WO2015052887A1

WO2015052887A1 - Capacitive switch

Info

Publication number: WO2015052887A1
Application number: PCT/JP2014/004896
Authority: WO
Inventors: 幸秀太田
Original assignee: 株式会社デンソー
Priority date: 2013-10-11
Filing date: 2014-09-25
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: JP2015076386A; JP5939225B2

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to enable a capacitive switch to accurately specify which operation surface the user is attempting to operate. This capacitive switch comprises a specifying unit that, in cases where there are simultaneously a plurality of operation surfaces having been determined as being touched, specifies which one of the plurality of operation surfaces is the target operation surface. The specifying unit includes a first candidate selection unit and a difference calculation unit. The first candidate selection unit selects an operation surface having the largest detection value as a first candidate operation surface. The difference calculation unit calculates the difference between the detection value of the first candidate operation surface and the detection value of another operation surface among the detection values of the plurality of operation surfaces having been determined as being touched. The specifying unit specifies the first candidate operation surface as the target operation surface on condition that said difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (A).

Description

Capacitive switch

Cross-reference of related applications

This disclosure is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-214031 filed on October 11, 2013, and the description is incorporated herein.

The present disclosure relates to a capacitance type switch that operates based on a change in capacitance.

Patent Document 1 discloses a capacitive switch that includes an operation plate that forms a plurality of operation surfaces that are touch-operated with a user's fingertips, and electrodes that are arranged to face each operation surface. The capacitance of the electrode changes by bringing the fingertip into contact with the operation surface. Therefore, in this type of capacitance type switch, it is detected that a contact operation has been performed when the amount of change in capacitance exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Further, Patent Document 1 specifies as to which of the target operation surfaces the user is trying to operate when the user accidentally touches a plurality of operation surfaces at the same time as follows. . In other words, the priority is set lower for the operation surface that is more likely to be erroneously operated among multiple operation surfaces, and when contact is detected on multiple operation surfaces at the same time, the operation with the higher priority is performed. The surface is specified as the target operation surface.

JP-A-4-123737

However, the priorities change depending on the positional relationship between the operation plate and the user, the posture when the user operates, and the like. For this reason, the conventional method in which the operation surface that the user is trying to operate is specified according to the uniformly set priority order has a limit in specifying with high accuracy.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a capacitance type switch that can accurately identify which operation surface the user is trying to operate. is there.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the capacitive switch includes an operation plate that forms a plurality of operation surfaces that are contact-operated by the operation body, and an electrode that is disposed on the opposite side of the operation surface with respect to the operation plate. A detection unit that obtains a detection value corresponding to the amount of change in capacitance that occurs between the operation body and the electrode, and when the detection value exceeds a predetermined threshold, the operation body contacts the corresponding operation surface If there are a plurality of operation surfaces that are determined to be in contact by the contact determination unit and the contact determination unit at the same time, which of the plurality of operation surfaces is the target operation surface A specifying unit for specifying.

The identifying unit includes a first candidate selection unit that selects the operation surface having the maximum detection value as the first candidate operation surface, and among the detection values of the plurality of operation surfaces that are determined to be in contact with each other. And a difference calculating unit that calculates a difference between the detected value of the first candidate operation surface and the detected value of the other operation surface, and the first candidate operation surface is used on condition that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Is identified as the operation surface.

According to this, even if it is the first candidate operation surface where the amount of change in capacitance is the maximum, if the difference is not sufficiently large, it is not specified as the target operation surface. Further, when the difference is sufficiently large, the first candidate operation surface having the maximum capacitance change amount is specified as the target operation surface.

For example, due to the poor operation posture of the user, a contact operation may be performed at a position slightly shifted from the center of the fifth switch SW5 that is the target operation surface as in the situation shown in FIG. In this case, the second switch SW2 may be contact-detected simultaneously with the fifth switch SW5. Therefore, in the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, when a switch having a high priority is set as the second switch SW, the second switch SW2 is erroneously specified as the target switch.

On the other hand, according to the above configuration, even in the situation of FIG. 6, if the capacitance change amount of the fifth switch SW5 is the maximum and the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the fifth switch SW5 is the target. Is correctly identified as a switch.

