JP6219260B2 - INPUT DEVICE, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device that inputs information according to the proximity state of an object using a change in capacitance and the like, and a control method and program thereof, and in particular, in various information devices such as a computer, a finger, a pen, etc. The present invention relates to an input device that inputs information according to the operation.

  Sensors that detect changes in capacitance can detect the proximity of an object (finger, pen, etc.) with a simple configuration, so user interface devices for various electronic devices such as touchpads for notebook computers and touch panels for smartphones Widely used in

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a touch panel device including a touch panel unit in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged. A scanning electrode is determined from a plurality of electrodes of the touch panel unit, and the touch panel unit is operated on the determined scanning electrode, whereby a measurement value reflecting a change in capacitance of each electrode is acquired. The presence or absence of a touch on the touch panel unit is detected based on the acquired measurement value.

International Publication No. 2012/117437

  However, since such an input device needs to detect the proximity of an object with high sensitivity on the detection surface of the sensor, there is a problem that the sensor is particularly susceptible to external electromagnetic noise. For example, in the case of the capacitance type sensor described above, since the change in the capacitance of the electrode due to the proximity of the object is detected as a minute change in the amount of charge, erroneous detection of the coordinates and contact state of the object due to the effect of noise There is a problem that it is likely to occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an input device that can reduce detection errors of the coordinates and contact state of an object due to the influence of noise or the like, and a control method and program thereof.

  An input device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an input device that inputs information according to the proximity state of an object to a detection surface, and detects a proximity state of the object at a plurality of positions on the detection surface. A sensor control unit that controls the sensor unit to perform a periodic detection operation for detecting the proximity state of the object at the plurality of positions every cycle, and the sensor for each cycle of the detection operation. A coordinate acquisition unit that acquires the coordinates of the position of the object close to the detection surface based on the detection result of the unit, and assigns the same identification code to the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation The same identification code is assigned to the identification code assigning unit, the error judging unit for judging whether or not there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit in each cycle of the detection operation One coordinate is selected and output from the series of coordinates in the order of the detection operation cycle, and the selected one coordinate is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit. If so, the error correction unit outputs the selected one coordinate based on at least one of the coordinates already output in the series of coordinates.

According to said structure, it is determined in the said error determination part whether the detection result of the said sensor part in each cycle of the said detection operation has an error. The error correction unit selects and outputs one coordinate in the order of the cycle of the detection operation from a series of the coordinates to which the same identification code is assigned. When the selected one coordinate is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit that is determined to have an error in the error determination unit, in the error correction unit, the selected one coordinate is A series of coordinates is corrected and output based on at least one of the coordinates already output.
Accordingly, when there is the coordinate acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error, the coordinate is based on at least one of the coordinates output through the correction process by the error correction unit. Is corrected. Therefore, the detection error of the object coordinates due to the influence of noise or the like is reduced.

Preferably, when the selected one coordinate is acquired based on a detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the error correction unit Instead, the same coordinates as previously output may be output.
According to said structure, when there exists the said coordinate acquired based on the detection result of the said sensor part determined to have an error, it determines with there being no error instead of the tracking position of an object shifting to the said coordinate It stays at the previous coordinate acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit. Therefore, the detection error of the object coordinates due to the influence of noise or the like is reduced.

Preferably, for each cycle of the detection operation, the input device determines a contact state of the object from which the coordinates have been acquired with respect to the detection surface based on a detection result of the sensor unit, and determines the determination result. You may have a contact state determination part which acquires the contact state value to show. The identification code assigning unit may assign the same identification code over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation to data including the coordinates and the contact state value in the same cycle of the same object. The error correction unit selects and outputs one data from a series of the data to which the same identification code is assigned in order of the detection operation cycle, and the coordinates and the contact included in the selected one data When the status value is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previously output data is output instead of the selected one data. It's okay.
Thereby, when it is determined that there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit, the contact state value is corrected together with the coordinates of the object, so that the detection error of the contact state of the object due to the influence of noise or the like is reduced. Is done.

Preferably, the error determination unit selects data one by one in the order of arrangement from the first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the order of the cycle of the detection operation, and the selected data is first The contact state values included in N pieces of continuous data (N is an integer of 3 or more) are compared, and if the contact state values do not match in the comparison, the selected data is It may be determined that there is an error. The error correction unit selects data from the first data sequence one by one in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the error determination unit, the selected data is converted to the second data sequence. If the selected data is determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is used as the data in the second data string. You may output.
Thereby, since the fluctuation of the contact state value that is shorter than N cycles is determined as an error of the detection result of the sensor unit, the detection error due to the influence of strong noise that occurs once is effectively reduced. The

Preferably, the error determination unit corresponds to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the error correction corresponding to the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string output from the unit matches, the N consecutive data having the selected data as the first data in the first data string Even if the contact state values included in the data do not match, it may be determined that there is no error in the selected data.
According to said structure, since it becomes difficult to repeat the update of the said coordinate by the fluctuation | variation of the said contact state value once, collapse of the locus | trajectory of the said coordinate is suppressed.

