Touch detection mechanism, touch determination system, electronic device, touch determination method, and program

Abstract

To provide a touch detection mechanism configured to reduce power consumption, a touch determination system, an electronic device, a touch determination method, and a program.SOLUTION: A touch detection mechanism A1 is configured to detect a contact by a person 100. The touch detection mechanism A1 includes a vibrator 20. The vibrator 20 is driven intermittently. The vibrator 20 includes a piezoelectric element 21. When the vibrator 20 is driven, the piezoelectric element 21 serves as a vibrating element. The piezoelectric element 21 serves as a monitor element for monitoring the vibration of reverberations of the vibrator 20 when driving of the vibrator 20 is stopped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a touch detection mechanism, a touch determination system, an electronic device, a touch determination method, and a program, and more particularly to a touch detection mechanism having a vibrator, a touch determination system having a touch detection mechanism, an electronic device having a touch determination system, a touch determination method for determining whether or not there is human contact, and a program for executing the touch determination method. [Background technology]

[0002] The touch input detection system (touch determination system) described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. The touch input detection system described in Patent Document 1 includes a first transmitter, a second transmitter, a receiver, and a processor that determines a touch input. The first transmitter transmits a first propagation signal to the receiver via a first propagation path. The second transmitter transmits a second propagation signal to the receiver via a second propagation path. The processor analyzes the first propagation signal and the second propagation signal, and determines the touch input based on a determination that the first propagation path of the first propagation signal is obstructed by the touch input and the second propagation path of the second propagation signal is not obstructed by the touch input. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 10,296,144 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the touch input detection system described in Patent Document 1, for example, the signal level of the second propagation signal propagating through the second propagation path may be attenuated. Therefore, the touch input detection system described in Patent Document 1 requires, for example, an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal level of the second propagation signal, making it difficult to reduce power consumption.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a touch detection mechanism, a touch determination system, an electronic device, a touch determination method, and a program that can reduce power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A touch detection mechanism according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a touch detection mechanism for detecting human contact. The touch detection mechanism includes an intermittently driven vibrator. The vibrator includes a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element functions as a vibration element that vibrates when the vibrator is driven. When the driving of the vibrator is stopped, the piezoelectric element functions as a monitor element for monitoring reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator.

[0007] A touch determination system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the touch detection mechanism, a drive unit, a receiver, and a determiner. The drive unit intermittently drives the vibrator of the touch detection mechanism. The receiver receives the vibration of the reverberation monitored by the piezoelectric element of the vibrator when the drive unit stops driving the vibrator. The determiner determines whether or not the person has touched the touch detection mechanism based on the magnitude of the vibration of the reverberation received by the receiver.

[0008] An electronic device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the touch determination system and a housing, the housing having the touch determination system attached thereto.

[0009] A touch determination method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a touch determination method for determining whether or not a touch has been made by a person. The touch determination method includes a drive process, a reception process, and a determination process. In the drive process, a vibrator is intermittently driven. In the reception process, when the drive of the vibrator is stopped, vibrations of reverberation caused by the vibrator are received. In the determination process, the presence or absence of contact by the person is determined based on the magnitude of the vibrations of the reverberation caused by the vibrator.

[0010] A program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes one or more processors to execute the touch determination method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, power consumption can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a touch determination system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram of a drive signal output from a drive unit and a received signal received by a receiver in the touch determination system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a determination method performed by a determination unit in the touch determination system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of an electronic device including the touch determination system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of use of another electronic device including the touch determination system. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front view of another electronic device including the touch determination system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a touch determination system according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a touch determination system including a touch detection mechanism according to embodiments 1 and 2 will be described with reference to the drawings. The configurations described in the following embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0014] (Embodiment 1) A touch determination system B1 including a touch detection mechanism A1 according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0015] (1) Touch detection system As shown in FIG. 1, the touch determination system B1 determines whether or not a contact (touch) by a person 100 is made on an input unit (in the example of FIG. 1, a mounting plate 30, which will be described later). The touch determination system B1 includes a touch detection mechanism A1 and a control device 10. Note that in this embodiment, the contact by the person 100 is assumed to be made by a finger of the person 100, but is not limited to a contact by a finger of the person 100, and may also be made by using a touch pen or the like, for example. In short, the contact by the person 100 includes not only a direct contact by the person 100, but also an indirect contact.

