INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR OUTPUT DETECTION IN AN INPUT DEVICE

Abstract

An input device capable of detecting the amount of operation of a printing operation with high accuracy and a method for output detection in the input device are provided. An input device (100) comprises a skin (104) having an operating surface (104A); a first electrode (110) disposed on a back side of the operating surface; a plurality of second electrodes (120) disposed opposite the first electrode; an elastic element (102) disposed between the skin and the plurality of second electrodes;and a control unit (160) connected to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the skin and the elastic member are elastically deformable by means of a pressure operation performed on the operation surface by means of an operation body (FT), and the control unit selects at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a drive electrode (120Tx), selects at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes, which is adjacent to the second electrode selected as the drive electrode, as a detection electrode (120Rx), and switches a combination of the second electrodes selected from the plurality of second electrodes as the drive electrode and the detection electrode, and detects an output from the detection electrode in a plurality of the combinations.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device and a method for detecting outputs in the input device. State of the art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a capacitive pressure sensor provided with a first electrode sheet in which a first electrode layer is formed on a first insulating sheet; a second electrode sheet in which a second electrode layer is formed on a second insulating sheet; an elastic layer consisting of a foamed sheet in which bubbles are dispersed and sandwiched between the first electrode sheet and the second electrode sheet; and an adhesive layer formed on both the first electrode sheet side surface and the second electrode sheet side surface of the elastic layer.and when the first electrode sheet or the second electrode sheet is pressed, the pressing force is detected based on a change in the capacitance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer according to a change in the distance between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer (see, for example, Patent Document 1).; Citation listPatent document

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 7091429 Summary of the inventionTechnical problem

[0004] In conventional capacitive pressure sensors, the position of the pressure operation and the planar relationship between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer change depending on the position where the pressure operation is performed, and the amount of capacitance change between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer can vary greatly. If the amount of detected capacitance change varies greatly depending on the position of the pressure operation, the detection accuracy of the amount of pressure operation decreases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an input device capable of detecting the amount of operation of the printing operation with high accuracy, and a method for output detection in the input device. Solution to the problem

[0006] An input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a skin having a surgical surface; a first electrode disposed on a back side of the surgical surface; a plurality of second electrodes disposed facing the first electrode; an elastic member disposed between the skin and the plurality of second electrodes;and a control unit connected to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the skin and the elastic member are elastically deformable by means of a pressing operation performed on the operation surface by means of an operation body, and the control unit selects at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a driving electrode, selects at least one second electrode adjacent to the second electrode selected as the driving electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a detecting electrode, and switches a combination of the second electrodes selected from the plurality of second electrodes as the driving electrode and the detecting electrode, and detects an output of the detecting electrode in a plurality of the combinations.

[0007] A method for output detection in an input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the input device comprises a skin having an operating surface; a first electrode arranged on a back side of the operating surface; a plurality of second electrodes arranged facing the first electrode; an elastic member arranged between the skin and the plurality of second electrodes;and a control unit connected to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the skin and the elastic member are elastically deformable by means of a pressing operation performed by an operator on the operation surface, and the control unit selects at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a drive electrode, selects at least one second electrode adjacent to the second electrode selected as the drive electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a detection electrode, and switches a combination of the second electrodes selected from the plurality of second electrodes as the drive electrode and the detection electrode, and detects an output of the detection electrode in a plurality of the combinations.; Advantageous effects of the invention

[0008] An input device capable of detecting the amount of operation of a printing operation with high accuracy and a method for output detection in the input device are provided. Short description of the drawings [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the input device according to the embodiment. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which a printing operation is performed on the input device according to the embodiment. [ Fig. 3A] Fig. 3A is a diagram illustrating an example of a planar configuration of a plurality of electrodes. [ Fig. 3B] Fig. Figure 3B is a diagram showing an example of a combination of selections of a drive electrode and a detection electrode. [ Fig. 3C] Fig. 3C is a diagram showing an example of a combination of selections of a drive electrode and a detection electrode by changing the combination eight times. [ Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between a pressing force when a pressing operation is performed and a capacitance detected by a detection unit. [ Fig. 5A] Fig. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of selections of a driving electrode and a detecting electrode according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [ Fig. 5B] Fig. 5B is a diagram illustrating an example of a combination of selections of a driving electrode and a detecting electrode according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [ Fig. 6A] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a configuration of an input device according to a third modified example of the embodiment. [ Fig. 6B] Fig. 6B is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a pressing force and a capacitance detected by a detection unit when a pressing operation is performed on the input device according to the third modified example of the embodiment. [ Fig. 7A] Fig. 7A illustrates an example of the combination of the driving electrode and the detecting electrode according to a fourth modified example of the embodiment. [ Fig. 7B] Fig. 7B shows an example of a configuration in which the electrode of the fourth modified example is further modified. Description of the embodiments

[0009] An embodiment to which an input device and a method for output detection of the input device of the present disclosure are applied will be described below. <Ausführungsform>

[0010] An XYZ coordinate system is defined and described below. The direction parallel to the X-axis (X direction), the direction parallel to the Y-axis (Y direction), and the direction parallel to the Z-axis (Z direction) are orthogonal to each other. For simplicity, the side in the -Z direction may be referred to as the lower side or bottom, and the side in the +Z direction may be referred to as the upper side or top. However, this does not imply a universal vertical relationship. Furthermore, a plan view refers to the observation of the XY surface.

