Detector

Abstract

To provide a detector that can provide redundancy at low cost.SOLUTION: A detector 1 is generally configured to include a plurality of acquisition units electrically connected to a detection element 2 that detects physical quantities and acquires the physical quantities from the detection element 2, and a control unit 6 that controls switching of the electrical connections of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element 2 and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved on the basis of each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technique, a touch sensor switch device is known that includes a touch sensor that detects the presence or absence of contact and outputs a detection signal, a differentiation circuit that differentiates the detection signal output from the touch sensor and outputs the differentiated signal, and a judgment unit that determines a contact state when the value of the differentiated signal output from the differentiation circuit is equal to or less than a first threshold, determines a non-touch state when the value of the differentiated signal is equal to or greater than a second threshold, and determines a continuation of the previous state when the value of the differentiated signal is higher than the first threshold and lower than the second threshold (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This touch sensor switch device compares the minimum and maximum values ​​of the differential signal with a first threshold and a second threshold, respectively, thereby accurately detecting the start and end of the contact state, and further determining that the contact state or non-touch state is continuing when neither the start nor the end of the contact state has occurred, thereby making it possible to determine the duration of the contact state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-150733 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of a conventional touch sensor switch device, for example, when redundancy is required, duplication is required, which increases costs.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a detection device that can be provided with redundancy at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a detection device that includes a plurality of acquisition units electrically connected to a detection element that detects a physical quantity and acquires the physical quantity from the detection element, and a control unit that controls switching of the electrical connection of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, redundancy can be provided at low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a detection device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of multi-layered detection electrodes. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a detection device. [Figure 3] 3(a) to 3(d) are diagrams showing examples of acquisition patterns for acquiring the capacitance of the detection device. [Figure 4] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing an example of a detection electrode pair according to a modified example, Figure 4(c) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of touch switches, and Figure 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of a touch switch of a different size or shape. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the detection device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an example of a block diagram of a detection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a detection device according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The detection device according to the embodiment is generally configured to include a plurality of acquisition units electrically connected to a detection element that detects a physical quantity and acquires the physical quantity from the detection element, and a control unit that controls switching of the electrical connection of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units.

[0011] This detection device can provide redundancy without duplication, so redundancy can be provided at lower cost than in the case of duplication.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Overview of detection device 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a detection device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a diagram for explaining an example of multi-layering of detection electrodes. FIG. 2 is an example of a block diagram of a detection device according to a first embodiment. Note that in each of the figures according to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes between figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. In FIG. 2 and FIGS. 6 and 7 described below, arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information.

[0013] As an example, the detection device 1 of this embodiment is electrically connected to an electronic device 8, and controls the electronic device 8. An outline of the detection device 1 will be described below.

[0014] The detection device 1 has detection electrodes arranged in multiple layers, and is configured such that while one detection electrode is detecting the capacitance, the other overlapping detection electrodes are open.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1(a) to 2, the detection device 1 is generally configured to include a plurality of acquisition units that are electrically connected to a detection element 2 that detects physical quantities and acquire the physical quantities from the detection element 2, and a control unit 6 that controls switching of the electrical connections of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element 2 and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units.

[0016] 2, the multiple acquisition units in this embodiment are a first acquisition unit 3a and a second acquisition unit 3b. The control unit 6 controls switching of the electrical connection of the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b to the detection element 2, and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantity acquired via the first acquisition unit 3a and the physical quantity acquired via the second acquisition unit 3b.

[0017] The detection device 1 of this embodiment includes a detection element 2 that includes a plurality of detection electrode pairs, each consisting of a plurality of detection electrodes and corresponding to a plurality of operation objects, and detects capacitance as a physical quantity using the detection electrodes. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the detection target is an operation on the operation object. The detection electrode pairs 20 are divided into a first detection electrode group 2a, one of which is selectively connected to a first acquisition unit 3a, and a second detection electrode group 2b, the other of which is selectively connected to a second acquisition unit 3b. As shown in FIGS. 3(a) to 3(d), for example, the control unit 6 selects a first selected detection electrode 62 from the first detection electrode group 2a and a second selected detection electrode 63 from the second detection electrode group 2b that is not paired with the first selected detection electrode 62, and performs control to acquire capacitances for all the detection electrodes. The control unit 6 then determines an operation on each of the operation objects based on the capacitances acquired from all the detection electrodes.

