JP2015070596A - Attribute identification system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily identify an attribute of a subject by way of a simple operation.SOLUTION: An attribute identification system includes: a variable capacitance section 10 having a touch sensor section 11 with a conductive layer disposed on a substrate; a measurement section 30 for measuring a capacitance of the variable capacitance section 10 when a subject touches the conductive layer of the touch sensor section 11; and a processing section 40 for determining whether or not the capacitance exceeds a threshold or whether or not a change in the capacitance from before the subject's touch or approach exceeds a threshold to identify an attribute of the subject.

Description

  The present invention relates to an attribute identification system that can identify an attribute of a subject.

  Household appliances have become a necessity that must be pervasive in the home and daily life and be a part of modern life. On the other hand, household appliances and appliances for heating use have a risk of causing burns, particularly in homes that are the sphere of children such as infants and infants. Some of these household electrical appliances and appliances that are heated are those that have been considered for the risk of burns, such as those that are extinguished and the ignition button cannot be pushed in by switching the safety device or lever switch. There was nothing to prevent only the operation by.

  On the other hand, in recent years, water servers, which are rapidly spreading to households and are equipped with water-containing containers and are capable of discharging hot and cold water, are limited to children's use. In addition, a so-called child lock mechanism (safety device) is provided to prevent inadvertent or unintended warm water or cold water discharge. This child lock mechanism is a kind of attribute identification system that identifies the attribute of whether or not the subject can perform child lock release operations, but in reality it cannot prevent only operations by children. Absent. Such conventional child lock mechanisms include a mechanical type and an electronic type.

  The mechanical child lock mechanism has, for example, a physical button provided on the housing, and is configured to push in the physical button at the same time while pressing the water discharge cock (lever). However, such a mechanical child lock mechanism has to push in the spout cock (lever) and the physical button at the same time, requires both hands, or generally the physical button is provided very firmly. It is difficult for even adults to operate, and it is often impossible to use it for a weak adult.

  The electronic child lock mechanism is, for example, provided with a child lock release button on the housing, and the child lock is released for a predetermined time by long-pressing the child lock release button (patent) Reference 1). However, such an electronic child lock mechanism requires a long press on the child lock release button, which is cumbersome to operate, and some infants can easily unlock it by imitating it by observing the action of an adult. There are many people who end up.

  As described above, the mechanical child lock mechanism requires two operations of pushing the physical button and pushing the lever at the same time, and also requires a strong force for pushing the physical button. Requiring these two operations is difficult for infants, not difficult for infants, and requiring strong force makes operation difficult for infants, but also difficult for women and elderly people. Become.

  In addition, the electronic child lock mechanism simply presses and holds the child lock release button for a long time, which makes it difficult for infants, but not for infants or children of lower elementary school grades.

  In other words, this type of conventional attribute identification system such as the above-mentioned child lock mechanism merely identifies whether or not the person can operate due to the difficulty of operation, so that the operation is inherently difficult. Because it is configured, it can be said that it is very difficult for those who can operate it. Furthermore, in the conventional attribute identification system, the identification target person of the attribute to be identified is not identified, but is a system that asks whether or not the person can be operated. There is a problem that the target person cannot be identified.

  Originally, in an attribute identification system such as a child lock system, it is not possible for a child (a child appropriate person) to operate, but it is required that an adult (adult applicable person) can operate extremely easily. The attribute identification system is required to be able to easily and reliably identify the attributes of the subject such as whether the subject is a child or an adult with a simple operation.

  By the way, a capacitive touch sensor is used every day in daily life such as an operation panel of a vending machine, a portable terminal such as a mobile phone or a smartphone, a car navigation system, an ATM, or the like (see Patent Document 2). .) This capacitive touch sensor has a dielectric made of a transparent substrate such as glass as a surface material, a transparent electrode layer pattern or the like is provided in multiple layers on the back side, and a display device such as a liquid crystal is arranged on the back side. When the operator touches the surface of the dielectric (glass substrate) with fingers, the coordinates of the touch position, the number of touching fingers, etc. are detected to relate to the display screen. Is used as an interface with improved operation linkage.

