JP2021015463A - Touch panel control device, in-vehicle information apparatus, touch panel control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection with a touch sensor when a foreign substance is attached on a part of the detection surface of the touch sensor in a touch panel.SOLUTION: A touch panel control device 100 includes an object detection unit 11 for detecting an object O approaching a touch panel 1, a capacitance value acquisition unit 12 for acquiring a capacitance value C corresponding to each of a plurality of divided areas A in the touch panel 1 while the object O is not in contact with the touch panel 1, a correction target area selection unit 13 for selecting a correction target area out of the plurality of divided areas A by using the capacitance value C, and a touch threshold correction unit 14 for correcting a touch threshold Cth corresponding to each correction target area using the capacitance value C.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a touch panel control device, an in-vehicle information device, a touch panel control method, and a program.

Conventionally, a technique for detecting an object approaching a touch panel by using a proximity sensor has been developed. Further, a technique has been developed for suppressing the occurrence of erroneous detection by the touch sensor by correcting the threshold value for touch detection by the touch sensor (hereinafter referred to as "touch threshold value") based on the detection result (for example). , Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2013/121629

In a capacitive touch panel, foreign matter (for example, dust or water droplets) may adhere to the detection surface of the touch sensor. As a result, the capacitance at the portion of the detection surface to which the foreign matter is attached changes. In such a state, when the user operates the touch panel, there is a problem that erroneous detection by the touch sensor occurs.

For example, it is assumed that the indicator body for the touch panel (for example, a finger or a stylus pen) is not in contact with the detection surface, and the indicator body is slid along the detection surface. When the indicator passes the position corresponding to the portion of the detection surface to which the foreign matter is attached, there is a problem that the touch is erroneously detected even though the indicator is not in contact with the detection surface.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and suppresses the occurrence of erroneous detection by the touch sensor when a foreign substance adheres to a part of the detection surface of the touch sensor on the touch panel. With the goal.

The touch panel control device of the present invention acquires an object detection unit that detects an object approaching the touch panel and a capacitance value corresponding to each of a plurality of divided regions in the touch panel in a state where the object is not in contact with the touch panel. Capacitance value acquisition unit to be used, a correction target area selection unit that selects a correction target area from a plurality of divided regions using the capacitance value, and individual correction targets using the capacitance value. It is provided with a touch threshold correction unit that corrects the touch threshold corresponding to the region.

According to the present invention, since it is configured as described above, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection by the touch sensor when a foreign substance adheres to a part of the detection surface of the touch sensor on the touch panel.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the threshold value. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state in which the foreign matter does not adhere to the detection surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the capacitance value and the touch threshold value in the state shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the state which the foreign matter is attached to the detection surface. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the capacitance value and the touch threshold value in the state shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the hardware composition of the touch panel control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other hardware configuration of the touch panel control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the touch panel control device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the in-vehicle information device which has the touch panel control device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a threshold value and a reference range. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the touch panel control device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the third embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation of the touch panel control device which concerns on Embodiment 3.

Embodiment 1.
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the first embodiment. An in-vehicle information device having a touch panel control device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, a touch panel 1 is provided on the front portion of the in-vehicle information device 200. As shown in FIG. 2, the touch panel 1 is composed of a display 2 and a capacitance type touch sensor 3. The display 2 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display. The touch sensor 3 is composed of, for example, a plurality of transparent conductive films. The touch sensor 3 is provided along the display surface S of the display 2. The touch sensor 3 may be integrally configured with the display 2.

Further, the in-vehicle information device 200 has a non-contact type proximity sensor 4. The proximity sensor 4 uses, for example, infrared rays. The proximity sensor 4 is provided, for example, at a position adjacent to the touch panel 1 (see FIG. 1).