[0018] 1(a), the operation targets in this embodiment are the first touch switch 71 to the fourth touch switch 74, which accept touch operations. The first touch switch 71 to the fourth touch switch 74 are aligned in a row at equal intervals.

[0019] The plurality of detection electrodes in this embodiment are the first detection electrode 21 to the eighth detection electrode 28. The plurality of detection electrode pairs 20 are the pair of the first detection electrode 21 and the fifth detection electrode 25, the pair of the second detection electrode 22 and the sixth detection electrode 26, the pair of the third detection electrode 23 and the seventh detection electrode 27, and the pair of the fourth detection electrode 24 and the eighth detection electrode 28.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first detection electrode group 2a includes the first detection electrode 21 to the fourth detection electrode 24. The second detection electrode group 2b includes the fifth detection electrode 25 to the eighth detection electrode 28.

[0021] The operation target is provided on the operation surface 11. As shown in FIG. 1(b), the detection electrode pair 20 has an upper layer detection electrode 20a and a lower layer detection electrode 20b that are arranged below the operation surface 11 and face each other with an insulator interposed therebetween, and when one of them is electrically connected to the first acquisition unit 3a or the second acquisition unit 3b, the other is opened.

[0022] As an example of the insulator in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2(a), the film substrate 13 is a flexible substrate. The upper layer detection electrode 20a is disposed on a front surface 130 of the film substrate 13. The lower layer detection electrode 20b is disposed on a back surface 131 of the film substrate 13.

[0023] As an example, the detection element 2 of this embodiment has a multi-layer structure consisting of upper-layer detection electrodes 20a and lower-layer detection electrodes 20b, but is not limited to this and may be configured with more layers. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper-layer detection electrodes 20a include the first detection electrode 21 to the fourth detection electrode 24, i.e., the first detection electrode group 2a. As shown in Fig. 2, the lower-layer detection electrodes 20b include the fifth detection electrode 25 to the eighth detection electrode 28, i.e., the second detection electrode group 2b.

[0024] The control unit 6 determines that a malfunction has occurred when one of the physical quantities acquired through the multiple acquisition units achieves the detection target while the other does not. Since the detection device 1 of this embodiment has the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b as the multiple acquisition units, it determines that a malfunction has occurred when one of the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b achieves the detection target while the other does not.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the detection device 1 has a panel 10 whose front surface serves as an operation surface 11. The detection element 2 is disposed on a rear surface 12 of the panel 10. The panel 10 is formed in a plate shape using a resin material such as polycarbonate, for example.

[0026] The first to fourth touch switches 71 to 74 have designs that indicate areas that accept touch operations formed on the operation surface 11 of the panel 10 by printing or the like.

[0027] 2, the detection device 1 further includes a power supply unit 4 and a communication unit 5. The power supply unit 4 is configured to generate a power supply voltage V to be supplied to the control unit 6 and the like. The communication unit 5 communicates with an electronic device 8, which is the control target of the detection device 1, using a network such as a CAN (Controller Area Network) or a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) that enables the exchange of signals, information, and the like with the electronic device 8.

[0028] (Configuration of detector element 2) The detection element 2 has a first detection electrode 21 to an eighth detection electrode 28 that detect touch operations using a self-induction method. The first detection electrode 21 to the eighth detection electrode 28 are formed in a plate shape using a conductive metal such as silver or aluminum. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), the first detection electrode 21 to the eighth detection electrode 28 have the same shape and are arranged so that an image of the lower-layer detection electrode 20b projected onto the upper-layer detection electrode 20a coincides with the upper-layer detection electrode 20a. The first detection electrode 21 to the eighth detection electrode 28 may be plated with a conductive metal.

[0029] Although the first detection electrode 21 to the eighth detection electrode 28 have the same rectangular shape, the shape is not limited to this and may be various shapes depending on the touch switch. Furthermore, the first detection electrode 21 to the fourth detection electrode 24 and the fifth detection electrode 25 to the eighth detection electrode 28 are arranged in a line at equal intervals, but the shape is not limited to this.

[0030] 2, the first to fourth detection electrodes 21 to 24 are electrically connected to the first acquisition unit 3a via wiring 29a extending therefrom, and the fifth to eighth detection electrodes 25 to 28 are electrically connected to the second acquisition unit 3b via wiring 29b extending therefrom.

