Touch sensor device and touch panel device

Abstract

To provide a touch sensor device and a touch panel device in which a user can adjust a threshold for identifying the type of touch operation, thereby accurately identifying the type of touch operation.SOLUTION: A touch sensor device 1 includes a touch sensor 11, a touch operation detecting unit 121a, a touch operation identifying unit 121b, and an adjustment control unit 121c. The touch operation detecting unit 121a detects a touch size S of a touch operation X of a user touching the touch sensor 11. The touch operation identifying unit 121b identifies the type of the touch operation X based on the touch size S and at least one threshold T. The adjustment control unit 121c adjusts the threshold T in accordance with an operation of the user in an adjustment mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch sensor device and a touch panel device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes performing sensitivity correction processing according to the touch position acquired by a touch position detection unit, and determining whether the indicator for performing a touch operation is a pen or a finger based on the corrected sensitivity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional touch sensor device, since the threshold value for identifying the type of touch operation is a fixed value, there are cases where the type of touch operation cannot be accurately identified. Here, the "type of touch operation" means the type of the object touching the touch sensor device during the touch operation. Examples of the "type of touch operation" include, but are not limited to, a touch pen, a user's fingertip, or palm.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a touch sensor device and a touch panel device capable of accurately identifying the type of touch operation by allowing a user to adjust the threshold value for identifying the type of touch operation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The touch sensor device of the present disclosure includes a touch sensor, a touch operation detection unit, a touch operation identification unit, and an adjustment control unit. The touch operation detection unit detects a touch size caused by a user's touch operation on the touch sensor. The touch operation identification unit identifies the type of the touch operation based on the touch size and at least one threshold value. The adjustment control unit adjusts the threshold value according to an operation by the user in an adjustment mode.

[0007] The touch panel device of the present disclosure includes the above touch sensor device and a display device having a display unit. The touch panel device further includes a display control unit. The display control unit sequentially displays a plurality of instruction contents for the user in the adjustment mode on the display unit. The instruction contents instruct the user to perform different types of the touch operations. The adjustment control unit updates the threshold value associated with the user according to the threshold value calculated based on each touch size detected every time the plurality of instruction contents are sequentially displayed.

[0008] The touch panel device of the present disclosure includes the above touch sensor device and a display device having a display unit. The touch panel device further includes a display control unit and an operation unit. The display control unit displays an instruction content for the user in the adjustment mode on the display unit. The operation unit receives an input operation according to the instruction content. The adjustment control unit updates the threshold value associated with the user according to the threshold value determined based on the input operation.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, since the user can adjust the threshold value for identifying the type of the touch operation, it becomes possible to accurately identify the type of the touch operation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description will not be repeated.

[0012] <First Embodiment> 1.1 Overall Configuration of the Touch Panel Device 10 First, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall configuration of the touch panel device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the touch panel device 10 including the touch sensor device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 10 includes a touch sensor device 1, a display device 2, and a main control device 3. The touch sensor device 1 has a touch sensor 11 and a touch detection device 12. The display device 2 has a display unit 21 and a display control unit 22. Note that the touch detection device 12, the display control unit 22, and the main control device 3 can transfer data to each other through a signal transmission medium 9 such as a bus. Note that the touch sensor device 1 is an example of the "operation unit" of the present disclosure.

[0014] The main control device 3 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 3a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3b, and a secondary storage device 3c.

[0015] The CPU 3a executes various computer programs stored in advance in the secondary storage device 3c. Thereby, the CPU 3a executes various data processes and controls the touch sensor device 1 and the display device 2.

[0016] The RAM 3b is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 3b stores temporarily the computer programs executed by the CPU 3a and the data to be processed.

[0017] The secondary storage device 3c is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. For example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM / registered trademark / the following occurrences will omit the note) or a hard disk drive or the like is adopted as the secondary storage device 3c.

[0018] The display unit 21 is a device capable of displaying an image. The display unit 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL (Organic Electro Luminescence) panel or the like. The liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal panel and a backlight.

[0019] The display control unit 22 drives the display unit 21. The display control unit 22 controls the display unit 21 so that the display unit 21 displays images, characters, and the like. The display control unit 22 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 22a, a RAM 22b, and a secondary storage device 22c.

[0020] Note that the RAM 22b and the secondary storage device 22c included in the display control unit 22 are the same devices as the RAM 3b and the secondary storage device 3c included in the main control device 3, respectively. It is also conceivable that the display control unit 22 includes another processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) instead of the MPU 22a.