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle information device 200 has an information processing device 5. The information processing device 5 executes various processes for realizing the original functions of the in-vehicle information device 200 (for example, car navigation function, car audio function, or display audio function). The information processing device 5 is composed of, for example, a processor and a memory. Alternatively, for example, the information processing device 5 is configured by a dedicated processing circuit.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle information device 200 has a display control device 6. The display control device 6 executes control for displaying various screens on the display 2 according to the processing executed by the information processing device 5. The display control device 6 is composed of, for example, a processor and a memory. Alternatively, for example, the display control device 6 is configured by a dedicated processing circuit.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the in-vehicle information device 200 has a touch panel control device 100. Hereinafter, the touch panel control device 100 will be described.

The object detection unit 11 uses the output signal from the proximity sensor 4 to execute a process of detecting an object O approaching the touch panel 1 (hereinafter referred to as “object detection process”). The object O includes an indicator for the touch panel 1 (for example, a finger or a stylus pen).

Here, the object detection process includes a process of determining the presence or absence of the object O. Further, the object detection process includes a process of calculating the distance D between the touch panel 1 and the object O when it is determined that the object O exists. Various known techniques can be used for determining the presence or absence of the object O and calculating the distance D. Detailed description of these techniques will be omitted. Further, the object detection process includes a process of determining whether or not the distance D is less than the threshold value Dth by comparing the calculated distance D with a predetermined threshold value Dth. FIG. 3 shows an example of the threshold value Dth.

Hereinafter, the direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the detection surface S of the touch sensor 3 (that is, the display surface S of the display 2) may be referred to as the “X direction”. Further, the direction corresponding to the lateral direction of the detection surface S may be referred to as the "Y direction". Further, a plurality of regions A formed by dividing the detection surface S at predetermined intervals in the X direction and the Y direction may be referred to as a "divided region". That is, the plurality of divided regions A are formed by dividing the detection surface S into a mesh shape or a dot shape.

The touch sensor 3 outputs a signal indicating a value (hereinafter referred to as “capacitance value”) C corresponding to the capacitance in each divided region A. The capacitance value acquisition unit 12 executes a process of acquiring the capacitance value C in each divided region A (hereinafter referred to as “capacitance value acquisition process”) by acquiring the output signal. It is something to do.

Here, the capacitance value acquisition process is a process of acquiring the capacitance value C used in the process of detecting a touch on the touch panel 1 (hereinafter referred to as “touch detection process”) (hereinafter, “capacitance for touch detection”). It is called "value acquisition process"). Further, the capacitance value acquisition process is a process of acquiring the capacitance value C used for a process of correcting the touch threshold value Cth (hereinafter referred to as “touch threshold value correction process”) (hereinafter referred to as “correction capacitance value”). It is called "acquisition process"). The correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed at a timing according to the detection result by the object detection process.

More specifically, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed when the object detection process determines that the object O exists and the object detection process determines that the distance D is less than the threshold value Dth. Is to be done. That is, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth. As a result, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed in a state where the object O is not in contact with the touch panel 1.

The correction target area selection unit 13 uses the capacitance value C acquired by the correction capacitance value acquisition process to obtain a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as “reference value”) Clef of the plurality of division areas A. The process of selecting the divided region A in which the capacitance value C exceeding the above is detected (hereinafter referred to as “correction target area selection process”) is executed. Hereinafter, the divided area A selected by the correction target area selection process among the plurality of divided areas A is referred to as a “correction target area”. The reference value Clef is set to a value corresponding to the capacitance value C in a state where the touch panel 1 is not touched and no foreign matter F is attached to the detection surface S, for example.

The touch threshold value correction unit 14 executes a process of correcting the touch threshold value Cth in each correction target region (that is, a touch threshold value correction process). At this time, the touch threshold value correction unit 14 sets the correction amount ΔCth of the touch threshold value Cth in each correction target area to a value corresponding to the change amount ΔC of the capacitance value C in the corresponding correction target area with respect to the reference value Clef. To do. Specifically, for example, the touch threshold value correction unit 14 sets the correction amount ΔCth in each correction target area to a value equivalent to the change amount ΔC in the corresponding correction target area.