[0031] The detection electrode pair 20 consisting of the first detection electrode 21 and the fifth detection electrode 25 is arranged to correspond to the first touch switch 71. The detection electrode pair 20 consisting of the second detection electrode 22 and the sixth detection electrode 26 is arranged to correspond to the second touch switch 72. The detection electrode pair 20 consisting of the third detection electrode 23 and the seventh detection electrode 27 is arranged to correspond to the third touch switch 73. The detection electrode pair 20 consisting of the fourth detection electrode 24 and the eighth detection electrode 28 is arranged to correspond to the fourth touch switch 74.

[0032] The second detection electrode group 2b overlaps the first detection electrode group 2a and is disposed in the lower layer.

[0033] (Configuration of the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b) The first acquisition unit 3a enables electrical connection to each of the first to fourth detection electrodes 21 to 24 that make up the first detection electrode group 2a. The second acquisition unit 3b enables electrical connection to each of the fifth to eighth detection electrodes 25 to 28 that make up the second detection electrode group 2b.

[0034] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b are driven based on a power supply voltage V output from the power supply unit 4. Furthermore, before detecting the capacitance, the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b charge the detection electrodes electrically connected thereto based on this power supply voltage V.

[0035] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b of this embodiment are configured so that the detection electrodes other than the electrically connected detection electrodes are open, in other words, have high impedance.

[0036] 2, the first acquisition unit 3a switches the detection electrodes for acquiring capacitance based on a control signal S1 output from the control unit 6. The first acquisition unit 3a acquires the first to fourth capacitances C1 to C4 while switching the connections to the first to fourth detection electrodes 21 to 24. The first acquisition unit 3a then outputs first capacitance information S3 based on the acquired first to fourth capacitances C1 to C4 to the control unit 6.

[0037] The second acquisition unit 3b switches the detection electrodes for acquiring capacitance based on a control signal S2 output from the control unit 6. The second acquisition unit 3b acquires the fifth capacitance C5 to the eighth capacitance C8 while switching the connections to the fifth detection electrode 25 to the eighth detection electrode 28. The second acquisition unit 3b then outputs second capacitance information S4 based on the acquired fifth capacitance C5 to the eighth capacitance C8 to the control unit 6.

[0038] (Configuration of control unit 6) The control unit 6 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for the operation of the control unit 6. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The control unit 6 also has a means for generating a clock signal therein and performs a capacitance detection operation based on this clock signal.

[0039] The control unit 6 has an electrostatic threshold value 60. In the case of a self-induction type, the electrostatic capacitance increases due to a touch operation by the operating finger 9. Therefore, the control unit 6 determines that a touch operation has been performed when the electrostatic capacitances acquired from the upper layer detection electrode 20a and the lower layer detection electrode 20b constituting the detection electrode pair 20 corresponding to the touch switch are both equal to or greater than the electrostatic threshold value 60. An example of an acquisition pattern for detecting the electrostatic capacitance will be described below. The control unit 6 may also be configured to determine a touch operation by having an electrostatic threshold value 60 that is compared with the amount of increase in the electrostatic capacitance.

[0040] Acquisition patterns 3(a) to 3(d) are diagrams showing an example of an acquisition pattern for acquiring the capacitance of the detection device according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 3(a) to 3(d), the first selected detection electrode 62 is indicated by diagonal lines slanting upward to the left, and the second selected detection electrode 63 is indicated by diagonal lines slanting upward to the right.

[0041] For example, the control unit 6 has pattern information 61 and selects detection electrodes for acquiring capacitance based on the pattern information 61. Note that the control unit 6 switches the detection electrodes at equal timing, but this is not limited to this, and the timing may be changed depending on the shape or size of the detection electrode.

[0042] The first to fourth touch switches 71 to 74 are arranged side by side as shown in Figures 3(a) to 3(d). Therefore, the detection device 1 may make an erroneous determination if it acquires capacitances from adjacent detection electrodes at the same time. Therefore, the control unit 6 acquires capacitances from selected detection electrodes that are not adjacent to each other and are selected from the first detection electrode group 2a in the upper layer and the second detection electrode group 2b in the lower layer.

[0043] As an example, when the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b receive the control signal S1 and the control signal S2, they charge the first selected detection electrode 62 and the second selected detection electrode 63 and open the other detection electrodes, and after acquiring the capacitance, they connect the first selected detection electrode 62 and the second selected detection electrode 63 to GND to remove the charge.