Preferably, the contact state determination unit may count the number of objects in contact with the detection surface as the number of contact objects based on the detection result of the sensor unit for each cycle of the detection operation. The error determination unit selects data one by one in order of arrangement from a first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the cycle of the detection operation, and the detection corresponding to the selected data If the number of N contact objects counted in consecutive N cycles (N is an integer of 3 or more) with the operation cycle as the first cycle does not match, it is determined that there is an error in the selected data. You can do it. The error correction unit selects data from the first data sequence one by one in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the error determination unit, the selected data is converted to the second data sequence. If the selected data is determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is used as the data in the second data string. You may output.
Thereby, since the fluctuation of the number of the contact objects that is shorter than N cycles is determined as an error of the detection result of the sensor unit, the detection error due to the influence of the strong noise that occurs once is effectively reduced. The

Preferably, the error determination unit corresponds to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the error correction corresponding to the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string output from the unit coincides with each other, the consecutive N cycles in which the cycle of the detection operation corresponding to the selected data is the first cycle Even if the number of the N contact objects counted in step S1 does not match, it may be determined that there is no error in the selected data.
According to said structure, since the update of the said coordinate by the fluctuation | variation of the said contact object number of single occurrences becomes difficult to repeat, collapse of the locus | trajectory of the said coordinate is suppressed.

  Preferably, the contact state determination unit determines whether the object is in contact with the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit, and whether the object in contact with the detection surface is a finger or a palm. You may determine as a contact state.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a computer includes a sensor unit that detects a proximity state of an object at a plurality of positions on a detection surface, and a computer controls an input device that inputs information according to the proximity state of the object to the detection surface. On how to do. The control method of the input device includes a step of controlling the sensor unit so as to perform a periodic detection operation for detecting a proximity state of an object at the plurality of positions for each cycle, and for each cycle of the detection operation. Acquiring the coordinates of the position of the object close to the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit, and applying the same identification code to the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation. Assigning, determining whether or not there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit in each cycle of the detection operation, and in a cycle of the detection operation from a series of the coordinates to which the same identification code is assigned The detection result of the sensor unit in which one coordinate is selected and output, and the selected one coordinate is determined to have an error in the error determination unit If it is acquired based on, and a step of one of the coordinates the selection, and outputs the corrected based on at least one of the coordinate previously outputted in the set of coordinates.

  Preferably, in the step of performing the correction, when the selected coordinate is acquired based on a detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit, Instead, the same coordinates as previously output may be output.

  Preferably, in the control method of the input device, for each cycle of the detection operation, based on the detection result of the sensor unit, the contact state of the object from which the coordinates are acquired to the detection surface is determined. You may have the step which acquires the contact state value which shows a determination result. The step of assigning the identification code may assign the same identification code over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation to data including the coordinates and the contact state value in the same cycle of the same object. The step of performing the correction includes selecting and outputting one data in a cycle order of the detection operation from a series of the data to which the same identification code is assigned, the coordinates included in the selected one data, and the When the contact state value is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the step of determining the error, the same data as the previously output data instead of the selected one data May be output.

  Preferably, in the step of determining the error, data is selected one by one in the order of arrangement from the first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the cycle of the detection operation, and the selected data The contact state values included in N consecutive data (where N represents an integer of 3 or more) are used as the first data, and the selected contact state values are not matched in the comparison. It may be determined that there is an error in the data. The step of performing the correction selects data one by one from the first data sequence in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the step of determining the error, If it is determined that there is an error in the step of determining the error, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is output as the second data string. It may be output as data string data.

  Preferably, the step of determining the error corresponds to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string output from the error correction unit matches, the N consecutive data having the selected data as the first data in the first data string Even if the contact state values included in the selected data do not match, it may be determined that there is no error in the selected data.

  A third aspect of the present invention relates to a program for causing a computer to execute the control method for the input device according to the second aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the detection error of the coordinates and contact state of an object due to the influence of noise or the like.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 5 is a flowchart for explaining identification code assignment and error correction in the input device according to the first embodiment; It is the figure which illustrated an example of the error correction in the input device concerning a 1st embodiment. It is the 1st figure which illustrated the specific example of the coordinate corresponding to the example of FIG. 3, and its locus | trajectory. FIG. 4A shows only a trajectory, and FIG. 4B shows a case where coordinates are acquired without error in this trajectory. FIG. 4 is a second diagram illustrating a specific example of coordinates corresponding to the example of FIG. 3 and its locus. FIG. 5A shows the coordinates and trajectory of the first data string (DI) before error correction, and FIG. 5B shows the coordinates and trajectory of the second data string (DO) after error correction. 10 is a flowchart for explaining identification code assignment and error correction in the input device according to the second embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated an example of the error correction in the input device which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which illustrated the specific example of the coordinate corresponding to the example of FIG. 7, and its locus | trajectory. 10 is a flowchart for explaining identification code assignment and error correction in the input device according to the third embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The input device illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a sensor unit 10, a processing unit 20, a storage unit 30, and an interface unit 40. The input device according to this embodiment is a device that inputs information according to the proximity state by bringing an object such as a finger or a pen close to a detection surface provided with a sensor. Note that “proximity” in the present specification includes both being close in a contact state and being close in a non-contact state.

[Sensor unit 10]
The sensor unit 10 detects the proximity state of an object such as a finger or a pen at a plurality of detection positions distributed on the detection surface. For example, the sensor unit 10 includes a sensor matrix 11 in which a capacitive sensor element (capacitor) 12 whose capacitance changes according to the proximity of an object is formed in a matrix, and a capacitance according to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor element 12. A detection data generation unit 13 that generates detection data and a drive unit 14 that applies a drive voltage to the capacitive sensor element 12 are included.

