Input device and input system

Abstract

An input device is provided with which the total number of changes in the electrical state of fixed electrodes when an operation section moves between click points can be more freely set. The input device (2) is provided with two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) and an operation section (20). The two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are arranged to overlap a prescribed wiring electrode (Y1) among a plurality of wiring electrodes (Y1). The operation section (20) is movable relative to the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The operation section (20) is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) change between a plurality of states in response to movement of the operation section 20. When the operation section (20) moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) is an integer N. The integer N is a number that is not a factor of 4.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device and an input system. The present disclosure particularly relates to an input device to be placed on a specific wire electrode among a plurality of wire electrodes and an input system including the input device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Patent Literature 1 discloses an input device including a sensor electrode (wire electrode), two electrodes (fixed electrodes), and a rotation operation knob (operation member). The two electrodes are placed apart from and facing the sensor electrode. The rotation operation knob is made of metal and functions as a ground electrode. The rotation operation knob is rotatable with respect to the two electrodes. The rotation operation knob is rotated and respectively electrically connected to or separated from the two electrodes, so that the rotation operation knob changes an electrical state between the sensor electrode and the two electrodes.

[0003] The above input device is configured to calibrate (i.e., set a reference value of) an output voltage of the sensor electrode when the rotation operation knob is located at a click point. When the calibration is performed, the two electrodes should be electrically separated from the ground electrode to enable the sensor electrode to correctly detect the electrode facing the sensor electrode. Therefore, the input device should be constructed such that the two electrodes are electrically separated from the ground electrode at all click points. To achieve this, the input system is configured such that the electrical state of the two electrodes is changed a total of four times when the rotation operation knob is moved from one click point to the next click point.

[0004] LIST OF CITATIONS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: JP 6627085 B SUMMARY

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device and an input system that can more flexibly set a total number of changes in electrical state of fixed electrodes when an operation member is moved from one click point to the next click point.

[0008] An input device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes at least two fixed electrodes and an operation member. The at least two fixed electrodes are configured to be placed in overlap with a specific wire electrode among a plurality of wire electrodes. The operation member is movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes. The operation member is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. An electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes is changed among a plurality of states according to movement of the operation member. A factor of an integer N does not include 4, where the integer N is a total number of changes in the electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operation member is moved from one of two adjacent click points among the plurality of click points to the next click point.

[0009] An input system according to one aspect of this disclosure includes an input device according to the above aspect, a plurality of line electrodes, and a signal processor. The signal processor is configured to perform signal processing on output signals output from the plurality of line electrodes. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the input system according to an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the input system.

[0012] Figure 3 It is viewed from above. Figure 2 The diagram shows a perspective view of the input devices included in the input system.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the input device from below.

[0014] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of the input device is shown by line X1-X1.

[0015] Figure 6 This is an exploded perspective view of the input device.

[0016] Figure 7 It was observed from the rear. Figure 6 The diagram shows a plan view of the rotating contact plate included in the input device.

[0017] Figure 8 It was observed from the front. Figure 6 The diagram shows a plan view of the housing included in the input device.

[0018] Figure 9 yes Figure 2 The image shows a perspective view of the touchscreen panel body included in the input system.

[0019] Figure 10 This is a plan view showing the first line electrode, the second line electrode, and the fixed electrode as viewed from the side of the touchscreen panel.

[0020] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in the electrical state of the fixed electrode when the operating component rotates.

[0021] Figures 12A to 12D This is a schematic diagram showing the electrical connection between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.

[0022] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram showing the change in the electrical state of the fixed electrode when the operating member rotates, according to a comparative example.

[0023] Figure 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the detection circuit.

[0024] Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the detection circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] An input system according to an embodiment will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment to be described is merely an example of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the embodiment can be easily modified in various ways depending on design selection or any other factors, as long as the advantages of the present disclosure are achievable.

[0026] (Embodiment)

[0027] An input system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 5

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 to 5 , the input system 1 includes an input device 2, a touch panel 3 (may be referred to as a "touch screen sensor"), and a display device 4. The display device 4 can not be a constituent element of the input system 1.

[0029] The display device 4 can be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display, and various types of information can be displayed thereon. As the display device 4, a publicly known general display device can be used.

[0030] The touch panel 3 is a device provided on a display screen 4a of the display device 4 to detect a touch point of the display screen 4a by an operator. As used herein, the "touch point" refers to a position at which the operator places his or her finger on the display screen 4a. The touch panel 3 includes a touch panel body 31 and a cover plate 32 (see Figure 2 ). The touch panel body 31 is a member for detecting a touch point of the display screen 4a by an operator. The touch panel body 31 is provided for the display screen 4a to completely cover the display screen 4a. The cover plate 32 is a member that forms a front surface 3a of the touch panel 3. For example, the cover plate 32 can be made of glass, or made of a transparent resin and formed in a sheet shape.

[0031] The input device 2 is a device to accept an operation (a rotation operation and a push operation) performed by an operator. For example, the input device 2 can have a ring shape. The input device 2 is provided with an operation member 20 at a front side thereof, in which the operation member 20 is configured to accept an operation performed by an operator (see Figure 3 ). The input device 2 is provided with fixed electrodes 29a to 29d at a rear surface thereof (see Figure 4 ​). The input device 2 is placed at an arbitrary position on the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 so that the rear surface of the input device 2 faces the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 (see Figure 1 ) At such a position, the electrical states of the four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d will change in accordance with the operation performed on the operation member 20. These electrical states are detected by the touch point detection function of the touch screen panel 3, which makes it possible to detect the operation performed on the operation member 20.

[0032] (DETAILED DESCRIPTION)

[0033] (DETAILS OF THE INPUT DEVICE)

[0034] The input device 2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6

[0035] As shown in Figure 6 , the input device 2 includes an operation member 20, a rotating body 21, a fixed member 22, a push member 23, a return spring 24, a click spring 25, a rotating click cam 26, and a rotating contact plate 27. The input device 2 also includes a housing 28, a plurality of (e.g., four) fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, a plurality of (e.g., four) contactors 30a to 30d, and a push switch PS1.

[0036] The operation member 20 is a member for accepting a rotational operation and a push operation performed by an operator. The operation member 20 is rotatable with respect to the housing 28 (i.e., with respect to the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d). The operation member 20 is formed in the shape of a ring-like box having an opening 20s in a plan view. The operation member 20 is open at a rear surface. Note that the operation member 20 can have an outer shape without the opening 20s. In this case, an inner peripheral wall portion 20c (to be described later) can or can not be provided as appropriate.

[0037] The respective constituent elements (the rotating body 21, the fixed member 22, the push member 23, the return spring 24, the click spring 25, the rotating click cam 26, the rotating contact plate 27, and the housing 28) are housed in the operation member 20. The operation member 20 includes a base plate portion 20a, an outer peripheral wall portion 20b, and an inner peripheral wall portion 20c. The base plate portion 20a is a circular plate member. The outer peripheral wall portion 20b protrudes rearward from an outer peripheral edge of the base plate portion 20a. The inner peripheral wall portion 20c protrudes rearward from an inner peripheral edge of the base plate portion 20a.

[0038] ​The operation member 20 includes a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions. The plurality of recesses are fitted with the protrusions 21e (to be described later) of the rotating body 21 to fix the positions of the protrusions 21e in the circumferential direction. The plurality of recesses are provided in the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 20b of the operation member 20 and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of recesses is provided in the inner circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 20b of the operation member 20 and extends in the front-rear direction. The plurality of protrusions correspond one-to-one to the plurality of recesses, and each of the plurality of protrusions is provided on the bottom of the corresponding recess. The corresponding protrusion and the protrusion 21e fitted into the corresponding recess are engaged together, whereby the operation member 20 is fixed to the rotating body 21.

[0039] The rotating body 21 is placed so as to be rotatable with respect to the case 28. The rotating body 21 is coupled to the operation member 20 and is rotatable with the operation member 20. The rotating body 21 is configured to move back and forth with the back-and-forth movement of the operation member 20 when the push operation is performed on the operation member 20. As Figure 2 The rotating body 21 can be formed, for example, in a ring-shaped frame shape having an opening 21s in a plan view, as shown in FIG. 1. The rotating body 21 includes a base plate portion 21a, an outer circumferential wall portion 21b, an inner circumferential wall portion 21c, and a flange 21d. The base plate portion 21a is a circular plate member. The outer circumferential wall portion 21b protrudes rearward from the outer peripheral edge of the base plate portion 21a. The inner circumferential wall portion 21c slightly protrudes rearward from the inner peripheral edge of the base plate portion 21a. The flange 21d protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the inner circumferential wall portion 21c into the opening 21s. The inner circumferential wall portion 21c has a rear end surface that is a portion that presses the push member 23. The flange 21d is a portion that is engaged on the flange 22b of the fixing member 22. Note that the rotating body 21 can have a shape without the opening 21s. In this case, the inner circumferential wall portion 21c can be appropriately provided or not provided.

