Detection system

Abstract

Provided is a detection system capable of visually recognizing the distance from a subject to a determination surface for determining the position of the subject in a determination space, and the amount of press-in of the subject through the determination surface. This detection system is provided with: a detection device having a plurality of sensor electrodes provided in a detection region, and a detection circuit for detecting the capacitance of the plurality of sensor electrodes; a display device having a display area overlapping the detection area; and a control device that controls the detection device and the display device, the detection device calculates the spatial coordinates of the object to be detected, and the control device controls the display device such that the cursor is displayed at a position where the calculated spatial coordinates of the object to be detected are projected to the display region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a detection system. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, a detection system has been known that mounts or integrates a detection device, known as a touch panel, capable of detecting externally approaching objects onto a display device such as a liquid crystal display (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2019 / 082399 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, in the hovering operation of the detection system described in Patent Document 1, when clicking a button or writing text or drawing, the user may not be able to identify at what height the button can be clicked or at what height the text or drawing can be written in the space above the detection surface.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a detection system capable of visually recognizing the extent of operations in a space.

[0009] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0010] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a detection system comprising: a detection device having a plurality of sensor electrodes disposed in a detection area and a detection circuit for detecting the electrostatic capacitance of the plurality of sensor electrodes; a display device having a display area overlapping the detection area; and a control device for controlling the detection device and the display device, wherein the detection device calculates the spatial coordinates of a detected object, and the control device controls the display device such that a cursor is displayed at the position where the calculated spatial coordinates of the detected object are projected onto the display area. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the general structure of the detection device involved in the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional structure of the detection system of the detection apparatus involved in the application implementation.

[0013] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the detection circuit of the detection device according to the embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the control device of the detection apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of the object being detected in the space of the detection area and the positions of each sensor electrode.

[0016] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram showing the spatial coordinates of the object being detected in the space of the detection area.

[0017] Figure 6 It is an explanatory diagram used to illustrate the changes in the cursor.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the decision plane when the size of the object being manipulated is small.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the decision plane when the size of the object being manipulated is large.

[0020] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the relationship between the size of the object being operated on and the distance from the detection surface to the decision surface.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of the display cursor in the detection device according to the embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 It is shown Figure 10 The flowchart shown is a sub-flowchart of an example of cursor generation processing.

[0023] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 11 The flowchart shown is an example of a process for determining the type or size of the cursor.

[0024] Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the method for determining the cursor size when the distance from the detection start surface to the judgment surface is relatively long.

[0025] Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating how to determine the cursor size when the distance from the detection start surface to the judgment surface is short.

[0026] Figure 15 This is an explanation showing the relationship with Figure 13 Illustrations of methods for determining cursor size in different examples where the distance from the detection start face to the decision face is long.

[0027] Figure 16 This is an explanation showing the relationship with Figure 14Illustrations of methods for determining cursor size in different examples where the distance from the detection start face to the decision face is short.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0029] 1. Detection device; 10. Sensor unit; 12. Sensor electrode; 22. Detection circuit; 200. Display device; AA. Detection area; Cs. Cursor; DA. Display area; Fg. Detected object; HD. Control device; SFA. Detection start surface; H. Judgment surface; R. Spatial coordinates; S. Detection surface. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments. Furthermore, the constituent elements described below include elements readily conceived by those skilled in the art, and substantially the same elements. Moreover, the constituent elements described below can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, the disclosure is merely an example, and appropriate modifications that maintain the spirit of the invention and are readily conceived by those skilled in the art are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, in order to make the explanation clearer, the drawings sometimes schematically show the width, thickness, shape, etc., of various parts compared to the actual embodiment; however, this is merely an example and does not limit the interpretation of the present invention. Furthermore, in this specification and the various drawings, elements identical to those described in the previously shown figures are labeled with the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are sometimes appropriately omitted.

[0031] (Implementation Method)

[0032] Figure 1 This is a top view showing the general structure of the detection device according to the embodiment. (e.g.) Figure 1 As shown, the detection device 1 includes a sensor unit 10 and a detection unit 20.

[0033] The sensor unit 10 includes a sensor substrate 11, a plurality of sensor electrodes 12 disposed in the detection area AA of the sensor substrate 11, and wiring 37 extending from each of the plurality of sensor electrodes 12. The detection unit 20 includes a control substrate 21, a detection circuit 22, a processing circuit 23, a power supply circuit 24, and an interface circuit 25.