  The sensor matrix 11 includes a plurality of drive electrodes Lx extending in the vertical direction and a plurality of detection electrodes Ly extending in the horizontal direction. The plurality of drive electrodes Lx are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of detection electrodes Ly are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. The plurality of drive electrodes Lx and the plurality of detection electrodes Ly intersect in a lattice pattern and are insulated from each other. Capacitive sensor elements 12 are formed in the vicinity of the intersection of the drive electrode Lx and the detection electrode Ly, respectively. In the example of FIG. 1, the shape of the electrodes (Lx, Ly) is drawn in a strip shape, but other arbitrary shapes (such as a diamond pattern) may be used.

  The drive unit 14 applies a drive voltage to each capacitive sensor element 12 of the sensor matrix 11. Specifically, the drive unit 14 selects one drive electrode Lx in order from the plurality of drive electrodes Lx according to the control of the processing unit 20, and periodically changes the potential of the selected one drive electrode Lx. . When the potential of the drive electrode Lx changes within a predetermined range, the drive voltage applied to the capacitive sensor element 12 formed near the intersection of the drive electrode Lx and the detection electrode Ly changes within the predetermined range. Charging or discharging occurs in the capacitive sensor element 12.

  The detection data generation unit 13 generates detection data corresponding to the charge transmitted in each detection electrode Ly when the capacitive sensor element 12 is charged or discharged in accordance with the application of the drive voltage by the drive unit 14. That is, the detection data generation unit 13 samples the charge transmitted through each detection electrode Ly at a timing synchronized with the periodic change of the drive voltage of the drive unit 14, and generates detection data according to the sampling result. To do.

For example, the detection data generation unit 13 converts a capacitance-voltage conversion circuit (CV conversion circuit) that outputs a voltage corresponding to the capacitance of the capacitive sensor element 12 and the output signal of the CV conversion circuit into a digital signal. And an analog-digital conversion circuit (AD conversion circuit) that outputs the detection data.
The CV conversion circuit samples the charge transmitted through the detection electrode Ly according to the control of the processing unit 20 each time the driving voltage of the driving unit 14 is periodically changed to charge or discharge the capacitive sensor element 12. . Specifically, every time positive or negative charge is transmitted at the detection electrode Ly, the CV conversion circuit transfers this charge or a charge proportional thereto to the reference capacitor and generates it in the reference capacitor. A signal corresponding to the voltage is output. For example, the CV conversion circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an integrated value or an average value of charges periodically transmitted through the detection electrode Ly or charges proportional thereto. The AD conversion circuit converts the output signal of the CV conversion circuit into a digital signal at a predetermined period according to the control of the processing unit 20 and outputs it as detection data.

  In addition, although the sensor part 10 shown in the above-mentioned example detects the proximity | contact of an object by the change of the electrostatic capacitance (mutual capacitance) which arises between electrodes (Lx, Ly), it is not restricted to this example, others The proximity of the object may be detected by various methods. For example, the sensor unit 10 may be a system that detects a capacitance (self-capacitance) generated between the electrode and the ground due to the approach of an object. In the case of a method for detecting self-capacitance, a drive voltage is applied to the detection electrode. Further, the sensor unit 10 is not limited to the electrostatic capacity method, and may be, for example, a resistance film method or an electromagnetic induction method.

[Processing unit 20]
The processing unit 20 is a circuit that controls the overall operation of the input device, and includes, for example, a computer that performs processing according to an instruction code of a program stored in the storage unit 30, and a logic circuit that implements a specific function. Composed. All of the processing of the processing unit 20 may be realized by a computer and a program, or part or all of the processing may be realized by a dedicated logic circuit.

  In the example of FIG. 1, the processing unit 20 includes a sensor control unit 21, a two-dimensional data generation unit 22, a coordinate acquisition unit 23, a contact state determination unit 24, an identification code assignment unit 25, and an error determination unit 26. And an error correction unit 27.

  The sensor control unit 21 causes the sensor unit 10 to perform a periodic detection operation for detecting the proximity state of the object at each cycle at a plurality of detection positions (each capacitive sensor element 12 of the sensor matrix 11) on the detection surface. Control. Specifically, the sensor control unit 21 periodically selects the drive electrode and generation of the pulse voltage in the drive unit 14 and the detection electrode selection and detection data generation in the detection data generation unit 13 at appropriate timings. These circuits are controlled as done.

  The two-dimensional data generating unit 22 generates two-dimensional data 31 in a matrix format including a plurality of detection data indicating the degree of proximity of an object at a plurality of positions on the operation surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10, Store in the storage unit 30.

  For example, the two-dimensional data generation unit 22 stores the detection data output from the sensor unit 10 in a storage area (current value memory) of the storage unit 30 in a matrix format. The two-dimensional data generation unit 22 calculates a difference between the detection data in the matrix format stored in the current value memory and the base value in the matrix format stored in advance in another storage area (base value memory) of the storage unit 30; These calculation results are stored in the storage unit 30 as two-dimensional data 31. The base value memory stores a value (base value) that serves as a reference for detection data in a state where no object is close to the detection surface. The two-dimensional data 31 represents the amount of change in detection data from a state where the object is not close to the detection surface.