[0044] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the control unit 6 outputs a control signal S1 to the first acquisition unit 3a based on the pattern information 61, and also outputs a control signal S2 to the second acquisition unit 3b.

[0045] The first acquisition unit 3a acquires a first capacitance C1 using the first detection electrode 21 of the first touch switch 71 as the first selected detection electrode 62 based on the control signal S1, and outputs first capacitance information S3 regarding the first detection electrode 21 and the first capacitance C1 to the control unit 6.

[0046] In addition, the second acquisition unit 3b acquires a seventh capacitance C7 using the seventh detection electrode 27 of the third touch switch 73 as the second selected detection electrode 63 based on the control signal S2, and outputs second capacitance information S4 regarding the seventh detection electrode 27 and the seventh capacitance C7 to the control unit 6.

[0047] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b electrically connect to the first detection electrode 21 and the seventh detection electrode 27 based on the control signal S1 and the control signal S2, and open the other detection electrodes.

[0048] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the control unit 6 outputs a control signal S1 to the first acquisition unit 3a and a control signal S2 to the second acquisition unit 3b based on the pattern information 61.

[0049] The first acquisition unit 3a acquires the third capacitance C3 based on the control signal S1 using the third detection electrode 23 of the second touch switch 72 as the first selected detection electrode 62, and outputs first capacitance information S3 regarding the third detection electrode 23 and the third capacitance C3 to the control unit 6.

[0050] In addition, the second acquisition unit 3b acquires an eighth capacitance C8 using the eighth detection electrode 28 of the fourth touch switch 74 as the second selected detection electrode 63 based on the control signal S2, and outputs second capacitance information S4 regarding the eighth detection electrode 28 and the eighth capacitance C8 to the control unit 6.

[0051] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b electrically connect to the third detection electrode 23 and the eighth detection electrode 28 based on the control signal S1 and the control signal S2, and open the other detection electrodes.

[0052] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(c), the control unit 6 outputs a control signal S1 to the first acquisition unit 3a and a control signal S2 to the second acquisition unit 3b based on the pattern information 61.

[0053] The first acquisition unit 3a acquires a fifth capacitance C5 using the fifth detection electrode 25 of the third touch switch 73 as the first selected detection electrode 62 based on the control signal S1, and outputs first capacitance information S3 regarding the fifth detection electrode 25 and the fifth capacitance C5 to the control unit 6.

[0054] In addition, the second acquisition unit 3b acquires the second capacitance C2 using the second detection electrode 22 of the first touch switch 71 as the second selected detection electrode 63 based on the control signal S2, and outputs second capacitance information S4 regarding the second detection electrode 22 and the second capacitance C2 to the control unit 6.

[0055] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b electrically connect to the fifth detection electrode 25 and the second detection electrode 22 based on the control signal S1 and the control signal S2, and open the other detection electrodes.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3(d), the control unit 6 outputs a control signal S1 to the first acquisition unit 3a and a control signal S2 to the second acquisition unit 3b based on the pattern information 61.

[0057] The first acquisition unit 3a acquires the seventh capacitance C7 using the seventh detection electrode 27 of the fourth touch switch 74 as the first selected detection electrode 62 based on the control signal S1, and outputs first capacitance information S3 regarding the seventh detection electrode 27 and the seventh capacitance C7 to the control unit 6.

[0058] In addition, the second acquisition unit 3b acquires a fourth capacitance C4 using the fourth detection electrode 24 of the second touch switch 72 as the second selected detection electrode 63 based on the control signal S2, and outputs second capacitance information S4 regarding the fourth detection electrode 24 and the fourth capacitance C4 to the control unit 6.

[0059] The first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b electrically connect to the seventh detection electrode 27 and the fourth detection electrode 24 based on the control signal S1 and the control signal S2, and open the other detection electrodes.

[0060] When the control unit 6 acquires the first capacitance C1 to the eighth capacitance C8 for one cycle, it determines whether the first touch switch 71 to the fourth touch switch 74 have been touched.

[0061] The control unit 6 compares the first capacitance C1 and the fifth capacitance C5 with the electrostatic threshold value 60, and if each of the first capacitance C1 and the fifth capacitance C5 is greater than or equal to the electrostatic threshold value 60, determines that a touch operation has been performed on the first touch switch 71.