Following these processes (that is, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process), the capacitance value acquisition unit 12 executes the touch detection capacitance value acquisition process. The touch detection unit 15 executes a process of detecting a touch on the touch panel 1 (that is, a touch detection process) by comparing the capacitance value C acquired by the touch detection capacitance value acquisition process with the touch threshold value Cth. To do. Further, the touch detection unit 15 outputs information indicating the result of the touch detection process (hereinafter, referred to as “touch detection information”) to the information processing device 5. The information processing device 5 uses the output touch detection information for at least a part of the above-mentioned various processes.

Here, when the touch threshold Cth in 0 of the plurality of divided areas A is corrected by the touch threshold correction process, that is, 0 of the plurality of divided areas A is corrected by the correction target area selection process. When the divided areas A are selected as the correction target areas, the touch threshold Cth in each of the plurality of divided areas A is set to a predetermined initial value when the touch detection process is executed. As a result, the touch threshold values Cth in the plurality of divided regions A are set to equivalent values.

On the other hand, when the touch threshold Cth in one or more of the plurality of divided areas A is corrected by the touch threshold correction process, that is, one of the plurality of divided areas A is corrected by the correction target area selection process. When more than one divided area A is selected as the correction target area, when the touch detection process is executed, the touch threshold Cth (that is, each individual) in each of one or more divided areas A among the plurality of divided areas A The touch threshold value Cth) in the correction target area of is set to a value after correction by the touch threshold value correction process. Further, the touch threshold value Cth in each of the remaining division areas A of the plurality of division areas A is set to a predetermined initial value.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that 48 division areas A formed by dividing the detection surface S into 6 rows and 8 columns are set. Further, it is assumed that no foreign matter (for example, dust or water droplet) F is attached to the detection surface S. In this case, the capacitance value C acquired by the correction capacitance value acquisition process is equal to or less than the reference value Clef in all the divided regions A (see FIG. 5). Therefore, 0 of the 48 division areas A are selected as the correction target area by the correction target area selection process. As a result, the touch threshold value correction process corrects the touch threshold value in 0 of the 48 division areas A. After that, when the touch detection process is executed, the touch threshold Cth in all the divided regions A is set to an initial value (that is, a constant value).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the foreign matter F is attached so as to straddle the four divided regions A out of the 48 divided regions A. In this case, the capacitance value C acquired by the correction capacitance value acquisition process exceeds the reference value Clef in the four divided regions A (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the four division areas A are selected as the correction target areas by the correction target area selection process. As a result, the touch threshold value Cth in each of the four divided regions A is corrected by the touch threshold value correction process. At this time, the correction amount ΔCth in each of the four division areas A is set to a value corresponding to the change amount ΔC in the corresponding division area A.

In this way, by using the capacitance value C in each of the divided regions A, for example, only the divided region A to which the foreign matter F is attached among the plurality of divided regions A is set as the correction target of the touch threshold Cth. Can be included. In other words, the remaining division area A of the plurality of division areas A can be excluded from the correction target of the touch threshold value Cth. Further, the correction amount ΔCth in each correction target region can be set according to the capacitance value C in each correction target region. As a result, when the foreign matter F is attached to a part of the detection surface S, the occurrence of erroneous detection by the touch sensor 3 can be suppressed.

The main part of the touch panel control device 100 is composed of the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the hardware configuration of the main part of the touch panel control device 100 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the touch panel control device 100 is composed of a computer. The computer has a processor 21 and a memory 22. The memory 22 stores a program for causing the computer to function as an object detection unit 11, a capacitance value acquisition unit 12, a correction target area selection unit 13, a touch threshold value correction unit 14, and a touch detection unit 15. When the processor 21 reads out and executes the program stored in the memory 22, the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15 The function is realized.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8B, the touch panel control device 100 has a processing circuit 23. In this case, the functions of the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15 are realized by the dedicated processing circuit 23.