  The coordinate acquisition unit 23 acquires the coordinates P of the position of the object close to the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 for each cycle of the detection operation in the sensor unit 10. For example, the coordinate acquisition unit 23 specifies the proximity region of the object on the detection surface based on the two-dimensional data 31 generated by the two-dimensional data generation unit 22, and the shape of the specified proximity region and the data in the proximity region The coordinates P of the object are calculated from the value distribution and the like.

  The contact state determination unit 24 determines the contact state of the object whose coordinates are acquired by the coordinate acquisition unit 23 on the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 for each cycle of the detection operation in the sensor unit 10. The contact state value T indicating the determination result is acquired. For example, the contact state determination unit 24 determines whether the object is in contact with the detection surface based on the area of the proximity region on the detection surface of the object for which the coordinate P is calculated, the size of the data value in the proximity region, and the like. Determine. The contact state determination unit 24 determines whether the touched object is “finger” or “palm”. As an example, the contact state value T when it is determined that the object is not in contact with the detection surface is “0”, and the contact state value T when it is determined that the “finger” is in contact is “1”. The contact state value T when it is determined that the “palm” is in contact is set to “2”.

  Further, the contact state determination unit 24 counts the number of “fingers” (contact index M) in contact with the detection surface of the sensor unit 10 based on the contact state value T acquired for each object.

  The identification code allocation unit 25 allocates the same identification code i to the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation by the sensor unit 10. The identification code i is information for tracking the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles. For example, the identification code assigning unit 25 calculates the distance between the coordinate P acquired in the previous cycle and the coordinate P newly acquired in the current cycle, and the previous coordinate P having the shortest distance and the current coordinate are calculated. A combination with the coordinate P is specified. Then, the identification code assigning unit 25 assigns the same identification code i as the previous coordinate P having the shortest distance to the current coordinate P.

  The identification code assigning unit 25 assigns the identification code i for the contact state value T together with the coordinate P. For example, the identification code assigning unit 25 assigns the same identification code i to the data DI including the coordinates P and the contact state value T in the same cycle of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation. That is, the identification code assigning unit 25 treats the coordinates P and the contact state values T of the same object acquired in the same cycle as one data DI, and assigns an identification code i to the data DI. The data DI to which the identification code i is assigned in cycle n is described as “DI [n] [i]”.

Specifically, the identification code assigning unit 25 assigns the identification code i as follows.
First, the identification code assigning unit 25 treats the coordinates P and the contact state values T acquired for the same object in the cycle n as one data C, and assigns a temporary identification code k to the data C. Data C to which a temporary identification code k is assigned in cycle n is denoted as “C [n] [k]”.
Next, the identification code assigning unit 25 obtains the coordinates P of the data DI [n−1] [i] to which the identification code i was assigned in the previous cycle n−1 and the temporary identification code k in the current cycle n. The distance between the allocated data C [n] [k] and the coordinate P is calculated, and the data DI [n−1] [i] and the data C [n] [k] having the shortest distance between the coordinates P are calculated. Specify a combination of.
Then, the identification code assigning unit 25 uses the coordinates P and the contact state value T of the data C [n] [k] that are in the shortest distance relationship with the data DI [n−1] [i] as the data in the current cycle n. Substitute into DI [n] [i].
The identification code allocating unit 25 determines the data C [n] [k] (such as a finger newly touched in the cycle n) in which the data DI [n−1] [i] having the shortest distance relationship does not exist. In cycle n-1, the data DI [n-1] [i] using the unassigned identification code i is substituted.

  The error determination unit 26 determines whether or not there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit 10 in each cycle of the detection operation.

  For example, when the contact state value T included in N (N ≧ 3) consecutive data DIs in a series of data DI to which the same identification code i is assigned does not match, the error determination unit 26 It is determined that there is an error in the detection result (data constituting the two-dimensional data 31) of the sensor unit 10 used to acquire the coordinates P and the contact state value T included in the first data DI in the first data DI.

  Specifically, the error determination unit 26 determines the error by referring to the “first data string 32” that is a data string in which the data DI to which the same identification code i is assigned is arranged in the order of the detection operation cycle. Do. In other words, the error determination unit 26 selects the data DI one by one from the first data sequence 32 in the order of arrangement, and compares the contact state values T included in the N pieces of data DI that continue from the selected data DI. . If the contact state value T does not match in the comparison, the error determination unit 26 determines that there is an error in the selected data DI.

  The error correction unit 27 selects and outputs one coordinate P from the series of coordinates P to which the same identification code i is assigned in order of the detection operation cycle, and the selected one coordinate P is an error in the error determination unit 26. If it is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 determined to be present, the same coordinate P as the previously output coordinate P is output instead of the selected one coordinate P.

  The error correction unit 27 also corrects the contact state value T together with the coordinates P. Specifically, the error correction unit 27 selects one data DI in the cycle of the detection operation from a series of data DI (first data string 32) to which the same identification code i is assigned, and the selected data DI If the error determination unit 26 determines that there is no error, the selected data DI is output as the data DO of the second data string 33. On the other hand, when it is determined that the selected data DI has an error in the error determination unit 26, the error correction unit 27 replaces the same data as the previous data DO in the second data sequence 33 with the current second data sequence 33. Output as data DO. The “second data string 33” is a data string of data DO sequentially output from the error correction unit 27 as a result of the correction process for the “first data string 32”.

