JP2014229223A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for enabling even an operation on a side wall surface of an operation body to be detected by a capacitive sensor for top face detection.SOLUTION: An input device includes: an operation body having a top face and a side wall surface located on the outer circumference of the top face; a capacitive sensor disposed on the reverse side of the top face, with a detection area facing the top face; and a control unit for generating a detection signal on the basis of a change in the capacitance of the capacitive sensor. The top face is a first operation face capable of detecting a first operation on the top face as the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitive sensor changes owing to the first operation. The side wall surface, configured by a floating conductor coupled in capacitance with the capacitive sensor, is a second operation surface capable of detecting an operation on the side wall surface as the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitive sensor changes owing to the operation on the side wall surface.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that includes an operating body having an upper surface and a side wall surface, and a capacitance sensor, and can detect an operation on the operating body based on a change in capacitance.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 includes an operation body that is rotatably supported, and a capacitive sensor disposed on the back side of the upper surface (top surface portion) of the operation body (operation knob). An input device is disclosed that can detect the approach or contact of a finger to the upper surface of the operating body along with the rotating operation of the operating body.

  The rotating operation of the operating body can be performed while grasping the side wall surface (the outer ring portion 22a of Patent Document 1) located on the outer periphery of the upper surface of the operating body.

JP 2012-221904 A

  In the configuration of the conventional input device, it is difficult to detect the operation on the side wall surface of the operating body by the upper surface detection capacitance sensor. Therefore, by providing a sensor separate from the upper surface detection capacitance sensor on the side wall surface, it becomes possible to detect an operation on the side wall surface, but the production cost increases and the inside of the input device is increased. There is also a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the size reduction of the input device cannot be promoted appropriately.

  Conventionally, it has not been possible to distinguish and detect whether the side wall surface is grasped by hand from above the upper surface or whether the hand is accidentally touched on the side wall surface.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and in particular, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can detect an operation on the side wall surface of an operating body with a capacitance sensor for detecting the upper surface. .

The input device in the present invention is
An operating body having an upper surface and a side wall surface located on the outer periphery of the upper surface;
A capacitive sensor disposed on the back side of the top surface, the detection area facing the top surface;
A control unit that generates a detection signal based on a capacitance change of the capacitance sensor,
The upper surface is a first operation surface capable of detecting the first operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a first operation on the upper surface,
The side wall surface is constituted by a floating conductor portion capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor, and the operation on the side wall surface is detected by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by the operation on the side wall surface. The second operation surface can be used. As described above, in the present invention, the side wall surface of the operating body is configured by the floating conductor portion that is capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor whose detection area is opposed to the first detection surface (upper surface). The side surface of the floating conductor can be used as the second operation surface without using a sensor different from the capacitance sensor for detecting the operation on the operation surface (upper surface). Therefore, increase in production cost and complication of the internal structure of the input device can be suppressed, and further downsizing of the input device can be appropriately promoted.

In the present invention, the capacitance sensor includes a plurality of first electrode patterns arranged at an interval in a first direction in a plane and a first in a plane that intersects the first direction. A plurality of second electrode patterns arranged in a non-contact manner with the first electrode pattern at intervals in two directions,
The controller can switch between a first scan mode in which electrode patterns that do not intersect with each other are used as drive electrodes and detection electrodes, and a second scan mode in which electrode patterns that intersect with each other are used as drive electrodes and detection electrodes. And
The operation on the side wall surface is preferably detected based on a detection signal obtained from at least one of the first scan mode and the second scan mode. In the present invention, since the detection signal obtained by the first operation and the detection signal obtained by the operation on the side wall surface differ depending on the first scan mode or the second scan mode, each operation is based on the detection signal. Can be determined.

  For example, in the first scan mode, a drive electrode and a detection electrode are set in one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern.

  Alternatively, in the first scan mode, one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern is used as a drive electrode, and the other electrode that does not intersect the drive electrode is used as a detection electrode.

  For example, in the present invention, the operation on the side wall surface is preferably detected based on both a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode. .

For example, the operation on the side wall surface is a second operation in which the second operation surface is gripped from above the first operation surface.
The second operation is detected when a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is larger than a first threshold and a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode is smaller than a second threshold. can do.

  At this time, when the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode is larger than the second threshold, the first operation is performed on the first operation surface based on the detection signal. Can be detected. Thus, based on the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode, it is possible to accurately determine whether the operation is the first operation or the second operation. .

Alternatively, the operation for the side wall surface is a second operation for grasping the second operation surface from above the first operation surface,
It can be determined whether or not the signal is the second signal based on the amount of change of the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode with respect to time.

  In the above, when the amount of change with respect to time of the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is the first change state that gradually increases, it is determined as the second operation, and the amount of change is When the second change state is rapidly increased as compared with the first change state, it can be determined that the operation object touches the second operation surface from the lateral direction. As described above, whether the change amount of the detection signal with respect to time increases gradually or suddenly, the second operation or the operation object (such as a finger) touches the second operation surface accidentally. It is possible to accurately determine whether or not it is in the state.

