Capacitive proximity detector and method for detecting the position of an object to be detected

Abstract

To provide a capacitance type proximity detection device and a method for detecting a position of an object of detection that can determine whether or not the object of detection is located in a predetermined specific region with high precision.SOLUTION: A capacitance type proximity detection device 3 comprises: an electrode unit 4 which has a plurality of electrodes arranged linearly in one direction; a capacitance detection part 10 which drives respective electrodes D on a time-division basis, and detects respective detected values corresponding to capacitance between the respective electrodes D and the object of detection; and a position detection part 11 which detects a position of the object of detection in the one direction based upon respective arrangement positions of the electrodes D in the one direction and deviations of the size of the detected values detected by the capacitance detection part 10 for the respective electrodes D, wherein the position of the object of detection in the one direction is detected by utilizing a feature that the detected value detected for each electrode D deviates in a manner corresponding to the position of the object of detection in the one direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capacitive proximity detection device and a method for detecting the position of a detectable object, and in particular to a capacitive proximity detection device that detects the position of a detectable object using the capacitance between an electrode and a detectable object, and a method for detecting the position of a detectable object using this capacitive proximity detection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a capacitive proximity detection device (sometimes called a capacitive (type) proximity sensor) that detects the proximity of a detectable object based on the electrostatic capacitance generated between an electrode and a detectable object spaced from the electrode. Regarding the capacitive proximity detection device, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a pair of electrodes facing each other in one direction (x-axis direction or y-axis direction) are made to function as detection electrodes, and the position of the detectable object in the one direction is detected based on the difference between the output values ​​(electrostatic capacitance) of the pair of detection electrodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-85549 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Since a capacitive proximity detector detects the proximity of a detectable object by utilizing an electric field (which is therefore difficult to make directional) that spreads spherically from an electrode, if no special measures are taken, even if the detectable object is located in a different location, the same magnitude of capacitance (change) will be detected if the distance from the electrode is the same, making it difficult to determine whether the detectable object is located within a predetermined specific area. For this reason, there is a need to be able to detect whether the detectable object is located within a predetermined specific area with as high accuracy as possible.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and has an object to make it possible to determine with high accuracy whether or not a detectable object is located within a predetermined specific area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes arranged linearly along a certain direction, each of the electrodes is driven in a time-division manner, and detection values ​​corresponding to the capacitance between each of the electrodes and the object to be detected are detected, and the position of the object to be detected in the certain direction is detected based on the arrangement positions of each of the electrodes in the certain direction and the bias in the magnitude of the detection values ​​for each of the electrodes. Effect of the Invention

[0007] When a plurality of electrodes are arranged in a straight line along one direction, the magnitude of the detection value (capacitance) detected for each electrode is biased according to the bias of the distance between each electrode and the object to be detected depending on the position of the object to be detected in the one direction. There is a correlation between the bias of the magnitude of the detection value detected for each electrode and the bias of the distance between each electrode and the object to be detected. In other words, the detection value detected for each electrode has a characteristic that the bias occurs in a manner according to the position of the object to be detected in the one direction, and this characteristic can be used to detect the position of the object to be detected in the one direction with high accuracy. According to the present invention configured as described above, the position of the object to be detected in the one direction is detected based on the respective arrangement positions of the plurality of electrodes arranged in the one direction and the bias of the magnitude of the detection value for each electrode, so that the position of the object to be detected in the one direction can be detected with high accuracy using the above-mentioned characteristic. Based on the position of the object to be detected with high accuracy in this way, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether the object to be detected is located within a predetermined specific area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an in-vehicle device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electrode unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] 4 is a timing chart showing timing at which the electrodes are driven. [Diagram 5] 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the detection object in the left-right direction and the detection values ​​of each electrode. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view of the electrode unit as seen from the right side. [Figure 7] 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the detection object in the left-right direction and the corresponding value. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display panel. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the capacitive proximity detection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are a front view and a right side view of an in-vehicle device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the detection object in the left-right direction and the detection values ​​of each electrode. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a front view of the in-vehicle device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a third embodiment. [Figure 15] 4 is a timing chart showing timing at which the electrodes are driven. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a front view of the in-vehicle device according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 4 is a view of the electrode unit as seen from the right side. [Figure 19] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating changes in a detected value, a corresponding value, and an adjusted corresponding value. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram used to explain corresponding values ​​detected on a virtual moving surface. [Figure 21] 11 is a diagram used to explain corresponding values ​​and adjusted corresponding values ​​detected on a virtual movement surface. FIG. [Figure 22] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the capacitive proximity detector according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a front view of the in-vehicle device according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a fifth embodiment. [Diagram 25] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the capacitive proximity detector according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a front view of the in-vehicle device according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 28] 13 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the capacitive proximity detector according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle device 1 according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. The in-vehicle device 1 is a device provided in a vehicle, and an example of this is a car navigation system provided in the center of the instrument panel of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the in-vehicle device 1 includes a display panel 2 and a capacitive proximity detector 3. The display panel 2 is a device that displays an image on a display screen 2a, and is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL panel. The display panel 2 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the capacitive proximity detector 3 includes an electrode unit 4. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "upward", "upper", or "upper" refers to the upward direction when the electrode unit 4 is viewed from the front. Similarly, "downward", "lower", or "lower" refers to the downward direction when the electrode unit 4 is viewed from the front, "rightward", "right side", or "right" refers to the right direction when the electrode unit 4 is viewed from the front, and "leftward", "left" or "left" refers to the left direction when the electrode unit 4 is viewed from the front. In addition, the direction toward the front when the electrode unit 4 is viewed from the front is referred to as "forward", "front", or "front", and the direction toward the back is referred to as "rearward", "rear", or "back" (see also Fig. 2 for forward and rearward directions).

[0011] The electrode unit 4 includes five electrodes D1 to D5 that are linearly arranged along the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the left-right direction corresponds to "one direction" in the claims. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the electrodes D1 to D5, they will be referred to as "electrode D."

[0012] Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram showing the electrode unit 4 as viewed from above in order to explain the configuration of the electrode unit 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the electrode unit 4 includes a substrate 5, and five electrodes D1 to D5 having the same surface area are mounted on the surface (front-facing surface) of this substrate 5 in a straight line at equal intervals in the left-right direction (see also Fig. 1). A shield electrode 6 is provided on the rear surface of the substrate 5, so that any object on the rear surface of the substrate 5 does not affect the capacitance of the electrodes D1 to D5.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the capacitive proximity detection device 3. The capacitive proximity detection device 3 is a capacitive proximity detection device that detects that a hand of a vehicle occupant or other object to be detected approaches the in-vehicle device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the capacitive proximity detection device 3 includes a capacitance detection unit 10 and a position detection unit 11 as functional blocks. The functional blocks 10 and 11 can be configured by any of hardware, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and software. For example, when configured by software, the functional blocks 10 and 11 are actually configured by including a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. of a computer, and are realized by the operation of a program stored in a storage medium such as a RAM, ROM, hard disk, or semiconductor memory. The same applies to the functional blocks of other embodiments.

[0014] The capacitance detection unit 10 drives each of the electrodes D1 to D5 in a time-division manner and detects the capacitance of each of the electrodes D1 to D5. Driving the electrode D means applying a drive voltage to the electrode D to form an electric field. In this embodiment, the capacitance detection unit 10 applies a drive voltage of the same magnitude to each of the electrodes D1 to D5. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the timing at which the electrodes D1 to D5 are driven. As shown in FIG. 4, the capacitance detection unit 10 drives each electrode D in one cycle in the order of electrodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5, with the timing shifted. The capacitance detection unit 10 repeatedly executes one cycle.

[0015] In response to driving of one electrode D, the capacitance detection unit 10 detects a detection value corresponding to the capacitance of the one electrode D, and outputs the detection value to the capacitance detection unit 10. As a result, in one cycle, the capacitance detection unit 10 outputs the detection values ​​for the electrodes D1 to D5 to the position detection unit 11.

[0016] The position detection unit 11 detects the position of the detection object in the left-right direction for each cycle based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5 detected by the capacitance detection unit 10, and determines whether the detection object is located within a predetermined left-right region. The process of the position detection unit 11 will be described in detail below.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the object to be detected and the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5 when the object to be detected moves in the left-right direction while maintaining a constant distance from the electrode unit 4. FIG. 6 is a view of the electrode unit 4 as seen from the right side. "The object to be detected moves in the left-right direction while maintaining a constant distance from the electrode unit 4" means that, as shown in FIG. 6, when a virtual axis J1 is set passing through the center of the surface of each of the electrodes D1 to D5 (see also FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for the axis J1), the object to be detected moves on an axis J2 that extends parallel to the axis J1 and is spaced a constant distance L1 from the axis J1. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the axis J2 is located at a position close to the electrode unit 4 to the extent that a corresponding value N (described later) derived for the object to be detected and the actual coordinate value of the object to be detected are similar to each other. The corresponding value N will be described later in this embodiment, and a case in which the corresponding value N and the actual coordinate value are not similar to each other will be described in detail in the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, an axis that extends parallel to the axis J1, such as the axis J2, will be referred to as a "virtual motion axis."

[0018] In this embodiment, coordinates are defined on the axis J1, and the coordinate value of electrode D1 (the coordinate value of the center of the surface of electrode D1; similarly for other electrodes D) is "1", the coordinate value of electrode D2 is "2", the coordinate value of electrode D3 is "3", the coordinate value of electrode D4 is "4", and the coordinate value of electrode D5 is "5". The coordinate value of each electrode D can be said to be a value that expresses the position of electrode D relative to a reference position by coordinates. Furthermore, coordinates are defined on virtual movement axes (naturally including virtual movement axis J2) parallel to axis J1 such that opposing points on each axis have the same value. In other words, the coordinate value of a certain point on axis J1 and the coordinate value of a point opposing that point on the virtual movement axis are the same value. The coordinate value is a value that indicates the position in the left-right direction.

[0019] The horizontal axis of the graph in Fig. 5 indicates coordinates on the virtual movement axis J2 (=coordinates on the axis J1), and the vertical axis indicates the magnitude of the detection value detected for each electrode D. In Fig. 5, graph GR1 indicates the graph of electrode D1, graph GR2 indicates the graph of electrode D2, graph GR3 indicates the graph of electrode D3, graph GR4 indicates the graph of electrode D4, and graph GR5 indicates the graph of electrode D5.