[0034] The detection area AA of the sensor substrate 11 is a region in which multiple sensor electrodes 12 are arranged in a matrix along the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy. Figure 1 The example shows M items arranged along the first direction Dx (in... Figure 1 There are 5 sensor electrodes 12 in the middle, and N electrodes are arranged in the second direction Dy (in the middle). Figure 1The sensor has four electrodes 12. The sensor substrate 11 is, for example, a glass substrate or a flexible printed circuit (FPC) that is transparent.

[0035] In this disclosure, the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy are orthogonal in the detection area AA of the sensor substrate 11. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the direction orthogonal to the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy is designated as the third direction Dz.

[0036] exist Figure 1 The example shown illustrates a configuration of 4×4 (=16) sensor electrodes 12 arranged in a first direction Dx and a second direction Dy. However, the number of sensor electrodes 12 disposed in the detection area AA of the sensor substrate 11 is not limited to this.

[0037] The control board 21 is electrically connected to the sensor board 11 via the wiring board 31. The wiring board 31 is, for example, a flexible printed circuit board. Each sensor electrode 12 of the sensor unit 10 is connected to the detection circuit 22 of the detection unit 20 via the wiring board 31.

[0038] The control substrate 21 is provided with a detection circuit 22, a processing circuit 23, a power supply circuit 24, and an interface circuit 25. The control substrate 21 is, for example, a rigid substrate.

[0039] The detection circuit 22 generates the detection value of each sensor electrode 12 based on the detection signals output from each sensor electrode 12 from the sensor substrate 11. The detection circuit 22 is, for example, an analog front end (AFE) IC.

[0040] The processing circuit 23 generates spatial coordinates representing the location of the detected object (e.g., an operator's finger) in the detection area AA based on the detection values ​​of each sensor electrode 12 output from the detection circuit 22. The processing circuit 23 may be, for example, a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a MCU (Micro Control Unit). The processing circuit 23 has a memory of 23M.

[0041] The memory 23M stores the judgment criteria for whether the detected object Fg exists in the detection area in the processing circuit 23, and the threshold that serves as the basis for performing detection judgment based on user input operation.

[0042] The power supply circuit 24 is a circuit that supplies power to the detection circuit 22 and the processing circuit 23.

[0043] The interface circuit 25, for example, is a USB controller IC, which is a circuit that controls the communication between the processing circuit 23 and the main controller (not shown) of the control device HD, which is equipped with a detection system and described later.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional structure of the detection system of the detection apparatus involved in the application implementation. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 Section II-II′. The detection system 100 includes a detection device 1 and a display device 200. The display device 200 is disposed opposite to the sensor section 10 of the detection device 1 across an air gap AG. The sensor section 10 of the detection device 1 is configured such that, when viewed from above, the detection area AA of the sensor section 10 and the display area DA of the display device 200 overlap in the third direction Dz.

[0045] The sensor unit 10 includes a sensor substrate 11, sensor electrodes 12, a shielding member 14, and a front panel 15. The sensor substrate 11 is a light-transmitting substrate such as glass or resin. A plurality of sensor electrodes 12 are formed on the sensor substrate 11, and the sensor electrodes 12 are covered by a protective layer OC, thereby planarizing the surface and protecting the sensor electrodes 12. The protective layer OC is a light-transmitting resin, such as acrylic resin. The protective layer OC can be not only an organic resin, but also an inorganic resin, or a laminate of organic and inorganic resins.

[0046] The front panel 15 is a protective panel that protects the front surface of the detection device. If the front panel 15 is a glass substrate, it is also called a glass cover. The front panel 15 is laminated with the sensor substrate 11 in a third direction Dz orthogonal to the surface of the front panel 15. The sensor substrate 11 is fixed to the front panel 15 via an adhesive layer AT. The adhesive layer AT is a light-transmitting adhesive, called OCA (Optical Clear Adhesive). The adhesive layer AT can also be a light-transmitting film with double-sided adhesion.

[0047] The sensor unit 10 has a shielding member 14, a sensor substrate 11, and a front panel 15 stacked sequentially from the display device 200 side.

[0048] The shielding element 14 is made of a transparent conductive material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), IZO (Indium Zinc Oxide), or IGO (Indium Gallium Oxide). The shielding element 14 is disposed on the second side of the sensor substrate 11 on the display device 200 side.

