ELECTROSTATIC INPUT DEVICE

Abstract

An electrostatic input device is provided that is capable of determining the position of an operator input with high accuracy. The electrostatic input device comprises: a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged on a control surface corresponding to several operating areas, on which an operating input is performed; and a control unit configured to compare several capacitance thresholds, each assigned to the several sensor electrodes, with the capacitance of each of the several sensor electrodes and to determine one or more sensor electrodes that exceed the capacitance threshold assigned to a corresponding sensor electrode.The control unit is configured to identify, when the one or more detected sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes and the two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent, the sensor electrode on which the operator input is made, based on a ratio between the capacitance of each of the two or more sensor electrodes and the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to electrostatic input devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Electrostatic input devices were provided. The electrostatic input device comprises a coordinate input unit, a capacitance measurement unit, and a control unit. Several capacitance measurement units are arranged in a matrix within the coordinate input unit, and an operator performs an approximation operation on the coordinate input unit. The capacitance measurement unit measures the capacitance of each of the capacitance measurement units and outputs the result as measurement signals. The control unit controls the capacitance measurement unit to acquire the measurement signals associated with the coordinate information of the capacitance measurement units, calculates the measurement signals, and outputs a control signal based on the calculation result.The control unit sequentially determines the coordinates of interest according to the coordinate information of the capacity sensing units, compares the value of the measurement signal of the determined coordinates of interest with a multitude of values ​​of the measurement signals of the coordinate information adjacent to the periphery of the coordinates of interest, and recognizes the coordinates of interest as the operating point at which the operator performed the approach operation if the value of the measurement signal of the coordinates of interest is equal to or greater than the values ​​of the measurement signals of the coordinate information adjacent to the boundary region of the coordinates of interest (see, for example, patent document 1). RELATED DOCUMENTS Patent

[0003] Patent specification 1: Japanese unexamined patent application no. 2014-225057. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] As with existing electrostatic input devices, in a determination method where it is determined whether an approximation operation (operation input) is performed on the coordinates of interest by comparing a value of a measurement signal of the coordinates of interest with values ​​of measurement signals of peripheral coordinate information, it can be difficult to achieve a highly accurate determination.

[0005] Therefore, it is a task to provide an electrostatic input device that is capable of determining the position of an operator input with high accuracy. MEANS TO SOLVENT THE PROBLEMS

[0006] An electrostatic input device of the present embodiment comprises: a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged on a user interface corresponding to a plurality of operating areas, on which an operating input is performed; and a control unit configured to compare several capacitance thresholds, each assigned to the plurality of sensor electrodes, with the capacitance of the plurality of sensor electrodes and to identify one or more sensor electrodes that exceed the capacitance threshold assigned to a corresponding sensor electrode.If the one or more identified sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes and the two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent to each other, the control unit is configured to identify, among the two or more sensor electrodes, the sensor electrode on which the operator input is made, based on a ratio between the capacitance of each of the two or more sensor electrodes and the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode. EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An electrostatic input device can be provided that is capable of determining the position of an operator input with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the electrostatic input device of the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 2A is a view illustrating an example of a configuration of an operating unit of the electrostatic input device of the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 2B is a view illustrating an example of the configuration of the control unit of the electrostatic input device of the present embodiment. Fig. Figure 3A is a diagram showing an example of a capacitance distribution of a sensor electrode when a touch operation is performed separately on adjacent switches with a fingertip FT in a condition where gloves are worn. Fig. Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of a capacitance distribution of another sensor electrode when a touch operation is performed separately on adjacent switches with a fingertip in a condition where gloves are worn. Fig. Figure 4A is a diagram showing an example of the capacitance distribution of a sensor electrode when a touch operation is performed separately on adjacent switches using the tip of a bare hand without gloves. Fig. Figure 4B is a diagram showing an example of the capacitance distribution of another sensor electrode when a touch operation is performed separately on adjacent switches using the tip of a bare hand without gloves. Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an overlapping area of ​​the regions that define the threshold values ​​in the capacitance distributions of the sensor electrodes. Fig. 4A and Fig. Exceed 4B. Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an overlap region of the capacitance distributions of the adjacent sensor electrodes from the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B illustrates this. Fig. 6A is a diagram showing the ratio of the in Fig. The capacity (count value) shown for 5A is illustrated in percent (%) relative to the Thc threshold of the sensor electrode 111A. Fig. 6B is a diagram showing the ratio of the in Fig. 5B shows the capacity (count value) relative to the Thc threshold of sensor electrode 112A in percent (%). Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram that illustrates an example of a determination process performed by a control unit of the electrostatic input device of an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following describes an embodiment to which the electrostatic input device of the present invention is applied.

[0009] The following description uses an XYZ coordinate system. An X-axis is an example of a first axis, a Y-axis is an example of a second axis, and a Z-axis is an example of a third axis. The directions parallel to the X-axis (X-direction), the directions parallel to the Y-axis (Y-direction), and the directions parallel to the Z-axis (Z-direction) are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, a top view refers to an XY plane view. In the following description, the length, width, thickness, or similar properties of each element may be exaggerated for better understanding of the configuration. embodiments Configuration of the electrostatic input device 100

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of the electrostatic input device 100 of the embodiment. The electrostatic input device 100 comprises an operating unit 110 and a control device 120. For example, the operating unit 110 comprises nine switches 111 to 119. The electrostatic input device 100 detects an operating input from a user at the switches 111 to 119, for example, by means of self-capacitance. Here, the areas in which the switches 111 to 119 are arranged are labeled (1) to (9).