[0040] The rotating body 21 has a plurality of protrusions 21e and a plurality of recesses 21f. The plurality of protrusions 21e are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating body 21 (specifically, the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 21b) and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions 21e correspond one-to-one to the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of recesses of the operation member 20. The plurality of protrusions 21e are fitted into the corresponding recesses and then engaged together with the corresponding protrusions. The plurality of recesses 21f are portions into which the fixing pieces 26c (to be described later) of the rotating click cam 26 are fitted. Each of the plurality of recesses 21f is provided in the inner circumferential wall portion 21c of the rotating body 21 to cut the lower end of the inner circumferential wall portion 21c toward the upper end.

[0041] The fixing member 22 is a member that rotatably fixes the rotating body 21 to the case 28. The fixing member 22 is located inside the rotating body 21 and is fixed to the case 28. As Figure 6As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing member 22 can be formed, for example, in a ring-shaped tube shape having an opening in a plan view. Alternatively, the fixing member 22 can have a shape without an opening.

[0042] The fixing member 22 includes a tubular portion 22a, a flange 22b, and a plurality of engaging pieces 22c. The tubular portion 22a has a shape of a short circular tube. The flange 22b protrudes outward from a front edge of the tubular portion 22a. The flange 22b is a portion that engages with a front surface of the flange 21d of the rotating body 21. The flange 22b restricts the forward movement of the rotating body 21. When the push operation is performed, the flange 22b serves as an operation fulcrum of the rotating body 21. The plurality of engaging pieces 22c are portions that engage with protrusions 28e (to be described later) of the housing 28. The plurality of engaging pieces 22c are provided to protrude rearward at a rear end of the tubular portion 22a and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The engaging pieces 22c are provided with engaging holes into which the protrusions 28e (to be described later) of the housing 28 are engaged.

[0043] The push member 23 is a member that is moved back and forth by the rotating body 21 in accordance with the back-and-forth movement of the operation member 20 to push a push switch PS1 (to be described later) located inside the housing 28. The push member 23 is placed at the rear of the rotating body 21 and inside the housing 28 so as not to be rotatable with respect to the housing 28. The push member 23 has a shape of a short circular tube. The push member 23 includes a push member body 23a and a plurality of protrusions 23b. The push member body 23a has a shape of a short circular tube. The plurality of protrusions 23b are fitted in grooves 28f (to be described later) of the housing 28 to fix the position of the push member 23 with respect to the housing 28 in the circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions 23b are provided on an outer peripheral surface of the push member body 23a and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0044] The return spring 24 is a member that biases the operation member 20 forward. The return spring 24 is a metal-made elastic thin plate member. The return spring 24 includes a spring body 24a and a plurality of fixing pieces 24b. The spring body 24a is a ring-shaped plate member and is bent back and forth in the circumferential direction. The plurality of fixing pieces 24b are portions that are fixed to the housing 28. The plurality of fixing pieces 24b are provided to protrude rearward on an outer peripheral edge of the spring body 24a and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The return spring 24 is provided between the rotating body 21 and a front end of an outer peripheral wall (to be described later) of the housing 28. At such a position, the fixing pieces 24b of the return spring 24 are fixed to an outer peripheral surface of an outer peripheral wall portion 28b (to be described later) of the housing 28. The return spring 24 biases the rotating body 21 forward to bias the operation member 20 forward.

[0045] The click spring 25 is a member that cooperates with the rotation click cam 26 to provide a click feeling to an operator who performs a rotation operation. The click spring 25 is in contact with an uneven portion 26b (to be described later) on a front surface of the rotation click cam 26, and is fixed to the case 28. The click spring 25 is a thin plate member of a ring shape made of metal. The click spring 25 includes a spring body 25a, two protrusions 25b, four fixing pieces 25c, and two protruding pieces 25d. The spring body 25a is a thin plate member of a ring shape. The two protrusions 25b are provided in the spring body 25a so as to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, and each protrudes from a front surface side to a rear surface side to have an arc shape. The four fixing pieces 25c are members that are sandwiched and fixed by a rear end of the tubular portion 22a of the fixing member 22 and a front end of an inner peripheral wall portion 28c (to be described later) of the case 28. The four fixing pieces 25c are provided to protrude inward on an inner peripheral edge of the spring body 25a, and are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The two protruding pieces 25d are members that are engaged with engagement holes of the engagement pieces 22c of the fixing member 22. The protruding pieces 25d are engaged with the engagement holes of the engagement pieces 22c to fix the position of the click spring 25 with respect to the fixing member 22 in the circumferential direction.

[0046] The rotation click cam 26 is a member that cooperates with the click spring 25 to provide a click feeling to an operator who performs a rotation operation. The rotation click cam 26 is provided at a rear portion of the click spring 25 so as to be in contact with the protrusions 25b of the click spring 25, and is rotatably provided inside the case 28. The rotation click cam 26 can be made of synthetic resin, for example. The rotation click cam 26 is a plate member of a ring shape. The rotation click cam 26 includes a rotation click cam body 26a, an uneven portion 26b, and two fixing pieces 26c. The rotation click cam body 26a is a plate member of a ring shape having a central hole 26s. The uneven portion 26b is provided on a front surface of the rotation click cam body 26a along an entire circumference of the rotation click cam body 26a. The uneven portion 26b includes a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses arranged alternately. The protrusions 25b of the click spring 25 are brought into elastic contact with the uneven portion 26b, whereby a click feeling is given to the operator each time the protrusions 25b pass over the protrusions of the uneven portion 26b while the rotation click cam 26 is rotated. The two fixing pieces 26c are provided to protrude forward on an outer peripheral edge of the rotation click cam body 26a, and are arranged so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The fixing pieces 26c are fitted into the corresponding grooves 21f of the rotation body 21, thereby allowing the rotation click cam 26 to rotate together with the rotation body 21.

[0047] The rotation contact plate 27 is a plate member of a ring shape. The rotation contact plate 27 includes a rotation contact plate body 27a and a movable electrode 27b (see Figure 7). The rotary contact plate body 27a is an insulating plate having electrically insulating properties, and has a ring-shaped plate shape with a central hole 27s. The movable electrode 27b is provided on the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a. The movable electrode 27b includes a plurality of electrode portions 27c and a plurality of wiring portions 27d. The plurality of electrode portions 27c are portions that make contact with the contactors 30a to 30d, and each can have, for example, a rectangular shape. The plurality of electrode portions 27c are provided on the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a, and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The wiring portions 27d are portions that electrically connect the electrode portions 27c. The remaining area of the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a other than the area in which the movable electrode 27b is provided (insulating plate) is an insulating area. The front surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a is fixed to the rear surface of the rotary click cam 26, so that the rotary contact plate 27 rotates together with the rotary click cam 26. Thus, the movable electrode 27b rotates (moves) together with the rotary click cam 26. The contactors 30a to 30d are in elastic contact with the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a.

[0048] Each of the constituent elements (the operation member 20, the rotary body 21, the fixed member 22, the push member 23, the return spring 24, the click spring 25, the rotary click cam 26, the rotary contact plate 27, the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, the four contactors 30a to 30d, and the push switch PS1) is mounted on the housing 28 (see Figure 4 and Figure 8 ). The four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d correspond one-to-one to the four contactors 30a to 30d.

[0049] The housing 28 is made of resin and has electrically insulating properties. The housing 28 is formed in a ring-shaped box shape having a central hole 28s and an open front surface in a plan view. The housing 28 includes a bottom portion 28a, an outer peripheral wall portion 28b, and an inner peripheral wall portion 28c. The bottom portion 28a can be, for example, a circular plate member. The outer peripheral wall portion 28b protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom portion 28a. The inner peripheral wall portion 28c protrudes forward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom portion 28a.