[0011] In the following, the length, thickness, etc., of each individual part may be exaggerated to facilitate understanding of the structure. Furthermore, terms such as parallel, vertical, etc., may allow for deviation as long as they do not impair the effect of the embodiment. <Ausführungsform>

[0012] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an input device 100 according to the embodiment. <Konfiguration der Eingabevorrichtung 100>

[0013] The input device 100 includes a substrate 101, a foamed layer 102, a skin 104, a floating electrode 110, a plurality of electrodes 120, a drive electrode 120Tx, a detection electrode 120Rx, a power supply 130, a multiplexer 140, a detection unit 150, and an MCU (Microcontroller Unit) 160. The foamed layer 102 is an example of an elastic member that can be deformed by a pressing operation of the operator. The upper surface of the skin 104 is the operation surface 104A of the input device 100. The floating electrode 110 is an example of a first electrode. The plurality of electrodes 120 is an example of a plurality of second electrodes, and the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are selected from the plurality of electrodes 120. Therefore, the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are denoted by the reference numeral 120 enclosed in parentheses.The MCU 160 is an example of a control unit.

[0014] The input device 100 selects one electrode 120 from the plurality of electrodes 120 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 101 to be used as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. This configuration will be described below with reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B described.

[0015] The input device 100 is a device for determining whether the fingertip FT, which is an example of an operation body, is performing an operation of approaching, touching, or pressing the operation surface 104A of the input device 100. The input device 100 determines whether an operation of the mutual capacitance method has been performed based on the capacitance (mutual capacitance) between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. Hereinafter, the approaching, touching, or pressing operation may be referred to as an approaching operation, a touching operation, or a pressing operation. The operation body is not limited to the fingertip FT.

[0016] The pressing operation is an operation in which the operating surface 104A is pressed down by the fingertip FT. The touching operation is an operation in which the fingertip FT touches the operating surface 104A but does not press down. The approaching operation is a process in which the fingertip FT does not touch the operating surface 104A, but the fingertip FT is brought closer to the operating surface 104A as the capacitance between the driving electrode 120Tx and the detecting electrode 120Rx increases to a certain extent.

[0017] When the approach operation, the touch operation, and the press operation are performed on the operation surface 104A, the capacitance between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx increases in the order of the approach operation, the touch operation, and the press operation. Therefore, the input device 100 can determine the approach operation, the touch operation, and the press operation by using a capacitance threshold to determine the approach operation, the touch operation, and the press operation.

[0018] Hereinafter, the determination method of the approach operation and the touch operation will be omitted, and the input device 100 capable of detecting the amount of operation of the pressing operation with high accuracy and the output detection method in the input device will be mainly described.

[0019] Hereinafter, the capacitance between the fingertip FT and the floating electrode 110 is referred to as Cfg, the capacitance between the floating electrode 110 and the driving electrode 120Tx is referred to as Ctf, the capacitance between the floating electrode 110 and the detecting electrode 120Rx is referred to as Crf, and the capacitance between the driving electrode 120Tx and the detecting electrode 120Rx is referred to as Crt. <Substrat 101>

[0020] The substrate 101 is provided below the input device 100. The substrate 101 is, for example, a wiring substrate. The drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 101. <Geschäumte Schicht 102>

[0021] The foamed layer 102 has a depth (width) in the Y direction and is, for example, rectangular in plan view. The foamed layer 102 is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 101. The drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are arranged between the upper surface of the substrate 101 and the foamed layer 102.

[0022] The foamed layer 102, as an example, has a shape in which the upper surface and the four sides are continuously curved. The foamed layer 102 can be made of a foamed material such as foamed urethane, foamed sponge, or foamed rubber and has cushioning properties. The foamed layer 102 is provided on the substrate 101, and the entire upper surface and the four sides are covered by the skin 104.

[0023] The foamed layer 102 is thicker than the skin 104. This serves to improve the tactile feeling felt by the fingertip FT at the time of the pressing operation by thickening the member which can be more easily elastically deformed than the skin 104. When detecting the pressing operation using the floating electrode 110, the driving electrode 120Tx and the detecting electrode 120Rx, the floating electrode 110, the driving electrode 120Tx and the detecting electrode 120Rx are separated to some extent to facilitate the detection. <Haut 104>

[0024] The skin 104 is a cloth-like cover made of resin, synthetic fiber, artificial leather, or leather, and has a configuration covering the entire outer surface of the foamed layer 102, and the shape changes slightly along the shape of the outer surface of the foamed layer 102.

[0025] The skin 104 has an operating surface 104A. The operating surface 104A is an upper surface of the skin 104 and is a decorative layer exposed to an operator. A floating electrode 110 is provided in the center of the lower surface of the skin 104 in a plan view. The operating surface 104A is at least a portion of the outer surface of the skin 104 that overlaps with the floating electrode 110.

[0026] The skin 104 may be formed of a material that is transparent along with the floating electrode 110. Transparency is a property of transmitting visible light, and the degree of transparency can be adjusted to any degree. In this case, the skin 104 and the floating electrode 110 may be transparent, and the foamed layer 102 may be visible. For example, the skin 104 may be illuminated by providing a light source on the upper surface of the substrate 101, or a decorative layer may be provided on the lower surface of the skin 104.

[0027] For example, the skin 104 is folded back onto the bottom surface of the substrate 101 while covering the top and side surfaces of the foamed layer 102 and is attached to the bottom surface of the substrate 101. In this state, the floating electrode 110 contacts the outer surface of the foamed layer 102.