Alternatively, the touch panel control device 100 has a processor 21, a memory 22, and a processing circuit 23 (not shown). In this case, some of the functions of the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15 are realized by the processor 21 and the memory 22. At the same time, the remaining functions are realized by the dedicated processing circuit 23.

The processor 21 is composed of one or a plurality of processors. As the individual processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) is used.

The memory 22 is composed of one or a plurality of non-volatile memories. Alternatively, the memory 22 is composed of one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. The individual volatile memories are those using, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The individual non-volatile memories include, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ReadOnly Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Advanced Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Emergency Memory) Drive) is used.

The processing circuit 23 is composed of one or a plurality of digital circuits. Alternatively, the processing circuit 23 is composed of one or more digital circuits and one or more analog circuits. That is, the processing circuit 23 is composed of one or a plurality of processing circuits. The individual processing circuits include, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Logic Device), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), and a System-System (System) System. ) Is used.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9, the operation of the touch panel control device 100 will be mainly described with respect to object detection processing, correction capacitance value acquisition processing, correction target area selection processing, and touch threshold correction processing.

The touch panel control device 100 executes a predetermined initial setting process when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the power of the in-vehicle information device 200 is turned on) (step ST1). The initial setting process includes a process of setting the threshold value Dth to a predetermined value and a process of setting the touch threshold value Cth in all the divided regions A to the initial value.

Next, the object detection unit 11 starts the object detection process (step ST2). When the object detection process determines that the object O exists and the object detection process determines that the distance D is less than the threshold value Dth (step ST3 “YES” and step ST4 “YES”), the correction capacitance The capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are sequentially executed (steps ST5, ST6, ST7).

The object detection process is continued not only before the process of step ST7 is executed but also after the process of step ST7 is executed. Therefore, after the object O (that is, the indicator) is separated from the touch panel 1 by completing the operation of the in-vehicle information device 200, the object O approaches the touch panel 1 again in order to operate the in-vehicle information device 200 again. Then, it is determined again that step ST3 "YES" and step ST4 "YES". As a result, the processes of steps ST5 to ST7 are executed again. That is, the processes of steps ST5 to ST7 are executed once each time the object O approaches the touch panel 1 at the timing when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth.

The plurality of divided regions A may be formed by dividing the detection surface S into a mesh shape or a dot shape. That is, the division direction is not limited to the X direction and the Y direction. Further, the shape of a part of the divided regions A among the plurality of divided regions A may be different from the shape of the remaining divided regions A. Further, the size of a part of the divided areas A among the plurality of divided areas A may be different from the size of the remaining divided areas A.

Further, the timing and the number of times the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed are not limited to the above specific examples. In the second and third embodiments described later, examples in which the timing and the number of times these processes are executed are different will be described.

Further, the application of the touch panel control device 100 is not limited to the in-vehicle information device 200. The touch panel control device 100 may be used in any device as long as it is a device having a capacitance type touch panel.

As described above, the touch panel control device 100 according to the first embodiment includes the object detection unit 11 that detects the object O approaching the touch panel 1, and the touch panel 1 in a state where the object O is not in contact with the touch panel 1. Using the capacitance value acquisition unit 12 for acquiring the capacitance value C corresponding to each of the divided regions A and the capacitance value C, a correction target region among a plurality of divided regions A is selected. A correction target area selection unit 13 to be corrected, and a touch threshold correction unit 14 for correcting the touch threshold Cth corresponding to each correction target area by using the capacitance value C are provided. As a result, when the foreign matter F is attached to a part of the detection surface S, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous detection by the touch sensor 3.

Embodiment 2.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having the touch panel control device according to the second embodiment. An in-vehicle information device having the touch panel control device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 10, the same blocks as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the in-vehicle information device 200a has a touch panel control device 100a. The touch panel control device 100a has an object detection unit 11a.