[0050] The housing 28 includes a plurality of (e.g., two) recesses 28d, a plurality of (e.g., four) protrusions 28e, and a plurality of (e.g., four) recesses 28f. The plurality of recesses 28d are portions that engage and are fixed to the retaining piece 24b of the return spring 24. The plurality of recesses 28d are disposed in the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The plurality of protrusions 28e are portions that engage with the plurality of engaging pieces 22c of the fixing member 22. Four protrusions 28e are disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The plurality of recesses 28f are portions that engage with the plurality of protrusions 23b of the pushing member 23, allowing the pushing member 23 to move in the front-rear direction but not in the circumferential direction. The plurality of recesses 28f are disposed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Each of the plurality of recesses 28f extends in the front-rear direction.

[0051] Four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are disposed on the rear surface of the bottom 28a (see...). Figure 4 The fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are electrodes that overlap with the first line electrode X1 and the second line electrode Y1 (described later) of the touch screen panel 3 while the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3. Each of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d has a generally rectangular shape. The fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are disposed on the rear surface of the housing 28 and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction (e.g., at regular intervals).

[0052] Four contactors 30a to 30d and push switch PS1 are fixed to the front surface of bottom 28a (see...) Figure 8 Each of contactors 30a to 30d is a component that makes elastic contact with the rear surface of the rotating contact plate 27 (and is electrically connected to the movable electrode 27b). Contactors 30a to 30d each include contact portions S1 to S4, which are configured to contact the rotating contact plate 27. Each of contactors 30a to 30d is electrically connected to a corresponding fixed electrode 29a to 29c via wiring provided on the front surface of the bottom 28a. In an embodiment, contactor 30a is connected to fixed electrode 29a, contactor 30b is connected to fixed electrode 29b, and contactors 30c and 30d are connected to fixed electrode 29c, respectively. Push switch PS1 is a push-button switch that switches between an on and off state according to a push operation performed on the operating member 20. Depending on the on and off state of push switch PS1, fixed electrodes 29d and 29c are electrically connected to or separated from each other. Push switch PS1 is located at a predetermined position on the bottom 28a.

[0053] Hereinafter, the fixed electrode 29c may be referred to as the "common electrode 29c" as needed.

[0054] like Figure 5 As shown, the rotating body 21, the fixed component 22, the pushing component 23, the return spring 24, the click spring 25, and the rotating click cam 26 are attached to the housing 28.

[0055] The engaging tabs 22c of the fixing member 22 hook together onto the protrusion 28e of the housing 28, thereby fixing the fixing member 22 to the front side of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c of the housing 28. Inside the housing 28, the rotating click cam 26 is located near the outer side of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c, allowing the rotating click cam 26 to rotate. In this position, the rotating contact plate 27 provided on the rear surface of the rotating click cam 26 makes elastic contact with the four contactors 30a to 30d provided on the bottom 28a of the housing 28. The fixing tab 25c of the click spring 25 is clamped between the rear end of the tubular portion 22a of the fixing member 22 and the front end of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c of the housing 28, thereby fixing the click spring 25 in a position in front of the rotating click cam 26. The protruding tab 25d of the click spring 25 engages in the engaging hole of the engaging tab 22c of the fixing member 22. This restricts the circumferential movement of the click spring 25. The protrusion 25b of the click spring 25 elastically contacts the uneven portion 26b of the rotating click cam 26. Inside the housing 28, the actuating member 23 is located near the outer side of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b. Furthermore, the protrusion 23b of the actuating member 23 engages with the groove 28f of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b. Therefore, the actuating member 23 can move in the front-back direction, but not in the circumferential direction. The actuating switch PS1 is located behind the actuating member 23.

[0056] The rotating body 21 is placed on the housing 28 to cover the outer side of the housing 28. The outer peripheral wall 28b of the housing 28 and the pushing member 23 are located inside the rotating body 21. In this position, the flange 21d of the rotating body 21 is located behind the flange 22b of the fixing member 22. This restricts the forward movement of the rotating body 21 (and prevents the rotating body 21 from falling off the housing 28). The fixing plates 26c of the rotating click cam 26 are respectively engaged in the grooves 21f of the rotating body 21 (see...). Figure 6 This allows the rotating click cam 26 to rotate together with the rotating body 21. The return spring 24 is located between the front end of the outer peripheral wall 28b of the housing 28 and the rotating body 21 to bias the rotating body 21 forward. The retaining plates 24b of the return spring 24 are respectively fitted into the grooves 28d of the housing 28 (see...). Figure 6), whereby the return spring 24 is fixed to the front end of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b. The operation member 20 is attached to the case 28 to cover the fixing member 22 and the rotating body 21. In such a position, the protrusion 21e of the rotating body 21 is fitted into the groove of the operation member 20, and the protrusion of the operation member 20 is engaged with the rotating body 21. As a result, the operation member 20 is fixed to the rotating body 21 to be able to rotate together with the rotating body 21. The operation member 20 is attached to the case 28 through the rotating body 21.

[0057] In this input device 2, the fixing member 22 and the click spring 25 are fixed to the case 28. The push member 23 is located inside the case 28 to be able to move back and forth in accordance with the back and forth movement of the rotating body 21. The operation member 20, the rotating body 21, and the rotating click cam 26 are coupled to each other to be able to rotate together. Among them, the operation member 20 and the rotating body 21 are coupled to each other to be able to move back and forth together.

[0058] When a rotating operation is performed on the operation member 20, the rotating click cam 26 rotates together with the operation member 20. This causes the contact portions S1 to S4 of the contactors 30a to 30d provided on the case 28 to move on the rear surface of the rotating contact plate 27 fixed on the rotating click cam 26. In accordance with this movement, the contactors 30a to 30d repeatedly come into contact with or are separated from the movable electrode 27b of the rotating contact plate 27. During this period, when "at least one of the contactors 30c or 30d" and "the contactor 30a" are both in contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29a and the common electrode 29c are electrically connected to each other. When "the contactor 30a" or "both of the contactors 30c and 30d" is not in contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29a and the common electrode 29c are electrically separated from each other. When "at least one of the contactors 30c or 30d" and "the contactor 30b" are both in contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29b and the common electrode 29c are electrically connected to each other. When "the contactor 30b" or "both of the contactors 30c and 30d" is not in contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29b and the common electrode 29c are electrically separated from each other.

[0059] The rotation of the rotating click cam 26 causes the protrusion 25b of the click spring 25 to move on the uneven portion 26b of the rotating click cam 26. Every time the protrusion 25b passes over the protrusion of the uneven portion 26b, a click feeling is given to the operator who operates the operation member 20.

[0060] When a push operation is performed on the operation member 20, the rotating body 21 and the push member 23 move rearward along with the operation member 20, so that the push switch PS1 is pushed down by the push member 23 and then turned on. When the push operation on the operation member 20 is released, the return spring 24 returns the operation member 20, the rotating body 21, and the push member 23 to their respective initial positions. Accordingly, the push switch PS1 is turned off. In the present embodiment, the fixed electrodes 29c, 29d are electrically connected to each other when the push switch PS1 is in the on state. The fixed electrodes 29c, 29d are electrically separated from each other when the push switch PS1 is in the off state.

[0061] The operation member 20 is rotatable by 360 degrees. In other words, the operation member 20 has a movable range of 360 degrees. Within the movable range of the operation member 20, there are a plurality of click points arranged at regular intervals. The plurality of click points correspond to the positions of the respective grooves of the uneven portion 26b. The operation member 20 is configured to rotate (move) within the movable range while moving one by one on the respective click points. Each click point corresponds to the position of the groove of the uneven portion 26b as described above. Therefore, the operation member 20 is stable at each click point. Therefore, the operation member 20 is configured to rotate in increments of one click, where one click corresponds to the interval between two adjacent click points.

[0062] In the embodiment, as described above, each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is electrically connected to or separated from the common electrode 29c depending on a rotation operation performed on the operation member 20. Each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b has an electrical state that changes depending on whether it is electrically connected to or separated from the common electrode 29c. The fixed electrode 29d is electrically connected to or separated from the common electrode 29c depending on a push operation performed on the operation member 20. The fixed electrode 29d also has an electrical state that changes depending on whether it is electrically connected to or separated from the common electrode 29c. As used herein, the "electrical state" indicates the electrostatic capacitance value of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d, the amount of electric charge that the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d can output, or the electric potential that the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d can output. That is, when the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, the electrostatic capacitance value of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d increases (changes) by an amount corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance value of the common electrode. Accordingly, the amount of electric charge that the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d can output also increases by the amount of electric charge accumulated on the common electrode 29c. In addition, the electric potential to be output from the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d also increases (changes).

