JP2016146076A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device configured to improve operability without impairing appearance as a product.SOLUTION: An input device 1 includes: a touch panel 2 having a detection area 22 with an invisible contour, and a determination area 23 for determining a touch position when a detection object moves out of the detection area 22; and a control section 5 having a displacement position notification function of determining whether the detection object is moving in the determination area 23 or not, and causing a notification section 6 to output displacement position information formed by displacement of the touch position when the detection object is determined to be moving in the determination area 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device provided with a touch panel.

  As an example of an input device including a touch panel, an information operation device having a tactile stimulation function for tactilely presenting a boundary of a detection area of the touch panel to an operator's operation finger has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

  The conventional information manipulation device described in Patent Document 1 includes a tactile stimulus presentation array in which a plurality of tactile pins arranged in a line along a boundary line of a detection area of a touch panel protrude to a predetermined height. In addition, by electrically driving and controlling the tactile stimulus presentation array, uneven tactile stimulation by a plurality of tactile pins arranged in a row is presented.

JP-A-2005-216110

  The conventional information operation device is not satisfactory in terms of appearance because a plurality of tactile pins arranged in a line along the boundary line of the detection area of the touch panel can be seen from the outside.

  If the tactile pin is made difficult to see from the outside in order to improve the appearance of the product, for example, the operator recognizes where in the detection area of the touch panel the finger that is being dragged is touched. It is difficult to do. For this reason, the operability is lowered, and as a result, the burden on the operator is increased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that is improved in operability without impairing the appearance as a product.

[1] The present invention provides a touch panel having a detection region whose outline is difficult to visually recognize, and a determination region for determining a contact position when the detection object moves outside the detection region; It is determined whether or not the detection object is moving in the determination area, and when it is determined that the detection object is moving in the determination area, movement position information accompanying the movement of the contact position is notified. And a control unit having a moving position notification function to be output to the unit.

[2] The control unit according to [1], wherein the contact position is moving toward the outside of the determination area based on a temporal change in the distance between the center position of the detection area and the contact position. It is characterized by determining whether or not.

[3] The control unit according to [1] or [2] performs a first notification process according to the movement of the contact position when the contact position moves toward the outside of the determination region. When the time change of the distance between the center position of the detection area and the contact position increases, the second notification process is performed according to the movement of the contact position.

  According to the present invention, it is excellent in terms of appearance as a product, and operability can be improved.

1 is a configuration block diagram of an input device according to an embodiment suitable for the present invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the detection area | region and determination area | region of a touch panel applied to the input device, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an example of the tracing operation in the determination area | region of the touchscreen applied to the input device. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the touch operation of the touch panel applied to the input device.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall configuration of input device)
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 generally indicates a typical input device according to the present embodiment. The input device 1 is a capacitive touch panel including a touch panel 2 that detects a change in capacitance when a touch operation or a tracing operation is performed on the operation surface 21 with a detection target such as an operation finger. Used as a device.

  Here, the touch operation refers to an operation when the touch position of the touch panel 2 is touched. On the other hand, the tracing operation refers to an operation when the touch position of the touch panel 2 is continuously changing, and includes an operation when the touch position of the touch panel 2 is changing intermittently or intermittently.

The touch panel 2, and a detection electrode _Y 1 to Y _n of the plurality of drive electrodes _X 1 to X _n and plural. The drive electrodes X _{1 to} X _n are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the X-axis direction and extend in the Y-axis direction. One of the detection electrodes Y _{1 to} Y _n is arranged at substantially equal intervals in the Y-axis direction and extends in the X-axis direction.

The drive electrodes X _{1 to} X _n and the detection electrodes Y _{1 to} Y _n are arranged in a grid pattern in a direction intersecting transparent electrodes such as ITO, and the detection electrodes Y _{1 to} Y _n are arranged in the drive electrodes X ₁ to X _n. Capacitance is formed at a detection point that is a portion intersecting with _Xn .

The touch panel 2, a detector 4 for reading a detection value detected by the detection electrodes Y ₁ to Y _n and the drive unit 3 for driving the drive electrodes X ₁ to X _n are electrically connected.

The drive unit 3 is electrically connected to the control unit 5 and is configured to output drive signals to the drive electrodes X _{1 to} X _n based on the drive control signal output from the control unit 5. Yes.

Detector 4 are electrically connected to the control unit 5, based on the read control signal outputted from the control unit 5, the detection electrodes Y ₁ to Y _n for each driving of the driving electrodes X ₁ to X _n The detection signal output from is read as a detection value. In the detection unit 4, the coordinates of the detection point are calculated based on the read detection value. The detection unit 4 generates detection information including information on the coordinates of the detection points and outputs the detection information to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 is a microcomputer that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like that perform operations and processing on data acquired according to a program. The ROM includes various information such as electrode selection and connection control performed by the drive unit 3 and the detection unit 4, information for determining a touch operation and a tracing operation, and information indicating the range of the detection region (panel region) of the detection unit 4. Store the setting data. The RAM temporarily stores setting data read from the ROM.