Also, for example, the positional relationship between the operation plate and the user is different when operated by a user in the passenger seat of the vehicle and when operated by a user in the driver's seat. In the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, the priority order of the switches SW1 and SW4 located on the left may be set high assuming that the user is located on the right side of the operation plate. According to this setting, even if the fingertip is brought into contact with the first switch SW1, the first switch SW1 is correctly specified as the target switch even if the palm of the hand accidentally touches the fifth switch SW5. However, as shown in FIG. 8, when the user located on the left side of the operation plate operates the second switch SW2 with a fingertip, the palm may touch the fourth switch SW4 by mistake. In this case, the fourth switch SW4 having a high priority is erroneously specified as the target switch.

On the other hand, according to the above configuration, even if the operation plate is operated from either the right side or the left side, the capacitance change amount of the target switch is maximized and the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The target switch is correctly identified.

As described above, according to the above configuration, the identification result by the identifying unit is based on the positional relationship between the operation plate and the user and the user's operation posture, as compared with the conventional case where the target operation surface is identified only by priority. It becomes difficult to be affected by such as. Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately identify which operation surface the user is trying to operate.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawing
The front view which shows the electrostatic capacitance type switch which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this indication. Sectional drawing which follows the II-II line | wire of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the control which identifies the operation surface which a user is going to operate in 1st Embodiment, and switches on a switch. The figure which shows an example of the condition which touched the some operation surface accidentally in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows distribution of the detected value in the condition of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the condition which touched the some operation surface accidentally in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows distribution of the detected value in the condition of FIG. The figure which shows an example of the condition which touched the some operation surface accidentally in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows distribution of the detected value in the condition of FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a capacitive switch according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by a capacitive switch according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, a plurality of modes for carrying out the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. When only a part of the configuration is described in each mode, the other modes described above can be applied to the other parts of the configuration. Not only combinations of parts that clearly show that combinations are possible in each embodiment, but also combinations of the embodiments even if they are not explicitly stated unless there is a problem with the combination. Is also possible.

(First embodiment)
The capacitive switch according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle and is assumed to be operated by a vehicle occupant, and can be operated from either the driver seat or the passenger seat in the passenger compartment. Placed in position. Specifically, a capacitance type switch is assembled to an instrument panel on which various meters and display devices are assembled. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the capacitance type switch includes an operation plate 10, an electrode sheet 20, and a circuit board 30 described below.

The operation plate 10 is a resin plate member and forms a decorative surface 10a visually recognized by the user. The decorative surface 10 a has a plurality of

operation surfaces

11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16. On these operation surfaces 11 to 16, characters, symbols, figures and the like representing the setting contents of the operation target are printed. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the operation target is an air conditioner 50 that air-conditions the interior of the vehicle. For example, activation of the air conditioner 50, air volume setting, temperature setting, and the like can be given as specific examples of the setting contents. When the user touches the operation surfaces 11 to 16 with the fingertip F, a command signal for instructing the corresponding device to operate is output, and the air conditioner 50 operates according to the content of the contact operation.

The electrode sheet 20 is affixed on the surface of the operation plate 10 opposite to the decorative surface 10a. The electrode sheet 20 has a plurality of

electrodes

21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, and these electrodes 21 to 26 are held inside a resin sheet 20a. Each of the electrodes 21 to 26 is disposed so as to face the corresponding operation surface 11 to 16.

The circuit board 30 is arranged on the opposite side of the operation plate 10 with respect to the electrode sheet 20. A plurality of

light sources

31, 32, and 33 are mounted on the circuit board 30, and these light sources 31 to 33 are arranged to face the corresponding electrodes 21 to 26, respectively. As the electrodes 21 to 26, transparent electrodes such as indium tin oxide are employed. Further, a resin member having translucency is employed for the operation plate 10, and portions of the operation surfaces 11 to 16 that are not printed are transmitted and illuminated by the light sources 31 to 33. Note that a paint having a light shielding property is printed on the decorative surface 10a other than the operation surfaces 11 to 16.

The electrodes 21 to 26 output voltage changes that occur according to changes in capacitance as electrical signals. Therefore, when the fingertip F is brought into contact with the operation surfaces 11 to 16, the capacitance is changed, and the electric signal is also changed. Electric signals output from the electrodes 21 to 26 are input to a microcomputer (microcomputer 40) mounted on the circuit board 30. The microcomputer 40 includes a storage device that stores a program and a central processing unit that executes arithmetic processing according to the stored program. The microcomputer 40 functions as a detection unit 41, a contact determination unit 42, and a specification unit 43 described below by executing various arithmetic processes.