[0016] (2) Components of the touch detection system (2.1) Touch detection mechanism The touch detection mechanism A1 is a touch detection mechanism for detecting a touch by a person 100. The touch detection mechanism A1 includes a vibrator 20, a support body 5, and a mounting plate 30.

[0017] The vibrator 20 is driven intermittently. The vibrator 20 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element 21 and a vibration plate 22. The piezoelectric element 21 has a pair of electrodes 23 (only one electrode 23 is shown in the example of FIG. 1). The vibration plate 22 mounts the piezoelectric element 21. The vibration plate 22 is, for example, plate-shaped (for example, rectangular plate-shaped). The vibration plate 22 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. The vibration plate 22 is made of, for example, metal. The piezoelectric element 21 is mounted on a first surface (for example, a front surface) 22a of the vibration plate 22 via, for example, a first insulating sheet (not shown). The first insulating sheet has electrical insulation properties.

[0018] The support 5 supports the vibrator 20. More specifically, the support 5 supports one end of the diaphragm 22 in the first direction (the longitudinal direction in the example of FIG. 1). That is, the vibrator 20 and the support 5 have a so-called cantilever configuration.

[0019] The support 5 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The material of the support 5 is, for example, metal. The support 5 is arranged on the second surface (for example, the back surface) side opposite the first surface 22a of the diaphragm 22, and one surface of the support 5 contacts the second surface of the diaphragm 22. The support 5 has a plurality of protrusions 2 (two in the example of FIG. 1). The plurality of protrusions 2 include a first protrusion 2a and a second protrusion 2b. The first protrusion 2a and the second protrusion 2b are provided on the one surface of the support 5. The first protrusion 2a and the second protrusion 2b are arranged side by side in one direction of the support 5 (in the example of FIG. 1, the short-side direction of the diaphragm 22).

[0020] The diaphragm 22 has a plurality of holes 3 (two in the example of FIG. 1). The plurality of holes 3 include a first hole 3a and a second hole 3b. A first protrusion 2a of the support body 5 is inserted into the first hole 3a. A second protrusion 2b of the support body 5 is inserted into the second hole 3b.

[0021] The support body 5 and the vibration plate 22 are joined together, for example, by welding or fusing, with the first protrusion 2a and the second protrusion 2b of the support body 5 inserted into the first hole 3a and the second hole 3b of the vibration plate 22.

[0022] The mounting plate 30 mounts the support 5. The mounting plate 30 is, for example, plate-shaped (e.g., rectangular plate-shaped). The mounting plate 30 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. The mounting plate 30 is made of, for example, metal. The mounting plate 30 has a recess 31 at the location where the support 5 is attached. The support 5 is attached to one surface 31a of the recess 31 of the mounting plate 30.

[0023] The vibrator 20 is driven so that the natural frequency (natural vibration frequency) of the composite 50 including at least the vibrator 20, the support 5, and the mounting plate 30 becomes a first or higher resonant frequency. Note that the "first or higher resonant frequency" means, for example, a first, second, or third resonant frequency.

[0024] (2.2) Control device The control device 10 is realized, for example, by a computer system having one or more processors and one or more memories. In other words, the functions of the control device 10 are realized by the one or more processors executing a program stored in the memory. The program may be pre-stored in the memory, provided via a telecommunications line such as the Internet, or provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card. The control device 10 includes a drive unit 1, a receiving unit 4, and a determination unit 7.

[0025] The driver 1 intermittently drives the vibrator 20. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the driver 1 outputs a drive signal S1 to the vibrator 20 (more specifically, the piezoelectric element 21). The drive signal S1 is a signal for driving the vibrator 20. The drive signal S1 is a sinusoidal signal, as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The driver 1 also intermittently drives the vibrator 20, for example, by alternately repeating a period (drive period) T1 during which the drive signal S1 is output and a period (stop period) T2 during which the output of the drive signal S1 is stopped. The frequency of the drive signal S1 is, for example, within the range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz. In other words, the vibration frequency of the vibrator 20 is, for example, within the range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz.

