Capacitive input device

Abstract

To provide a capacitive input device which allows for appropriate repeated unidirectional sliding.SOLUTION: A capacitive input device includes a plurality of capacitive sensor electrodes arranged along one direction, a measurement circuit which measures capacitance between each of the capacitive sensor electrodes and a pointer; a storage unit; and a control unit which calculates a position of the pointer based on a difference between a measurement capacitance and a reference value, determines whether the pointer is in proximity to at least one of the capacitive sensor electrodes, and calculates moving direction and moving amount of the pointer. When the pointer in non-proximity state enters a state in which the pointer is in proximity to at least one of the capacitive sensor electrodes, the capacitive input device causes the storage unit to store a position of the capacitive sensor electrode which is in proximity to the pointer, as an initial position, calculates the moving direction and moving amount of the pointer based on a difference between the initial position and the position of the pointer calculated based on the difference, and outputs a moving direction with the largest moving amount, as a moving direction of the pointer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrostatic input devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there have been input devices for electronic devices that have a capacitive touch sensor and allow input by a slide operation on an operation surface. The input device determines the operation direction and operation amount of the slide operation, and outputs operation information including the operation direction and operation amount to the electronic device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-185538 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a conventional input device (electrostatic input device), when a user repeatedly performs a slide operation in a certain direction (hereinafter referred to as one direction), if the capacitance of the indicator such as a fingertip or hand is detected when the indicator is removed from the operation surface and returned in the opposite direction to the one direction, the amount of movement in the opposite direction will be output, which may prevent the slide operation from being performed properly.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic input device that allows repeated sliding operations in one direction to be performed appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An electrostatic input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes arranged in one direction, a measurement circuit that measures the electrostatic capacitance between each of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes and a pointer, a memory unit, and a control unit that calculates the position of the pointer based on a difference obtained by subtracting a reference value from the electrostatic capacitance measured by the measurement circuit, determines whether the pointer is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes based on the difference, and calculates the direction and amount of movement of the pointer, wherein when the pointer changes from a state in which it is not close to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state in which it is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the control unit stores the position of the electrostatic sensor electrode to which the pointer is close as an initial position of the pointer in the memory unit, calculates the direction and amount of movement of the pointer based on the difference between the position of the pointer calculated based on the difference and the initial position, and outputs the direction of movement in which the amount of movement is greatest as the direction of movement of the pointer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to provide an electrostatic input device that can appropriately perform repeated sliding operations in one direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an electrostatic input device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an electrostatic input device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3A] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3C] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3D] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3E] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3F] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4A] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a control unit of the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4B] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a control unit of the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4C] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by a control unit of the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an electrostatic input device according to a modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the electrostatic input device of the present disclosure is applied will be described.

[0010] In the following explanation, the XYZ coordinate system is defined. 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 perpendicular to each other. Furthermore, a planar view refers to a view on the XY plane. In the following explanation, the length, width, thickness, etc. of each part may be exaggerated to make the configuration easier to understand.

[0011] <Embodiment> 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of an electrostatic input device 100 according to an embodiment.

[0012] The electrostatic input device 100 is, for example, an input unit provided in the center console of a vehicle for adjusting the volume of an audio system or the temperature or airflow of an air conditioner, and the volume, temperature, airflow, etc. can be adjusted by operating a slider 111, which serves as a GUI (Graphical User Interface) switch, for example. The electrostatic input device 100 may also be an input unit of a tablet-type input device or an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) that is placed in a store, facility, etc. and used by an unspecified number of users. The electrostatic input device 100 may also be a tablet computer, smartphone, game console, etc. for personal use.

[0013] In the following, as an example, a mode in which a user operates the slider 111 with a fingertip FT of the hand will be described, but the electrostatic input device 100 can also be operated with parts of the user's body other than the fingertip FT of the hand. The fingertip FT of the user's hand is an example of an indicator.

[0014] In the following, as an example, a description will be given of a case where the slider 111 is an operation unit for controlling the audio volume, and the user adjusts the volume by operating the slider 111. Operating the slider 111 is referred to as a slide operation. In FIG. 1, there are five sensor electrodes 121, and the volume can be controlled in four stages by moving a finger. With 16 stages from the minimum to the maximum, the volume can be controlled from minimum to maximum (or from maximum to minimum) with four or more operations.

[0015] Incidentally, when a user wants to decrease the volume, the user may touch the operation surface 105A with the fingertip FT and operate the slider 111 from the end on the +X direction side to the end on the -X direction side, then remove the fingertip FT from the operation surface 105A and return the fingertip FT to the end on the +X direction side, and then touch the operation surface 105A with the fingertip FT again while operating the slider 111 in the -X direction, repeating this operation.

[0016] In this way, when a user repeatedly operates the slider 111 in the -X direction (one direction) while returning the fingertip FT to the +X direction, if the capacitance of the indicator such as the fingertip or hand is detected, the amount of operation in the +X direction will be output, which may prevent the slide operation from being performed properly.