[0062] The control unit 6 compares the second capacitance C2 and the sixth capacitance C6 with the electrostatic threshold value 60, and if each of the second capacitance C2 and the sixth capacitance C6 is greater than or equal to the electrostatic threshold value 60, determines that a touch operation has been performed on the second touch switch 72.

[0063] The control unit 6 compares the third capacitance C3 and the seventh capacitance C7 with the electrostatic threshold value 60, and if each of the third capacitance C3 and the seventh capacitance C7 is greater than or equal to the electrostatic threshold value 60, determines that a touch operation has been performed on the third touch switch 73.

[0064] The control unit 6 compares the fourth capacitance C4 and the eighth capacitance C8 with the electrostatic threshold value 60, and if each of the fourth capacitance C4 and the eighth capacitance C8 is greater than or equal to the electrostatic threshold value 60, determines that a touch operation has been performed on the fourth touch switch 74.

[0065] When a touch operation is detected, the control unit 6 outputs, to the electronic device 8 via the communication unit 5, operation information S5 including information on the touch switch on which the touch operation was detected.

[0066] The pattern for acquiring capacitance is not limited to the above example. For example, the control unit 6 may change the detection order in Figures 3(a) to 3(d). The control unit 6 may also change the combination of the first selected detection electrodes 62 and the second selected detection electrodes 63 in Figures 3(a) to 3(d) so that they are not adjacent to each other.

[0067] (Regarding variants) Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams showing an example of a detection electrode pair according to a modified example, Figure 4(c) is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of a touch switch, and Figure 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of a touch switch of a different size and shape. In Figures 4(c) and 4(d), as an example, a multilayered detection electrode pair 20 similar to the above-mentioned touch switch is arranged below.

[0068] The operation object is provided on operation surface 11. This operation object is the above-mentioned touch switch. Detection electrode pair 20 has upper layer detection electrode 20a and lower layer detection electrode 20b arranged below operation surface 11 and facing each other with an insulator interposed therebetween, and when one is electrically connected to first acquisition unit 3a or second acquisition unit 3b, the other is electrically connected to GND (ground), and may be configured so that a part of lower layer detection electrode 20b does not overlap upper layer detection electrode 20a when viewed from operation surface 11.

[0069] 4(a) has a shape in which the lower-layer detection electrode 20b is larger than the upper-layer detection electrode 20a. In this detection electrode pair 20, even if the upper-layer detection electrode 20a is connected to GND, a part of the lower-layer detection electrode 20b is located outside the upper-layer detection electrode 20a, so that the capacitance between the detection electrode pair 20 and the operating finger 9 can be detected.

[0070] 4(b) shows an example of another modified example of the detection electrode pair 20. In this detection electrode pair 20, the upper layer detection electrode 20a has an opening 200. A portion of the lower layer detection electrode 20b is located in the opening 200. Even if the upper layer detection electrode 20a is connected to GND, the detection electrode pair 20 can detect the capacitance between the operation finger 9 and the upper layer detection electrode 20a because a portion of the lower layer detection electrode 20b is located in the opening 200.

[0071] In FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the other detection electrode is connected to GND, so the influence of external noise can be suppressed compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0072] The first touch switch 71 to the fourth touch switch 74 shown in Figure 4(c) are arranged at the vertices of a cross so that the first touch switch 71 faces the third touch switch 73 and the second touch switch 72 faces the fourth touch switch 74.

[0073] For example, the control unit 6 performs control so as to electrically connect the first detection electrode 21 of the first touch switch 71 to the first acquisition unit 3a and electrically connect the seventh detection electrode 27 of the third touch switch 73 to the second acquisition unit 3b. At this time, the detection electrodes other than the first detection electrode 21 and the seventh detection electrode 27 are open.

[0074] Next, for example, the control unit 6 performs control so as to electrically connect the third detection electrode 23 of the second touch switch 72 to the first acquisition unit 3a and electrically connect the eighth detection electrode 28 of the fourth touch switch 74 to the second acquisition unit 3b. At this time, the detection electrodes other than the third detection electrode 23 and the eighth detection electrode 28 are left open.

[0075] As described above, the control unit 6 switches the electrical connection between the first acquisition unit 3a and the first detection electrode group 2a and the electrical connection between the second acquisition unit 3b and the second detection electrode group 2b to acquire the first capacitance C1 to the eighth capacitance C8 and determine whether a touch operation has occurred.

