JP2019204663A - Detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a detection device capable of detecting a noise state.SOLUTION: There is provided a detection device including a detection section for detecting a noise state in an input device that includes a first electrode and a second electrode provided between the first electrode and a reference potential point and that can perform operation detection control for detecting an operation and invalidation control for invalidating the effect of an operation. The detection section detects the noise state on the basis of a variation in capacitance detected during the invalidation control is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a detection device.

  A technique for improving detection accuracy in a capacitance sensor has been developed. As a technique related to a capacitive sensor including a guard electrode to which the same voltage as the voltage applied to the detection electrode is applied, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is cited.

JP 2013-190404 A

  The capacitance type input device detects, for example, the capacitance of an electrode corresponding to an electrostatic sensor (electrostatic switch), and detects a change in the capacitance of the electrode caused by an operation with an operating body such as a finger. Thus, it is determined whether or not an operation is performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the electrode. The change in the capacitance of the electrode is detected, for example, by comparing the detected capacitance of the electrode with a threshold value for determining the operation. Hereinafter, the capacitance type input device may be simply referred to as “input device”.

  In the input device, a parasitic capacitance is generated between an electrode whose capacitance is to be detected (hereinafter referred to as “sensor electrode”) and a reference potential point (ground). The magnitude of the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point depends on the area of the sensor electrode.

  Since the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point can be a noise in the operation determination for the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode, the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point is large. As a result, the SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) characteristic is disadvantageous. Therefore, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the operation on the electrostatic sensor and prevent erroneous determination of the operation, it is desirable to reduce the parasitic capacitance generated between the sensor electrode and the reference potential point.

  Further, in the input device, the capacitance of the sensor electrode may fluctuate due to factors other than the operating body such as temperature change and humidity change. When the capacitance of the sensor electrode fluctuates due to factors other than the operating body as described above, for example, “the operation with the operating body is not performed, but the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode “It is determined that the operation is being performed” or the like may occur. That is, the variation in the capacitance due to factors other than the operation body as described above can also be a noise in the determination of the operation on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode.

  For example, when the input device is in a state of being affected by noise, such as when a large parasitic capacitance occurs or when the capacitance changes due to factors other than the above operating body, There is a possibility that an erroneous determination of operation occurs in the input device. Hereinafter, a state in which the input device is affected by noise as described above is referred to as a “noise state”.

  Therefore, a detection method for detecting that the input device is in a noise state, that is, that the input device is in a noise situation that is affected by noise is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved detection apparatus capable of detecting a noise state.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first electrode, and a second electrode provided between the first electrode and a reference potential point, for detecting an operation. In the input device capable of performing the operation detection control and the invalidation control for invalidating the influence of the operation, the input device includes a detection unit that detects a noise state, and the invalidation control is performed on the detection unit. A detection device is provided that detects the noise condition based on a capacitance variation that is sometimes detected.

  In such a configuration, it is possible to detect the noise state based on the variation of the capacitance detected in the state where the influence of the operating body is invalidated. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to detect a noise state regardless of whether an operation is performed, for example.

  The detection unit may detect the noise state by comparing the variation value of the capacitance in a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value that is set.

  The detection unit may detect the noise state by comparing the variation value of the capacitance in a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value that is set.

  The switch further includes a switch unit having the first electrode and the second electrode, and a control unit that performs the operation detection control and the invalidation control. The detection unit further performs the operation detection control. An operation on the switch unit may be detected based on a change in capacitance detected when the switch is held.

  According to the present invention, a noise state can be detected.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the fluctuation | variation of the electrostatic capacitance resulting from noise. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the cancellation control in an input device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of invalidation control in an input device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[1] Outline of Noise State Detection Method According to Embodiment of the Present Invention First, an outline of a noise state detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Below, the case where the detection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs the process which concerns on the detection method of the noise state which concerns on embodiment of this invention is mentioned as an example. Hereinafter, the detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may be simply referred to as “detection apparatus”.

  As described above, in the input device, for example, whether or not an operation is performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the sensor electrode by comparing the capacitance of the sensor electrode with a threshold value for determining the operation. Is determined. Further, as described above, the input device may be in a noise state, that is, the input device may be in a noise state.