The object detection unit 11a executes an object detection process similar to the object detection process executed by the object detection unit 11. However, the object detection process executed by the object detection unit 11 includes a process of determining whether or not the distance D is less than the threshold value Dth. On the other hand, the object detection process executed by the object detection unit 11a determines whether or not the distance D is within the range R between the predetermined threshold values Dth1 and Dth2 (hereinafter referred to as "reference range") R. It includes the processing to be performed.

The threshold value Dth1 is set to, for example, a value equivalent to the threshold value Dth. On the other hand, the threshold value Dth2 is set to a value smaller than the threshold value Dth, for example. That is, the threshold value Dth2 is set to a value smaller than the threshold value Dth1. FIG. 11 shows an example of the threshold values Dth1 and Dth2 and the reference range R.

In the touch panel control device 100, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth. On the other hand, in the touch panel control device 100a, these processes are executed every predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "reference time") T1 when the distance D is a value within the reference range R.

For example, after the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth1 when the user brings the indicator closer to the touch panel 1, the indicator may stay in the space within the reference range R due to the user getting lost in the operation. .. During this retention, foreign matter F may adhere to the detection surface S.

At this time, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed every reference time T1, so that the touch threshold value Cth can be corrected according to the foreign matter F. it can. That is, it is possible to correct the touch threshold value Cth according to the foreign matter F attached before the indicator approaches the touch panel 1, and after the indicator approaches the touch panel 1, the indicator touches the touch panel. The touch threshold value Cth can be corrected according to the foreign matter F that adheres before the contact with 1.

The main part of the touch panel control device 100a is composed of the object detection unit 11a, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15. The touch panel 1, the proximity sensor 4, the information processing device 5, the display control device 6, and the touch panel control device 100a constitute a main part of the in-vehicle information device 200a.

Since the hardware configuration of the main part of the touch panel control device 100a is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the illustration and description will be omitted. That is, the functions of the object detection unit 11a, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15 are realized by, for example, the processor 21 and the memory 22. It may be realized by a dedicated processing circuit 23.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 12, the operation of the touch panel control device 100a will be mainly described with respect to object detection processing, correction capacitance value acquisition processing, correction target area selection processing, and touch threshold correction processing.

The touch panel control device 100a executes a predetermined initial setting process when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the power of the in-vehicle information device 200a is turned on) (step ST11). The initial setting process includes a process of setting the threshold value Dth1 to a predetermined value, a process of setting the threshold value Dth2 to a predetermined value, and a process of setting the touch threshold value Cth in all the divided regions A to the initial value.

Next, the object detection unit 11 starts the object detection process (step ST12). When it is determined by the object detection process that the object O exists and the distance D is determined to be a value within the reference range R by the object detection process (step ST13 “YES” and step ST14 “YES”), the correction is made. The capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are sequentially executed (steps ST15, ST16, ST17).

The object detection process is continued not only before the process of step ST17 is executed but also after the process of step ST17 is executed. As a result, when the indicator stays within the reference range R, it is determined again in step ST13 “YES” and step ST14 “YES”. As a result, the processes of steps ST15 to ST17 are executed again.

However, when the capacitance value acquisition unit 12 executes the processing of each step ST15 from the second time onward, if the elapsed time with respect to the execution of the processing of the previous step ST15 is less than the reference time T1, the elapsed time After waiting until the time exceeds the reference time T1, the process of this step ST15 is executed. As a result, as described above, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed every reference time T1.

The reference time T1 may be a constant value, a substantially constant value, or a variable value. That is, the execution interval of the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process may be a constant interval, may be a substantially constant interval, or may fluctuate. There may be.

Further, as the touch panel control device 100a, various modifications similar to those described in the first embodiment can be adopted.

As described above, in the touch panel control device 100a according to the second embodiment, when the distance D between the touch panel 1 and the object O is a value within the reference range R, the correction capacitance value acquisition process and the correction target area The selection process and the touch threshold value correction process are executed every reference time T1. As a result, the touch threshold Cth can be corrected according to the foreign matter F attached before the indicator approaches the touch panel 1, and the indicator can move after the indicator approaches the touch panel 1. The touch threshold value Cth can be corrected according to the foreign matter F adhering before touching the touch panel 1.

