JP2013097600A - Touch input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to more surely recognize a touch operation position for a boundary between virtual switches with respect to a touch input device.SOLUTION: When coordinates of a centroid of a contact area to a touch pad 13 are in a vibration region D1 or D2 set with a boundary L1 or L2 as the center, the touch pad 13 is vibrated with vibration strength corresponding to distances between the coordinates of the centroid and boundaries L1 and L2, so that a user can more surely recognize a touch operation position for boundaries L1 and L2 of switches A to C. As a result, operation precision can be improved.

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch input device.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, touch-type input devices that operate a mouse pointer displayed on a display by touching a touch pad are known.
Here, as shown in FIG. 9, in the conventional general mechanical switch, a boundary (gap) is generated between the switches A to C. Therefore, for example, when the user slides the finger to the switch B from a state where the finger is in contact with the switch A, the user can recognize the boundary between the switches A and B through the sense of touch. For this reason, the user can recognize which switch A to C his / her finger is currently in contact with.

  In this regard, in the touch type input device, as shown in FIG. 10A, the area of the switches A to C is virtually divided on the touch pad. There is no boundary (gap) between ~ C.

  For this reason, the structure which notifies a user of a touch operation position through the vibration of a touchpad is considered (for example, refer patent document 1). When this configuration is applied to the notification of the boundary between the switches A to C, as shown in FIG. 10B, the touch operation position is detected at each time t1 to t7 (every fixed time). In this example, when the touch operation position coincides with the boundary between the switches A and B at time t4, the touch pad is vibrated. Thereby, the user can recognize the boundary between the switches A and B. In addition, the user can exhibit the function according to the switch by hitting the switch with a finger from a state in which any of the switches A to C is touched.

JP 2010-9321 A

  The touch input device only vibrates once at the boundary between the switches A to C. Therefore, the user cannot recognize where his / her finger is located in each of the switches A to C. Therefore, for example, when the above-described tapping operation is performed from the state where the finger is in contact with the vicinity of the boundary between the switches A and B in the switch A, the tapping position is shifted, so that the switch B is operated. May not be possible.

  This is not limited to the touch input device including the touch pad, and the same applies to a configuration in which a touch pad (touch panel) and a display are combined to perform a touch operation on the display.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device that allows a user to more reliably recognize a touch operation position with respect to a boundary between virtual switches. It is in.

Hereinafter, means for achieving the above-described object and its operation and effects will be described.
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a detection unit that detects a user's touch operation on the operation surface, a vibrator that vibrates the operation surface, a virtual operation region is set on the operation surface, and the virtual on the operation surface is set. A vibration region is set on the virtual operation region side with reference to the boundary between the operation region and the other region, and the touch operation position is recognized based on the detection result of the detection means, and the touch operation position is determined by the vibration. The gist of the invention is that it includes control means for changing the intensity of the vibration according to the distance between the touch operation position and the boundary when it is determined that the area is in the area.

  According to the configuration, when the touch operation position on the operation surface is in the vibration area set on the virtual operation area side from the boundary of the virtual operation area, the operation is performed with the vibration intensity according to the distance between the touch operation position and the boundary. The surface is vibrated. Therefore, the user can reliably recognize the touch operation position with respect to the boundary of the virtual operation area.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the touch input device according to the first aspect, the control means recognizes a barycentric coordinate of a user contact area with respect to the operation surface as the touch operation position, and the barycentric coordinate is The gist is to change the intensity of vibration according to the distance between the barycentric coordinates and the boundary when it is determined that the vibration area exists.

  According to this configuration, when the barycentric coordinates of the contact area are in the vibration area, the operation surface is vibrated with a vibration intensity corresponding to the distance between the barycentric coordinates and the boundary. Therefore, the operation surface can be vibrated when the center of the user's finger approaches the boundary.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the touch input device according to the second aspect, the control unit sets a plurality of the virtual operation areas adjacent to each other on the operation surface, and the virtual operation areas adjacent to each other. The gist is to set the vibration region on both sides with reference to the boundary between them.

