Input device and input system

Abstract

Provided is an input device with which it is possible to more freely set the total number of changes in the electrical state of a fixed electrode when an operation part moves between click points. The input device (2) is provided with two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) and an operation part (20). The two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are positioned so as to overlap with a prescribed wiring electrode (Y1) from among a plurality of wiring electrodes (Y1). The operation part (20) is movable with respect to the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The operation part (20) is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes between a plurality of states in response to movement of the operation part 20. When the operation part (20) moves between a pair of adjacent click points from among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes of the electrical state (Q1, Q2) of the two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) is an integer N. The integer N is a number for which the divisors do not include 4.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an input device and an input system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an input device arranged on a predetermined wiring electrode among a plurality of wiring electrodes, and an input system including the input device. [Background technology]

[0002] The input device described in Patent Document 1 includes a sensor electrode (wiring electrode), two electrodes (fixed electrodes), and a rotary operation knob (operation unit). The two electrodes are arranged to face the sensor electrode at a distance. The rotary operation knob is made of metal and functions as a ground electrode. The rotary operation knob is rotatable relative to the two electrodes. When rotated, the rotary operation knob individually establishes and breaks electrical contact with the two electrodes, thereby changing the electrical state between the sensor electrode and the two electrodes.

[0003] In the above input device, when the rotary operation knob is located at a click point, calibration of the output voltage of the sensor electrodes (i.e., setting of the reference value of the sensor electrodes) is performed. At this time, in order for the sensor electrode facing the electrode to correctly detect that electrode, the two electrodes must be disconnected from the ground electrode during calibration. In other words, the above input device must be configured so that the two electrodes are always disconnected from the ground electrode at each click point. To achieve this configuration, the electrical states of the two electrodes must change a total of four times while the rotary operation knob moves between the click points. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6627085 Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an input device and an input system that can more freely set the total number of changes in the electrical state of the fixed electrodes when the operating unit moves between click points.

[0006] Books An input device according to one embodiment of the disclosure includes at least two fixed electrodes, an operation unit, a plurality of contacts, and a movable electrode. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among a plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes. The plurality of contacts are connected to the at least two fixed electrodes. The movable electrode moves together with the operation unit to come into contact with and separate from the contacts. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. One of the contacts and the movable electrode is formed of a metal, and the other is formed of a non-metal having electrical conductivity. An input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes at least two fixed electrodes and an operation unit. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among a plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states in response to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. The at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch that switches on and off in response to the movement of the operation unit.

[0007] An input system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes the input device according to the aspect, the wiring electrodes, and the signal processor, The signal processor performs signal processing on output signals of the wiring electrodes. An input system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wiring electrodes, at least two fixed electrodes, an operation unit, and a signal processor. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes. The signal processor performs signal processing on output signals of the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. The signal processor performs correction on output signals of wiring electrodes other than the predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes, and does not perform correction on output signals of the predetermined wiring electrode. An input system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wiring electrodes, at least two fixed electrodes, an operation unit, and a signal processor. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes. The signal processor performs signal processing on output signals of the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. The signal processor performs different corrections on the output signal of the predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes and the output signal of a wiring electrode other than the predetermined wiring electrode. An input system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wiring electrodes, at least two fixed electrodes, an operation unit, and a signal processor. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes. The signal processor performs signal processing on output signals of the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. The signal processor determines an initial state of the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a relative relationship between the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detects the position of the operation unit based on the initial state. When the relative relationship is a relative relationship in which the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are the same, the signal processing unit determines the initial state based on a change in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operating unit moves from the relative relationship state. An input system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wiring electrodes, at least two fixed electrodes, an operation unit, and a signal processor. The at least two fixed electrodes are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes. The signal processor performs signal processing on output signals of the plurality of wiring electrodes. The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points. The electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit. When the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times. The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor. The signal processor determines an initial state of the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a relative relationship between the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detects the position of the operation unit based on the initial state. When the relative relationship is such that the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are different, the signal processing unit determines the initial state based on the relative relationship. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an input system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the input system of the above embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the input device included in FIG. 2 as seen from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the input device as viewed from below. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X1-X1 of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the input device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the rotary contact plate included in FIG. 6 as viewed from the rear side. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the case included in FIG. 6 as seen from the front side. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing the touch panel main body included in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first wiring electrodes, the second wiring electrodes, and the fixed electrodes as viewed from the touch panel side. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in the electrical state of the fixed electrodes due to rotation of the operating unit. [Figure 12] 12A to 12D are explanatory diagrams each illustrating an electrical connection relationship between a fixed electrode and a movable electrode. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a change in the electrical state of the fixed electrodes due to rotation of the operating unit in the comparative example. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the detection circuit. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the detection circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an input system according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The configuration described in the following embodiment is merely an example of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0010] (Embodiment) (Summary) An input system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0011] 1 to 5, the input system 1 includes an input device 2, a touch panel 3 (also called a touch sensor), and a display device 4. The display device 4 does not necessarily have to be included in the configuration of the input system 1.

[0012] The display device 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic electroluminescence display, and is capable of displaying various types of information. The display device 4 may be any commonly known display device.

[0013] The touch panel 3 is disposed on the display screen 4a of the display device 4, and is a device that detects the touch position on the display screen 4a by an operator. The touch position is the position on the display screen 4a when the operator's finger touches the display screen 4a. The touch panel 3 includes a touch panel main body 31 and a cover panel 32 (see FIG. 2). The touch panel main body 31 is a part that detects the touch position on the display screen 4a by the operator. The touch panel main body 31 is provided on the display screen 4a so as to cover the entire display screen 4a. The cover panel 32 is a member that covers the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3. The cover panel 32 is formed of, for example, glass, or the cover panel 32 is formed into a sheet shape of transparent resin.

[0014] The input device 2 is a device that accepts operations (rotation operation and push operation) by an operator. The input device 2 is, for example, in a ring shape. An operation unit 20 operated by an operator is provided on the front side of the input device 2 (see FIG. 3), and fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are provided on the rear surface of the input device 2 (see FIG. 4). The input device 2 is disposed at an arbitrary position on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 so that the rear surface of the input device 2 faces the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 (see FIG. 1). When the operation unit 20 is operated in this arrangement state, the electrical states of the four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d change. This electrical state is detected by a touch position detection function of the touch panel 3, and the operation of the operation unit 20 is detected.

[0015] (Detailed explanation) (Input device details) The input device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] 6, the input device 2 includes an operation unit 20, a rotating body 21, a fixed member 22, a pressing member 23, a return spring 24, a click spring 25, a rotating click cam 26, and a rotating contact plate 27. The input device 2 further includes a case 28, a plurality of (for example, four) fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, a plurality of (for example, four) contacts 30a to 30d, and a push switch PS1.

[0017] The operation unit 20 is a component that is rotated and pushed by the operator. The operation unit 20 is rotatable relative to the case 28 (and therefore the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d). The operation unit 20 is in the shape of a circular box having an opening 20s in a plan view. The rear surface of the operation unit 20 is open. The operation unit 20 may have an outer shape that does not have the opening 20s, and in this case, the presence or absence of an inner peripheral wall portion 20c described later is not limited.

[0018] The operating unit 20 contains each of the components (rotating body 21, fixed member 22, pressing member 23, return spring 24, click spring 25, rotary click cam 26, rotary contact plate 27, and case 28). The operating unit 20 has a substrate 20a, an outer peripheral wall 20b, and an inner peripheral wall 20c. The substrate 20a is disk-shaped. The outer peripheral wall 20b protrudes rearward from the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 20a. The inner peripheral wall 20c protrudes rearward from the inner peripheral edge of the substrate 20a.

[0019] The operating unit 20 has a plurality of recesses and a plurality of protrusions. The recesses fit with protrusions 21e of the rotating body 21, which will be described later, to position the protrusions 21e in the circumferential direction. The recesses are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 20b of the operating unit 20. The recesses are provided along the front-rear direction on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 20b of the operating unit 20. The protrusions correspond one-to-one to the recesses and are provided on the bottom surfaces of the corresponding recesses. The protrusions are hooked with the protrusions 21e that fit into the corresponding recesses, thereby fixing the operating unit 20 to the rotating body 21.