[Storage unit 30]
The storage unit 30 stores constant data and variable data used for processing in the processing unit 20. When the processing unit 20 includes a computer, the storage unit 30 may store a program executed on the computer. The storage unit 30 includes, for example, a volatile memory such as a DRAM or SRAM, a nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk, or the like.

[Interface unit 40]
The interface unit 40 is a circuit for exchanging data between the input device and another control device (such as a control IC for an information device equipped with the input device). The processing unit 20 outputs information (such as object coordinate information and the number of objects) stored in the storage unit 30 from the interface unit 40 to a control device (not shown). Further, the interface unit 40 acquires a program executed in the computer of the processing unit 20 from a disk drive device (not shown) (device that reads a program recorded in a non-temporary recording medium), a server, or the like, and the storage unit 30 You may load it.

  Next, an operation for correcting an error of the object coordinate P and the contact state value T in the input device having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining identification code i assignment and error correction in the input device according to the present embodiment.

ST100:
When starting the operation, the processing unit 20 initializes the data C, DI, DO indicating the coordinates P and the contact state value T of each object in each cycle, and sets the initial value 2 to the cycle n of the detection operation of the sensor unit 10. substitute.

ST110:
The coordinate acquisition unit 23 acquires the coordinates P of the position of each object close to the detection surface based on the two-dimensional data 31 stored in the storage unit 30 as the detection result of the sensor unit 10 in the current cycle n.
The contact state determination unit 24 acquires, based on the two-dimensional data 31, a contact state value T indicating the contact state of each object whose coordinate P has been calculated with respect to the detection surface, and an object (finger) in contact with the detection surface. Are counted (contact index M).
The identification code assigning unit 25 assigns a temporary identification code k to the coordinates P and the contact state value T of each object, and stores them in the storage unit 30 as data C [n] [k].

ST120:
The identification code assigning unit 25 is assigned the coordinate P of the data DI [n-1] [i] to which the identification code i was assigned in the previous cycle n-1, and the temporary identification code k in the current cycle n. The distance between the coordinates C of the data C [n] [k] is calculated, and the combination of the data DI [n−1] [i] and the data C [n] [k] with the shortest distance between the coordinates P is determined. Identify. When the combination of the shortest distances is specified, the identification code assigning unit 25 sets the coordinates P and the contact state values T of the data C [n] [k] that are in the shortest distance relationship with the data DI [n−1] [i]. Is substituted into the data DI [n] [i] in the current cycle n.

ST130:
The processing unit 20 assigns an initial value 0 to the object identification code i.

ST140:
In the first data string 32 of the identification code i, the error determination unit 26 selects the data DI [n-2] [i] in the cycle n-2 two cycles before the current cycle n as an error determination target. . The error determination unit 26 converts the data DI [n−2] [i] to three consecutive data DI [n−2] [i], DI [n−1], and DI [n] [i]. The included contact state values T are compared. If these contact state values T do not match, the error determination unit 26 determines that there is an error in the data DI [n-2] [i].

ST150:
When it is determined in step ST140 that the data DI [n-2] [i] has no error, the error correction unit 27 uses the data DI [n-2] [i] in the first data string 32 as it is as the second data. Substitute for data DO [n] [i] in column 33.

ST160:
When it is determined in step ST140 that the data DI [n-2] [i] has an error, the error correction unit 27 replaces the data DO [n] [i] in the second data string 33 with the previous data DO. A value equal to [n-1] [i] is set (data DO [n-1] [i] is substituted for data DO [n] [i]).

ST170:
The processing unit 20 shifts each data of the first data string 32 of the identification code i in preparation for the processing of the next cycle. That is, data DI [n-1] [i] is substituted for data DI [n-2] [i], and data DI [n] [i] is substituted for data DI [n-1] [i].

ST180 to ST200:
In order to proceed to processing of the next object, the processing unit 20 adds “1” to the identification code i (ST180), and compares the identification code i with the contact index M (ST190). When the identification code i is smaller than the contact index M, there is an object (finger) that has not been processed yet, and thus the processing unit 20 returns to step ST140. When the identification code i is greater than or equal to the contact index M, all objects (finger) have been processed, so the processing unit 20 adds “1” to the cycle n and returns to step ST110.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of error correction in the input device according to the present embodiment, in which the first data string 32 including a single error due to noise or the like is processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Show.

  In the example of FIG. 3, a single contact state change occurs in the data DI of the cycles “8” and “14”. During the period from cycle “5” to “24” in the first data string 32, it is generally determined that the finger is in contact (T = 1), but the finger is touching only once in cycle “8”. It is determined that there is no contact (T = 0), and in cycle “14”, it is determined that the palm is in a single contact (T = 2).

  In the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, if the contact state values T of three consecutive data DI in the first data string 32 do not match, it is determined that there is an error in the leading data DI. Therefore, it is determined that there is an error in the data DI of the cycles “6” to “8” in the first data string 32 with respect to the single change of the cycle “8”, and the single change of the cycle “14” is determined. , It is determined that there is an error in the data DI of the cycles “12” to “14” of the first data string 32.