Embodiment 3.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a main part of an in-vehicle information device having the touch panel control device according to the third embodiment. An in-vehicle information device having the touch panel control device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the same blocks as those shown in FIG. 2 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the in-vehicle information device 200b has a touch panel control device 100b.

In the touch panel control device 100, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth.

On the other hand, in the touch panel control device 100b, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed every T2 for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "reference time") when the distance D is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth. It is a thing. Here, "when the distance D is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth" means that the object O is determined not to exist by the object detection process, and the object O is determined to exist by the object detection process. Moreover, it includes a state in which the distance D is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth by the object detection process.

Further, in the touch panel control device 100b, the correction target area selection process and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth. At this time, if the correction capacitance value acquisition process has been executed a plurality of times, it is acquired by the final correction capacitance value acquisition process of the multiple correction capacitance value acquisition processes. The capacitance value C is used for the correction target area selection process and the touch threshold value correction process.

That is, when the area of the detection surface S is large or the number of division regions A is large, the time required for each correction capacitance value acquisition process becomes long. As a result, for the time from when the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth until the indicator touches the touch panel 1, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value are performed once. The time required for the correction process may become long. In this case, the correction of the touch threshold value Cth may be delayed with respect to the timing when the object O (for example, the indicator) comes into contact with the touch panel 1. Therefore, when the distance D is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed in advance to avoid such a problem.

The main part of the touch panel control device 100b is composed of the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15. The touch panel 1, the proximity sensor 4, the information processing device 5, the display control device 6, and the touch panel control device 100b constitute a main part of the in-vehicle information device 200b.

Since the hardware configuration of the main part of the touch panel control device 100b is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 8 in the first embodiment, the illustration and description will be omitted. That is, the functions of the object detection unit 11, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12, the correction target area selection unit 13, the touch threshold value correction unit 14, and the touch detection unit 15 are realized by, for example, the processor 21 and the memory 22. It may be realized by a dedicated processing circuit 23.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14, the operation of the touch panel control device 100b will be mainly described with respect to object detection processing, correction capacitance value acquisition processing, correction target area selection processing, and touch threshold correction processing.

The touch panel control device 100b executes a predetermined initial setting process when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the power of the in-vehicle information device 200b is turned on) (step ST21). The initial setting process includes a process of setting the threshold value Dth to a predetermined value and a process of setting the touch threshold value Cth in all the divided regions A to the initial value.

Next, the object detection unit 11 starts the object detection process (step ST22). When it is determined by the object detection process that the object O does not exist (step ST23 “NO”), the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed (step ST25). Further, when it is determined by the object detection process that the object O exists and the distance D is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth by the object detection process (step ST23 “YES” and step ST24 “NO”), the correction is performed. The capacitance value acquisition process is executed (step ST25).

That is, the capacitance value acquisition unit 12 executes the correction capacitance value acquisition process each time these determinations are made. However, when the capacitance value acquisition unit 12 executes the processing of each step ST25 from the second time onward, if the elapsed time with respect to the execution of the processing of the previous step ST25 is less than the reference time T2, the elapsed time After waiting until the time exceeds the reference time T2, the process of this step ST25 is executed. As a result, as described above, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed every reference time T2.

Next, when the object detection process determines that the object O exists and the object detection process determines that the distance D is less than the threshold Dth (step ST23 “YES” and step ST24 “YES”), the correction target The area selection process and the touch threshold value correction process are sequentially executed (steps ST26 and ST27). At this time, if the correction capacitance value acquisition process has been executed a plurality of times, it is acquired by the final correction capacitance value acquisition process of the plurality of correction capacitance value acquisition processes. The capacitance value C is used for the processing of steps ST26 and ST27.

