JP3914589B2 - Operating device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an operating device that inputs an operation amount to, for example, a computer or other equipment, and more particularly, to an operating device that includes a capacitive switch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a capacitive switch has been proposed (see Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 3-17376), and it has been proposed to use the capacitive switch as a keyboard for inputting information to a computer.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the conventional capacitance type switch.
[0003]
In this example, two fixed electrodes, that is, a drive side fixed electrode 2 a and a sense side fixed electrode 2 b are formed on the substrate 1. A dielectric film 3 is disposed on the fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, and a movable electrode 4 made of a spiral coil spring is disposed thereon.
Here, when the movable electrode 4 is pushed down from the top of FIG. 1, the capacitance between the fixed electrodes 2 a and 2 b and the movable electrode 4 changes.
[0004]
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of a change in capacitance with respect to a stroke of pressing the capacitance type switch.
As shown in FIG. 2, the capacitance changes in accordance with the pressing stroke. By detecting this capacitance, the degree of pressing of the movable electrode 4, that is, the stroke position of the capacitance switch is known. Can do.
[0005]
In order to measure the capacitance of this capacitance type switch, a predetermined AC voltage signal is inputted to the drive side fixed pole 2a, the capacitance between the drive side fixed electrode 2a and the movable electrode 4, and the capacitance The capacitance type switch by detecting a signal appearing on the sense side fixed electrode 2b via the capacitance between the movable electrode 4 and the sense side fixed electrode 2b, which is a capacitor equivalently connected in series Can be detected.
[0006]
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing a capacitance measurement circuit of the capacitance type switch having the structure shown in FIG.
The driver 31 generates a signal having a predetermined frequency and inputs the signal to the analog multiplexer 32. The analog multiplexer 32 receives a command from the microcomputer 36, and a signal input from the driver 31 is input to any one of the plurality of capacitance switches 33 at a time. Thus, the plurality of capacitance-type switches 33 are sequentially scanned. The signal that has passed through the capacitive switch 33 to which the signal has been input is appropriately amplified by the amplifier 34, converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 35, and input to the microcomputer 36. The microcomputer 36 determines whether the magnitude of the input digital signal is larger or smaller than, for example, the threshold value Th shown in FIG. A binary signal indicating whether or not it has been generated is generated and sent to the host computer.
[0007]
For example, the operation of the capacitive switch is detected in this way.
Since the capacitance type switch shown in FIG. 1 includes two fixed electrodes 2a and 2b, when a large number of capacitance type switches are arranged, the large number of capacitance type switches are arranged vertically and horizontally. For example, in the vertical direction, the drive-side fixed electrodes 2a of a plurality of capacitive switches arranged in the vertical direction are connected to each other, and in the horizontal direction, the plurality of capacitive switches arranged in the horizontal direction. The sense-side fixed electrodes 2b are connected to each other, and a capacitance-type switch is identified by selecting a drive-side line and a sense-side line, and the capacitance of the identified capacitance-type switch may be measured. . However, in principle, there may be one fixed electrode, and a signal passing between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode may be detected to detect the capacitance among these electrodes.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The capacitance type switch having the structure exemplified above is essentially an analog switch that can detect a continuous value according to the operation amount, but is turned on / off like a computer keyboard. It is only used for detection.
One of the causes is that, when detecting only on / off like a normal keyboard switch, mechanical and electrical variations do not matter so much, but this switch detects the operation amount continuously. When used as an analog switch, there is a large variation in the capacitance with respect to the stroke of the operation, and it may take time for adjustment or the like, and there may be a problem in reliability thereafter.
[0009]
In view of the circumstances described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel operating device that takes advantage of the features of the capacitance type switch.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that uses the above-described capacitance type switch and that can detect an operation amount with high reliability without requiring fine adjustment.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
FIG. 4 is a basic block diagram of the first operating device of the present invention.
The first operating device of the present invention comprises:
(1) When a fixed electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged and compressed so that each line element approaches the fixed electrode, the capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode depends on the amount of movement. Capacitance analog switch 50 having a movable electrode made of a coil spring having a variable winding diameter in the compression direction.
(2) Detection means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance analog switch 50 (3) Stores the capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch 50 is not pressed and when the capacitance analog switch 50 is pressed, and the detection means Based on the capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch 50 detected by 51 and the stored capacitance value, the correction means 52 for obtaining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch 50.
It is provided with.
[0011]
Since the first operating device of the present invention includes the correcting means 52, even if there is a large variation in the capacity with respect to the stroke, no fine adjustment is required and the stroke is detected with high accuracy. can do.