[0028] Although the skin 104 is a cloth-like covering that covers the entire outer surface of the foamed layer 102, the skin 104 may also be a bag-shaped covering. As long as the skin 104 covers at least the upper surface of the foamed layer 102, the skin 104 may, for example, cover only the upper surface of the foamed layer 102 or the upper and side surfaces of the foamed layer 102. <Schwebende Elektrode 110>

[0029] The floating electrode 110 is provided at the center of the lower surface of the skin 104 in a plan view. The floating electrode 110 is formed, for example, by printing silver paste or the like on the lower surface of the skin 104. The floating electrode 110 is electrically floating. The floating electrode 110 faces the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx and is electromagnetically coupled to the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. The floating electrode 110 is not limited to being formed by printing, but may be formed by vapor deposition on the lower surface of the skin 104.

[0030] The floating electrode 110 is provided to mitigate the variation in the output of the detection electrode 120Rx depending on the position of the printing operation. This is because by providing the floating electrode 110, which is electromagnetically coupled to the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx on the side of the operation surface 104A of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, the variation in the output of the detection electrode 120Rx depending on the position of the printing operation can be mitigated compared to the case where the floating electrode 110 is not provided. Therefore, the floating electrode 110 preferably has the same size as the plurality of electrodes 120 in a plan view, but may be smaller or larger than the plurality of electrodes 120.If the skin 104 is formed of a transparent material, the floating electrode 110 may also be formed of a transparent material. <Mehrere Elektroden 120>

[0031] The plurality of electrodes 120 are provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate 101 and face the floating electrode 110. The plurality of electrodes 120 are formed, for example, from copper foil and are formed by patterning copper foil or the like on the upper surface of the substrate 101.

[0032] The plurality of electrodes 120 are connected to the multiplexer 140 via wiring of the substrate 101 and wiring provided outside the substrate 101. At least one of the plurality of electrodes 120 is selected as the drive electrode 120Tx, and at least one electrode 120 adjacent to the drive electrode 120Tx is selected as the detection electrode 120Rx. A plurality of drive electrodes 120Tx may be provided. <Antriebselektrode 120Tx>

[0033] The drive electrode 120Tx is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate 101 and faces the floating electrode 110. The drive electrode 120Tx is connected to the power supply 130 via a multiplexer 140. <Detektionselektrode 120Rx>

[0034] The detection electrode 120Rx is provided at the center of the upper surface of the substrate 101 and faces the floating electrode 110. The detection electrode 120Rx is connected to the detection unit 150 via the multiplexer 140.

[0035] Since the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are selected from a plurality of electrodes 120 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 101, the electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the electrode 120 selected as the detection electrode 120Rx are switched in a time-divided manner among the plurality of electrodes 120. Details will be described later with reference to the Fig. 3A to 3C. <Stromversorgung 130>

[0036] The power supply 130 is connected between the multiplexer 140 and the MCU 160 and outputs an AC drive voltage to the multiplexer 140 when the MCU 160 is driven by a control unit 161. The AC drive voltage is supplied to the drive electrode 120Tx via the multiplexer 140. The power supply 130 can be an AC drive voltage that can output an AC drive voltage. <Multiplexer 140>

[0037] The multiplexer 140 is connected between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx as well as the power supply 130 and the detection unit 150.

[0038] The drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are selected from a plurality of electrodes 120 provided on the upper surface of the substrate 101. The electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the electrode 120Rx selected as the detection electrode 120Rx are switched in a time-divided manner. Therefore, the multiplexer 140 is provided between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, as well as the power supply 130 and the detection unit 150.

[0039] The multiplexer 140 switches the state of the connection to connect the drive electrode 120Tx and the power supply 130 and also to connect the detection electrode 120Rx and the detection unit 150 according to a switching signal input from the control unit 161 of the MCU 160.

[0040] When a determination unit 162 of the MCU 160 determines whether or not an operation has been performed by the fingertip FT, the power supply 130 applies an AC drive voltage to the drive electrode 120Tx, so that the multiplexer 140 connects the selected drive electrode 120Tx and the power supply 130 according to the switching signal.

[0041] Since the detection unit 150 detects the output of the detection electrode 120Rx, when the determination unit 162 of the MCU 160 determines whether the fingertip FT has performed an operation, the multiplexer 140 connects the selected detection electrode 120Rx and the detection unit 150 according to the switching signal. <Detektionseinheit 150>

[0042] The detection unit 150 is connected to the detection electrode 120Rx via the multiplexer 140 and detects the current flowing through the detection electrode 120Rx and detects the capacitance by integrating the current. The detection unit 150 converts the detected capacitance into a digital value and outputs the digital value. The detection unit 150 functions as an AD (analog-to-digital) converter. The detection unit 150 outputs the capacitance obtained by digital conversion to the MCU 160. <MCU 160>

[0043] The MCU 160 includes the control unit 161, the determination unit 162, and a memory 163. The MCU 160 is implemented by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, and the like.

[0044] The control unit 161 and the determination unit 162 represent the functions of the programs executed by the MCU 160 as function blocks. The memory 163 functionally represents the memory of the MCU 160.

[0045] The control unit 161 is a processing unit that controls the operation of the MCU 160 and drives the power supply 130 and performs other processing, for example.

[0046] While selecting the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, the control unit 161 drives the power supply 130 and outputs a switching signal to the multiplexer 140. In this way, the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are selected from the plurality of electrodes 120, the AC drive voltage is supplied from the power supply 130 to the drive electrode 120Tx via the multiplexer 140, and the output of the detection electrode 120Rx is detected by the detection unit 150 via the multiplexer 140.