[0049] The sensor electrode 12 is disposed on the first surface opposite to the second surface of the sensor substrate 11. Hereinafter, the surface disposed on the uppermost front panel 15 will also be referred to as the "detection surface S".

[0050] The display device 200 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display device 200 may also be, for example, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or an inorganic light emitting diode (micro-LED, small LED).

[0051] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the detection circuit of the detection device 1 according to the embodiment. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the detection unit 20 includes a detection timing control circuit 41, a signal detection unit 42, an A / D conversion unit 43, a signal processing unit 44, a coordinate extraction unit 45, and a determination processing unit 46. In this disclosure, the detection timing control circuit 41, the signal detection unit 42, and the A / D conversion unit 43 are included in the detection circuit 22. The signal processing unit 44, the coordinate extraction unit 45, and the determination processing unit 46 are included in the processing circuit 23.

[0052] The timing control circuit 41 controls the timing of the detection actions in the signal detection unit 42 and the A / D conversion unit 43.

[0053] The signal detection unit 42 generates an output value GV(n) for each sensor electrode 12 based on the detection signal Det(n) output from each sensor electrode 12 from the sensor substrate 11 (n is a natural number from 1 to N, where N is the number of sensor electrodes in the detection area AA).

[0054] The A / D conversion unit 43 samples the output value GV(n) of the signal detection unit 42 and converts it into a discrete detection value Raw(n).

[0055] The signal processing unit 44 performs prescribed signal processing on the detection value Raw(n) of each sensor electrode 12 and calculates the signal value S(n) of each sensor electrode 12.

[0056] The coordinate extraction unit 45 extracts the spatial coordinates of the location where the detected object Fg exists based on the signal value S(n) of each sensor electrode 12 output from the signal processing unit 44.

[0057] The determination processing unit 46 determines whether the detected object Fg exceeds the limit based on the spatial coordinates R (Rx, Ry, Rz) calculated by the coordinate extraction unit 45. Figure 6 The detection start surface SFA or the decision surface H, which is described later, is close to the detection surface S.

[0058] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the control device of the detection apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the detection system 100 has an external control device HD that is connected to the detection unit 20. The control device HD controls the detection device 1 and the display device 200.

[0060] The control device HD includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a storage device such as memory. By using these hardware resources to execute programs, it can perform various functions such as setting input processing unit 50, cursor display processing unit 51, user application processing unit 52, and detection information processing unit 53. The control device HD also has an input interface 54 and a display interface 55.

[0061] like Figure 4 As shown, the signal between the detection circuit 22 and the processing circuit 23 is transmitted via SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface), which serves as the interface for clock synchronization. However, the serial interface used to transmit the signal between the detection circuit 22 and the processing circuit 23 is not limited to SPI.

[0062] Furthermore, the signals between the processing circuit 23 and the control device HD are transmitted via USB, which serves as a serial interface. Specifically, the signals between the processing circuit 23 and the control device HD are transmitted via the signal lines of the USB cable. Moreover, the serial interface for transmitting the signals between the processing circuit 23 and the control device HD is not limited to USB.

[0063] The detection unit 20 sends coordinate data to the driver IC. The detection information processing unit 53 supplies image signals to the display device 200 and drives the display device 200.

[0064] The setting input processing unit 50 receives information about the judgment surface H set by the user. The setting input processing unit 50 sends the set position information of the judgment surface H to the cursor display processing unit 51. The cursor display processing unit 51 sends the position information of the judgment surface H to the detection information processing unit 53.

[0065] The cursor display processing unit 51 outputs the display data of the cursor Cs to the display device 200 via the display interface 55. The detection device 1 calculates the spatial coordinates R of the detected object Fg. The control device HD controls the display device 200 so that the cursor Cs is displayed at the position where the calculated spatial coordinates R of the detected object Fg are projected onto the display area DA.

[0066] The detection information processing unit 53 sends the coordinate information of the detected object Fg to the cursor display processing unit 51 via the input interface 54.