The detection unit 41 calculates a difference between a reference voltage set in advance for each of the plurality of electrodes 21 to 26 and a voltage value input as an electric signal as a detection level. The change amount of the electric signal corresponds to the change amount of the capacitance, and the detection level corresponds to the detection value. In the following description, the operation surfaces 11 to 16 and the electrodes 21 to 26 corresponding to the operation surfaces 11 to 16 are combined, and the first switch SW1, the second switch SW2, the third switch SW3, the fourth switch It is described as a switch SW4, a fifth switch SW5, and a sixth switch SW6.

When the detection level acquired by the detection unit 41 for each of the plurality of electrodes 21 to 26 exceeds a predetermined threshold value TH set in advance, the contact determination unit 42 It is determined that the switch has detected contact (contact detection switch).

When there are a plurality of operation surfaces that are determined to be in contact by the contact determination unit 42 at the same time, the specifying unit 43 is the target operation surface that the user is trying to operate among the plurality of operation surfaces. Is identified. Specifically, the specific processing is executed according to the processing procedure of FIG.

The microcomputer 40 changes the setting content of the air conditioner 50 associated with the switch corresponding to the operation surface when there is one operation surface determined to be in contact. In addition, when there are a plurality of operation surfaces determined to be in contact, the setting content of the air conditioner 50 associated with the switch specified by the specifying unit 43 is changed. Specific examples of the setting include the above-described activation of the air conditioner, air volume setting, temperature setting, and the like. The microcomputer 40 outputs a command signal corresponding to the above setting to the air conditioner 50 and controls the operation of the air conditioner 50.

In addition, the capacitance type switch can function the audio device 51 and the navigation device 52 in addition to the air conditioner 50 as an operation target. In this case, the microcomputer 40 outputs a command signal corresponding to the setting content of the capacitance type switch to the audio device 51 and the navigation device 52, and controls the operation of these devices 51 and 52.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing that the microcomputer 40 repeatedly executes at a predetermined time period. First, in S10, it is determined whether or not the contact detection switch detected by the detection unit 41 exists. If it is determined that the contact detection switch exists, it is determined in step S11 whether or not there are a plurality of contact detection switches. If it is determined that there is not a plurality (S11: NO), the process proceeds to S12. In S12, the contact detection switch is turned on so that the contact operation of the corresponding contact detection switch functions effectively. Specifically, the setting content of the air conditioner 50 associated with the contact detection switch is changed.

On the other hand, when it is determined that there are a plurality of contact detection switches detected by the detection unit 41 due to the contact of the user's fingertip F or due to the fingertip F approaching the operation surfaces 11 to 16 (S11: YES), S13 Proceed to In S13, the detection values of the switches SW1 to SW6 acquired by the detection unit 41 are compared, and the switch with the maximum detection value is selected as the first candidate switch. The microcomputer 40 when executing the process of S13 corresponds to a “first candidate selection unit”.

In subsequent S14, the difference between the detection values of the switches other than the first candidate switch among the detection values of the switches SW1 to SW6 acquired by the detection unit 41 and the detection value of the first candidate switch is calculated. The microcomputer 40 when executing the process of S14 corresponds to a “difference calculation unit”.

In subsequent S15, it is determined whether or not the difference calculated in S14 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value A set in advance. If an affirmative determination is made in S15 that the difference is greater than or equal to A, the process proceeds to S16. In S <b> 16, the first candidate switch selected in S <b> 13 is identified as a target switch to be operated by the user among the plurality of contact detection switches, and the first candidate switch is turned on. The operation surface of the first candidate switch corresponds to a “first candidate operation surface”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S15 that the difference is not greater than or equal to A, the process proceeds to S17. In S17, it is determined whether or not there is a switch set with a higher priority than the first candidate switch among the plurality of contact detection switches. The priority is set to a high probability of being a target switch when there are a plurality of contact detection switches.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 located in the upper stage are operated to contact with the fingertip F extended from below the operation plate 10, the switch SW5 located in the lower stage in a portion other than the fingertip F. May touch. Therefore, when both the upper stage and the lower stage are detected as contact detection switches, it is desirable to specify the upper switches SW1 to SW3 as the target switches with priority over the lower switches. Therefore, the upper switches SW1 to SW3 are set to a higher priority than the lower switches.