[0011] The following describes an embodiment as an example, in which a user-performed operating input is a touch operation performed by touching one of the switches 111 to 119 with a fingertip FT. However, the operating input can also be an operation (hover operation) in which the fingertip FT is brought near one of the switches 111 to 119 without touching it. Furthermore, a user can perform an operating input with a body part other than the fingertip FT (e.g., a different part of the hand than the fingertip).

[0012] The following describes the embodiment in which, for example, the electrostatic input device 100 is installed in a vehicle and the switches 111 to 119 are used, for example, to operate various electronic devices of the vehicle.

[0013] By touching a part of the surface of one of the switches 111 to 119 with the fingertip, a desired electronic device of the vehicle can be operated. A function of the electronic device that can be operated with switches 111 to 119 includes, for example, selecting audio, adjusting the volume, selecting "hang up" or "end" a hands-free phone call, setting the cruise control, or the like. The vehicle is an automobile capable of driving on a road using a combustion engine, an electric motor, or both as its propulsion source. The vehicle may be equipped with various levels of automated driving functions, which are defined, for example, by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International in the United States.

[0014] The electrostatic input device 100 can also be installed in an electronic device other than the one installed in the vehicle. For example, the electrostatic input device 100 could be a tablet input device or an input unit of an ATM located in a shop, business, or the like, and used by various unspecified users. Furthermore, the electrostatic input device 100 could be a tablet computer, a smartphone, a game console, or the like, used by a single person.

[0015] Here, the control unit 110 is used in addition to... Fig. 1 with reference to the Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B described. Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B are views that illustrate an example of the configuration of the control unit 110. Fig. Figure 2A shows a state of the control unit 110 in which a cover 110A, located on the +Z direction side surface of the control unit 110, is attached. Fig. Figure 2B shows a state of the control unit 110 in which the cover 110A is removed. The +Z-direction side surface of the cover 110A is a control surface 110A1. Switches 111 to 119

[0016] Switches 111 to 119 include a cover 110A (see Fig. 2A), which is arranged on the surface of the control unit 110, and sensor electrodes 111A to 119A (see Fig. 2B), which are located on the rear (-Z direction) of cover 110A. In the same way as switches 111 to 119 in Fig. 2A are the areas in which the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A are each arranged, in Fig. 2B labelled (1) to (9).

[0017] For example, switches 111 to 119 are arranged essentially in a matrix consisting of three rows vertically and three columns horizontally. Since sensor electrodes 111A to 119A are each located immediately behind switches 111 to 119, they are also arranged essentially in a matrix consisting of three rows vertically and three columns horizontally, corresponding to switches 111 to 119. In plan view, sensor electrodes 111A to 119A are essentially the same size as switches 111 to 119.

[0018] Herein we describe an embodiment in which the control unit 110 comprises nine switches 111 to 119, and the nine switches 111 to 119 are arranged essentially in a matrix. However, the control unit 110 is not limited to the embodiment described above, as long as the control unit 110 comprises a plurality of switches. The number of switches can be arbitrary, as long as it is two or more. Furthermore, multiple switches need not be arranged essentially in a matrix, as long as the switches are arranged adjacent to one another. For example, multiple switches can be arranged linearly. Sensor electrodes 111A to 119A

[0019] For example, the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A are electrodes made of a metal foil, a metal plate, a conductive film, or the like, and are connected to the control device 120 via wires, cables, or the like. The capacitance between each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A and a fingertip FT changes depending on the degree of proximity (distance) of the fingertip FT to each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A or on the dielectric constant of an object that is positioned between each sensor electrode and the fingertip FT. An example of such an object is gloves that can be worn on the hands. The heights of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A in the Z-direction are all the same.

[0020] For example, cover 110A is integrally designed to cover all switches 111 to 119. The operating surface 110A1 of cover 110A has nine operating areas corresponding to switches 111 to 119. The nine operating areas are those described in Fig. 2A with areas designated (1) to (9).

[0021] For example, the control surface 110A1 of the cover 110A has a configuration where the heights of control areas (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) are higher in the Z-direction than the heights of control areas (1), (3), (7), and (9) in the Z-direction. If the work surface 110A1 is subdivided into nine work areas (1) through (9), the heights of the work surfaces in work areas (1), (3), (7), and (9) within the work surface 110A1 are the same. Likewise, the heights of the work surfaces in work areas (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) within the work surface 110A1 are the same.

[0022] Work areas (1), (3), (7), and (9) are an example of a first work area. The work surfaces in work areas (1), (3), (7), and (9) within work area 110A1 are an example of a first work surface. Operating areas (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) are an example of a second operating area. The operating surfaces in operating areas (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) within operation area 110A1 are an example of a second operating surface.

[0023] As described above, for example, in cover 110A, the operating surfaces in operating areas (2), (4), (5), (6) and (8) are each projected in the +Z direction from the operating surfaces in operating areas (1), (3), (7) and (9). In particular, operating surface 110A1 of cover 110A has an uneven profile.

[0024] The distances between the work surfaces in the work areas (2), (4), (5), (6) and (8) and the sensor electrodes 112A, 114A, 115A, 116A and 118A in the Z direction are greater than the distances between the work surfaces in the work areas (1), (3), (7) and (9) and the sensor electrodes 111A, 113A, 117A and 119A in the Z direction.

[0025] An embodiment is described here as an example in which the cover 110A has the uneven profile described above, but the cover 110A does not necessarily have to have the uneven profile described above. In particular, the working surface 110A1 of the cover 110A can be a flat surface across all working areas (1) to (9).