[0021] 1.2 Configuration of the touch sensor device 1 Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, the configuration of the touch sensor device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the touch sensor device 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying the correspondence between the touch size S and the type of touch operation X. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement example of the first imaging unit 126 and the user determination unit 125. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram exemplifying the relationship between the change in the detection signal V0 of the touch sensor 11 included in the touch sensor device 1 and the sampling value SV0.

[0022] The touch sensor 11 of the touch sensor device 1 detects touch operations at a plurality of coordinate positions on the display unit 21. The touch sensor 11 detects the degree of contact by a touch pen, a user's fingertip, or the like at a plurality of coordinate positions.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the touch sensor 11 includes a plurality of transparent electrodes 111, a transparent protective cover 112, a drive circuit 113, and the like. Note that this touch sensor 11 is specifically a capacitance type sensor. More specifically, as the capacitance type sensor, a surface capacitance type sensor can be mentioned. However, the touch sensor 11 is not limited to such an example. Different types of touch sensors will be described later in the second and third embodiments.

[0024] The plurality of electrodes 111 are arranged at a plurality of coordinate positions on the back surface of the protective cover 112. The protective cover 112 is superimposed on the display unit 21. Therefore, the plurality of electrodes 111 are arranged at a plurality of coordinate positions on the surface of the display unit 21.

[0025] The drive circuit 113 supplies a drive signal to the plurality of electrodes 111. The plurality of electrodes 111 to which this drive signal is supplied output a detection signal V0 representing the degree of adhesion of a touch pen, a user's fingertip, etc. for each coordinate position in the protective cover 112.

[0026] The touch detection device 12 includes an MPU 121, a RAM 122, a secondary storage device 123, a sampling circuit 124, a user discrimination unit 125, and a first imaging unit 126. Note that the secondary storage device 123 is an example of the "storage unit" of the present disclosure.

[0027] The MPU 121 executes various computer programs pre-stored in the secondary storage device 123. Thereby, the MPU 121 executes a process of detecting an effective touch operation on the touch sensor 11.

[0028] The RAM 122 is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 122 stores temporarily the computer programs executed by the MPU 121 and the data to be processed.

[0029] The secondary storage device 123 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. For example, it is conceivable that the secondary storage device 123 is a flash memory or an EEPROM.

[0030] The sampling circuit 124 sequentially outputs a plurality of sampling values SV0 by sampling the detection signal V0 of the touch sensor 11 at a predetermined sampling frequency. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the detection signal V0 and the sampling value SV0.

[0031] The sampling circuit 124 is a so-called AD (Analog / Digital) conversion circuit. That is, the sampling value SV0 is a value of digital data.

[0032] The MPU 121 detects an effective touch operation on the touch sensor 11 by comparing the sampling value SV0 of the detection signal V0 with a preset detection threshold value SL0 (see FIG. 5). Specifically, the MPU 121 determines that the touch operation of the user is an effective touch operation when the sampling value SV0 is equal to or greater than the detection threshold value SL0. In the following description, an effective touch operation is referred to as an "effective operation", and a touch operation that is not effective is referred to as an "invalid operation".

[0033] Note that the detection threshold value SL0 is a threshold value for detecting a touch operation for each of a plurality of coordinate positions and determining whether it is an effective operation or an invalid operation. That is, this detection threshold value SL0 has a different technical meaning from the "threshold value" of the present disclosure for identifying the type of touch operation.

[0034] Furthermore, the MPU 121 outputs the data of the coordinate position where an effective operation is detected to the display control unit 22 and the main control device 3.

[0035] The display control unit 22 is capable of executing touch drawing processing. The touch drawing processing is a process of causing the display unit 21 to display a trajectory image representing the trajectory of the coordinate position where an effective operation is detected in the display unit 21. Such a touch panel device 10 including the display control unit 22 may be referred to as an electronic whiteboard.

[0036] The MPU 121 operates as a touch operation detection unit 121a, a touch operation identification unit 121b, and an adjustment control unit 121c by executing a computer program stored in advance in the secondary storage device 123.

[0037] The touch operation detection unit 121a detects the touch size S caused by the user's touch operation X on the touch sensor 11. The touch size S means the size as a whole of one or more coordinate positions where a valid operation is detected, and is a concept including, for example, area and line width. As the touch size S, for example, the line width of the tip P1a of the touch pen P1 is 2 mm, the line width of the head P1b of the touch pen P1 is 9 mm, the fingertip F1 is 12 mm, and the palm H1 is 40 mm are assumed respectively, but it is not limited to such sizes.