In addition, since the first operating device of the present invention includes the correcting means 52, the stroke position can be accurately obtained. Therefore, the first operating device of the present invention is connected to the capacitance type switch 50. It can be applied to a so-called touch response of whether the button is pressed strongly or weakly.
[0012]
In this case, in the first operating device of the present invention, when the capacitance analog switch 50 is operated, the capacitance analog switch 50 passes through a predetermined first stroke position, and the predetermined time is reached. Time measuring means 53 for measuring the time until the time of passing through the second stroke position is provided.
By measuring the time by the time measuring means 53, the strength of the operation of whether the button is pressed hard or weakly is detected.
[0013]
In addition, the second operating device of the present invention includes a fixed electrode, and each line element moves in a direction close to the fixed electrode when the fixed electrode is disposed and compressed so as to face the fixed electrode. At least three capacitance-type analog switches having a movable electrode made of a coil spring whose winding diameter changes in the compression direction, the capacitance of which changes according to the amount of movement, are arranged in a circle,
Covering these capacitive analog switches, tilting in any direction around the center of the circle where these capacitive analog switches are arranged as a part of these capacitive analog switches And an operation plate for pressing down the capacitance type analog switch.
[0014]
The second operation device can input a two-dimensional operation amount similar to that of a conventional mouse, joystick, trackball, or the like.
Although the use of the second operating device is not limited, it can be suitably incorporated in a game machine controller.
Furthermore, the third operating device of the present invention includes a key that is pivotally supported in a direction in which one end side is pivotally supported by the base body and is in contact with and away from the base body, a spring member that biases the key in a direction in which the key is separated from the base body, and the key When the electrode is pressed, the fixed electrode and each line element move in the direction close to the fixed electrode when it is placed and compressed against the fixed electrode, and the capacitance between the fixed electrode moves. A capacitance-type analog switch having a movable electrode made of a coil spring whose winding diameter is changed in the compression direction, which changes according to the amount, is provided.
[0015]
A keyboard device incorporated in an electronic musical instrument or connected to an electronic musical instrument or the like is provided with a switch for detecting a key pressing speed. According to the third operating device of the present invention, it is possible to detect the pressing position and the pressing speed of the key using the capacitance type switch.
The second operating device and the third operating device define the mechanical structure. However, the second operating device and the third operating device are added to the mechanical structure. ,
Detecting means for detecting a capacitance of the capacitance analog switch; and storing a capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch is not pressed and when the capacitance analog switch is pressed, and detecting the static detected by the detection means. There may be provided correction means for obtaining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch based on the capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch and the stored capacitance value.
[0016]
When the second to third operating devices of the present invention are provided with the correcting means, the stroke position can be accurately obtained as in the first operating device of the present invention, so the second to third of the present invention. This operation device can be applied to a so-called touch response in which the capacitance type switch is pressed strongly or weakly.
In this case, as in the first operating device of the present invention, in the second to third operating devices of the present invention, when the capacitance type analog switch is operated, the capacitance type analog switch is predetermined. Time measuring means for measuring the time from the time when the first stroke position is passed to the time when the predetermined second stroke position is passed is provided.
[0017]
By measuring the above time with this time measuring means, the strength of the operation of whether it is pressed hard or weakly is detected, for example, the volume of the musical sound that is pronounced when this operating device is used for a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument Or, when this operating device is used in a game machine, the speed of animation movement on the screen can be controlled. If only a binary value indicating whether the button is pressed strongly or weakly is sufficient, the above-described measured time may be binarized.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
In the following description of the embodiment, description will be given again with reference to FIGS.
In the capacitance type switch shown in FIG. 1, the movable electrode 4 is in contact with the drive-side fixed electrode 2 a through the dielectric film 3 even when not pressed down. A predetermined capacitance is formed between the movable electrode 4 and the drive side fixed electrode 2a. On the other hand, ideally, no capacitance is formed between the movable electrode 4 and the sense side fixed electrode 2b. As the movable electrode 4 is pressed, a capacitance corresponding to the pressing stroke is formed between the movable electrode 4 and the sense-side fixed electrode 2b. However, even when the switch is not pressed, the capacitance between the movable electrode 4 and the sense-side fixed electrode 2b can be reduced between the movable electrode 4 and the sense-side fixed electrode 2b even before the press due to the essential structure and assembly error of the switch. Different capacitances are formed for each type switch.
[0019]
Furthermore, the capacitance between the movable electrode 4 and the sense-side fixed electrode 2b that is formed by pressing is also the value of the capacitance that is formed with respect to the pressing stroke for each capacitance type switch. Is different. In addition, the capacitance between the movable electrode 4 and the drive-side fixed electrode 2a before the pressing is different for each capacitance type switch.