[0067] The user application processing unit 52 is a processing unit that executes the functions requested by the user. In this disclosure, an operation object BT, which is assigned as the target of an input operation to execute the function requested by the user, will be described as an example. The user application processing unit 52 stores the position information of the set decision surface H as an input operation to the operation object BT in the memory. The user application processing unit 52 sends the position information of the decision surface H read from the memory and the size information of the operation object BT to the cursor display processing unit 51. Here, the operation object BT is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) used to receive various processing-related operations from the user and is displayed on the display area DA of the display device 200, and the displayed image of the operation object BT overlaps with the detection area AA.

[0068] The cursor display processing unit 51 sends the position information of the judgment surface H or the size information of the manipulated object BT to the detection information processing unit 53. The detection information processing unit 53 sends the position information of the judgment surface H or the size information of the manipulated object BT to the cursor display processing unit 51 and the user application processing unit 52 via the input interface 54.

[0069] The user application processing unit 52 outputs the application display screen to the display device 200 via the display interface 55.

[0070] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of the object being detected in the space of the detection area and the positions of each sensor electrode. For example... Figure 5A As shown, each sensor electrode 12 in the detection area AA generates an electrostatic capacitance corresponding to the distance D(n) between the object to be detected Fg in the space of the detection area AA and each sensor electrode 12, and obtains a signal value S(n) corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance.

[0071] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram showing the spatial coordinates of the object being detected in the space of the detection area.

[0072] Processing circuit 23 uses the generated signal values ​​S(n) of each sensor electrode 12 to extract and display... Figure 5B The spatial coordinates R (Rx, Ry, Rz) of the position of the object Fg in the space of the detection area AA shown.

[0073] exist Figure 5A as well as Figure 5B The image shows an example where the object to be detected, Fg, exists in the space of the detection area AA.

[0074] In this disclosure, the spatial coordinates R(Rx, Ry, Rz) include first data Rx indicating the position of a first direction Dx on the detection area AA, second data Ry indicating the position of a second direction Dy on the detection area AA, and third data Rz indicating the position of a third direction Dz orthogonal to the first direction Dx and the second direction Dy.

[0075] In addition, in this disclosure, the spatial coordinates R (Rx, Ry, Rz) take the surface of the front panel 15 as the detection surface S, indicating the position of the object to be detected Fg in the space existing on the detection surface S.

[0076] As described above, the detection device 1 of the present invention detects the electrostatic capacitance generated on each sensor electrode 12 and detects the spatial coordinates of the location of the object Fg to be detected on the detection area AA.

[0077] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram used to illustrate cursor changes. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the detection surface S has a cursor Cs, a detection start surface SFA, and a decision surface H.

[0078] The cursor Cs is displayed on the detection surface S and is a graphic indicating the input position on the detection surface S, which varies in height from the object being detected Fg to the detection surface S.

[0079] The detection start surface SFA is set to a surface capable of detecting the object Fg at a predetermined height from the detection surface S. When the object Fg approaches the detection surface S beyond the detection start surface SFA, the display device 200 displays a cursor Cs on the detection surface S. The detection start surface SFA is set at a predetermined position higher than the judgment surface H. The upper limit of the position of the detection start surface SFA is within the range that does not exceed the upper limit of the sensor sensitivity.

[0080] In addition, the control device HD changes the size of the cursor Cs according to the distance from the detection surface S to the object being detected Fg.

[0081] The judgment surface H is the surface where the object to be inspected, Fg, is at a height set by the user from the detection surface S. The control device HD processes the operation of the object to be inspected, Fg, approaching the detection surface S after passing through the judgment surface H as input to the detection device 1. The judgment surface H is set between the detection surface S and the detection start surface SFA. The height of the judgment surface H is determined based on the dimensions of the object being operated on, BT. Judgment surfaces that are closer to the detection surface than the detection start surface are set at a distance from the detection surface.

[0082] The height of the judgment surface H is adjusted through an operation in the setting input processing unit 50. Alternatively, the height adjustment of the judgment surface H can also be performed automatically by obtaining data such as the dimensions of the object BT from the user application processing unit 52.

[0083] When the object to be detected, Fg, is located far from the detection start surface SFA when viewed from the detection surface S, the cursor Cs is not displayed on the detection surface S.

[0084] When the object to be detected, Fg, exists between the detection start surface SFA and the decision surface H, the display shape of the cursor Cs changes relative to the height of the front panel 15. The smaller the distance from the detection surface S to the object to be detected, the smaller the cursor Cs. The size of the cursor Cs is determined by the distance from the detection surface S to the object to be detected, Fg.