[0020] As is clear from FIG. 5, the graphs of each electrode D are symmetrical and mountain-shaped with the peak at the center of each electrode D. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the detection value at the peak is set to "100". This is because the capacitance of the electrode D is the largest when the distance between the electrode D and the object to be detected is the shortest, and the capacitance decreases according to the distance as the object to be detected moves away from the electrode D (as is well known, the magnitude of the capacitance is inversely proportional to the distance between the electrode D and the object to be detected). In addition, the shape of the graphs of each electrode D is the same. This is because, in this embodiment, the surface area and driving voltage of each electrode D are common, and the form of the electric field formed by each electrode D is the same.

[0021] Regarding the graph in FIG. 5, let us focus on the coordinate value "1". When the object to be detected is located at the coordinate value "1", the detection value for electrode D1 is "100", and the detection values ​​for electrodes D2 to D5 are minute values ​​close to "0" (expressed as "0" for convenience). This indicates that for each electrode D, the distance from the object to be detected is the smallest for electrode D1, and increases from electrode D2 to electrode D5. Due to this bias, the detection values ​​for each electrode D are biased such that D1:D2:D3:D4:D5 = "100":"0":"0":"0":"0".

[0022] Next, let us look at the coordinate value "1.2". When the object to be detected is located at the coordinate value "1.2", the detection value for electrode D1 is "92", the detection value for electrode D2 is "23", and the detection values ​​for electrodes D3 to D5 are minute values ​​close to "0" (expressed as "0" for convenience). This indicates that for each electrode D, a bias occurs in the distance from the object to be detected, with electrode D1 being the smallest and increasing from electrode D2 to electrode D5, and due to this bias, a bias occurs in the detection values ​​for each electrode D, such that D1:D2:D3:D4:D5 = "92":"23":"0":"0":"0".

[0023] Next, let us look at the coordinate value "1.5". When the object to be detected is located at the coordinate value "1.5", the detection value for electrode D1 is "72", the detection value for electrode D2 is "72", and the detection values ​​for electrodes D3 to D5 are minute values ​​close to "0" (expressed as "0" for convenience). This indicates that for each electrode D, the distance from the object to be detected is equal for electrode D1 and electrode D2, but there is a bias that increases from electrode D3 to electrode D5, and due to this bias, there is a bias in the detection values ​​for each electrode D, such that D1:D2:D3:D4:D5 = "72":"72":"0":"0":"0".

[0024] As described above, the electrode unit 4 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a plurality of (five) electrodes D are arranged linearly along the left-right direction. In this configuration, the magnitude of the detection value detected for each electrode D is biased according to the bias of the distance between each electrode D and the object to be detected depending on the position of the object to be detected in the left-right direction. There is a correlation between the bias of the magnitude of the detection value detected for each electrode D and the bias of the distance between each electrode and the object to be detected. In other words, the detection value detected for each electrode D has a characteristic that the bias occurs in a manner according to the position of the object to be detected in the left-right direction. This characteristic appears regardless of the distance of the object to be detected from the electrode unit 4 in the range where a significant detection value is detected. The position detection unit 11 according to the present embodiment performs the following process using this characteristic to detect the position of the object to be detected in the left-right direction with high accuracy.

[0025] Considering the above, the process executed by the position detection unit 11 in one cycle will be described in detail. The position detection unit 11 inputs the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5. Next, the position detection unit 11 derives a determination strength based on the electrodes D1 to D5, and determines whether the determination strength is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The determination strength is the overall strength of the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5. The determination strength is, for example, "the largest detection value among the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5", "the sum of the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5", "the average of the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5 (other statistical calculations may also be used)", etc. The closer the object to be detected is to the electrode unit 4, the greater the determination strength, and conversely, the farther the object to be detected is from the electrode unit 4, the smaller the determination strength. For this reason, the determination strength can be used as an index value indicating how far the object to be detected is from the electrode unit 4.

[0026] The determination of whether the determination intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value is performed to determine whether the detectable object is close enough to the electrode unit 4 that the position of the detectable object needs to be detected. In this embodiment, when the determination intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the position detection unit 11 detects the position of the detectable object (specifically, derives the corresponding value N, which will be described later), and when the determination intensity is below the threshold value, the position detection unit 11 does not detect the position of the detectable object. In the following description, a region (three-dimensional region) where the determination intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value is referred to as a "detection target region." This means that the position detection unit 11 detects the position of the detectable object only when the detectable object is located within the detection target region.

[0027] If the determination strength is below the threshold, the position detection unit 11 ends the process in one cycle. In this case, the corresponding value N, which will be described later, is not derived. On the other hand, if the determination strength is equal to or greater than the threshold, the position detection unit 11 derives the corresponding value N using the following formula S1. Calculation formula S1: N=(B1*E1+B2*E2+B3*E3+B4*E4+B5*E5) / (E1+E2+E3+E4+E5) Here, B1 is the coordinate value of electrode D1 ("1" in this embodiment), and similarly, B2, B3, B4, and B5 are the coordinate values ​​of electrodes D2, D3, D4, and D5. Also, E1 is the detection value for electrode D1, and similarly, E2, E3, E4, and E5 are the detection values ​​of electrodes D2, D3, D4, and D5.

[0028] The calculation formula S1 is a formula for deriving the corresponding value N by performing a weighted average with the detection value for each electrode D as a "weight" and the position of the electrode D in the left-right direction as a variable. The corresponding value N can be said to be a value indicating the position of the detection target in the left-right direction, derived by reflecting the bias of the detection value of each electrode D with respect to the position (coordinate value) of each electrode D in the left-right direction. As described above, the detection value detected for each electrode D has a characteristic that a bias occurs in a manner according to the position of the detection target in the left-right direction, so that the position of the detection target in the left-right direction can be detected with high accuracy by deriving the corresponding value (position of the detection target in the left-right direction) using the calculation formula S1. In other words, the position detection unit 11 detects the position of the detection target in the left-right direction with high accuracy by deriving the corresponding value N using the calculation formula S1.

[0029] Fig. 7(A) is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the detectable object and the corresponding value N when the detectable object moves left and right on the virtual movement axis J2. In the graph of Fig. 7(A), the horizontal axis indicates coordinates on the virtual movement axis J2 (=coordinates on the axis J1), and the vertical axis indicates the corresponding value N. In other words, the graph of Fig. 7(A) shows the transition of the corresponding value N derived by the position detection unit 11 when the position of the detectable object is moved. Fig. 7(B) is a front view of the in-vehicle device 1 drawn at a position corresponding to the horizontal axis of the graph of Fig. 7(A).

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, the correspondence value N is close to the coordinate value of the left-right position of the detectable object, and it can be seen that the position of the detectable object is detected with high accuracy (the position of the detectable object indicated by the correspondence value N corresponds to the actual position of the detectable object).

[0031] As described above, the correspondence value N is a value indicating the left-right position of the position detection unit 11, and in this embodiment, the position detection unit 11 detects the left-right position of the detectable object by deriving the correspondence value N. As described above, the position detection unit 11 according to this embodiment detects the left-right position of the detectable object with high accuracy. Using this, the position detection unit 11 determines with high accuracy whether the detectable object is located within a predetermined specific area. Below, an example of a process executed by the position detection unit 11 using the correspondence value N will be described.

[0032] <Example 1> First, Example 1 will be shown. Referring to FIG. 7(B), in this example, an area R in the left-right direction in front of the in-vehicle device 1 is set as the valid area, and an area outside the area R to the left and right is set as the non-valid area. The valid area is an area in which the position detection unit 11 performs a validity determination when a detectable object is located in this valid area. For example, when an inquiry is made from the in-vehicle device 1 and it is detected that a detectable object is located in the valid area within a predetermined time (assuming that a passenger holds out their hand), the position detection unit 11 performs a validity determination, and the in-vehicle device 1 performs a predetermined action in response. In this case, when a detectable object is not located in the valid area, a validity determination is not performed and a predetermined action is not performed.

[0033] Hereinafter, the term "non-contact input" refers to the passenger placing the detectable object in the valid area (for example, placing a hand over it) to make the position detection unit 11 perform a validity determination. In this embodiment, the passenger is notified in advance that the detectable object should be placed in a position close to the electrode unit 4 (for example, in a position in front of the electrode unit 4 and close to the electrode unit 4, such as the area RB surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 7(B)). The position close to the electrode unit 4 here means a position where there is almost no deviation between the derived corresponding value N and the coordinate value of the actual detectable object N. This is in consideration of the fact that, as will be made clear in the fourth embodiment, the accuracy of the corresponding value N becomes worse as the detectable object is farther from the electrode unit 4, and a deviation occurs between the corresponding value N and the actual coordinate value. The determination strength may be adjusted so that the position is detected only when the detectable object is sufficiently close to the electrode unit 4.

[0034] In this example, the value of the corresponding value N derived by the position detection unit 11 when the detectable object is located at the left end of the region R (hereinafter referred to as "threshold TH1", see FIG. 7(A)) and the value of the corresponding value N derived by the position detection unit 11 when the detectable object is located at the right end of the region R (hereinafter referred to as "threshold TH2", see FIG. 7(B)) are set in advance. The thresholds TH1 and TH2 are appropriately set by prior testing and simulation. Then, the position detection unit 11 executes the following process in each cycle.

[0035] That is, the position detection unit 11 derives the intensity for judgment, and if the intensity for judgment is equal to or greater than the threshold value, derives the corresponding value N by the above-mentioned method. Next, the position detection unit 11 determines whether the corresponding value N is within a range (a certain range) of equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and equal to or less than the threshold value TH2. If the corresponding value N is within a range of equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 and equal to or less than the threshold value TH2, the position detection unit 11 determines that the detectable object is located in the valid area (a certain area in the left-right direction) (performs a validity determination). On the other hand, if the detectable object is not present, the position detection unit 11 determines that the detectable object is not located in the valid area (a certain area in the left-right direction) (does not perform a validity determination).

[0036] In this example, the corresponding value N is a value that indicates the actual position of the detectable object with high accuracy. By using such a highly accurate corresponding value N, the position detection unit 11 can determine with high accuracy whether the detectable object is located within the effective area.