  As described above, in the conventional capacitive touch sensor, the capacitance of a human being is used as a value that is roughly approximate from a child physique to an adult physique, so that the operator can stably touch the touch sensor. It is for detecting whether or not, the coordinates of the touch position, the number of touching fingers, and the like, and is not configured to be able to determine the operator's attributes. In this type of capacitive touch sensor, basically, the amount of change in the detected capacitance or the amount of change in the potential difference corresponding to the detected amount of change is based on the physique mainly of the finger operated by the touch operation and the touch. Behaves in proportion to the contact area.

  Accordingly, there is a certain physique difference between the physique that mainly consists of the fingers of the children and the physique that mainly consists of the fingers of the adults. Since there is a significant difference between the amount of change in potential difference and the amount of change in capacitance due to an adult subject or the equivalent amount of change in potential difference, at first glance, by taking an appropriate threshold value, the child subject and adult subject It is possible to discriminate, but if the child concerned touches with a relatively large area such as the thumb or hand, the contact area affects the measurement result more dominantly than the difference due to the physique difference. For this reason, no significant difference can be found between the measurement result of the child corresponding person and the measurement result of the adult corresponding person, so this type of capacitive touch sensor discriminates the attribute of the child corresponding person or the adult corresponding person. To do There is a problem that can not be use.

JP-A-5-256447 JP-A 61-292932

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an attribute identification system that can identify an attribute of a subject by a simple operation.

  The attribute identification system according to the present invention includes a variable capacitance unit including a touch sensor unit having a conductive unit, and a capacitance of the variable capacitance unit when a subject contacts the conductive unit or the electrostatic capacitance. Measuring the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance, whether the measurement unit electrically connected to the conductive unit, whether the capacitance measured by the measurement unit or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance exceeded a threshold, Alternatively, it is determined whether or not the amount of change in capacitance before and after the contact or the amount of change in potential difference corresponding thereto exceeds a threshold, and the target is compared with an attribute corresponding to a preset threshold. A processing unit for identifying the attributes of the person, and performing the process of identifying the attributes of the target person almost independently of the contact area in the contact.

  The measurement unit includes a measurement unit capacitor electrically connected in parallel to the variable capacitance unit, measures a potential difference between electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor, and uses the measurement result to You may comprise so that an identification process may be performed.

  The variable capacitance unit may include a variable capacitance unit capacitor electrically connected in series to the touch sensor unit.

  When the capacitance or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance, or the change amount of the capacitance or the change amount of the potential difference corresponding to the change amount of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a threshold, As a result of the processing in the processing unit, the subject can be identified as belonging to the first attribute.

  When the capacitance or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance, or the change amount of the capacitance or the change amount of the potential difference corresponding to the change amount of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a threshold, As a result of processing in the processing unit, the target person is identified as belonging to the first attribute, and when less than the threshold, the target person is identified as belonging to the second attribute as a result of processing in the processing unit. You may comprise.

  The threshold is configured to include two or more different thresholds, and different attributes are set for a range that belongs between two or more predetermined thresholds and a range that does not belong between the thresholds. May be.

  The threshold value includes two different threshold values, a first threshold value and a second threshold value, and a range of a range based on the threshold is a first range of a range that belongs between the first threshold and the second threshold. The second interval of the range outside the second threshold when not belonging to the threshold and moving from the first threshold toward the second threshold, and not belonging to the threshold and from the second threshold to the second threshold A third section of a value range outside the first threshold when heading toward the first threshold side, and the attribute corresponds to the first attribute corresponding to the first section and the second section When the second attribute is set and the measurement result belongs to the third section, the identification process of the attribute as the natural variation range may not be performed.

  The attribute can be configured to include two types of attributes: an adult person and a child person.

  The conductive portion can be configured by any one or more of a three-dimensional shape, a planar shape, a linear shape, and a dot shape. The conductive portion may be provided in a pattern. The conductive portion may be constituted by a transparent conductive layer.

  In the attribute identification system of the present invention, the measurement unit measures the capacitance (change amount) or the potential difference (change amount) when the subject touches the conductive portion of the touch sensor unit, By determining whether or not the processing unit has exceeded one or more preset threshold values with respect to the measured capacitance (change amount) or the potential difference (change amount) corresponding thereto, the threshold value It is possible to easily identify the attributes of the subject as compared with the attributes set in advance. Therefore, the attribute identification system according to the present invention can perform the attribute of the target person easily regardless of the contact area at the time of touching by performing an extremely simple operation in which the target person contacts the conductive part of the touch sensor part. Can be identified.