If it is affirmed in S17 that a high priority switch exists, the process proceeds to S18. In S18, a second candidate switch is selected from among a plurality of contact detection switches among switches having a higher priority than the first candidate switch. When there are a plurality of high priority switches, a switch with a high detection level is selected as the second candidate switch.

In subsequent S19, it is determined whether or not the difference between the detection value of the first candidate switch and the detection value of the second candidate switch, that is, the difference calculated in S14 is less than a predetermined value B set in advance. The predetermined value B is set to a value smaller than the predetermined value A. If an affirmative determination is made in S19 that the difference <B, the process proceeds to S20. In S20, the second candidate switch selected in S18 is identified as the target switch that the user tried to operate among the plurality of contact detection switches, and the second candidate switch is turned on. The operation surface of the second candidate switch corresponds to a “second candidate operation surface”.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S19 that the difference is not less than B, the process proceeds to S21. In S21, any of the plurality of contact detection switches that are present is prohibited from being turned on with the above-described identification. That is, the user waits until a new contact operation is performed without being turned on even though the user is performing the contact operation.

Next, a specific example of the above-described processing of FIG. 3 will be described for each of the cases of FIGS.

In the example of FIG. 4, the user places the fingertip F on the operation surface 12 of the second switch SW2 with the second switch SW2 as a target switch. However, the hand is also touching the fifth switch SW5, and as shown in FIG. 5, the detection levels of both the second switch SW2 and the fifth switch SW5 exceed the threshold value TH.

Since the fifth switch SW5 has a higher detection level than the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5 is selected as the first candidate in S13 of FIG. However, since the difference ΔV1 in the detection level between the fifth switch SW5 and the second switch SW2 is smaller than the predetermined value A, a negative determination is made in S15, and the fifth switch SW5 is not turned on. Further, since the difference ΔV1 is less than the predetermined value B, an affirmative determination is made in S19 and the second switch SW2 is turned on.

In the example of FIG. 6, the user places the fingertip F on the operation surface 15 of the fifth switch SW5 with the fifth switch SW5 as a target switch. However, the fingertip F is also in proximity to the second switch SW2, and as shown in FIG. 7, the detection levels of both the second switch SW2 and the fifth switch SW5 exceed the threshold value TH.

Since the fifth switch SW5 has a higher detection level than the second switch SW2, the fifth switch SW5 is selected as the first candidate in S13 of FIG. Since the difference ΔV2 in the detection level between the fifth switch SW5 and the second switch SW2 is larger than the predetermined value A, an affirmative determination is made in S15 and the fifth switch SW5 is turned on.

In the example of FIG. 8, the user places the fingertip F on the operation surface 12 of the second switch SW2 with the second switch SW2 as a target switch. However, the hand is also touching the fourth switch SW4 and the fifth switch SW5. As shown in FIG. 9, the detection levels of the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4, and the fifth switch SW5 are threshold values. TH is exceeded.

Since the detection level of the fourth switch SW4 is higher than that of the second switch SW2, the fourth switch SW4 is selected as the first candidate in S13 of FIG. However, since the difference ΔV3 in the detection level between the fourth switch SW4 and the second switch SW2 is smaller than the predetermined value A, a negative determination is made in S15, and the fourth switch SW4 is not turned on. Further, since the difference ΔV2 is less than the predetermined value B, an affirmative determination is made in S19 and the second switch SW2 is turned on.

The detection level difference ΔV4 between the fourth switch SW4 and the fifth switch SW5 is larger than the predetermined value A, but since the difference ΔV3 with the second switch SW2 is smaller than the predetermined value A, a negative determination is made in S15. . In short, when there are a plurality of switches other than the first candidate switch among the contact detection switches, if the difference is not smaller than the predetermined value A with respect to all the other switches, a negative determination is made in S15.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first candidate selecting unit in S13 selects the switch having the maximum detected value as the first candidate switch. The difference calculation unit in S14 calculates the difference between the detection value of the first candidate switch and the detection value of the other switch among the contact detection switches. And the specific | specification part 43 specifies that a 1st candidate switch is a target switch on condition that the said difference is more than predetermined value A (S15: YES).