[0038] The touch operation identification unit 121b identifies the type of the touch operation X based on the touch size S and at least one threshold value T. Note that, in order to identify the type of the touch operation X by the touch size S, at least one threshold value T less than the number of types of the touch operation X is required. For example, if there are four types of touch operations X, at least three threshold values are required for their identification.

[0039] The adjustment control unit 121c adjusts the threshold value T according to the operation by the user in the adjustment mode. The method of adjusting the threshold value T and the like will be described later.

[0040] Therefore, the user can adjust the threshold value T for identifying the type of the touch operation X. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately identify the type of the touch operation X.

[0041] The types of the touch operation X identified by the touch operation identification unit 121b include, for example, the touch pen P1, the fingertip F1, and the palm H1 as shown in FIG. 3, but are not limited thereto. Therefore, it is only necessary to properly use the touch pen P1, the fingertip F1, and the palm H1 without performing an operation of switching the function to be used in the touch panel device 10 each time. As a result, the operability of the touch panel device 10 is improved. Note that, for example, the touch pen P1 may be assigned to the drawing of a line in the display unit 21, the fingertip F1 may be assigned to the selection of an object, and the palm H1 may be assigned to an eraser, but it is not limited to such assignment to functions.

[0042] Some touch pens P1 are configured to be usable with both the tip P1a (for thin lines) and the head P1b (for thick lines). In such cases, it is preferable to identify the tip P1a and the head P1b as different types of touch operations.

[0043] The first imaging unit 126 images the touch operation X. The touch operation identification unit 121b identifies the type of the touch operation X based on the touch size S and the threshold value T, and the video or image captured by the first imaging unit 126. Therefore, the type of the touch operation X is identified based not only on the touch size S and the threshold value T but also on the captured video or image of the touch operation X. As a result, the identification accuracy of the type of the touch operation is improved.

[0044] The first imaging unit 126 is arranged so as to be able to image the vicinity of the surface of the display unit 21 in order to image the touch operation X. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the first imaging unit 126 is arranged at one end side above the display unit 21 and directed toward the center of the display unit 21. Thereby, the first imaging unit 126 can image the touch pen P1 or the fingertip F1 that performs the touch operation. The arrangement and the number of the first imaging units 126 are not limited to such examples. As the first imaging unit 126, for example, one visible light camera having an angle of view capable of imaging the entire display unit 21 can be mentioned. Alternatively, a plurality of visible light cameras with a narrower angle of view may be combined and arranged so as to be able to image the entire display unit 21. However, it is not limited to such an arrangement example.

[0045] The user discrimination unit 125 discriminates the user. The storage unit 123 stores the threshold value T in association with the user. Thereby, the user is automatically discriminated by the user discrimination unit 125, and the threshold value T is stored in the storage unit 123 as profile information in association with the user thus discriminated.

[0046] In addition, the touch operation identification unit 121b identifies the type of the touch operation X based on the touch size S and the threshold value T associated with the user stored in the storage unit 123. The adjustment control unit 121c updates the threshold value T associated with the user stored in the storage unit 123.

[0047] Therefore, the threshold value T for identifying the type of touch operation X can be stored for each user and updated by the user's operation. As a result, false detection due to differences in the thickness of the tip P1a or the head P1b of the touch pen P1 used, or individual differences in the thickness of the user's fingertip F1 or the size of the palm H1, etc. is suppressed, and the identification accuracy of the type of touch operation is further improved.

[0048] The user discrimination unit 125 may include a second imaging unit 125a that images the user. Therefore, the user can be discriminated by analyzing the video imaged by the second imaging unit 125a. As a result, since the threshold value T adjusted in advance by the user can be used, the identification accuracy of the type of touch operation is further improved.

[0049] Examples of the second imaging unit 125a include, but are not limited to, a visible light camera. By analyzing the face image of the user imaged by the visible light camera, the user can be discriminated. The second imaging unit 125a is preferably arranged at a position and in a direction such that the user performing the touch operation X can be surely imaged. For example, when the touch panel device 10 is an electronic whiteboard, the second imaging unit 125a may be arranged so as to look down on the user facing the touch panel device 10 from near the upper center of the electronic whiteboard. When the touch panel device 10 is a smartphone or a tablet, a front camera that shoots in the forward direction may be used as the second imaging unit 125a.

[0050] However, the user discrimination unit 125 is not limited to the second imaging unit 125a. Further, for example, before starting the use of the touch panel device 10, user authentication may be performed. Examples of the authentication method include, but are not limited to, biometric authentication and password authentication. Thereby, the user can be surely discriminated.