[0063] In the following description, the electrical state of each fixed electrode 29a, 29b, 29d when it is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c is referred to as the "conducting state" (or high state, H state). The electrical state of each fixed electrode 29a, 29b, 29d when it is electrically disconnected from the common electrode 29c is referred to as the "cut-off state" (or low state, L state). The electrical state of each fixed electrode 29a, 29b, 29d changes from the conducting state to the cut-off state according to the movement of the operating member 20, and vice versa.

[0064] (Details of the touchscreen panel itself)

[0065] like Figure 9 As shown, the touchscreen panel body 31 includes a plurality of first line electrodes X1, a plurality of second line electrodes Y1, a thin film substrate 311, a thin film substrate 312, an optically transparent adhesive sheet 313, a driving circuit 314, and a detection circuit 315. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the plurality of first line electrodes X1 from each other, the plurality of first line electrodes X1 will be designated by reference numerals X11, X12, X13, etc. in the accompanying drawings (see Figure 1). Figure 10 Similarly, when it is necessary to distinguish multiple second-line electrodes Y1 from one another, the multiple second-line electrodes Y1 will be designated below by reference numerals Y11, Y12, Y13, etc. (see Figure 1). Figure 10 ).

[0066] Thin film substrate 311 is made of a transparent material (e.g., resin or glass). Thin film substrate 311 is a rectangular sheet with two pairs of opposite sides 311s and 311t. Similarly, thin film substrate 312, like thin film substrate 311, is also a rectangular sheet with two pairs of opposite sides 312s and 312t. Thin film substrate 312 is a rectangular sheet with the same shape and size as thin film substrate 311. The plurality of first line electrodes X1 and the plurality of second line electrodes Y1 are made of a transparent conductive material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO).

[0067] A plurality of first line electrodes X1 are formed as a thin film on the front surface 311a of the thin film substrate 311. On the front surface 311a of the thin film substrate 311, the plurality of first line electrodes X1 extend parallel to each other along a pair of opposite sides 311t of the front surface 311a and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other along another pair of opposite sides 311s. Each of the plurality of first line electrodes X1 may have, for example, an elongated strip shape (see...). Figure 10 Multiple first line electrodes X1 are connected to the drive circuit 314 via a flexible printed wiring board 316. The front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 is substantially completely covered by the multiple first line electrodes X1.

[0068] The shape of the first wire electrode X1 is not limited to...Figure 9 and Figure 10 The shape shown can also have other shapes, such as a diamond pattern shape in which multiple diamond pads are coupled to each other, or a shape in which multiple wider portions and multiple narrower portions are regularly repeated to extend along the extension direction.

[0069] A plurality of second line electrodes Y1 are formed as a thin film on the front surface 312a of the thin film substrate 312. On the front surface 312a of the thin film substrate 312, the plurality of second line electrodes Y1 extend parallel to each other along a pair of opposite sides 312s and are arranged along another pair of opposite sides 312t. Each of the plurality of second line electrodes Y1 may have, for example, an elongated strip shape. The plurality of second line electrodes Y1 are connected to the detection circuit 315 via a flexible printed wiring board 316. The width of each second line electrode Y1 is smaller than the width of the first line electrode X1.

[0070] The second line electrode Y1 can have other shapes, such as a diamond pattern shape in which multiple diamond pads are coupled to each other, or a shape in which multiple wider portions and multiple narrower portions are regularly repeated to extend along the extension direction.

[0071] Thin film substrates 311 and 312 are stacked together by an optically transparent adhesive sheet 313. The optically transparent adhesive sheet 313 is sandwiched between the front surface 311a of the thin film substrate 311 and the rear surface 312b of the thin film substrate 312. The optically transparent adhesive sheet 313 is a component obtained by applying adhesive to both sides of a transparent sheet.

[0072] With the thin film substrates 311 and 312 bonded together, when viewed along the normal to the thin film substrates 311 and 312, the plurality of second line electrodes Y1 intersect the plurality of first line electrodes X1 (at right angles) (see...). Figure 10 A plurality of first line electrodes X1 and a plurality of second line electrodes Y1 are positioned to be spaced apart from each other by a thin film substrate 311 and an optically transparent adhesive sheet 313.

[0073] Use an optically transparent adhesive sheet to attach the cover plate 32 (see...) Figure 2 The metal plate 5 (see [reference]) is bonded to the front surface 312a of the thin film substrate 312. Double-sided tape is used to attach the metal plate 5... Figure 2 It is bonded to the rear surface 311b of the thin film substrate 311.

[0074] The driving circuit 314 selectively applies a scanning voltage to each of the multiple first line electrodes X1 from the first line electrode X11 at one end toward the first line electrode X1n at the other end. In addition, the driving circuit 314 connects the other first line electrodes X1 to a reference potential (i.e., ground potential) when no scanning voltage is applied.

[0075] The detection circuit 315 selectively detects, as an output voltage, the voltage between the first line electrode Xl to which the scan voltage is applied and the plurality of second line electrodes Yl one by one from the second line electrode Yl l located at one end toward the second line electrode Yln located at the other end, for each first line electrode Xl to which the scan voltage is applied. This allows the detection circuit 315 to detect any second line electrode Yl in which the electrostatic capacitance value changes. Specifically, when the operator touches the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 at an arbitrary point, the electrostatic capacitance value of the second line electrode Yl overlapping the touch point changes. The detection circuit 315 detects this change in the output voltage (electrostatic capacitance value) of the second line electrode Yl in the above-described manner, and detects the touch point on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 based on the position of the first line electrode Xl selected when the change in the output voltage is detected and the position of the second line electrode Yl selected. This function of detecting the touch point will be referred to as a "touch point detection function" hereinafter.

[0076] When the operation member 20 of the input device 2 is operated (rotated or pushed) in a state in which the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3, the detection circuit 315 detects the operation of the operation member 20 using the touch point detection function.

[0077] The detection circuit 315 is configured to calibrate the output voltage of each second line electrode Yl when the touch panel 3 is activated (when power is turned on). As used herein, "calibration" refers to a process of correcting the output voltage of each second line electrode Yl so as to eliminate the influence caused by the metal electrodes (for example, the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2) present on the touch panel 3 when the touch panel 3 is activated.

[0078] The detection circuit 315 is an example of a signal processor configured to perform signal processing on the output voltage of the line electrodes Yl.

[0079] Next, the operation of the detection circuit 315 (specifically, how the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d is detected when the operation member 20 is operated) will be described with reference to Figure 10

[0080] In the Figure 10 , the plurality of first line electrodes Xl extend in the up-down direction and are arranged in the left-right direction on a paper surface on which a grid is drawn. On the other hand, the plurality of second line electrodes Yl extend in the left-right direction and are arranged in the up-down direction on a paper surface on which a grid is drawn. In the Figure 10 , the plurality of second line electrodes Yl are arranged behind the plurality of first line electrodes Xl (for the eyes of a viewer looking along the normal to the paper surface). Figure 10 Figure 10 Figure 9 ​​​​

[0081] As shown, the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 so that the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d do not overlap each other along the longitudinal axis of the first line electrodes XI. In other words, when viewed from the front side of the touch screen panel 3, none of the two of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d overlap with the same first line electrode XI.

[0082] When a rotation operation is performed on the operation member 20 of the input device 2, the rotation click cam 26 rotates correspondingly. According to this movement, each of the contactors 30a to 30c repeatedly alternately connects and disconnects with respect to the movable electrode 27b of the rotation contact plate 27. This causes each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b to alternate between a state (H state) in which the fixed electrode 29a, 29b is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c and a state (L state) in which the fixed electrode 29a, 29b is electrically disconnected from the common electrode 29c.

[0083] The touch screen panel 3 detects the electrical state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, whether it is a conductive state or an off state, based on a touch point detection function. An exemplary case will be assumed in which the fixed electrodes 29a, 29c are electrically connected to each other and the fixed electrodes 29b, 29c are electrically disconnected from each other.

[0084] The fixed electrode 29a is capacitively coupled with the first line electrode XI2, and the common electrode 29c is capacitively coupled with the first line electrode X19 connected to a reference potential. Therefore, when a scan voltage is selectively applied to the first line electrode XI2 and the remaining first line electrodes XI among the plurality of first line electrodes XI are connected to a reference potential (i.e., a ground potential), the electric charges of both the fixed electrodes 29a, 29c are discharged to the reference potential through the first line electrode X19. Through this discharge, the change in the electrostatic capacitance value between the first line electrode XI2 and the fixed electrode 29a becomes relatively large. The detection circuit 315 of the touch screen panel 3 detects this relatively large change in the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second line electrode Y15 overlapping the fixed electrode 29a.