[0026] Incidentally, the piezoelectric element 21 (see FIG. 1) functions as a vibrating element that vibrates when the vibrator 20 is driven. Furthermore, the piezoelectric element 21 functions as a monitor element for monitoring the vibration of reverberation caused by the vibrator 20 when the driving of the vibrator 20 is stopped.

[0027] The piezoelectric element 21 is electrically connected to the driving unit 1. More specifically, one electrode (first electrode) 23 of a pair of electrodes 23 in the piezoelectric element 21 is electrically connected to the driving unit 1. The remaining electrode (second electrode) of the pair of electrodes 23 in the piezoelectric element 21 is electrically connected to, for example, the ground of the control device 10. Furthermore, the piezoelectric element 21 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 4. More specifically, the first electrode 23 of the piezoelectric element 21 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 4. That is, the piezoelectric element 21 of the vibrator 20 is electrically connected to both the driving unit 1 and the receiving unit 4.

[0028] The receiving unit 4 receives the reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 20. More specifically, the receiving unit 4 receives the reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 monitored by the piezoelectric element 21 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 20. For example, the receiving unit 4 receives a signal (received signal) R1 (see FIG. 2) corresponding to the reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 monitored by the piezoelectric element 21 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 20. Note that a period T3 in FIG. 2 represents the period of reverberation caused by the vibrator 20 (reverberation period).

[0029] 1, the control device 10 outputs a drive signal S1 from the drive unit 1 to the vibrator 20, intermittently driving the vibrator 20. When the control device 10 stops outputting the drive signal S1 from the drive unit 1, the control device 10 receives the reception signal R1 output from the piezoelectric element 21 at the reception unit 4.

[0030] When the driver 1 stops driving the vibrator 20, the determination unit 7 determines whether or not there is contact by the person 100 based on the magnitude of the vibration of the reverberation caused by the vibrator 20 received by the receiver 4. More specifically, when the driver 1 stops driving the vibrator 20, the determination unit 7 determines whether or not there is contact by the person 100 based on the signal level (voltage value) of the reception signal R1 received by the receiver 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the driver 1 drives the vibrator 20 intermittently so that the period during which the vibrator 20 is driven (drive period T1) varies. When the driver 1 stops driving the vibrator 20 (times t2, t4, and t6 in FIG. 3), the determination unit 7 determines that there is contact by the person 100 if the sum of the voltage values ​​of the multiple reception signals R1 (voltage values ​​V1, V2, and V3 in FIG. 3) received by the receiver 4 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. On the other hand, when the driver 1 stops driving the vibrator 20, if the sum of the voltage values ​​of the multiple received signals R1 received by the receiver 4 is less than the threshold, the determination unit 7 determines that there is no contact by the person 100. In other words, if the sum of the vibration magnitudes of the multiple reverberations received by the receiver 4 is equal to or greater than the threshold, the determination unit 7 determines that there is contact by the person 100. On the other hand, if the sum of the vibration magnitudes of the multiple reverberations received by the receiver 4 is less than the threshold, the determination unit 7 determines that there is no contact by the person 100. Note that the "voltage value of the received signal R1 received by the receiver 4 when the driver 1 stops driving the vibrator 20" is the peak value of the vibration level of the reverberation caused by the vibrator 20, and is, for example, the peak value of the envelope waveform of the received signal R1 as shown in FIG. 3. Also, the period T3 in FIG. 3 represents the period of reverberation caused by the vibrator 20 (reverberation period). 3 indicate the times when the driving unit 1 starts driving the vibrator 20. In FIG.

[0031] The touch determination system B1 is used in an electronic device C1 (see FIG. 4) such as a mobile device (for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal).

[0032] The electronic device C1 includes, for example, a touch determination system B1 having a plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 (six in the example of FIG. 4), and a housing 40. The plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 are attached to the housing 40. Note that the control device 10 is not shown in FIG. 4. The number of control devices 10 may be multiple or may be one.