[0017] When performing such a slide operation repeatedly in one direction, the electrostatic input device 100 suppresses detection of the amount of movement of the fingertip FT in the opposite direction, making it easier for the user to perform the slide operation in the direction intended.

[0018] <Overall Configuration of Electrostatic Input Device 100> The electrostatic input device 100 includes a housing 101, a top panel 105, a display 110, an electrostatic sensor 120, a measurement circuit 125A, an image display circuit 125B, and a control device .

[0019] 1, the electrostatic sensor 120 is located on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the top panel 105, and the display 110 is located on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the electrostatic sensor 120. Also, although the measurement circuit 125A, the image display circuit 125B, and the control device 130 (see FIG. 2) are omitted in FIG. 1, the measurement circuit 125A, the image display circuit 125B, and the control device 130 are provided inside the housing 101 on the rear side (-Z direction side) of the display 110, as an example.

[0020] 2, the housing 101 and the top panel 105 are omitted, and the display 110 is shown larger than the electrostatic sensor 120. Also, in FIG. 2, the slider 111 displayed on the display 110 is omitted, and the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 of the electrostatic sensor 120 is shown transparently. Also, in FIG. 2, XYZ coordinates of the display 110 and the electrostatic sensor 120 are shown.

[0021] The electrostatic input device 100 may not include the display 110. In this case, for example, the electrostatic input device 100 may be configured to perform a slide operation along a plurality of scales or the like marked in one direction on the top panel 105 by printing or the like.

[0022] <Capacitance (measured value) between the housing 101, the top panel 105, and the measuring circuit 125A> The housing 101 is a case made of resin, metal, or the like, that houses the display 110, the electrostatic sensor 120, the measurement circuit 125A, the image display circuit 125B, and the control device 130. The display 110 is disposed below the transparent electrostatic sensor 120, for example, and is visible through an operation surface 105A, which is the upper surface of a transparent top panel 105 provided in an opening at the top of the housing 101. The operation surface 105A is an example of a sensor surface. The electrostatic input device 100 can be operated when a pointing object, such as a user's hand, is in contact with the operation surface 105A.

[0023] Furthermore, the measurement circuit 125A measures the capacitance of a pointer such as the user's hand, etc. The measurement circuit 125A outputs the capacitance (measured value).

[0024] In the following, proximity means a state in which a pointer such as a user's hand is close to the electrostatic sensor 120. When the hand is in contact with the operation surface 105A, the pointer is close to the electrostatic sensor 120. Depending on the sensitivity of the electrostatic input device 100 and the thickness of the top panel 105, the capacitance may be measured even when the pointer is slightly separated from the operation surface 105A.

[0025] <Display 110> Examples of the display 110 include a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The display 110 is a display unit for realizing a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The display 110 displays GUI images of a slider 111 and a frame 111A. The frame 111A indicates the range within which the slider 111 can be moved. The display 110 may also display GUI buttons, a cursor, and the like in addition to the slider 111.

[0026] <Electrostatic sensor 120, measurement circuit 125A, image display circuit 125B> The electrostatic sensor 120 is disposed on top of the display 110, and has a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 arranged along the X direction, as shown in FIG. 2. Each of the electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 extends in the Y direction. A measurement circuit 125A is connected to the electrostatic sensor 120. An image display circuit 125B is connected to the display 110. The measurement circuit 125A is provided between the electrostatic sensor 120 and the control device 130. The image display circuit 125B is provided between the display 110 and the control device 130.

[0027] The electrostatic sensor electrode 121 is connected to the control device 130 via a measurement circuit 125A. Such an electrostatic sensor 120 can be formed by forming a transparent conductive film such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on the surface of transparent glass and patterning it into the electrostatic sensor electrode 121. The electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic sensor 120 is input to the measurement circuit 125A. Five electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as an example. The five electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 are arranged at positions overlapping with the slider 111 and the frame 111A, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0028] The measurement circuit 125A is mounted on a wiring board. The measurement circuit 125A is provided between the electrostatic sensor 120 and the control device 130, and performs AD (Analog to Digital) conversion on the capacitance of each electrostatic sensor electrode 121. The measurement circuit 125A calculates a difference value ΔAD between the capacitance (measured value) of each electrostatic sensor electrode 121 and a reference value, and outputs the difference value ΔAD to the control device 130.

[0029] The measurement circuit 125A scans the multiple electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 one by one and converts the electrostatic capacitance of each electrostatic sensor electrode 121 into a digital value. The measurement circuit 125A counts the change in the output of the digital value of the electrostatic capacitance and calculates a difference value ΔAD for each electrostatic sensor electrode 121. The difference value ΔAD is a count value of the change in the output of the measurement circuit 125A relative to a reference value. The reference value is a value proportional to the electrostatic capacitance of the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 when there is no target object such as a fingertip FT around the electrostatic sensor electrode 121. The measurement circuit 125A calculates the difference value ΔAD by subtracting the reference value from the measured value of the electrostatic capacitance of each electrostatic sensor electrode 121.