  In the process of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2, when it is determined that there is an error in one data DI of the first data string 32, one data DO corresponding to the second data string 33 is It becomes the same value as the data DO immediately before the data DO. Therefore, the data DO of the cycles “8” to “10” of the second data string 33 corresponding to the data DI of the cycles “6” to “8” of the first data string 32 determined to have an error are respectively cycled. It is corrected to a value equal to the data DO of “7”. Further, the data DO of the cycles “14” to “16” of the second data string 33 corresponding to the data DI of the cycles “12” to “14” of the first data string 32 determined to have an error are respectively cycled. The value is corrected to be equal to the data DO of “13”. As a result, in the second data string 33 after correction, the single contact state change in the first data string 32 is eliminated.

As described above, according to the input device according to the present embodiment, the error determination unit 26 determines whether or not there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit 10 in each cycle of the detection operation of the sensor unit 10. . The error correction unit 27 selects and outputs one coordinate P in the order of the detection operation cycle from a series of coordinates P of the same object to which the same identification code i is assigned. When the selected coordinate P is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 determined to have an error in the error determination unit 26, the error correction unit 27 selects the selected one coordinate P. In this series of coordinates P, the same coordinates P as the previously output coordinates P are output.
Thereby, when there is a coordinate P acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 having an error, the coordinate P is prevented from being tracked erroneously, and based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 having no error. Since the tracking position of the object remains at the acquired coordinates P, the detection error of the object coordinates due to the influence of noise or the like can be reduced.

Further, according to the input device according to the present embodiment, the same identification code i is assigned to the data DI including the coordinates P and the contact state value T in the same cycle of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation. . The error correction unit 27 selects and outputs one data DI in the order of the detection operation cycle from a series of data DI of the same object to which the same identification code i is assigned. When the coordinates P and the contact state value T included in the selected one data DI are acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 determined to have an error in the error determination unit 26, error correction is performed. The unit 27 outputs the same data DI as the previously output data DI instead of the selected one data DI.
Thereby, when there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit 10, the contact state value T can be corrected together with the coordinate P of the object, so that the detection error of the contact state of the object due to the influence of noise or the like can be reduced.

Furthermore, according to the input device according to the present embodiment, data is selected one by one in the order of arrangement from the first data sequence 32 in which the data DI to which the same identification code i is assigned is arranged in the order of the detection operation cycle. When the contact state value T included in N consecutive data DI (N represents an integer of 3 or more) is used as the first data DI, and the contact state value T does not match in the comparison Then, it is determined that there is an error in the selected data DI.
Thereby, since the fluctuation | variation of the single contact state value T shorter than N cycles is determined as an error of the detection result of the sensor part 10, the detection error by the influence of the strong noise etc. which generate | occur | produce only once can be reduced effectively. .

<Second Embodiment>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The input device according to the present embodiment is a device that reduces the collapse of the coordinate locus caused by error correction in the input device according to the first embodiment described above.

4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating specific examples of coordinates and trajectories corresponding to the example of FIG. FIG. 4A shows only a trajectory, and FIG. 4B shows a case where coordinates are acquired without error in this trajectory. FIG. 5A shows the coordinates and trajectory of the first data string 32 (DI) before error correction, and FIG. 5B shows the coordinates and trajectory of the second data string 33 (DO) after error correction.
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 4B and FIG. 5B, in the error correction of the input device according to the first embodiment, the vicinity of the coordinates where there is an error or the end of the locus of the object (finger) (contact state value T is a step). Since the updating of the coordinates is repeated in the portion that changes in the shape), the coordinate locus tends to be largely disrupted.
Therefore, in the input device according to the present embodiment, when the contact state value T that is an error determination target is equal to the contact state value T that has undergone error correction processing in the previous cycle, the contact state value T that is the error determination target. It is determined that there is no error.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining identification code assignment and error correction in the input device according to the second embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by replacing step ST140 of error determination unit 26 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 with step ST140A.

  In step ST140A, the error determination unit 26 determines that the contact condition value T included in the same conditions (data DI [n-2] [i], DI [n-1], DI [n] [i] is the same as in step ST140. The contact state value T included in the data DI [n-2] [i] of the first data string 32 selected as the error determination target and the data DI [ n-2] [i] The data DO [n-1] [i] of the second data string 33 output from the error correction unit 27 corresponding to the data DI [n-3] [i] immediately before It is determined whether or not the contact state value T included in the data matches. If the data DI [n−2] [i] and the data DO [n−1] [i] match, the error determination unit 26 determines that the three data DI [n−2] [i] and DI [n−1] ], Even if the contact state values T included in DI [n] [i] do not match, it is determined that there is no error in the data DI [n-2] [i] subject to error determination. In this case, the error determination target data DI [n-2] [i] is substituted into the data DO [n] [i] in step ST150.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of error correction in the input device according to the second embodiment. In this example, the first data string 32 including the same error as that in FIG. 3 is processed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. Show. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 7 and FIG. 3, according to the process of the flowchart of FIG. 6, the error determination frequency of the error determination unit 26 due to a single change in the contact state value T is reduced, and the error determination The repetition is also shorter.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating specific examples of coordinates corresponding to the example of FIG. 7 and their trajectories. FIG. 8A shows the coordinates and trajectory of the first data string (DI) before error correction, and FIG. 8B shows the coordinates and trajectory of the second data string (DO) after error correction.
As can be seen by comparing FIG. 5B and FIG. 8B, according to the process of the flowchart of FIG. 6, the coordinate update locus is reduced because the stop of the coordinate update accompanying the error determination is reduced compared to the process of the flowchart of FIG. The collapse of is getting smaller.