[0026] The operating unit 110 and the control device 120 are connected to each other via wires, cables, or the like. For example, the control device 120 is integrally formed with the operating unit 110. An embodiment is described here as an example in which the control device 120 is arranged in the operating unit 110 and is integrally formed with it, but the control device 120 can also be formed separately from the operating unit 110.

[0027] The control device 120 is coupled to an electronic control unit (ECU) 50, which is configured to control an electronic device installed in a vehicle via a vehicle network, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN), a Local Interconnect Network (LIN), or the like. The ECU 50 is an electronic control device configured to control an audio device, a hands-free system, cruise control, and other electronic devices of the vehicle. Fig. Figure 1 shows one ECU 50, but several ECUs 50 can be coupled to the control device 120. If the electrostatic input device 100 is installed in an electronic device for something other than a vehicle, then instead of the ECU 50, a control device of an electronic device or the like, into which the electrostatic input device 100 is installed, is coupled to the control device 120. Control device 120

[0028] The control device 120 is implemented by a computer comprising a central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), input / output interface, internal bus, and the like.

[0029] The control device 120 comprises a main control unit 121, a capacity sensing unit 122, a control unit 123, and a memory 124. The main control unit 121, the capacity sensing unit 122, and the control unit 123 are represented as functional blocks for the functions of the program executed by the control device 120. Furthermore, the memory 124 is a functional representation of the memory of the control device 120. Main control unit 121

[0030] The main control unit 121 is a processing unit that performs all the control processing of the control device 120 and performs other processing than that performed by the capacity acquisition unit 122 and the control unit 123. Capacity recording unit 122

[0031] The capacitance measurement unit 122 measures the capacitance of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A and transmits the data, representing the capacitance of each sensor electrode 111A to 119A, to the control unit 123. The capacitance of each sensor electrode is a deviation value (ΔAD) obtained by subtracting a reference value from the capacitance (the digital value), which is obtained by digitally converting the capacitance (the analog value) of each sensor electrode, and is represented by a count value. The reference value is the capacitance (digital value) in the state where switches 111 to 119 are not actuated.

[0032] In the following, the capacitance of each sensor electrode is referred to as the capacitance of each sensor electrode, and each capacitance of a sensor electrode is described as a deviation value (ΔAD) with respect to the reference value. A count value is obtained for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A, representing the deviation (ΔAD) of the capacitance for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A. Control unit 123

[0033] The control unit 123 determines, based on the capacitance transmitted by the capacitance sensing unit 122, at which switch 111 to 119 a touch operation is performed. A capacitance threshold is assigned to each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A. This capacitance threshold is an example of a capacitance threshold and is referred to simply as "threshold Thc" below. One of the advantages of the electrostatic input device 100 is that only one threshold Thc can be used for assignment to each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A. In this case, the capacity of the memory 124 can be reduced compared to the case where multiple thresholds are used for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A.

[0034] The control unit 123 compares the capacitance of each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A with the Thc threshold assigned to each of the sensors and determines which sensor electrodes (111A to 119A) among the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A have a capacitance that exceeds the Thc threshold assigned to the respective sensor electrodes.

[0035] In the event that only one sensor electrode registers a count exceeding the THC threshold, the control unit 123 determines that a touch operation was performed on that single sensor electrode. The determination by the control unit 123 of the sensor contact point (one of the sensor contact points 111A to 119A) on which the touch operation was performed is equivalent to the determination by the control unit 123 of the switch (one of the switches 111 to 119) on which the touch operation was performed.

[0036] In the event that two or more sensor electrodes are identified as having capacitances exceeding the threshold values ​​THC, and these two or more identified sensor electrodes are not adjacent to each other, the control unit 123 determines that two or more touch operations were performed on each of these two or more identified sensor electrodes. The two or more touch operations refer to multiple fingertip touch operations (FT).

[0037] Here, a sensor electrode adjacent to a predetermined sensor electrode means that the aforementioned sensor electrode is adjacent to the predetermined sensor electrode laterally and longitudinally, and also diagonally. Therefore, two or more sensor electrodes being adjacent to each other means that the positional relationship between the sensor electrodes is either adjacent laterally and longitudinally, or diagonally.

[0038] In the event that two or more sensor electrodes are each determined to have a capacitance exceeding the threshold values ​​THC, and the two or more sensor electrodes are located adjacent to each other, the control unit 123 performs a determination process to determine the position of the touch operation with high accuracy. This determination process is described later.

[0039] The determination result of control unit 123 indicates on which of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A the touch operation was performed. The determination result of control unit 123 is a recognition result of the electrostatic input device 100, which recognizes on which of the sensor electrodes the touch operation was performed, and the determination result of control unit 123 is output to the ECU 50 (see Fig. 1). Memory 124

[0040] Memory 124 stores one or more programs, data, or the like that are required by the control device 120 to carry out the determination process. Memory 124 stores the data representing the capacitance of each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A, the data generated by the control unit 123 during the determination process, and the like.

[0041] There may be various requirements for the sensitivity of the electrostatic input device 100 for detecting a touch operation performed on the switches 111 to 119. For example, if the electrostatic input device 100 is installed in a vehicle designed for use in cold climates, the control unit 110 may be operated while wearing gloves. In such a case, the capacitance of each of the switches 111 to 119 tends to decrease, and therefore the threshold values ​​Thc in the determination process of the control unit 123 are set low. This serves to improve the sensitivity for detecting the touch operation performed with gloves.However, if the THC thresholds are set low, in addition to the count value obtained from the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed, the count value obtained from the neighboring sensor electrodes may also exceed the THC thresholds, so some adjustments may be necessary.