  Further, in the above, it is possible to detect the first operation to perform an input operation on the first operation surface based on the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode. In the second scan mode, the detection signal for the first operation includes a detection signal for the second operation and a detection signal obtained when an operation object (such as a finger) touches the second operation surface accidentally. Since they are different, the first operation can be detected by the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode.

Alternatively, the input device in the present invention is
An operating body having an upper surface and a side wall surface located on the outer periphery of the upper surface;
A capacitive sensor disposed on the back side of the top surface, the detection area facing the top surface;
A control unit that generates a detection signal based on a capacitance change of the capacitance sensor,
The upper surface is a first operation surface capable of detecting the first operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a first operation on the upper surface,
The side wall surface can detect the second operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a second operation in which the side wall surface is gripped from above the first operation surface. Second operation surface,
The capacitance sensor has a plurality of first electrode patterns arranged at an interval in a first direction in a plane and a second direction in a plane intersecting the first direction. A plurality of second electrode patterns arranged in a non-contact manner with the first electrode pattern at an interval; and
The control unit includes a first scan mode in which a drive electrode and a detection electrode are set using only one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern, and the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern. The second scan mode can be switched between one of the electrode patterns and the other as the detection electrode,
The first operation is detected based on a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode, and the second operation is detected based on at least a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode. It is characterized by that. In the present invention, the second scan mode and the second scan mode are different in arrangement of the drive electrode and the detection electrode without using a sensor different from the capacitance sensor for detecting the operation on the first operation surface (upper surface). By switching between these scan modes, it is possible to discriminate between the first operation and the second operation. In addition, in this invention, the form by which the floating conductor part is not provided in the side wall part of the operation body is also included.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the second operation is detected based on both a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode.

In the present invention, the operating body is rotatably supported,
A rotation detection unit for detecting rotation of the operation body;
When rotating the operation body, it is preferable that an operation on the side wall surface grasping the second operation surface from above the first operation surface is detected as a second operation.

  In the above, based on detection of the second operation and a detection signal from the rotation detection unit, the control unit can output a rotation detection signal of the operation body.

  According to the first input device of the present invention, by providing the floating conductor portion capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor on the side wall surface of the operating body, the electrostatic for detecting the operation on the first operating surface (upper surface) is provided. The side surface of the floating conductor can be used as the second operation surface without using a sensor different from the capacitance sensor.

  According to the second input device of the present invention, the drive electrode and the detection electrode can be arranged without using a sensor different from the capacitance sensor for detecting the operation on the first operation surface (upper surface). By switching between the different first scan mode and second scan mode, it is possible to discriminate between the first operation and the second operation.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a center console provided with an input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the input device according to the first embodiment cut along the line AA in FIG. 1 and viewed from the arrow direction. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the capacitance sensor, and is particularly an explanatory diagram for the first scan mode. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an electrode pattern different from FIG. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the capacitance sensor, and is particularly an explanatory diagram for the second scan mode. FIG. 7A is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an input operation (first operation; upper surface input operation) in which a finger is brought into contact with the first operation surface (upper surface) of the operating body, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing detection signals obtained in the first scan mode in the case of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a finger is in contact with the second operation surface (side surface) of the operation body, and FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating the first operation in the case of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection signal obtained in this scan mode. FIG. 9A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing an operation (second operation; grip operation) in which the second operation surface (side surface) of the operation body is gripped from above the first operation surface (upper surface). FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10A is a partial vertical sectional view showing an input operation (first operation; upper surface input operation) in which a finger is brought into contact with the first operation surface (upper surface) of the operation body, and FIG. These are the schematic diagrams which show the detection signal obtained in 2nd scan mode in the case of Fig.10 (a). FIG. 11A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a finger is in contact with the second operation surface (side surface) of the operation body, and FIG. 11B is a second view in FIG. 11A. It is a schematic diagram which shows the detection signal obtained in this scan mode. FIG. 12A is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing an operation (second operation: grip operation) in which the second operation surface (side surface) of the operation body is gripped from above the first operation surface (upper surface). FIG. 12B is a schematic diagram showing a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode in the case of FIG. FIG. 13 is a first flowchart for detecting the upper surface input operation and the grip operation. FIG. 14 is a second flowchart for detecting the upper surface input operation and the grip operation. FIG. 15 is a third flowchart for detecting the upper surface input operation and the grip operation. FIG. 16 is a graph showing a change amount of the detection signal with respect to time for discriminating the upper surface input operation and the grip operation. FIG. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an input device showing a structure (second embodiment) different from FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a center console provided with an input device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the input device taken along line AA in FIG. 1 and viewed from the direction of the arrow.