[0047] The determination unit 162 determines whether an operation has been performed based on the output (capacity) of the detection unit 150. For example, the determination unit 162 may determine whether the approach, touch, or press operation is being performed.

[0048] The memory 163 stores programs, data, and the like necessary for the control unit 161 and the determination unit 162 to perform the processing. <Operation der Eingabevorrichtung 100>

[0049] Fig. Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a state in which the pressing operation is performed on the input device 100. When the central part of the skin 104 is pressed down with the fingertip FT, the skin 104, the drive electrode 120Tx, and the foamed layer 102 are formed as shown in Fig. 2, and the distance from the floating electrode 110 to the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx becomes short. In this state, the determination unit 162 determines that a pressing operation is being performed. When the fingertip FT is in contact with the operation surface 104A but is not pressing down, the determination unit 162 determines that a touching operation is being performed. When the fingertip FT is not touching the operation surface 104A but is close to it, and the capacitance between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx increases to some extent, the determination unit 162 determines that an approaching operation is being performed. <Konfiguration von mehreren Elektroden 120>

[0050] Fig. 3A shows an example of the planar configuration of the plurality of electrodes 120. As an example, the plurality of electrodes 120 are provided in the center of the upper surface of the substrate 101.

[0051] The plurality of electrodes 120 are circular overall and have a shape in which a circle is divided into 8 equal parts with respect to the center. That is, each electrode 120 has a fan-like shape with a center angle of 45 degrees in a plan view. Therefore, the plurality of electrodes 120 are preferably obtained by dividing the circle into N equal parts in a plan view, where the number of divisions is N (N is an integer of 3 or more). By using a plurality of electrodes 120 with equally divided shapes, the operation position with respect to the operation surface 104A can be properly detected.

[0052] For example, such eight electrodes 120 can be manufactured by dividing a circularly patterned copper foil into eight equal parts with respect to the center point. The eight electrodes 120 are separated from each other and are not electrically connected. A boundary 120A between the adjacent electrodes 120 is linear in a plan view. The boundary 120A is an example of the boundary between the adjacent second electrodes. The eight electrodes 120 have eight boundaries 120A.

[0053] Here, a configuration is described in which eight electrodes 120 are formed by dividing a circular electrode into eight equal parts. However, as long as a plurality of electrodes 120 of the same size and shape are provided, the number of electrodes 120 is not limited to eight, and the overall shape is not limited to a circle. The overall shape of the combined electrodes 120 can be an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrilateral, or a polygon with five or more angles. <Kombination der Auswahl der Antriebselektrode 120Tx und der Detektionselektrode 120Rx >

[0054] Fig. Figure 3B shows an example of a combination of a selection of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. Fig. Figure 3B shows an example of a combination of a selection at times t1, t2, and t3. In Fig. 3B, the electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx is indicated by dots and the electrode 120 selected as the detection electrode 120Rx is indicated by a space. In Fig. 3B, the substrate 101 is not shown.

[0055] Here, among the eight electrodes 120, four adjacent electrodes 120 are selected as the drive electrodes 120Tx, and the remaining four adjacent electrodes are selected as the detection electrodes 120Rx. The four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx are each arranged in a semicircular shape.

[0056] The four drive electrodes 120Tx are supplied with AC drive voltages from the power supply 130 via the multiplexer 140. The four detection electrodes 120Rx are connected to the detection unit 150 via the multiplexer 140. The detection unit 150 therefore detects the capacitances of the four detection electrodes 120Rx.

[0057] In Fig. In Figure 3B, the boundary 120B between the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx is represented by being surrounded by a dashed ellipse. Here, among the eight boundaries 120A of the eight electrodes 120, the boundary between the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx is distinguished as the boundary 120B.

[0058] The boundary 120B between the drive electrodes 120Tx and the detection electrodes 120Rx is a region in which the capacitance Crt (see Fig. 1). When the foamed layer 102 bends due to the printing operation, the distance between the floating electrode 110, the driving electrodes 120Tx and the detecting electrodes 120Rx becomes shorter, and the capacitances Ctf and Crf (see Fig. 1) increase at the boundary 120B. Since the capacitances Ctf and Crf increase due to the printing operation, the boundary 120B is a region that causes the output of the detection electrodes 120Rx to vary greatly. That is, the boundary 120B between the drive electrodes 120Tx and the detection electrodes 120Rx is the part with the highest sensitivity of the output of the detection electrode 120Rx among the eight electrodes 120 in a plan view. The detection unit 150 detects the capacitance Crt of the boundary 120B.

[0059] Since the boundary 120B is located on a straight line passing through the center of the eight electrodes 120, the output of the detection electrode 120Rx varies depending on the position of the pressing operation with respect to the circular area where the eight electrodes 120 are provided in a plan view. Such variation in the output of the detection electrode 120Rx affects the detection of the degree of operation of the pressing operation. The fluctuation of the output signal of the detection electrode 120Rx depending on the position of the pressing operation can be mitigated to some extent by providing the floating electrode 110, but since the output signal of the detection electrode 120Rx varies depending on the positional relationship between the fingertip FT and the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx in a plan view, mitigation by means of the floating electrode 110 alone is not sufficient.

[0060] Therefore, the input device 100 of the embodiment shifts the position of the boundary 120B at which the detection sensitivity is high in a time-divided manner by shifting the combination of the electrodes 120 of four of each type, which are selected as the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx, one by one at times t1, t2, and t3, for example. The selection of the combination of the electrodes 120 of four of each type is performed by the control unit 161 of the MCU 160.