[0020] The rotating body 21 is arranged rotatably with respect to the case 28. The rotating body 21 is connected to the operating unit 20 and can rotate together with the operating unit 20. The rotating body 21 can move forward and backward in conjunction with the forward and backward movement of the operating unit 20 during a pushing operation. As shown in FIG. 2 and other figures, the rotating body 21 is, for example, a circular frame in a plan view having an opening 21s. The rotating body 21 has a base portion 21a, an outer peripheral wall portion 21b, an inner peripheral wall portion 21c, and a flange portion 21d. The base portion 21a is disk-shaped. The outer peripheral wall portion 21b protrudes rearward from the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 21a. The inner peripheral wall portion 21c protrudes slightly rearward from the inner peripheral edge of the base portion 21a. The flange portion 21d protrudes from the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 21c to the opening 21s. The rear end surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 21c is a portion that presses the pressing member 23. The flange portion 21d is a portion that is hooked onto the flange portion 22b of the fixed member 22. The rotating body 21 may also have a shape that does not have the opening portion 21s, and in this case, the presence or absence of the inner circumferential wall portion 21c is not limited.

[0021] The rotating body 21 has a plurality of protrusions 21e and a plurality of recesses 21f. The plurality of protrusions 21e are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface (the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 21b) of the rotating body 21. The plurality of protrusions 21e correspond one-to-one to the plurality of protrusions in the operating portion 20 and also correspond one-to-one to the plurality of recesses. The plurality of protrusions 21e fit into the corresponding recesses and are caught by the corresponding protrusions. The plurality of recesses 21f are portions into which the later-described fixed pieces 26c of the rotation click cam 26 fit. The plurality of recesses 21f are provided in the inner peripheral wall portion 21c of the rotating body 21 so as to be cut out from the lower end side toward the upper end side.

[0022] The fixed member 22 is a member that rotatably fixes the rotor 21 to the case 28. The fixed member 22 is fixed to the case 28 so as to be disposed inside the rotor 21. The fixed member 22 is, for example, in the shape of a ring having an opening in a plan view, as shown in Fig. 6 etc. The fixed member 22 may also have a shape that does not have an opening.

[0023] The fixing member 22 has a tubular portion 22a, a flange portion 22b, and a plurality of hook pieces 22c. The tubular portion 22a is a short cylindrical portion. The flange portion 22b protrudes from the front edge of the tubular portion 22a toward the outer periphery. The flange portion 22b is a portion that hooks onto the front surface of the flange portion 21d of the rotating body 21. The flange portion 22b restricts the forward movement of the rotating body 21. The flange portion 22b serves as a fulcrum of the rotating body 21 during a pushing operation. The plurality of hook pieces 22c are portions that hook onto a protrusion portion 28e of the case 28, which will be described later. The plurality of hook pieces 22c protrude rearward from the rear end of the tubular portion 22a and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The hook piece 22c is provided with a hook hole that hooks onto a protrusion portion 28e of the case 28, which will be described later.

[0024] The pressing member 23 is a member that moves back and forth in response to the back and forth movement of the operating unit 20 via the rotating body 21, thereby pressing a push switch PS1 (described later) in the case 28. The pressing member 23 is disposed on the rear side of the rotating body 21 and is disposed in the case 28 so as to be unable to rotate with respect to the case 28. The pressing member 23 is short and cylindrical. The pressing member 23 has a pressing member main body 23a and multiple protrusions 23b. The pressing member main body 23a is short and cylindrical. The multiple protrusions 23b fit into recesses 28f (described later) of the case 28 to position the pressing member 23 in the circumferential direction on the case 28. The multiple protrusions 23b are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential surface of the pressing member main body 23a.

[0025] The return spring 24 is a member that biases the operating unit 20 forward. The return spring 24 is a thin plate made of elastic metal. The return spring 24 has a spring body 24a and a plurality of fixed pieces 24b. The spring body 24a is annular plate-shaped and curved back and forth along the circumferential direction. The plurality of fixed pieces 24b are portions that are fixed to the case 28. The plurality of fixed pieces 24b are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumferential edge of the spring body 24a and protrude rearward. The return spring 24 is disposed between the rotating body 21 and the front end of the outer circumferential wall (described later) of the case 28. In this state, the fixed pieces 24b of the return spring 24 are fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumferential wall portion 28b (described later) of the case 28. The return spring 24 biases the rotating body 21 forward, thereby biasing the operating unit 20 forward.

[0026] The click spring 25, together with the rotating click cam 26, is a component that generates a clicking sensation in response to a rotating operation by an operator. The click spring 25 is fixed to the case 28 so as to contact the uneven portion 26b (described later) on the front surface of the rotating click cam 26. The click spring 25 is made of elastic metal and has a circular ring-shaped thin plate shape. The click spring 25 has a spring body 25a, two protruding portions 25b, four fixing pieces 25c, and two protruding pieces 25d. The spring body 25a has a circular ring-shaped thin plate shape. The two protruding portions 25b are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the spring body 25a and protrude in an arc shape from the front side of the spring body 25a to the rear side. The four fixing pieces 25c are portions that are fixed by being sandwiched between the rear end of the cylindrical portion 22a of the fixing member 22 and the front end of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c (described later) of the case 28. The four fixing pieces 25c are provided at intervals along the circumferential direction at the inner circumferential end of the spring body 25a and protrude inward. The two protruding pieces 25d are portions that are hooked into the hook holes of the hook piece 22c of the fixing member 22. The protruding pieces 25d are hooked into the hook holes of the hook piece 22c, so that the circumferential position of the click spring 25 is determined on the fixing member 22.

[0027] The rotary click cam 26 is a component that, together with the click spring 25, generates a clicking sensation in response to a rotation operation by an operator. The rotary click cam 26 is disposed in the case 28 in contact with the protruding portion 25b of the click spring 25 on the rear side of the click spring 25 and rotatably. The rotary click cam 26 is formed, for example, from a synthetic resin. The rotary click cam 26 is in the shape of a circular ring plate. The rotary click cam 26 has a rotary click cam main body 26a, a concave-convex portion 26b, and two fixed pieces 26c. The rotary click cam main body 26a is in the shape of a circular ring plate having a central hole 26s. The concave-convex portion 26b is provided on the front surface of the rotary click cam main body 26a over the entire circumferential direction. The concave-convex portion 26b is formed so that convex portions and concave portions are alternately repeated. The protruding portion 25b of the click spring 25 elastically contacts the uneven portion 26b, so that when the rotating click cam 26 rotates, a clicking sensation is obtained each time the rotating click cam 26 passes each protruding portion of the uneven portion 26b. The two fixed pieces 26c are provided at an interval in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating click cam main body 26a and protrude forward. Each fixed piece 26c fits into a recess 21f of the rotating body 21, so that the rotating click cam 26 rotates integrally with the rotating body 21.

[0028] The rotary contact plate 27 is in the shape of a circular ring plate. The rotary contact plate 27 has a rotary contact plate body 27a and a movable electrode 27b (see FIG. 7). The rotary contact plate body 27a is an insulating substrate having insulating properties, and is in the shape of a circular ring plate having a central hole 27s. The movable electrode 27b is provided on the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a. The movable electrode 27b has a plurality of electrode portions 27c and a plurality of wiring portions 27d. The plurality of electrode portions 27c are portions that come into contact with the contactors 30a to 30d, and are, for example, rectangular. The plurality of electrode portions 27c are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction on the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a. Each wiring portion 27d is a portion that electrically connects the plurality of electrode portions 27c. The area (insulating substrate) of the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a other than the movable electrode 27b forms an insulating area. The front surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a is fixed to the rear surface of the rotary click cam 26. This allows the rotary contact plate 27 to rotate integrally with the rotary click cam 26. Therefore, the movable electrode 27b rotates (moves) integrally with the rotary click cam 26. The contactors 30a to 30d are in elastic contact with the rear surface of the rotary contact plate body 27a.