  When the input device is in a noise state, it is necessary to further reduce the variation in capacitance caused by noise in order to prevent erroneous determination of operation due to the influence of noise.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a capacitance fluctuation f caused by noise. “T” shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a threshold (hereinafter referred to as “ON threshold”) for detecting the operation, and “T / 2” shown in FIG. 1 is operated. This is a threshold value for detecting the absence (hereinafter referred to as “OFF threshold value”). The ON threshold value and the OFF threshold value correspond to threshold values for operation determination. FIG. 1A shows an example of the capacitance when the operation is not performed, and FIG. 1B shows an example of the capacitance when the operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, when an operation is performed, the detected capacitance increases by a capacity (hereinafter referred to as “operation capacity”) caused by an operating body such as a finger. When the detected capacitance exceeds the ON threshold, the input device determines that an operation has been performed.

  In addition, the capacitance detected in the input device can change due to the capacitance fluctuation f caused by noise. Specifically, the detected capacitance is increased or decreased from the original value by the variation f of the capacitance. Therefore, in order not to cause an erroneous determination of an operation due to the fluctuation f of the capacitance, that is, an erroneous determination of the operation due to the influence of noise, as shown in FIG. It is necessary to be smaller than the “absolute value of the difference between the threshold value and the OFF threshold value”.

  However, depending on the noise state, the capacitance fluctuation f may not be suppressed to be smaller than “the absolute value of the difference between the ON threshold value and the OFF threshold value”. And when the fluctuation | variation f of an electrostatic capacitance cannot be suppressed, possibility that the misjudgment of operation by the influence of noise will arise is high. Therefore, a detection method for detecting that the input device is in a noise state, that is, that the input device is in a noise situation is desired.

  Here, when the input device is in a noise state, as shown with reference to FIG. 1, the detected capacitance increases or decreases from the original value by the variation f of the capacitance. That is, when noise is generated, the larger the fluctuation f of the capacitance caused by the noise, the larger the fluctuation of the detected capacitance.

  Therefore, as a method of detecting the noise state, a method of detecting the noise state based on the magnitude of the detected capacitance variation is conceivable.

  For example, the capacitance fluctuation value in a predetermined period (a value indicating the magnitude of the capacitance fluctuation in the predetermined period) is compared with a predetermined threshold for detecting whether or not a noise state is present. Thus, it is possible to detect the noise state. Specifically, the noise state may be detected by determining that the noise state is present when the capacitance fluctuation value is greater than a predetermined threshold value, or when the fluctuation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value. .

  As an example of the predetermined period, “a period from the time when capacitance detection is performed until the next time when capacitance detection is performed” can be cited. The example of the predetermined period is not limited to the example described above, and may be an arbitrary period.

  The predetermined threshold for detecting whether or not it is in a noise state may be a fixed value set in advance, or a variable value that can be changed based on an operation of the user of the input device. Also good.

  Here, when trying to detect a noise state, it is desirable that the noise state can be detected regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the input device. However, as shown in FIG. 1B, the capacitance detected by the input device may include an operation capacitance. For this reason, when the fluctuation value of the capacitance in a predetermined period is simply compared with the predetermined threshold, the fluctuation value of the capacitance is caused by noise or the fluctuation value is caused by the operation capacity. I can't tell what to do. Therefore, when the capacitance fluctuation value in a predetermined period is simply compared with a predetermined threshold, there is a possibility that a noise state is erroneously detected.

  Therefore, the detection device detects a noise state based on a change in capacitance detected in a state where the operation capacitance is excluded. Specifically, the detection device detects a noise state based on a change in capacitance detected when invalidation control (described later) for invalidating the influence of an operation is performed in the input device. . Similarly to the above-described one method, the detection device detects the noise state by comparing the variation value of the capacitance during a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value that is set.

  As will be described later, the operation capacitance is not included in the capacitance detected when the invalidation control is performed. In other words, the fluctuation value of the capacitance used by the detection device for noise detection does not include a fluctuation component due to the operation capacity.

  Therefore, the detection device can detect the noise state with higher accuracy than the case where the one method is used regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the input device.

[2] Regarding Control in Input Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention Next, an example of control in the “input device according to the embodiment of the present invention, which is a target for detecting a noise state by the detection device” will be described. Hereinafter, the input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is simply referred to as “input device”.

  The input device has a first electrode and a second electrode. The second electrode is provided between the first electrode and the reference potential point. Examples of the control in the input device include operation detection control for detecting an operation and invalidation control for invalidating the influence of the operation.

[2-1] Example of Operation Detection Control The input device performs, for example, cancel control as operation detection control.