[0020]
As described with reference to FIG. 3, the capacitance of this capacitance type switch is cyclically sensed over a plurality of capacitance type switches 33 and the data is taken into the microcomputer (hereinafter, referred to as “capacitance type switch”). This is referred to as “scanning the capacitive switch repeatedly”).
Since the capacitance type switch has such variations as described above, the microcomputer 36 corrects the data as follows.
[0021]
(Determining the minimum capacity)
Inside the microcomputer 36, the minimum capacity of the capacitance type switch 33 corresponding to each capacitance type switch 33, that is, the capacitance before the capacitance type switch is pressed is stored. A buffer (named as buffer A) is prepared, and a value representing a predetermined maximum capacity is stored in the buffer A by a program that operates when power is supplied to the circuit shown in FIG. After that, scanning of the capacitance type switch is started, but the current sensed value is compared with the value stored in the buffer A every time scanning is performed, and the current sensed value is smaller than the buffer. Subtract 1 from the value of A (representing a decrease in capacitance value). By doing so, the value stored in the buffer A is changed to the static value before pressing for each capacitance type switch by scanning repeated many times almost instantaneously for the human sense after the power is turned on and before the start of use. It shows the electric capacity.
[0022]
However, in order to avoid that the capacitance before pressing the capacitance type switch is detected lower than the actual value due to power supply fluctuation, noise, etc., and the lower value remains stored in the buffer A. In addition, the value of the buffer A is incremented by “+1” in a period considerably longer than the scanning time. If the currently sensed value is smaller than the value stored in the buffer A in the scanning after being “+1”, the value of the buffer A is again set to “−1”.
[0023]
In this way, the minimum capacity for each capacitance type switch is dynamically determined until the power is turned off.
(Determining the maximum capacity)
In the microcomputer 36, in addition to the above-described buffer A, the maximum capacity of the capacitance type switch 33, that is, the maximum depression of the capacitance type switch, corresponding to each capacitance type switch 33, respectively. There is also a buffer (named buffer B) that stores the capacitance at the time. When the power is turned on, even if the capacitance type switch varies, the capacitance value is always ensured when the switch is fully pressed. Is stored. A capacitance type switch whose capacitance does not increase to the capacitance value when the maximum pressing is performed is regarded as a defective product at the time of shipping inspection, for example.
[0024]
This maximum capacity cannot be corrected before use, but each time a value larger than the value of the buffer B is sensed during scanning, the content of the buffer B is updated with the larger value.
At this time, in order to increase the reliability, the contents of the buffer B may be updated when a large value is sensed by scanning a plurality of times.
[0025]
As described above, the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity are dynamically updated.
In actual use, the capacitance value of a currently sensed capacitive sensor is corrected based on the minimum and maximum capacities of the capacitive switches stored in buffer A and buffer B, and The correct value, i.e. the current pressing stroke of the capacitive switch, is determined. The stroke data obtained in this way is sent to the host computer without being binarized, and is processed on the host computer side, thereby enabling various applications.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a touch response which is one of the applications.
As described above, the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity are stored in the buffer A and the buffer B, respectively, and the accurate stroke of the capacitance type switch is used by using the minimum capacity and the maximum capacity stored in the buffers A and B. Therefore, the actual stroke when the capacitance type switch is pressed matches the obtained stroke with high accuracy.
[0027]
Therefore, two stroke threshold values, that is, stroke A and stroke B, are set, and when the capacitance type switch is pressed, timing is started at the time when the stroke A is passed. Time measuring means for measuring the time to reach is provided. The time thus measured directly measures the speed at which the capacitive switch is pressed, but for human sense, the strength of pressing the capacitive switch. (So-called touch response) is supported. The time thus measured corresponds to the strength (speed) of pressing the key when the capacitive switch is used in a keyboard device of an electronic musical instrument, for example, depending on the use of the capacitive switch. ) Is reflected in the volume of the tone to be generated, or when this capacitive switch is used, for example, in a controller for a game machine, the strength (speed) of pressing the capacitive switch, For example, it can be reflected in the speed of animation movement on the television screen. This time measuring means may be provided on the host computer side, or may be provided in the microcomputer 36 incorporated in the capacitance type switch side shown in FIG. 3 (that is, by a program operating on the microcomputer 36). The time measurement result may be sent to the host computer side.
[0028]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a controller for a game machine provided with a capacitance type switch, and FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a part thereof.
The game machine controller 10 shown in the figure is provided with four capacitance type switches 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d that can be independently operated, and an operation plate 12 on a disc. The operation plate 12 is configured to tilt toward the pressed side with the center point 0 as the center by pressing a portion away from the center point 0 toward the peripheral side.