[0061] By shifting the boundary 120B between the drive electrodes 120Tx and the detection electrodes 120Rx in a time-divided manner, the detection sensitivity is equalized across all eight electrodes 120. By equalizing the detection sensitivity across all eight electrodes 120, the degree of operation of the printing operation can be detected with high accuracy.

[0062] Fig. Figure 3C shows an example of combining a selection of the drive electrodes 120Tx and the detection electrodes 120Rx by changing the combination eight times. When the electrodes 120 of four electrodes of each type selected as the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx are individually moved eight times in succession, the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx complete one rotation, as in the first to eighth combinations in Fig. 3C. This is equivalent to the fact that the Fig. 3B, the boundary 120B completes one revolution.

[0063] For example, the degree of operation of the pressing operation can be detected based on the output of the detection electrode 120Rx while shifting the position of the boundary 120B between the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx as described above. Since the degree of operation of the pressing operation is the pressure degree of the operating surface 104A, the pressing force when the operating surface 104A is pressed can be detected by detecting the output (capacitance) of the detection electrode 120Rx.

[0064] As in Fig. 3C, by rotating the detection electrodes 120 selected as the four drive electrodes 120Tx and the four detection electrodes 120Rx one by one, the determination unit 162 of the MCU 160 switches the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrodes 120Tx and the detection electrodes 120Rx a plurality of times so that each of the plurality of electrodes 120 is selected as the detection electrode 120Rx at least once. The plurality of electrodes 120 has a plurality of boundaries 120A between adjacent electrodes 120. The MCU 160 switches the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as drive electrodes 120Tx and detection electrodes 120Rx multiple times so that each of the plurality of boundaries 120A is arranged at least once between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. <simulationsergebnis>

[0065] Fig. 4 shows an example of the relationship between the pressing force when the pressing operation is performed on the input device 100 and the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150. Fig. Fig. 4 illustrates the calculation result in a simulation in which the printing operation is performed on the central portion of the operation surface 104A and the peripheral portion of the operation surface 104A. In the simulation, as shown in Fig. 3A, four drive electrodes 120Tx and four detection electrodes 120Rx are selected from the eight electrodes 120, and as shown in Fig. 3B, the electrodes 120 were moved one by one and the boundary 120B was rotated at least once, thereby calculating the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150.

[0066] The central portion of the operating surface 104A is the central portion of the eight electrodes 120 in a plan view, and the peripheral portion of the operating surface 104A is the portion outside the central portion of the circular area of ​​the eight electrodes 120 in a plan view.

[0067] In Fig. 4, the horizontal axis represents the pressing force (N). 0 N on the horizontal axis represents a position where the pressing force is zero and represents a state in which the fingertip FT touches the operating surface 104A (a state in which a touch operation is performed). The vertical axis represents the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150 as a count value (without units). The characteristic of the pressing operation at the center of the operating surface 104A is represented by the solid line, and the characteristic of the pressing operation at the edge of the operating surface 104A is represented by the dashed line.

[0068] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the capacity of the pressing operation (solid line) toward the center of the operating surface 104A and the capacity of the pressing operation (dashed line) toward the edge of the operating surface 104A are very close to each other. The capacity starts to increase at about 2.5 N. The pressing force of 2.5 N is a relatively weak force required, for example, to press a button of an electronic device, etc., and is a suitable value for the operating load of an operating unit of an electronic device, etc., provided in a vehicle.

[0069] In the Fig. 4, the count value of the capacitance is negative when the pressing force is about 4 N or less, but by detecting the self-capacitance of the detection electrode 120Rx and correcting the mutual capacitance between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx based on the self-capacitance, the count value of the capacitance can be reduced to approximately zero when the pressing force is 0 N.

[0070] As described above, it was found that the printing operation capacity (solid line) at the center of the operation surface 104A and the printing operation capacity (dashed line) at the periphery of the operation surface 104A have very close values. Thus, it was confirmed that the input device 100 of the embodiment can detect the amount of printing operation with high accuracy, regardless of the position where the printing operation is performed on the operation surface 104A. <effekt>

[0071] An input device 100 comprises the skin 104 with the operating surface 104A, the first electrode (the floating electrode 110) arranged on the back of the operating surface 104A, the plurality of electrodes 120 arranged facing the first electrode (the floating electrode 110), the foamed layer 102 arranged between the skin 104 and the plurality of electrodes 120, and the MCU 160 connected to the plurality of electrodes 120, wherein the skin 104 and the foamed layer 102 are elastically deformable by means of a pressure operation on the operating surface 104A by the fingertip FT, wherein the MCU 160 selects at least one electrode 120 from the plurality of electrodes 120 as a drive electrode 120 Tx and at least one electrode 120 which is selected as the drive electrode 120 Tx Electrode 120 is adjacent, from the plurality of electrodes 120 as a detection electrode 120Rx,the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx from the plurality of electrodes 120 is switched, and the output of the detection electrode 120Rx is detected in the plurality of combinations.

[0072] Therefore, by detecting the output of the detection electrode 120Rx in the plurality of combinations of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, the output of the detection electrode 120Rx is balanced regardless of the position of the printing operation with respect to the first electrode (the floating electrode 110), the drive electrode 120Tx, and the detection electrode 120Rx.

[0073] Therefore, it is possible to provide the input device 100 capable of detecting the amount of operation of the printing operation with high accuracy.