[0037] <Example 2> Next, Example 2 is shown. In this Example 2, as shown in Fig. 8, four rectangular icons I11 to I14 are drawn in the left-right direction on the display panel 2. When there is no need to distinguish between the icons I11 to I14, they will be referred to as "icon I1". Furthermore, the letter "A" is drawn on icon I11, the letter "B" on icon I12, the letter "C" on icon I13, and the letter "D" on icon I14. Furthermore, information encouraging the user to hold their hand under the icon I1 to be selected for one second or more is displayed in a position away from each icon I1 on the display panel 2.

[0038] In this example, the value of the corresponding value N derived by the position detection unit 11 when a detectable object is located at both ends in the left-right direction of the area corresponding to the icon I11 is set in advance. Similarly, the values ​​of the corresponding value N corresponding to both ends of each area are set in advance for the areas corresponding to the icons I12 to I14. Hereinafter, the corresponding value N corresponding to both ends of each icon I1 will be generalized and expressed as a "threshold value." Then, the position detection unit 11 executes the following process in each cycle.

[0039] That is, the position detection unit 11 derives the corresponding value N by the above-mentioned method. Next, when the corresponding value N exists within a range (a certain range) between the thresholds on both ends of the area corresponding to the icon I11, the position detection unit 11 determines that the detectable object is located within the area corresponding to the icon I11. Regarding the icons I12 to I14, when the derived corresponding value N exists within a range between the thresholds on both ends of each corresponding area, the position detection unit 11 determines that the detectable object is located within that area.

[0040] When the position detection unit 11 determines that the corresponding value N is located in the same area for a predetermined number of consecutive cycles (a number of cycles equivalent to one second) or more, the control unit of the in-vehicle device 1 (not shown) determines that the area has been selected by the occupant and executes the corresponding processing.

[0041] In this example, the correspondence value N is a value that indicates the actual position of the detectable object with high accuracy. By using such a highly accurate correspondence value N, the position detection unit 11 can determine with high accuracy whether the detectable object is located in any of the areas corresponding to the icons I12 to I14.

[0042] <Example 3> Next, Example 3 is shown. In this Example 3, the position detection unit 11 monitors whether or not the object to be detected has moved in the left-right direction by a certain amount or more within a certain time period using the corresponding value N, and when it detects that the object has moved, it performs a validity determination. In detail, it is assumed that the position detection unit 11 has not derived the corresponding value N in a certain cycle (a state in which the determination strength is not equal to or greater than the threshold value). Then, when the determination strength becomes equal to or greater than the threshold value in the next cycle and the corresponding value N is derived, the position detection unit 11 monitors whether or not the change amount of the corresponding value N has become equal to or greater than the reference amount within the certain time period. Then, when the position detection unit 11 detects that the change amount of the corresponding value N has become equal to or greater than the reference amount within the certain time period, it performs a validity determination. For example, it is assumed that the certain time period is set to "3 seconds" and the reference amount is set to "3". Then, it is assumed that the position detection unit 11 does not derive the corresponding value N in a certain cycle, and derives "1" as the corresponding value N in the next cycle. This means that the object to be detected has been placed at a left-right position corresponding to the coordinate value "1". This triggers the position detection unit 11 to monitor whether the corresponding value N becomes "4" or more within three seconds. The change of the corresponding value N from "1" to "4" means that the amount of change in the corresponding value N has reached "3", which corresponds to the reference amount. If it is detected that the corresponding value N has become "4" or more within three seconds (i.e., the amount of change in the corresponding value N is equal to or greater than the reference amount), the position detection unit 11 performs a validity determination at the point when the corresponding value N becomes "4".

[0043] Next, the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation executed by the capacitive proximity detector 3 in one cycle. In particular, Fig. 9 shows the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3 in the above-mentioned example 1. As shown in Fig. 9, the capacitance detection unit 10 drives each of the electrodes D1 to D5 in a time-division manner, detects each of the detection values ​​corresponding to the capacitance between each of the electrodes D1 to D5 and the object to be detected, and outputs the values ​​to the position detection unit 11 (step SA1).

[0044] The position detection unit 11 receives the detection values ​​of the electrodes D from the capacitance detection unit 10 (step SA2). Next, the position detection unit 11 derives a determination strength and determines whether the determination strength is equal to or greater than a threshold (step SA3). If the determination strength is not equal to or greater than the threshold (step SA3: NO), the position detection unit 11 ends the process. If the determination strength is equal to or greater than the threshold (step SA3: YES), the position detection unit 11 derives a corresponding value N using a calculation formula S1 (step SA4). Next, the position detection unit 11 determines whether the corresponding value N is within a predetermined range (step SA5). If the corresponding value N is within the range (step SA5: YES), the position detection unit 11 determines that the object to be detected is located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SA6). If the corresponding value N is not within the certain range (step SA5: NO), the position detection unit 11 determines that the object to be detected is not located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SA7).

[0045] <Second embodiment> Next, the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 10(A) is a simplified schematic diagram showing the state of the in-vehicle device 1A according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. In the description of the second embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 10(A), in this embodiment, the in-vehicle device 1A includes a display panel 2 on which a display screen 2a is formed, and a capacitive proximity detector 3A. The capacitive proximity detector 3A includes an electrode unit 4A. The electrode unit 4A includes four electrodes DD1 to DD4. Hereinafter, when the electrodes DD1 to DD4 are not distinguished from each other, they will be referred to as "electrodes DD". FIG. 10(B) is a simplified schematic diagram showing the state of the screen portion of the display panel 2 and the electrodes DD1 to DD4 as viewed from the side.

[0046] The electrodes DD1 to DD4 have the same surface area and are arranged in a straight line at equal intervals in the vertical direction. In Figures 10(A) and (B), axis J1B is a virtual axis that passes through the center point of the surface of each of the electrodes DD1 to DD4 and extends in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, coordinates are defined on axis J1B, and the positions of the electrodes DD1 to DD4 (the positions of the centers of the surfaces) are defined by coordinate values ​​on axis J1B.

[0047] Fig. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector 3A according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 11, the capacitive proximity detector 3A includes a capacitance detector 10A instead of the capacitance detector 10 according to the first embodiment, and a position detector 11A instead of the position detector 11 according to the first embodiment.

[0048] 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the position of the object to be detected and the detection values ​​of the electrodes DD1 to DD4 when the object to be detected moves vertically while maintaining a constant distance from the electrode unit 4A. Symbol GF1 indicates the graph corresponding to electrode DD1, symbol GF2 indicates the graph corresponding to electrode DD2, symbol GF3 indicates the graph corresponding to electrode DD3, and symbol GF4 indicates the graph corresponding to electrode DD4.

[0049] 12, in this embodiment, due to the physical shape and arrangement of the electrodes DD, the amount of overlap of the graphs of the electrodes DD is greater than in the first embodiment, but the features of the shape of the graphs for the electrodes DD and the features of the relationships between the graphs of the electrodes DD are similar to those in the first embodiment. Therefore, by using the calculation formula S1 (however, the number of variables is naturally adjusted), it is possible to detect the vertical position of the object to be detected with high accuracy (= derive the corresponding value N corresponding to the actual position of the object to be detected).

[0050] With the following configuration, the capacitive proximity detector 3A executes the following process: In each cycle, the capacitive detection unit 10A drives the electrodes DD1 to DD4 in a time-division manner, detects the detection values ​​of the electrodes DD1 to DD4, and outputs them to the position detection unit 11A.

[0051] The position detection unit 11A executes the following process for each cycle. That is, the position detection unit 11A inputs the detection values ​​for each of the electrodes DD1 to DD4. The position detection unit 11A derives the corresponding value N using a calculation formula S1 that uses the detection values ​​for each of the electrodes DD1 to DD4 as "weights" and the positions of the electrodes DD1 to DD4 in the vertical direction as variables to perform a weighted average to derive the corresponding value N. Next, the position detection unit 11A determines whether the corresponding value N is present within a predetermined range, and if it is present, it determines that the detectable object is located in a certain area in the vertical direction. On the other hand, if it is not present, the position detection unit 11A determines that the detectable object is not located in a certain area in the vertical direction.

[0052] According to this embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the vertical position of the detectable object can be detected with high accuracy, and further, it can be determined with high accuracy whether or not the detectable object is located within a predetermined specific area.

[0053] <Third embodiment> Next, a third embodiment will be described. Fig. 13(A) is a simplified schematic diagram showing the state of an in-vehicle device 1B according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. In the description of the third embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 13(A), in this embodiment, an in-car device 1B includes a display panel 2 on which a display screen 2a is formed, and a capacitive proximity detector 3B. The capacitive proximity detector 3B includes an electrode unit 4B. Fig. 13(B) is a diagram showing a schematic view of the surface of the power supply unit 4B in a manner suitable for explanation.

[0055] In the electrode unit 4B, 20 electrodes D11-D15, D21-D25, D31-D35, and D41-D45 are arranged in a matrix, 4 linearly along the vertical direction and 5 linearly along the horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. Hereinafter, when the electrodes D11-D15, D21-D25, D31-D35, and D41-D45 are not distinguished from each other, they are called "electrodes Dxy." Each electrode Dxy has the same surface area. As shown in FIG. 13B, in this embodiment, coordinates (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as "y-axis coordinates") are defined on a virtual axis Jy that passes through a center point QT of the area in which each electrode Dxy is arranged and extends in the vertical direction, and coordinates (hereinafter, for convenience, referred to as "x-axis coordinates") are defined on a virtual axis Jx that passes through the center point QT and extends in the horizontal direction.

[0056] Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector 3B according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the capacitive proximity detector 3B includes a capacitance detector 10B instead of the capacitance detector 10 according to the first embodiment, and a position detector 11B instead of the position detector 11 according to the first embodiment. With the following configuration, the capacitive proximity detector 3B executes the following processes.

[0057] 13B, the capacitance detection unit 10B defines the electrodes Dxy arranged linearly along the vertical direction of the electrode unit 4B as a first group that functions as one electrode. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, a first group Gx1 including four electrodes Dxy of electrodes D11, D21, D31, and D41, a first group Gx2 including four electrodes Dxy of electrodes D12, D22, D32, and D42, a first group Gx3 including four electrodes Dxy of electrodes D13, D23, D33, and D43, a first group Gx4 including four electrodes Dxy of electrodes D14, D24, D34, and D44, and a first group Gx5 including four electrodes Dxy of electrodes D15, D25, D35, and D45 are formed.