  A center console 1 shown in FIG. 1 is arranged between a driver's seat and a passenger seat of a vehicle, and an input device 2 for making various inputs is arranged on the surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input device 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is configured to have an operation body 10 that protrudes from the surface of the center console 1. The operating body 10 can be rotated along the circumferential direction. In addition, the operating body 10 can be pressed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the center console 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the operating body 10 includes an upper surface portion 11 and a side wall portion 12 located on the outer periphery of the upper surface portion 11. The upper surface portion 11 is a circular insulating substrate such as a resin. The surface (upper surface) of the upper surface portion 11 constitutes the first operation surface 11a. The first operation surface 11a is a surface parallel to a plane (a surface formed in the X direction and the Y direction). However, the first operation surface 11a may be curved instead of a flat surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a capacitance sensor 13 is disposed on the back side of the upper surface portion 11. The surface of the capacitance sensor 13 is a detection area 13a, and the detection area 13a faces the first operation surface 11a. The detection area 13a is a plane parallel to a plane (surface formed in the X direction and the Y direction), and as shown in FIG. 2, the first operation surface 11a and the detection area 13a are parallel to each other. However, the detection area 13a may be curved according to the form of the first operation surface 11a, or one of the first operation surface 11a and the detection area 13a is a flat surface and the other is a curved surface. May be. When the operator's finger approaches or comes into contact with the first operation surface 11a, a capacitance is formed between the electrode of the capacitance sensor 13 and the finger, and the amount of current flowing through the electrode changes. The input operation position (coordinate position) where the finger is approaching can be detected on the first operation surface 11a by detecting the electrode whose current amount has changed and specifying the position thereof.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the side wall part 12 constituting the operating body 10 is formed separately from the upper surface part 11, and a gap T <b> 1 is provided between the side wall part 12 and the capacitance sensor 13. The side wall portion 12 may be provided in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface portion 11 or may be provided obliquely. The side wall portion 12 functions as a floating conductor portion 14 that is capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor 13. The floating conductor portion 14 is formed by forming the entire side wall portion 12 with metal, forming the side wall portion 12 with synthetic resin and plating the surface with metal, or forming the side wall portion 12 with conductive resin or the like. It is configured. Alternatively, the side wall portion 12 and the upper surface portion 11 may be integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and the floating conductor portion 14 may be formed by performing metal plating on the surface of the side wall portion 12.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the floating conductor portion 14 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the capacitance sensor 13, but the floating conductor portion 14 is not the entire periphery around the capacitance sensor 13 but a part thereof. It is good also as a structure provided only in this.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a support member 15 that supports the capacitance sensor 13 is provided in the inside 10 a of the operating body 10, and a rotation detection unit 18 is provided in a region below the support member 15. . The operation body 10 is rotatably supported by the rotation support member 19. When the operation body 10 is rotated, the rotation detection unit 18 is also rotated integrally with the operation body 10. However, the capacitance sensor 13 and the support member 15 that supports it do not rotate.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the rotation detector 18 is provided with detection elements 19a such as protrusions or through holes arranged in a circumferential direction at a constant pitch. The rotation support member 19 is provided with an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor for detecting the detection element 19a, and can detect the number of rotations (rotation angle) of the rotation detector 18. In addition, it is preferable to provide two sets of detection elements 19a whose phases are shifted and optical sensors or magnetic sensors for detecting the respective detection elements 19a so that the rotation direction of the rotation detector 18 can be detected.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the input device 2 is provided with a first operation surface 11a and a second operation surface 14a. The first operation surface 11 a is the upper surface of the upper surface portion 11 located on the capacitance sensor 13 shown in FIG. 2, and the second operation surface 14 a is a floating conductor capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor 13. It is the surface (side wall surface) of the part 14. The second operation surface 14a may be provided in the vertical direction (Z) with respect to the first operation surface 11a, or may be inclined in an oblique direction.

  According to the input device 2, when an operation object such as a finger is brought into contact with or approached the first operation surface 11a, and when an operation object such as a finger is brought into contact with or approached the second operation surface 14a, A detection signal can be generated by the control unit 20 shown in FIG. 3 on the basis of the capacitance change by the capacitance sensor 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a sensor separate from the capacitance sensor 13 for detecting the second operation surface 14a, and the capacitance sensor 13 common to the first operation surface 11a and the second operation surface 14a. Can be used. Therefore, the production cost can be reduced, the internal structure of the input device 2 is not complicated, and the input device 2 can be downsized.

