any functions from being activated due to malfunctions, realize power saving, and prevent omissions in correct operations.

  Further, in this embodiment, even when simultaneous pressing of switches or continuous pressing of different switches occurs, it is possible to prevent omission of correct operation by giving priority to temporary registration.

  In the first and second embodiments, the details of the operation when it is determined that the operation is normal have not been described. For example, when the switch unit is a numeric keypad, characters and numbers are input. When the switch unit is a power button, the entire electronic device is turned on / off. Further, if this switch unit is used as a switch for returning from the power saving mode that stops most of the functions of the entire device, further power saving can be achieved. In addition, the switch part of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 can be applied to various switches as long as the switch is pressed by a person with a finger, and can be used as a switch for starting an arbitrary operation.

  Moreover, in said Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, although the bending part was provided integrally with the case, this invention is not restricted to this, While making the recessed part formed in the case into a through-hole, above a case A sheet that can be bent may be provided separately from the case. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the switch portion that is a mechanical switch that buckles the electrically movable contact portion and is electrically connected to the fixed contact is provided. The mechanical switch having the structure can be used as the switch unit.

  In the first and second embodiments, the control unit outputs a predetermined signal to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The control unit may be integrated with another control unit that controls the entire device, and if the switch unit is normally pressed, a function corresponding to the switch unit may be executed according to the determination of the control unit.

  In the first and second embodiments, the electrostatic sensor is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Since the change in capacitance is only one type of information indicating the area of an external object close to the sensor, other sensors can be used if information indicating the area is obtained by other means. For example, a pressure-sensitive sensor that outputs the pressed area may be used. An electrostatic sensor reacts only when an external object is a conductive object such as a human finger, but an electrostatic sensor can reliably eliminate non-conductive objects. It is suitable for eliminating operations other than the fingers. On the other hand, when there is a possibility of being misidentified as a non-conductive object, such as when the user is wearing gloves, the operation for the user is easier using the pressure-sensitive sensor. Moreover, you may use both a pressure-sensitive sensor and an electrostatic sensor together.

  Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the threshold value of the change in capacitance when it is determined that the finger is pressed is not specified, but this exceeds the area of the recess. Various values can be adopted within the range. For example, if it does not react unless the capacitance changes corresponding to the area approximately the same as the area of the recess, it is possible to eliminate the erroneous operation more accurately, and it may be considerably narrower than the area of the recess. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a normal operation is erroneously determined as an erroneous operation. Further, the threshold value is not fixed and may be arbitrarily set by the user according to the actual usage pattern. In addition, even if it is determined that the operation is incorrect, if there is a press with substantially the same area within a predetermined period from the determination that the operation is incorrect (this is no response even if normal input is intended) Therefore, if the user's operation is detected when normal input is not accepted (such as when trying to input again), the result of the determination that the operation is incorrect is ignored. It may be determined that the input is normal, or automatic adjustment may be performed to reduce a threshold value to be compared with a close area. The above deformation is the same when a sensor other than the electrostatic sensor is used to know the area information.

  Each of the above embodiments, modified examples, and combinations thereof are also included in the present invention.

  The present invention is suitable, for example, for an electronic device having a switch unit that a human presses with a finger.

100, 700 Electronic device 102, 703 Movable contact part 103, 704 Operation part 104, 701 Electrostatic sensor part 105, 705 Case 106, 706 Electrostatic sensor part input determination part 107, 707 Switch part input determination part 108, 708 Control part 111 Through hole 112, 711 Recess 113, 712 Inner wall surface 114, 713 Deflection

Claims (7)

An operation unit pressed by an external object;
A switch unit that is pressed by the operation unit to switch between an electrically conductive state and a non-conductive state;
A sensor unit that is stacked on the switch unit and outputs information indicating an area close to the external object;
A case housing the operation unit, the switch unit, and the sensor unit;
A control unit that detects switching to the conductive state in the switch unit and determines whether or not the switch unit is normally pressed based on the detection result and information indicating the area;
Electronic equipment having The said control part determines with the said switch part having been normally pressed, when the switch to the conduction | electrical_connection state in the said switch part is detected and the area shown by the information which shows the said area is more than a threshold value. 1. The electronic device according to 1. The control unit determines that the switch unit has not been normally pressed when the area indicated by the information indicating the area is less than the threshold value even when the switch unit is switched to a conductive state. Item 3. The electronic device according to Item 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is activated after the switch unit is switched to a conductive state, and is stopped until the switch unit is switched to a conductive state. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is stacked on the switch unit between the case and the switch unit. The switch unit moves in the pressing direction by pressing the operation unit when switching to a conductive state,
The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is stacked on the switch unit on the pressing direction side of the switch unit. 2. The sensor unit is an electrostatic sensor whose capacitance changes according to an area where a conductive object is close, and the information indicating the area is information indicating a change in the capacitance. Electronic equipment.

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