[0058] In addition, the capacitance detection unit 10B regards the electrodes Dxy arranged linearly along the left-right direction of the electrode unit 4B as a second group that functions as one electrode. As a result, as shown in Fig. 13, a second group Gy1 including five electrodes Dxy, D11, D12, D13, D14, and D15, a second group Gy2 including five electrodes Dxy, D21, D22, D23, D24, and D25, a second group Gy3 including five electrodes Dxy, D31, D32, D33, D34, and D35, and a second group Gy4 including five electrodes Dxy, D41, D42, D43, D44, and D45 are formed.

[0059] In one cycle, the capacitance detection unit 10B drives each group in a time-division manner and detects a detection value between each group and the object to be detected. FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing the timing at which the electrode Dxy is driven. As shown in FIG. 15, in one cycle, the capacitance detection unit 10B drives the electrodes D11, D21, D31, and D41 belonging to the first group Gx1 at timing T0, and drives the electrodes D12, D22, D32, and D42 belonging to the first group Gx2 at the following timing T1. In the same manner, the capacitance detection unit 10B drives each group in the order of the first group Gx3 → the first group Gx4 → the second group Gy1 → the second group Gy2 → the second group Gy3 → the second group Gy4 → the second group Gy5.

[0060] When multiple adjacent electrodes Dxy belonging to one group are driven simultaneously, the group functions as one electrode. Based on this, the position of each first group is defined as an x-coordinate value on the axis Jx. The x-coordinate value of a certain first group is the coordinate value of the center point of the area in which the multiple electrodes Dxy belonging to that one first group are arranged.

[0061] For example, referring to FIG. 13B, the x-coordinate value of the first group Gx1 is the x-coordinate value of the center point RT of the area where the electrodes D11, D21, D31, and D41 belonging to the first group Gx1 are arranged. Similarly, for each of the second groups, the position of the second group is defined as a y-coordinate value on the axis Jy. The y-coordinate value of a certain second group is the coordinate value of the center point of the area where the electrodes Dxy belonging to that one second group are arranged. For example, referring to FIG. 13B, the y-coordinate value of the second group Gy1 is the y-coordinate value of the center point ST of the area where the electrodes D11, D12, D13, D14, and D15 belonging to the second group Gy1 are arranged.

[0062] In one cycle, the capacitance detection unit 10B drives each group in a time-division manner, detects a detection value for the driven group, and outputs it to the position detection unit 11B. For example, the capacitance detection unit 10B detects a detection value for the first group Gx1 in response to driving of the first group Gx1, and outputs it to the position detection unit 11B. As a result of the above processing, in one cycle, the detection values ​​for all groups are output from the capacitance detection unit 10B to the position detection unit 11B.

[0063] In one cycle, the position detection unit 11B receives the detection values ​​for each group from the capacitance detection unit 10B. Next, the position detection unit 11B derives the corresponding value Nx by the following calculation formula Sx based on the detection values ​​for the first groups Gx1 to Gx5.

[0064] Calculation formula Sx: Nx=(Bx1*Ex1+Bx2*Ex2+Bx3*Ex3+Bx4*Ex4+Bx5*Ex5) / (Ex1+Ex2+Ex3+Ex4+Ex5) Here, Bx1 is the x-coordinate value of the first group Gx1, and similarly Bx2, Bx3, Bx4, and Bx5 are the x-coordinate values ​​of the first groups Gx2, Gx3, Gx4, and Gx5. Also, Ex1 is the detection value for the first group Gx1, and similarly Ex2, Ex3, Ex4, and Ex5 are the detection values ​​for the first groups Gx2, Gx3, Gx4, and Gx5.

[0065] The calculation formula Sx is a formula for deriving the corresponding value Nx by taking a weighted average of the detection values ​​for each of the first groups as a "weight" and the position of the first group in the left-right direction as a variable. As described in the first embodiment, the corresponding value Nx derived in this way has high accuracy.

[0066] Furthermore, the position detection unit 11B derives a corresponding value Ny using the following calculation formula Sy based on the detection values ​​for the second groups Gy1 to Gy4. Calculation formula Sy: Ny=(By1*Ey1+By2*Ey2+By3*Ey3+By4*Ey4) / (Ey1+Ey2+Ey3+Ey4) Here, By1 is the y-coordinate value of the second group Gy1, and similarly, By2, By3, and By4 are the y-coordinate values ​​of the second groups Gy2, Gy3, and Gy4. Also, Ey1 is the detection value for the second group Gy1, and similarly, Ey2, Ey3, and Ey4 are the detection values ​​for the second groups Gy2, Gy3, and Gy4.

[0067] The calculation formula Sy is a formula for deriving the corresponding value Ny by performing a weighted average using the detection value for each of the second groups Gy as a "weight" and the position of the second group Gy in the vertical direction as a variable. As described in the second embodiment, the correspondence value Ny derived in this way has high accuracy.

[0068] In this manner, the position detection section 11B derives the corresponding value Nx and the corresponding value Ny, thereby detecting with high accuracy both the left-right position of the detectable object and the up-down position of the detectable object.

[0069] In this embodiment, thresholds at both ends in the left-right direction and at both ends in the up-down direction are previously determined for a predetermined rectangular region. Then, the position detection unit 11B judges whether the corresponding value Nx derived in a certain cycle is within the range of the thresholds at both ends in the left-right direction and whether the corresponding value Ny is within the range of the thresholds at both ends in the up-down direction. If they are present, the position detection unit 11B judges that the object to be detected is located within the rectangular region.

[0070] In this embodiment, a plurality of electrodes Dxy arranged linearly along the left-right direction are grouped together to function as one electrode, and a plurality of electrodes Dxy arranged linearly along the up-down direction are grouped together to function as one electrode. This is for the following reason. That is, since increasing the surface area of ​​the electrode unit 4B leads to an increase in the size of the device, the surface area of ​​the electrode unit 4B is set to be the same as in the first and second embodiments. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the number of electrodes Dxy is greater than in the first and second embodiments, and therefore the surface area of ​​each electrode Dxy is smaller.

[0071] For this reason, if the electrodes Dxy are driven one by one to detect the detection value, the detection sensitivity for one electrode Dxy is small (as is well known, the capacitance is proportional to the area of ​​the electrode), which may lead to a decrease in the accuracy of the finally derived corresponding value. In light of this, in this embodiment, multiple electrodes Dxy are made to function as one electrode, suppressing the decrease in detection sensitivity that accompanies the small area of ​​the electrode Dxy, and thereby suppressing the decrease in the accuracy of the corresponding value.

[0072] In other words, this embodiment achieves both prevention of an increase in device size and prevention of a decrease in accuracy by utilizing the structural feature of arranging the electrodes Dxy in a matrix and the processing feature of grouping multiple electrodes Dxy arranged in a straight line in the vertical direction into one group, and further grouping multiple electrodes Dxy arranged in a straight line in the horizontal direction into one group, and driving the electrodes in groups.

[0073] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. Fig. 16 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle device 1C according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. In the description of the fourth embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In the following description, the vertical position may be referred to as the "vertical position", and the horizontal position may be referred to as the "horizontal position".

[0074] As shown in FIG. 16, an in-vehicle device 1C according to this embodiment includes a display panel 2 on which a display screen 2a is formed, and a capacitive proximity detector 3C. The capacitive detector 3C includes an electrode unit 4. The structure of the electrode unit 4 is as described in the first embodiment, and the electrode unit 4 includes five electrodes D1 to D5 that are linearly arranged along the left-right direction (one direction). Coordinate values ​​are defined for the axis J1 along the electrodes D1 to D5 and the virtual movement axis used in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment. That is, the coordinate value of the position of the electrode D1 is "1", the coordinate value of the position of the electrode D2 is "2", the coordinate value of the position of the electrode D3 is "3", the coordinate value of the position of the electrode D4 is "4", and the coordinate value of the position of the electrode D5 is "5".

[0075] Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector 3C according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, the capacitive proximity detector 3C includes a position detector 11C instead of the position detector 11 according to the first embodiment.

[0076] In Example 1 of the first embodiment described above, the passenger is notified in advance that the detectable object should be placed near the electrode unit 4 for non-contact input, and it is assumed that the detectable object will be located near the electrode unit 4 for non-contact input. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the passenger is not notified in advance that the detectable object should be placed near the electrode unit 4 for non-contact input, but is notified in advance that the detectable object should be placed in front of the electrode unit 4 and close to the electrode unit 4, or in front of the display screen 2a and close to the display screen 2a. Therefore, it is assumed that the detectable object will be located within the area RA1 surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 16 for non-contact input.

[0077] In this case, if the distance of the perpendicular line from the object to be detected to the front of the in-vehicle device 1C remains almost constant, the further the object to be detected moves upward from the position in front of the electrode unit 4 within the region RA1, the greater the distance between the object to be detected and the electrode unit 4. For example, referring to Fig. 16, for the position indicated by the symbol JG1, the position indicated by the symbol JG2, and the position indicated by the symbol J3, the position JG2 is higher than the position JG1, and the position JG3 is higher than the position JG2. In this case, "the distance between the position JG1 and the electrode unit 4 < the distance between the position JG2 and the electrode unit 4 < the distance between the position JG3 and the electrode unit 4".

[0078] In this manner, in this embodiment, a case is assumed in which the detectable object is located at a position above the electrode unit 4 during non-contact input. The higher the position of the detectable object, the greater the distance between the detectable object and the electrode unit 4. This has the characteristic that the following problem occurs. Note that not only in the case where the detectable object faces upward, but also when the detectable object faces forward from the electrode unit 4, the distance between the detectable object and the electrode unit 4 becomes greater the further forward the detectable object faces.

[0079] That is, the electric field formed by the electrode D spreads out spherically. Therefore, when the virtual moving axis is gradually moved away from the electrode D, the graphs of each electrode D measured at each position (graphs showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected on the virtual moving axis shown in FIG. 5 and the detection values ​​of each electrode D) are as follows. Hereinafter, the graphs showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected and the detection values ​​of the electrode D for each electrode D are referred to as "detection value transition graphs." That is, the greater the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the virtual moving axis (i.e., the position of the object to be detected), the smaller the peak value of each detection value transition graph and the larger the spread of the distribution of the detection values ​​(the spread of the distribution of the electric field formed by the electrode D, i.e., the bottom part of the mountain-shaped detection value transition graph).