[0033] The housing 40 is, for example, box-shaped (e.g., rectangular box-shaped) with one open side. The housing 40 is rectangular in plan view. The material of the housing 40 is, for example, metal. The housing 40 has a plurality of openings 41a (six in the example of FIG. 4) for attaching the plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1. In other words, the plurality of openings 41a are provided in the side wall 41 of the housing 40. The plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 are arranged on the side wall 41 of the housing 40, for example, as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 are arranged side by side along one direction (the longitudinal direction of the housing 40 in the example of FIG. 4) on one surface (the inner surface of the side wall 41) of the side wall 41 of the housing 40. In short, the housing 40 includes a mounting plate 30 for the touch detection mechanisms A1. A touch determination system B1 having a plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 is used, for example, to adjust the volume of the sound of an electronic device C1. This allows the electronic device C1 to, for example, finely adjust the volume (allows for fine volume adjustment).

[0034] The electronic device C1 is not limited to a mobile device, and may be, for example, an operation panel of a vehicle as shown in Figures 5 and 6. That is, the touch determination system B1 may be used in, for example, an electronic device C1 such as an operation panel of a vehicle.

[0035] (3) Effects The touch detection mechanism A1 includes an intermittently driven vibrator 20, and the vibrator 20 includes a piezoelectric element 21. The piezoelectric element 21 functions as a vibrating element that vibrates when the vibrator 20 is driven. Furthermore, the piezoelectric element 21 functions as a monitor element for monitoring the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 20 when the driving of the vibrator 20 is stopped. This allows the touch detection mechanism A1 to vibrate the vibrator 20 and monitor the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 20 using a single vibrator 20. Therefore, the touch detection mechanism A1 can reduce power consumption compared to, for example, a mechanism that includes a vibrator for vibration and a vibrator for monitoring separately. Furthermore, the touch detection mechanism A1 can be made more compact than, for example, a mechanism that includes a vibrator for vibration and a vibrator for monitoring separately.

[0036] The touch detection mechanism A1 further includes a support 5 and a mounting plate 30. The vibrator 20 is driven so that the natural frequency of a complex 50 including at least the vibrator 20, the support 5, and the mounting plate 30 becomes a first-order or higher resonant frequency. As a result, the touch detection mechanism A1 can obtain large vibrations with a small driving force (small energy), thereby further reducing power consumption. Furthermore, the touch detection mechanism A1 can increase the signal level of the reception signal R1 received by the receiver 4, for example, thereby reducing false touch detection.

[0037] The mounting plate 30 has a recess 31 at a location where the support 5 is attached. This makes it difficult for the touch detection mechanism A1 to transmit, for example, vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 to portions of the mounting plate 30 other than the recess 31. In other words, the touch detection mechanism A1 can limit the vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 to within the area of ​​the recess 31, that is, it can limit the vibration area, thereby improving the accuracy of touch detection.

[0038] The vibration frequency of the vibrator 20 is within a range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz. As a result, in the touch detection mechanism A1, the vibration sound (noise sound) of the vibrator 20 becomes a sound (ultrasonic wave) outside the audible range, so that, for example, a user of the electronic device C1 cannot hear the noise sound.

[0039] The touch determination system B1 includes a touch detection mechanism A1, a drive unit 1, a receiving unit 4, and a determination unit 7. That is, the touch determination system B1 includes the touch detection mechanism A1, and therefore can reduce power consumption.

[0040] The driving unit 1 intermittently drives the vibrator 20 so that the period (driving period) T1 during which the vibrator 20 is driven varies. The determining unit 7 determines that there is contact by the person 100 when the sum of the magnitudes of vibrations in the multiple reverberations received by the receiving unit 4 is equal to or greater than a threshold. As a result, in the touch determination system B1, the determining unit 7 determines whether there is contact by the person 100 based on the magnitudes of vibrations in the multiple reverberations, thereby improving the accuracy of touch detection.

[0041] The electronic device C1 includes a touch determination system B1 and a housing 40. That is, since the electronic device C1 includes the touch determination system B1, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0042] The touch determination method according to the first embodiment is a touch determination method for determining whether or not there has been contact (touch) by the person 100, and includes a drive process, a reception process, and a determination process. In the drive process, the vibrator 20 is intermittently driven. In the reception process, when the drive of the vibrator 20 is stopped, reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator 20 are received. In the determination process, whether or not there has been contact by the person 100 is determined based on the magnitude of the reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator 20. In other words, the above touch determination method is a touch determination method that realizes the above touch determination system B1. Therefore, according to the above touch determination method, power consumption can be reduced, similar to the touch determination system B1.