  According to this configuration, a plurality of virtual operation areas are set so as to be adjacent to each other. In this case, vibration areas are set on both sides with reference to a boundary between adjacent virtual operation areas. Therefore, even when the user performs a touch operation between adjacent virtual operation areas, the user can recognize which virtual operation area is being touched.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the touch input device according to the third aspect, when the control unit determines that the contact area is in contact with a boundary between the two adjacent virtual operation regions, the control unit The gist of the invention is to set the vibration region having the center of gravity coordinates and the distance between the boundaries on both sides with the boundary as a reference.

  According to this configuration, the vibration region is set when it is determined that the contact area is in contact with the boundary. This vibration area has the same distance as the center-of-gravity coordinates and the distance between the boundaries, and is set on both sides with the boundary between both virtual operation areas as the center. Therefore, even if the contact area varies depending on the size of the user's finger or the like, vibration control is performed according to the contact area at that time. Thereby, when the user's finger is in contact with the boundary, the operation surface can be more reliably vibrated.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the touch input device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the control means reduces the vibration as the distance between the touch operation position and the boundary decreases. The gist is to increase the strength.

  According to this configuration, the vibration of the operation surface increases as the distance between the touch operation position and the boundary decreases. Therefore, the user can recognize how close the finger is to the boundary through the magnitude of vibration.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in a touch-type input device, a user can recognize more reliably the touch operation position with respect to the boundary between virtual switches.

The perspective view which shows the touchpad and display which are mounted in the vehicle in 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the touch-type input device in 1st Embodiment. (A) The top view which shows the virtual switch in a touchpad in 1st Embodiment, (b) The graph which showed the relationship between the position of the X direction in a touchpad, and vibration intensity. The top view which shows the contact area and center-of-gravity coordinate to the touchpad in 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on the vibration control of the touchpad by the control circuit in 1st Embodiment. (A) The top view which shows the virtual switch in a touchpad in 2nd Embodiment, (b) The graph which showed the relationship between the position of the X direction in a touchpad, and vibration intensity. The flowchart which shows the process sequence which concerns on the vibration control of the touchpad by the control circuit in 2nd Embodiment. The top view of the touchpad which shows the distance of the gravity center coordinate on a touchpad in another embodiment, and two boundaries. The top view of the mechanical switch in background art. In the background art, (a) a plan view showing virtual switches on a touch pad, (b) a graph showing a positional relationship between a touch operation position and a boundary.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which a touch input device of the present invention is mounted on a vehicle will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a display 5 is fitted in the center portion (center cluster) of the dashboard 1. The center console 2 is provided with a shift lever 3, and a touch pad 13 is provided on the front side of the center console 2 so as to expose its surface (operation surface).

  The user selects and determines a desired function item displayed on the display 5 through a touch operation on the touch pad 13, thereby controlling an in-vehicle device such as an air conditioner or a car navigation system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch input device 10 includes a control circuit 11, a touch sensor 14, a piezoelectric element 15, and a drive circuit 17 in addition to the touch pad 13.
The touch sensor 14 is provided on the side opposite to the operation surface of the touch pad 13, detects a change in capacitance due to a finger touching the touch pad 13, and outputs the detection result to the control circuit 11.

  The piezoelectric element 15 is fixed to the side of the touch sensor 14 opposite to the touch pad 13. The control circuit 11 applies an AC voltage to the piezoelectric element 15 through the drive circuit 17. Thereby, the piezoelectric element 15 vibrates at high frequency. The control circuit 11 can change the intensity of vibration based on the voltage value (amplitude value) applied to the piezoelectric element 15. This vibration propagates to the touch pad 13 via the touch sensor 14. Therefore, the user can recognize the vibration of the piezoelectric element 15 with the finger in contact with the touch pad 13. The piezoelectric element 15 corresponds to a vibrator.