  The control unit 5 has a clock signal generation function for generating a clock signal, and is configured to generate and output a drive control signal, a read control signal, and a switching control signal based on the clock signal. .

The drive control signal is a signal that instructs the output and stop of the drive signal. The read control signal is a signal that generates detection information based on the read detection value and outputs the detection information to the control unit 5. Switching control signals, along with the drive electrodes X ₁ by outputting a drive signal in the order of the driving electrode X _n to control the driving unit 3, the detection unit 4 to output the detected value in the order of the detection electrodes Y _n from the detection electrodes Y ₁ Is a signal for controlling

(Configuration of moving position notification function)
By the way, in this type of input device, since it is necessary to notify the detection range of the touch panel, a parting line having a rectangular frame shape in plan view that defines the detection area is formed on the operation surface of the touch panel. In general, a detection region is formed in a region inside the line.

  In such a structure, since the parting line of the touch panel is easily visually recognized, it is desired to improve the appearance of the touch panel. However, if it is difficult to see the parting line of the touch panel, it is difficult for the operator to know the detection range of the touch panel and the position of the operating finger during operation, which is not preferable because the operability of the touch panel is impaired.

  The main part of the input device 1 according to the present embodiment is that the touch panel 2 has a detection range in addition to improving the appearance as a product by forming the operation surface 21 of the touch panel 2 so as not to have a parting line. And the control unit 5 having a movement position notification function for notifying movement position information of the operation finger.

  In the following description, a tracing operation will be described as an example of an operation mode of the touch panel 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to a touch operation.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a square detection region 22 whose outline is difficult to visually recognize is set on the touch panel 2 according to the illustrated example. In this detection area 22, a determination area boundary line 24 for setting a determination area 23 for determining the touch position of the tracing operation in the control unit 5 is set. The determination area boundary line 24 is enclosed in a rectangular frame shape in plan view with a predetermined distance from the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22.

  The determination area 23 set outside the determination area boundary line 24 detects the movement of the operating finger that is likely to deviate from the detection area 22. By detecting the movement of the operating finger in the determination area 23, the operating finger during the tracing operation is prevented from deviating from the detection area 22 even if the operator cannot visually recognize it from the outside.

  The operation state of the tracing operation is notified by the notification unit 6. The control unit 5 controls the notification process of the notification unit 6. As the notification unit 6, for example, a notification unit using vibration, sound, light, or the like can be employed.

  The control unit 5 recognizes the XY coordinates (touch position) every predetermined sampling time by the clock signal generation function, and the XY coordinates for each sampling time and the center coordinates C (0) of the detection area 22 of the touch panel 2. , 0) and the time change of the distance is calculated. Based on this change in distance over time, the control unit 5 determines the operation status such as the direction, speed, and acceleration of the tracing operation.

  For example, in the determination area 23 of the touch panel 2, the control unit 5 according to the illustrated example detects whether or not the operation finger during the tracing operation is in the first operation mode that is likely to deviate from the detection area 22. It is determined whether or not the second operation mode is expected to deviate from the region 22.

  In accordance with the movement of the operating finger according to such an operation mode, the control unit 5 controls the notification unit 6 so as to vary the amount of notification such as vibration intensity, volume, luminous intensity, the number of times of output, and the output time.

  Here, the first operation mode in which the operating finger during the tracing operation is likely to deviate from the detection region 22 satisfies the following three first to third conditions.

  The first condition is that the operator's operating finger performs a tracing operation. The second condition is that the operating finger during the tracing operation is present in the determination region 23 outside the determination region boundary line 24 of the detection region 22. The third condition is that the operating finger during the tracing operation moves outside the determination area 23.

  On the other hand, in addition to the above first to third conditions, the second operation mode in which it is expected that the operating finger during the tracing operation deviates from the detection region 22 is the following fourth condition. It satisfies.

  The fourth condition is that the acceleration at which the touch position of the operating finger during the tracing operation moves toward the outside of the determination region 23 increases.

As the first condition, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 determines whether or not “X _t0 ² + Y _t0 ² ≠ X _t1 ² + Y _t1 ² ”. Can be detected.

Here, “X _t0 ² + Y _t0 ² ” is between the XY coordinates P ₁ (X _t0 , Y _t0 ) at the sampling time _t0 and the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22 of the touch panel 2. , And “X _t1 ² + Y _t1 ² ” is the XY coordinate P ₂ (X _t1 , Y _t1 ) at the sampling time _t1 and the center coordinate C (0, 0) is the sum of squared distances.