[0030] The image display circuit 125B is provided between the display 110 and the control device 130, and displays GUI images of the slider 111 and the frame 111A on the display 110 in accordance with image data sent from the control device 130.

[0031] <Control device 130> The control device 130 has a control unit 131 and a memory 132. The control device 130 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an input / output interface, an internal bus, etc. The control unit 131 represents the functions of a program executed by the control device 130 as a functional block. The memory 132 is a functional representation of the memory of the control device 130, and is an example of a storage unit.

[0032] <Control unit 131> The control unit 131 controls the operation of the electrostatic input device 100. The control unit 131 receives the difference value ΔAD from the measurement circuit 125A and calculates the X coordinate of the fingertip FT. The control unit 131 controls the display of an image on the display 110 via the image display circuit 125B. The control unit 131 outputs the operation amount of the slider 111 operated by the fingertip FT to an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls the audio, air conditioning, etc. of the vehicle.

[0033] Since the electrostatic sensor 120 has a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 arranged along the X direction, the X coordinate of the fingertip FT calculated by the control unit 131 is the X coordinate of any one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121. The X coordinate of the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 is the X coordinate of the center of the electrostatic sensor electrode 121, for example.

[0034] <Memory 132> The memory 132 stores a reference value used by the measurement circuit 125A when calculating the difference value ΔAD. As described above, the reference value is a value proportional to the capacitance of the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 when there is no target object such as a fingertip FT around the electrostatic sensor electrode 121.

[0035] <Slide Operation in Electrostatic Input Device 100> 3A to 3F are diagrams illustrating an example of a slide operation in the electrostatic input device 100. Here, problems that may arise when the processing specific to the electrostatic input device 100 is not applied will also be described.

[0036] 3A to 3F show the housing 101, operation surface 105A, five electrostatic sensor electrodes 121, and fingertip FT in an XZ cross section. Although the slider 111 is not shown in FIGS. 3A to 3F, the following description will be given assuming that the slider 111 is displayed through operation surface 105A as shown in FIG.

[0037] In Fig. 3A, the user touches the edge of operation surface 105A on the +X direction side with fingertip FT. To turn down the volume, the user performs a slide operation in the -X direction as indicated by the arrow, and in Fig. 3B, fingertip FT touches the edge of operation surface 105A on the -X direction side.

[0038] When repeating such a sliding operation, the user removes the fingertip FT from the operation surface 105A as shown in FIG. 3C before performing the next sliding operation. However, immediately after completing the sliding operation, the fingertip FT may not be sufficiently removed from the operation surface 105A, and the capacitance of the fingertip FT may be measured by the measurement circuit 125A.

[0039] When the user further moves the fingertip FT and the fingertip FT is sufficiently separated from the operation surface 105A as shown in FIG. 3D, the capacitance of the fingertip FT is not measured by the measurement circuit 125A.

[0040] 3E, when the user brings the fingertip FT closer to the edge of the operation surface 105A on the +X direction side, the measurement circuit 125A may measure the capacitance of the fingertip FT on the near side of the edge on the +X direction side. In FIG. 3F, the fingertip FT is touching the edge on the +X direction side of the operation surface 105A in preparation for the next slide operation. In this state, the measurement circuit 125A measures the capacitance of the fingertip FT.

[0041] In this way, when a slide operation is repeatedly performed, when the fingertip FT is returned to the +X direction as shown in Fig. 3C, there is a risk that the capacitance when the fingertip FT is moving in the +X direction may be measured by the measurement circuit 125A, contrary to the user's intention to repeatedly operate the slider 111 in the -X direction. Also, there is a risk that the capacitance when the fingertip FT is moving in the +X direction may be measured by the measurement circuit 125A on the near side of the end on the +X direction side as shown in Fig. 3E.

[0042] In this way, if the capacitance is measured when the fingertip FT is moved in the opposite direction to the user's intended movement direction, there is a risk that the volume will increase even though the user is operating to lower the volume, unless the processing specific to the electrostatic input device 100 is applied.

[0043] The electrostatic input device 100 is capable of suppressing such an operation contrary to the user's intention and appropriately performing repeated sliding operations in one direction. Specific processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 4A to 4C.

[0044] <Flowchart> 4A to 4C are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed by the control unit 131 of the electrostatic input device 100. The control unit 131 performs the following processing, for example, based on the X coordinate input from the measurement circuit 125A.

[0045] The X coordinate of the fingertip FT is 1 at the position corresponding to the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 furthest in the -X direction among the five electrostatic sensor electrodes 121, and increases by 1 as it moves in the +X direction, with the X coordinate of the position corresponding to the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 furthest in the +X direction being 5. In other words, the X coordinate value of the fingertip FT corresponding to the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 on the +X direction side is larger than the X coordinate value of the fingertip FT corresponding to the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 on the -X direction side, and all are expressed as positive values.