[0085] The fixed electrode 29b is capacitively coupled with the first line electrodes XI6, XI7. Therefore, when a scan voltage is selectively applied to the first line electrode XI7 and the remaining first line electrodes XI among the plurality of first line electrodes XI are connected to a reference potential (i.e., a ground potential), the electric charges of the fixed electrode 29b are discharged to the reference potential through the first line electrode XI6. Note that, since the fixed electrode 29b is electrically disconnected from the common electrode 29c, the electrostatic capacitance value of the common electrode 29c is not added to the electrostatic capacitance value of the fixed electrode 29b. Therefore, the change in the electrostatic capacitance value between the first line electrode XI7 and the fixed electrode 29b is not large. The detection circuit 315 of the touch screen panel 3 detects this small change in the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second line electrode Y13 overlapping the fixed electrode 29b.

[0086] According to this manner, while the rotational operation of the operation member 20 is performed, the detection circuit 315 detects the electric state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the output signal of the wire electrode Yl.

[0087] On the other hand, when the push operation of the operation member 20 is performed, the push switch PS1 turns to the on state to electrically connect the fixed electrodes 29d, 29c to each other. The fixed electrode 29d is capacitively coupled with the first wire electrode X14, and the common electrode 29c is capacitively coupled with the first wire electrode X19 connected to the reference potential. Therefore, when the scan voltage is selectively applied to the first wire electrode X14 and the remaining first wire electrodes among the plurality of first wire electrodes X1 are connected to the reference potential (i.e., the ground potential), the electric charges of both the fixed electrodes 29d, 29c are discharged to the reference potential through the first wire electrode X19. By this discharge, the change of the electrostatic capacitance value between the first wire electrode X14 and the fixed electrode 29d becomes relatively large. The detection circuit 315 of the touch screen panel 3 detects this relatively large change of the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wire electrode Y19 overlapping with the fixed electrode 29d. Note that when the push switch PS1 is in the off state, the fixed electrode 29d is electrically separated from the common electrode 29c, and thus the change of the electrostatic capacitance value between the first wire electrode X14 and the fixed electrode 29d is not large. The detection circuit 315 of the touch screen panel 3 detects this small change of the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wire electrode Y19 overlapping with the fixed electrode 29d.

[0088] According to this manner, when the push operation of the operation member 20 is performed, the detection circuit 315 detects the electric state of the fixed electrode 29d based on the output signal of the wire electrode Yl.

[0089] In the above-described exemplary case where the rotational operation is performed, the fixed electrode 29a in the conductive state has the increased output voltage of the second wire electrode Y15, and the fixed electrode 29b in the off state has the output voltage of the second wire electrode Y13 that does not change much. In this case, the electric state of the fixed electrode 29a is greater than the electric state of the fixed electrode 29b. Based on the output voltages of the second wire electrodes Y13, Y15, the detection circuit 315 further detects the "relative relationship between the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b".

[0090] In response to the rotation operation performed on the operation member 20, the electric state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b changes (changes between the conductive state and the cut-off state). Then, the detection circuit 315 detects the relative relationship (for example, the magnitude relationship) between the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the output voltage of the second wire electrode Y13, Y15 that overlaps with each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. It will be described later that the detection circuit 315 further determines whether the electric state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is the conductive state or the cut-off state based on the relative relationship thus detected. Further, the detection circuit 315 detects the rotation position of the operation member 20 based on the electric state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b thus determined, and detects the rotation position in time series. From this detection result, the detection circuit 315 detects the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the operation member 20.

[0091] (Characteristics of the input system)

[0092] The characteristics of the input system 1 will be described. The input system 1 is configured so that the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b change in total once when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click.

[0093] Hereinafter, the electric state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b can be referred to as the "respective electric state", and the entirety of the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b can be referred to as the "entire electric state". In the present disclosure, the above-mentioned characteristics "the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b change in total once when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click" means that the entire electric state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b changes only once when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click. In the present embodiment, the respective electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b do not change at the same time as each other.

[0094] Reference Figure 11 and Figures 12A to 12DThis describes one aspect of the overall electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b when the operating member 20 rotates. Hereinafter, as described above, the individual electrical state (H state) of each fixed electrode 29a and 29b when electrically connected to the common electrode 29c is simply represented as "H". Furthermore, the individual electrical state (L state) of each fixed electrode 29a and 29b when electrically disconnected from the common electrode 29c is simply represented as "L". The individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b, hereinafter referred to as "Q1" and "Q2" respectively, change between the two states "H" and "L" depending on the movement of the operating member 20. The overall electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b, hereinafter referred to as "Q12", refers to the combination of the individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b, and can be represented as "(Q1, Q2)". That is, Q12 = (Q1, Q2). The overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b can change between four states (multiple states) (H, L), (L, H), (H, L), and (L, L) depending on the movement of the operating member 20. In this embodiment, the configuration is such that when the operating member 20 rotates by one click, the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b changes only once. As described above, "one click" refers to the interval between two adjacent click points.

[0095] like Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, when the operating member 20 is in the rotational position of the click point C1, the electrical state Q12 (=(Q1, Q2)) is (L, H). As the operating member 20 rotates and moves sequentially at the click points C2, C3, ..., relative to each click ΔC rotation of the operating member starting from the click point C1, the electrical state Q12 changes from (L, H) to (L, L), then to (H, L), then to (H, H), ...

[0096] To explain in more detail, when the operating component 20 is as follows: Figure 12A When the device is at click point C1, the contacts S1 and S3 of the corresponding contactors 30a and 30c are separated from the movable electrode 27b, while the contacts S2 and S4 of the corresponding contactors 30b and 30d are in contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, the fixed electrode 29a is electrically separated from the common electrode 29c, while the fixed electrode 29b is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c. Therefore, the electrical state Q12 is (L, H). When the operating member 20 is as shown... Figure 12B As shown, when rotating from click point C1 to click point C2, the contacts S1 to S4 of the corresponding contactors 30a to 30d separate from the movable electrode 27b. In this position, the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are electrically separated from the common electrode 29c. Therefore, the electrical state Q12 is (L, L). When the operating member 20... Figure 12CAs shown, when the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C2 and reaches a click point C3, the contact portions S1, S3 of the corresponding contactors 30a, 30c come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, while the contact portions S2, S4 of the corresponding contactors 30b, 30d come out of contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, the fixed electrode 29a is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, while the fixed electrode 29b is electrically separated from the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, L). When the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C3 and reaches a click point C4, the contact portions S1 to S4 of the corresponding contactors 30a to 30d come into contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, both the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, H). Figure 12D As shown, when the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C2 and reaches a click point C3, the contact portions S1, S3 of the corresponding contactors 30a, 30c come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, while the contact portions S2, S4 of the corresponding contactors 30b, 30d come out of contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, the fixed electrode 29a is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, while the fixed electrode 29b is electrically separated from the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, L). When the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C3 and reaches a click point C4, the contact portions S1 to S4 of the corresponding contactors 30a to 30d come into contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, both the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, H).

[0097] As shown, when the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C2 and reaches a click point C3, the contact portions S1, S3 of the corresponding contactors 30a, 30c come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, while the contact portions S2, S4 of the corresponding contactors 30b, 30d come out of contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, the fixed electrode 29a is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, while the fixed electrode 29b is electrically separated from the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, L). When the operation member 20 is further rotated from the click point C3 and reaches a click point C4, the contact portions S1 to S4 of the corresponding contactors 30a to 30d come into contact with the movable electrode 27b. In this position, both the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c. Thus, the electrical state Q12 is (H, H).

[0098] Reference Figure 13 , describes an aspect of the electrical state Q12 (= (Q1, Q2)) of the input device according to the comparative example. The input device of the comparative example is configured such that the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is (L, L) each time the operation member 20 reaches a click point (e.g., each of C1 to C3). Thus, in the comparative example, when the operation member 20 is rotated from the click point C1 to the next click point C2 (i.e., by an amount of click ΔC), the electrical state Q12 changes a total of four times from (L, L), through (H, L), (H, H), and (L, H), to (L, L).