[0080] FIG. 18 is a view of the electrode unit 4 as seen from the right side, similar to FIG. 6, and shows three imaginary movement axes JC1 to JC3 with different distances from the electrode D, together with the electrode D. As shown in FIG. 18, the imaginary movement axis JC2 is located above the imaginary movement axis JC1, and the imaginary movement axis JC3 is located above the imaginary movement axis JC2. Therefore, the distances from the electrode D for the three imaginary movement axes JC1 to JC3 are "amount of distance related to the imaginary movement axis JC1<amount of distance related to the imaginary movement axis JC2<amount of distance related to the imaginary movement axis JC3". Hereinafter, the distance between the imaginary movement axis and the axis J1 will be referred to as the "amount of distance from the object to be detected". The amount of distance from the object to be detected can be regarded as the amount of distance between the electrode unit and the object to be detected.

[0081] FIG. 19(A) is a diagram showing a transition graph of detection values ​​measured on each of the virtual moving axes JC1 to JC3. More specifically, it is a graph showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected and the detection value of each electrode D when the object to be detected moves left-right on each virtual moving axis. In each diagram of FIG. 19(A), the horizontal axis indicates the left-right position of the object to be detected, and the vertical axis indicates the detection value of each electrode D. FIG. 19(A1) shows a transition graph of detection values ​​based on the measurement results on the virtual moving axis JC1, FIG. 19(A2) shows a transition graph of detection values ​​based on the measurement results on the virtual moving axis JC2, and FIG. 19(A3) shows a transition graph of detection values ​​based on the measurement results on the virtual moving axis JC3. In FIG. 19(A), like FIG. 5, the transition graphs of detection values ​​for electrodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5 are denoted by symbols GR1, GR2, GR3, GR4, and GR5, respectively.

[0082] In Fig. 19(A), for ease of viewing, the scale of the vertical axis has been adjusted so that the peaks of the detection value transition graphs in each of Figs. 19(A1) to (A3) are roughly the same. However, as described above, the peaks of the detection value transition graphs become smaller as the distance between electrode D and the virtual moving axis (≈ the distance between electrode D and the object to be detected) increases, so if the scale of the vertical axis is the same for each of Figs. 19(A1) to (A3), the peaks of the detection value transition graph in Fig. 19(A2) will be smaller than the peaks of the detection value transition graph in Fig. 19(A1), and the peaks of the detection value transition graph in Fig. 19(A3) will be smaller than the peaks of the detection value transition graph in Fig. 19(A2).

[0083] As shown in Fig. 19(A), the distribution of detection values ​​in each detection value transition graph (the bottom part of each detection value transition graph) is wider for the virtual movement axis JC2 than for the virtual movement axis JC1, and the distribution of detection values ​​in each detection value transition graph (the bottom part of each detection value transition graph) is wider for the virtual movement axis JC3 than for the virtual movement axis JC2. As a result, when attention is paid to the coordinate value 1 where the detection value for the electrode D1 is at its peak, for example, the detection value of the peak is detected for the electrode D1 on the virtual movement axis JC1 (Fig. 19(A1)), while only a small detection value is detected for the electrodes D2 to D5 compared to the detection value of the electrode D1. On the other hand, for the virtual movement axis JC2 (Fig. 19(A2)), the detection value for the electrode D2 exceeds 1 / 2 of the detection value for the electrode D1, and the detection values ​​for the electrodes D3 to D5 are also detected to be larger than those for the virtual movement axis JC1 (relative detection values ​​when the electrode D1 is used as a reference). Furthermore, for the imaginary moving axis JC3 (FIG. 19(A3)), the detection values ​​of electrodes D2 to D5 (relative detection values ​​when electrode D1 is used as a reference) are greater than for the imaginary moving axis JC2.

[0084] FIG. 19(B) is a graph showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected and the corresponding value N when the object to be detected moves left-right along the virtual moving axis, as in FIG. 7(A), for each of the virtual moving axes JC1 to JC3. In each diagram of FIG. 19(B), the horizontal axis indicates the left-right position of the object to be detected, and the vertical axis indicates the corresponding value N. Hereinafter, a graph showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected and the corresponding value N will be referred to as a "corresponding value transition graph." FIG. 19(B1) corresponds to the virtual moving axis JC1, FIG. 19(B2) corresponds to the virtual moving axis JC2, and FIG. 19(B3) corresponds to the virtual moving axis JC3. In each diagram of FIG. 19(B), the horizontal axis indicates the coordinate value of each axis, and the vertical axis indicates the corresponding value N. Therefore, for each corresponding value trend graph, the closer the horizontal coordinate value of each point on the corresponding value trend graph is to the corresponding value N on the vertical axis (= the closer it is to a corresponding value trend graph plotting points where the horizontal axis value and the vertical axis value are equal), the higher the accuracy.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 19(B1), for the virtual movement axis JC1, the horizontal coordinate values ​​of each point on the corresponding value transition graph are close to the vertical corresponding value N, and the accuracy of the corresponding value transition graph can be said to be high. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 19(B2), for the virtual movement axis JC2, there is a partial deviation between the horizontal coordinate values ​​of each point on the corresponding value transition graph and the vertical corresponding value N, and the accuracy is reduced compared to the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC1.

[0086] More specifically, in a corresponding value transition graph showing the relationship between coordinate values ​​and corresponding value N, ideally, when the coordinate value is "1", the corresponding value N should be "1". However, in the corresponding value transition graph of the virtual movement axis JC2 shown in Fig. 19(B2), when the coordinate value is "1", the corresponding value N is about "1.5", and in this portion, there is a larger deviation between the coordinate value and the corresponding value N compared to the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC1. This deviation at the coordinate value "1" occurs for the following reasons.

[0087] That is, since the corresponding value N is derived by the calculation formula S1, in order for the corresponding value N at the coordinate value "1" to be "1", it is necessary that only the detection value of the electrode D1 is detected at the position of the coordinate value "1" on the virtual movement axis JC2, and the detection values ​​of the electrodes D2 to D5 are not detected. Conversely, the larger the magnitude of the detection values ​​of the electrodes D2 to D5 detected at the coordinate value "1" (the relative magnitude based on the detection value of the electrode D1) is, the more the corresponding value N deviates from "1" (the ideal value of the corresponding value N in this case). As described above, on the virtual movement axis JC2, the spread of the distribution of the detection values ​​(the tail of the detection value transition graph) in the detection value transition graph of each electrode D is larger than that of the virtual movement axis JC1. Due to this, the detection values ​​of the electrodes D2 to D5 detected at the position of the coordinate value "1" on the virtual movement axis JC2 become relatively large. As a result, a deviation occurs at the coordinate value "1" in the correspondence value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC2.

[0088] In the following description, regarding the correspondence value N, the deviation between the ideal correspondence value N (= the actual coordinate value of the object to be detected) and the actually derived correspondence value N is referred to as the "correspondence value deviation," and the magnitude (amount) of the deviation is referred to as the "correspondence value deviation amount." Referring to Fig. 19(B2), a correspondence value deviation also occurs at the position of coordinate value "5," but this is due to the same reason as the correspondence value deviation at the position of coordinate value "1."

[0089] Here, in the correspondence value transition graph (FIG. 19(B2)) related to the virtual movement axis JC2, the correspondence value deviation amount between the ideal correspondence value N and the actually derived correspondence value N becomes larger as the position of the object on the virtual movement axis JC2 moves away from the electrode group center position of the electrode unit 4 in the left-right direction. The electrode group center position of the electrode unit 4 is the center position (left-right position) in the left-right direction (one direction) of the area in which the multiple (all) electrodes D of the electrode unit 4 are arranged. Specifically, in this embodiment, the electrode group center position is the left-right position corresponding to the center of the electrode D3 in the left-right direction shown by the reference character LC1 in FIG. 16, and therefore the coordinate value of the electrode group center position is "3". In this embodiment, the electrode group center position of the coordinate value "3" can be defined for all virtual movement axes. For example, between the position of the coordinate value "1" and the position of the coordinate value "2", the position of the coordinate value "1" is farther away from the electrode group center position (= the position of the coordinate value "3") than the position of the coordinate value "2". The amount of deviation of corresponding values ​​at coordinate value "1" is larger than the amount of deviation of corresponding values ​​at coordinate value "2." This is because, while the electrodes D1 to D5 are arranged symmetrically when the center position of the electrode group is taken as the turning point, the arrangement of electrode D loses its symmetry as it moves away from the center position of the electrode group, resulting in a larger bias.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 19(B3), in the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC3, as in the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC2, the corresponding value deviation amount increases as the position of the detected object moves leftward and rightward from the center position of the electrode group. Also, as is clear from a comparison of the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC2 and the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC3, if the left and right positions of the detected object are the same, the corresponding value deviation amount in the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC3 is larger than the corresponding value deviation amount in the corresponding value transition graph related to the virtual movement axis JC2. This is because the virtual movement axis JC3 is located farther away from the electrode unit 4 than the virtual movement axis JC2, and the distribution of the detection values ​​in the detection value graph of each electrode D is wider. To generalize this point, it can be said that the corresponding values ​​have the following characteristics. <Feature F1> If the left-right position of the detection object is the same, the greater the distance between the detection object and the electrode unit 4, the greater the deviation of the corresponding values.

[0091] Regarding feature F1, there are further features as follows. <Feature F1-1> When the detection object is located to the left of the center position of the electrode group, the greater the distance between the detection object and the electrode unit 4, the larger the actually derived corresponding value N becomes.

[0092] To describe the feature F1-1 in detail, FIG. 20 shows a curve connecting points at which a common corresponding value N is derived on a virtual surface (hereinafter referred to as a "virtual moving surface") extending parallel to the surface of the display screen 2a at a position spaced a certain distance from the surface (front surface) of the display screen 2a in the depth direction. In FIG. 20, the symbol LC1 indicates the center position of the electrode group. In FIG. 20, the curve C1 is a curve connecting points at which the corresponding value N "1" is derived. Therefore, when the object to be detected (e.g., a hand) is located on the curve C1 on the virtual moving surface, "1" is detected as the corresponding value N. In FIG. 20, the curves C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9 are curves corresponding to the corresponding values ​​N of "1.5", "2", "2.5", "3", "3.5", "4", "4.5", and "5", respectively.