[0085] When the object to be detected, Fg, exists between the decision surface H and the detection surface S, the display shape of the cursor Cs changes relative to the height of the front panel 15. When the object to be detected, Fg, is located between the decision surface H and the detection surface S, the smaller the distance from the detection surface S to the object Fg, the larger the cursor Cs. The size of the cursor Cs is determined by the distance from the detection surface S to the object Fg.

[0086] The display form of the cursor Cs is at least one of the following: size, shape, color, and brightness. In this disclosure, the cursor Cs for the detected object Fg located between the determination surface H and the detection start surface SFA is, for example, a dashed circle. Alternatively, the cursor Cs for the detected object Fg located between the determination surface H and the detection surface S is, for example, a blackened circle.

[0087] When the object being detected, Fg, exceeds the judgment surface H and approaches the detection surface S, the control device HD changes the display form of the cursor Cs in a manner different from the display form of the cursor Cs before the object being detected, Fg, exceeds the judgment surface H.

[0088] Therefore, the distance from the object being detected, Fg, to the decision surface, H can be visually identified. Furthermore, if the object being detected, Fg, approaches the detection surface, S, from the decision surface, the size of the cursor, Cs, changes, allowing the user to visually identify the amount of indentation of the object being detected, Fg, through the decision surface, H.

[0089] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the decision plane when the size of the object being manipulated is small. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the decision plane when the size of the object being manipulated is large. Figure 9 It is a graph showing the relationship between the size of the object being operated on and the distance from the detection surface to the decision surface.

[0090] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the detection device 1 has an operation object BT on the detection area AA, and the height of the judgment surface H varies according to the size of the operation object BT. The control device HD changes the distance between the judgment surface H and the detection surface S based on the size of the operation object BT displayed by the display device 200 in the display area DA. In this disclosure, the operation object BT is projected onto the detection surface S in a matrix shape.

[0091] The control device HD adjusts the distance between the judgment surface H and the detection surface S in such a way that the larger the size of the operation object BT displayed on the display area DA by the display device 200, the smaller the distance from the judgment surface H to the detection start surface SFA. For example... Figure 7 As shown, when the size of the object to be operated on is small, the distance from the detection surface S to the determination surface H is set to D1. In this case, if the distance from the detection surface S to the determination surface H is large, it is difficult to make the position of the object to be operated on in the first direction Dx of the object to be inspected Fg consistent with that of the object to be operated on. Therefore, the determination surface H is set at a position close to the detection surface S.

[0092] like Figure 8 As shown, when the size of the object BT is large, the distance from the detection surface S to the determination surface H is set to D2. In this case, even if the distance from the detection surface S to the determination surface H is large, the position of the object being detected Fg in the first direction Dx can be made consistent with that of the object BT. Therefore, the determination surface H is set at a position away from the detection surface S.

[0093] like Figure 9 As shown, the distance from the detection surface to the decision surface increases as the size of the object BT increases, within a constant range of the object's dimensions. That is, the height of the decision surface H can vary correspondingly to the size of the object BT. Alternatively, the change in the height of the decision surface H may not be linear with respect to the size of the object BT.

[0094] Therefore, users can identify the different positions of the judgment surface H based on the size of the object BT being manipulated.

[0095] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing of the display cursor in the detection device according to the embodiment. Figure 11 It is shown Figure 10 The flowchart shown is a sub-flowchart of an example of cursor generation processing. Figure 12 It is shown Figure 11 The flowchart shown is an example of a process for determining the type or size of the cursor.

[0096] like Figure 10As shown, in step S101, the coordinate extraction unit 45 sends the calculated coordinate data to the control device HD. Based on this coordinate data, the cursor display processing unit 51 determines the height of the judgment surface H.

[0097] In step S102, the cursor display processing unit 51 performs cursor Cs generation processing. Figure 11 The generation and processing of cursor Cs are explained in detail.

[0098] In step S103, the cursor display processing unit 51 displays the cursor Cs on the detection surface S. Furthermore, the cursor Cs is displayed simultaneously with the application screen.

[0099] like Figure 11 As shown, in step S201, the determination processing unit 46 determines whether the detected object Fg exists on the detection start surface SFA.