[0043] The above touch determination method is realized by one or more processors executing a program (computer program). This program is, for example, a program for causing one or more processors of the control device 10 to execute the above touch determination method. Therefore, according to the above program, power consumption can be reduced, similar to the above touch determination method.

[0044] (4) Variations The support body 5 and the diaphragm 22 are joined by welding or adhesion, but may also be joined by using a joining member (for example, a screw or the like).

[0045] The mounting plate 30 has a recess 31 at the location where the support 5 is attached, but the recess 31 does not have to be provided.

[0046] The touch detection mechanism A1 includes the mounting plate 30, but may not include the mounting plate 30. In other words, the support 5 of the touch detection mechanism A1 may be directly attached to a medium of the object (for example, a side wall 41 of the housing 40 in the example of FIG. 4 ) instead of being attached to the mounting plate 30 included in the housing 40 of the object (for example, an electronic device C1 such as a mobile device or an operation panel).

[0047] The electronic device C1 has six touch detection mechanisms A1, but may have two or more touch detection mechanisms A1. In other words, the number of touch detection mechanisms A1 may be plural. The number of touch detection mechanisms A1 is not limited to plural and may be one. The number of vibrators 20 is not limited to one and may be plural. The control device 10 may be, for example, a control device for the electronic device C1.

[0048] The material of the diaphragm 22 is not limited to metal, but may be, for example, resin, glass, etc. The material of the mounting plate 30 is not limited to metal, but may be, for example, resin, glass, etc. The material of the housing 40 is not limited to metal, but may be, for example, resin, glass, etc.

[0049] The first embodiment and the modifications described above are merely a part of the various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure.

[0050] (Embodiment 2) 7, a touch determination system B2 including a touch detection mechanism A2 according to the second embodiment differs from the touch determination system B1 according to the first embodiment in that the configuration of the touch detection mechanism A2 is different. Note that, with respect to the touch determination system B2 according to the second embodiment, the same components as those of the touch determination system B1 according to the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4) are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0051] Hereinafter, a touch determination system B2 including a touch detection mechanism A2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0052] (1) Touch detection system The touch determination system B2 determines whether or not a contact (touch) by the person 100 is made on an input unit (a diaphragm 62 described later in the example of FIG. 7), similarly to the touch determination system B1 of the first embodiment. The touch determination system B2 includes a touch detection mechanism A2 and a control device 10.

[0053] (2) Components of the touch detection system (2.1) Touch detection mechanism The touch detection mechanism A2 is a touch detection mechanism for detecting a touch by the person 100, similar to the touch detection mechanism A1 of the first embodiment.

[0054] The vibrator 60 is driven intermittently. The vibrator 60 includes, for example, a piezoelectric element 61 and a vibration plate 62. The piezoelectric element 61 has a pair of electrodes 63 (only one electrode 63 is shown in the example of FIG. 7). The vibration plate 62 mounts the piezoelectric element 61. The vibration plate 62 is, for example, plate-shaped (for example, rectangular). The vibration plate 62 is, for example, rectangular in plan view. The vibration plate 62 is made of, for example, metal. The vibration plate 62 has a recess 64 at a location where the piezoelectric element 61 is mounted. The piezoelectric element 61 is mounted on one surface 64a of the recess 64 of the vibration plate 62 via, for example, a second insulating sheet (not shown). The second insulating sheet has electrical insulation properties. The person 100 comes into contact with the vibration plate 62, similar to the mounting plate 30 of the touch detection mechanism A1 of the first embodiment. That is, the diaphragm 62 is used as the mounting plate 30 (see FIG. 1) of the touch detection mechanism A1.

[0055] The vibrator 60 is driven so that the natural frequency of the composite 70 including at least the piezoelectric element 61 and the diaphragm 62 becomes a first or higher resonant frequency.

[0056] (2.2) Control device The driver 1 intermittently drives the vibrator 60. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the driver 1 outputs a drive signal S2 to the vibrator 60 (more specifically, the piezoelectric element 61). The drive signal S2 is a signal for driving the vibrator 60. The drive signal S2 is, for example, a sinusoidal signal. The driver 1 also intermittently drives the vibrator 60 so as to alternately repeat a period during which the drive signal S2 is output (drive period) and a period during which the output of the drive signal S2 is stopped (stop period). The frequency of the drive signal S2 is, for example, within the range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz. In other words, the vibration frequency of the vibrator 60 is, for example, within the range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz.