[0093] For example, in Fig. 20, the straight line PA1 indicates the left and right positions of the coordinate value "2" on the virtual moving plane. Ideally, the correspondence value N should be "2" no matter where the detectable object is located on this straight line PA1. However, due to the feature F1-1, the further up the detectable object is on the straight line PA1 (= the greater the distance between the detectable object and the electrode unit 4), the more the actually derived correspondence value N deviates from "2" and becomes larger and larger.

[0094] Furthermore, feature F1 has the following features. <Feature F1-2> When the detection object is located to the right of the center position of the electrode group, the greater the distance between the detection object and the electrode unit 4, the smaller the actually derived corresponding value N becomes. For example, in Fig. 20, the straight line PA2 indicates the left and right positions of the coordinate value "4" on the virtual moving plane. Ideally, the corresponding value N should be "4" no matter where the detectable object is located on this straight line PA2. However, due to the feature F1-2, the further up the detectable object is on the straight line PA2 (= the greater the distance between the detectable object and the electrode unit 4), the more the actually derived corresponding value N deviates from "4" and becomes smaller and smaller.

[0095] 20, when the detectable object is moved on a curve with the same correspondence value N, the more the detectable object moves upward from the position in front of the electrode unit 4 (=the more the detectable object moves away from the electrode unit 4), the larger the left-right distance between the left-right position of the detectable object and the center position of the electrode group. The left-right distance between the left-right position of the detectable object and the center position of the electrode group can be expressed as the absolute value of the difference between the coordinate value of the left-right position of the detectable object and the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group ("3" in this embodiment). For example, when focusing on the curve C1 with the correspondence value N of "1", it is clear from the relationship between the line LC1 and the curve C1 that the more the detectable object moves upward on the curve C1 (=the more the detectable object moves away from the electrode unit 4), the larger the left-right distance between the position of the detectable object and the line LC1.

[0096] Generalizing this point, it can be said that the corresponding values ​​have the following further characteristics: <Feature F2> When the corresponding value N derived for each of a plurality of different points is the same, the greater the distance between the point and the electrode unit 4, the greater the distance in the left-right direction between the point and the center position of the electrode group.

[0097] The above features F1 and F2 cause a decrease in the accuracy of detecting the position of the detectable object. For example, in Example 1 described using FIG. 7(B) of the first embodiment, the position detection unit 11 determines whether the detectable object is located in the effective area by determining whether the corresponding value N is present within a certain range defined by using two threshold values. However, due to feature F1, if the position of the detectable object in the left-right direction is the same, the corresponding value N deviates more from the actual coordinate value of the detectable object as the detectable object moves away from the electrode unit 4. Therefore, in a situation where the detectable object is sufficiently far from the electrode unit 4, it may be determined that the detectable object is located within the effective area even though it is actually located outside the effective area. This is also true for Example 2 described using FIG. 8.

[0098] In addition, in Example 3 of the first embodiment, the following problem occurs. FIG. 21(A) is a diagram showing curves C1 to C9 on a virtual movement plane, similar to FIG. 20. Assuming a vertical position P1 and a vertical position P2 above the vertical position P1 on the virtual movement plane as shown in FIG. 21(A). Here, consider a configuration in which the reference amount is "2" and the position detection unit 11C performs a validity determination when the change amount of the corresponding value N becomes "2" or more. In this configuration, when the corresponding value changes from "2" to "4" as shown by the arrow YA1 at the vertical position P1 shown in FIG. 21(A), the change amount of the corresponding value N becomes the reference amount of "2" or more, so the position detection unit 11C performs a validity determination. Similarly, when the corresponding value changes from "2" to "4" as shown by the arrow YA2 at the vertical position P2, the change amount of the corresponding value N becomes the reference amount of "3" or more, so the position detection unit 11C performs a validity determination.

[0099] As is clear from a comparison between the arrows YA1 and YA2, the amount of physical movement that the detectable body must make in order to be determined as valid differs greatly between the vertical positions P1 and P2. To express this more generally, on the virtual moving surface, the higher the detectable body is located from the front position of the electrode unit 4, the greater the "amount of physical movement that the detectable body must make in order to be determined as valid," or the greater the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the detectable body, the greater the amount of movement that the detectable body must make in order to be determined as valid. This means that the amount of movement that the occupant must make of the detectable body (for example, their own hand) in order to be determined as valid differs depending on the location of the detectable body, which may cause the occupant to feel uncomfortable when making a non-contact input.

[0100] In consideration of the above, the position detection unit 11C according to this embodiment executes the following process in each cycle. That is, after inputting the detection values ​​of each electrode D, the position detection unit 11C derives the corresponding value N in the same procedure as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the position detection unit 11C derives the total intensity EL separately from the corresponding value N. The position detection unit 11C derives the total intensity EL using the following calculation formula S2. Calculation formula S2: EL=E1+E2+E3+E4+E5 Here, EL indicates the overall intensity, and E1, E2, E3, E4, and E5 indicate the detection values ​​for electrodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5, respectively.

[0101] As is clear from the formula S2, the total intensity EL is the sum of the detection values ​​of each electrode D, and means the overall intensity of the detection values ​​of each electrode D. Basically, the value tends to become smaller (larger) as the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected (the virtual movement axis to which the object belongs) becomes larger (smaller). Therefore, the total intensity EL can be used as an index value indicating how far the electrode unit 4 is away from the object to be detected. In light of the above, the position detection unit 11C recognizes the degree of the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected by deriving the total intensity EL.

[0102] Next, the position detection unit 11C derives a correspondence coefficient K based on the total intensity EL. The significance of the correspondence coefficient K and a method for deriving the correspondence coefficient K will be described later. Next, the position detection unit 11C derives an adjusted correspondence value N', which is a value obtained by adjusting the correspondence value N, using the following calculation formula S3. Calculation formula S3: N' = N + K (N where N' indicates the adjusted correspondence value and N indicates the correspondence value. Also, C indicates the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group ("3" in this embodiment). Also, K (where K>0) indicates the correspondence coefficient. As will be described in detail later, the position detection unit 11C adjusts the value of the correspondence coefficient K in the calculation formula S3 so that the larger the total strength EL, the larger the value becomes.

[0103] The meaning of the calculation formula S3 will be explained below. The "NC" part of the calculation formula S3 is a value obtained by subtracting the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group from the corresponding value N derived by the calculation formula S1. In other words, "NC" is a value indicating the degree of deviation between the center position of the electrode group and the position indicated by the corresponding value N. The value of "NC" is (ideally) "0" when the object to be detected is located at the center position of the electrode group. Furthermore, when the object to be detected is located on the left side of the center position of the electrode group, the value of "NC" is a "negative" value because the corresponding value N is smaller than the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group. On the other hand, when the object to be detected is located on the right side of the center position of the electrode group, the value of "NC" is a "positive" value because the corresponding value N is larger than the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group.

[0104] As shown in formula S3, the adjusted corresponding value N' is derived by adding "K(NC)" (i.e., the value obtained by multiplying "NC" by the correspondence coefficient K) to the corresponding value N. In formula S3, the "K(NC)" portion functions as an adjustment value for adjusting the corresponding value N so that the adjusted adjusted corresponding value N' becomes as close as possible to the actual coordinate value.

[0105] In detail, there are features F1 (including features F1-1 and F1-2) and F2 for the correspondence value N. In view of these features, the "difference between the correspondence value N and the center position of the electrode group" is adjusted according to the amount of separation between the object to be detected and the electrode unit 4, and added to the correspondence value N, so that the adjusted adjusted correspondence value N' can be made closer to the actual coordinate value. In view of the above, the correspondence coefficient K functions as a coefficient for adjusting "NC" (the difference between the correspondence value N and the center position of the electrode group) according to the amount of separation between the object to be detected and the electrode unit 4. In order to give this function to the correspondence coefficient K, it is necessary to appropriately determine the magnitude of the correspondence coefficient K according to the degree of the amount of separation between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected. In view of this, in this embodiment, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the total strength EL is defined based on a prior test or simulation. The total strength EL can be used as an index value indicating how far the object to be detected is separated from the electrode unit 4, so by changing the correspondence coefficient K according to the total strength EL, the value of the correspondence coefficient K can be changed according to the degree of the amount of separation between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected.

[0106] In this embodiment, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the total intensity EL is defined as follows. That is, the object to be detected is placed at various locations, and the total intensity EL and the correspondence value N at each location are derived, and an appropriate value of the correspondence coefficient K (a value such that the adjusted correspondence value N' derived by the calculation formula S3 is close to the coordinate value) is calculated. In this way, combinations of the total intensity EL at various locations and the appropriate correspondence coefficient K are accumulated, and a regression analysis is performed on the accumulated combinations to obtain a trend curve between the total intensity and the correspondence value N. The trend curve obtained in this way is defined as the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the total intensity. Note that the method for obtaining the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the total intensity is not limited to the above example, and the relationship may be defined by a method other than the trend curve.

[0107] Basically, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the comprehensive strength is such that the smaller the comprehensive strength EL is (= the larger the separation amount between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected), the larger the correspondence coefficient K becomes. Also, for "N - C", the farther the corresponding value N is from the coordinate value of the center position of the electrode group, the larger its absolute value becomes, and moreover, when the object to be detected is on the left side of the center position of the electrode group (in this case, the corresponding value N < C), it takes a negative value, and when the object to be detected is on the right side of the center position of the electrode group (in this case, the corresponding value N > C), it becomes positive. From the above, when the object to be detected is on the left side of the center position of the electrode group, the larger the separation amount between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected, and the larger the absolute value of the difference between the corresponding value N and the center position of the electrode group, the larger value will be subtracted from the corresponding value N in the calculation formula S3. Also, when the object to be detected is on the right side of the center position of the electrode group, the larger the separation amount between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected, and the larger the difference (absolute value) between the corresponding value N and the center position of the electrode group, the larger value will be added to the corresponding value N in the calculation formula S3.