  Here, the cancel control is “control in which a drive signal (voltage signal) is applied to the first electrode and a signal (voltage signal) having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the second electrode”. The first electrode to which the drive signal is applied functions as a sensor electrode.

  Here, when a drive signal is applied to the first electrode and a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode are the same. It becomes a potential. Therefore, in the above case, the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode is sufficiently small. Therefore, when a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal is applied to the second electrode when the drive signal is applied to the first electrode, for example, a parasitic between the first electrode and the reference potential point is performed. It is possible to reduce the capacity.

  Hereinafter, the second electrode when cancel control is performed, that is, the second electrode when a signal having the same waveform as the drive signal applied to the first electrode is applied to the second electrode is referred to as “cancel electrode”. It shows.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of cancel control in the input device. In FIG. 2, the first electrode that functions as a sensor electrode is indicated as “sensor 1”, and the second electrode that functions as a cancel electrode is indicated as “cancel 1”. “Cs” shown in FIG. 2 is a parasitic capacitance generated between the first electrode functioning as a sensor electrode and the reference potential point GND.

  The parasitic capacitance Cs is expressed as a combined capacitance of the capacitance Cp1 between the sensor electrode and the cancel electrode and the capacitance Cp2 between the cancel electrode and the reference potential point GND.

  By performing the cancel control, the capacitance Cp1 between the sensor electrode and the cancel electrode becomes sufficiently small. The parasitic capacitance Cs is a combined capacitance of the capacitance Cp1 and the capacitance Cp2. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance Cs can be reduced in the input device by performing the cancel control.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, if the operation is determined based on a change in the capacitance of the sensor electrode detected when cancel control is performed, erroneous determination due to the parasitic capacitance Cs is prevented.

  Therefore, the input device performs cancel control as operation detection control for detecting an operation.

  Note that the operation detection control according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the cancel control described above. For example, the operation detection control may be any control capable of detecting an operation, such as a control for applying a drive signal only to the sensor electrode.

[2-2] Example of Invalidation Control The input device, for example, causes the first electrode to have the same potential as the reference potential point and applies a drive signal to the second electrode. When the invalidation control is performed, the second electrode to which the drive signal is applied functions as a sensor electrode.

  Since the first electrode has the same potential as the reference potential point, even if an operating body such as a finger approaches the first electrode, the effect of the operating capacity is negligible, and the operation by the operating body is invalidated.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of invalidation control in the input device. In FIG. 3, the first electrode having the same potential as the reference potential point is indicated as “GND1”, and the second electrode functioning as the sensor electrode is indicated as “sensor 1”. Further, “Ct” shown in FIG. 3 indicates a capacitance detected between the operating body and the first electrode. The capacitance C _A shown in FIG. 3 corresponds to the capacitance detected between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the capacitance C _B shown in FIG. 3 is the second electrode and the reference potential point. This corresponds to the capacitance detected with respect to GND.

  When invalidation control is performed, since the first electrode has the same potential as the reference potential point, the capacitance Ct detected between the operating body and the first electrode becomes the capacitance related to the reference potential point, As a result, the influence of the operation capacity is small.

  Therefore, when invalidation control is performed, the influence of the operation is invalidated.

Further, the capacitance Cg detected when the invalidation control is performed is a combined capacitance of the capacitance C _A and the capacitance C _B as shown in the following Equation 1.

Cg = C _A + C _B
... (Formula 1)

  Here, the capacitance Cg detected when the invalidation control is performed does not include the operation capacitance. That is, the fluctuation component due to the operation capacity is not included in the fluctuation of the capacitance Cg when the invalidation control is performed.

  Therefore, as described above, the above-described one method is used regardless of whether or not an operation is performed on the input device by observing the variation of the capacitance Cg when invalidation control is performed. The noise state can be detected with higher accuracy than the case.

[2-3] Switching between operation detection control and invalidation control The input device switches between operation detection control and invalidation control, for example, by alternately performing operation detection control and invalidation control.

  The input device performs invalidation control every time a predetermined time elapses, for example.

  Here, examples of the predetermined time according to the embodiment of the present invention include a set fixed period. The fixed period may be a fixed period set in advance or may be a variable period that can be changed based on an operation of the user of the input device. When the predetermined time is a fixed period, invalidation control is repeatedly performed at a fixed timing. Note that the predetermined time according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a certain period. For example, the predetermined time may be a period in which the time interval varies randomly or according to a predetermined rule.