[0074] To equalize the output of the detection electrode 120Rx regardless of the printing position, in addition to the above-described method of switching the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, for example, a method may also be considered in which the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx have shapes that are inserted into each other in a plan view, and the combination is not switched as described above. Even if the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx have shapes that are inserted into each other in a plan view, it is possible to prevent unevenness in the output of the detection electrode 120Rx depending on the printing position.However, when the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx have shapes that fit together in a plan view, it is difficult to detect the operation amount because the capacitance (mutual capacitance) does not change sufficiently with respect to the change in the operation amount even when the printing operation is performed. Such an occurrence occurs similarly both in the case where the printing operation is performed on the central part of the operation surface 104A and in the case where the printing operation is performed on the peripheral part of the operation surface 104A.

[0075] On the other hand, in the input device 100 of the embodiment, the configuration of the electrodes 120 is simple, manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the output of the detection electrode 120Rx can be balanced independently of the position of the printing operation by switching the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. As a result, the input device 100 can detect the degree of the printing operation with high accuracy.

[0076] Since the first electrode (the floating electrode 110) is a floating electrode 110, it is not necessary to connect it to another detection circuit or the like, and it can be formed at low cost.

[0077] Since the boundary 120A between the adjacent electrodes 120 of the plurality of electrodes 120 is linear in a plan view, the capacitor formed between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx can be formed in a simple shape, and the manufacturing is easy.

[0078] Furthermore, the MCU 160 switches the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx multiple times, so that each of the plurality of electrodes 120 is selected as the detection electrode 120Rx at least once. By selecting each of the plurality of electrodes 120 as the detection electrode 120Rx at least once, each electrode 120 is reliably selected as the detection electrode 120Rx, and the detection accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

[0079] The plurality of electrodes 120 have a plurality of boundaries 120A between the adjacent electrodes 120, and the MCU 160 switches the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx multiple times so that each of the boundaries 120A is located at least once between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx. All boundaries 120A between the adjacent electrodes 120 become the boundary 120B between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, and the capacitance of the detection electrode 120Rx is detected by using all boundaries 120A as the boundary 120B. Therefore, the output of the detection electrode 120Rx is balanced regardless of the position of the printing operation, and the detection accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

[0080] If the skin 104 and the floating electrode 110 are made of a transparent material, the skin 104 can be illuminated, for example, by providing a light source on the upper surface of the substrate 101. Furthermore, a decorative layer can be applied to the underside of the skin 104.

[0081] Since the foamed layer 102 is thicker than the skin 104, the foamed layer 102 can bend smoothly in response to the printing operation, and since the distance between the floating electrode 110 and the electrode 120 can be properly secured, the detection accuracy of the printing operation can be improved.

[0082] The plurality of electrodes 120 are evenly divided into N shapes (N is an integer of 3 or more) in a plan view. By using the plurality of electrodes 120 whose shapes are evenly divided into N shapes, the operation position relative to the operation surface 104A can be properly detected.

[0083] The output detection method in the input device is performed on the input device, which includes the skin 104 with the operating surface 104A; the first electrode (the floating electrode 110) arranged on the back of the operating surface 104A; the plurality of electrodes 120 arranged opposite the first electrode (the floating electrode 110); the foamed layer 102 arranged between the skin 104 and the plurality of electrodes 120; and the MCU 160 connected to the plurality of electrodes 120, wherein the skin 104 and the foamed layer 102 are elastically deformable by means of the pressing operation with respect to the operating surface 104A by the fingertip FT; the MCU 160 selects at least one electrode 120 as the drive electrode 120Tx from the plurality of electrodes 120;Selects at least one electrode 120 as the detection electrode 120Rx from the plurality of electrodes 120, which is adjacent to the electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx; Switches the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx from the plurality of electrodes 120; and detects the output of the detection electrode 120Rx in the plurality of combinations.

[0084] Therefore, by detecting the output of the detection electrode 120Rx in a plurality of combinations of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, the output of the detection electrode 120Rx is balanced regardless of the position of the printing operation with respect to the first electrode (the floating electrode 110), the drive electrode 120Tx, and the detection electrode 120Rx.

[0085] Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for output detection in an input device capable of detecting the degree of operation of the printing operation with high accuracy. <Erstes modifiziertes Beispiel>

[0086] Fig. 5A shows an example of the selection combination of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx according to the first modified example of the embodiment. Fig. Figure 5A illustrates an example of the selection combinations of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, which are as in Fig. 3C can be switched eight times.

[0087] Fig. Figure 5A shows 8 electrodes 120, in which an electrode having a circular shape as in Fig. 3C is divided into 8 equal parts. In the first modified example, one of the eight electrodes 120 is selected as the drive electrode 120Tx, and the remaining seven are selected as the detection electrode 120Rx. In this case, the detection electrode 120Rx connected to the detection unit 150 via the multiplexer 140 can be all seven detection electrodes 120Rx, or one or two detection electrodes 120Rx besides an electrode 120 serving as the drive electrode 120Tx.

[0088] By moving the drive electrodes 120Tx eight times in succession, as in Fig. As shown in FIG. 5A, the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx is switched a plurality of times so that each of the eight electrodes 120 is selected as the detection electrode 120Rx at least once. Furthermore, the combination of the electrodes 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx is switched a plurality of times so that each of the eight boundaries 120A is located between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx at least once. Therefore, it is possible to provide an input device 100 capable of detecting the degree of operation of the printing operation with high accuracy. <Zweites modifiziertes Beispiel>

[0089] Fig. 5B shows an example of the combination of the selection of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx according to the second modified example of the embodiment. Fig. Fig. 5B shows eight electrodes 120 which are obtained by dividing an electrode having a circular shape as a whole into eight equal parts, similar to Fig. 3B.