[0108] As described above, before adjusting the corresponding value N using the calculation formula S3, the position detection unit 11C derives the correspondence coefficient K based on the comprehensive strength EL. Regarding the processing of the position detection unit 11C when deriving the correspondence coefficient K in detail, the position detection unit 11C specifies the correspondence coefficient K corresponding to the previously derived comprehensive strength EL on the tendency curve based on the tendency curve defining the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the comprehensive strength EL. The position detection unit 11C derives the correspondence coefficient K by the above method.

[0109] As described above, in this embodiment, the position detection unit 11C recognizes the degree of the separation between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected, and adjusts the correspondence value N to reflect the degree of the deviation between the center position of the electrode group and the position indicated by the correspondence value N, while the greater the amount of deviation, the stronger the degree of deviation is reflected when adjusting the correspondence value. In specific processing, the position detection unit 11C adjusts the correspondence value N by adding a value derived by subtracting a value indicating the center position of the electrode group from the correspondence value N and multiplying the result by the correspondence coefficient K (coefficient) to the correspondence value N, while the greater the amount of deviation, the larger the correspondence coefficient K is when adjusting the correspondence value N. The position detection unit 11C also derives a total intensity EL, which is the overall intensity of the detection values ​​of the multiple electrodes D based on the detection results of the capacitance detection unit 10, and recognizes the degree of the separation based on the derived total intensity EL.

[0110] FIG. 19(C) is a diagram showing the relationship between the left-right position of the object to be detected with respect to the virtual moving axes JC1 to JC3 and the adjustment corresponding value N'. In each diagram of FIG. 19(C), the horizontal axis indicates the left-right position of the object to be detected, and the vertical axis indicates the adjustment corresponding value N'. FIG. 19(C1) shows the adjustment corresponding value N' derived by adjusting the corresponding value N of FIG. 19(B1). That is, FIG. 19(C1) shows the adjustment corresponding value N' derived when the object to be detected is moved on the virtual moving axis JC1. Also, FIG. 19(C2) shows the adjustment corresponding value N' derived by adjusting the corresponding value N of FIG. 19(B2). That is, FIG. 19(C2) shows the adjustment corresponding value N' derived when the object to be detected is moved on the virtual moving axis JC2. Also, FIG. 19(C3) shows the adjustment corresponding value N' derived by correcting the corresponding value N of FIG. 19(B3). That is, FIG. 19(C3) shows the adjusted corresponding value N' derived when the detection object is moved on the virtual moving axis JC3.

[0111] In this example, when the object to be detected is located on the virtual movement axis JC1, the value of the correspondence coefficient K derived by the position detection unit 11C is close to "0", when the object to be detected is located on the virtual movement axis JC2, the value of the correspondence coefficient K derived by the position detection unit 11C is close to "0.3", and when the object to be detected is located on the virtual movement axis JC3, the value of the correspondence coefficient K derived by the position detection unit 11C is close to "0.7".

[0112] As is clear from a comparison between FIG. 19(B1) and FIG. 19(C1), there is almost no change between the corresponding value N and the adjusted corresponding value N' for the virtual moving axis JC1. This is because the correspondence coefficient K is "0" (or a value close to "0"). For the virtual moving axis JC1, the corresponding value N has a high accuracy to begin with, and the high accuracy of the adjusted corresponding value N is also maintained. Also, as is clear from a comparison between FIG. 19(B2) and FIG. 19(C2), for the virtual moving axis JC2, the adjusted corresponding value N' has been adjusted to a value that reduces the corresponding value deviation that occurred for the corresponding value N, and the accuracy of the adjusted corresponding value N' is high. Note that, with respect to the graph in FIG. 19(C2), the position detection unit 11C performs clipping processing to correct the adjusted corresponding value N' derived by the calculation formula S3 to "adjusted corresponding value N'=0" when "adjusted corresponding value N'<0" and to "adjusted corresponding value N'=5" when "adjusted corresponding value N'>5". 19(B3) and 19(C3), the adjusted corresponding value N' for the virtual moving axis JC3 is adjusted to a value that reduces the deviation that occurred in the corresponding value N, and the accuracy of the adjusted corresponding value N' is high. Note that the position detection unit 11C also applies clipping processing to the graph in FIG. 19(C3).

[0113] Fig. 21(B) is a curve connecting points on the virtual movement surface from which a common adjustment corresponding value N' is derived. In Fig. 21, curves C1', C2', C3', C4', C5', C6', C7', C8', and C9' are curves corresponding to adjustment corresponding values ​​N' of "1", "1.5", "2", "2.5", "3", "3.5", "4", "4.5", and "5", respectively. As is clear from a comparison between Fig. 20 (or Fig. 21(A)) and Fig. 21(B), it can be seen that the adjustment corresponding value N' has a smaller deviation from the actual coordinate value compared to the corresponding value N.

[0114] In this embodiment, the position detection unit 11C uses an adjusted corresponding value N' instead of the corresponding value N to indicate the left-right position of the object to be detected. The adjusted corresponding value N' is a value in which the deviation from the actual coordinate value is suppressed according to the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected. In other words, no matter where the object to be detected is located, the derived adjusted corresponding value N' is close to the actual coordinate value. Therefore, in Example 1 described using FIG. 7(B) or Example 2 described using FIG. 8, it is suppressed that the object to be detected is determined to be located within the effective range even though it is actually located outside the effective range.

[0115] Furthermore, problems that may occur in Example 3 are also improved. More specifically, in Fig. 21(B), in the same manner as in Fig. 21(A), if the position detection unit 11C is configured to make a validity determination when the amount of change in the detectable object becomes "2" or more, the position detection unit 11C makes a validity determination when the detectable object moves the amount of movement indicated by arrow YB1 at vertical position P1 as shown in Fig. 21(B), and the position detection unit 11C makes a validity determination when the detectable object moves the amount of movement indicated by arrow YB2 at vertical position P2. As is clear from a comparison between arrows YB1 and YB2, the amount of movement required for a validity determination is approximate between vertical positions P1 and P2.

[0116] Next, the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3C will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing the operation executed by the capacitive proximity detector 3C in one cycle. In particular, Fig. 22 shows the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3C in the above-mentioned example 1. As shown in Fig. 22, the capacitance detection unit 10 drives each of the electrodes D1 to D5 in a time-division manner, detects each of the detection values ​​corresponding to the capacitance between each of the electrodes D1 to D5 and the object to be detected, and outputs them to the position detection unit 11C (step SB1).

[0117] The position detection unit 11C receives the detection value of each electrode D from the capacitance detection unit 10 (step SB2). Next, the position detection unit 11C derives a judgment strength and determines whether the judgment strength is equal to or greater than a threshold (step SB3). If the judgment strength is not equal to or greater than the threshold (step SB3: NO), the position detection unit 11C ends the process. If the judgment strength is equal to or greater than the threshold (step SB3: YES), the position detection unit 11C derives a correspondence value N using a calculation formula S1 (step SB4). Next, the position detection unit 11C derives a total strength EL using a calculation formula S2 (step SB5). Next, the position detection unit 11C derives a correspondence coefficient K based on the total strength EL (step SB6). Next, the position detection unit 11C derives an adjusted correspondence value N' using a calculation formula S3 to which the correspondence coefficient K derived in step SB6 is applied (step SB7).

[0118] Next, the position detector 11C determines whether the adjusted corresponding value N' derived in step SB7 is within a predetermined range (step SB8). If the corresponding value N is within the range (step SB8: YES), the position detector 11C determines that the object to be detected is located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SB9). If the corresponding value N is not within the range (step SB8: NO), the position detector 11C determines that the object to be detected is not located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SB10).

[0119] <Modification of the Fourth Embodiment> Next, a modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. In the fourth embodiment, the total intensity EL is a value derived by adding up the detection values ​​of the electrodes D. In this regard, the position detection unit 11C may be configured to derive the total intensity EL by another method. As an example, the position detection unit 11C may be configured to determine the total intensity EL as the largest value among the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. In other words, the total intensity EL is the overall intensity of the detection values ​​of the multiple electrodes D, and may be a value that can be an index value indicating the degree of the separation between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected. The above also applies to other embodiments in which the total intensity EL and the corresponding index value are derived.

[0120] In the fourth embodiment, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the total strength EL is defined by a trend curve. In this regard, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the integrated strength EL may be defined by a method other than a trend curve, and the position detection unit 11C may derive the value of the correspondence coefficient K by a method other than deriving the value of the correspondence coefficient K using a trend curve. For example, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the integrated strength EL may be defined by using a table, and the position detection unit 11C may derive the value of the correspondence coefficient K based on the total strength EL using the table. Also, for example, a model may be prepared in advance that uses the integrated strength EL as an input and outputs an appropriate value of the correspondence coefficient K, and the position detection unit 11C may define the value of the correspondence coefficient K using this model.

[0121] Furthermore, in the fourth embodiment, the position detection unit 11C derives the adjustment corresponding value N' using the calculation formula S3. In this regard, the position detection unit 11C may be configured to use the adjustment corresponding value N' using a method other than the method using the calculation formula S3. That is, it is sufficient that the position detection unit 11C adjusts the correspondence value by reflecting the degree of deviation between the electrode group center position and the position indicated by the correspondence value, while reflecting the degree of deviation more strongly as the amount of separation increases.

[0122] It is also possible to combine the technology of the fourth embodiment with the technology of the second embodiment. Specifically, it is also possible to derive the adjustment corresponding value N' by the method described in the fourth embodiment for the corresponding value N derived for each electrode DD in the second embodiment. It is also possible to combine the technology of the fourth embodiment with the technology of the third embodiment. Specifically, it is also possible to derive the adjustment corresponding value N' by the method described in the fourth embodiment for the corresponding value Nx derived using the calculation formula Sx in the third embodiment, and further derive the adjustment corresponding value N' by the method described in the fourth embodiment for the corresponding value Ny derived using the calculation formula Sy.

[0123] <Fifth embodiment> Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. Fig. 23 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an in-car device 1D according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. In the description of the fifth embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0124] As shown in Fig. 23, an in-vehicle device 1D according to this embodiment includes a display panel 2 and a capacitive proximity detector 3D. The capacitive proximity detector 3D includes an electrode unit 4 and an auxiliary electrode DH. A display screen 2a on which images are displayed is formed on the display panel 2, and a plurality of electrodes D of the electrode unit 4 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (one direction) outside the display screen 2a. The auxiliary electrode DH is provided at a position facing the electrode unit 4 with the display screen 2a in between.