[0029] Each component (operation unit 20, rotating body 21, fixed member 22, pressing member 23, return spring 24, click spring 25, rotating click cam 26, rotating contact plate 27, four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, four contacts 30a to 30d, and push switch PS1) is attached to case 28 (see Figs. 4 and 8). The four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are in one-to-one correspondence with the four contacts 30a to 30d.

[0030] The case 28 is made of insulating resin. The case 28 is annular in plan view and has a central hole 28s, and is box-like with an open front. The case 28 has a bottom 28a, an outer peripheral wall 28b, and an inner peripheral wall 28c. The bottom 28a is, for example, disk-shaped. The outer peripheral wall 28b protrudes forward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 28a. The inner peripheral wall 28c protrudes forward from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom 28a.

[0031] The case 28 has a plurality of (e.g., two) recesses 28d, a plurality of (e.g., four) protrusions 28e, and a plurality of (e.g., four) recesses 28f. The plurality of recesses 28d are portions into which the fixed pieces 24b of the return spring 24 are fitted and fixed. The plurality of recesses 28d are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b. The plurality of protrusions 28e are portions that hook onto the plurality of hook pieces 22c of the fixing member 22. The four protrusions 28e are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c. The plurality of recesses 28f are portions into which the plurality of protrusions 23b of the pressing member 23 are fitted so as to be movable in the front-rear direction but not movable in the circumferential direction. The plurality of recesses 28f are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall portion 28b and extend in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are provided on the rear surface of the bottom portion 28a (see FIG. 4). The fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are electrodes that overlap with a first wiring electrode X1 and a second wiring electrode Y1 (described later) of the touch panel 3 when the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3. Each of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape. The fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are arranged at intervals (for example, equal intervals) in the circumferential direction on the rear surface of the case 28.

[0033] Four contacts 30a to 30d and a push switch PS1 are fixed to the front surface of the bottom portion 28a (see FIG. 8). Each of the contacts 30a to 30d is a component that elastically contacts the rear surface of the rotary contact plate 27 (i.e., electrically contacts the movable electrode 27b). Each of the contacts 30a to 30d has contacts S1 to S4 that contact the rotary contact plate 27. Each of the contacts 30a to 30d is electrically connected to the corresponding fixed electrodes 29a to 29c via wiring provided on the front surface of the bottom portion 28a. The contact 30a is connected to the fixed electrode 29a, the contact 30b is connected to the fixed electrode 29b, and the contacts 30c and 30d are connected to the fixed electrode 29c. The push switch PS1 is a push button switch that is switched on and off by pressing the operation unit 20. The push switch PS1 connects or disconnects the fixed electrode 29d and the fixed electrode 29c depending on whether it is on or off. The push switch PS1 is provided at a predetermined position on the bottom portion 28a.

[0034] Hereinafter, the fixed electrode 29c may be referred to as a common electrode 29c.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 5, the case 28 has the rotating body 21, the fixed member 22, the pressing member 23, the return spring 24, the click spring 25, and the rotating click cam 26 attached thereto.

[0036] The fixed member 22 is fixed to the front side of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c of the case 28 by the hook piece 22c of the fixed member 22 being hooked to the protrusion portion 28e of the case 28. The rotating click cam 26 is disposed inside the case 28 adjacent to the outside of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c and rotatably arranged. In this state, the rotating contact plate 27 on the rear surface of the rotating click cam 26 and the four contacts 30a to 30d on the bottom portion 28a of the case 28 are in elastic contact. The click spring 25 is fixed to the front side of the rotating click cam 26 by the fixed piece 25c being sandwiched between the rear end of the cylindrical portion 22a of the fixed member 22 and the front end of the inner peripheral wall portion 28c of the case 28. The click spring 25 is prohibited from moving in the circumferential direction of the click spring 25 by the protrusion piece 25d being hooked to the hook hole of the hook piece 22c of the fixed member 22. In addition, the protrusion 25b of the click spring 25 is in elastic contact with the uneven portion 26b of the rotating click cam 26. The pressing member 23 is disposed adjacent to the outside of the outer circumferential wall portion 28b inside the case 28. In this state, the protrusion 23b of the pressing member 23 fits into the recess 28f of the outer circumferential wall portion 28b, so that the pressing member 23 is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the case 28 but is immovable in the circumferential direction. A push switch PS1 is disposed behind the pressing member 23.

[0037] The rotating body 21 is disposed in the case 28 so as to cover the outer periphery of the case 28. In this state, the outer periphery wall portion 28b of the case 28 and the pressing member 23 are disposed inside the rotating body 21. In this state, the flange portion 21d of the rotating body 21 is disposed behind the flange portion 22b of the fixing member 22, so that the rotating body 21 is prevented from moving forward (i.e., falling off from the case 28). The fixed piece 26c of the rotation click cam 26 fits into the recess 21f of the rotating body 21 (see FIG. 6), so that the rotation click cam 26 can rotate integrally with the rotating body 21. In addition, the return spring 24 is disposed between the front end of the outer periphery wall portion 28b of the case 28 and the rotating body 21, and biases the rotating body 21 forward. The fixed piece 24b of the return spring 24 fits into the recess 28d of the case 28 (see FIG. 6), so that the return spring 24 is fixed to the front end of the outer periphery wall portion 28b. The operation unit 20 is attached to the case 28 so as to cover the fixed member 22 and the rotating body 21. In this state, the protrusion 21e of the rotating body 21 fits into the recess of the operation unit 20 and is hooked onto the protrusion of the operation unit 20. As a result, the operation unit 20 is fixed to the rotating body 21 so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating body 21. The operation unit 20 is attached to the case 28 via the rotating body 21.

[0038] In this input device 2, the fixed member 22 and the click spring 25 are fixed to the case 28. The pressing member 23 is disposed in the case 28 so as to be movable back and forth in response to the back and forth movement of the rotating body 21. The operating unit 20, the rotating body 21 and the rotary click cam 26 are connected so as to be integrally rotatable. The operating unit 20 and the rotating body 21 are further connected so as to be integrally movable back and forth.

[0039] Therefore, when the operating unit 20 is rotated, the rotating click cam 26 rotates together with the operating unit 20. As a result, the contacts S1 to S4 of the contacts 30a to 30d provided on the case 28 move on the rear surface of the rotating contact plate 27 fixed to the rotating click cam 26. This movement causes the contacts 30a to 30d to repeatedly come into contact with and separate from the movable electrode 27b of the rotating contact plate 27. At this time, when at least one of the contacts 30c and 30d and the contact 30a both come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29a and the common electrode 29c are electrically connected. Also, when the contact 30a and either one of the contacts 30c and 30d separates from the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29a and the common electrode 29c are disconnected. When at least one of the contacts 30c, 30d and the contact 30b are in contact with the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29b and the common electrode 29c are electrically connected to each other. When the contact 30b or either one of the contacts 30c, 30d is separated from the movable electrode 27b, the fixed electrode 29b and the common electrode 29c are disconnected from each other.

[0040] Furthermore, due to the rotation of the rotary click cam 26, the protrusion 25b of the click spring 25 moves relatively on the uneven portion 26b of the rotary click cam 26. When the protrusion 25b passes over each convex portion of the uneven portion 26b, a click sensation is generated in the operating unit 20.

[0041] Furthermore, when the operating unit 20 is pressed, the rotating body 21 and the pressing member 23 move backward together with the operating unit 20, and the push switch PS1 is turned on by the pressure of the pressing member 23. Furthermore, when the pressing operation of the operating unit 20 is released, the operating unit 20, the rotating body 21, and the pressing member 23 are returned to their original positions by the return spring 24, thereby turning off the push switch PS1. When the push switch PS1 is turned on, the fixed electrodes 29c and 29d are electrically connected, and when the push switch PS1 is turned off, the fixed electrodes 29c and 29d are electrically disconnected.