  The control circuit 11 controls the screen of the display 5. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit 11 displays a selection switch 5 a on the display 5. The user selects and determines one of the selection switches 5a through a touch operation on the touch pad 13. Thereby, the selected desired function is exhibited.

  Specifically, when displaying the selection switch 5 a on the display 5, the control circuit 11 virtually partitions the switches A to C on the operation surface of the touch pad 13 as shown in FIG. The partitioned switches A to C correspond to a virtual operation area. Each of the switches A to C is square and is set in a manner adjacent to the side. The switches A to C are partitioned at positions corresponding to the selection switch 5 a of the display 5 on the touch pad 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, a vibration region D1 is set in the X direction around the boundary L1 between the switches A and B. This vibration region D1 is set between the coordinates Xa1 and Xb1 in the X direction. Similarly, a vibration region D2 is set in the X direction around the boundary L2 between the switches B and C. The vibration area D2 is set between the coordinates Xa2 and the coordinates Xb2 in the X direction.

  The control circuit 11 recognizes whether or not the finger touches the touch pad 13 based on the detection result of the touch sensor 14 at regular intervals. Is calculated. As shown in FIG. 4, when calculating the contact area S, the control circuit 11 calculates the barycentric coordinates G1 of the contact area S.

  The control circuit 11 vibrates the touch pad 13 through the piezoelectric element 15 when the barycentric coordinate G1 (exactly its X coordinate, the same applies hereinafter) is within the vibration areas D1 and D2. As shown in FIG. 3B, the control circuit 11 changes the vibration intensity according to the position of the barycentric coordinate G1. The curve relating to the vibration intensity in FIG. 3B is a normal distribution curve. For example, the control circuit 11 maximizes the vibration intensity when the barycentric coordinate G1 is at the boundary L1.

  When the control circuit 11 recognizes that any one of the switches A to C is selected through the touch operation and determines that an operation of tapping the touch pad 13 with a finger through the touch sensor 14 is performed, the switch The function of the in-vehicle device corresponding to A to C is exhibited.

The touch sensor 14 corresponds to detection means, and the control circuit 11 corresponds to control means.
Next, a processing procedure related to vibration control of the touch pad 13 by the control circuit 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is started when it is determined through the touch sensor 14 that there is a touch operation.

  The control circuit 11 calculates the barycentric coordinates G1 based on the contact area S (S101). Then, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the barycentric coordinates G1 are within the vibration regions D1 and D2 (S102). When the control circuit 11 determines that the center-of-gravity coordinates G1 are within the vibration areas D1 and D2 (YES in S102), the control circuit 11 touches through the piezoelectric element 15 with the vibration intensity according to the vibration characteristics shown in FIG. The pad 13 is vibrated (S103). Then, the process returns to step S101. That is, as long as the center-of-gravity coordinates G1 exist in the vibration areas D1 and D2, the vibration of the touch pad 13 is continued.

When the control circuit 11 determines that the barycentric coordinates G1 do not fall within the vibration areas D1 and D2 (NO in S102), the process ends.
Hereinafter, a case where the user slides the finger to the switch B from a state where the finger is in contact with the approximate center of the switch A will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the touch pad 13 starts to vibrate when the barycentric coordinate G1 reaches the coordinate Xa1 as the touched finger slides toward the switch B side. As G1 approaches the boundary L1, the vibration intensity gradually increases. Accordingly, the user can recognize that the touch operation position is approaching the boundary L1 and the approximate touch operation position on the switch A. When the barycentric coordinate G1 reaches the boundary L1, the vibration of the touch pad 13 becomes maximum, and the vibration intensity gradually decreases as the barycentric coordinate G1 moves away from the boundary L1 in the switch B direction. Thereby, the user can recognize that the touch operation position has reached the switch B beyond the boundary L1 and the approximate touch operation position on the switch B.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the barycentric coordinates G1 of the contact area S with respect to the touch pad 13 are in the vibration areas D1 and D2 set around the boundaries L1 and L2, vibration according to the distance between the barycentric coordinates G1 and the boundaries L1 and L2 The touch pad 13 is vibrated with the intensity of. Therefore, the user can surely recognize the touch operation position with respect to the boundaries L1 and L2 of the switches A to C. As a result, operation accuracy can be improved.