  The detection signal obtained by the control unit 20 is sent to the device main body 21 electrically connected to the input device 2, and the device main body 21 changes, for example, the display of the car navigation screen based on the detection signal. can do. Since the device main body 21 is not a component of the input device 2, the device main body 21 is indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation detection unit 18 is connected to the control unit 20, and the control unit 20 outputs information signals such as the number of rotations and the rotation amount based on the detection result obtained by the rotation detection unit 18. Transmit to the device main body 21. In the device main body 21, the displayed screen menu can be sequentially moved or the volume can be increased or decreased based on the information signal from the control unit 20.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the capacitance sensor 13. The capacitance sensor 13 shown in FIG. 4 is a thin sheet (flat plate). The capacitance sensor 13 includes a plurality of first sensors extending linearly in the Y direction (second direction) in the plane orthogonal to the X direction with a gap in the X direction (first direction) in the plane. 1 electrode pattern 22 and a plurality of second electrode patterns 23 extending linearly in the X direction with an interval in the Y direction. Each of the first electrode pattern 22 and the second electrode pattern 23 is formed on the surface of a separate insulating substrate, and an insulating layer (adhesive layer) is interposed between the insulating substrates. Accordingly, the first electrode pattern 22 and the second electrode pattern 23 are in a non-contact state. Each insulating substrate can be formed of a resin film, plastic, glass or the like. The capacitance sensor 13 may be either transparent or colored. When making the electrostatic capacitance sensor 13 transparent, it is necessary to form each electrode pattern with a transparent conductive material such as ITO.

  FIG. 5 shows a capacitance sensor in which a first electrode pattern 22 and a second electrode pattern 23 are formed on the surface of one insulating substrate. In this capacitance sensor, a first electrode pattern 22 is formed on one surface of an insulating substrate by a wide electrode portion 22a and a narrow connection portion 22b connecting the electrode portions 22a. On the same surface, the second electrode pattern 23 is configured by the wide electrode portion 23a and the narrow connection portion 23b connecting the electrode portions 23a. The positions of the connection portions 22 b and 23 b of the first electrode pattern 22 and the second electrode pattern 23 overlap with each other in the height direction with the insulating layer 24 interposed therebetween.

  In this capacitance sensor 13, it is possible to set a first scan mode (proximity scan mode) and a second scan mode (normal scan mode).

  FIG. 4 shows a first scan mode (proximity scan mode) in which both the drive electrode (drive electrode) 26 and the detection electrode (sense electrode) 27 are set to the first electrode pattern 22. In the first scan mode, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are in a parallel relationship. Further, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are set by the first electrode patterns 22 that are farthest apart so that the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are farthest from each other.

  It is also possible to set the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 to the second electrode pattern 23.

  FIG. 6 shows a second scan mode (normal scan mode) in which a drive electrode (drive electrode) 26 is set in the first electrode pattern 22 and a detection electrode (sense electrode) 27 is set in the second electrode pattern 23. Show. In the second scan mode, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are in an orthogonal relationship.

  FIG. 7A illustrates an upper surface input operation in which the finger F is brought into contact with the first operation surface (upper surface) 11a. In this specification, the upper surface input operation is a “first operation”.

  When the upper surface input operation of FIG. 7A is performed in the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) shown in FIG. 4, the detection signal obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 7B. S1 occurs in a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13, and the signal strength of the detection signal S1 is H1, which is larger than the threshold LV1.

  When a pulse voltage is applied to the drive electrode 26, a current can be obtained from the detection electrode 27. At this time, as shown in FIG. 7A, the current value changes between the state in which the finger F is in contact with the first operation surface 11a and the state in which the finger F is released. Based on the change in the current value, the control unit 20 can generate the detection signal S1, but in the first scan mode in which the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are in a parallel relationship, the capacitance sensor 13 A detection signal S1 having a signal strength H1 is obtained over a wide range of the detection area 13a. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the first scan mode, only detection of whether or not a finger has approached the first operation surface 11a is performed, and the contact of the finger F on the first operation surface 11a is performed. Position coordinates are not detected.

  FIG. 8A shows a state where the finger F has touched the second operation surface 14 a which is the side wall surface of the floating conductor portion 14. FIG. 8A shows a conductor touch state in which the finger F (operation object) accidentally touches or comes close to the floating conductor portion 14 from the side.

  When the conductor touch state of FIG. 8A occurs in the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) shown in FIG. 4, a detection signal obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 8B. S2 occurs in a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13, and at this time, the signal strength of the detection signal S2 is H2. This signal strength H2 is smaller than the signal strength H1 generated in the upper surface input operation (first operation) shown in FIG. 7B and smaller than the threshold LV1.

  The second operation surface 14a which is the surface (side wall surface) of the floating conductor portion 14 and the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13 are not opposed to each other, but the floating conductor portion 14 is capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor 13. Therefore, when the finger F touches the second operation surface 14a, a capacitance change occurs in the capacitance sensor 13, and the capacitance change is smaller than that in the upper surface input operation shown in FIG. Thus, the signal strength H2 of the detection signal S2 (FIG. 8B) generated in the conductor touch state of FIG. 7A is the signal strength H1 of the detection signal S1 generated by the top surface input operation of FIG. It becomes smaller than (FIG. 7B).

  FIG. 9A shows a grip operation in which the second operation surface 14a is grasped with the finger F from above the first operation surface 11a. In this specification, the grip operation is a “second operation”.