[0057] Like the piezoelectric element 21 of the touch detection mechanism A1 of embodiment 1, the piezoelectric element 61 functions as a vibration element that vibrates when the vibrator 60 is driven. Also, like the piezoelectric element 21, the piezoelectric element 61 functions as a monitor element for monitoring the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 60 when the driving of the vibrator 60 is stopped.

[0058] The piezoelectric element 61 is electrically connected to the driving unit 1. More specifically, one electrode (first electrode) 63 of a pair of electrodes 63 in the piezoelectric element 61 is electrically connected to the driving unit 1. The remaining electrode (second electrode) of the pair of electrodes 63 in the piezoelectric element 61 is electrically connected to, for example, the ground of the control device 10. In addition, the piezoelectric element 61 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 4. More specifically, the first electrode 63 of the piezoelectric element 61 is electrically connected to the receiving unit 4. That is, the piezoelectric element 61 of the vibrator 60 is electrically connected to both the driving unit 1 and the receiving unit 4.

[0059] The receiving unit 4 receives the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 60 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 60. More specifically, the receiving unit 4 receives the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 60 monitored by the piezoelectric element 61 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 60. For example, the receiving unit 4 receives a signal (received signal) R2 (see FIG. 7 ) corresponding to the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 60 monitored by the piezoelectric element 61 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 60.

[0060] 7, the control device 10 outputs a drive signal S2 from the drive unit 1 to the vibrator 60 to intermittently drive the vibrator 60. When the control device 10 stops outputting the drive signal S2 from the drive unit 1, the control device 10 receives the reception signal R2 output from the piezoelectric element 61 at the reception unit 4.

[0061] The determination unit 7 determines whether or not there has been contact by the person 100 based on the magnitude of the vibration of the reverberation caused by the vibrator 60 received by the receiving unit 4 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 60. More specifically, the determination unit 7 determines whether or not there has been contact by the person 100 based on the signal level (voltage value) of the reception signal R2 received by the receiving unit 4 when the driving unit 1 stops driving the vibrator 60. Note that the determination method by the determination unit 7 is the same as the determination method by the determination unit 7 in the touch determination system B1 of embodiment 1, except for the target vibrator, drive signal, and reception signal, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0062] The touch determination system B2 is used in an electronic device C1 (see FIG. 4) similarly to the touch determination system B1 of the first embodiment. The touch determination system B2 may also include a plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1. The plurality of touch detection mechanisms A1 are attached to a housing 40 (see FIG. 4) of the electronic device C1.

[0063] (3) Effects Like the touch detection mechanism A1 of the first embodiment, the touch detection mechanism A2 can vibrate the vibrator 60 and monitor the reverberation vibration caused by the vibrator 60 with one vibrator 60. Therefore, the touch detection mechanism A2 can also reduce power consumption. Moreover, the touch detection mechanism A2 can also be made smaller.

[0064] The vibration plate 62 is used as the mounting plate 30 of the touch detection mechanism A1 of the first embodiment. The vibrator 60 is driven so that the natural frequency of the composite 70 including at least the piezoelectric element 61 and the vibration plate 62 becomes a first-order or higher resonance frequency. As a result, in the touch detection mechanism A2, large vibrations can be obtained with a small driving force (small energy), thereby further reducing power consumption. Furthermore, in the touch detection mechanism A2, for example, the signal level of the reception signal R2 received by the receiving unit 4 can be increased, thereby reducing false touch detection. Furthermore, in the touch detection mechanism A2, the vibration plate 62 is used as the mounting plate 30 of the touch detection mechanism A1, so that the touch detection mechanism A2 can be made smaller than the touch detection mechanism A1. In other words, the touch detection mechanism A2 can be made even more compact.