[0100] In step S202, if the determination processing unit 46 determines that the object to be detected, Fg, exists on the detection start surface SFA (step S201: Yes), the cursor display processing unit 51 performs the determination processing of the display mode of the cursor Cs. Figure 12 The details explain how the display format of cursor Cs is determined.

[0101] In step S202, if the determination processing unit 46 determines that the object to be detected, Fg, does not exist on the detection start surface SFA (step S201: No), the cursor display processing unit 51 does not perform the determination processing of the display mode of the cursor Cs. In this case, the cursor Cs is not displayed on the detection surface S.

[0102] Next, as Figure 12 As shown, in step S301, the determination processing unit 46 determines whether the detected object Fg exists on the determination surface H.

[0103] In step S302, if the determination processing unit 46 determines that the object to be detected, Fg, does not exist on the determination surface H (step S301: No), the cursor display processing unit 51 displays a dotted circle-shaped cursor Cs on the detection surface S.

[0104] Furthermore, in step S302, when the detected object Fg approaches the determination surface H relative to the third direction Dz, the size of the third data Rz decreases. At the same time, the cursor display processing unit 51 displays the size of the cursor Cs in a smaller value.

[0105] Next, in step S303, if the determination processing unit 46 determines that the object to be detected, Fg, exists on the determination surface H (step S301: Yes), the cursor display processing unit 51 displays a blackened circular cursor Cs on the detection surface S.

[0106] Furthermore, in step S303, when the object being detected, Fg, approaches the detection surface S relative to the third direction Dz, the size of the third data Rz increases. Simultaneously, the cursor display processing unit 51 displays the size of the cursor Cs more prominently.

[0107] Next, the method for determining the size of the cursor Cs will be explained. Figure 13 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the method for determining the cursor size when the distance from the decision plane to the detection start plane is relatively long. Figure 14 This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the method for determining the cursor size when the distance from the decision surface to the detection start surface is short.

[0108] The control device HD operates as follows: for a target object Fg located between the decision surface H and the detection start surface SFA, the smaller the distance from the detection surface S to the target object Fg, the smaller the cursor Cs. Conversely, the control device HD operates as follows: for a target object Fg located between the decision surface H and the detection surface S, the smaller the distance from the detection surface S to the target object Fg, the larger the cursor Cs.

[0109] like Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 As shown, the size of the cursor Cs is determined by the distance between the decision surface H and the object being detected Fg, and is calculated according to Equation 1 below. Furthermore, when the object being detected Fg exists on the decision surface H, the size of the cursor Cs is the same as the distance Lab from the decision surface H to the detection start surface SFA, regardless of whether it is large or small.

[0110] [Formula 1]

[0111]

[0112] Here, Cs_per is the change in the size of the cursor Cs per unit distance, and Lx is the distance from the decision surface H to the detected body Fg.

[0113] Regarding the distance Lx, the direction from the decision plane H towards the detection start plane SFA is defined as positive, and the direction from the decision plane H towards the detection plane S is defined as negative. In this disclosure, when the size of the cursor Cs is positive, the cursor Cs is displayed as a circle with a dashed line. When the size of the cursor Cs is negative, the cursor Cs is displayed as a black circle.

[0114] like Figure 13 as well as Figure 14As shown, when the distance Lx changes from L1 (=Lab) to L2 (the distance from the decision surface H to the detected object Fg when the detected object Fg is located near the decision surface H), the absolute value of the distance Lx decreases, therefore, according to Equation 1, the size of the cursor Cs decreases. Furthermore, compared to the case where the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is longer, the size of the cursor Cs is smaller when the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is shorter, indicating that the detected object Fg is present on the detection start surface SFA.

[0115] like Figure 13 as well as Figure 14 As shown, when the distance Lx changes from L2 to L3 (the distance from the decision plane H to the detected object Fg when the detected object Fg exists at a position beyond the decision plane H), the absolute value of the distance Lx increases, and therefore, according to Equation 1, the size of the cursor Cs increases.

[0116] In addition, such as Figure 14 As shown, compared to the case where the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is longer, the change in the size of the cursor Cs is greater when the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is shorter, and the detected object Fg exists between the decision surface H and the detection surface S.