  In addition, since the contact operation by the subject is the conductive part of the touch sensor unit, the attribute identification system of the present invention is, for example, a conductive article such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy mainly composed of iron or aluminum, a plating layer, Transparent electrode layer Transparent glass such as glass can be used as the touch sensor unit. More specifically, door knobs, window sashes, alcohol and cigarettes that are originally made of aluminum die-casting or plating. Operation panels, operation buttons, ovens, toasters, irons, boiling pots, electric kettles, gas stoves, IH cooking heaters, oil stoves, electric stoves, gas fan heaters, engine starters for automobiles and motorcycles, portable terminals, etc. By applying it to the operation unit, etc., it is possible to easily identify attributes without the burden of the subject person It made.

It is sectional drawing which showed a mode that the attribute identification system to which this invention was applied was attached on the operation panel. It is the block diagram which showed the attribute identification system to which this invention is applied. It is the graph which showed the relationship between the variation | change_quantity (DELTA) C of electrostatic capacitance, and the contact area S when a subject touches. It is the circuit diagram which showed the measurement part. It is the flowchart which showed the identification method which identifies a subject's attribute by the attribute identification system to which this invention is applied.

  Hereinafter, an attribute identification system to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following examples, It can change arbitrarily in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

  The attribute identification system 1 to which the present invention is applied includes, for example, a boiling pot, a kettle, a water server, a gas range, an iron, a touch panel, a car engine starter, a remote controller, a home appliance, a sash, a cigarette vending machine, and an alcoholic beverage vending machine. Such as switches, buttons, operation panels, glass with high transmittance transparent conductive film (ITO, etc.), door knobs, etc. , Connected to a component or the like that the subject touches during operation, and identifies the attributes of the subject who touched these components. The restriction target device to which the attribute identification system 1 is attached can permit or restrict the use of the function according to the attribute identified by the attribute identification system 1.

  For example, when the restriction target device is a water server, the attribute identification system 1 is integrally arranged on an operation panel of the water server. When the subject touches the attribute identification system 1 when operating various settings and functions on the operation panel, the attribute identification system 1 automatically identifies the subject's attributes. For example, the attribute identification system 1 identifies whether the target person touched is an adult (corresponding person) or a child (corresponding person). Then, when the target person is identified as an adult by the attribute identification system 1, the water server permits, for example, use of all functions. On the other hand, when the target person is identified as a child by the attribute identification system 1, the water server restricts some or all of the functions such as the hot water discharge function and the hot water and cold water discharge function, for example. . That is, the attribute identification system 1 can function as a so-called child lock or adult lock depending on the setting.

  Hereinafter, although not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 1, a case where the attribute identification system 1 is mounted on the operation panel 100 of a water server (not shown) will be described as an example.

  Here, the water server in which the attribute identification system 1 is provided on the operation panel 100 is provided with a container in which water is accommodated, and hot water heated by the heating means or cold water cooled by the cooling means is discharged from the water discharge cock. This is a liquid supply device. The water server is provided with a child lock mode switching operation unit including a push button, a slide switch, and the like for selecting one mode from a plurality of child lock modes. For example, the child lock mode includes a first mode in which all the functions of the water server are inoperable, a second mode in which the water discharge function at high temperature and medium temperature is inoperable, and the water discharge function. The water discharge function at low and medium temperatures can be operated, but the water discharge function at high temperatures has a third mode incapable of operation, and the child lock mode switching operation unit can operate all the water discharge functions, i.e. It is possible to switch between four modes including the fourth mode that does not lock. Further, the water server is provided with an operation panel 100 for operating various settings and functions on the housing. On the operation panel 100, for example, an operation screen for selecting one mode from among three modes of low temperature, medium temperature, and high temperature as the set temperature of the water to be discharged is displayed.

  Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the operation panel 100 includes a light emitter 101 that emits light, a light diffuser 102 that diffuses light emitted from the light emitter 101, and the light emitter 101 and the light diffuser. And a light-shielding body 103 that covers and shields light except the operation surface side. Further, the operation panel 100 is provided on the light shield 103, and includes a transparent dielectric sensor film 104 that detects position information indicating a position touched by the subject when the subject touches the touch sensor unit 11, and a transparent dielectric sensor. A reflective film 105 provided on the film 104 and having a hole of a light emitting pattern is formed, and a smoke film 106 provided on the reflective film 105. Then, the operation panel 100 displays the light emission pattern (selected state) by causing the light emitter 101 to emit light, detects the position touched by the subject by the transparent dielectric sensor film 104, and detects the detected position (selected setting). Displays a light emission pattern according to (temperature).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the attribute identification system 1 provided on the operation panel 100 having such a configuration is a variable electrostatic that is electrically connected in series with the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 touched by the subject. A variable capacitance unit 10 having a capacitance unit capacitor 12, a power supply unit 20 electrically connected to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 and supplying power to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12, and the conductivity of the touch sensor unit 11. The measurement unit 30 that measures the capacitance when the subject touches the layer 11b, and whether or not the capacitance or the change amount of the capacitance or the corresponding potential difference or the change amount of the potential difference exceeds a threshold value. And a processing unit 40 for determining and identifying the attributes of the target person.

  The variable capacitance unit 10 includes a conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 that is touched by a subject, and a variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 electrically connected in series with the conductive layer 11b. The touch sensor unit 11 is arranged on the outermost side, and directly touches the fingers of the subject when the subject operates the operation panel 100. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor unit 11 includes a substrate 11a and a conductive layer 11b on the substrate 11a. The substrate 11a may be formed of a material such as transparent or translucent so that the operation panel 100 or the like disposed on the back surface of the variable capacitance unit 10 can be visually recognized from the front surface, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, it can be formed of an opaque material. The conductive layer 11b is made of, for example, a conductor formed so as to exhibit conductivity, and is formed on the substrate 11a. In addition, you may make it form the conductive layer 11b with the member which can be made into conductive states, such as a non-insulator, a resistor, a good electrical conductor, a semiconductor, etc. Furthermore, the conductive layer 11b is not limited to a layered one, and may be, for example, a three-dimensional shape, or a planar shape such as a plane or a curved surface, a one-dimensional shape such as a line or a dot, or an etching process. Then, it can be formed by patterning. The variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 is electrically connected in series with the touch sensor unit 11, but the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 is not essential.

  Here, the contact surface of the touch sensor unit 11 is conventionally formed of a conductor, whereas it is generally formed of a dielectric (electrical insulator). When the present applicant is formed of a dielectric, it is confirmed that the capacitance change amount ΔC and the contact area S when the subject touches have a relationship as shown in FIG. did. The vertical axis represents the amount of change ΔC in capacitance, and the horizontal axis represents the contact area S when the subject touches. That is, as is clear from FIG. 3A, when the contact area S is formed by a dielectric, the capacitance change amount ΔC is substantially reduced as the contact area S when the subject touches increases. It increases proportionally, and it has been confirmed that the amount of change ΔC in electrostatic capacitance remarkably depends on the contact area S when the subject touches compared to the subject's physique and the like. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the subject has the same relationship regardless of the size of the physique, regardless of whether the subject is an adult (a relevant person) or a child (a relevant person). Therefore, in the case of being formed of a dielectric, for example, when the child is touching with three fingers or the thumb, the capacitance change ΔC is greater than when the adult is touching with one finger. The capacitance C or the change amount ΔC of the capacitance C, or the potential difference φ corresponding to the capacitance C or the change amount Δφ of the potential difference φ corresponding to the change amount ΔC of the capacitance C Capacitance C or change amount ΔC of capacitance C or potential difference φ corresponding to capacitance C or change amount Δφ of potential difference φ corresponding to change amount ΔC of capacitance C Therefore, it is confirmed that it is difficult to identify whether the subject touched is an adult or a child.