[0046] Control unit 131 initializes the maximum amount of movement in the left direction of the X coordinate, MaxLeftDiff, and the maximum amount of movement in the right direction of the X coordinate, MaxRightDiff (step S1). That is, processing is performed such that MaxLeftDiff=0 and MaxRightDiff=0. The maximum amount of movement in the left direction of the X coordinate, MaxLeftDiff, is the maximum amount of movement in the left direction from the initial position that is calculated each time control unit 131 receives an X coordinate from measurement circuit 125A. Similarly, the maximum amount of movement in the right direction of the X coordinate, MaxLeftDiff, is the maximum amount of movement in the right direction that is calculated so far.

[0047] The control unit 131 compares the difference value ΔAD with a threshold value for touch determination and determines whether a touch operation of the fingertip FT has been performed on the operation surface 105A (step S2). When the difference value ΔAD exceeds the threshold value for touch determination, the control unit 131 determines that a touch operation has been detected.

[0048] When the control unit 131 determines that a touch operation has been performed (S2: Yes), it stores the X coordinate of the fingertip FT at the time the touch operation was performed in the memory 132 as the initial position StartPosition, and also stores the time when the touch operation was performed in the memory 132 as StartTime (step S3).

[0049] If the control unit 131 determines in step S2 that a touch operation has not been performed (S2: No), it repeats the process of step S2.

[0050] The control unit 131 calculates the current position (X coordinate) of the fingertip based on the difference value ΔAD input from the measurement circuit 125A, and stores it as the current position of the fingertip FT in the memory 132 (step S4). That is, processing is performed in which Position = the position of the fingertip.

[0051] The control unit 131 determines whether the value obtained by subtracting the position Position of the fingertip FT from the initial position StartPosition is smaller than 0 (step S5). That is, it determines whether Position-StartPosition<0 is true. If the subtracted value is smaller than 0, it corresponds to the direction of the slide operation being leftward, and if the subtracted value is larger than 0, it corresponds to the direction of the slide operation being rightward. Note that if the subtracted value is 0, it corresponds to a stationary state. For convenience, in this flowchart, the same processing as for a rightward operation is performed even in the stationary state.

[0052] If the control unit 131 determines that the subtracted value is smaller than 0 (S5: Yes), it proceeds to step S6L, and if it determines that the subtracted value is not smaller than 0 (S5: No), it proceeds to step S6R.

[0053] When the control unit 131 determines that the subtracted value is less than 0 (S5: Yes), it calculates the leftward movement amount LeftDiff as the value obtained by subtracting the position Position of the fingertip FT from the initial position StartPosition (step S6L). That is, the process of LeftDiff = StartPosition - Position is performed.

[0054] The control unit 131 determines whether the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is greater than the maximum value MaxLeftDiff of the leftward movement amount (step S7L). That is, it determines whether LeftDiff>MaxLeftDiff.

[0055] When the control unit 131 determines that the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is greater than the maximum value MaxLeftDiff of the leftward movement amount (S7L: Yes), it updates the leftward movement amount LeftDiff to the maximum value MaxLeftDiff of the leftward movement amount (step S8L). That is, the process of MaxLeftDiff = LeftDiff is performed. The maximum value MaxLeftDiff of the leftward movement amount is an example of the first maximum value.

[0056] The control unit 131 determines whether the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is less than the first threshold Th1 (step S9L). That is, it determines whether MaxLeftDiff<Th1 holds. The first threshold Th1 is a threshold for determining whether the movement amount of the slide operation is very large.

[0057] When the control unit 131 determines that the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is not less than the first threshold Th1 (S9L: No), it advances the flow to step S16L. When the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is greater than the first threshold Th1, since the movement amount of the leftward slide operation is very large, the movement amount MOVE of the leftward slide operation will be output in step S16L. The movement amount MOVE represents the movement direction in addition to the movement amount of the fingertip FT. The movement direction is the left direction if the sign of the movement amount MOVE is negative, and the right direction if it is positive. The process of step S16L will be described later.

[0058] If the control unit 131 determines in step S9L that the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is smaller than the first threshold value Th1 (S9L: Yes), the control unit 131 advances the flow to step S10.

[0059] If the control unit 131 determines in step S7L that the leftward movement amount LeftDiff is not greater than the maximum leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff (S7L: No), the control unit 131 advances the flow to step S10 because the maximum leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is not updated.

[0060] Furthermore, if the control unit 131 determines in step S5 that the subtracted value is not smaller than 0 (S5: No), it calculates the rightward movement amount RightDiff as a value obtained by subtracting the initial position StartPosition from the position Position of the fingertip FT (step S6R). That is, it performs the process of RightDiff = Position - StartPosition. Because the rightward movement amount RightDiff has moved to the right of the initial position StartPosition, it is a value obtained by subtracting the initial position StartPosition from the position Position of the fingertip FT.