[0042] Furthermore, if the operating surface 110A1 of the cover 110A has an uneven profile as described above, the Thc threshold assigned in the determination process of the control unit 123 is changed between sensor electrodes 111A, 113A, 117A, and 119A and sensor electrodes 112A, 114A, 115A, 116A, and 118A. This serves to determine the touch operation performed on operating areas (1), (3), (7), and (9) and the touch operation performed on operating areas (2), (4), (5), (6), and (8) with suitable Thc thresholds. In such a case, however, in addition to the count obtained from the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed, the counts obtained from the adjacent sensor electrodes may also exceed the Thc thresholds, so some adjustments may be necessary.

[0043] Furthermore, each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A may exhibit a different sensitivity (degree of capacitance change) to a touch operation performed with a fingertip FT, depending on the routing of the wires connected to the control device 120, a slight difference in the dimensions of the plane, or the like. For the reasons stated above, the control unit 123 preferably performs the determination process using the threshold Thc suitable for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A in order to determine the touch operation performed on the operating areas (1) to (9) with high accuracy. The use of the threshold Thc suitable for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A is also preferable in the case where the operating surface 110A1 of the cover 110A does not have an uneven profile and the entire area of ​​the operating areas (1) to (9) is flat.The use of the Thc threshold suitable for each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A is also preferable in cases where the entire operating surface 110A1 is flat and a user performs a touch operation with bare hands or a user performs a touch operation while wearing gloves. In such cases, however, in addition to the count obtained from the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed, the counts obtained from the adjacent sensor electrodes may also exceed the Thc thresholds, so some adjustments may be necessary.

[0044] If, in addition to the count value obtained from the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed, the count values ​​obtained from the neighboring sensor electrodes also each exceed the Thc threshold values, the position at which the touch operation was performed cannot be determined, whether it is the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed or one of the neighboring sensor electrodes. Specific example of an incorrect determination

[0045] Here, with reference to the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B describes a specific example of a faulty determination that can occur when the electrostatic input device 100 does not perform a determination process that enables a highly accurate determination of the position of a touch operation.

[0046] The Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B are diagrams illustrating the capacitance distributions of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A when touch operations are performed separately on switch 111 and switch 112 by a fingertip FT while wearing gloves. The capacitance is represented by a count value. Furthermore, the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B shows the outlines of switches 111 to 119.

[0047] Here, as an example, are the capacitance distributions of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A when the control unit 123 sets the Thc threshold values ​​of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A to 75, 55, 80, 60, 70, 60, 80, 65, and 75. These Thc threshold values ​​are set under the assumption that a user is performing a touch operation while wearing gloves. The Thc threshold values ​​used for sensor electrodes 111A and 112A are 75 and 55, respectively.

[0048] Here, the embodiment is described in which the low threshold values ​​Thc are used, with which the presence or absence of the touch operation can also be determined in the state in which the gloves are on the hands, but the threshold values ​​Thc can be threshold values ​​Thc that are set under the assumption that the capacity of a sensor electrode is reduced due to a factor other than gloves.

[0049] The Fig. 3A and Fig. Figure 3B shows, as an example, 480 capacitance values ​​obtained by dividing a rectangular area encompassing the entire surface of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A into 480 sections. These sections are formed by 20 vertical rows and 24 horizontal columns spaced 3 mm apart, and by analyzing these 480 sections. A count is obtained for each of the actual sensor electrodes 111A to 119A, representing the capacitance. However, to analyze the capacitance distribution more precisely, 480 capacitance values ​​obtained from the analysis of these 480 sections are presented. More specifically, this shows Fig. 3A is an output from sensor electrode 111A. The output of sensor electrode 111A in Fig. 3A is an output from sensor electrode 111A when a touch operation affects all 480 areas. Similarly, it shows Fig. 3B is an output from sensor electrode 112A. The output of sensor electrode 112A in Fig. 3B is an output of sensor electrode 112A when a touch operation affects all 480 areas.

[0050] In Fig. Figure 3A shows the output of sensor electrode 111A when a touch operation affects all 480 areas: the capacitance in the areas in the central part of sensor electrode 111A increases with the execution of the touch operation, and the capacitance in the areas outside the central part of sensor electrode 111A decreases with the execution of the touch operation. The same applies to sensor electrode 112A in Figure 3. Fig. 3B.

[0051] In Fig. 3A are the areas where the capacitance exceeds the threshold value Thc (75) of the sensor electrode 111A, shown in gray. Similarly, in Fig. 3B the areas where the capacitance exceeds the threshold Thc (55) of the sensor electrode 112A are shown in grey.