  On the other hand, when the contact surface in the touch sensor unit 11 is formed of a conductor, the applicant of the present application shows the change amount ΔC of the capacitance C and the contact area S when the subject touches, as shown in FIG. It was discovered that there is a relationship as shown in (B). The vertical axis indicates the amount of change ΔC in capacitance, and the horizontal axis indicates the contact area S touched by the subject. Further, L1 in FIG. 3B indicates a relationship when an adult (a person corresponding to the average adult physique) touches, and L2 indicates a child (a person corresponding to the average infant physique). The relationship when touched is shown. That is, when the contact surface of the touch sensor unit 11 is made of a conductor, the contact surface S when the subject touches is slightly inversely proportional to the case of being made of a dielectric. It has been found that the change amount ΔC of the capacitance C stably develops an inherent relationship according to the physique of the subject, with little dependence. Therefore, in the case of being formed of a conductor, by measuring the capacitance or the change amount ΔC of the capacitance (or the potential difference or the change amount of the potential difference corresponding thereto), for example, It has been found that whether the subject touched is an adult (corresponding person) or a child (corresponding person), whether it is touched with the finger or the palm.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply unit 20 is electrically connected to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 and supplies power to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12.

  The measuring unit 30 measures the capacitance information of the subject who touched the conductive layer 11 b of the touch sensor unit 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the measuring unit 30 is electrically connected between the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 and the power feeding unit 20, and is configured by a circuit as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the measuring unit 30 includes a measuring unit capacitor 32 electrically connected in parallel to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 and a rectifying element (circuit) via a rectifying element (circuit) 31. ) And a measurement unit first resistor 33 electrically connected in parallel to the variable capacitance unit capacitor 12 and the measurement unit capacitor 32. Further, the measurement unit capacitor 32 and the measurement unit first resistor 33 are grounded. Further, the measuring unit 30 includes a measuring unit coil 34 electrically connected in series to the rectifying element (circuit) 31, and a measuring unit second resistor 35 electrically connected in series to the measuring unit coil 34. The measurement unit second resistor 35 and the measurement unit third resistor 36 electrically connected in series. Furthermore, the measurement unit second resistor 35 is connected to an OSC (oscillator, oscillation circuit) or the like. Furthermore, the measurement unit third resistor 36 is grounded. Then, the measurement unit 30 and / or the processing unit 40 always measures the potential difference between the electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor 32, and when the subject touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 from the measured potential difference. Get capacity information.

  Furthermore, the measurement unit 30 is not limited to being configured with the circuit as described above, and any circuit and member can be used as long as it is possible to obtain the capacitance information of the variable capacitance unit 10. It may be configured. Further, the measurement unit 30 is preferably provided with a rectifying element (circuit) 31, but the rectifying element (circuit) 31 may be omitted if the capacitance information of the variable capacitance unit 10 can be obtained. Also good. Furthermore, the measurement unit 30 preferably obtains capacitance information of the variable capacitance unit 10 although the measurement unit capacitor 32, the measurement unit first resistor 33, and the measurement unit second resistor 35 are preferably grounded. If possible, any or all of the measurement unit capacitor 32, the measurement unit first resistor 33, and the measurement unit second resistor 35 may not be grounded.

  The processing unit 40 is configured by a microcomputer or the like. Furthermore, the processing unit 40 compares the capacitance information obtained by the measuring unit 30 with a threshold value, and identifies the attribute of the subject person. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the processing unit 40 first compares the capacitance information with the first threshold value c1, and if the capacitance information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value c1, at least a human is conducting the touch sensor unit 11. It is determined that the layer 11b has been touched, and if it is equal to or less than the first threshold value c1, it is determined that it is a natural change and is within the error range. Next, when it is determined that at least a human touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 at the first threshold value c1 or more, the processing unit 40 sets the capacitance information to a second value that is larger than the first threshold value c1. When compared with the threshold value c2, the subject is determined to be an adult when the threshold is equal to or greater than the second threshold c2, and when the subject is equal to or less than the second threshold c2, the subject is determined to be a child.

  Next, an identification method for identifying the attributes of the subject by the attribute identification system 1 having the above configuration will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 5, in step S <b> 1, the attribute identification system 1 always measures the potential difference between the electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor 32 by the measurement unit 30, and changes the variable electrostatic capacity by the measurement unit 30 or the processing unit 40. Capacitance information of the capacitor unit 10 is obtained.