[0090] Fig. Figure 5B shows an example of the selection combinations at times t1, t2, and t3. In Fig. In Figure 5B, the electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx is indicated by dots, and the electrode 120 selected as the detection electrode 120Rx is indicated by a space. The electrode 120 held at ground potential is shown in black. Fig. 5B, the substrate 101 is not shown.

[0091] In this way, the electrode 120 that is not selected as the drive electrode 120Tx or the detection electrode 120Rx can be used as the ground electrode. Since the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx, which are located on the respective sides of the ground electrode, are far apart from each other and the detection electrode 120Rx does not provide sufficient capacitance Crt (see Fig. 1), the boundary 120B at which the capacitance Crt is detected by the detection unit 150 is a portion where the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx are adjacent to each other.

[0092] The electrode 120 that is not selected as the drive electrode 120Tx or the detection electrode 120Rx can be maintained at a predetermined potential (constant potential) that is not limited to the ground potential (0 V). The operation is stabilized by the presence of the electrode 120, which has a constant potential. <Drittes modifiziertes Beispiel>

[0093] Fig. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of an input device 100M3 according to the third modified example of the embodiment.

[0094] The input device 100M3 has two foamed layers 102A and 102B. The foamed layer 102A is an example of an elastic element and an example of a first elastic element. The foamed layer 102B is an example of a second elastic element.

[0095] The foamed layer 102A is formed by the foamed layer 102 of the Fig. 1 is divided into two layers. In the input device 100M3, the floating electrode 110 is disposed on the lower surface of a film 110A between the foamed layers 102A and 102B. The film 110A may be made of an elastically deformable resin or the like, and a polyimide film may be used as an example. In this case, the floating electrode 110 may be formed, for example, on the lower surface of the polyimide film 110A by vapor deposition, printing, or the like.

[0096] In the input device 100M3, since the distance between the floating electrode 110 and the fingertip FT is longer than in the Fig. 1 shown input device 100, the capacity Cfg (see Fig. 1) between the floating electrode 110 and the fingertip FT is reduced, and the variation of the output of the detection electrode 120Rx according to the position at which the pressing operation is performed on the operation surface 104A is more reduced, and the degree of operation of the pressing operation can be detected with high accuracy.

[0097] Since in the input device 100M3 the foamed layer 102B is smaller than that in Fig. 1 lies directly under the skin 104, the feeling when performing the printing operation with the fingertip FT is improved. <Simulationsergebnis des modifizierten Beispiels 3>

[0098] Fig. Fig. 6B is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the pressing force and the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150 when the pressing operation is performed on the input devices 100 and 100M3. In the simulation, as shown in Fig. 3A, four of the drive electrodes 120Tx and four of the detection electrodes 120Rx are selected from the eight electrodes 120, and as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, the electrodes 120 were moved one by one, and the boundary 120B was rotated at least once, thereby calculating the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150.

[0099] In Fig. In FIG. 6B, the horizontal axis indicates the pressing force (N). 0 N on the horizontal axis indicates the position where the pressing force is zero and represents the state where the fingertip FT touches the operation surface 104A (the state where the touch operation is performed). The vertical axis indicates the capacitance detected by the detection unit 150 as a count value (without units). Further, the characteristic of the pressing operation on the input device 100 is represented by a solid line, and the characteristic of the pressing operation on the input device 100M3 is represented by a dashed line.

[0100] As in Fig. 6B, the capacity of the printing operation at the input device 100M3 (dashed line) was greater than that of the printing operation at the input device 100 (solid line). As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 6A, it was confirmed that the detection sensitivity for the printing operation was increased by providing the floating electrode 110 between the two foam layers 102A and 102B. This increase in detection sensitivity was similar both in the center and in the periphery of the operation surface 104A. <Viertes modifiziertes Beispiel>

[0101] Fig. 7A shows an example of the combination of the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx according to the fourth modified example of the embodiment. The electrode 120 in the fourth modified example has a configuration in which an electrode with an overall square shape is evenly divided into nine parts in a grid of three rows and three columns. Therefore, the shape of each electrode 120 is also square.

[0102] Fig. Figure 7A shows an example of the combination of the selections for the first to ninth measurements. In Fig. 7A, the electrode 120 selected as the drive electrode 120Tx is indicated by dots, and the electrode 120 selected as the detection electrode 120Rx is indicated by a space. In Fig. 7A, the substrate 101 is not shown.

[0103] Here, one of the nine electrodes 120 is selected as the drive electrode 120Tx and the remaining eight as the detection electrode 120Rx. Conversely, one of the nine electrodes 120 can be selected as the detection electrode 120Rx and the remaining eight as the drive electrode 120Tx.

[0104] A drive electrode 120Tx is supplied with an AC drive voltage from the power supply 130 via the multiplexer 140. The eight detection electrodes 120Rx are connected to the detection unit 150 via the multiplexer 140. The detection unit 150 therefore detects the capacitance of the eight detection electrodes 120Rx. One or more electrodes 120 adjacent to or surrounding a drive electrode 120Tx can be selected as the detection electrode 120Rx.

[0105] At least one of the nine electrodes 120 may be selected as the drive electrode 120Tx, as shown in Fig. 7A by moving the drive electrodes 120Tx one by one during the first to ninth measurements.