In the method described in Patent Document 1 described above, when there are a plurality of contact detection switches at the same time, a target switch is specified according to a preset priority order. Therefore, for example, in the situation shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fingertip F is placed on the fifth switch SW5, but the second switch SW2 having a higher priority is specified as the target switch. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even in the situation of FIG. 6, as described above, the fifth switch SW5 is specified as the target switch, and the target switch can be specified with high accuracy.

When the fingertip F is extended from the right side of FIG. 8, for example, from the driver's seat side and the contact operation is performed, a switch located closer to the driver's seat than the fingertip F may be touched. In view of this point, when the priority order on the driver's seat side is set high, the method described in Patent Document 1 erroneously specifies as follows. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, when a user on the passenger seat side (left side in FIG. 8) performs a contact operation by extending the fingertip F, the user touches the switch SW <b> 4 positioned closer to the passenger seat side than the fingertip F. The possibility increases. For this reason, if the target switch is specified according to the priority order uniformly set as in the conventional method, the target switch cannot be specified with high accuracy. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even in the situation of FIG. 8, the second switch SW2 is specified as the target switch as described above, and the target switch can be specified with high accuracy.

As described above, according to the feature 1 according to the present embodiment, the specifying result by the specifying unit 43 is the influence of the change in the priority order generated according to the positional relationship between the operation plate 10 and the user, the user's operation posture, and the like. It becomes difficult to receive. Therefore, it is possible to accurately identify which target switch the user is trying to operate.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, priorities are preset for the plurality of operation surfaces 11 to 16. If there is an operation surface with a higher priority than the first candidate operation surface among the plurality of operation surfaces 11 to 16 for which contact determination has been made, the second candidate selection unit in S18 has the higher priority. The operation surface is selected as the second candidate operation surface. Then, the specifying unit 43 determines that the second candidate operation surface is the target operation surface on the condition that the difference between the detection value of the first candidate operation surface and the detection value of the second candidate operation surface is smaller than the predetermined value A. To be identified.

According to this, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example, even if the target operation surface to be operated is not at the maximum detection level and does not become the first candidate, it is selected as the second candidate. The specifying unit 43 is used for specifying.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, if it is determined in S15 that the difference is not greater than or equal to A, if there is a switch having a higher priority than the first candidate switch, that switch Is selected as the second candidate switch. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, if it is determined in S15 that the difference is not greater than or equal to A, whether or not there is a switch having a higher priority than the first candidate switch. Regardless, the process proceeds to S21. And in S21, about any of a plurality of contact detection switches, specification by specific part 43 is prohibited, and it will be in a standby state which does not make ON operation.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the opportunity to specify the target switch is reduced as compared with the first embodiment, but the opportunity to erroneously specify a switch different from the target switch can also be reduced.

(Third embodiment)
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the second candidate switch is selected in S18, the second candidate switch is turned on on condition that the difference <B. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the process proceeds to S20 regardless of whether or not the difference <B, and the second candidate switch is turned on. In other words, in the present embodiment, the second candidate switch is turned on on the condition that the difference <A is determined in S15 (S15: NO).

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the chance of specifying a switch different from the target switch by mistake is increased as compared to the first embodiment, but the opportunity for specifying the target switch is also increased.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the predetermined value A used for the determination in S15 is a fixed value. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, priorities are preset for the plurality of operation surfaces 11 to 16, and the specifying unit 43 determines in S15 according to the priorities set for the first candidate operation surface. The predetermined value A used for is changed. For example, the higher the rank of the first candidate switch, the lower the predetermined value A, and the easier it is to identify the first candidate switch as the target switch. As a specific example of this priority order, the same order as the priority order used in the determination of S17 in FIG.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by setting a highly probable switch to be operated as a target switch to a high priority, it is possible to improve the accuracy of identifying which target switch is.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the threshold value TH used for the determination in S10 is set to the same value for the plurality of switches SW1 to SW6. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the threshold value TH is set to a different value for each of the switches SW1 to SW6.

Specifically, the threshold value TH of a switch that is likely to be erroneously detected by contact is set to a larger value than other switches. For example, the switches SW4, SW5, and SW6 located in the lower stage are likely to be erroneously detected as illustrated in FIGS. Therefore, the threshold value TH of the switches SW4, SW5, and SW6 located in the lower stage is set to a value larger than that of the switches SW1, SW2, and SW3 located in the upper stage. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of erroneous contact detection in S10.