[0051] 1.3 Differences in the thickness of the touch pen P1, individual differences in the user's fingertip F1 and palm H1 Next, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the differences in the thicknesses of the tip P1a and the head P1b of the touch pen P1, and the individual differences in the thickness of the user's fingertip F1 and the size of the palm H1 will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the differences in the thicknesses of the tip P1a and the head P1b of the touch pen P1. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the individual differences in the thickness of the user's fingertip F1 and the size of the palm H1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, there are various types of touch pens, and the thicknesses of the tips and heads are also different. For example, in the touch pen P1 shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the thickness of the tip is 2 mm, and the thickness of the head is 6.5 mm. In the touch pen P2 shown in the middle part of FIG. 6, the thickness of the tip is 2.6 mm, and the thickness of the head is 6.8 mm. In the touch pen P3 shown in the lower part of FIG. 6, the thickness of the tip is 3 mm, and the thickness of the head is 9 mm.

[0053] Regarding these touch pens P1 to P3, as a threshold value T for identifying the tip and the head by the touch size, for example, it is conceivable to use the average value of the respective thicknesses of the tip and the head. In that case, for the touch pen P1, the threshold value T is 4.25 mm, for the touch pen P2, the threshold value T is 4.7 mm, and for the touch pen P3, the threshold value T is 6 mm. Among these, the threshold value T of the touch pen P1 may be registered as the initial value. However, these threshold values T are merely examples.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 7, there are also individual differences in the thickness of the user's fingertip and the size of the palm. For example, the thickness of the fingertip F1 shown in the upper part of FIG. 7 is 10 mm, and the size of the palm H1 is 30 mm. The thickness of the fingertip F2 shown in the middle part of FIG. 7 is 12 mm, and the size of the palm H2 is 35 mm. The thickness of the fingertip F3 shown in the lower part of FIG. 7 is 16 mm, and the size of the palm H3 is 40 mm.

[0055] As a threshold value T for identifying these fingertips F1 to F3 and palms H1 to H3 by touch size, for example, it can be considered as the average value of the thickness of the fingertips and the size of the palms. In that case, for the combination of fingertip F1 and palm H1, the threshold value T is 20 mm, for the combination of fingertip F2 and palm H2, the threshold value T is 23.5 mm, and for the combination of fingertip F3 and palm H3, the threshold value T is 28 mm. However, these threshold values T are only examples after all.

[0056] 1.4 Basic Operations of Touch Panel Device 10 Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the basic operations of the touch panel device 10 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the basic operations of the touch panel device 10.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, in step S1, the touch operation detection unit 121a detects the touch size S caused by the user's touch operation X on the touch sensor.

[0058] In step S2, the touch operation identification unit 121b identifies the type of the touch operation X based on the touch size S and at least one threshold value T. As described above, the user discrimination unit 125 discriminates the user, and the storage unit 123 stores the threshold value T in association with the user. Thus, the threshold value T stored in the storage unit 123 in association with the user discriminated by the user discrimination unit 125 can be used to identify the type of the touch operation X.

[0059] In step S3, the MPU 121 determines whether the touch panel device 10 is in the adjustment mode. If it is in the adjustment mode, it proceeds to step S4, otherwise it ends the series of processes as it is.

[0060] In step S4, the adjustment control unit 121c adjusts the threshold value T according to the operation by the user, and then ends the series of processes. Here, the operation by the user is a procedure for adjusting the threshold value T and is executed only in the adjustment mode.

[0061] 1.5 Automatic Adjustment (Calibration) of Threshold Value T Next, referring to FIG. 9, a procedure will be described in which the threshold value T for the user is automatically adjusted simply by the user sequentially performing different touch operations X according to instructions from the touch panel device 10. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the adjustment procedure of the threshold value T.

[0062] The display control unit 22 causes the display unit 21 to sequentially display a plurality of instruction contents for the user in the adjustment mode. The instruction contents are those that instruct the user to perform different types of touch operations X. The adjustment control unit 121c updates the threshold value T associated with the user according to the threshold value T calculated based on each touch size S detected each time the plurality of instruction contents are sequentially displayed.

[0063] Therefore, based on the touch size S detected when various touch operations X are actually performed by the user, the threshold value T of the user is automatically updated. As a result, the identification accuracy of the types of various touch operations X is greatly improved by a simple adjustment operation.