  (2) The barycentric coordinates G1 of the contact area S are assumed to be the center of the user's finger. Therefore, by using the barycentric coordinates G1 as the touch operation position, the touch pad 13 can be vibrated when the center of the user's finger approaches the boundaries L1 and L2.

  (3) The vibration of the touch pad 13 increases as the distance between the barycentric coordinates G1 and the boundaries L1 and L2 decreases. Therefore, the user can recognize how close the finger is to the boundaries L1 and L2 through the increase in vibration.

  (4) As shown in FIG. 3B, the curve relating to the vibration intensity is set to a normal distribution curve. For this reason, the increase rate (slope) of the vibration intensity can be increased as it approaches the boundaries L1 and L2. Therefore, the user can more reliably recognize that the finger contact position is approaching the boundaries L1 and L2 based on the rate of increase in vibration intensity.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment except that a vibration mode suitable for the contact area of the finger is set. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the control circuit 11 recognizes the maximum coordinate Xm in which the X coordinate is maximum in the contact area S and the minimum coordinate Xs in which the X coordinate is minimum. Here, a case where a slide operation is performed from the switch A to the switch B with a finger in contact will be described. When the control circuit 11 determines that the maximum coordinate Xm has reached the boundary L1, the center-of-gravity coordinate G1 at that time is set as the coordinate Xa1. Next, the control circuit 11 calculates the vibration region R from the difference between the maximum coordinate Xm and the coordinate Xa1. And the control circuit 11 sets this vibration area | region R to both sides centering on the boundary L1. The maximum of the vibration region R in the switch B is the coordinate Xb1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6B, the control circuit 11 sets a curve related to the vibration intensity similar to that of the first embodiment between the coordinates Xa1 and the coordinates Xb1, and the center of gravity coordinates G1 in the curve is set. The touch pad 13 is vibrated with a vibration intensity corresponding to the position. That is, the control circuit 11 maximizes the vibration intensity when the barycentric coordinates G1 coincide with the boundary L1. In this example, the maximum vibration intensity is set in advance. In this case, as the vibration region R becomes larger, the average value of the slope of the curve from the coordinate Xa1 or the coordinate Xb1 to the boundary L1 becomes smaller. That is, the degree of increase in vibration intensity associated with the finger approaching the boundary L1 becomes moderate.

  The same applies to the case where the slide operation is performed from the switch B to the switch A while the finger is in contact. That is, when the control circuit 11 determines that the minimum coordinate Xs coincides with the boundary L1, the center-of-gravity coordinate G1 at that time is set as the coordinate Xb1. The distance between the barycentric coordinates G1 and the coordinates Xb1 is the vibration region R. Hereinafter, similarly to the above, the control circuit 11 sets vibration regions R on both sides of the boundary L1, and sets a curve relating to vibration intensity in these vibration regions R.

  In the above description, the vicinity of the boundary L1 has been described. Similarly, also in the vicinity of the boundary L2, the vibration region R is set after the coordinate Xa2 or the coordinate Xb2 is recognized, and further, a curve related to the vibration intensity is set.

  Next, a processing procedure related to vibration control of the touch pad 13 by the control circuit 11 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. This flowchart is started when it is determined through the touch sensor 14 that there is a touch operation.