  When the grip operation shown in FIG. 9A is performed in the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) shown in FIG. 4, a detection signal obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 9B. S3 occurs in a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13, and at this time, the signal strength of the detection signal S3 is H3, which is larger than the threshold LV1. This signal strength H3 is stronger than the signal strength H2 generated in the conductor touch state shown in FIG. Further, the signal strength H3 of the detection signal S3 is substantially equal to the signal strength H1 (FIG. 7B) of the detection signal S1 generated in the upper surface input operation in FIG. A value close to H1.

  When the finger F touches the second operation surface 14a, a capacitance change occurs in the capacitance sensor 13 capacitively coupled to the floating conductor portion 14, but in FIG. 9A, the palm 30 is moved to the first operation surface 11a. The capacitance change is likely to occur over a wide range between the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 in the first scan mode shown in FIG. Therefore, in the grip operation shown in FIG. 9A, the capacitance change of the capacitance sensor 13 becomes larger than that in the conductor touch state in FIG. 8A, and the detection that occurs in the grip operation in FIG. 9A. The signal strength H3 of the signal S3 is larger than the signal strength H2 of the detection signal S2 generated in the conductor touch state of FIG. On the other hand, the signal strength H3 of the detection signal S3 in FIG. 9B is almost equal to or close to the signal strength H1 of the detection signal S1 in FIG. In the proximity scan mode), it is difficult to distinguish the upper surface input operation (first operation) in FIG. 7A and the grip operation (second operation) in FIG. 9A.

  In the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) in which the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are arranged in parallel, the coupling between the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 is weak, and between the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27. The resulting capacitance change tends to be small. In the upper surface input operation (first operation) shown in FIG. 7A and the grip operation (second operation) shown in FIG. 9A, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode due to contact or proximity of the finger F or the palm 30 are used. 27, and the signal strengths H1 and H3 of the detection signals S1 and S3 are in a conductor touch state in which the second operation surface 14a (the surface of the floating conductor portion 14) is touched from the side (FIG. 8). Although it is stronger than the signal strength H2 of the detection signal S2 obtained in (a)), as shown in FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B, in any operation. The detection signal S1, over a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13

  Note that the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) may be set so that the drive electrode (drive electrode) 26 and the second electrode pattern 23 do not cross each other. As shown in FIG. 5, a drive electrode (drive electrode) 126 is set on the first electrode pattern 22, and a detection electrode (sense electrode) is formed on the second electrode pattern 23 that does not intersect the drive electrode (drive electrode) 126. It may be set to 127.

  FIG. 10A shows an upper surface input operation (first operation) in which the finger F is in contact with or in proximity to the first operation surface (upper surface) 11a, as in FIG. 7A. In 10 (a), the upper surface input operation is detected in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG.

  In the second scan mode shown in FIG. 6, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are in a perpendicular relationship. When the upper surface input operation of FIG. 10A is performed in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. 6, the detection obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 10B. The signal S4 is obtained at the input operation position 31 of the finger F. Thus, the detection signal S4 is generated in a narrow range of the detection area 13a, and the maximum signal strength of the detection signal S4 is H4.

  In the second scan mode, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are orthogonal to each other, and a current can be obtained from the detection electrode 27 when a pulse voltage is applied to the drive electrode 26. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the current value changes between the state in which the finger F touches the first operation surface 11a and the state in which the finger F is released. Therefore, in a state where a pulse voltage is applied to the first electrode pattern 22, a change in the time constant of each second electrode pattern 23 is sequentially detected, and this time constant change is continuously detected. The detection signal S4 can be obtained by applying the voltage to the pattern 22 in order. The second electrode pattern 23 can be used as the drive electrode 26, the first electrode pattern 22 can be used as the detection electrode 27, and both the first electrode pattern 22 and the second electrode pattern 23 can be used as the drive electrode. 26 and the detection electrode 27 (the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are interchanged between the first electrode pattern 22 and the second electrode pattern 23).

  In the second scan mode (normal scan mode), the input operation position 31 of the finger F on the first operation surface 11a can be detected as a coordinate position.

  FIG. 11A shows the conductor touch state as in FIG. 8A, but FIG. 11A shows the conductor touch state in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. It is detected by.

  When the conductor touch state of FIG. 11A is activated in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. 6, the detection signal obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 11B. S5 occurs in a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13, and the signal strength of the detection signal S5 is H5. This signal strength H5 is smaller than the signal strength H4 generated in the upper surface input operation (first operation) shown in FIG.

  FIG. 12A shows the grip operation (second operation) as in FIG. 9A, but FIG. 12A shows the grip operation in the second scan mode (FIG. 6). (Normal scan mode).

  When the grip operation shown in FIG. 12A is performed in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. 6, the detection signal S6 obtained by the control unit 20 as shown in FIG. 12B. Occurs in a wide range of the detection area 13a of the capacitance sensor 13, and the signal strength of the detection signal S6 is H6. This signal strength H6 is smaller than the signal strength H4 of the detection signal S4 generated in the upper surface input operation (first operation) shown in FIG. 10B, and also shown in FIG. The signal strength H5 of the detection signal S5 is substantially equal to or close to the signal strength H5.