[0042] The operation unit 20 can rotate 360 ​​degrees. In other words, the operation unit 20 has a movable range of 360 degrees. If the position of each concave portion of the uneven portion 26b is called a click point, the movable range of the operation unit 20 includes a plurality of click points arranged at equal intervals. The operation unit 20 rotates (i.e. moves) within the movable range while tracing each click point in order. Since each click point is the position of each concave portion of the uneven portion 26b, it is a position where the operation unit 20 is stable within the movable range. If the interval between a pair of adjacent click points is one click, the operation unit 20 rotates in units of one click.

[0043] In this embodiment, as described above, each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is electrically connected to and disconnected from the common electrode 29c in response to the rotation operation of the operation unit 20. The electrical state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b changes depending on whether it is electrically connected to and disconnected from the common electrode 29c. The fixed electrode 29d is also electrically connected to and disconnected from the common electrode 29c in response to the pressing operation of the operation unit 20. The electrical state of the fixed electrode 29d also changes depending on whether it is electrically connected to and disconnected from the common electrode 29c. The electrical state is the capacitance value, the amount of charge that can be output, or the potential that can be output of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d. That is, when each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, the capacitance value of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d increases (changes) by the capacitance value of the conductive electrode. As a result, the amount of charge that each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and 29d can output increases by the amount of charge on the common electrode 29c. At this time, the output potential of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and 29d also increases (changes).

[0044] Hereinafter, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d when they are conductive with the common electrode 29c may be referred to as a conductive state (or a High state (hereinafter referred to as an H state)). Also, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d when they are disconnected from the common electrode 29c may be referred to as a disconnected state (or a Low state (hereinafter referred to as an L state)). In these cases, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d can change between the conductive state and the disconnected state in response to the movement of the operating unit 20.

[0045] (Details of the touch panel unit) 9, the touch panel main body 31 includes a plurality of first wiring electrodes X1, a plurality of second wiring electrodes Y2, a film base 311, a film base 312, an optically transparent adhesive sheet 313, a drive circuit 314, and a detection circuit 315. Hereinafter, when the plurality of first wiring electrodes X1 are to be distinguished, they will be described as first wiring electrodes X11, X12, X13, . . . (see FIG. 10). When the plurality of second wiring electrodes Y1 are to be distinguished, they will be described as second wiring electrodes Y11, Y12, Y13, . . . (see FIG. 10).

[0046] The film base 311 is formed of a transparent material (resin or glass). The film base 311 is, for example, a rectangular sheet having two pairs of opposite sides 311s, 311t. The film base 312 is also a rectangular sheet having two pairs of opposite sides 312s, 312t, similar to the film base 311. The film base 312 is a rectangular sheet having the same shape and size as the film base 311. The first wiring electrodes X1 and the second wiring electrodes Y1 are formed of a transparent conductive material (for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide)).

[0047] The multiple first wiring electrodes X1 are formed in a film shape on the front surface 311a of the film base material 311. The multiple first wiring electrodes X1 extend parallel to each other along one opposite side 311t of the front surface 311a of the film base material 311 and are arranged at intervals from each other along the other opposite side 311s. The first wiring electrodes X1 are, for example, elongated strip-shaped (see FIG. 10). The multiple first wiring electrodes X1 are connected to the drive circuit 314 via a flexible printed wiring board 316. The multiple first wiring electrodes X1 are arranged so that the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 is covered with each of the multiple first wiring electrodes X1.

[0048] In this embodiment, the electrode shape of the first wiring electrode X1 is not limited to those shown in Figures 9 and 10, and may be a diamond shape formed by connecting diamond-shaped pads, or a shape in which a plurality of widened portions and a plurality of narrowed portions are regularly and repeatedly arranged along the extension direction, in addition to those shown in Figures.

[0049] The second wiring electrodes Y1 are formed in a film shape on the front surface 312a of the film base material 312. The second wiring electrodes Y1 extend parallel to each other along one opposite side 312s on the front surface 312a of the film base material 312 and are arranged along the other opposite side 312t. The second wiring electrodes Y1 are formed in, for example, a long and narrow strip shape. The second wiring electrodes Y1 are connected to the detection circuit 315 via a flexible printed wiring board 316. The width of the second wiring electrodes Y1 is narrower than the width of the first wiring electrodes X1.

[0050] In addition, the second wiring electrode Y1 may also be in a diamond shape formed by connecting diamond-shaped pads, or in a shape in which a plurality of widened portions and a plurality of narrowed portions are regularly and repeatedly arranged along the extension direction.

[0051] The film substrate 311 and the film substrate 312 are adhered to each other by being overlapped with each other via the optically transparent adhesive sheet 313. The optically transparent adhesive sheet 313 is sandwiched between the front surface 311a of the film substrate 311 and the rear surface 312b of the film substrate 312. The optically transparent adhesive sheet 313 is a member in which an adhesive is applied to both sides of a transparent sheet.

[0052] When the film base materials 311, 312 are adhered to each other, the second wiring electrodes Y1 intersect (are perpendicular to) the first wiring electrodes X1 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the film base materials 311, 312 (see FIG. 10). The first wiring electrodes X1 and the second wiring electrodes Y1 are spaced apart from each other by the film base material 311 and the optically transparent adhesive sheet 313.

[0053] A cover panel 32 (see FIG. 2) is attached to a front surface 312a of the film substrate 312 by an optically transparent adhesive sheet. A metal plate 5 (see FIG. 2) is attached to a rear surface 311b of the film substrate 312 by double-sided tape.

[0054] The drive circuit 314 selectively applies a scanning voltage to the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 one by one from the first wiring electrode X11 at one end to the first wiring electrode X1n at the other end. The drive circuit 314 connects the remaining first wiring electrodes X1 to which the scanning voltage is not applied, among the multiple first wiring electrodes X1, to a reference potential (i.e., ground potential).

[0055] The detection circuit 315 selectively detects the output voltage of each of the plurality of second wiring electrodes Y1 one by one from the second wiring electrode Y11 at one end to the second wiring electrode Y1n at the other end for each first wiring electrode X1 while a scanning voltage is applied to one of the first wiring electrodes X1. In this way, the detection circuit 315 detects the second wiring electrode Y1 whose capacitance value has changed. That is, when the operator touches an arbitrary position on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3, the capacitance value of the second wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the touch position changes. The detection circuit 315 detects the change in the output voltage (capacitance value) of the second wiring electrode Y1 as described above, and detects the touch position on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 from the arrangement position of the first wiring electrode X1 and the arrangement position of the second wiring electrode Y1 selected at the time of the detection. Hereinafter, the function of detecting the touch position in this way is called a touch position detection function.

[0056] When the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 and the operation unit 20 of the input device 2 is operated (rotated or pressed), the detection circuit 315 detects the operation of the operation unit 20 using a touch position detection function.

[0057] The detection circuit 315 calibrates the output voltage of each second wiring electrode Y1 when the touch panel 3 is started up (i.e., when the power is turned on), etc. Note that the calibration is to correct the output voltage of each second wiring electrode Y1 so as to cancel the influence of a metal electrode (e.g., the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2) if such a metal electrode is present on the touch panel 3 when the touch panel 3 is started up, etc.

[0058] The detection circuit 315 is an example of a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1.

[0059] The operation of the detection circuit 315 (more specifically, the procedure for detecting the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, 29d when the operation unit 20 is operated) will be described with reference to FIG.

[0060] In Fig. 10, the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 extend in the vertical direction of the paper surface of Fig. 10 and are lined up in the horizontal direction of the paper surface of Fig. 10. The multiple second wiring electrodes Y1 extend in the horizontal direction of the paper surface of Fig. 10 and are lined up in the vertical direction of the paper surface of Fig. 10. In Fig. 10, the multiple second wiring electrodes Y1 are arranged on the rear side of the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 (the back side in the vertical direction of the paper surface of Fig. 10).

[0061] When the input device 2 is placed on the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3, the fixed electrodes 29a-29d do not overlap with each other in the direction along the longitudinal direction of the first wiring electrodes X1. In other words, when viewed from the front of the touch panel 3, the fixed electrodes 29a-29d do not overlap with the same first wiring electrodes X1.