  Note that the example of switching between the operation detection control and the invalidation control is not limited to the example described above. As will be described later, the operation detection control and the invalidation control may be switched based on the detection result of the noise state.

[3] Configuration Example of Detection Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention to which the detection method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above can be applied. explain.

  Hereinafter, a case where the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is an input device having a first electrode and a second electrode and has a function of detecting a noise state in itself will be described as an example. Note that the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to an input device. For example, the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to detect a noise state in an external input device. In addition, the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention may have a function and a configuration according to an application example of the detection device described later.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the detection apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The detection apparatus 100 includes, for example, a switch unit 102, a detection unit 104, and a control unit 106.

  The detection apparatus 100 may include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown), a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown), a storage unit (not shown), and the like. The detection apparatus 100 connects the above-described constituent elements by, for example, a bus as a data transmission path. The detection device 100 is driven by, for example, power supplied from an internal power source such as a battery provided in the detection device 100 or power supplied from a connected external power source.

  A ROM (not shown) stores data such as programs and calculation parameters used by the control unit 106 and a processing circuit 114 described later, for example. A RAM (not shown) temporarily stores programs executed by the control unit 106, the processing circuit 114, processing data, and the like.

  The storage unit (not shown) is a storage unit included in the detection device 100. In the storage unit (not shown), for example, various data such as data related to the detection method of the present invention, such as data indicating a predetermined threshold value for detecting whether or not it is a noise state, and application software Is memorized.

  Here, examples of the storage unit (not shown) include a magnetic recording medium such as a hard disk and a recording medium such as a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. Further, the storage unit (not shown) may be detachable from the detection device 100.

[3-1] Switch unit 102
The switch unit 102 includes a first electrode E1 and a second electrode E2. Between the 1st electrode E1 and the 2nd electrode E2, the board | substrate with which an insulator base material is used is provided, for example.

  The thickness of the insulator base material and the selection of the dielectric material constituting the insulator base material are detected, for example, when the capacitance fluctuation when the input device is in a noise state, that is, when invalidation control is performed. The variation ΔCg of the capacitance Cg is performed so as to satisfy “ΔCg> N · Cf_g”. The “N · Cf_g” corresponds to an example of a predetermined threshold for detecting whether or not a noise state is present. “Cf_g” includes, for example, an operation capacity detected as a result of performing invalidation control in the input device in the test environment. Further, “N” is a coefficient for taking into account variations in capacitance variation when in a noise state. “N” includes, for example, a value of 3 or more or a value of 4 or more.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, a substrate using an insulating base material is provided between the second electrode E2 and the reference potential point, for example.

  When operation detection control is performed, the first electrode E1 functions as a sensor electrode, and the second electrode E2 functions as a cancel electrode.

  When invalidation control is performed, the first electrode E1 has the same potential as the reference potential point, and the second electrode E2 functions as a sensor electrode.

In addition, the switch unit 102, for example, “the capacitance between the second electrode E2 and the reference potential point is sufficiently smaller than the capacitance between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.” It is configured to satisfy the condition. By the above condition is satisfied, the combined capacitance when the disabling control is performed, i.e. the capacitance Cg is the capacitance C _A is dominant combined capacitance between the first electrode E1 and second electrode E2 It becomes. Further, when the above condition is satisfied, the change in the capacitance Cg in a certain period approximates the change in the capacitance of the first electrode E1 in the period.

[3-2] Detection unit 104
[3-2-1] Processing in Detection Unit 104 The detection unit 104 detects the capacitance of each of the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 by a self-capacitance method. For example, the detection unit 104 sets the first electrode E1 to which the drive signal is applied or the second electrode E2 to which the drive signal is applied as a capacitance detection target. Specifically, for example, when the operation detection control is performed, the detection unit 104 sets the first electrode E1 as a capacitance detection target. In addition, when the invalidation control is performed, the detection unit 104 sets the second electrode E2 as a capacitance detection target.

  The detection unit 104 performs, for example, the following process (1) and the following process (2) as processes based on the detected capacitance.

(1) Processing related to detection of noise state (processing related to detection method)
The detection unit 104 detects a noise state based on a change in capacitance detected when invalidation control is performed, that is, a change in capacitance of the second electrode E2.

  Similarly to the above-described one method, the detection unit 104 detects the noise state by comparing the variation value of the capacitance during a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value that is set. The detection unit 104 detects a noise state when the capacitance fluctuation value is larger than a predetermined threshold value or when the capacitance fluctuation value is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold value.