  Next, in step S2, the attribute identification system 1 uses the processing unit 40 to compare the capacitance information with the first threshold c1. If the compared capacitance information is greater than or equal to the first threshold value c1, it is determined that at least a human touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11, and the process proceeds to step S3. If this capacitance information is less than or equal to the first threshold value c1, it is determined that it is a natural change and is within an error range, and the process returns to step S1, and again measures the potential difference between the electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor 32, The amount of change in the capacitance information of the variable capacitance section is calculated from the measured potential difference.

  Next, in step S3, the attribute identification system 1 uses the processing unit 40 to identify the attribute based on the capacitance information. Specifically, the processing unit 40 compares the capacitance information with a second threshold c2 having a value larger than the first threshold c1. Then, the processing unit 40 identifies that the target person is an adult if it is equal to or greater than the second threshold c2, and identifies that the target is a child if it is equal to or less than the second threshold c2.

  As described above, the attribute identification system 1 changes the capacitance of the variable capacitance unit 10 when the subject touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11, and the variable capacitance unit 10 A change occurs in the potential difference between the electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor 32 electrically connected in parallel to the capacitor, and by comparing the capacitance information obtained thereby with a threshold value, the corresponding attribute can be identified. The attributes of the subject such as whether the subject touching the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 is an adult or a child are identified.

  Next, in step S4, the attribute identification system 1 outputs the attribute identification result to a control unit (not shown) of the water server.

  Next, in step S5, the water server permits or restricts the use of the function based on the attribute identification result by the attribute identification system 1. Specifically, when the target person is identified as an adult by the attribute identification system 1, the water server is allowed to use all functions. On the other hand, when the target person is identified as a child by the attribute identification system 1, the water server restricts the use of the function based on the preset child lock mode. For example, when the first mode is selected, the water server disables all the functions of the water server, and when the second mode is selected, the water server disables the medium temperature and high temperature, When the three modes are selected, the low-temperature and medium-temperature water discharge functions of the water discharge function can be operated, but when the high-temperature water discharge function is disabled and the fourth mode is selected, the attribute identification system Although it is identified as a child by 1, all functions can be operated in the same manner as when it is identified as an adult by the attribute identification system 1.

  As described above, when the water server identifies the subject's attribute by the attribute identification system 1 and is identified as a child, all or one of the use of the child based on the preset child lock mode is identified. Limit the part or do not limit it.

  As described above, in the attribute identification system 1 to which the present invention is applied, the measurement unit 30 touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 in which the conductive layer 11b made of a conductor is provided on the substrate 11a. In this case, the potential difference between the electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor 32 is measured, the capacitance information of the variable capacitance unit 10 is obtained from the measured potential difference, and the processing unit 40 obtains the capacitance information obtained by the measurement unit 30. Is determined to be greater than or equal to the second threshold c2, and if it is greater than or equal to the second threshold c2, the subject is identified as an adult, and if less than or equal to the second threshold c2, the subject is identified as a child. Thus, by performing a simple operation such as touching the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11, the attributes of the target person such as whether the target person touching the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 is an adult or a child can be easily obtained. Can be identified

  Note that the attribute identification system 1 is not limited to identifying the attribute of the subject based on whether the subject touching the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 is an adult or a child. Or whether it is above or below the lower grades of the elementary school.

  Further, the attribute identification system 1 may compare the capacitance information with three or more threshold values to identify the subject's attributes in more detail. For example, the attribute identification system 1 provides a third threshold value between the first threshold value c1 and the second threshold value c2, and whether or not the child is a preschooler or is in an elementary school lower grade or higher. Alternatively, identification may be made based on whether it is the following or not.

  Furthermore, the attribute identification system 1 is not limited to calculating the capacitance of the variable capacitance unit 10 or the amount of change in capacitance from the potential difference measured by the measurement unit 30, but the variable capacitance unit Without calculating 10 capacitance information, the processing unit 40 may compare the potential difference measured by the measurement unit 30 with the first threshold value and the second threshold value to identify the attribute of the subject. . For example, the processing unit 40 first compares the potential difference with the first threshold value. If the potential difference is equal to or greater than the first threshold value, the processing unit 40 determines that at least a human touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 and is less than or equal to the first threshold value. In this case, it is determined that the change is a natural change and is within an error range. Next, when it is determined that at least a human touches the conductive layer 11b of the touch sensor unit 11 at or above the first threshold value, the processing unit 40 compares the potential difference with a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value. If the threshold is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the subject may be determined to be an adult, and if not equal to the second threshold, the subject may be determined to be a child. Further, the attribute identification system 1 may compare the potential difference with three or more threshold values to identify the subject's attributes in more detail.