[0062] When the operation unit 20 of the input device 2 is rotated, the rotary click cam 26 rotates. As a result, the contacts 30a to 30c alternately come into contact with and separate from the movable electrode 27b of the rotary contact plate 27. As a result, the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b alternately come into conduction (H state) and cut off (L state) with the common electrode 29c.

[0063] Whether the electrical state of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is in a conductive state or a cut-off state is detected by a touch position detection function of touch panel 3. For example, consider a state in which fixed electrodes 29a, 29c are in conductive state and fixed electrodes 29b, 29c are cut off.

[0064] In this state, when a scanning voltage is selectively applied to the first wiring electrode X12 among the multiple first wiring electrodes X1, all the remaining first wiring electrodes X1 other than the selected first wiring electrode X12 are connected to the reference potential (i.e., ground potential). In this connection state, the fixed electrode 29a is capacitively coupled to the selected first wiring electrode X12, and the common electrode 29c is capacitively coupled to the first wiring electrode X19 connected to the reference potential. As a result, the electrostatic charges of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29c are discharged together to the reference potential via the first wiring electrode X19. As a result, the electrostatic capacitance value between the first wiring electrode X12 and the fixed electrode 29a changes significantly by the amount of the discharge. The detection circuit 315 of the touch panel 3 detects this change in the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y15 overlapping the fixed electrode 29a.

[0065] Thereafter, when a scanning voltage is selectively applied to the first wiring electrode X17 among the plurality of first wiring electrodes X1, all the remaining first wiring electrodes X1 other than the selected first wiring electrode X17 are connected to the reference potential (i.e., ground potential). In this connection state, the fixed electrode 29b is capacitively coupled to the first wiring electrodes X16 and X17. As a result, the electrostatic charge of the fixed electrode 29b is discharged to the reference potential via the first wiring electrode X16. At this time, since the fixed electrode 29b is cut off from the common electrode 29c, the capacitance value of the common electrode 29c is not added. Therefore, the capacitance value between the first wiring electrode X17 and the fixed electrode 29b does not change much. The detection circuit 315 of the touch panel 3 detects this change in the capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y13 overlapping with the fixed electrode 29b.

[0066] In this way, the detection circuit 315 detects the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b when the operation unit 20 is rotated, based on the output signal of the wiring electrode Y1.

[0067] On the other hand, when the operation unit 20 is pressed, the push switch PS1 is turned on. This establishes electrical continuity between the fixed electrodes 29d and 29c. In this state, when a scanning voltage is selectively applied to the first wiring electrode X14 among the multiple first wiring electrodes X1, all the remaining first wiring electrodes X1 other than the selected first wiring electrode X14 are connected to the reference potential (i.e., ground potential). In this connection state, the fixed electrode 29d is capacitively coupled to the selected first wiring electrode X14, and the common electrode 29c is capacitively coupled to the first wiring electrode X19 connected to the reference potential. As a result, the electrostatic charges of the fixed electrodes 29d and 29c are discharged together to the reference potential via the first wiring electrode X19. As a result, the electrostatic capacitance value between the first wiring electrode X14 and the fixed electrode 29d changes significantly by the amount of the discharge. The detection circuit 315 of the touch panel 3 detects this change in the electrostatic capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y19 overlapping with the fixed electrode 29d. When the push switch PS1 is off, the fixed electrode 29d is not electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, and therefore the capacitance value between the first wiring electrode X14 and the fixed electrode 29d does not change significantly. The detection circuit 315 of the touch panel 3 detects this change in capacitance value based on the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y19 that overlaps with the fixed electrode 29d.

[0068] In this way, the detection circuit 315 detects the electrical state of the fixed electrode 29d when the operation unit 20 is pressed, based on the output signal of the wiring electrode Y1.

[0069] In the above description, as an example, during a rotation operation, the fixed electrode 29a of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b is in a conductive state, so that the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y15 increases, and the fixed electrode 29b is in a cut-off state, so that the output voltage of the second wiring electrode Y13 does not change much. In this case, the electrical state of the fixed electrode 29a is greater than the electrical state of the fixed electrode 29b. The detection circuit 315 detects the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b from the output voltages of the second wiring electrodes Y13 and Y15.

[0070] When the operation unit 20 is rotated in this manner, the electrical states (conduction state or cut-off state) of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b change. Then, the detection circuit 315 detects the relative relationship (e.g., magnitude relationship) of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the output voltage of the second wiring electrodes Y13, Y15 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. Then, as described later, the detection circuit 315 determines whether the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is a conductive state or a cut-off state based on the detected relative relationship. Then, the detection circuit 315 detects the rotational position of the operation unit 20 in chronological order based on the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b determined in this manner, and detects the amount and direction of rotation of the operation unit 20 from the detection result.

[0071] (Features of the input system) The following describes the features of the input system 1. The input system 1 is set so that when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the total number of changes in the electrical state of each of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is one.

[0072] Here, the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b may be referred to as "individual electrical states", and the overall electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b may be referred to as "overall electrical state". In this case, the above "when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the total number of changes in the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is one" means that when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the overall electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b changes only once. Note that the individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b do not change at the same time.

[0073] With reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12A to FIG. 12D, the change in the overall electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b when the operation unit 20 rotates will be described. As described above, the individual electrical state (H state) of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b when the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are in electrical conduction with the common electrode 29c will be described as H. Also, the individual electrical state (L state) of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b when the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are cut off from the common electrode 29c will be described as L. The individual electrical states Q1, Q2 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b can change between two states, H and L, depending on the movement of the operation unit 20. The overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is a combination of the individual electrical states Q1, Q2 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and is represented as (Q1, Q2). That is, Q12=(Q1, Q2). Then, the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b can change between four states (multiple states), namely (H, L), (L, H), (H, L) and (L, L), in response to the movement of the operating unit 20. In this embodiment, when the operating unit 20 rotates by one click, the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is set to change only once. Note that one click is the distance between a pair of adjacent click points, as described above.

[0074] Specifically, in this embodiment, when the rotation position of the operation unit 20 is the click point C1, the electrical state Q12 (=(Q1, Q2)) is (L, H) as shown in Fig. 11. In this case, when the operation unit 20 rotates through the click points C2 to C3 in order, that is, when the operation unit rotates from the click point C1 by one click ΔC, the electrical state Q12 changes from (L, H) to (L, L), (H, L), and (H, H) in order.

[0075] More specifically, when the operation unit 20 is located at the click point C1, as shown in FIG. 12A, the contacts S1 and S3 of the contactors 30a and 30c are separated from the movable electrode 27b, and the contacts S2 and S4 of the contactors 30b and 30d are in contact with the movable electrode 27b. As a result, the fixed electrode 29a is disconnected from the common electrode 29c, and the fixed electrode 29b is connected to the common electrode 29c. That is, the electrical state Q12 is (L, H). Then, when the operation unit 20 rotates from the click point C1 to the click point C2, as shown in FIG. 12B, all the contacts S1 to S4 of the contactors 30a to 30d are separated from the movable electrode 27b. As a result, both the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are disconnected from the common electrode 29c. That is, the electrical state Q12 is (L, L). Then, when the operation unit 20 further rotates from the click point C2 to the click point C3, the contacts S1 and S3 of the contacts 30a and 30c come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, and the contacts S2 and S4 of the contacts 30b and 30d separate from the movable electrode 27b, as shown in FIG. 12C. As a result, the fixed electrode 29a is electrically connected to the common electrode 29c, and the fixed electrode 29b is disconnected from the common electrode 29c. That is, the electrical state Q12 becomes (H, L). Then, when the operation unit 20 further rotates from the click point C3 to the click point C4, the contacts S1 to S4 of all the contacts 30a to 30d come into contact with the movable electrode 27b, as shown in FIG. 12D. As a result, both the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are electrically connected to the common electrode 29c. That is, the electrical state Q12 becomes (H, H).

[0076] In this manner, in this embodiment, when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is set to change only once. This makes it possible to lengthen the time interval between changes in the individual electrical states Q1, Q2 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. As a result, even if the multiple second wiring electrodes Y1 are scanned at a faster scan speed when the input device 2 is being rotated on the touch panel 3, failure to read the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 can be suppressed. In other words, the readability to the scan speed can be improved.