  As a predetermined threshold value for detecting whether or not it is in a noise state, for example, a preset fixed value such as “N · Cf_g” can be cited. For example, when the value of N is 4 and the OFF threshold value is T / 2, the detection unit 104 causes noise due to the capacitance variation of “(T / 2) / 4 = T / 8” or more. The state can be detected.

  As described above, the predetermined threshold value may be a variable value.

  For example, the detection unit 104 transmits data indicating the detection result of the noise state to the control unit 106. Note that the detection unit 104 may transmit data indicating the detection result to the control unit 106 when a noise state is detected.

(2) Processing related to detection of operation The detection unit 104 switches based on a change in capacitance detected when operation detection control is performed, that is, based on a change in capacitance of the first electrode E1. Detect operation on.

  The detection unit 104 compares the detected capacitance with the threshold value for determining the set operation, and the operation has been performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the first electrode E1. Is detected. In the following, “the operation has been performed on the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the first electrode E1” detected by the detection unit 104 is referred to as “the operation has been performed on the switch unit 102”. May represent.

  Here, the threshold value for the operation determination according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a fixed threshold value set in advance, or a variable threshold value that changes based on the operation detection result in the detection unit 104 or the like. It may be. As an example of the variable threshold value based on the operation detection result, for example, “when an operation is detected by the detection unit 104, the threshold value is set to be higher than the threshold value set before the operation is detected by the detection unit 104. “A smaller value is set”.

  The capacitance of the first electrode E1 changes, for example, when an operating body such as a finger approaches the first electrode E1. The detection unit 104 detects the change in the capacitance of the first electrode E1 by the threshold processing using the threshold for determining the operation as described above, and detects the operation on the switch unit 102.

  Specifically, the detection unit 104, for example, when the detected capacitance is equal to or greater than the ON threshold for determination (or when the capacitance is greater than the ON threshold for determination), It is detected that an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102. In addition, for example, when the capacitance detected after it is detected that an operation has been performed is equal to or less than the OFF threshold for determination (or the capacitance is determined for the determination) When it is smaller than the OFF threshold, it is detected that no operation is performed on the switch unit 102.

  For example, when the operation on the switch unit 102 is detected, the detection unit 104 determines that the operation has been performed on the switch unit 102.

  In addition, the determination method of the operation with respect to the switch part 102 in the detection part 104 is not restricted above. For example, the detection unit 104 can determine that an operation on the switch unit 102 has been performed when an operation is detected a predetermined number of times. The predetermined number of times according to the embodiment of the present invention may be a fixed number set in advance, or a variable number that can be changed based on a command from the control unit 106 or an external controller. .

  As described above, when the detection unit 104 determines that an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102 when an operation is detected a predetermined number of times, the possibility of erroneous determination of the operation on the switch unit 102 is further reduced. can do.

[3-2-2] Configuration Example of Detection Unit 104 Next, an example of the configuration of the detection unit 104 capable of performing the processing in the detection unit 104 described above will be described.

  The detection unit 104 includes, for example, a voltage source 110, a measurement circuit 112, a processing circuit 114, switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6, and ground capacitors C1 and C2.

  The voltage source 110 outputs a drive signal for driving the first electrode E1 or the second electrode E2. Note that the voltage source 110 may be a voltage source external to the detection device 100.

  For example, the measurement circuit 112 detects the capacitance (self-capacitance value) by measuring the charging time of the capacitor. The measurement circuit 112 measures the charge time of the capacity using, for example, one or more comparators, and detects the capacitance by obtaining the capacity value from the measured charge time.

  Note that the measurement circuit 112 is not limited to the example shown above. The measurement circuit 112 can take a configuration corresponding to any method capable of measuring the capacitance.

  Based on the capacitance of the first electrode E1 and the capacitance of the first electrode E2 detected by the measurement circuit 112, the processing circuit 114 performs the above-described processing (1) (processing related to detection of the noise state). And (2) processing (processing related to operation detection). Further, the processing circuit 114 recognizes the control performed in the detection device 100 based on, for example, a control signal indicating the content of control transmitted from the control unit 106.

  More specifically, the processing circuit 114 detects the noise state based on the change in the capacitance of the second electrode E2 detected when the invalidation control is performed. For example, the processing circuit 114 detects the noise state by comparing the fluctuation value of the capacitance of the second electrode E2 in a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value for detecting whether or not the noise state is present. To do.