[0029]
Under the operation plate 12, as shown in FIG. 7, in the example shown here, four capacitance type switches 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d are arranged in a circular pattern. When 12 is pushed, one or two capacitance type switches arranged on the pushed side of the four capacitance type switches 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d according to the pushed direction. The switch is depressed. Which direction and how much the operation panel 12 is tilted by sensing which one capacitance type switch is pressed or how much each of the two capacitance type switches is pressed. Can know.
[0030]
The conventional general-purpose game machine controller binaryly detects whether or not each of the capacitance switches 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d; 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is simply pressed. Compared with this, in the case of the game machine controller 10 shown in FIG. 6, in combination with the correction means for correctly detecting the pressing stroke described above, A complicated operation as exemplified below can be performed. Conventionally, since only binary on / off operations were performed, for example, in a car racing game, only a binary operation of accelerating or not accelerating the car was possible, whereas the game shown in FIG. The machine controller 10 can change the degree of acceleration, such as slowly accelerating or quickly accelerating, as desired by the operator. On the operation plate 12 side, conventionally, the angle resolution is 45 degrees depending on whether one switch is turned on or two switches adjacent in the circumferential direction are turned on. In the case of the operation panel 12 shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to obtain an extremely fine angular resolution, for example, by 1 °, depending on how the data is taken, the direction of the instruction can be controlled very precisely, and the operation amount of the operation panel 12 If necessary, you can also enter the 'operation strength' for that direction.
[0031]
Conventionally, in the case of a game that cannot be handled by a game machine controller having a shape similar to that shown in FIG. 6 and having a normal on / off contact switch instead of a capacitance type switch, what is the game machine controller? Separately, a controller suitable for the game software was necessary. However, according to the game machine controller 10 shown in FIG. 6, the game machine controller 10 is suitable for a wider range of games than the prior art. There is almost no need to prepare.
[0032]
The configuration of the operation panel 12 and the capacitive switches 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is not limited to the controller for the game machine, but is an operation for instructing the direction on the screen, such as a conventional mouse, trackball, and joystick. You may comprise as an operator instead of a child.
FIG. 8 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of one key constituting a keyboard for an electronic musical instrument.
[0033]
A rear end portion 21 a of the key 21 is pivotally supported by the chassis 22, and a front end portion 21 b of the key 21 is configured to be rotatable in a direction toward and away from the chassis 22. A tension spring 23 is disposed between the rear end portion 21 a of the key 21 and the chassis 22, and the key 21 is biased in a direction away from the chassis 22. The key 21 is formed with a locking claw 21c. When the locking claw 21c is engaged with the chassis 22, the upper limit of the rotation of the key 21 in the direction away from the chassis 22 is restricted. . The key 21 has a protrusion 21d. When the key 21 is pushed in a direction approaching the chassis 22, the protrusion 21d comes into contact with the chassis 22, so that the lower limit of the rotation of the key 21 is reduced. It is regulated.
[0034]
Further, a capacitance type switch 24 is provided on the chassis 22, and a pressing portion 21 e that presses the capacitance type switch 24 is formed at a position of the key 21 facing the capacitance type switch 24. ing. When the key 21 is pressed, the capacitance of the capacitance type switch 24 changes according to the stroke of the depression, and the amount of depression of the key 21 can be known by sensing the capacitance. .
[0035]
When this capacitance type switch 24 is combined with the correction means for correctly determining the pressing stroke described above, the key pressing position can be accurately detected, and if a timing means for touch response is further provided, The pressing speed is accurately detected, and the expressive power of the delicate nuance of the performer can be improved. In addition, the capacitance type switch can take a stroke and can be pressed with a light touch, so that the key operation feeling is not impaired.
[0036]
Further, when the operating device of the present invention is used for on / off operation, for example, when used as a keyboard for computer input, the pressing stroke is detected with high accuracy, so that it turns on when pressed, for example. By providing hysteresis between the stroke position to be turned off and the stroke position to be turned off when released from the pressed state, a highly reliable keyboard without chattering is realized.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an unprecedented new operating device can be realized, and a highly reliable operating device can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the conventional capacitance type switch.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of a change in capacitance with respect to a pressing stroke of a capacitance type switch.
3 is a circuit diagram showing a capacitance measuring circuit of the capacitance type switch having the structure shown in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 4 is a basic block of a first operating device according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a touch response.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a game machine controller including a capacitance type switch.