As described above, according to the input device according to the present embodiment, the contact state value T included in the data DI [n−2] [i] selected as the error determination target from the first data string 32, Data of the second data string 33 output from the error correction unit 27 corresponding to the data DI [n-3] [i] immediately before the data DI [n-2] [i] in the first data string 32 The contact state value T included in DO [n−1] [i] is compared. If the two match, it is determined that there is no error in the data DI [n−2] [i] that is the error determination target. .
Thereby, since it becomes difficult to repeat the update of the coordinate by the fluctuation | variation of the contact state value T especially once, collapse of the locus | trajectory of a coordinate can be suppressed effectively.

<Third Embodiment>
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the input device according to each of the embodiments described above, the variation in the contact state value T is set as the error determination condition. However, in the input device according to the present embodiment, the variation in the number of fingers (contact index) in contact with the detection surface. Is the error judgment condition.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining identification code assignment and error correction in the input apparatus according to the third embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 9 is obtained by replacing step ST140 of error determination unit 26 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 with step ST140B.

  In step ST140B, the error determination unit 26 generates the error in the data DI [n-2] [i] in the cycle n-2 two cycles before the current cycle n from the first data string 32 of the identification code i. Is selected as the judgment target. The error determination unit 26 compares the contact indices of three consecutive cycles (n−2, n−1, n) with the cycle n−2 corresponding to the data DI [n−2] [i] as the first cycle. If they do not match, it is determined that there is an error in the data DI [n-2] [i].

  However, the error determination unit 26 also performs matching determination between the data DI [n-2] [i] and the data DO [n-1] [i], which is the same as in step ST140A in FIG. When the data DI [n-2] [i] and the data DO [n-1] [i] match, the error determination unit 26 determines that the contact index is 3 consecutive cycles (n-2, n-1, n). Even if they do not match, it is determined that there is no error in the data DI [n-2] [i].

  Thus, it is also possible to determine an error in the detection result of the single sensor unit 10 based on the change of the contact index in consecutive N cycles (N ≧ 3). According to this error determination method, it is possible to effectively eliminate an error in contact coordinates that occurs once as a change in the contact index.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various variations.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the one coordinate P selected as the correction processing target is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit 10 determined as “error”, the error correction unit 27 Instead of the selected coordinate P, the same coordinate P as the previously output coordinate P is output again in a series of coordinates P to which the same identification code i is assigned. However, this is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this example. In another embodiment of the present invention, the error correction unit 27 may correct and output one coordinate P selected as a correction processing target based on a plurality of already output coordinates P. For example, the error correction unit 27 calculates the moving direction and speed of the object based on a series of a plurality of coordinates P including the coordinates P output in the previous cycle, and corrects the estimated coordinates based on the calculation results. You may output as a result.

  In the above-described embodiment, a temporary change in the contact state value T is used as a method for determining an error in the detection result of the sensor unit 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment of the present invention, for example, error determination may be performed based on the result of directly measuring the noise amplitude or the like.

  In the embodiment described above, a plurality of objects (such as fingers) close to the detection surface can be identified by the identification code, but the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the present invention can also be applied to an input device in which the number of identifiable objects is limited to one. In that case, the identification code in the present invention means information for identifying a state from when one object approaches the detection surface until it leaves and a state where another one object newly approaches the detection surface. To do.

  The input device of the present invention is not limited to a user interface device that inputs information by operating a finger or the like. That is, the input device of the present invention is widely applicable to devices that input information according to the proximity state of various objects not limited to the human body to the detection surface.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Sensor part, 11 ... Sensor matrix, 13 ... Detection data generation part, 14 ... Drive part, 20 ... Processing part, 21 ... Sensor control part, 22 ... Two-dimensional data generation part, 23 ... Coordinate acquisition part, 24 ... Contact State determination unit, 25 ... identification code allocation unit, 26 ... error determination unit, 27 ... error correction unit, 30 ... storage unit, 31 ... two-dimensional data, 32 ... first data string, 33 ... second data string, 40 ... Interface part.

Claims (14)