[0065] The diaphragm 62 has a recess 64 at a location where the piezoelectric element 61 is attached. This makes it difficult for the touch detection mechanism A2 to transmit, for example, vibrations caused by the vibrator 60 to portions of the diaphragm 62 other than the recess 64. In other words, the touch detection mechanism A2 can limit the vibrations caused by the vibrator 60 to within the area of ​​the recess 64, that is, it can limit the vibration area, thereby improving the accuracy of touch detection.

[0066] (4) Variations As a modification of the second embodiment, modifications similar to those of the touch determination system B1 according to the modification of the first embodiment are possible. Therefore, the touch determination system B2 according to the modification of the second embodiment also achieves the same effects as those of the touch determination system B2 according to the second embodiment.

[0067] The touch detection mechanism A2 includes a diaphragm 62, but may not include a diaphragm 62. That is, the piezoelectric element 61 of the touch detection mechanism A2 may be attached directly to a medium of the object (for example, the side wall 41 of the casing 40 in the example of FIG. 4 ) instead of being attached to the diaphragm 62 included in the casing 40 of the object (for example, the electronic device C1 such as a mobile device or an operation panel).

[0068] The second embodiment and the modifications described above are merely a part of the various embodiments and modifications of the present disclosure.

[0069] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and at least some of the configurations of the embodiments and modified examples can be combined as appropriate and applied.

[0070] Furthermore, the touch determination system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure does not necessarily need to be integrated into one housing. For example, the components of the touch determination system may be integrated and distributed among multiple housings.

[0071] (Aspect) The present specification discloses the following aspects.

[0072] The touch detection mechanism (A1; A2) according to the first aspect is a touch detection mechanism for detecting a touch by a person (100). The touch detection mechanism (A1; A2) includes a vibrator (20; 60). The vibrator (20; 60) is intermittently driven. The vibrator (20; 60) includes a piezoelectric element (21; 61). The piezoelectric element (21; 61) functions as a vibrating element that vibrates when the vibrator (20; 60) is driven. The piezoelectric element (21; 61) functions as a monitor element for monitoring reverberation vibrations caused by the vibrator (20; 60) when the driving of the vibrator (20; 60) is stopped.

[0073] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0074] The touch detection mechanism (A1) according to the second aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, but further includes a support (5) and a medium (30). The support (5) supports the vibrator (20). The medium (30) attaches the support (5). The vibrator (20) is driven so that the natural frequency of a composite (50) including at least the vibrator (20), the support (5), and the medium (30) becomes a first or higher resonant frequency.

[0075] According to this aspect, power consumption can be further reduced.

[0076] In the touch detection mechanism (A1) according to the third aspect, the medium (30) in the second aspect has a recess (31) at a location where the support (5) is attached.

[0077] According to this aspect, the accuracy of touch detection is improved.

[0078] The touch detection mechanism (A2) according to the fourth aspect is the same as that of the first aspect, but further includes a medium (62). The medium (62) is touched by a person (100). The vibrator (60) further includes a diaphragm (62). A piezoelectric element (61) is attached to the diaphragm (62). The diaphragm (62) is used as the medium (62). The vibrator (60) is driven so that the natural frequency of a composite (70) including at least the piezoelectric element (61) and the diaphragm (62) becomes a first or higher resonant frequency.

[0079] According to this aspect, it is possible to further reduce power consumption and also to further reduce the size.

[0080] In the touch detection mechanism (A2) according to the fifth aspect, the diaphragm (62) in the fourth aspect has a recess (64) at a location where the piezoelectric element (61) is attached.

[0081] According to this aspect, the accuracy of touch detection is improved.

[0082] The touch detection mechanism (A1; A2) according to a sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the vibration frequency of the vibrator (20; 60) is within the range of 18 kHz or more and 1 MHz or less.

[0083] According to this aspect, for example, the user of the electronic device (C1) will not hear any noise.

[0084] A touch determination system (B1; B2) according to a seventh aspect includes a touch detection mechanism (A1; A2), a drive unit (1), a receiver (4), and a determiner (7). The drive unit (1) intermittently drives a vibrator (20; 60) of the touch detection mechanism (A1; A2). The receiver (4) receives reverberation vibrations monitored by the piezoelectric elements (21; 61) of the vibrators (20; 60) when the drive unit (1) stops driving the vibrators (20; 60). The determiner (7) determines whether or not a person (100) has made a touch based on the magnitude of the reverberation vibrations received by the receiver (4).