[0076] The first touch switch 71 to the fifth touch switch 75 shown in FIG. 4(d) are different in size and shape.

[0077] As in the above-described acquisition pattern, the control unit 6 acquires capacitance by combining the first detection electrode group 2a and the second detection electrode group 2b of the separated touch switches, and determines the touch operation.

[0078] An example of the operation of the detection device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0079] (operation) The control unit 6 of the detection device 1 outputs a control signal S1 to the first acquisition unit 3a and a control signal S2 to the second acquisition unit 3b based on the pattern information 61, and switches the detection electrodes connected to the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b to acquire the first capacitance C1 to the eighth capacitance C8 (Step 1).

[0080] The control unit 6 determines whether a touch operation has been detected by comparing the first capacitance C1 to the eighth capacitance C8 with the electrostatic threshold value 60. If there is a detection electrode pair 20 in which the electrostatic capacitance of each of the upper layer detection electrode 20a and the lower layer detection electrode 20b is equal to or greater than the electrostatic threshold value 60, the control unit 6 determines that a touch operation has been performed on the touch switch corresponding to this detection electrode pair 20 (Step 2: Yes).

[0081] The control unit 6 outputs operation information S5 including information on the touch switch on which the touch operation was detected to the electronic device 8 via the communication unit 5 (Step 3).

[0082] Here, in step 2, if the control unit 6 does not determine a touch operation (Step 2: No), and there is a detection electrode pair 20 in which one detection electrode detects a touch operation and the other does not detect a touch operation (Step 4: Yes), it outputs malfunction information S6 indicating that a malfunction has occurred to the electronic device 8 via the communication unit 5 (Step 5).

[0083] Furthermore, in step 4, if there is no detection electrode pair 20 in which one detection electrode detects a touch operation and the other does not detect a touch operation (Step 4: No), the control unit 6 proceeds to step 1.

[0084] (Effects of the first embodiment) The detection device 1 according to this embodiment can provide redundancy at low cost. Specifically, the detection device 1 can provide redundancy without duplicating the detection element 2, the control unit 6, electronic components such as connectors for connecting to the detection element 2, and the wiring pattern of the board on which these are arranged, and therefore can provide redundancy at low cost compared to the case of duplication.

[0085] The detection device 1 does not determine a touch operation unless one detection electrode and the other detection electrode that make up the detection electrode pair 20 each detect a touch operation, so compared to when this configuration is not adopted, the detection accuracy of the touch operation is improved and it is possible to detect the occurrence of a malfunction.

[0086] The detection device 1 acquires capacitance from one of the detection electrodes 20 while the other is open, so that the influence of the other detection electrode while acquiring capacitance is suppressed compared to when this configuration is not adopted, and capacitance can be detected with high accuracy.

[0087] In the detection device 1, the wiring 29a and wiring 29b connecting the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b to the detection electrodes are preferably as thin as possible because they detect capacitance. Furthermore, as the number of detection electrodes increases, the width of the wiring 29a and wiring 29b must be narrowed, which makes them more susceptible to problems such as breakage and makes them difficult to use in applications requiring reliability. However, the detection device 1 of this embodiment has redundancy, so it is possible to detect problems earlier than in a case without redundancy, making it easier to use in applications requiring reliability.

[0088] The detection device 1 controls the first selected detection electrode 62, which is the upper layer detection electrode 20a, to be connected to the first acquisition unit 3a, and the second selected detection electrode 63, which is the lower layer detection electrode 20b and does not form a detection electrode pair 20 with the first selected detection electrode 62, to be connected to the second acquisition unit 3b, so that the upper layer detection electrode 20a does not hinder the acquisition of the capacitance of the lower layer detection electrode 20b, compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0089] The detection device 1 detects capacitance using a plurality of acquisition units, and therefore can increase the detection speed for one cycle of acquiring capacitance compared to when there is only one acquisition unit.

[0090] The detection device 1 leaves the detection electrodes other than those connected to the first acquisition unit 3a and the second acquisition unit 3b open, so that the acquisition of capacitance by the unconnected detection electrodes is not hindered compared to when they are not open, thereby improving detection accuracy.

[0091] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of acquisition units are connected to one detection element.