[0099] As described above, the input device of the comparative example is configured so that the electric state Q12 changes four times when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click. Therefore, in the comparative example, the time interval between the time points at which each electric state Q1 (or Q2) changes is shorter than the time interval of the present embodiment. Therefore, according to the comparative example, when the output voltage of the plurality of line electrodes Y1 is read out at a high scanning speed while the input device placed on the touch screen panel 3 is being rotated, a reading error can occur. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the input device 2 is configured so that the electric state Q12 changes only once when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click. This can reduce the reading error of the output voltage of the line electrode Y1, and thus can improve the readout responsiveness of the scanning of the line electrode Y1.

[0100] The calibration of the output voltage of the line electrode Y1 performed by the touch screen panel 3 will be described.

[0101] In the touch screen panel of the comparative (conventional) example, when the output voltage of a certain line electrode Y1 exceeds a first threshold value, the electric state of the fixed electrode 29a, 29b is determined to be an H state (a conductive state), where the certain line electrode Y1 is a line electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrode 29a, 29b when viewed along the normal line of the front surface of the touch screen panel. The first threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the fixed electrode 29a, 29b that overlaps the line electrode Y1 is in a conductive state or an off state. Further, when the output voltage of the line electrode Y1 does not exceed the first threshold value, the electric state of the fixed electrode 29a, 29b that overlaps the line electrode Y1 is determined to be an L state (an off state). The comparative example determines the electric state of the fixed electrode 29a, 29b of the input device 2 as described above, and detects the rotation operation (the amount of rotation and the direction of rotation) on the input device 2 based on the determination result (for example, time series data of the electric state of the fixed electrode 29a, 29b).

[0102] Further, the touch screen panel of the comparative (conventional) example is configured to calibrate (referred to as "normal calibration") the output voltage of the wire electrode Yl to correct the output voltage of the wire electrode Yl so as to eliminate the influence caused by the electrostatic capacitance value of the metal electrode present on the wire electrode Yl when the touch screen panel is activated (when power is on). It will be assumed that the following case: when the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b in the input device 2 placed on the touch screen panel 3 are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, the calibration is performed on the output voltage of the specific wire electrode Yl overlapping with the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. In this case, the calibration is performed with a correction value corresponding to the sum of the electrostatic capacitance value of the fixed electrode 29a and the electrostatic capacitance value of the common electrode 29c. Then, this correction is excessive by the amount of the electrostatic capacitance value of the common electrode 29c. Therefore, in this case, even when the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is the H state, the output voltage (corrected output voltage) output from the wire electrode Yl which is corrected in such a manner can not exceed the predetermined threshold value. As a result, the H state of the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b cannot be correctly detected, and thus the rotation operation performed on the input device 2 cannot be correctly detected.

[0103] Generally (i.e., not only in the touch screen panel of the comparative example, but also in the touch screen panel 3 of the present embodiment), the calibration is performed at the click points. Therefore, in order to avoid the above-described excessive correction, it is desirable that the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is (L, L) at the click points. However, the present embodiment is configured so that the electrical state Q12 is changed only once when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click, and thus the electrical state Q12 can not be (L, L) at some click points. Therefore, the present embodiment is configured to perform the calibration to avoid the excessive correction in accordance with the manner described below, although the electrical state Q12 is not (L, L) at some click points. The calibration of the present embodiment will be described below.

[0104] In the touch screen panel 3 of the present embodiment, the detection circuit 315 performs mutually different calibrations on the wire electrode Yl overlapping with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 when viewed along the normal line of the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 (referred to as "specific wire electrode") and the wire electrode Yl not overlapping with any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 when viewed along the normal line of the front surface 3a of the touch screen panel 3 (referred to as "wire electrode other than the specific wire electrode").

[0105] Specifically, the detection circuit 315 performs the above-described "normal calibration" on the wire electrodes Y1 that do not overlap any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. On the other hand, the detection circuit 315 does not perform such calibration (e.g., the above-described "normal calibration") that can change the relative relationship (e.g., the magnitude relationship) between the respective electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b on the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. In this case, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration with a correction value of zero on the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. That is, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration on the output voltage of the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b such that the "relative relationship between the (respective) electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b" is maintained before and after the calibration.

[0106] Note that performing the above-described calibration with a correction value of zero is basically equivalent to not performing any calibration. Thus, the present embodiment can be configured not to perform calibration on the output voltage of the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d. In this case, the output voltage of the wire electrodes Y1 that do not overlap any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d is calibrated (e.g., "normal calibration"), whereas the output voltage of the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d is not calibrated.

[0107] Further, the detection circuit 315 is configured to detect a rotation operation performed on the input device 2 based on the output voltage of the wire electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. To make this detection, the detection circuit 315 determines the respective electrical states of the respective fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the "relative relationship between the respective electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b". The detection circuit 315 also determines the rotational position of the operation member 20 based on this determination result. Further, the detection circuit 315 determines the rotation amount and the rotation direction of the rotation operation performed on the operation member 20 based on time-series data of the rotational position thus determined.

[0108] Next, how the detection circuit 315 performs the above-described calibration will be described with reference to the flowchart of Figure 14 The detection circuit 315 sequentially performs one set of processes of steps S1 to S3 on a plurality of wire electrodes Y1. In step S1, the detection circuit 315 determines whether or not the wire electrode Y1 that is the target of the determination overlaps any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. Specifically, the detection circuit 315 determines whether or not the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that is the target of the determination exceeds a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether or not any of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d is placed on the wire electrode Y1. The second threshold value is lower than the above-described first threshold value.

[0109] When it is found that the output voltage exceeds the second threshold value, the detection circuit 315 determines that the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target overlaps any one of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d. On the other hand, when it is found that the output voltage does not exceed the second threshold value, the detection circuit 315 determines that the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target does not overlap any one of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d. This determination criterion uses the fact that if the fixed electrode 29a to 29d overlaps the wire electrode Y1, the electrostatic capacitance value of that fixed electrode 29a to 29d should increase the output voltage of that wire electrode Y1, thereby causing the voltage to exceed the second threshold value.

[0110] When it is determined that the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target does not overlap any one of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 (i.e., Step S1 is "No"), the detection circuit 315 performs the normal calibration described above on the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target (Step S2), and the processing ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target overlaps any one of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 (i.e., Step S1 is "Yes"), the detection circuit 315 performs calibration that is different from the normal calibration on the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that is the determination target (Step S3), and the processing ends. For example, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration in which the correction value is zero. Alternatively, the detection circuit 315 can not perform any calibration on the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that overlaps any one of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 in Step S3.

[0111] Next, the operation of the detection circuit 315 will be described with reference to Figure 15 Description: How the detection circuit 315 detects the rotational position of the operation member 20. In the present embodiment, calibration in which the correction value is zero is performed on the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 among the plurality of wire electrodes Y1 (i.e., substantially no calibration is performed thereon). This means that the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d can deviate from a certain voltage. Therefore, the determination method based on the first threshold value described above can not correctly determine the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b (whether it is an H state or an L state). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the information derived from the output voltage of the wire electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is only the relative relationship (e.g., the size relationship) between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. How the rotational position of the operation member 20 is detected in this case will be described.

[0112] The detection circuit 315 specifies the line electrodes Yl that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b (the fixed electrodes that are relevant to the detection of the rotational position of the operation member 20) from among the plurality of line electrodes Yl (step S10). Specifically, for example, when a rotational operation is performed on the input device 2 (i.e., when the operation member 20 is rotated), among the line electrodes Yl that overlap the four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, the amount of change in the output voltage of each of the line electrodes Yl that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is greater than the amount of change in the output voltage of each of the line electrodes Yl that overlap the other fixed electrodes 29c, 29d. The detection circuit 315 specifies these line electrodes Yl for which the output voltage change amount is greater as the line electrodes Yl that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. At this time, a total of two line electrodes Yl can be specified, for example, one line electrode Yl overlaps the fixed electrode 29a, and the other line electrode Yl overlaps the fixed electrode 29b. Hereinafter, the two line electrodes Yl that are specified will be referred to as "specific line electrodes Yl".

[0113] Next, the detection circuit 315 starts the following process: determining the initial state of the electric state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the output voltage of the specific line electrodes Yl (step Sll). Specifically, the detection circuit 315 determines whether the relative relationship (e.g., the magnitude relationship) between the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is "the same" based on the output voltage of the specific line electrodes Yl (step S12). As used here, the relative relationship "the same" means that the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are the same as each other. Further, the relative relationship "not the same" means that the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are not the same as each other (i.e., different from each other).