[0061] The control unit 131 determines whether the rightward movement amount RightDiff is greater than the maximum rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (step S7R), that is, whether RightDiff>MaxRightDiff.

[0062] When the control unit 131 determines that the rightward movement amount RightDiff is greater than the maximum rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (S7R: Yes), it updates the rightward movement amount RightDiff to the maximum rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (step S8R). That is, it performs processing of MaxRightDiff=RightDiff. The maximum rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff is an example of a second maximum value.

[0063] The control unit 131 determines whether the rightward movement amount RightDiff is less than the first threshold Th1 (step S9R). That is, it determines whether MaxRightDiff < Th1 holds. The first threshold Th1 is a threshold for determining whether the movement amount of the slide operation is very large, and is the same as the first threshold Th1 in step S9L.

[0064] When the control unit 131 determines that the rightward movement amount RightDiff is not less than the first threshold Th1 (S9R: No), it advances the flow to step S16R. When the rightward movement amount RightDiff is greater than the first threshold Th1, since the movement amount of the rightward slide operation is very large, the movement amount MOVE of the rightward slide operation is output in step S16R. The movement amount MOVE represents the movement direction in addition to the movement amount of the fingertip FT. The movement direction is the left direction if the sign of the movement amount MOVE is negative, and the right direction if it is positive. The processing of step S16R will be described later.

[0065] When the control unit 131 determines in step S9R that the rightward movement amount RightDiff is less than the first threshold Th1 (S9R: Yes), it advances the flow to step S10.

[0066] Note that when the control unit 131 determines in step S7R that the rightward movement amount RightDiff is not greater than the maximum value MaxRightDiff of the rightward movement amount (S7R: No), it advances the flow to step S10. This is because the maximum value MaxRightDiff of the rightward movement amount is not updated.

[0067] The control unit 131 determines whether the time obtained by subtracting the start time StartTime at which the touch operation was performed from the current time CurrentTime in step S10 is longer than a predetermined time TimeTh (step S10). That is, it determines whether CurrentTime - StartTime > TimeTh holds.

[0068] When the control unit 131 determines that the time obtained by subtracting the start time StartTime of the touch operation from the current time CurrentTime is not longer than a predetermined time TimeTh (S10: No), it determines whether the fingertip FT has left (Release) the operation surface 105A (step S11).

[0069] When the control unit 131 determines that the fingertip FT has left the operation surface 105A (S11: Yes), it determines whether the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (step S12). That is, it determines whether MaxRightDiff < MaxLeftDiff holds.

[0070] When the control unit 131 determines that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (S12: Yes), it determines whether the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than a second threshold Th2 (step S13L). That is, it determines whether MaxLeftDiff > Th2 holds. The second threshold Th2 is a threshold representing a movement amount smaller than the first threshold Th1, and is a threshold for determining whether there is movement of the fingertip FT by a slide operation. The second threshold Th2 is smaller than the first threshold Th1.

[0071] When the control unit 131 determines that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than the second threshold Th2 (S13L: Yes), it outputs a value obtained by attaching a negative sign to the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff as the movement amount MOVE of the slide operation (step S14L). That is, after substituting -MaxLeftDiff into the movement amount Move, it outputs the movement amount MOVE. The movement amount MOVE represents the movement direction in addition to the movement amount of the fingertip FT. The movement direction is leftward if the sign of the movement amount MOVE is negative, and rightward if it is positive. After finishing the process of step S14L, the control unit 131 returns to the start of the flow. This is for performing the process for calculating the movement amount MOVE next.

[0072] By outputting the movement amount MOVE represented by -MaxLeftDiff, even if a movement amount in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user is calculated in step S6L, the movement amount in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction represented by the movement amount MOVE. Therefore, the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be correctly calculated.

[0073] If the control unit 131 determines in step S13L that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is not greater than the second threshold value Th2 (S13L: No), the control unit 131 returns the flow to the start. This is because, since the leftward movement amount of the slide operation is small, the movement amount MOVE is not output, and processing for calculating the movement amount MOVE is performed next.

[0074] Furthermore, if the control unit 131 determines in step S12 that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is not greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (S12: No), it determines whether the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff is greater than a second threshold value Th2 (step S13R). That is, it determines whether MaxRightDiff>Th2 holds. The second threshold value Th2 is the same as the second threshold value Th2 in step S13L.

[0075] When the control unit 131 determines that the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff is greater than the second threshold Th2 (S13R: Yes), it outputs the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff as the movement amount MOVE of the slide operation (step S14R). That is, it assigns MaxRightDiff to the movement amount Move and then outputs the movement amount MOVE. The movement amount MOVE indicates not only the movement amount of the fingertip FT but also the movement direction. The movement direction is leftward if the sign of the movement amount MOVE is negative, and rightward if the sign is positive. After completing the processing of step S14R, the control unit 131 returns the flow to the start. This is because the control unit 131 performs processing to calculate the movement amount MOVE next. Note that if the fingertip FT is released from the operation surface 105A without moving the fingertip FT on the operation surface 105A, both MaxLeftDiff and MaxRightDiff are 0. Therefore, in step S14R, the value 0 assigned to the movement amount Move is output.