[0052] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3A, the areas determined to be areas where the touch operation is performed, based on the output of sensor electrode 111A and the threshold Thc(75), extend beyond sensor electrode 111A to sensor electrode 112A when the touch operation affects all 480 areas. Specifically, the output of sensor electrode 111A exceeds the threshold Thc(75) even when the touch operation is performed on areas of sensor electrode 112A that are adjacent to sensor electrode 111A within sensor electrode 112A. Therefore, if the touch operation is performed on areas of sensor electrode 112A that are adjacent to sensor electrode 111A within sensor electrode 112A, it may be erroneously determined that the touch operation is performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0053] Similarly, as in Fig. Figure 3B shows the regions determined, based on the output of sensor electrode 112A and the threshold Thc(55), as the regions where the touch operation is performed, extending beyond sensor electrode 112A to sensor electrode 111A when the touch operation affects all 480 regions. Even if the touch operation is performed on the areas of sensor electrode 111A adjacent to sensor electrode 112A within sensor electrode 111A, the output of sensor electrode 112A exceeds the threshold Thc(55). Therefore, if the touch operation is performed on the areas of sensor electrode 111A, it may be erroneously determined that the touch operation is performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0054] The Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows diagrams illustrating the capacitance distributions of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A when touch operations are performed separately on switches 111 and 112 of the device using the fingertips of bare hands without gloves. For example, the Thc thresholds used by the control unit 123 for sensor electrodes 111A and 112A in the determination process are the same as the Thc thresholds used when the results of Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B will be obtained. The ones in the Fig. 4A and Fig. The capacitance shown in Figure 4B is the capacitance when switches 111 and 112 are each touched separately with a fingertip of bare hands without gloves, and is the capacitance obtained under the same conditions as those used to obtain the results of the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B is obtained, with the exception that the touching operations are carried out with bare hands. Furthermore, in the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shows the outlines of switches 111 to 119.

[0055] In Fig. 4A are the areas where the capacitance exceeds the threshold value Thc (75) of the sensor electrode 111A, shown in gray. Similarly, in Fig. 4B the areas where the capacitance exceeds the threshold Thc (55) of the sensor electrode 112A are shown in grey.

[0056] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4A, the areas determined based on the output of sensor electrode 111A and the threshold Thc (75) as the areas in which the touch operation is performed extend to much more areas outside sensor electrode 111A than shown in Figure 4A. Fig. 3A (with gloves) when the touch operation affects all 480 areas. This is because with bare hands the distance between the fingertip FT and the sensor electrode 111A is shorter, thus increasing the capacitance.

[0057] More precisely, the output of sensor electrode 111A exceeds the threshold value Thc (75), even when the touch operation is performed in the areas of sensor electrodes 112A and 114A, which are adjacent to sensor electrode 111A. Therefore, if the touch operation is performed in the areas of sensor electrodes 112A or 114A, it may be erroneously determined that the touch operation is being performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0058] Similarly, as in Fig. Figure 4B shows that when the touch operation affects all 480 areas, the areas determined based on the output of sensor electrode 112A and the threshold Thc(55) as the areas on which the touch operation is performed extend to many more areas outside sensor electrode 112A than shown in Figure 4B. Fig. 3B (with gloves). This is because, in the case of bare hands, the distance between the fingertip FT and the sensor electrode 112A becomes shorter, thus increasing the capacitance.

[0059] More precisely, the output of sensor electrode 112A exceeds the threshold value Thc (55), even when the touch operation is performed on the areas of sensor electrodes 111A, 113A, and 115A that are adjacent to sensor electrode 112A within the sensor electrodes 111A, 113A, and 115A. Therefore, if the touch operation is performed in the areas of sensor electrodes 111A, 113A, or 115A, it may be erroneously determined that the touch operation is being performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0060] As in the Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B, Fig. 4A and Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, if the electrostatic input device 100 does not perform a determination process that can determine the position of a touch operation with high accuracy, a touch operation in areas of one of the sensor electrodes may be erroneously determined to be performed on a sensor electrode adjacent to the sensor electrode where the touch operation was performed. Although the erroneous determination of the areas of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A has been described, the same applies if a touch operation is performed in the areas of sensor electrodes 113A to 119A.

[0061] Fig. 5A is a diagram showing an overlapping area of ​​the regions where the capacitance exceeds the thresholds in the capacitance distributions of the sensor electrodes. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B exceeds. Fig. 5B is a diagram showing an overlapping area of ​​the capacitance distributions of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A. Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B shows. In Fig. 5A is the area that is also in Fig. 4B within the in Fig. 4A, the area marked in gray, is marked in gray and outlined with a thick line. Similarly, in Fig. 5B the area which is also in Fig. 4A within the in Fig. 4B, the gray-marked area is gray, outlined with a thick line. The area defined by the thick line in each of the Fig. 5A and Fig. The area enclosed in 5B consists of a total of 13 areas, including 6 areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column and 7 areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column.

[0062] The seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column, which are in Fig. The areas shown in Figure 5A are located within the regions of sensor electrode 112A, but are regions where the capacitance generated by the output of sensor electrode 111A exceeds the threshold Thc(75) when the center of the fingertip FT is positioned on them. This is because, when the center of the fingertip FT is positioned in the seven regions in the first to seventh row of the eighth column, the capacitance in the seven regions generated by the output of sensor electrode 111A is 75, 123, 143, 150, 154, 143, and 111, respectively. Therefore, even if a touch operation is performed on sensor electrode 112A, the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A exceeds the threshold Thc(75) for the " ", since the center of the fingertip FT is located in the seven regions in the first to seventh row of the eighth column, which are shown in Figure 5A. Fig. 5A are shown, which leads to an incorrect determination.

[0063] The six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column, which are in Fig. The areas shown in Figure 5B are located within the regions of sensor electrode 111A, but are regions where the capacitance generated by the output of sensor electrode 112A exceeds the threshold Thc(55) when the center of the fingertip FT is located on it. This is because, when the center of the fingertip FT is positioned in the six regions in the second to seventh row of the seventh column, the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 70, 101, 114, 126, 104, and 81 in those six regions, respectively. Therefore, even if a touch operation is performed on sensor electrode 111A, the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A exceeds the threshold Thc(55) because the center of the fingertip FT is located in the six regions in the second to seventh row of the seventh column. Fig. 5B is located, which leads to an incorrect determination.