  In the second scan mode (normal scan mode) in which the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 are orthogonally arranged, the coupling between the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 is strong, and the coupling change factor at a position away from the coupling position. Then, the capacity change becomes small. Therefore, in the conductor touch state of FIG. 11A and the grip operation shown in FIG. 12A, the capacitance change is smaller than in the upper surface input operation shown in FIG. 10A, and the detection signals S5 and S6 are smaller. In the grip operation (second operation) shown in FIG. 12A, since the palm 30 is located above the first operation surface 11a, the capacitance change becomes larger than that in the conductor touch state in FIG. 11A. Although it is easy, since the palm 30 is located away from the first operation surface 11a, the capacitance does not change so much. Therefore, the signal strength H6 (FIG. 12B) of the detection signal S6 obtained by the grip operation in FIG. 12A is the signal of the detection signal S5 obtained in the conductor touch state in FIG. Even if it is slightly larger than the strength LV5 (FIG. 11 (b)), the difference is small, and in the second scan mode (normal scan mode), the finger F or the like is the side wall surface of the floating conductor portion 14. Even if it is known that it is in contact with or close to the second operation surface 14a, it is difficult to determine whether it is a conductor touch state or a grip operation (second operation).

  Based on the detection signals shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, it is possible to discriminate the upper surface input operation (first operation) and the grip operation (second operation) using the flowchart of FIG.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 13, the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) shown in FIG. 4 at step ST1 and the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. 6 at step ST2 are always repeatedly executed. .

  In step ST3 of FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is greater than or equal to the first threshold LV1. FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B show the detection signals S1, S2, and S3 obtained in the first scan mode, but the first threshold LV1 is just detected. The magnitude is set between the signal strengths H1 and H3 of the signals S1 and S3 and the signal strength H2 of the detection signal S2.

  When the strength of the detection signal is larger than the first threshold value LV1 in step ST3, the detection signal S1 in the upper surface input operation (first operation) shown in FIG. 7B or in FIG. 9B. One of the detection signals S3 in the grip operation (second operation) shown, and the process proceeds to step ST4. On the other hand, when the strength of the detection signal is smaller than the first threshold value LV1 in step ST3, the conductor touch state shown in FIG. 8B and the operation object on the first operation surface 11a and the second operation surface 14a are displayed. Is in a state in which neither touches nor approaches, and it can be determined that it is not at least a top surface input operation (first operation) and a grip operation (second operation).

  Next, in step ST4, the presence / absence of a detection signal is determined in the second scan mode (normal scan mode). When the detection signal is obtained, the process proceeds to step ST5.

  Next, in step ST5, it is determined whether or not the detection signal S4 shown in FIG. That is, it is determined whether or not a detection signal S4 larger than the second threshold LV2 is obtained in a narrow range of the detection area 13a. If a detection signal larger than the second threshold LV2 is obtained in a narrow range of the detection area 13a, it can be recognized as the detection signal S4 shown in FIG. 10 (b), and therefore the top surface input shown in FIG. 10 (a). It can be determined that this is an operation (first operation) (step ST6).

  On the other hand, when a detection signal smaller than the second threshold LV2 is obtained in step ST5 in a wide range of the detection area 13a, it is the detection signal S6 shown in FIG. 10B, which is shown in FIG. It can be determined that the operation is a grip operation (second operation) (step ST7).

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 14 differs from FIG. 13 in part. The first scan mode (proximity scan mode) is repeatedly executed, and the second scan mode is detected when it is detected that an operation object (such as a hand) is approaching. (Normal scan mode) is controlled to start.

  That is, in step ST8 shown in FIG. 14, the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) is first performed. If the obtained detection signal is larger than the first threshold LV1 (step ST9), the second scan mode (ordinary scan mode) (Scan mode) is performed (step ST10), but when the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is smaller than the first threshold LV1, the conductor touch state shown in FIG. The first scan mode is repeated as long as the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is not greater than the first threshold LV1 in a state where the first operation surface 11a and the second operation surface 14a are not approached. Do.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the steps after performing the second scan mode (normal scan mode) in step ST10 shift to steps ST4 to ST7 similar to FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows a flowchart different from FIGS. 13 and 14.

  In step ST11 of FIG. 15, the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) is executed. The amount of change with respect to time of the detection signal obtained at this time is measured. As shown in FIG. 16, it is the signal S10 in a change state (first change state) in which the amount of change gradually increases, or the first It is determined whether or not the signal S11 is in a change state (second change state) that rapidly increases compared to the change state.

  As shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to determine whether the signals S10 and S11 are different depending on whether the signal strength is LV3 or more or LV3 or less at the elapsed time t.