[0092] 6 is an example of a block diagram of a detection device according to the second embodiment. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 6, the detection device 1 is generally configured to include a plurality of acquisition units electrically connected to a detection element 2 that detects physical quantities and acquires the physical quantities from the detection element 2, and a control unit 6 that controls switching of the electrical connections of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element 2 and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units.

[0094] The detection element 2 of this embodiment is, for example, a sensor that detects physical quantities such as a distance sensor, pressure sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, current sensor, voltage sensor, magnetic sensor, rotation sensor, or touch sensor. The physical quantity that a distance sensor detects is the distance to an object. The physical quantity that a pressure sensor detects is added pressure. The physical quantity that a temperature sensor detects is temperature. The physical quantity that a humidity sensor detects is humidity. The physical quantity that a current sensor detects is current. The physical quantity that a voltage sensor detects is voltage. The physical quantity that a magnetic sensor detects is a magnetic field. The physical quantity that a rotation sensor detects is a rotation angle.

[0095] The acquisition units of this embodiment are, for example, a first acquisition unit 3a and a second acquisition unit 3b, each of which is electrically connected to the detection element 2.

[0096] The control unit 6 of the detection device 1 opens the second acquisition unit 3b and electrically connects the first acquisition unit 3a and the detection element 2 to obtain the detected value S as a physical quantity. a Next, the control unit 6 opens the first acquisition unit 3a and electrically connects the second acquisition unit 3b to the detection element 2 to obtain the detected value S as a physical quantity. b Get.

[0097] The control unit 6 detects the acquired detection value S a and detection value S b and threshold value 64, and determines that the detection target has been achieved only if each detection target has been achieved. Furthermore, if one detection target has been achieved and the other has not, control unit 6 determines that a malfunction has occurred.

[0098] For example, when the detection element 2 is configured with one detection electrode that detects a touch operation, the second acquisition unit 3b is opened and the first acquisition unit 3a and the detection element 2 are electrically connected to obtain the detection value S a Next, the control unit 6 opens the first acquisition unit 3a and electrically connects the second acquisition unit 3b to the detection element 2 to obtain the detected value S, which is the capacitance. b Get.

[0099] The control unit 6 detects the acquired detection value S a and detection value S b and threshold value 64, and if both are equal to or greater than threshold value 64 and a touch operation is detected, it is determined that a touch operation has been performed. Furthermore, if one detects a touch operation and the other does not, the control unit 6 determines that a malfunction has occurred. Note that if the detection target is not a touch operation determined from a physical quantity, but a physical quantity itself such as distance, the control unit 6 has, for example, information regarding an allowable range for the difference in the acquired physical quantity, and if the difference between the physical quantities acquired by the multiple acquisition units is within an allowable range, it determines that the physical quantity has been acquired normally. Furthermore, if the difference is not within the allowable range, the control unit 6 determines that a malfunction has occurred.

[0100] (Effects of the second embodiment) The detection device 1 of this embodiment can provide redundancy without making the detection elements 2 redundant, which reduces costs compared to a case where this configuration is not adopted. Furthermore, the detection device 1 can provide redundancy without making the detection elements 2 redundant, which allows for a wider variety of detection elements 2 to be provided redundantly compared to a case where the detection elements are provided redundantly.

[0101] In the detection device 1, while one acquisition unit is acquiring a physical quantity, the other acquisition unit is open, so that the physical quantity can be acquired with high accuracy even if the detection element 2 is shared, compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0102] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that it has three acquisition units.

[0103] 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a detection device according to the third embodiment, which illustrates the configuration of a portion of the detection device 1. In FIG.

[0104] 7, the detection element 2 of this embodiment includes a first detection electrode group 2a in an upper layer, a second detection electrode group 2b in a middle layer, and a third detection electrode group 2c in a lower layer. That is, the detection element 2 has a three-layer structure. Note that the detection device 1 may be configured such that the detection element 2 further has a multi-layer structure and includes a plurality of acquisition units corresponding to this multi-layer structure.

[0105] The first detection electrode group 2a is electrically connected to the first acquisition unit 3a. The first acquisition unit 3a receives a control signal S 11 The capacitance C from the selected detection electrode selected based on a The first acquisition unit 3a acquires the acquired capacitance C a Based on the first capacitance information S 21 and outputs it to the control unit 6.