[0064] In particular, the determination performed on sensor electrodes 111A and 112A cannot determine whether a touch operation is performed on sensor electrode 111A or sensor electrode 112A if the center of the fingertip FT is located in the six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column or in the seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column.

[0065] Method for highly accurate determination of the position of a touch operation. The following describes a method that the electrostatic input device 100 performs to enable highly accurate determination of a sensor electrode on which a touch operation has been performed.

[0066] The control unit 123 identifies a sensor electrode on which a touch operation was performed when two or more sensor electrodes are identified whose capacitance each exceeds threshold values ​​Thc, and the identified two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent. The control unit 123 identifies the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed among the identified two or more sensor electrodes based on a ratio of the capacitance of each identified sensor electrode to the Thc threshold assigned to each identified sensor electrode. The ratio of the capacitance of each identified sensor electrode to the Thc threshold assigned to each identified sensor electrode is an example of a ratio between the capacitance of each of the two or more sensor electrodes and the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode.

[0067] Fig. 6A is a diagram showing the ratio of the in Fig. The capacitance (count value) shown in 5A is expressed as a percentage (%) of the Thc threshold value of the sensor electrode 111A. This ratio is obtained, for example, by... Fig. The capacity (count value) shown in 5A is divided by the threshold value Thc of the sensor electrode 111A. Fig. 6B is a diagram showing the ratio of the in Fig. The capacity (count value) shown in Figure 5B is expressed as a percentage (%) of the Thc threshold value of sensor electrode 112A. This ratio is obtained, for example, by... Fig. The capacity shown in 5B (count value) is divided by the threshold value Thc of the sensor electrode 112A.

[0068] The quotient obtained by dividing the capacity of each area into Fig. 5A obtained by the threshold Thc of sensor electrode 111A is the ratio of the capacitance obtained in each region due to sensor electrode 111A to the threshold Thc of sensor electrode 111A. Similarly, the quotient obtained by dividing the capacitance of each region in Fig. 5B is obtained by the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode 112A, the ratio of the capacitance obtained in each area due to the sensor electrode 112A to the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode 112A.

[0069] When a fingertip approaches a sensor electrode, the capacitance of the sensor electrode increases. Specifically, a large ratio of capacitance to the threshold Thc assigned to the sensor electrode indicates that the fingertip is approaching the sensor electrode. Therefore, if two or more sensor electrodes are found to have capacitances exceeding the Thc thresholds, and these two or more electrodes are located adjacent to each other, it can be assumed that the fingertip is closer to such a sensor electrode the larger the ratio of its capacitance to the Thc threshold assigned to that electrode, thus resulting in a touch operation being performed on that electrode.

[0070] For the aforementioned reason, the control unit 123 determines that the sensor electrode with the highest capacitance is the electrode on which the touch operation was performed, among the two or more sensor electrodes whose capacitance is found to exceed the Thc thresholds. Specifically, if three or more sensor electrodes are identified as having capacitances exceeding the Thc thresholds, the control unit 123 determines that the electrode with the highest capacitance is the electrode on which the input was performed. If two sensor electrodes are identified as having capacitances exceeding the Thc thresholds, the control unit 123 determines that the electrode with the highest capacitance is the electrode on which the input operation was performed.

[0071] In Fig. The ratios obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A in the six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column are 221%, 321%, 344%, 351%, 304%, and 205%, respectively. Fig. 6B, the ratios obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A in the six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column are 127%, 184%, 207%, 229%, 189%, and 147%, respectively. When comparing the ratios of the same areas in the same column and the same row, all ratios found in the six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column in Fig. 6A were obtained, greater than the ratios found in the six areas in the second to seventh row of the seventh column in Fig. 6B were received.

[0072] In Fig. The ratios obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A in the seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column are 100%, 164%, 191%, 200%, 205%, 191%, and 148%, respectively. Fig. 6B, the ratios obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A in the seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column 8 are 105%, 216%, 316%, 369%, 371%, 336%, and 235%, respectively. When comparing the ratios of the same areas in the same column and the same row, all ratios that are in the seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column in Fig. 6B were determined to be greater than the ratios found in the seven areas in the first to seventh row of the eighth column in Fig. 6A were determined.

[0073] In the manner described above, if two or more sensor electrodes each have a capacitance exceeding the Thc thresholds assigned to the sensor electrodes, the control unit 123 determines that the sensor electrode with the largest ratio is the sensor electrode at which the operator input was made, under the ratios obtained for the two or more sensor electrodes that have a capacitance exceeding the Thc thresholds.

[0074] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area in the second row of the seventh column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 221%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 127%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0075] The same applies if a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the third row of the seventh column: The ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 321%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 184%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0076] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the fourth row of the seventh column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 344%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 207%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0077] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the fifth row of the seventh column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 351%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 229%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0078] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the sixth row of the seventh column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 304%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 189%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0079] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the seventh row of the seventh column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 205%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 147%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 111A.

[0080] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the first row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 100%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 105%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0081] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area in the second row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 164%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 216%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0082] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the third row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 191%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 316%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0083] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the fourth row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 200%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 369%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0084] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the fifth row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 205%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 371%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0085] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area of ​​the sixth row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 191%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 336%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0086] If a touch operation is performed such that the center of the fingertip FT is located in the area in the seventh row of the eighth column, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 111A is 148%, the ratio obtained from the capacitance of sensor electrode 112A is 235%, and therefore the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on sensor electrode 112A.