[0064] For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the calibration of the threshold value T is started in the adjustment mode, in step S11, the display unit 21 displays, for example, "Please touch the screen with the tip of the pen". In response to this, the user touches the touch sensor 11 with the tip portion P1a of the touch pen P1. Then, the touch size S detected by the touch operation detection unit 121a is stored in the RAM 122 as Sp1a.

[0065] In step S12, the display unit 21 displays, for example, "Please touch the screen with the back of the pen". In response to this, the user touches the touch sensor 11 with the head portion P1b of the touch pen P1. Then, the touch size S detected by the touch operation detection unit 121a is stored in the RAM 122 as Sp1b.

[0066] In step S13, the display unit 21 displays, for example, "Please touch the screen with your finger". In response to this, the user touches the touch sensor 11 with the fingertip F1. Then, the touch size S detected by the touch operation detection unit 121a is stored in the RAM 122 as Sf1.

[0067] In step S14, the display unit 21 displays, for example, "Please touch the screen with the palm of your hand". In response to this, the user touches the touch sensor 11 with the palm H1. Then, the touch size S detected by the touch operation detection unit 121a is stored in the RAM 122 as Sh1.

[0068] The adjustment control unit 121c obtains, for example, a threshold value T1 for distinguishing the tip P1a and the head P1b of the touch pen P1, a threshold value T2 for distinguishing the head P1b of the touch pen P1 and the fingertip F1, and a threshold value T3 for distinguishing the fingertip F1 and the palm H1 according to the following formula. However, it is not limited to such a method of obtaining and formula. T1 = (Sp1a+Sp1b) / 2 T2 = (Sp1b+Sf1 ) / 2 T3 = (Sf1 +Sh1 ) / 2

[0069] The adjustment control unit 121c further causes the storage unit 123 to store the threshold values T1, T2, and T3 in association with the user. If the threshold values T1, T2, and T3 are already stored in association with the user, the stored content is updated.

[0070] 1.6 Manual adjustment of the threshold value T In the automatic adjustment procedure of the threshold value T described above, by simply performing different touch operations X by the user in accordance with the instructions displayed on the display unit 21 in order, an appropriate threshold value T is automatically calculated for the user, and the stored content of the storage unit 123 is also updated. However, a separate adjustment procedure may be provided so that the user can directly change the threshold value T itself.

[0071] In that case, the display control unit 22 causes the display unit 21 to display the instruction content for the user in the adjustment mode. The touch sensor device 1, which is an example of the operation unit, receives an input operation according to the instruction content. The adjustment control unit 121c updates the threshold value T associated with the user according to the threshold value T determined based on the input operation.

[0072] Therefore, the threshold value T for that user can be freely updated manually. As a result, the threshold value T can be finely adjusted by the manual adjustment operation, and the identification accuracy of the types of various touch operations X can be greatly improved.

[0073] 1.7 Method of Implementing on the Touch Panel Device 10 As a method of implementing the present disclosure on the touch panel device 10, specifically, as a method of storing the threshold value T as profile information, for example, a threshold adjustment command may be provided in the touch control board (firmware). Alternatively, a framework for threshold adjustment and protocol change may be provided in the driver on the information terminal side. However, the implementation method is not limited to such examples.

[0074] <Second Embodiment> In the touch sensor 11 of the first embodiment described above, whether or not it is a valid operation is determined by the electrodes 111 for each of a plurality of coordinate positions arranged in a grid pattern. Then, the size of the entire one or more coordinate positions where a valid operation is detected is detected as the touch size S. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the touch sensor 11 is replaced with a touch sensor 11A.

[0075] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the detection of the touch size S by the touch sensor 11A according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. In this touch sensor 11A, the touch size S can be detected by detecting the capacitance levels in the X direction and the Y direction respectively. Note that the configuration other than this touch sensor 11A is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 10, the touch sensor 11A can continuously detect the capacitance level in the X direction and the capacitance level in the Y direction, respectively. For example, in the case of a detection circuit configuration in which the capacitance level of a portion where an object such as a touch pen P1 or a fingertip F1 is in contact becomes high, the widths of the portions higher than a preset capacitance level threshold are obtained in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. If the obtained width in the X direction is Wx2 and the width in the Y direction is Wy2, assuming that the touched portion (where an object such as the touch pen P1 is in contact) is elliptical, the touch size S can be calculated based on Wx2 and Wy2.

[0077] FIG. 10 shows a case where the contact area becomes extremely large due to the touch operation X by the palm H1. In the case of the touch operation X by the fingertip F1, the head P1b, and the tip P1a of the touch pen P1, the contact areas become smaller in this order.