[0076] By outputting the movement amount MOVE represented by MaxRightDiff, even if a movement amount in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user is calculated in step S6R, the movement amount in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction represented by the movement amount MOVE. Therefore, the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be correctly calculated.

[0077] If the control unit 131 determines in step S13R that the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff is not greater than the second threshold value Th2 (S13R: No), the control unit 131 returns the flow to the start. This is because, since the rightward movement amount of the slide operation is small, the movement amount MOVE is not output, and processing for calculating the movement amount MOVE is performed next.

[0078] Furthermore, if the control unit 131 determines in step S11 that the fingertip FT has not been removed from the operation surface 105A (S11: No), the control unit 131 returns the flow to step S4. This is because the position of the fingertip FT is stored in the memory 132 since the slide operation is being performed continuously.

[0079] Also, in step S10, when the control unit 131 determines that the time obtained by subtracting the start time StartTime of the touch operation from the current time CurrentTime is longer than the predetermined time TimeTh (S10: Yes), it determines whether the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (step S15). That is, it determines whether MaxRightDiff < MaxLeftDiff holds.

[0080] When the control unit 131 determines that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (S15: Yes), it outputs, as the movement amount MOVE of the slide operation, a value obtained by attaching a negative sign to the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff (step S16L). That is, it substitutes -MaxLeftDiff into Move and outputs the movement amount MOVE.

[0081] By outputting the movement amount MOVE represented by -MaxLeftDiff, even if a movement amount in the direction opposite to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user in step S6L is calculated, the movement amount in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction represented by the movement amount MOVE. Therefore, the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be correctly calculated.

[0082] The control unit 131 performs normal processing (step S17). The normal processing is a process of outputting the movement direction and movement amount of the fingertip FT according to the position of the fingertip FT calculated last time and the position of the fingertip FT at the current time. The normal processing will be described using FIG. 4C.

[0083] If the control unit 131 determines in step S15 that the maximum value of the leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff is not greater than the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff (S15: No), it outputs the maximum value of the rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff as the movement amount MOVE of the slide operation (step S16R). That is, it assigns MaxRightDiff to Move and outputs the movement amount MOVE. After completing the processing of step S16R, the control unit 131 advances the flow to step S17. If the time TimeTh has elapsed without moving the fingertip FT on the operation surface 105A, both MaxLeftDiff and MaxRightDiff are 0. Therefore, in step S16R, the value 0 assigned to the movement amount Move is output.

[0084] By outputting the movement amount MOVE represented by MaxRightDiff, even if a movement amount in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user is calculated in step S6R, the movement amount in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction represented by the movement amount MOVE. Therefore, the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be correctly calculated.

[0085] After completing the process of step S17, the control unit 131 determines whether the fingertip FT has been released from the operation surface 105A (Release) (step S18).

[0086] When the control unit 131 determines that the fingertip FT has been released from the operation surface 105A (S18: Yes), the control unit 131 returns the flow to the start.

[0087] If the control unit 131 determines in step S18 that the fingertip FT has not been removed from the operation surface 105A (S18: No), the control unit 131 returns the flow to step S17 in order to perform normal processing.

[0088] <Normal processing> The control unit 131 sets the previously calculated position of the fingertip FT, OldPosition, to the current position of the fingertip FT, Position (step S17A). That is, processing of OldPosition=Position is performed.

[0089] The control unit 131 calculates the X coordinate of the current fingertip FT and stores it as the position of the current fingertip FT in the memory 132 (step S17B). That is, Position=X coordinate.

[0090] The control unit 131 outputs the movement amount MOVE of the fingertip FT (step S17C). The movement amount MOVE of the fingertip FT is calculated by subtracting the previously calculated position OldPosition of the fingertip FT from the current position Position of the fingertip FT. That is, the processing of Move = Position - OldPosition is performed. The control unit 131 outputs the calculated movement amount MOVE.

[0091] In the above, a description has been given of a configuration in which the movement amount MOVE representing the movement amount and movement direction of the fingertip FT is output in steps S14L, S14R, S16L, and S16R. However, the electrostatic input device 100 may be configured to output only the movement direction in steps S14L, S14R, S16L, and S16R.