[0117] (Modifications of the implementation method)

[0118] Figure 15 This is an explanation showing the relationship with Figure 13 Illustrations of methods for determining cursor size in different examples where the distance from the detection start face to the decision face is long. Figure 16 This is an explanation showing the relationship with Figure 14 Explanatory diagrams illustrate methods for determining the cursor size in different examples where the distance from the detection start surface to the decision surface is short. Furthermore, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as those described in the above embodiments, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0119] In the detection system 1A of the modified embodiment, the control device HD is controlled in such a way that, for the object Fg to be detected, which exists between the determination surface H and the detection start surface SFA, the smaller the distance from the detection surface S to the object Fg, the smaller the cursor Cs. The proportion of change in the size of the cursor Cs is determined by the ratio of the distance from the determination surface H to the object Fg to the distance from the determination surface H to the detection start surface SFA.

[0120] like Figure 15 as well as Figure 16As shown, the size of the cursor Cs is determined by the ratio of the distance Lab from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H, and is calculated according to Equation 2 below. Furthermore, when the object to be detected Fg exists on both the detection start surface SFA and the decision surface H, the size of the cursor Cs is the same regardless of whether the distance Lab from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is long or short.

[0121] [Equation 2]

[0122]

[0123] Here, Cs_max is the size of the cursor Cs when the detected body Fg exists on the detection start surface SFA, and it is the maximum size of the cursor Cs.

[0124] like Figure 15 As shown, when the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is long, when the distance Lx changes from L1 to L2, the distance Lab from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is large. Therefore, according to Equation 2, the change in the size of the cursor Cs per unit distance becomes smaller.

[0125] In addition, such as Figure 16 As shown, compared to the case where the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is longer, when the distance from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is shorter, the distance Lab from the detection start surface SFA to the decision surface H is smaller when the distance Lx changes from L1 to L2. Therefore, according to Equation 2, the change in the size of the cursor Cs per unit distance becomes larger.

[0126] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, but this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. The content disclosed in the embodiments is merely an example, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Appropriate modifications made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure are naturally within the technical scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A detection system comprising: a detection device having a plurality of sensor electrodes arranged in a detection area and a detection circuit that detects electrostatic capacitances of the plurality of sensor electrodes; a display device having a display area overlapping the detection area; and a control device that controls the detection device and the display device, the detection device calculates a spatial coordinate of an object to be detected, and the control device controls the display device so that a cursor is displayed at a position on the display area to which the calculated spatial coordinate of the object to be detected is projected.

2. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein a surface on which the sensor electrodes are arranged is a detection surface, and the display device displays the cursor on the detection surface when the object to be detected approaches the detection surface beyond a detection start surface that is a height at which the object to be detected can be detected and is a prescribed height from the detection surface.

3. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein the control device changes a size of the cursor in accordance with a distance from the detection surface to the object to be detected.

4. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the smaller the distance from the detection surface to the object to be detected, the smaller the cursor.

5. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the smaller the distance from the detection surface to the object to be detected, the larger the cursor.

6. The detection system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the size of the cursor is determined by the distance from the detection surface to the object to be detected.

7. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein a determination surface closer to the detection surface than the detection start surface is set at a distance from the detection surface, and the control device changes a display form of the cursor in a manner different from a display form of the cursor before the object to be detected approaches the detection surface beyond the determination surface.

8. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the display form of the cursor is at least one or more of a size, a shape, a color, and a brightness.

9. The detection system according to claim 8, wherein the control device changes the distance of the determination surface from the detection surface in accordance with a size of an operation object displayed in the display area by the display device.

10. The detection system according to claim 7, wherein the control device changes the distance of the determination surface from the detection surface in a manner that the larger the size of an operation object displayed in the display area by the display device, the smaller the distance from the detection start surface.

11. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein a determination surface closer to the detection surface than the detection start surface is set at a distance from the detection surface, and the control device controls in a manner that, for the object to be detected present between the determination surface and the detection start surface, the smaller the distance from the detection surface to the object to be detected, the smaller the cursor. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The greater the distance from the detection surface to the detected object, the smaller the cursor.

12. The detection system according to claim 2, wherein a determination surface closer to the detection surface than the detection start surface is set apart from the detection surface by a distance, the control device controls in such a manner that the greater the distance from the detection surface to the detected object, the smaller the cursor for the detected object existing between the determination surface and the detection start surface, the ratio of the change in the size of the cursor is determined by the ratio of the distance from the determination surface to the detected object to the distance from the determination surface to the detection start surface.

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