The reference time T2 may be a constant value, a substantially constant value, or a variable value. That is, the execution interval of the correction capacitance value acquisition process may be a constant interval, a substantially constant interval, or a variable one.

Further, as the touch panel control device 100b, various modifications similar to those described in the first embodiment can be adopted.

As described above, in the touch panel control device 100b according to the third embodiment, when the distance D between the touch panel 1 and the object O is a value equal to or greater than the threshold value Dth, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is performed every reference time T2. When the distance D becomes a value less than the threshold value Dth, the correction target area selection process and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once. As a result, it is possible to avoid delaying the correction of the touch threshold value Cth to the touch.

It should be noted that, within the scope of the invention, the present invention can be freely combined with each embodiment, modified from any component of each embodiment, or omitted from any component in each embodiment. ..

1 Touch panel, 2 Display, 3 Touch sensor, 4 Proximity sensor, 5 Information processing device, 6 Display control device, 11, 11a Object detection unit, 12 Capacitance value acquisition unit, 13 Correction target area selection unit, 14 Touch threshold correction Unit, 15 touch detector, 21 processor, 22 memory, 23 processing circuit, 100, 100a, 100b touch panel control device, 200, 200a, 200b In-vehicle information device.

Claims (9)

An object detection unit that detects an object approaching the touch panel,
A capacitance value acquisition unit that acquires a capacitance value corresponding to each of a plurality of divided regions in the touch panel when the object is not in contact with the touch panel.
A correction target area selection unit that selects a correction target area among the plurality of divided regions using the capacitance value, and a correction target area selection unit.
A touch threshold value correction unit that corrects the touch threshold value corresponding to each of the correction target areas using the capacitance value, and a touch threshold value correction unit.
Touch panel control device. The correction target area selection unit selects the correction target area by comparing the capacitance value with a reference value.
The touch panel control device according to claim 1, wherein the touch threshold value correction unit corrects the touch threshold value with a correction amount corresponding to a change amount of the capacitance value with respect to the reference value. The correction capacitance value acquisition process in which the capacitance value acquisition unit acquires the capacitance value, the correction target area selection process in which the correction target area selection unit selects the correction target area, and the touch threshold value correction. The touch panel control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the touch threshold value correction process in which the unit corrects the touch threshold value is executed at a timing corresponding to a detection result by the object detection unit. .. When the distance between the touch panel and the object becomes less than the threshold value, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once. 3. The touch panel control device according to claim 3. When the distance between the touch panel and the object is within the reference range, the correction capacitance value acquisition process, the correction target area selection process, and the touch threshold value correction process are executed every reference time. The touch panel control device according to claim 3, wherein the touch panel control device is provided. When the distance between the touch panel and the object is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the correction capacitance value acquisition process is executed every reference time, and when the distance becomes less than the threshold value, the correction is performed. The touch panel control device according to claim 3, wherein the target area selection process and the touch threshold value correction process are executed once. An in-vehicle information device including the touch panel control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and the touch panel. The object detection unit detects an object approaching the touch panel and
The capacitance value acquisition unit acquires the capacitance value corresponding to each of the plurality of divided regions in the touch panel in a state where the object is not in contact with the touch panel.
The correction target area selection unit uses the capacitance value to select a correction target area from the plurality of divided areas.
A touch panel control method characterized in that a touch threshold value correction unit corrects a touch threshold value corresponding to each of the correction target areas by using the capacitance value. Computer,
An object detection unit that detects an object approaching the touch panel,
A capacitance value acquisition unit that acquires a capacitance value corresponding to each of a plurality of divided regions in the touch panel when the object is not in contact with the touch panel.
A correction target area selection unit that selects a correction target area among the plurality of divided regions using the capacitance value, and a correction target area selection unit.
A touch threshold value correction unit that corrects the touch threshold value corresponding to each of the correction target areas using the capacitance value, and a touch threshold value correction unit.
A program to function as.

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