  Based on the contact area S, the control circuit 11 calculates the center-of-gravity coordinate G1, the maximum coordinate Xm, and the minimum coordinate Xs (S201). Then, the control circuit 11 determines whether or not the maximum coordinate Xm or the minimum coordinate Xs coincides with the boundaries L1 and L2 (S202). When the control circuit 11 determines that the maximum coordinate Xm or the minimum coordinate Xs does not coincide with the boundaries L1 and L2 (NO in S202), the control circuit 11 returns to the process of step S201. When determining that the maximum coordinate Xm or the minimum coordinate Xs coincides with the boundaries L1 and L2 (YES in S202), the control circuit 11 recognizes the coordinates Xa1, Xb1 or the coordinates Xa2, Xb2 (S203). Then, the control circuit 11 sets the vibration region R on both sides of the boundaries L1 and L2, and sets a curve related to the vibration intensity between the vibration regions R (S204). The control circuit 11 vibrates the touch pad 13 with the vibration intensity according to this curve (S205). Thus, the process ends.

As described above, according to the embodiment described above, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (4) of the first embodiment.
(5) The vibration region R is set when it is determined that the contact area S is in contact with the boundaries L1 and L2. The vibration region R has the same distance as the distance between the barycentric coordinates G1 and the boundaries L1 and L2, and is set on both sides with the boundaries L1 and L2 as the centers. According to this configuration, even if the contact area S differs for each touch operation due to the size of the user's finger or the contact pressure of the finger on the touch pad 13, vibration control according to the contact area S at that time Is done. Thereby, when the user's finger is in contact with the boundaries L1 and L2, the touch pad 13 can be vibrated more reliably.

In addition, the said embodiment can be implemented with the following forms which changed this suitably.
In the second embodiment, the maximum vibration intensity is preset in the curve related to vibration intensity. However, the curve may be set so that the maximum vibration intensity increases as the vibration region R increases.

  In both the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 6B, the curve relating to the vibration intensity is a normal distribution curve, but is not limited thereto, and is, for example, a quadratic curve. May be. Also in this case, the vibration intensity is set to be maximum (the inclination is zero) at the boundaries L1 and L2. In addition, the line is not limited to a curve, and may be a straight line whose vibration intensity increases from the coordinate Xa1 or the coordinate Xb1 toward the boundary L1.

  Conversely, the vibration intensity may decrease as the barycentric coordinate G1 moves from the coordinate Xa1 or the coordinate Xb1 toward the boundary L1, and the vibration may be stopped when the barycentric coordinate G1 reaches the boundary L1. Even in this case, the user can recognize the touch operation position based on the change in the vibration intensity.

  Further, when the barycentric coordinate G1 reaches the boundary L1, the vibration and the vibration stop may be periodically repeated. Thereby, a user can be made to recognize more reliably that a touch operation position exists in a boundary.

  In the first embodiment, when the barycentric coordinates G1 are within the vibration areas D1 and D2, the touch pad 13 starts to vibrate. However, not only the center-of-gravity coordinate G1, but also the vibration of the touch pad 13 may be started when the maximum coordinate Xm or the minimum coordinate Xs of the contact area S falls within the vibration regions D1 and D2.

  Further, the control circuit 11 may recognize a square or rectangle that is the minimum area surrounding the contact area S, and may use a point at which two diagonal lines of the square or rectangle intersect as a center coordinate. The center coordinates are used for vibration control instead of the barycentric coordinates G1.

  Alternatively, the touch pad 13 may be vibrated when a certain ratio (for example, 50%) or more of the contact area S is within the vibration regions D1, D2, R, and the vibration intensity may be increased as the ratio increases.

In each of the embodiments described above, a piezoelectric element is used as the vibrator. However, as long as the touch pad 13 can be vibrated, not only the piezoelectric element but also a motor or the like may be used.
In both the above embodiments, the vibration intensity is changed only when the finger is moved in the X direction while the finger is in contact with the touch pad 13, but the same applies when the finger is moved in the Y direction. The vibration intensity may be changed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the control circuit 11 recognizes the centroid coordinate G1, the distance Lx between the centroid coordinate G1 and the boundary L1 in the X direction, the centroid coordinate G1 and the boundary L3 (the lower side of the switch A) ) And a distance Ly in the Y direction. Also in the Y direction, similarly to the X direction in FIG. 3B, a curve related to the vibration intensity is set so that the vibration intensity increases as the boundary L3 is approached.