[0092] <Effects> The electrostatic input device 100 includes a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 arranged in one direction, a measurement circuit 125A that measures the electrostatic capacitance between each of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 and a pointer, a memory 132, and a control unit 131 that calculates the position of the pointer based on a difference obtained by subtracting a reference value from the electrostatic capacitance measured by the measurement circuit 125A, determines whether the pointer is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 based on the difference, and calculates the direction and amount of movement of the pointer.When the state in which the pointer is not close to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 changes to a state in which the pointer is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121, the control unit 131 stores the position of the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 to which the pointer is close in the memory 132 as the initial position of the pointer, and calculates the direction and amount of movement of the pointer based on the difference between the position of the pointer calculated based on the difference and the initial position, and outputs the direction of movement in which the amount of movement is maximum as the direction of movement of the pointer. By outputting the movement direction in which the amount of movement is greatest as the movement direction of the indicator, even if the amount of movement calculated is in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user when the user repeatedly performs a slide operation, the amount of movement in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction, so that the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be calculated.

[0093] Therefore, it is possible to provide the electrostatic input device 100 that is capable of appropriately performing repeated sliding operations in one direction.

[0094] Furthermore, the control unit 131 may output the maximum movement amount as the movement amount of the indicator together with the movement direction, thereby making it possible to appropriately calculate the movement direction and movement amount of the fingertip FT intended by the user.

[0095] The amount of movement may also be the difference between the position of the indicator and the initial position, which allows the amount of movement to be calculated reliably and accurately.

[0096] Furthermore, the control unit 131 may store in memory 132 a first maximum value (maximum value of leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff) among a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a first side (left side) in one direction as viewed from the initial position, and a plurality of first movement amounts which are a plurality of differences from the initial position, and may store in memory 132 a second maximum value (maximum value of rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff) among a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a second side (right side) opposite the first side in one direction as viewed from the initial position, and output the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator (steps S8L, S8R, S14L, S14R, S16L, S16R). By using the first maximum value (maximum value of leftward movement amount MaxLeftDiff) and the second maximum value (maximum value of rightward movement amount MaxRightDiff), even if a movement amount in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user is calculated, the movement amount in the opposite direction is excluded from the calculation of the movement direction. Then, by outputting the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction of the fingertip FT intended by the user can be correctly calculated.

[0097] Furthermore, when a predetermined time (TimeTh) has elapsed since the indicator changes from a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 to a state where it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121, the control unit 131 may output the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator (step S9L or S9R: Yes to S16L or S16R). In both cases where the user is performing a slow sliding operation and where the user is performing a fast sliding operation, the movement direction that is in line with the user's intention can be stably output by acquiring the first maximum value and the second maximum value until the predetermined time (TimeTh) has elapsed.

[0098] Furthermore, when either the first maximum value or the second maximum value exceeds a first threshold value before a predetermined time has elapsed since the indicator changes from a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 to a state where it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121, the control unit 131 may output, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to whichever of the first maximum value or the second maximum value exceeds the first threshold value (steps S9L or S9R: No to S16L or S16R). If a sufficiently large first maximum value or second maximum value is obtained before the predetermined time (TimeTh) has elapsed, the user has quickly performed a slide operation with a large amount of movement, and by determining the movement direction early, it becomes possible to follow the quick operation and improve operability.

[0099] Furthermore, if the state of the indicator changes to one where it is no longer in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 before the lapse of a predetermined time, the control unit 131 may output, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to either the first maximum value or the second maximum value that exceeds the second threshold value (step S14L or S14R). If a relatively large first maximum value or second maximum value is obtained before the lapse of a predetermined time (TimeTh), the user is performing a quick slide operation with a large amount of movement, and by determining the movement direction early, it becomes possible to follow the quick operation and improve operability.

[0100] Furthermore, after a predetermined time has elapsed and the control unit 131 has output the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator, the control unit 131 may output the difference between the position of the indicator calculated based on the difference and the position of the indicator calculated in the calculation cycle immediately before the calculation cycle in which the position of the indicator was calculated as the movement amount of the indicator (step S17). After the movement direction has been determined, the movement amount according to the movement amount of the fingertip FT can be output appropriately, thereby outputting the movement amount of the fingertip FT in the slide operation.

[0101] <First Modification> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an electrostatic input device 100M according to a modified example of the embodiment. The electrostatic input device 100M includes an electrostatic sensor 120M instead of the electrostatic sensor 120 of the electrostatic input device 100 shown in FIG. 2. The electrostatic sensor 120M has a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 arranged along the X and Y directions. The measurement circuit 125A sequentially selects the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121 and measures the capacitance of each electrostatic sensor electrode 121. The control unit 131 acquires the X and Y coordinates corresponding to the electrostatic sensor electrode 121 corresponding to the position of the fingertip FT among the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes 121. The operation of the slider 111 can also be detected using such an electrostatic sensor 120M.