[0085] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0086] A touch determination system (B1; B2) according to an eighth aspect is the seventh aspect, in which the drive unit (1) intermittently drives the vibrator (20; 60) so that the period (T1) for driving the vibrator (20; 60) changes. The determination unit (7) determines that there has been contact by a person (100) when the sum of the vibration magnitudes of the multiple reverberations received by the receiving unit (4) is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

[0087] According to this aspect, the touch detection accuracy is improved.

[0088] An electronic device (C1) according to a ninth aspect includes a touch determination system (B1; B2) and a housing (40). The housing (40) is fitted with the touch determination system (B1; B2).

[0089] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0090] A touch determination method according to a tenth aspect is a touch determination method for determining whether or not a person (100) has made contact. The touch determination method includes a drive process, a reception process, and a determination process. In the drive process, the vibrators (20; 60) are intermittently driven. In the reception process, when the drive of the vibrators (20; 60) is stopped, reverberation vibrations from the vibrators (20; 60) are received. In the determination process, whether or not a person (100) has made contact is determined based on the magnitude of the reverberation vibrations from the vibrators (20; 60).

[0091] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0092] A program according to an eleventh aspect causes one or more processors to execute the touch determination method according to the tenth aspect.

[0093] According to this aspect, it is possible to reduce power consumption. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1 Drive unit 4. Receiving section 5 Support 7 Judgment section 20 oscillators 21 Piezoelectric element 30 Mounting plate (medium) 31 Depression 40 cabinets 50 Complex 60 oscillators 61 Piezoelectric element 62 Vibration plate (medium) 64 Depression 70 Complex A1~A2 Touch detection mechanism B1~B2 Touch detection system C1 Electronic equipment T1 Drive period (period during which the oscillator is driven)

Claims

1. A touch detection mechanism for detecting human contact, An intermittently driven vibrator is provided, the vibrator includes a piezoelectric element, The piezoelectric element is When the vibrator is driven, it acts as a vibrating vibration element, When the driving of the vibrator is stopped, it acts as a monitor element for monitoring the vibration of reverberation caused by the vibrator. Touch detection mechanism.

2. a support for supporting the vibrator; and a medium for attaching the support, The vibrator is driven so that a natural frequency of a composite including at least the vibrator, the support, and the medium becomes a first or higher resonant frequency. The touch detection mechanism of claim 1 .

3. The medium has a recess at a location where the support is attached. The touch detection mechanism of claim 2 .

4. Further comprising a medium that the person contacts; the vibrator further includes a vibration plate to which the piezoelectric element is attached; The diaphragm is used as the medium, The vibrator is driven so that the natural frequency of a composite including at least the piezoelectric element and the vibration plate becomes a first or higher resonance frequency. The touch detection mechanism of claim 1 .

5. The vibration plate has a recess at a location where the piezoelectric element is attached. The touch detection mechanism of claim 4 .

6. The vibration frequency of the vibrator is in the range of 18 kHz to 1 MHz. The touch detection mechanism according to claim 1 .

7. A touch detection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a drive unit that intermittently drives the vibrator of the touch detection mechanism; a receiving unit that receives the vibration of the reverberation monitored by the piezoelectric element of the vibrator when the driving unit stops driving the vibrator; a determination unit that determines whether or not there is contact by the person based on the magnitude of the vibration of the reverberation received by the receiving unit, Touch detection system.

8. the drive unit intermittently drives the vibrator so that a period during which the vibrator is driven varies; the determination unit determines that contact by the person has occurred when a sum of the magnitudes of the vibrations in the plurality of reverberations received by the receiving unit is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The touch determination system according to claim 7 .

9. a touch determination system according to claim 7 or claim 8; a housing for mounting the touch determination system; electronic equipment.

10. A touch determination method for determining whether or not a person has made contact, a driving process for intermittently driving the vibrator; a receiving process for receiving vibrations of reverberation caused by the vibrator when the driving of the vibrator is stopped; and determining whether or not the person has made contact based on the magnitude of the vibration of the reverberation caused by the vibrator. Touch detection method.

11. 11. A touch determination method according to claim 10, wherein the touch determination method is executed by one or more processors. program.

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