[0077] 13, the change in electrical state Q12 (=(Q1, Q2)) in the input device of the comparative example will be described. In the input device of the comparative example, when the operation unit 20 is located at each click point (e.g., C1 to C3), the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is set to always be (L, L). In this case, when the operation unit 20 rotates one click from click point C1 to click point C2, the electrical state Q12 changes four times, from (L, L) to (H, L), (H, H), (L, H), and (L, L) in that order.

[0078] In this way, in the input device of the comparative example, when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the electrical state Q12 changes four times, and the time interval between changes in the individual electrical states Q1 and Q2 is shorter than in the case of this embodiment. As a result, when the input device of the comparative example is rotated on the touch panel 3, if the multiple second wiring electrodes Y1 are scanned, there are cases where the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 fails to be read. In contrast, in the input device 2 of this embodiment, when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the electrical state Q12 changes only once, and therefore failure to read the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 can be suppressed. As a result, the read followability of the wiring electrode Y1 to the scan can be improved.

[0079] Next, calibration of the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 in the touch panel 3 will be described.

[0080] In the comparative example (conventional) touch panel, when the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b of the input device 2 exceeds a first threshold value when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the front surface of the touch panel, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is determined to be in the H state (conductive state). The first threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b overlapping the wiring electrode Y1 are in a conductive state or a cut-off state. Furthermore, when the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 does not exceed the first threshold value, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b overlapping the wiring electrode Y1 is determined to be in the L state (cut-off state). In this way, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b of the input device 2 is determined, and a rotation operation (amount of rotation and direction of rotation) for the input device 2 is detected based on the determination result (such as a time series of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b).

[0081] In addition, in the comparative example (conventional) touch panel, in the calibration (i.e., normal calibration) of the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1, if a metal electrode is present on the wiring electrode Y1 when the touch panel is started up (i.e., when the power is turned on), the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 is corrected so as to cancel the influence of the capacitance value of the metal electrode. Specifically, in the input device 2 on the touch panel 3, the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b is calibrated in a state in which the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are conductive with the common electrode 29c. In this case, the correction value used in this calibration is the sum of the capacitance value of the fixed electrode 29a and the capacitance value of the common electrode 29c, and the correction is excessive by the capacitance value of the common electrode 29c. Therefore, in the wiring electrode Y1 that is overcorrected in this way, even if the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are in the H state, the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 (the corrected output voltage) does not exceed the above-mentioned predetermined threshold value. As a result, it becomes impossible to correctly detect that the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are in the H state. As a result, the rotation operation on the input device 2 cannot be detected correctly.

[0082] Generally (that is, in both the touch panel of the comparative example and the touch panel 3 of this embodiment), calibration is performed at the click point. Therefore, in order to avoid the above-mentioned overcorrection, it is desirable that the overall electrical state Q12 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is (L, L) at the click point. In this embodiment, when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click, the electrical state Q12 is set to change only once. Therefore, there are cases where the electrical state Q12 does not become (L, L) at each click point. Therefore, in this embodiment, even if the electrical state Q12 does not become (L, L) at each click point, calibration is performed as described below to avoid the above-mentioned overcorrection. The calibration in this embodiment will be described below.

[0083] In the touch panel 3 of this embodiment, the detection circuit 315 performs different calibrations for the wiring electrodes Y1 (predetermined wiring electrodes) that overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d of the input device 2 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3 and the wiring electrodes Y1 (wiring electrodes other than the predetermined wiring electrodes) that do not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d of the input device 2 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3.

[0084] More specifically, the detection circuit 315 performs the above-mentioned normal calibration on the wiring electrode Y1 that does not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. Moreover, the detection circuit 315 does not perform calibration (for example, the above-mentioned normal calibration) that changes the relative relationship (for example, the magnitude relationship) of the individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b on the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. In this case, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration with a correction value set to zero on the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. That is, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and maintains the relative relationship of the (individual) electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b before and after the calibration.

[0085] Note that the above calibration with the correction value set to zero is essentially the same as not performing calibration. For this reason, calibration may not be performed on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d. In this case, calibration (for example, normal calibration) is performed on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that does not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d. And calibration is not performed on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d.

[0086] Furthermore, the detection circuit 315 detects a rotation operation of the input device 2 based on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. At this time, the detection circuit 315 determines the individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the relative relationship between the individual electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. The detection circuit 315 determines the rotation position of the operation unit 20 of the input device 2 based on this determination result, and determines the rotation amount and rotation direction of the rotation operation from the time series of this rotation position.

[0087] Next, the above-mentioned calibration operation of the detection circuit 315 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 14. The detection circuit 315 performs the processes of steps S1 to S3 for the multiple wiring electrodes Y1 in order. In step S1, the detection circuit 315 determines whether the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2. More specifically, the detection circuit 315 determines whether the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined exceeds a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d are arranged on the wiring electrode Y1, and is a value lower than the above-mentioned first threshold value.

[0088] If the output voltage exceeds the second threshold, the detection circuit 315 determines that the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d. If the output voltage does not exceed the second threshold, the detection circuit 315 determines that the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined does not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d. This determination utilizes the phenomenon that when the wiring electrode Y1 overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a-29d, the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 becomes higher by the capacitance value of the fixed electrodes 29a-29d and exceeds the second threshold.

[0089] Then, when the detection circuit 315 determines that the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined does not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 (S1: NO), the detection circuit 315 performs the above-mentioned normal calibration on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined (step S2). Then, the process ends. When the detection circuit 315 determines that the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 (S1: YES), the detection circuit 315 performs a different calibration from the normal calibration on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 to be determined (step S3). For example, the detection circuit 315 performs the calibration with the correction value set to zero. Then, the process ends. Note that in step 3, the detection circuit 315 may not perform the calibration on the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2.

[0090] Next, referring to FIG. 15, the operation of the detection circuit 315 when detecting the rotational position of the operation unit 20 will be described. In this embodiment, the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 among the multiple wiring electrodes Y1 is calibrated with a correction value of zero (i.e., no calibration is actually performed). Therefore, the output voltages of the wiring electrodes Y1 that overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d may be shifted by a certain voltage. Therefore, the above-mentioned determination method using the first threshold value cannot correctly determine the electrical states (H state or L state) of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b. Therefore, only the relative relationship (for example, the magnitude relationship) of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b can be determined from the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b. In the following description, a method of detecting the rotational position of the operation unit 20 in such a case will be described.

[0091] The detection circuit 315 identifies the wiring electrodes Y1 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b (i.e., fixed electrodes related to detection of the rotational position of the operation unit 20) from among the multiple wiring electrodes Y1 (step S10). More specifically, during a rotational operation of the input device 2 (i.e., during rotation of the operation unit 20), among the wiring electrodes Y1 overlapping the four fixed electrodes 29a to 29d, the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b changes, for example, more significantly than the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the other fixed electrodes 29c and 29d. For this reason, the detection circuit 315 identifies the wiring electrode Y1 that changes in this way as the wiring electrode Y1 overlapping the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b. At this time, for example, a total of two wiring electrodes Y1 overlapping each of the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b are identified. Hereinafter, the two identified wiring electrodes Y1 will be described as predetermined wiring electrodes Y1.

[0092] Then, the detection circuit 315 starts a procedure for determining the initial electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the output voltage of the predetermined wiring electrode Y1 (step S11). More specifically, the detection circuit 315 first determines whether the relative relationship (i.e., magnitude relationship) of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is "same" or not based on the output voltage of the predetermined wiring electrode Y1 (step S12). Here, the relative relationship being "same" means that the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are the same. Note that the relative relationship being not "same" means that the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are not the same (i.e., different).

[0093] When the detection circuit 315 determines that the above-mentioned relative relationship is not "same" (S12: NO), it determines the above-mentioned initial state based on the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b (step S13). More specifically, the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b with the greater electrical state to be the H state (conducting state), and determines the initial state of the fixed electrodes with the smaller electrical state to be the L state (cut-off state).