As the second condition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 performs “X _t0 > B ₁ , B ₂ ”, “−X _t0 <B ₃ , B ₄ ”, “Y _t0 > B ₁ , B _4. ”,“ −Y _t0 <B ₂ , B ₃ ”, it is possible to detect that the operating finger during the tracing operation is present in the determination region 23.

Here, “X _t0 ” and “Y _t0 ” are the X coordinate P ₁ (X _t0 ) and the Y coordinate P ₁ (Y _t0 ) at the sampling time _t0 . On the other hand, _{"B 1"} is X-Y coordinate determination area boundary line 24 in the first quadrant around the center coordinates C of the detection area 22 (0,0) (b, b ), _{"B 2} "Is the XY coordinates (b, -b) of the determination region boundary line 24 in the second quadrant. “B ₃ ” is the XY coordinates (−b, −b) of the determination region boundary line 24 in the third quadrant, and “B ₄ ” is the X− of the determination region boundary line 24 in the fourth quadrant. Y coordinate (-b, b).

As a third condition, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 determines whether or not “X _t0 ² + Y _t0 ² <X _t1 ² + Y _t1 ² ”.

X-Y coordinate _P 1 at the sampling time _{t0 (X t0, Y t0)} and the distance between the center coordinates C of the detection area 22 (0,0), X-Y coordinate _P 2 at the sampling time _{t1 (X t1,} Y _t1 ) and the distance between the center coordinates C (0,0) of the detection area 22 are determined based on the time change to determine the stroking direction and the stroking speed, so that the operating finger during the stroking operation can determine the boundary of the determination area. It is possible to detect movement to the outside of 24.

As the fourth condition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit 5 performs “(X _t1 ² + Y _t1 ² ) − (X _t0 ² + Y _t0 ² ) <(X _t2 ² + Y _t2 ² ) − (X _t1 ² ). + Y _t1 ² ) ”.

Here, ^{_{"(X t1 2 + Y t1 2}} ) - (X t0 2 + Y t0 2) " is, X-Y coordinates in the X-Y coordinate _{P 0 (X t0, Y t0} ) from the sampling time _t1 at the sampling time _t0 It is the acceleration that moves to P ₁ (Xt ₁ , Yt ₁ ). One ^{_{"(X t2 2 + Y t2 2}} ) - (X t1 2 + Y t1 2) " is, X-Y coordinates in the X-Y coordinate _{P 1 (X t1, Y t1} ) from the sampling time _t2 in the sampling time _t1 P ₂ (Xt ₂ , Yt ₂ ).

From the XY coordinate P ₀ (X _t0 , Y _t0 ) to the XY coordinate P ₁ (Xt ₁ , Yt ₁ ), the tracing speed and the XY coordinate P ₁ (X _t1 , Y _t1 ) to X− By determining the tracing acceleration based on the time change with the tracing speed moving to the Y coordinate P ₂ (X _t2 , Y _t2 ), the acceleration at which the operating finger during the tracing operation moves outside the determination area 23 increases. Can be detected.

(Trace operation procedure)
Next, an example of the processing procedure of the tracing operation of the touch panel 2 applied to the input device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the following description of the processing procedure, it is assumed that the CPU incorporated in the control unit 5 performs unless otherwise specified.

  Note that steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 4 are the first to third conditions for determining whether or not the operating finger during the drag operation sliding on the touch panel 2 is the first operation mode that is likely to deviate from the detection region 22. Corresponding to Steps S105 and S106 in FIG. 4 correspond to the fourth condition for determining the second operation mode in which it is expected that the operating finger during the tracing operation deviates from the detection region 22.

  In FIG. 4, when the detection unit 4 detects the touch of the operation finger on the operation surface 21, a detection signal is output to the control unit 5. The control unit 5 determines whether or not it is a tracing operation (step S101). The tracing operation is an operation when the touch position of the touch panel 2 is continuously changing, and is determined based on, for example, whether or not a plurality of XY coordinate contacts are within a predetermined time.

  In the process of step S101, when the contact of the plurality of XY coordinates is not within a predetermined time, it is determined that the touch position of the touch panel 2 is a normal touch operation in which the touch position does not continuously change, and the touch position X is determined. The operation information signal corresponding to the Y coordinate information is output to the information device (step S107).

If it is determined in step S101 that the operation is a tracing operation, the process proceeds to step S102. In step S <b> 102, it is determined whether or not the touch position P ₀ of the operating finger on the touch panel 2 is in the determination area 23 that is outside the determination area boundary line 24.

In the process of step S102, if the touch position P ₀ of the operating finger in the tracing operation is not in the determination region 23, it is determined that the operation finger during tracing operation is a tracing operation without departing from the detection area 22, the touch position The operation information signal corresponding to the XY coordinate information is output to the information device (step S107).