[0102] While the electrostatic input device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0103] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments. (Appendix 1) a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes arranged in one direction; a measurement circuit for measuring the capacitance between each of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes and a pointer; A memory unit; a control unit that calculates a position of the indicator based on a difference obtained by subtracting a reference value from the capacitance measured by the measurement circuit, determines whether the indicator is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes based on the difference, and calculates a movement direction and a movement amount of the indicator; Including, The control unit when the indicator changes from a state where it is not close to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state where it is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the position of the electrostatic sensor electrode to which the indicator is close is stored in the storage unit as an initial position of the indicator; calculating a movement direction and a movement amount of the indicator based on a difference between the position of the indicator calculated based on the difference and the initial position; The electrostatic input device outputs the movement direction in which the amount of movement is maximum as the movement direction of the indicator. (Appendix 2) 2. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the maximum movement amount as the movement amount of the indicator together with the movement direction. (Appendix 3) 3. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein the amount of movement is a difference between a position of the indicator and the initial position. (Appendix 4) The control unit a first maximum value among a plurality of first movement amounts, which are a plurality of differences between a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a first side in the one direction as viewed from the initial position and the initial position, stored in the storage unit; storing a second maximum value among a plurality of second movement amounts, which are a plurality of differences between a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a second side opposite to the first side in the one direction as viewed from the initial position and the initial position, in the storage unit; 4. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein a movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value is output as the movement direction of the indicator. (Appendix 5) the control unit outputs, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the indicator changes from a state in which it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state in which it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the movement direction of the indicator, which corresponds to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value. (Appendix 6) the control unit outputs, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction of the indicator, which corresponds to the first maximum value or the second maximum value that exceeds the first threshold value, when either the first maximum value or the second maximum value exceeds a first threshold value before the predetermined time has elapsed after the indicator changes from a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state where it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes. (Appendix 7) 7. The electrostatic input device according to claim 6, wherein, when the indicator changes to a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit outputs, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to either the first maximum value or the second maximum value, whichever exceeds a second threshold value. (Appendix 8) The electrostatic input device according to claim 7, wherein after the predetermined time has elapsed and the control unit has output the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator, the control unit outputs, as the movement amount of the indicator, the difference between the position of the indicator calculated based on the difference and the position of the indicator calculated in the calculation cycle immediately before the calculation cycle in which the position of the indicator was calculated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 100, 100M electrostatic input device 101 Case 105 Top Panel 105A Operation surface 110 Display 111 Slider 111A Frame 120, 120M electrostatic sensor 121 Electrostatic sensor electrode 125A measuring circuit 125B Image display circuit 130 Control device 131 Control Unit 132 memory

Claims

1. a plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes arranged in one direction; a measurement circuit for measuring the capacitance between each of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes and a pointer; A memory unit; a control unit that calculates a position of the indicator based on a difference obtained by subtracting a reference value from the capacitance measured by the measurement circuit, determines whether the indicator is close to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes based on the difference, and calculates a movement direction and a movement amount of the indicator; Including, The control unit when the indicator changes from a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state where it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the position of the electrostatic sensor electrode to which the indicator is in proximity is stored in the storage unit as an initial position of the indicator; calculating a movement direction and a movement amount of the indicator based on a difference between the position of the indicator calculated based on the difference and the initial position; The electrostatic input device outputs the movement direction in which the amount of movement is maximum as the movement direction of the indicator.

2. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit outputs the maximum movement amount as the movement amount of the indicator together with the movement direction.

3. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of movement is a difference between the position of the indicator and the initial position.

4. The control unit a first maximum value among a plurality of first movement amounts, which are a plurality of differences between a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a first side in the one direction as viewed from the initial position and the initial position, stored in the storage unit; storing a second maximum value among a plurality of second movement amounts, which are a plurality of differences between a plurality of positions of the indicator obtained when the indicator is located on a second side opposite to the first side in the one direction as viewed from the initial position and the initial position, in the storage unit; The electrostatic input device according to claim 1 , wherein a movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value is output as the movement direction of the indicator.

5. 5. The electrostatic input device according to claim 4, wherein when a predetermined time has elapsed since the indicator changes from a state in which it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state in which it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the control unit outputs, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value.

6. 5. The electrostatic input device according to claim 4, wherein when one of the first maximum value and the second maximum value exceeds a first threshold value before the predetermined time has elapsed since the indicator changes from a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes to a state where it is in proximity to at least one of the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes, the control unit outputs, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to which of the first maximum value and the second maximum value exceeds the first threshold value.

7. 5. The electrostatic input device according to claim 4, wherein, when the indicator changes to a state where it is not in proximity to the plurality of electrostatic sensor electrodes before the predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit outputs, as the movement direction of the indicator, the movement direction corresponding to either the first maximum value or the second maximum value, whichever exceeds a second threshold value.

8. 6. The electrostatic input device according to claim 5, wherein, after the predetermined time has elapsed and the control unit has output the movement direction corresponding to the larger of the first maximum value and the second maximum value as the movement direction of the indicator, the control unit outputs, as the movement amount of the indicator, a difference between the position of the indicator calculated based on the difference and the position of the indicator calculated in a calculation cycle one calculation cycle before the calculation of the position of the indicator.

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