[0087] The description here refers to an embodiment in which, if the capacitance counts of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A both exceed the threshold values ​​Thc of sensor electrodes 111A and 112A at the boundary between sensor electrodes 111A and 112A, a determination is carried out to identify on which sensor electrode 111A or 112A the touch operation was performed. The same applies, however, to the boundary between one of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A and the sensor electrodes adjacent to that sensor electrode.

[0088] The above description refers to the embodiment in which, if two or more sensor electrodes are present, each with a capacitance exceeding the Thc threshold assigned to the sensor electrodes, the control unit 123 determines, from the ratios obtained for the two or more sensor electrodes whose capacitance was determined to exceed the Thc thresholds, that the sensor electrode with the highest ratio is the sensor electrode on which the input operation was performed. The ratio is the ratio of the capacitance of the sensor electrode determined by the control unit 123 to exceed the Thc threshold assigned to the sensor electrode, to the Thc threshold of the sensor electrode. Such a ratio can be obtained, for example, by dividing the capacitance of the sensor electrode by the Thc threshold of the sensor electrode.

[0089] However, such a ratio can also be obtained by multiplying the capacity by the reciprocal of the threshold value Thc.

[0090] Instead of the ratio described above, a value can be used that is obtained by dividing the quotient once or several times by the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode. The above quotient is obtained by dividing the capacitance of the sensor electrode, which is determined by the control unit 123 as a capacitance exceeding the threshold Thc assigned to the sensor electrode, by the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode. This is because, similar to the quotient, the value obtained by dividing the quotient once or several times by the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode becomes larger for the closer sensor electrode.In this way, determining the sensor electrode at which the operator input was made, based on the value obtained by dividing the quotient once or several times by the threshold Thc of the sensor electrode, is an embodiment for identifying the sensor electrode at which the operator input is made, based on the ratio described above.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 123 can calculate the inverse of the aforementioned ratio and determine that the sensor electrode with the smallest inverse (inverse ratio) is the sensor electrode at which the operator input was made. This inverse is the ratio of the sensor electrode's threshold value Thc to its capacitance, which the control unit 123 defines as a capacitance exceeding the Thc threshold assigned to the sensor electrode. Alternatively, the inverse can be determined by multiplying the capacitance inverse by the Thc threshold. flow chart

[0092] Fig. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a determination process performed by the control unit 123.

[0093] The control unit 123 records a count value ΔAD of each of the sensor electrodes 111A to 119A (step S1).

[0094] The control unit 123 compares each ΔAD with a Thc threshold value of a corresponding sensor electrode 111A and determines whether there are any ΔADs that exceed the Thc threshold (step S2). The Thc threshold value of sensor electrode 111A is a Thc threshold value assigned to the sensor electrode at which the ΔAD is detected. Through the process of step S2, each sensor electrode with a ΔAD that exceeds the Thc threshold value assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode is identified.

[0095] If the control unit 123 determines that no ΔAD exceeds the threshold Thc (S2: No), the control unit 123 returns to step S1.

[0096] If the control unit 123 determines that there is a ΔAD that exceeds the Thc threshold (S2: Yes), the control unit 123 determines whether there are two or more sensor electrodes that were determined in step S2 (step S3).

[0097] If the control unit 123 determines that two or more sensor electrodes have been identified (S3: Yes), the control unit 123 determines whether the identified two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent to each other (step S4A).

[0098] If the control unit 123 determines that the detected two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent (S4A: Yes), the control unit 123 calculates a ratio P using ΔAD of each of the detected two or more sensor electrodes and the threshold Thc assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode, according to the following equation (1) (step S5A). P=ΔAD / Thc

[0099] The control unit 123 determines, from a variety of ratios P ​​determined in step S5, that the sensor electrode with the largest ratio P is the sensor electrode on which the touch operation was performed (step S6). Once the process of step S6 is complete, the control unit 123 terminates the series of processes.

[0100] If the control unit 123 determines in step S3 that two or more sensor electrodes have not been identified (S3: No), the control unit 123 determines that the touch operation was performed on the identified sensor electrode (step S4B). The process proceeds to step S4B if there is only one sensor electrode whose ΔAD exceeds the threshold value Thc. Once the process of step S4B is complete, the control unit 123 terminates the sequence of processes.

[0101] If, in step S4A, the control unit 123 determines that the identified two or more sensor electrodes are not adjacent (S4A: No), the control unit 123 determines that multiple touch operations have been performed on the identified two or more sensor electrodes (step S5B). This corresponds, for example, to the case where multiple touch operations have been performed on two or more sensor electrodes with another sensor electrode in between, such as sensor electrodes 111A and 113A, by several fingertips. Once the process of step S5B is complete, the control unit 123 terminates the sequence of processes.

[0102] The control unit 123 repeatedly executes the series of processes from beginning to end while the power supply to the electrostatic input device 100 is switched on. Effects

[0103] The electrostatic input device 100 comprises a plurality of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A, arranged on an operator surface 110A1 according to a plurality of operating areas ((1) to (9)), on which an operator input is performed. The electrostatic input device 100 comprises a control unit 123, which is configured to compare threshold values ​​Thc, each assigned to the plurality of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A, with the capacitance of each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 111A to 119A and to determine one or more sensor electrodes that exceed the assigned threshold value Thc.If the one or more identified sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, and these two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent, the control unit 123 is configured to identify, among the two or more sensor electrodes, the sensor electrode at which the operator input is performed, based on a ratio between the capacitance of each of the two or more sensor electrodes and the assigned threshold Thc. Therefore, even if the capacitance of both adjacent sensor electrodes exceeds the corresponding Thc thresholds, the calculated values ​​can be used to determine with high accuracy which sensor electrode the operator input was performed at.