In the process of step S102, when the touch position P ₀ of the operating finger in the stroking operation is determined to be in the determination area 23, the process proceeds to step S103. In the process of step S103, it is determined whether or not the touch position P ₁ of the operation finger during a tracing operation has moved the determination region 23 from the central coordinates C (0,0) of the detection area 22 outwardly.

In the process of step S103, when the touch position P ₁ of the operation finger during a tracing operation has not moved outwards from the center coordinates C of the detection area 22 (0,0), the operation finger during stroking operation detection area The operation information signal corresponding to the XY coordinate information of the touch position is output to the information device (step S107).

In the process of step S103, the touch position P ₁ of the operation finger during a tracing operation is moving from the center coordinates C (0,0) of the detection area 22 outwardly, operating finger in the tracing operation from the detection region 22 If it is determined that the first operation mode is likely to deviate, the process proceeds to step S104.

In the process of step S104, and outputs a notification signal corresponding to the touch position P ₁ of a tracing operation fingers according to the first operation mode to the notification unit 6. The notification amount of the notification unit 6 is controlled so as to vary according to the time change of the distance between the touch position at regular time intervals and the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection region 22.

  Subsequently, in the process of step S105, it is determined whether or not the acceleration at which the touch position of the operating finger during the tracing operation moves outward from the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22 has increased.

In the process of step S105, when the acceleration moving outward from the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22 has not increased, it is a stroking operation in which the operating finger during the stroking operation does not deviate from the detection area 22. It determines that outputs an operation information signal in response onto the X-Y coordinate information of the touch position P ₂ to the information device (step S107).

  In the process of step S105, the acceleration moving outward from the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22 is increasing, and it is remarkable that the operating finger during the tracing operation deviates from the detection area 22. If it is determined that the second operation mode is expected, the process proceeds to step S106.

In the process of step S106, and outputs a notification signal corresponding to the touch position P ₂ of a tracing operation finger according to the second operation mode to the notification unit 6. The notification amount of the notification unit 6 is that the operating finger during the tracing operation is moved from the detection region 22 according to the time change of the distance between the touch position at regular intervals and the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection region 22. Control is performed so as to increase more than in the case of the first operation mode that is likely to deviate.

  By the above processing, the operator is more likely to deviate from the detection area by increasing the notification amount as the acceleration moving outward from the center coordinates C (0, 0) of the detection area 22 increases. Can be recognized.

(Effect of embodiment)
According to the input device 1 configured as described above, in addition to the above effects, the following effects can be obtained.

  Even when the operation is not directly visible, it is possible to know where in the detection area the finger that is being dragged is slid on the touch panel, thus reducing the burden on the operator. it can.

  The appearance of the product can be improved, and the position of the operating finger during the tracing operation can be grasped.

  In general, this type of input device already has a tactile sense presentation mechanism that presents a tactile sense to the operator when inputting. By using this conventional tactile sense presentation mechanism, notification can be performed without significantly changing the design of the apparatus, and thus an increase in cost can be suppressed.

  The input device 1 can be attached to various interior components such as an instrument panel, a steering wheel, and a center console of a vehicle.

  Of course, the input device 1 can be effectively used as an input device for remotely operating a vehicle-mounted device, and as an input device for various portable information terminal devices such as a mobile phone and a camera.

  As is clear from the above description, typical embodiments and illustrated examples according to the present invention are illustrated, but the above-described embodiments and illustrated examples do not limit the invention according to the claims. Therefore, it should be noted that not all the combinations of features described in the above embodiments and the illustrated examples are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Input device, 2 ... Touch panel, 3 ... Drive part, 4 ... Detection part, 5 ... Control part, 6 ... Notification part, 21 ... Operation surface, 22 ... Detection area, 23 ... Determination area, 24 ... Determination area boundary line _{, B 1 ~B 4, P 0} ~P 2 ... X-Y coordinate, C ... center coordinates, t0 to t2 ... sampling _{time, X} 1 _~X n _... driving _{electrode, Y} 1 _~Y n _... detection electrode

Claims (3)

A touch panel having a detection region whose outline is difficult to visually recognize, and a determination region for determining a contact position when the detection target object moves outside the detection region;
When determining whether or not the detection object is moving in the determination area, and determining that the detection object is moving in the determination area, movement position information associated with the movement of the contact position is obtained. A control unit having a moving position notification function to be output to the notification unit;
An input device comprising:   The control unit determines whether the contact position is moving toward the outside of the determination region based on a temporal change in the distance between the center position of the detection region and the contact position. The input device according to claim 1.   When the contact position moves toward the outside of the determination area, the control unit performs a first notification process according to the movement of the contact position, and determines the center position of the detection area and the contact position. 3. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a second notification process is performed in accordance with the movement of the contact position when the time change of the distance increases.

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