[0106] The second detection electrode group 2b is electrically connected to the second acquisition unit 3b. The second acquisition unit 3b receives the control signal S 12 The capacitance C from the selected detection electrode selected based on b The second acquisition unit 3b acquires the acquired capacitance C b Based on the second capacitance information S 22 and outputs it to the control unit 6.

[0107] The third detection electrode group 2c is electrically connected to a third acquisition unit 3c. The third acquisition unit 3c receives a control signal S 13 The capacitance C from the selected detection electrode selected based on c The third acquisition unit 3c acquires the acquired capacitance C c Based on the third capacitance information S 23and outputs it to the control unit 6.

[0108] The control unit 6 selects the selected detection electrodes of the first detection electrode group 2a to the third detection electrode group 2c based on the pattern information 61 so that they do not overlap, and determines a touch operation based on the obtained capacitances of all the detection electrodes and the electrostatic threshold value 60. As in the above-described embodiment, when a touch operation is detected by all of the overlapping detection electrodes, the control unit 6 determines that a touch operation has been performed on the touch switch corresponding to those detection electrodes. Furthermore, when some of the overlapping detection electrodes detect a touch operation and at least one detection electrode does not detect a touch operation, the control unit 6 determines that a malfunction has occurred.

[0109] (Effects of the third embodiment) The detection device 1 of this embodiment can provide redundancy at low cost even when the detection electrodes are multi-layered.

[0110] According to at least one of the above-described embodiments of the detection device 1, redundancy can be provided at low cost.

[0111] The detection device 1 according to the above-described embodiments and variations may be partially realized by a computer-executed program, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., depending on the application.

[0112] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1...detection device, 2...detection element, 2a to 2c...first detection electrode group to third detection electrode group, 3a to 3c...first acquisition unit to third acquisition unit, 6...control unit, 8...electronic device, 10...panel, 11...operation surface, 20...detection electrode pair, 20a...upper layer detection electrode, 20b...lower layer detection electrode, 21 to 28...first detection electrode to eighth detection electrode, 29a, 29b...wiring, 60...electrostatic threshold, 61...pattern information, 62...first selected detection electrode, 63...second selected detection electrode, 71 to 75...first touch switch to fifth touch switch

Claims

1. a plurality of acquisition units electrically connected to detection elements that detect physical quantities and acquire the physical quantities from the detection elements; a control unit that controls switching of electrical connections of the plurality of acquisition units to the detection element, and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units; A detection device comprising:

2. the plurality of acquisition units are a first acquisition unit and a second acquisition unit, the control unit controls switching of electrical connection between the first acquisition unit and the second acquisition unit with respect to the detection element, and determines that the detection target has been achieved only when the detection target has been achieved based on each of the physical quantity acquired via the first acquisition unit and the physical quantity acquired via the second acquisition unit. The detection device according to claim 1 .

3. The detecting element includes a plurality of detecting electrode pairs each composed of a plurality of detecting electrodes and provided corresponding to a plurality of operation objects, and detects capacitance as the physical quantity by the detecting electrodes; the detection target is an operation on the operation object, the detection electrode pairs are divided into a first detection electrode group, one of which is selectively connected to the first acquisition unit, and a second detection electrode group, the other of which is selectively connected to the second acquisition unit; the control unit selects a first selected detection electrode from the first detection electrode group and selects a second selected detection electrode from the second detection electrode group that is not paired with the first selected detection electrode, and performs control to acquire the capacitance for all the detection electrodes, and determines an operation for each of the plurality of operation objects based on the capacitance acquired from all the detection electrodes. The detection device according to claim 2 .

4. the operation target is provided on an operation surface, The detection electrode pair includes an upper layer detection electrode and a lower layer detection electrode that are arranged below the operation surface and face each other via an insulator, and when one of the detection electrodes is electrically connected to the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit, the other is opened. The detection device according to claim 3 .

5. the operation target is provided on an operation surface, The detection electrode pair has an upper layer detection electrode and a lower layer detection electrode that are arranged below the operation surface and face each other via an insulator, and when one is electrically connected to the first acquisition unit or the second acquisition unit, the other is electrically connected to GND (ground), and a part of the lower layer detection electrode does not overlap with the upper layer detection electrode when viewed from the operation surface. The detection device according to claim 3 .

6. the control unit determines that a malfunction has occurred when some of the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units achieve the detection target and at least one acquisition unit does not achieve the detection target, based on the physical quantities acquired via the plurality of acquisition units.

6. A detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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