  Further, the processing circuit 114 detects an operation on the switch unit 102 based on the capacitance of the first electrode E1 detected when the operation detection control is performed.

  For example, the processing circuit 114 compares the detected capacitance of the first electrode E1 with a threshold value for determining the operation, thereby determining whether the operation for the electrostatic sensor corresponding to the first electrode E1 has been performed. By determining whether or not, an operation on the switch unit 102 is detected. As described above, the processing circuit 114 may determine whether or not an operation has been performed on the switch unit 102 based on a detection result of the operation on the switch unit 102 and a predetermined number of times.

  As the processing circuit 114, for example, one or two or more processors configured by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be cited.

  The switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are constituted by, for example, switching transistors, and are turned on (conductive state) or off (non-conductive state) according to the signal level (voltage level) of the applied signal. )

  Examples of the switching transistor include bipolar transistors, and FETs (Field-Effect Transistors) such as TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) and MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors).

  For example, the control unit 106, which will be described later, controls the switching between the ON state and the OFF state of each of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6.

  Note that the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are not limited to switching transistors, and may be any elements (or circuits) that can be switched between an on state and an off state.

  In the detection unit 104, for example, as shown in (a) and (b) below, the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 are turned on and off according to the control performed in the detection device 100, for example. The state is switched.

(A) When operation detection control is performed • Switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3: ON state • Switching circuits SW4, SW5, SW6: OFF state

(B) When invalidation control is performed:-Switching circuits SW3, SW4, SW5: ON state-Switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW6: OFF state

  For example, by performing on / off control of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6 as shown in (a) above, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 constituting the switch unit 102 are As shown in FIG. Further, for example, the first electrode E1 and the second electrode constituting the switch unit 102 are performed by performing on / off control of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 as shown in (b) above. E2 is in a state as shown in FIG. In the detection unit 104, the measurement circuit 112 detects the capacitance (self-capacitance value) of the electrode functioning as the sensor electrode.

  The switching circuit SW6 is a switching circuit for initializing measurement of capacitance.

For example, as shown below, the capacitance measurement is initialized by switching the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 between on and off states.
Switching circuit SW6: ON state Switching circuit SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5: OFF state

  The grounding capacitor C1 is connected, for example, between the first electrode E1 and the switching circuit SW2. The grounding capacitor C1 may be a parasitic capacitor or a circuit element such as a capacitor.

  The grounding capacitor C2 is connected between the second electrode E2 and the switching circuit SW3, for example. The ground capacitance C2 may be a parasitic capacitance or a circuit element such as a capacitor.

  For example, with the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the detection unit 104 detects a noise state based on a change in the capacitance of the second electrode E2, and detects the noise state with respect to the switch unit 102 based on a change in the capacitance of the first electrode E1. Detect operations.

  The configuration of the detection unit 104 is not limited to the example illustrated in FIG.

  For example, the detection unit 104 can take any configuration that can measure the capacitance (self-capacitance value) of each of the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2.

  The detection unit 104 may include a plurality of detection circuits, for example, a detection circuit that measures the capacitance of the first electrode E1 and a detection circuit that measures the capacitance of the second electrode E2.

  For example, when the control unit 106 described later has a function of performing the same processing as the processing circuit 114, the detection unit 104 may not include the processing circuit 114.

[3-3] Control unit 106
The control unit 106 includes, for example, one or two or more processors and various processing circuits configured by an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU.

  For example, the control unit 106 performs operation detection control and invalidation control. For example, the control unit 106 alternately performs operation detection control and invalidation control. For example, the control unit 106 performs invalidation control every time a predetermined time elapses.

  For example, the control unit 106 transmits an operation detection control signal to the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 included in the detection unit 104 by transmitting a signal for switching between the on state and the off state. Alternatively, invalidation control is performed.

  In addition, the control unit 106, for example, transmits an operation detection control or invalidation by transmitting a control signal including a command to switch the on / off state of each switching circuit to the processing circuit 114 configuring the detection unit 104. Control may be performed. When the control unit 106 transmits the control signal to the processing circuit 114, in the detection unit 104, the processing circuit 114 applies to each of the switching circuits SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, and SW6 based on the transmitted control signal. Thus, a signal for switching between the on state and the off state is transmitted.

  In addition, the process in the control part 106 is not restricted to the process which concerns on the operation detection control and invalidation control which were mentioned above.