  For example, the control circuit 11 selects the smaller one of the distances Lx and Ly and vibrates the touch pad 13 with the vibration intensity corresponding to the distance. The same applies to the upper boundary of the switch A and the upper and lower boundaries of the switches B and C. In the Y direction, the vibration is stopped when the boundary L3 is exceeded from the switch A. Further, a curve relating to the vibration intensity may be set so that the vibration intensity increases as the value obtained by adding both distances Lx and Ly decreases. In this case, the vibration intensity is maximized in the vicinity of the corner formed by both boundaries L1 and L3. According to the above configuration, the user can recognize the touch operation position on the switch including the Y direction.

  Further, the touch pad 13 may be vibrated also when approaching the boundary of the switch A opposite to the switch B. Also in this case, as described above, the vibration intensity increases as the boundary is approached. The same applies to the case where the switch C approaches the boundary opposite to the switch B.

  In both the above embodiments, the three switches A to C are virtually partitioned on the touch pad 13. However, the number of virtual switches is not limited to three. That is, the number may be four or more, or one. In the case of a single switch, the intensity of vibration increases from the state in which the finger is in contact with the switch toward the boundary, and the vibration is stopped when the boundary is exceeded. Moreover, the switch arrangement method can be changed as appropriate, and for example, the switches may be arranged in a matrix.

The position of the touch pad 13 in both the above embodiments is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be provided on the steering or the dashboard 1, for example.
-You may apply the touch-type input device 10 in both the said embodiment to electric equipments other than a vehicle.

  In both the above embodiments, the touch pad 13 and the display 5 are configured separately, but the touch pad 13 and the display 5 may be configured integrally. In this case, a touch operation is performed on the switches A to C displayed on the display 5.

In each of the above embodiments, the switches A to C virtually partitioned by the touch pad 13 are square, but the shape is not limited to a square, and may be a circle, a triangle, a hexagon, or the like.
In both the above embodiments, the capacitive method is adopted as the touch sensor 14, but a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared method, or an electromagnetic induction method may also be adopted.

Next, the technical idea that can be grasped from the embodiment will be described together with the effects.
(A) The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls an in-vehicle device based on a touch operation through the detection unit.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 5 ... Display, 10 ... Touch-type input device, 11 ... Control circuit (control means), 13 ... Touch pad, 14 ... Touch sensor (detection means), 15 ... Piezoelectric element (vibrator).

Claims (5)

Detecting means for detecting a user's touch operation on the operation surface;
A vibrator that vibrates the operation surface;
A virtual operation region is set on the operation surface, a vibration region is set on the virtual operation region side with reference to a boundary between the virtual operation region and the other region on the operation surface, and the detection unit detects Control means for recognizing a touch operation position based on a result and changing the intensity of vibration according to a distance between the touch operation position and the boundary when it is determined that the touch operation position is in the vibration area; Touch-type input device provided. The touch input device according to claim 1,
The control means recognizes the center of gravity coordinate of the user's contact area with the operation surface as the touch operation position, and determines that the center of gravity coordinate is in the vibration region, and according to the distance between the center of gravity coordinate and the boundary. Touch type input device that changes the intensity of vibration. The touch input device according to claim 2,
The touch input device in which the control means sets a plurality of virtual operation areas adjacent to each other on the operation surface, and sets the vibration areas on both sides based on a boundary between the virtual operation areas adjacent to each other. The touch input device according to claim 3,
When the control means determines that the contact area is in contact with the boundary between the two adjacent virtual operation areas, the vibration area having the center-of-gravity coordinates and the distance between the boundaries is set on both sides based on the boundary. Touch input device to set. In the touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The touch-type input device, wherein the control means increases the intensity of the vibration as the distance between the touch operation position and the boundary is smaller.