  Furthermore, the attribute identification system 1 is not limited to the attribute identification system 1 provided on the operation panel 100 of the water server. As described above, the attribute identification system 1 is a restriction target that needs to be restricted for use by children or adults. You may make it attach to the various structural member of an apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Attribute identification system, 10 Variable electrostatic capacity part, 11 Touch sensor part, 11a Substrate, 11b Conductive layer, 12 Variable electrostatic capacity part Capacitor, 20 Feeding part, 30 Measuring part, 31 Rectifier (circuit), 32 Measuring part Capacitor, 33 Measuring unit first resistance, 34 Measuring unit coil, 35 Measuring unit second resistance, 36 Measuring unit third resistance, 40 Processing unit, 100 Operation panel, 101 Light emitter, 102 Light diffuser, 103 Light shield, 104 Transparent dielectric sensor film, 105 reflective film, 106 smoke film

Claims (11)

A variable capacitance part including a touch sensor part having a conductive part capable of exhibiting conductive performance;
A measurement unit electrically connected to the conductive unit for measuring a capacitance of the variable capacitance unit or a potential difference corresponding to the capacitance when a subject contacts the conductive unit;
Whether the capacitance measured by the measurement unit or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance has exceeded a threshold, or the amount of change in capacitance before and after the contact or the amount of change in potential difference corresponding thereto Determining whether or not the threshold is exceeded, and including a processing unit that identifies the attribute of the target person as compared to an attribute corresponding to a preset threshold,
An attribute identification system that performs a process of identifying the attribute of the subject almost independently of the contact area in the contact. The measurement unit includes a measurement unit capacitor electrically connected in parallel to the variable capacitance unit,
2. The attribute identification system according to claim 1, wherein a potential difference between electrodes of the measurement unit capacitor is measured, and the attribute identification process is performed using the measurement result.   The attribute identification system according to claim 1, wherein the variable capacitance unit includes a variable capacitance unit capacitor electrically connected in series to the touch sensor unit.   When the capacitance or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance, or the change amount of the capacitance or the change amount of the potential difference corresponding to the change amount of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a threshold, The attribute identification system according to claim 1, wherein the target person is identified as belonging to the first attribute as a result of processing in the processing unit.   When the capacitance or the potential difference corresponding to the capacitance, or the change amount of the capacitance or the change amount of the potential difference corresponding to the change amount of the capacitance is equal to or greater than a threshold, As a result of processing in the processing unit, the target person is identified as belonging to the first attribute, and when less than the threshold, the target person is identified as belonging to the second attribute as a result of processing in the processing unit. The attribute identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein   The threshold is configured to include two or more different thresholds, and different attributes are set for a range that belongs between two or more predetermined thresholds and a range that does not belong between the thresholds. The attribute identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The threshold value includes two different threshold values, a first threshold value and a second threshold value,
The range of the range by the above threshold is
A first section of a range that belongs between the first threshold and the second threshold;
A second section of a value range outside the second threshold when not belonging to the threshold and moving from the first threshold toward the second threshold;
A third section of a value range outside the first threshold when not belonging to the threshold and when moving from the second threshold toward the first threshold;
Consisting of
As the attribute,
A first attribute corresponding to the first section;
A second attribute corresponding to the second section,
Is set,
The attribute identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the measurement result belongs to the third section, the identification processing of the attribute is not performed as a natural variation range.   The attribute identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the attributes include two types of attributes: an adult person and a child person.   The attribute identification system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conductive portion is configured by one or more of a three-dimensional shape, a planar shape, a linear shape, and a dotted shape.   The attribute identification system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is provided in a pattern.   The attribute identification system according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is formed of a transparent conductive layer.

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