An input device for inputting information according to the proximity state of an object to a detection surface,
A sensor unit for detecting a proximity state of an object at a plurality of positions on the detection surface;
A sensor control unit for controlling the sensor unit to perform a periodic detection operation for detecting the proximity state of the object at the plurality of positions every cycle;
A coordinate acquisition unit that acquires the coordinates of the position of the object close to the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit for each cycle of the detection operation;
An identification code assigning unit that assigns the same identification code to the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation;
An error determination unit that determines whether or not there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit in each cycle of the detection operation;
From the series of coordinates assigned the same identification code, one coordinate is selected and output in order of the detection operation cycle, and the selected one coordinate is determined to have an error in the error determination unit. An error correction unit that, when acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit, corrects and outputs the selected one coordinate based on at least one of the coordinates already output in the series of coordinates. An input device characterized by. The error correction unit, when the selected coordinate is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined that there is an error in the error determination unit, instead of the selected one coordinate last time The input device according to claim 1, wherein the same coordinate as the output coordinate is output. Contact for determining a contact state of the object from which the coordinates are acquired to the detection surface and acquiring a contact state value indicating the determination result for each cycle of the detection operation based on a detection result of the sensor unit. A state determination unit;
The identification code assigning unit assigns the same identification code over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation to the data including the coordinates and the contact state value in the same cycle of the same object,
The error correction unit selects and outputs one data from a series of the data to which the same identification code is assigned in order of the detection operation cycle, and the coordinates and the contact included in the selected one data When the state value is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previously output data is output instead of the selected one data. The input device according to claim 2. The error determination unit selects data one by one in the arrangement order from the first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the cycle of the detection operation, and selects the selected data as the first data The contact state values included in N consecutive data (N is an integer of 3 or more) are compared, and if the contact state values do not match in the comparison, there is an error in the selected data And
The error correction unit selects data from the first data sequence one by one in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the error determination unit, the selected data is converted to the second data sequence. If the selected data is determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is used as the data in the second data string. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device outputs. The error determination unit outputs from the error correction unit corresponding to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string to be matched is included in the N consecutive data having the selected data as the first data in the first data string The input device according to claim 4, wherein even if the contact state values do not match, it is determined that there is no error in the selected data. The contact state determination unit counts the number of objects in contact with the detection surface as the number of contact objects based on the detection result of the sensor unit for each cycle of the detection operation,
The error determination unit selects data one by one in order of arrangement from a first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the cycle of the detection operation, and the detection corresponding to the selected data If the number of N contact objects counted in consecutive N cycles (N is an integer of 3 or more) with the operation cycle as the first cycle does not match, it is determined that there is an error in the selected data. And
The error correction unit selects data from the first data sequence one by one in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the error determination unit, the selected data is converted to the second data sequence. If the selected data is determined to have an error in the error determination unit, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is used as the data in the second data string. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device outputs. The error determination unit outputs from the error correction unit corresponding to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string to be matched is counted in the consecutive N cycles with the cycle of the detection operation corresponding to the selected data as the first cycle The input device according to claim 6, wherein even if the number of the N contact objects does not match, it is determined that there is no error in the selected data. Based on the detection result of the sensor unit, the contact state determination unit determines whether the object is in contact with the detection surface and whether the object in contact with the detection surface is a finger or a palm. The input device according to claim 3, wherein the input device is determined. A method in which a computer controls an input device that includes a sensor unit that detects a proximity state of an object at a plurality of positions on a detection surface, and that inputs information according to the proximity state of the object to the detection surface,
Controlling the sensor unit to perform a periodic detection operation for detecting the proximity state of the object at the plurality of positions every cycle;
Acquiring the coordinates of the position of the object close to the detection surface based on the detection result of the sensor unit for each cycle of the detection operation;
Assigning the same identification code to the coordinates of the same object over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation;
Determining whether there is an error in the detection result of the sensor unit in each cycle of the detection operation;
From the series of coordinates assigned the same identification code, one coordinate is selected and output in order of the detection operation cycle, and the selected one coordinate is determined to have an error in the error determination unit. A step of correcting and outputting the selected one coordinate based on at least one of the coordinates already output in the series of coordinates when acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit. A method for controlling the input device. In the step of performing the correction, when the selected one coordinate is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the error determination unit, instead of the selected one coordinate, The input device control method according to claim 9, wherein the same coordinate as the previously output coordinate is output. For each cycle of the detection operation, based on a detection result of the sensor unit, determining a contact state of the object from which the coordinates have been acquired with the detection surface, and acquiring a contact state value indicating the determination result Have
The step of assigning the identification code assigns the same identification code over a plurality of cycles of the detection operation to data including the coordinates and the contact state value in the same cycle of the same object,
The step of performing the correction includes selecting and outputting one data in a cycle order of the detection operation from a series of the data to which the same identification code is assigned, the coordinates included in the selected one data, and the When the contact state value is acquired based on the detection result of the sensor unit determined to have an error in the step of determining the error, the same data as the previously output data instead of the selected one data The method for controlling an input device according to claim 10, wherein: The step of determining the error includes selecting data one by one in the order of arrangement from the first data sequence in which the data to which the same identification code is assigned is arranged in the order of the cycle of the detection operation, and selecting the selected data for the first time The contact state values included in N consecutive data (N represents an integer of 3 or more) as data are compared, and if the contact state values do not match in the comparison, an error occurs in the selected data. It is determined that there is
The step of performing the correction selects data one by one from the first data sequence in the order of arrangement, and when the selected data is determined to have no error in the step of determining the error, If it is determined that there is an error in the step of determining the error, the same data as the previous data in the second data string is output as the second data string. It outputs as data of a data string. The control method of the input device of Claim 11 characterized by the above-mentioned. The step of determining the error includes the error correction unit corresponding to the contact state value included in the data selected from the first data string and the data immediately before the selected data in the first data string. If the contact state value included in the data of the second data string output from the first data string coincides with the N consecutive data having the selected data as the first data in the first data string The method for controlling an input device according to claim 12, wherein even if the included contact state values do not match, it is determined that the selected data has no error.   A program for causing a computer to execute the input device control method according to any one of claims 9 to 13.