[0106] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7A, the configuration in which the square electrodes 120 are arranged is suitable for uniformly detecting a large area. Furthermore, since the shape of the electrodes 120 is simple, there is the advantage that a plurality of electrodes 120 can be easily manufactured and wired.

[0107] By shifting the boundary 120B between the drive electrode 120Tx and the detection electrode 120Rx in a time-divided manner, the detection sensitivity can be equalized across the nine electrodes 120. By equalizing the detection sensitivity across the nine electrodes 120, it is possible to detect the degree of operation of the printing operation with high accuracy.

[0108] In addition, the Fig. 7A shown nine electrodes 120, as in Fig. 7B shown modified. Fig. 7B shows an example of a configuration in which the electrodes 120 of the fourth modified example are further modified.

[0109] Fig. Figure 7B shows a configuration in which nine regular hexagonal electrodes 120 are arranged in three rows and three columns like a honeycomb structure. Each electrode 120 has the same shape and size. As shown in Fig. 7B, at least one of the nine electrodes 120 may be selected as the drive electrode 120Tx, as shown in Fig. 7B by using a plurality of electrodes 120 arranged to form, for example, a honeycomb structure, and shifting the drive electrode 120Tx one by one in the first to ninth measurements.

[0110] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7B, the configuration in which the regular hexagonal electrodes 120 are arranged is suitable for uniformly detecting a large area. Since the shape of the electrodes 120 is simple, the majority of the electrodes 120 can be easily manufactured and easily wired.

[0111] In the fourth modified example, the configuration was described in which the majority of the electrodes 120 are arranged in a lattice shape ( Fig. 7A) or a honeycomb shape ( Fig. 7B), but the arrangement is not limited to this and may be arranged, for example, in a ring shape. The shape, size, or overall arrangement of the plurality of electrodes 120 can be adjusted within the range used to detect the pressing operation according to the size and shape of the operation surface 104A. By optimizing the shape, size, or overall arrangement of the plurality of electrodes 120 in this way, the degree of operation of the pressing operation can be appropriately and accurately detected.

[0112] Although the input device of the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and the method for output detection in the input device have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0113] This international application claims priority under Japanese patent application 2022-200578, filed on December 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. List of reference symbols

[0114] FT fingertip (an example of a surgical body) 100, 100M3 input device 101 Substrat 102 foamed layer (an example of an elastic element) 102A Foamed layer (an example of an elastic member, an example of a first elastic member) 102B foamed layer (an example of a second elastic element) 104 Skin 104A Operating Surface 110 floating electrode (an example of a first electrode) 110A foil 120 Electrode (an example of a plurality of second electrodes) 120A boundary (an example of a boundary between adjacent second electrodes) 120Tx drive electrode 120Rx detection electrode 130 Power supply 140 multiplexers 150 detection units 160 MCU (an example of a control unit) QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] JP 7091429

[0003] JP 2022-200578

[0113] < / effekt> < / simulationsergebnis>

Claims

[1] An input device comprising: a skin with a surgical surface; a first electrode arranged on a back side of the surgical surface; a plurality of second electrodes arranged opposite the first electrode; an elastic member disposed between the skin and the plurality of second electrodes; and a control unit connected to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the skin and the elastic element are elastically deformable by means of a pressure operation which is carried out by means of an operating body on the operating surface, and the control unit selecting at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a drive electrode, from the plurality of second electrodes, at least one second electrode, which is adjacent to the second electrode selected as the drive electrode, is selected as a detection electrode, and switching a combination of the second electrodes selected from the plurality of second electrodes as the drive electrode and the detection electrode, and detecting an output of the detection electrode in a plurality of the combinations. [2] The input device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode is a floating electrode. [3] The input device according to claim 1, wherein a boundary between adjacent second electrodes among the plurality of second electrodes is linear in a plan view. [4] The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit switches the combination of the second electrodes selected as the drive electrode and the detection electrode a plurality of times so that each of the plurality of second electrodes is selected as the detection electrode at least once. [5] The input device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of second electrodes has a plurality of boundaries between adjacent second electrodes, and the control unit switches the combination of the second electrodes selected as the drive electrode and the detection electrode multiple times so that each of the plurality of boundaries is located at least once between the drive electrode and the detection electrode. [6] The input device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit maintains at least one second electrode of the plurality of second electrodes, which is not selected as the drive electrode or the detection electrode, at a constant potential. [7] The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the skin and the first electrode are formed of a transparent material. [8] The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastic member is thicker than the skin. [9] The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plurality of second electrodes are arranged in a ring-shaped, lattice-shaped or honeycomb-shaped manner in a plan view. [10] The input device according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of second electrodes are equally divided into N sections in a plan view (N is an integer of 3 or more). [11] A method for output detection in an input device, the input device comprising: a skin having a surgical surface; a first electrode arranged at a rear side of the operating surface; a plurality of second electrodes arranged opposite the first electrode; an elastic member disposed between the skin and the plurality of second electrodes; and a control unit connected to the plurality of second electrodes, wherein the skin and the elastic element are elastically deformable by means of a pressure operation carried out by means of an operating body on the operating surface, and the control unit selecting at least one second electrode from the plurality of second electrodes as a drive electrode, from the plurality of second electrodes, at least one second electrode, which is adjacent to the second electrode selected as the drive electrode, is selected as a detection electrode, and switching a combination of the second electrodes selected from the plurality of second electrodes as the drive electrode and the detection electrode, and detecting an output of the detection electrode in a plurality of the combinations.

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