  When the signal S11 whose amount of change increases rapidly as shown in FIG. 16 is obtained, the finger F is applied to the second operation surface 14a, which is the side wall surface of the floating conductor portion 14, as shown in FIG. It can be determined that the contact is made from the side (conductor touch state) (step ST13).

  On the other hand, when a signal S10 having a gradual change amount is obtained like the signal S10 shown in FIG. 16, as shown in FIG. 9A, the second operation surface 14a is viewed from above the first operation surface 11a. It can be determined that the grip operation (second operation) is held (step ST14).

  In the case of the grip operation (second operation) shown in FIG. 9A, since the palm 30 gradually approaches from above the first operation surface 11a, the capacitance of the capacitance sensor 13 also gradually changes. Therefore, in the case of a grip operation, as shown in FIG. 16, a slowly changing signal S10 can be obtained. On the other hand, when the finger F or the like touches the floating conductor portion 14 from the side as shown in FIG. 8A, there is no operation object that gradually approaches from above the first operation surface 11a. As shown in FIG. 5, a signal S11 that changes abruptly as compared with the signal S10 can be obtained.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the second scan mode (normal scan mode) is subsequently executed in ST15, and the presence / absence of the detection signal S4 shown in FIG. 10B is determined. The determination method can be determined, for example, based on whether or not a detection signal exceeding the threshold LV2 is obtained in a narrow range of the detection area 13a.

  When the detection signal S4 is obtained in step ST16, the upper surface input operation (first operation) can be detected (step ST17).

  As described above, switching between the first scan mode and the second scan mode is performed, and on the basis of the detection signal obtained in each scan mode, the upper surface input operation (first operation) and the grip operation (first operation) are performed. 2 operations) can be detected.

  In addition, when it is a mode which does not need to distinguish the above-mentioned conductor touch state and grip operation (2nd operation) as operation with respect to the side wall surface of the operation body 10, it obtained in 2nd scan mode, for example Based on the detection signal, the top surface input operation (first operation (FIG. 10B)), the operation on the side wall surface (conductor touch state (FIG. 11B)) and grip state (FIG. 12B) Can be detected separately.

  Further, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, the conductor touch state and the grip operation (second operation) can be detected based on the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode (proximity scan mode). The upper surface input operation (first operation) can be detected based on the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode (normal scan mode).

  Further, according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 13 and 14, the grip operation (based on the detection signals obtained in both the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) and the second scan mode (normal scan mode) ( It is possible to determine whether or not the second operation).

  The second embodiment shown in FIG. 17 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an input device that is partially different from FIG.

In the input device shown in FIG. 17, for example, the upper surface portion 11 and the side wall portion 12 of the operating body 10 are integrated, and unlike FIG. 2, the floating conductor portion 14 capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor 13 is provided on the side wall portion 12. Not provided. The input device 2 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17 has the same structure as the input device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that the floating conductor portion 14 is not provided. That is, the capacitance sensor 13 used in FIG. 17 is as shown in FIGS.
The surface (side wall surface) of the side wall portion 12 shown in FIG. 17 is the second operation surface.

  The electrostatic capacity sensor 13 in this embodiment is controlled by the control unit 20 between the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) shown in FIG. 4 and the second scan mode (normal scan mode) shown in FIG. Switching is possible.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 17, since the floating conductor portion 14 is not provided on the side wall portion 12, FIG. 8B and FIG. 9B obtained in the first scan mode (proximity scan mode). The detection signals shown in FIG. 11 and the detection signals shown in FIG. 11B and FIG. 12B obtained in the second scan mode (normal scan mode) are detected signals compared to the case where the floating conductor portion 14 is present. Although it is considered that the signal waveform becomes smaller and the signal waveform becomes somewhat unstable, the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and the second scan mode are switched between the first scan mode and the second scan mode. On the basis of both of the detection signals obtained in the above, it is possible to determine whether the upper surface input operation (first operation) is different from the grip operation (second operation).

  Also in the second embodiment of FIG. 17, the capacitance sensor 13 is switched between the first scan mode (proximity scan mode) and the second scan mode (normal scan mode), and thus the second It is not necessary to provide a sensor for detecting the operation surface 12a separately from the capacitance sensor 13, so that increase in production cost and complication of the internal structure can be suppressed, and downsizing of the input device can be promoted.

  In the present embodiment, when the control unit 20 detects the grip operation (second operation) shown in FIGS. 9A and 12A and further obtains a detection signal from the rotation detection unit 18, It can be controlled to output a rotation operation signal of the operating body 10. That is, even if the operation body 10 is rotated in a state where the finger F accidentally contacts the second operation surface 14a shown in FIGS. 8A and 11A, the grip operation (second operation) is performed. If not detected, the control unit 20 can ignore the detection signal from the rotation detection unit 18 and perform control so that the rotation operation signal of the operation body 10 is not transmitted to the device main body 21.