[0094] On the other hand, when the detection circuit 315 judges that the above relative relationship is "same" (S12: YES), it determines the above initial state based on the change in output voltage of the predetermined wiring electrode Y1 when the operation unit 20 rotates by one click from the above relative state (i.e., the change in the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b) (step S14). More specifically, when the electrical state changes as described above, the detection circuit 315 determines that the relative relationship of the electrical states is no longer "same". As a result, the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b with the greater electrical state to be the H state (conducting state), and the initial state of the fixed electrodes with the smaller electrical state to be the L state (disconnecting state).

[0095] That is, when the above relative relationship is "same", both fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are in the same electrical state, but it is not clear whether they are both in the L state or both in the H state. When operation unit 20 moves from this relative state, the relative relationship changes and is no longer "same". At this time, if the electrical state of one of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b drops, the initial state of the one that has dropped is determined to be the L state (disconnected state), and the initial state of the other is determined to be the H state (conductive state).

[0096] Then, when the operating unit 20 rotates another one click, the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b during the rotation by the above-mentioned further click from the determined initial state and the output voltage of the specified wiring electrode Y1 detected during the above-mentioned further rotation by the above-mentioned further click (i.e., the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b) (step S15).

[0097] That is, in this embodiment, only the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b can be known from the output voltage of the predetermined wiring electrode Y1. Therefore, an initial state is determined (estimated) from the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and the electrical state at the time of the next one click of rotation is determined (specified) from the determined initial state and the relative relationship detected at the time of the next one click of rotation.

[0098] Then, every time the detection circuit 315 detects the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from the output voltage of a specific wiring electrode Y1, it determines the electrical state at the time of detection based on the detected relative relationship and the electrical state determined immediately prior to that detection (step S16).

[0099] Then, the detection circuit 315 detects the rotational position of the operation unit 20 of the input device 2 based on the processing results of steps S15 and S16 (i.e., the determined electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b) (step S17). Thus, in this embodiment, the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the relative relationship between the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and detects the rotational position (position) of the operation unit 20 based on the initial state.

[0100] Next, the material of the movable electrode 27b of the rotary contact plate 27 of the input device 2 will be described. The movable electrode 27b is made of a nonmetal having electrical conductivity. The nonmetal having electrical conductivity is, for example, a resin mixed with a conductive filler (e.g., carbon filler). By making the movable electrode 27b of a nonmetal having electrical conductivity, it is possible to suppress adhesion between the movable electrode 27b and the contacts 30a to 30b. This eliminates the need to apply a lubricant (e.g., grease) to the contact points between the movable electrode 27b and the contacts 30a to 30b to suppress adhesion between the movable electrode 27b and the contacts 30a to 30d. As a result, it is possible to prevent the above-mentioned lubricant from leaking to the front surface 3a of the touch panel 3. In this embodiment, the contacts 30a to 30d are made of a metal, and the movable electrode 27b is made of a nonmetal having electrical conductivity. However, it is sufficient that at least one of the movable electrode 27b and the contacts 30a to 30d is made of a nonmetal having electrical conductivity.

[0101] In this embodiment, as described above, the time interval between the changes in the electrical states Q1 and Q2 is longer than in the comparative example, and therefore the contact time between the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d is also longer than in the comparative example. Therefore, even if one of the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d is made of a nonmetal, the electrical continuity when the movable electrode 27b and the contactors 30a to 30d are in contact with each other can be sufficiently ensured.

[0102] (Major Effects) In this embodiment, when the operating unit 20 rotates by one click, the total number of changes in the electrical states Q1, Q2 of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is 1, but this may be any number other than a multiple of 4. In other words, the total number is an integer N, and the integer N may be any number that does not include 4 as a divisor. This means that the total number of changes in the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b between click points is not limited to a multiple of 4. As a result, the total number can be set to a more flexible number.

[0103] Preferably, the total number is less than 4, and more preferably, the total number is 1. As a result, as described above, the total number can be reduced compared to the comparative example. Therefore, failure in reading the output voltage of each wiring electrode Y1 can be suppressed, and the readability of the wiring electrode Y1 in response to scanning can be improved.

[0104] (Modification) Next, modifications of the above embodiment will be described. The following modifications may be implemented in combination.

[0105] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and detects the rotational position of the operation unit 20 based on the initial state and the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b detected thereafter. However, the detection circuit 315 may determine the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based only on the relative relationship each time the relative relationship of the electrical states of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b is detected, without determining the initial state. More specifically, when the detected relative relationship is not "same", the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based on the relative relationship. On the other hand, when the detected relative relationship is "same", the detection circuit 315 determines the electrical state of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b at the time of detection based on the change when the state of the previous relative relationship changes to the state of the current (detection) relative relationship. For example, when the current (at the time of detection) relative state is "same," if the previous relative state (a relative state that is not "same") has changed to the current relative state by increasing the electrical state of fixed electrode 29a, detection circuit 315 determines that the current relative state is a relative state in which the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b are both in the H state.

[0106] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, detection circuit 315 determines the initial state of the electrical state of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from the relative relationship of the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and detects the rotational position of operation unit 20 based on the initial state. However, detection circuit 315 may use a conversion table to determine the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b based on the relative relationship of the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. In this case, the conversion table indicates the correspondence between the relative relationship of the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b and the electrical states of fixed electrodes 29a, 29b.

[0107] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the detection circuit 315 performs calibration when the touch panel 3 is started up. However, the detection circuit 315 may perform calibration when the output voltage of the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value due to the influence of the ambient temperature of the touch panel 3. In this case, the detection circuit 315 performs different calibrations for the wiring electrodes Y1 that overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b of the input device 2 and the wiring electrodes Y1 that do not overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b of the input device 2, among the multiple wiring electrodes Y1.

[0108] More specifically, the detection circuit 315 performs the above-mentioned normal calibration for the wiring electrode Y1 that does not overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b, and performs a non-normal calibration for the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b. In this normal calibration, the correction value used is determined according to the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 to be corrected. In this non-normal calibration, the correction value used is the average value of the correction values ​​used in the normal calibration (i.e., the correction values ​​used for each wiring electrode Y1 that does not overlap the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b). This prevents the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps the fixed electrodes 29a, 29b from being over-corrected even when calibration is performed.

[0109] That is, when the output voltage of the wiring electrode Y1 changes due to a change in temperature, the output voltages change in the same manner for all of the wiring electrodes Y1. For this reason, the correction value used for the wiring electrode Y1 that overlaps with the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b is estimated as the average value of the correction values ​​used for the wiring electrodes Y that do not overlap with the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b.

[0110] (Variation 4) In the above embodiment, the case is illustrated where all of the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 of the touch panel 3 are wiring electrodes for a touch detection function. However, the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 may include wiring electrodes dedicated to detecting a voltage change of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2 in addition to the wiring electrodes for the touch position detection function. In addition, all of the multiple first wiring electrodes X1 may be wiring electrodes dedicated to detecting a voltage change of the fixed electrodes 29a to 29d of the input device 2.

[0111] (Other variations) In the above embodiment, the fixed electrodes related to detection of the rotational position of the operation unit 20 are two, the fixed electrodes 29a and 29b, but there may be three or more. In this case, the electrical state of the fixed electrodes related to detection of the rotational position of the operation unit 20 may change among four or more electrical states in response to the movement of the operation unit 20.

[0112] In the above embodiment, the operation unit 20 is a rotary operation unit, but it may be a slide operation unit.

[0113] (summary) The input device (2) of the first aspect includes at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) and an operation unit (20). The at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are arranged so as to overlap a predetermined wiring electrode (Y1) of the plurality of wiring electrodes (Y1). The operation unit (20) is movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The operation unit (20) is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points (e.g., C1 to C4). The electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) change between a plurality of states according to the movement of the operation unit (20). When the operation unit (20) moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points (e.g., C1 to C4), the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes an integer number N times. The integer N is a number that does not include the divisor 4.

[0114] According to this configuration, the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) between the click points is not limited to a number that is a multiple of 4. Therefore, the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation unit (20) moves between the click points can be set to a more flexible number.