  For example, the control unit 106 may perform processing based on data indicating the detection result of the noise state transmitted from the detection unit 104.

  As an example of the processing based on the data indicating the detection result, “notification processing for notifying that the input device (in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the detection device 100 corresponds)” is placed in a noise situation. It is done. The control unit 106 visually notifies that the input device is in a noise situation by, for example, turning on a lamp or displaying an image or a character string on the display screen of the display device. In addition, the control unit 106 may audibly notify that the input device is in a noise situation by outputting sound (including music) from a sound output device such as a speaker.

  An example of processing based on data indicating a detection result is not limited to the notification processing.

  For example, the control unit 106 may cause the data indicating the detection result of the noise state to be transmitted to an external device such as a server by controlling the communication device.

  Further, the control unit 106 may switch between the operation detection control and the invalidation control based on the data indicating the detection result. For example, the control unit 106 performs invalidation control when, for example, data indicating a detection result indicates that a noise state is detected, and continues the invalidation control until no noise state is detected. Then, for example, the control unit 106 performs operation detection control when the data indicating the detection result no longer indicates that the noise state has been detected.

  As described above, the control unit 106 may have a function of performing processing similar to that of the processing circuit 114. Further, the control unit 106 may play a role of controlling the entire detection apparatus 100.

  The detection apparatus 100 has a configuration shown in FIG. 4, for example.

  In the detection apparatus 100, the noise state is detected by performing processing related to the noise state detection method according to the embodiment of the present invention in the detection unit 104.

  Therefore, the detection apparatus 100 has the configuration shown in FIG. 4, “an input apparatus having a first electrode and a second electrode and capable of performing operation detection control and invalidation control” (in the example shown in FIG. 4). , The detection apparatus 100 is applicable).

  The configuration of the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

  For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration in which the detection device functions as an input device, but the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be configured to detect a noise state in an external input device. In a detection device having a configuration for detecting a noise state in an external input device, the noise state in the input device is detected based on the capacitance detected in the external input device. As an example, a detection device having a configuration for detecting a noise state in an external input device includes at least a “detection unit having a function of performing a process related to a noise state detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention”. An apparatus is mentioned.

[4] Application Example of Detection Device According to Embodiment of the Present Invention The detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is, for example, a vehicle such as a vehicle (or a UI (User Interface) part constituting a vehicle system). Various systems and devices including capacitive input devices such as communication devices such as mobile phones and smartphones, tablet devices, computers such as PCs (Personal Computers), and ATMs (Automated Teller Machines) Can be applied to. The detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, a device (device for detecting a noise state in the system or device as described above) separate from the system or device as described above. Good.

[5] Program according to the embodiment of the present invention A program for causing a computer to function as the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention (for example, the processing related to the noise state detection method according to the embodiment of the present invention is executed) Program) is executed by a processor or the like in a computer, so that a noise state can be detected.

  In addition, a program for causing a computer to function as the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is executed by a processor or the like in the computer, so that the processing according to the noise state detection method according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is performed. It is possible to achieve the effect produced by performing the above.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  For example, in the above, it has been shown that a program (computer program) for causing a computer to function as the detection device according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided. However, the embodiment of the present invention further stores the program. The recorded recording medium can also be provided. Examples of the recording medium that stores the program include “a recording medium included in a device that functions as a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, such as a recording medium that functions as a storage unit (not illustrated)”, “ Examples include a recording medium external to the device that can read the program by a device that functions as a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Detection apparatus, 102 Switch part, 104 Detection part, 106 Control part, E1 1st electrode, E2 2nd electrode, GND Reference potential point

Claims (4)

The first electrode and the second electrode provided between the first electrode and a reference potential point, and performing operation detection control for detecting an operation and invalidation control for invalidating the influence of the operation An input device capable of detecting a noise state,
The detection unit is a detection device that detects the noise state based on a change in capacitance detected when the invalidation control is performed.   The detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects the noise state by comparing a variation value of the capacitance in a predetermined period with a predetermined threshold value that is set.   The detection device according to claim 2, wherein the detection unit detects the noise state when the variation value is greater than the predetermined threshold value, or when the variation value is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value. A switch unit having the first electrode and the second electrode;
A control unit that performs the operation detection control and the invalidation control;
Further comprising
The said detection part further detects operation with respect to the said switch part based on the change of the electrostatic capacitance detected when the said operation detection control is performed. Detection device.

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