[0114] When it is determined that the relative relationship "is not the same" (i.e., step S12 is "No"), the detection circuit 315 determines the above-mentioned initial state based on the relative relationship between the electric states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b (step S13). Specifically, the detection circuit 315 determines that the initial state of the one of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b whose electric state is greater is the H state (the conductive state), and the initial state of the other of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b whose electric state is smaller is the L state (the off state).

[0115] When the relative relationship is determined to be "the same" (i.e., YES in step S12), the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state based on the change in the output voltage of the specific wire electrode Yl when the operating member 20 is rotated by the amount of one click from the position of the above relative relationship (i.e., based on the change in the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b) (step S14). That is, if the electrical state changes as described above, the relative relationship between the electrical states should change to "not the same". Based on this, the detection circuit 315 determines that the initial state of the one of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, which has the greater electrical state, is the H state (conductive state), and the initial state of the other one of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, which has the smaller electrical state, is the L state (non-conductive state).

[0116] The case where the above relative relationship is determined to be "the same" will be described in more detail. In this case, it can be determined that the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are the same as each other, but it cannot be determined whether the electrical state is the L state or the H state. However, if the operating member 20 is moved from the position of this relative relationship, the relative relationship should change and become "not the same". Based on this, when it is found that the electrical state of either one of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is reduced, the initial state of the one fixed electrode, which is reduced, is determined to be the L state (non-conductive state), and the initial state of the other one of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is determined to be the H state (conductive state).

[0117] Thereafter, when the operating member 20 is further rotated by the amount of one click, the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b after the further rotation by the amount of one click based on the initial state thus determined and the output voltage of the specific wire electrode Yl detected after the further rotation by the amount of one click (i.e., the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b) (step S15).

[0118] In the present embodiment, the information that can be derived from the output voltage of the specific wire electrode Yl is only the relative relationship between the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b as described above. For this reason, first, the initial state is determined (estimated) based on the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and then the electrical state after the next rotation by the amount of one click is determined (specified) based on the initial state thus determined and the relative relationship detected after the next rotation by the amount of one click.

[0119] Thereafter, every time the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is detected based on the output voltage of the specific wire electrode Yl, the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical state based on the relative relationship thus detected and the electrical state determined in the immediately preceding detection (step S16).

[0120] Based on the results in steps S15, S16 (i.e., the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b thus determined), the detection circuit 315 detects the rotational position of the operation member 20 of the input device 2 (step S17). As described above, in the present embodiment, the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and detects the rotational position (position) of the operation member 20 based on the initial state thus determined.

[0121] Hereinafter, the material of the movable electrode 27b of the rotary contact plate 27 of the input device 2 will be described. The movable electrode 27b is made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity. Examples of the non-metal having electrical conductivity include a resin containing an electrically conductive filler (e.g., a carbon filler). The movable electrode 27b made of the non-metal having electrical conductivity can prevent the movable electrode 27b from being welded to the contactors 30a to 30b. This can omit a lubricant (e.g., grease) that can be applied to the respective contact points between the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30b in order to prevent the movable electrode 27b from being welded to the contactors 30a to 30d. Thus, the case where the lubricant leaks into the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 does not occur again. In the present embodiment, the contactors 30a to 30d are made of a metal, and the movable electrode 27b is made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. At least one of the movable electrode 27b or the contactors 30a to 30d can be made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity.

[0122] The time interval between the points in time at which the electrical state Q1 (or Q2) of the present embodiment changes is longer than the time interval of the comparative example. Thus, the contact time during which the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d of the present embodiment continuously contact each other is longer than the contact time of the comparative example. This can sufficiently ensure electrical conductivity when the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d contact each other even if one of the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d is made of a non-metal.

[0123] (Technical Effects)

[0124] In the present embodiment, the total number of times at which the electrical states Q1, Q2 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b change when the operation member 20 rotates by the amount of one click is 1, but is not limited thereto. The total number of times can be a number other than a multiple of 4. In other words, the above-described total number of times is an integer N, where the integer N is a number whose factor does not include 4. Thus, the total number of times at which the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b change between the click points is not limited to a multiple of 4. This can improve the degree of flexibility in setting the above-described total number of times.

[0125] The above total number of times can be less than 4, and can be 1. This can reduce the total number of times compared to the above comparative example. This can reduce reading errors of the output voltage of the line electrode Y1, and thus can improve the readout responsiveness of the scan of the line electrode Y1.

[0126] (Variation)

[0127] Some variations of the above-described embodiments are described below. The variations described below can be implemented in combination with each other.

[0128] (Variation 1)

[0129] In the above-described embodiments, the detection circuit 315 is configured to determine the initial state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and to detect the rotational position of the operation member 20 based on the initial state and another relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b detected thereafter. Alternatively, the detection circuit 315 can be configured not to determine the initial state, but to determine the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based only on the currently detected relative relationship each time the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is detected. Specifically, when it is found that the currently detected relative relationship is “not the same”, the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based on the currently detected relative relationship. On the other hand, when it is found that the currently detected relative relationship is “the same”, the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based on the change in the relative relationship when the state of the “immediately preceding relative relationship” becomes the state of the “current (i.e., currently detected) relative relationship”. For example, when it is found that the increase in the electrical state of the fixed electrode 29a has caused the immediately preceding relative relationship of “not the same” to become the current relative relationship of “the same”, the detection circuit 315 determines that the current relative relationship is the relative relationship in which each of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is the H state.

[0130] (Variation 2)

[0131] In the above-described embodiments, the detection circuit 315 is configured to determine the initial state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and to detect the rotational position of the operation member 20 based on the initial state and another relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b detected thereafter. The detection circuit 315 can determine the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b with reference to a conversion table based on the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. The conversion table indicates a correspondence between the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b and the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b.

[0132] (Variation 3)

[0133] In the above-described embodiment, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration when the touch screen panel 3 is activated, but is not limited thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the detection circuit 315 can perform calibration at other times, for example, when it is found that the output voltage of the fixed electrode 29a, 29b is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value due to the influence of the ambient temperature. The detection circuit 315 can be configured to perform mutually different calibrations on the line electrodes Y1 that overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b and the line electrodes Y1 that do not overlap with any of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b.

[0134] Specifically, the detection circuit 315 performs the above-described normal calibration on the line electrodes Y1 that do not overlap with any of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and performs calibration different from the normal calibration on the line electrodes Y1 that overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. The normal calibration is performed with a correction value that varies in accordance with the output voltage of the line electrode Y1 that is the target of correction. In this case, in the "calibration different from the normal calibration", the average value of the correction values for normal correction, that is, the average value of the correction values for correcting the respective line electrodes Y1 that do not overlap with any of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, is used as the correction value. This can prevent over-correction on the line electrodes Y1 that overlap with any of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b.

[0135] The influence of the ambient temperature will change the voltage values of all the line electrodes Y1 in a similar manner to each other. Therefore, the correction value for the line electrodes Y1 that overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is estimated as the average value of the correction values for the line electrodes Y1 that do not overlap with any of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b.

[0136] (Variation 4)

[0137] In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of first line electrodes X1 of the touch screen panel 3 are all configured to function as the touch point detection function. Alternatively, in addition to one or more line electrodes configured to function as the touch point detection function, the plurality of first line electrodes X1 can include other line electrodes configured to detect voltage changes in the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 exclusively. Further alternatively, the plurality of first line electrodes X1 of the touch screen panel 3 are all configured to detect voltage changes in the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 exclusively.

[0138] (Other variations)

[0139] In the above-described embodiments, two fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are related to detection of the rotational position of the operation member 20, but three or more fixed electrodes can also be used. In this case, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes related to detection of the rotational position of the operation member 20 can change between four or more electrical states according to movement of the operation member 20.

[0140] The operation member 20 is a rotary operation member in the above-described embodiments, but can also be a sliding operation member.

[0141] (SUMMARY)

[0142] The input device (2) of the first aspect includes at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) and an operation member (20). The at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are configured to be placed in overlap with a specific wire electrode (Y1) among a plurality of wire electrodes (Y1). The operation member (20) is movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The operation member (20) is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points (e.g., C1 to C4). The electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes between a plurality of states according to movement of the operation member (20). An integer N, which is the total number of times the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes when the operation member (20) moves from one of two adjacent click points among the plurality of click points (e.g., C1 to C4) to the next click point, does not include 4.