[0115] In the input device (2) of the second aspect, in the first aspect, when the operating unit (20) moves between a pair of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) changes less than four times.

[0116] This configuration can reduce the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) between click points. This can reduce failures in reading the output signals (e.g., output voltages) of the wiring electrodes (Y1) even when the wiring electrodes (Y1) are scanned at a faster scan speed. In other words, it can improve the readability to the scan speed.

[0117] In the input device (2) of the third aspect, in the second aspect, when the operating portion (20) moves between a pair of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) is one.

[0118] This configuration can further reduce the total number of changes in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) between click points, which further improves the readability to the scan speed.

[0119] The input device (2) of the fourth aspect is any one of the first to third aspects, in which the operation section (20) is rotatable with respect to at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b).

[0120] This configuration is applicable to a rotary operating unit (20).

[0121] The input device (2) of the fifth aspect is any one of the first to fourth aspects and includes a plurality of contacts (30a to 30d) and a movable electrode (27b). The plurality of contacts (30a to 30d) are connected to at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b). The movable electrode (27b) moves together with the operation unit (20) to come into contact with and separate from the contacts (30a to 30d). One of the contacts (30a to 30d) and the movable electrode (27b) is made of a metal, and the other is made of a non-metallic material having electrical conductivity.

[0122] This configuration can prevent welding between the movable electrode (27b) and the contacts (30a-30d), thereby eliminating the need to apply grease to the contact points between the movable electrode (27b) and the contacts (30a-30d).

[0123] An input device (2) of a sixth aspect is any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the at least two fixed electrodes overlap different predetermined fixed electrodes.

[0124] This configuration can be applied to a case where at least two fixed electrodes overlap different predetermined fixed electrodes.

[0125] An input device (2) of a seventh aspect is any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch that switches on and off in response to movement of the operating portion.

[0126] This configuration can be applied to the case where the operation portion includes at least two fixed electrodes connected to a push switch that switches on and off in response to a movement.

[0127] An input system according to an eighth aspect includes the input device (2) according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a plurality of wiring electrodes (Y1), and a signal processing unit (315). The signal processing unit (315) performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes (Y1).

[0128] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide an input system including the above-mentioned input device (2).

[0129] In the input system of the 9th aspect, in the 8th aspect, the signal processing unit (315) performs correction (e.g., calibration) on output signals from wiring electrodes (Y1) other than a predetermined wiring electrode (Y1) among the multiple wiring electrodes (Y1), and does not perform correction (e.g., calibration) on the output signal from the predetermined wiring electrode (Y1).

[0130] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) from changing due to correction of the output signal of the wiring electrode (Y1).

[0131] In the input system of the tenth aspect, in the eighth aspect, the signal processing unit (315) performs different corrections on the output signal of the above-mentioned predetermined wiring electrode (Y1) among the multiple wiring electrodes (Y1) and the output signals of the wiring electrodes (Y1) other than the above-mentioned predetermined wiring electrode (Y1).

[0132] According to this configuration, it is possible to perform optimal correction for the output signal of the above-mentioned specified wiring electrode (Y1) among the multiple wiring electrodes (Y1) and the output signals of the wiring electrodes (Y1) other than the above-mentioned specified wiring electrode (Y1).

[0133] In the input system of the eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the signal processor (315) corrects the output signal of the predetermined wiring electrode (Y1). Before and after the correction, the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) is maintained.

[0134] According to this configuration, even if a correction is made to the output signal of a predetermined wiring electrode (Y1), the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) can be maintained.

[0135] In the input system of the twelfth aspect, in any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the signal processing unit (315) determines an initial state of the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) based on the relative relationship (e.g., magnitude relationship) between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b), and detects the position of the operation unit (20) based on the initial state.

[0136] According to this configuration, the position of the operation unit (20) can be detected from the output signal of a predetermined wiring electrode (Y1) even if only the relative relationship between the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) is known.

[0137] In the input system of the thirteenth aspect, in the twelfth aspect, when the relative relationship is such that the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are the same, the signal processing unit (315) determines the initial state based on a change in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation unit (20) moves from the above-mentioned relative relationship state.

[0138] According to this configuration, when the relative relationship is such that the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are the same, the position of the operation unit (20) can be detected based on the change in the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of the at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) when the operation unit (20) moves from that relative relationship state.

[0139] In the input system of the 14th aspect, in the 12th aspect, when the relative relationship is such that the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are different, the signal processing unit (315) determines the initial state based on the above relative relationship.

[0140] According to this configuration, when the relative relationship is such that the electrical states (Q1, Q2) of at least two fixed electrodes (29a, 29b) are different, the initial state can be determined based on that relative relationship. [Explanation of symbols]

[0141] 1 Input System 2 Input Devices 20 Control section 27b Movable electrode 29a,29b Fixed electrode 30a~30d contact 315 Detection circuit (signal processing section) C1~C4 Click points Y1 2nd wiring electrode (wiring electrode) Q1,Q2 Electrical state

Claims

1. At least two fixed electrodes arranged to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among a plurality of wiring electrodes; An operation unit movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; A plurality of contacts connected to the at least two fixed electrodes; a movable electrode that moves together with the operation unit to come into contact with and separate from the contact, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, one of the contact and the movable electrode is made of a metal, and the other is made of a non-metal having electrical conductivity; Input device.

2. At least two fixed electrodes arranged to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among a plurality of wiring electrodes; an operation unit movable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, the at least two fixed electrodes include a fixed electrode connected to a push switch that is switched on and off in response to a movement of the operation unit; Input device.

3. When the operating part moves between the pair of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes changes less than four times. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. When the operating unit moves between the pair of click points, the total number of changes in the electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes is one. The input device according to claim 3 .

5. The operating unit is rotatable relative to the at least two fixed electrodes. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The at least two fixed electrodes each overlap a different one of the predetermined wiring electrodes. The input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The plurality of wiring electrodes; a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes, Input system.

8. A plurality of wiring electrodes; at least two fixed electrodes arranged so as to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among the plurality of wiring electrodes; An operation unit movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, the signal processing unit performs correction on output signals from wiring electrodes other than the predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes, and does not perform correction on the output signals from the predetermined wiring electrode; Input system.

9. A plurality of wiring electrodes; at least two fixed electrodes arranged so as to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among the plurality of wiring electrodes; An operation unit movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, the signal processing unit performs different corrections on the output signal of the predetermined wiring electrode among the plurality of wiring electrodes and the output signal of the wiring electrodes other than the predetermined wiring electrode. Input system.

10. The signal processing unit performs a correction on the output signal of the predetermined wiring electrode, and a relative relationship of the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes is maintained before and after the correction.

10. The input system according to claim 9.

11. The signal processing unit determines an initial state of the electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a relative relationship between the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detects a position of the operation unit based on the initial state. An input system according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. A plurality of wiring electrodes; at least two fixed electrodes arranged so as to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among the plurality of wiring electrodes; An operation unit movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, the signal processing unit determines an initial state of an electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a relative relationship between the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detects a position of the operation unit based on the initial state; When the relative relationship is a relative relationship in which the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are the same, the signal processing unit determines the initial state based on a change in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes when the operation unit moves from the relative relationship state. Input system.

13. A plurality of wiring electrodes; at least two fixed electrodes arranged so as to overlap predetermined wiring electrodes among the plurality of wiring electrodes; An operation unit movable with respect to the at least two fixed electrodes; a signal processing unit that performs signal processing on output signals from the plurality of wiring electrodes, The operation unit is movable within a movable range including a plurality of click points, the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes change among a plurality of states in response to a movement of the operation unit; when the operation unit moves between a pair of adjacent click points among the plurality of click points, a total number of changes in the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes changes an integer N times; The integer N is a number that does not include 4 as a divisor, the signal processing unit determines an initial state of the electrical state of the at least two fixed electrodes based on a relative relationship between the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes, and detects a position of the operation unit based on the initial state. When the relative relationship is a relative relationship in which the electrical states of the at least two fixed electrodes are different, the signal processing unit determines the initial state based on the relative relationship. Input system.

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