Also, the threshold value TH of the frequently used switch is set to a lower value than other switches. For example, the switches SW3 and SW6 located close to the driver's seat are assigned as frequently used switches, and the threshold values TH of these switches SW3 and SW6 are set to low values. Therefore, it becomes easy to detect a contact of a frequently used switch in S10.

(Other embodiments)
The present disclosure is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and may be modified as follows. Moreover, you may make it combine the characteristic structure of each embodiment arbitrarily, respectively.

An operation direction detection unit for detecting whether a vehicle occupant operating the operation surfaces 11 to 16 is a driver seat or a passenger seat, and the priority order is changed based on the detection result. May be. For example, when the operation plate is arranged between the driver's seat and the passenger seat, if it is detected that the driver is operating from the driver's seat side, the switch closer to the driver's seat is mistaken for the switch closer to the driver's seat. Is likely to touch. For this reason, it is desirable to set a higher priority for the switch far from the driver's seat. Specific examples of the operation direction detection unit include an infrared sensor or a camera that detects the movement of the upper body of the occupant, seating sensors provided in the driver seat and the passenger seat, and the like.

In the case of the standby state in S21 of FIG. 3, a notification that prompts the user to correct that the plurality of switches are detected in contact may be performed.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electrodes 21 to 26 included in the electrode sheet 20 have a single layer structure, and the electrodes 21 to 26 are formed separately. In contrast, an electrode sheet in which a plurality of rows of electrodes and a plurality of columns of electrodes are in a two-layer structure and these electrodes are arranged in a matrix may be employed.

The volume setting of the audio device mounted on the vehicle, the music selection, the destination setting of the navigation device mounted on the vehicle, etc. can be mentioned.

In each of the above embodiments, it is assumed that the user's fingertip F is operated while being in contact with the operation surfaces 11 to 16, and the fingertip F is used as the operating body. On the other hand, for example, the user may hold a pen-shaped operation member and operate it by bringing the operation member into contact with the operation surfaces 11 to 16. In this case, an operation member other than the human body functions as the operation body. .

The flowchart described in this application, or the process of the flowchart, includes a plurality of sections (also referred to as sections or steps), and each section is expressed as, for example, S100. Further, each section can be divided into a plurality of subsections, while a plurality of sections can be combined into one section. Further, each section configured in this manner can be referred to as a device, module, or means.

Claims

An operation plate (10) having a plurality of operation surfaces (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16) to be contact-operated by the operation body (F);
Electrodes (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) disposed on the opposite side of the operation surface with respect to the operation plate;
A detection unit (41) for acquiring a detection value corresponding to the amount of change in capacitance generated between the operating body and the electrode;
A contact determination unit (42) for determining that the operating body is in contact with the corresponding operation surface when the detected value exceeds a predetermined threshold (TH);
A specifying unit (43) for specifying which of the plurality of operation surfaces is a target operation surface when there are a plurality of the operation surfaces determined to be in contact by the contact determination unit at the same time; ,
With
The specific part is:
A first candidate selection unit (S13) that selects the operation surface having the maximum detected value as a first candidate operation surface;
Among a plurality of operation surface detection values determined to be in contact, a difference (ΔV1, ΔV2, ΔV3) between a detection value of the first candidate operation surface and a detection value of another operation surface is calculated. A difference calculation unit (S14),
A capacitance type switch that specifies that the first candidate operation surface is a target operation surface on condition that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (A).
Priorities are preset for the plurality of operation surfaces,
The specific part is:
If there is an operation surface having a higher priority than the first candidate operation surface among the plurality of operation surfaces determined to be in contact by the contact determination unit, the higher priority While having a second candidate selection section (S18) for selecting the operation surface as the second candidate operation surface,
2. The capacitive switch according to claim 1, wherein the second candidate operation surface is specified as a target operation surface on condition that the difference is smaller than the predetermined value.
Priorities are preset for the plurality of operation surfaces,
The capacitance type switch according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the specifying unit changes the predetermined value in accordance with the priority order set on the first candidate operation surface.
The said specific part prohibits the said specification by the said specific part about any said operation surface determined that the said contact determination part is contacting when the said difference is smaller than the said predetermined value. Capacitance switch as described.