[0078] <Third Embodiment> In the touch sensor 11A of the second embodiment described above, the touch size S could be detected by detecting the capacitance levels in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the touch sensor 11A is replaced with the touch sensor 11B.

[0079] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the detection of the touch size S by the touch sensor 11B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. In this touch sensor 11B, an infrared light emitting element array is arranged on one long side (X direction), and a light receiving element array is arranged on the other long side so as to face it. Similarly, an infrared light emitting element array is arranged on one short side (Y direction), and a light receiving element array is arranged on the other short side so as to face it. In this touch sensor 11B, the touch size S can be detected by detecting the light reception levels of the light receiving element arrays in the X direction and the Y direction, respectively.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 11, the touch sensor 11B can detect the light reception level of each light receiving element in the light receiving element array in the X direction and the light reception level of each light receiving element in the light receiving element array in the Y direction in a discrete liquid. When the light from the light emitting element is blocked by the touch pen P1, the fingertip F1, etc., the amount of light reaching the corresponding light receiving element decreases compared to the normal time. Therefore, it is preferable to use a light emitting element array and a light receiving element array with an arrangement interval finer than the arrangement interval corresponding to the detection accuracy of the minimum necessary touch size S.

[0081] Assuming that the width in the X direction of the portion lower than the preset light reception level threshold is Wx3 and the width in the Y direction is Wy3, the touch size S can be calculated based on Wx3 and Wy3 by assuming that the touched portion (the portion where an object such as the touch pen P1 is in contact) has an elliptical shape.

[0082] FIG. 11 shows the contact area corresponding to the touch operation X by the head P1b of the touch pen P1. For the touch operation X by the tip P1a of the touch pen P1, the contact area is even smaller. Conversely, for the touch operation X by the fingertip F1 or the palm H1, the contact area increases in this order.

[0083] The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its gist or main features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0084] The present disclosure can be applied to a touch sensor device and a touch panel device.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1 Touch sensor device 10 Touch panel device 11 Touch sensor 11A Touch Sensor 11B Touch Sensor 111 Electrode 112 Protective Cover 113 Drive Circuit 12 Touch Detection Device 121 MPU 121a Touch Operation Detection Unit 121b Touch Operation Identification Unit 121c Adjustment and Control Unit 122 RAM 123 Secondary Storage Device 124 Sampling Circuit 125 User Discrimination Unit 125a Second Imaging Unit 126 First Imaging Unit 2 Display Device 21 Display Unit 22 Display Control Unit 3 Main Control Device 9 Signal Transmission Medium

Claims

1. A touch sensor, A touch operation detection unit that detects a touch size by a user's touch operation on the touch sensor, A touch operation identification unit that identifies the type of the touch operation based on the touch size and at least one threshold value, An adjustment control unit that adjusts the threshold value according to an operation by the user in an adjustment mode A touch sensor device comprising the same.

2. The touch sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the type of the touch operation identified by the touch operation identification unit includes a touch-operable pen, a fingertip, and a palm.

3. Further comprising a first imaging unit that images the touch operation, The touch sensor device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the touch operation identification unit identifies the type of the touch operation based on the touch size, the threshold value, and an image or a picture imaged by the first imaging unit.

4. A user discrimination unit that discriminates the user, A storage unit that stores the threshold value associated with the user, Further comprising the same, The touch operation identification unit identifies the type of the touch operation based on the touch size and the threshold value associated with the user stored in the storage unit, The adjustment control unit updates the threshold value associated with the user stored in the storage unit. The touch sensor device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The touch sensor device according to claim 4, wherein the user discrimination unit includes a second imaging unit that images the user.

6. A touch panel device comprising the touch sensor device according to claim 1 or claim 2, A display device having a display unit and comprising the same, The touch panel device further includes a display control unit that sequentially causes the display unit to display a plurality of instruction contents for the user in the adjustment mode. The instruction contents instruct the user to perform different types of touch operations. The adjustment control unit updates the threshold value associated with the user according to the threshold value calculated based on each touch size detected every time the plurality of instruction contents are sequentially displayed.

7. A touch panel device comprising the touch sensor device according to claim 1 or claim 2, a display device having a display unit, wherein the touch panel device further includes: a display control unit that causes the display unit to display instruction contents for the user in the adjustment mode; an operation unit that receives an input operation according to the instruction contents; and the adjustment control unit updates the threshold value associated with the user according to the threshold value determined based on the input operation. ​

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