[0143] According to this aspect, the total number of times the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes between click points is not limited to a multiple of 4. This can provide a greater degree of flexibility in the setting of the total number of changes in the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation member (20) moves from one click point to the next click point.

[0144] In the input device (2) of the second aspect, on the basis of the first aspect, the total number of times the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes when the operation member (20) moves from one of two adjacent click points to the next click point is less than 4.

[0145] This aspect can reduce the total number of times the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes between click points. Therefore, the output signal (e.g., output voltage) of the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1) can be read out at a high scanning speed and with reduced reading errors. This can improve the readout responsiveness to the scanning speed.

[0146] In the input device (2) of the third aspect, on the basis of the second aspect, the total number of times of change in the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation member (20) moves from one of the two adjacent click points to the next click point is 1.

[0147] This aspect can further reduce the total number of times of change in the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) between the click points. Thus, this can further improve the readout responsiveness to the scanning speed.

[0148] In the input device (2) of the fourth aspect, on the basis of any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the operation member (20) is rotatable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b).

[0149] This aspect makes it possible to apply the present disclosure to a configuration having a rotary operation member (20).

[0150] On the basis of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the input device (2) of the fifth aspect includes a plurality of contactors (30a to 30d) and a movable electrode (27b). The plurality of contactors (30a to 30d) are connected to the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The movable electrode (27b) is configured to move together with the operation member (20) to be in contact with or not in contact with the contactors (30a to 30d). Either the movable electrode (27b) or the contactors (30a to 30d) is made of metal, and the other is made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity.

[0151] This aspect can prevent welding of the movable electrode (27b) to the contactors (30a to 30d). Thus, it is possible to omit the application of grease to the contact points between the movable electrode (27b) and the contactors (30a to 30d).

[0152] In the input device (2) of the sixth aspect, on the basis of any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect, the at least two fixed electrodes overlap with mutually different wire electrodes of the specific wire electrodes.

[0153] This aspect makes it possible to apply the present disclosure to a configuration in which the at least two fixed electrodes overlap with mutually different wire electrodes of the fixed wire electrodes.

[0154] In the input device (2) of the seventh aspect, on the basis of any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect, the at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch configured to switch between an on state and an off state in accordance with movement of the operation member.

[0155] This aspect enables application of the present disclosure to a configuration in which the at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch configured to switch between an on state and an off state in accordance with movement of the operation member.

[0156] The input system of the eighth aspect includes the input device (2) of any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect, the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1), and the signal processor (315). The signal processor (315) is configured to perform signal processing on the output signals output from the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1).

[0157] This aspect can provide an input system including the input device (2).

[0158] In the input system of the ninth aspect, on the basis of the eighth aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to perform correction (e.g., calibration) on the output signals output from the wire electrodes (Y1) other than the specific wire electrode (Y1) among the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1) and not perform correction (e.g., not perform calibration) on the output signal output from the specific wire electrode (Y1).

[0159] This aspect can prevent the correction performed on the output signals of the wire electrodes (Y1) from changing the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b).

[0160] In the input system of the tenth aspect, on the basis of the eighth aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to perform mutually different correction on the output signal output from the specific wire electrode (Y1) among the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1) and the output signal output from the wire electrodes (Y1) other than the specific wire electrode (Y1) among the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1).

[0161] According to this aspect, optimal correction can be performed on the output signal of the specific wire electrode (Y1) among the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1) and the output signal of the wire electrodes (Y1) other than the specific wire electrode (Y1) among the plurality of wire electrodes (Y1) respectively.

[0162] In the input system of the eleventh aspect, on the basis of the tenth aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to perform correction on the output signal output from the specific wire electrode (Y1). The relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) remains unchanged before and after the correction.

[0163] According to this aspect, the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) can be maintained after the correction is performed on the output signal of the specific wire electrode (Y1).

[0164] In the input system of the twelfth aspect, on the basis of any one of the eighth aspect to the eleventh aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to determine an initial state of the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) based on a relative relationship (e.g., a magnitude relationship) between the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b), and detect the position of the operation member (20) based on the initial state.

[0165] According to this aspect, even when the output signal of the specific line electrode (Y1) can only provide a relative relationship between the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b), the position of the operation member (20) can be detected.

[0166] In the input system of the thirteenth aspect, on the basis of the twelfth aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to determine the initial state based on a change in the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation member (20) moves from a position of a specific relative relationship in which the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are found to be the same as each other.

[0167] According to this aspect, in the case where the relative relationship is a specific relative relationship in which the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are the same as each other, the position of the operation member (20) can be detected based on a change in the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation member (20) moves from a position of the relative relationship.

[0168] In the input system of the fourteenth aspect, on the basis of the twelfth aspect, the signal processor (315) is configured to determine the initial state based on a specific relative relationship in which the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are found to be different from each other.

[0169] According to this aspect, in the case where the relative relationship is a specific relative relationship in which the electric states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are different from each other, the initial state can be determined based on the specific relative relationship.

[0170] List of reference numerals

[0171] 1 input system

[0172] 2 input device

[0173] 20 operation member

[0174] 27b movable electrode

[0175] 29a, 29b fixed electrodes

[0176] 30a to 30d contactors

[0177] 315 detection circuit (signal processor)

[0178] C1 to C4 click points

[0179] Y1 second wire electrode (wire electrode)

[0180] Q1, Q2 electric state

Claims

1. An input device comprising: at least two fixed electrodes configured to be placed in overlap with a specific wire electrode among a plurality of wire electrodes; an operation member movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; a click spring including a protrusion and mounted on a housing together with the at least two fixed electrodes; a rotating click cam including an uneven portion including a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses alternately arranged, positions of the plurality of recesses forming a plurality of click points, and configured to be moved together with the operation member so that the protrusion of the click spring passes over a protrusion among the plurality of protrusions; and a movable electrode configured to be moved together with the operation member to bring the at least two fixed electrodes and a common electrode into contact with or out of contact with each other, a respective electrical state of each of the at least two fixed electrodes becomes a high potential state or a low potential state according to whether the corresponding electrode among the at least two fixed electrodes is brought into contact with or out of contact with the common electrode by the movable electrode, the operation member is movable within a movable range including the plurality of click points, a whole electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes is a combination of the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes and changes between a plurality of states according to movement of the operation member, and an integer N is less than 4, where the integer N is a total number of times of change in the whole electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operation member moves from one click point among adjacent two click points among the plurality of click points to a next click point, when a magnitude relationship between the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes is in a relationship in which the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are different from each other, calibration is performed on an output signal of the specific wire electrode so that the magnitude relationship between the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes remains unchanged. 2.The input device according to claim 1, wherein the total number of times of change in the whole electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operation member moves from one click point among the adjacent two click points to a next click point is 1. 3.The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation member is rotatable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes. 4.The input device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a plurality of contactors connected to the at least two fixed electrodes; wherein the movable electrode is configured to be moved together with the operation member to be in contact with or out of contact with the contactors, either of the movable electrode or the contactors is made of metal and the other of the movable electrode or the contactors is made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity. 5.The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two fixed electrodes overlap with wire electrodes different from each other among the specific wire electrodes. 6.The input device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein ​ The at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch configured to switch between an on state and an off state in accordance with movement of the operation member.

7. An input system comprising: the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the plurality of wire electrodes; and a signal processor configured to perform signal processing on output signals output from the plurality of wire electrodes.

8. The input system according to claim 7, wherein the signal processor is configured to: perform correction on output signals output from wire electrodes other than the specific wire electrode among the plurality of wire electrodes, and not perform correction on an output signal output from the specific wire electrode.

9. The input system according to claim 7, wherein the signal processor is configured to perform mutually different correction on output signals output from the specific wire electrode among the plurality of wire electrodes and output signals output from wire electrodes other than the specific wire electrode among the plurality of wire electrodes.

10. The input system according to claim 9, wherein the signal processor is configured to perform correction on an output signal output from the specific wire electrode, and a magnitude relationship between the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes remains unchanged before and after correction.

11. The input system according to claim 7, wherein the signal processor is configured to: determine an initial state of the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a magnitude relationship between the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detect a position of the operation member based on the initial state.

12. The input system according to claim 11, wherein the signal processor is configured to determine the initial state based on a change in the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operation member moves from a position of a specific magnitude relationship in which the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are identical to each other.

13. The input system according to claim 11, wherein the signal processor is configured to determine the initial state based on a specific magnitude relationship in which the respective electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are different from each other when the magnitude relationship is found to be the specific magnitude relationship.

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