  Further, in the capacitance sensor 13, the drive electrode 26 and the detection electrode 27 in the first scan mode are not required to cross each other even if they are not parallel to each other. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device of this embodiment can be used for, for example, a vehicle. For example, the present invention can be applied to a shift device or an input operation unit arranged on the center console. Although the input device is not limited to a vehicle, it can be used for a vehicle to detect a grip operation (second operation) and perform a subsequent motion prediction. It is possible to improve performance and comfort.

F Finger H1 to H6 Signal strength LV1 First threshold LV2 Second threshold S1 to S6 Detection signal 1 Center console 2 Input device 10 Operation body 11 Upper surface portion 11a First operation surface 12 Side wall portion 13 Capacitance sensor 13a Detection area 14 Sealing derivative part 14a Second operation surface 18 Rotation detection part 20 Control part 21 Device body 22 First electrode pattern 23 Second electrode pattern 26 Drive electrode 27 Detection electrode 30 Palm 31 Input operation position

Claims (14)

An operating body having an upper surface and a side wall surface located on the outer periphery of the upper surface;
A capacitive sensor disposed on the back side of the top surface, the detection area facing the top surface;
A control unit that generates a detection signal based on a capacitance change of the capacitance sensor,
The upper surface is a first operation surface capable of detecting the first operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a first operation on the upper surface,
The side wall surface is constituted by a floating conductor portion capacitively coupled to the capacitance sensor, and the operation on the side wall surface is detected by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by the operation on the side wall surface. An input device characterized by being a second operation surface capable of The capacitance sensor has a plurality of first electrode patterns arranged at an interval in a first direction in a plane and a second direction in a plane intersecting the first direction. A plurality of second electrode patterns arranged in a non-contact manner with the first electrode pattern at an interval; and
The controller can switch between a first scan mode in which electrode patterns that do not intersect with each other are used as drive electrodes and detection electrodes, and a second scan mode in which electrode patterns that intersect with each other are used as drive electrodes and detection electrodes. And
The input device according to claim 1, wherein the operation on the side wall surface is detected based on a detection signal obtained from at least one of the first scan mode and the second scan mode.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein in the first scan mode, a drive electrode and a detection electrode are set in one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern.   The input device according to claim 2, wherein in the first scan mode, one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern is used as a drive electrode, and the other electrode that does not intersect with the drive electrode is used as a detection electrode.   The operation on the side wall surface is detected based on both a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode. The input device described. The operation on the side wall surface is a second operation in which the second operation surface is gripped from above the first operation surface,
When the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is larger than a first threshold value and the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode is smaller than a second threshold value, the second operation is detected. The input device according to claim 5.   When the detection signal obtained in the second scan mode is larger than the second threshold, the first operation for performing an input operation on the first operation surface based on the detection signal is performed. The input device according to claim 5 or 6 to be detected. The operation on the side wall surface is a second operation in which the second operation surface is gripped from above the first operation surface,
The input device according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether or not the signal is the second signal based on a change amount with respect to time of the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode.   When the change amount with respect to time of the detection signal obtained in the first scan mode is the first change state in which it gradually increases, it is determined as the second operation, and the change amount is the first change state. The input device according to claim 8, wherein when the second change state is abruptly larger than the change state, the input object is determined as a state in which the operation object touches the second operation surface from the lateral direction.   The input device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the first operation for performing an input operation on the first operation surface is detected based on a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode. An operating body having an upper surface and a side wall surface located on the outer periphery of the upper surface;
A capacitive sensor disposed on the back side of the top surface, the detection area facing the top surface;
A control unit that generates a detection signal based on a capacitance change of the capacitance sensor,
The upper surface is a first operation surface capable of detecting the first operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a first operation on the upper surface,
The side wall surface can detect the second operation by changing the capacitance of the capacitance sensor by a second operation in which the side wall surface is gripped from above the first operation surface. Second operation surface,
The capacitance sensor has a plurality of first electrode patterns arranged at an interval in a first direction in a plane and a second direction in a plane intersecting the first direction. A plurality of second electrode patterns arranged in a non-contact manner with the first electrode pattern at an interval; and
The control unit includes a first scan mode in which a drive electrode and a detection electrode are set using only one of the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern, and the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern. The second scan mode can be switched between one of the electrode patterns and the other as the detection electrode,
The first operation is detected based on a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode, and the second operation is detected based on at least a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode. An input device.   The input device according to claim 11, wherein the second operation is detected based on both a detection signal obtained in the first scan mode and a detection signal obtained in the second scan mode. The operating body is rotatably supported,
A rotation detection unit for detecting rotation of the operation body;
13. The operation according to claim 1, wherein when the operation body is rotated, an operation on the side wall surface grasping the second operation surface from above the first operation surface is detected as a second operation. The input device according to item 1.   The input device according to claim 13, wherein the control unit outputs a rotation detection signal of the operating body based on detection of the second operation and a detection signal from the rotation detection unit.

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