7 is an explanatory diagram of a part of the controller for the game machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a partial schematic configuration diagram of one key constituting a keyboard for an electronic musical instrument.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Board | substrate 2a Drive side fixed electrode 2b Sense side fixed electrode 3 Dielectric film 4 Movable electrode 10 Controller 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 24, 33 Capacitance type switch 12 Operation board 21 Key 22 Chassis 23 Tension spring 31 Driver 32 Analog multiplexer 34 Amplifier 35 A / D converter 36 Microcomputer 50 Capacitance type analog switch 51 Detection means 52 Correction means 53 Timing means

Claims (8)

When the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged and compressed and each line element is moved in the direction approaching the fixed electrode, the capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode changes according to the amount of movement. A capacitance type analog switch having a movable electrode made of a coil spring whose winding diameter is changed in the compression direction,
Maximum capacity value and a capacitance value of the minimum capacitance and maximum press time a capacitance value when the detection means, and wherein the capacitive analog switch is not pressed for detecting the capacitance of the capacitive analog switch the previously stored, based on the current capacity value and the minimum capacitance value that has been previously stored and the maximum capacitance value of the capacitive analog switch that has been detected by said detection means, said capacitive An operating device comprising correction means for obtaining a current stroke position of an analog switch. When the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged and compressed and each line element is moved in the direction approaching the fixed electrode, the capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode changes according to the amount of movement. A capacitance type analog switch arranged in a circle with at least three movable electrodes made of coil springs having a winding diameter changed in the compression direction ,
Detecting means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance type analog switch for each capacitance type analog switch;
Detection means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance analog switch;
A minimum capacitance value that is a capacitance value when the capacitance analog switch is not pressed and a maximum capacitance value that is a capacitance value when the capacitance is pressed maximum are stored in advance for each capacitance analog switch, Based on the current capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch detected by the detection means and the minimum and maximum capacitance values stored in advance, the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch. Correction means for determining, and
The capacitive covers the analog switch, the capacitive analog switch is part of the static of these capacitive analog switch inclined in either direction as the axis center of the circle which are arranged An operation device comprising an operation panel for pressing a capacitance type analog switch. When the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode are arranged and compressed and each line element is moved in the direction approaching the fixed electrode, the capacitance between the fixed electrode and the fixed electrode changes according to the amount of movement. A capacitance type analog switch arranged in a circle with at least three movable electrodes made of coil springs having a winding diameter changed in the compression direction,
Covering the capacitance type analog switch, and tilting in any direction around the center of the circle where the capacitance type analog switch is arranged as an axis, An operation panel for pressing the capacitance type analog switch, and
Measures the time from when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined first stroke position to the time when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined second stroke position when the capacitance analog switch is operated operation device you comprising the timing means for. 4. The operating device according to claim 2, wherein the operating device is incorporated in a game machine controller . A key whose one end is pivotally supported by the base body and rotatable in a direction in which it comes into contact with or separates from the base body;
A spring member for biasing the key in a direction away from the base body;
Capacitance between the fixed electrode, which is pressed by pressing the key, and each line element that moves in a direction close to the fixed electrode when opposed to the fixed electrode and compressed. A capacitance type analog switch having a movable electrode made of a coil spring whose winding diameter is changed in the compression direction.
Detection means for detecting the capacitance of the capacitance analog switch; and
A minimum capacitance value that is a capacitance value when the capacitance-type analog switch is not pressed and a maximum capacitance value that is a capacitance value when the capacitance switch is maximum are stored in advance, and the static value detected by the detection unit is stored. Compensation means for obtaining the current stroke position of the capacitance type analog switch based on the current capacitance value of the capacitance type analog switch and the minimum and maximum capacitance values stored in advance. operation equipment shall be the feature. A key whose one end is pivotally supported by the base body and rotatable in a direction in which it comes into contact with or separates from the base body;
A spring member for biasing the key in a direction away from the base body;
Capacitance between the fixed electrode, which is pressed by pressing the key, and each line element that moves in a direction close to the fixed electrode when opposed to the fixed electrode and compressed. A capacitance type analog switch having a movable electrode made of a coil spring whose winding diameter is changed in the compression direction, and the capacitance type analog switch when the capacitance type analog switch is operated. operation device you characterized by comprising timer means capacitive analog switch measures the time until passing through the second stroke position given from the time which has passed through the first stroke position of the predetermined . 7. The operating device according to claim 5 , wherein the operating device is incorporated in an electronic musical instrument keyboard device. Measures the time from when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined first stroke position to the time when the capacitance analog switch passes a predetermined second stroke position when the capacitance analog switch is operated 6. The operating device according to claim 1, further comprising a time measuring means.

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