[0104] Accordingly, the electrostatic input device 100 can be provided, which is capable of determining the position of an operator input with high accuracy.

[0105] If one or more sensor electrodes whose capacitance exceeds the assigned Thc threshold include a sensor electrode, the control unit 123 can be configured to detect that an operator input was made at that one sensor electrode. In the event that there is a sensor electrode whose capacitance exceeds the Thc threshold assigned to that sensor electrode, it is confirmed that the operator input was made at that one sensor electrode, and therefore the sensor electrode at which the operator input was made can be immediately identified.

[0106] If the one or more detected sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, and these two or more sensor electrodes are not adjacent, the control unit 123 can be configured to detect that multiple operator inputs are performed on each of the detected two or more sensor electrodes. In the case where the detected two or more sensor electrodes are not adjacent, it can detect that multiple touch operations have been performed.

[0107] The ratio is a ratio of the capacitance of each of the one or more specified sensor electrodes to the assigned capacitance threshold Thc, and the control unit 123 can be configured such that, if the one or more specified sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, it identifies the sensor electrode with the highest ratio among the ratios obtained for the two or more sensor electrodes as the sensor electrode on which the operator input was performed. Since the ratio of the capacitance of the specified sensor electrode to the assigned capacitance threshold Thc can be easily calculated, and the sensor electrode with the highest ratio can be determined as the sensor electrode on which the operator input is performed, the electrostatic input device 100 can be provided, which is capable of determining the position of the operator input with high accuracy.

[0108] Furthermore, the ratio is a ratio of the assigned capacitance threshold Thc to the capacitance of each of the one or more designated sensor electrodes, and the control unit 123 can be configured such that, if the one or more designated sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, it identifies, among the ratios obtained for the two or more designated sensor electrodes, the sensor electrode with the smallest ratio as the sensor electrode on which the operator input was performed. Since the ratio of the threshold Thc to the capacitance of the designated sensor electrode can be easily calculated, and the sensor electrode with the smallest ratio can be determined as the sensor electrode on which the operator input is performed, the electrostatic input device 100 can be provided, which is capable of determining the position of the operator input with high accuracy.

[0109] Furthermore, the user interface 110A1 comprises a first user interface in a first operating area among the multiple operating areas ((1) to (9)) and a second user interface in a second operating area among the multiple operating areas ((1) to (9)). The first distance between the first user interface and the sensor electrode corresponding to the first operating area may be shorter than the second distance between the second user interface and the sensor electrode corresponding to the second operating area. Even if the user interface 110A1 has an uneven profile and the heights of the first and second user interfaces differ, the calculated values, obtained using the appropriately set threshold values ​​Thc, allow for a high degree of accuracy in determining which sensor electrode received the user input.

[0110] Accordingly, even if the operating surface 110A1 has an uneven profile and the heights of the first operating surface and the second operating surface are different, the electrostatic input device 100 can be provided which is able to determine the position of the operating input with high accuracy.

[0111] Although the electrostatic input device of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment disclosed, and various modifications and changes can be made without deviating from the scope of the claims.

[0112] The present international application claims priority over Japanese patent application No. 2023-114743, which was filed on July 12, 2023, and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 100 electrostatic input devices 110 Control unit 110A cover 110A1 User interface Switches 111 to 119 111A to 119 electrostatic sensor 120 Control device 121 Main control unit 122 Capacity detection unit 123 Control unit 124 memory QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] JP 2014-225057

[0003] JP 2023-114743

[0112]

Claims

[1] Electrostatic input device comprising: a multitude of sensor electrodes arranged on a user interface corresponding to a multitude of operating areas, on which an operating input is performed; and a control unit configured to compare several capacitance thresholds, each assigned to a plurality of sensor electrodes, with the capacitance of the plurality of sensor electrodes and to identify one or more sensor electrodes that exceed the capacitance threshold assigned to a corresponding sensor electrode, wherein the control unit is configured to identify, where the one or more detected sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes and the two or more sensor electrodes are adjacent to each other, the sensor electrode on which the operator input is performed among the two or more sensor electrodes, based on a ratio between the capacitance of each of the two or more sensor electrodes and the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode. [2] Electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein, if the one or more sensor electrodes with a capacitance exceeding the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode comprise a sensor electrode, the control unit is configured to determine that an operator input is performed at the one sensor electrode. [3] Electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein, if the one or more sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes and the two or more sensor electrodes are not adjacent to each other, the control unit is configured to detect that multiple operating inputs are executed at the two or more sensor electrodes. [4] Electrostatic input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ratio is a ratio of the capacitance of each of the one or more specific sensor electrodes to the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode, and the control unit is configured to identify, when the one or more sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, the sensor electrode with the largest ratio among the ratios obtained for the two or more electrodes as the sensor electrode at which the operator input is performed. [5] Electrostatic input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, where the ratio is a ratio of the capacitance threshold assigned to the corresponding sensor electrode to the capacitance of each of the one or more specific sensor electrodes, and The control unit is configured so that, if one or more specific sensor electrodes comprise two or more sensor electrodes, it identifies the sensor electrode with the smallest ratio among the ratios obtained for the two or more electrodes as the sensor electrode at which the operator input is made. [6] Electrostatic input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control surface comprises a first control surface in a first control area among the multiple control areas and a second control surface in a second control area among the multiple control areas, and a first distance between the first operating surface and the sensor electrode corresponding to the first operating area is shorter than a second distance between the second operating surface and the sensor electrode corresponding to the second operating area.

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