[0125] Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector 3D. As shown in Fig. 24, the capacitive proximity detector 3D includes a capacitance detector 10D instead of the capacitance detector 10 according to the first embodiment, and a position detector 11D instead of the position detector 11 according to the first embodiment. The capacitance detector 10D drives each of the electrodes D1 to D5 and the auxiliary electrode DH in a time-division manner in each cycle to detect detection values, and outputs the detection values ​​to the position detector 11D.

[0126] Here, in this embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the passenger is not notified that the detectable object should be placed near the electrode unit 4 when performing non-contact input, but is notified in advance that the detectable object should be placed in a position in front of the electrode unit 4 and close to the electrode unit 4, or in front of the display screen 2a and close to the display screen 2a. Therefore, it is assumed that the detectable object will be placed in a position in front of the electrode unit 4 and close to the electrode unit 4, or in front of the display screen 2a and close to the display screen 2a when performing non-contact input. In this case, the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the detectable object increases as the detectable object moves upward from the position in front of the electrode unit 4, and further, it is possible to grasp the degree of the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the detectable object depending on how far above the detectable object is from the position in front of the electrode unit 4 (i.e., the vertical position of the detectable object).

[0127] The position detection unit 11D executes the following process in each cycle. That is, the position detection unit 11D inputs the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5 and the auxiliary electrode DH. Next, the position detection unit 11D derives a corresponding value N using a calculation formula S1 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5. Furthermore, the position detection unit 11D derives a total intensity EL based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5. As in the fourth embodiment, the position detection unit 11D derives the total intensity EL by adding up the detection values ​​of the electrodes D1 to D5.

[0128] Next, the position detection unit 11D derives an estimated vertical position value based on the detection value of the auxiliary electrode DH and the total intensity EL. In this embodiment, the vertical position value is defined as a value indicating the vertical position. As shown in FIG. 23, the vertical position value is defined such that the value indicating the vertical position of the axis J1 is "0" and the value increases as the position increases. The estimated vertical position value is a vertical position value indicating a position estimated as the vertical position of the object to be detected. As described above, in this embodiment, the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected increases as the object to be detected moves upward from the position in front of the electrode unit 4, and further, the degree of the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected can be grasped by the vertical position of the electrode unit 4. Therefore, the vertical position value can be used as an index value indicating the degree of the distance between the electrode unit 4 and the object to be detected.

[0129] The position detection unit 11D derives an estimated vertical position value using a calculation formula including at least the detection value of the auxiliary electrode DH and the total intensity EL as parameters. The calculation formula for deriving the estimated vertical position value is derived based on a prior test or simulation. For example, a considerable amount of data is accumulated in a prior test showing that when the detection value of the auxiliary electrode DH is ○ and the value of the total intensity EL is ○, the vertical position value indicating the vertical position of the detected object is ○, and the accumulated data is subjected to regression analysis to derive the calculation formula.

[0130] Alternatively, the position detection unit 11D may be configured to derive the vertical position value by the following method. That is, it is assumed that the object to be detected is present at a position according to the ratio of the detection value of the electrode DH to the value of the total intensity EL in the vertical range between the electrode unit 4 and the electrode DH, and the position detection unit 11D derives the vertical position value of the object to be detected using the ratio of the detection value of the electrode DH to the value of the total intensity EL. In this case, the position detection unit 11D adjusts the ratio of the detection value of the electrode DH to the value of the total intensity EL depending on the strength of the electrode DH and the electrode unit 4. Note that since the frame of the upper part of the display panel 2 is usually narrower than that of the lower part, the electrode DH may be smaller than the electrode D, and if the electrode DH is small, the strength of the electric field formed by the electrode DH will be weak.

[0131] After deriving the estimated vertical position value, the position detection unit 11D derives a correspondence coefficient K of the calculation formula S3 based on the estimated vertical position value. In detail, the estimated vertical position value can be used as an index value indicating the degree of separation between the object to be detected and the electrode unit 4. Based on this, in this embodiment, similar to the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K used in the calculation formula S3 and the estimated vertical position value is defined in advance based on prior tests and simulations. In this embodiment, the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the estimated vertical position value is expressed as a trend curve, similar to the fourth embodiment.

[0132] The position detection unit 11D derives a correspondence coefficient K corresponding to the derived estimated vertical position value using a trend curve showing the relationship between the correspondence coefficient K and the estimated vertical position value. Next, the position detection unit 11D derives an adjusted correspondence value N' using a calculation formula S3 that reflects the derived correspondence coefficient K. As described in the fourth embodiment, the adjusted correspondence value N' derived in the above manner has high accuracy.

[0133] According to this embodiment, it is possible to derive an estimated vertical position value with high accuracy by utilizing the auxiliary electrode DH provided at a position facing the electrode unit D across the display screen 2a. Being able to derive an estimated vertical position value with high accuracy means that the amount of separation between the object to be detected and the electrode unit 4 can be derived with high accuracy, and the accuracy of the adjustment-corresponding value N' that is finally derived can be increased.

[0134] Next, the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3D will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation executed by the capacitive proximity detector 3D in one cycle. In particular, Fig. 25 shows the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3D in the above-mentioned example 1. As shown in Fig. 25, the capacitance detector 10D drives each of the electrodes D1-D5 and DH in a time-division manner, detects each of the detection values ​​corresponding to the capacitance between each of the electrodes D1-D5 and DH and the object to be detected, and outputs the values ​​to the position detector 11D (step SC1).

[0135] The position detection unit 11D receives the detection values ​​of the electrodes D and the auxiliary electrodes DH from the capacitance detection unit 10 (step SC2). Next, the position detection unit 11D derives a judgment strength and determines whether the judgment strength is equal to or greater than a threshold (step SC3). If the judgment strength is not equal to or greater than the threshold (step SC3: NO), the position detection unit 11D ends the process. If the judgment strength is equal to or greater than the threshold (step SC3: YES), the position detection unit 11D derives a correspondence value N using the calculation formula S1 (step SC4). Next, the position detection unit 11D derives a total strength EL using the calculation formula S2 (step SC5). Next, the position detection unit 11D derives an estimated vertical position value based on the detection values ​​of the auxiliary electrodes DH received in step SC2 and the total strength EL derived in step SC5 (step SC6). Next, the position detection unit 11D derives a correspondence coefficient K based on the estimated vertical position value derived in step SC6 (step SC7). Next, the position detection unit 11D derives an adjusted correspondence value N' using the calculation formula S3 to which the correspondence coefficient K derived in step SC7 is applied (step SC8).

[0136] Next, the position detection unit 11D determines whether the adjusted corresponding value N' derived in step SC8 is within a predetermined range (step SC9). If the corresponding value N is within the range (step SC9: YES), the position detection unit 11D determines that the object to be detected is located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SC10). If the corresponding value N is not within the certain range (step SC9: NO), the position detection unit 11D determines that the object to be detected is not located in a certain area in the left-right direction (step SC11).

[0137] Sixth Embodiment Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. Fig. 26 is a simplified schematic diagram showing an in-vehicle device 1E according to this embodiment as viewed from the front. In the following description of the sixth embodiment, the same elements as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 26, the in-vehicle device 1E according to this embodiment includes a display panel 2 on which a display screen 2a is formed, and a capacitive proximity detector 3E. The capacitive proximity detector 3E includes a first electrode unit 4E1 and a second electrode unit 4E2. The first electrode unit 4E1 includes a plurality of electrodes DE11-DE15 arranged side by side in the left-right direction (one direction) below (outside) the display screen 2a. The second electrode unit 4E2 is arranged at a position facing the first electrode unit 4E1 across the display screen 2a, that is, above the display screen 2a. The second electrode unit 4E2 includes a plurality of electrodes DE21-DE25 arranged side by side in the left-right direction (one direction) above (outside) the display screen 2a. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the electrodes DE11-DE15 and the electrodes DE21-DE25, they may be referred to as "electrodes DE".

[0139] In this embodiment, similarly to the fourth and fifth embodiments, the passenger is not notified that the object to be detected should be placed near the first electrode unit 4E1 or the second electrode unit 4E2 for non-contact input, but is notified in advance that the object to be detected should be placed in front of the first electrode unit 4E1 and the second electrode unit 4E2 and close to these electrode units, or in front of the display screen 2a and close to the display screen 2a. Therefore, it is assumed that the object to be detected will be placed in front of the first electrode unit 4E1 or the second electrode unit 4E2 and close to these electrode units, or in front of the display screen 2a and close to the display screen 2a for non-contact input.

[0140] Fig. 27 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a capacitive proximity detector 3E. As shown in Fig. 27, the capacitive proximity detector 3E includes a capacitance detector 10E instead of the capacitance detector 10 according to the first embodiment, and a position detector 11E instead of the position detector 11 according to the first embodiment. The capacitance detector 10E drives each of the electrodes DE11-DE15 and the electrodes DE21-DE25 in a time-division manner in each cycle to detect detection values, and outputs the detection values ​​to the position detector 11E.

[0141] The position detection unit 11E executes the following process in each cycle. That is, the position detection unit 11E inputs the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE. Next, the position detection unit 11E derives the first total intensity EL1 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE11 to DE15 of the first electrode unit 4E1. The position detection unit 11E derives the first total intensity EL1 by adding up the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE11 to DE15, similar to when the total intensity EL was derived in the fourth embodiment. Furthermore, the position detection unit 11D derives the second total intensity EL2 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE21 to DE25 of the second electrode unit 4E2. The position detection unit 11E derives the second total intensity EL2 by adding up the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE21 to DE25, similar to when the second total intensity EL2 was derived in the fourth embodiment. The process of deriving the first total intensity EL1 and the process of deriving the second total intensity EL2 may be performed in any order and simultaneously.

[0142] Next, the position detection unit 11E compares the first total intensity EL1 with the second total intensity EL2. In the first case where the comparison result indicates that the first total intensity EL1 is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity EL2, the position detection unit 11E executes the following process. That is, the position detection unit 11E derives a correspondence value N using a calculation formula S1 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE11 to DE15 of the first electrode unit 4E1, and adjusts the correspondence value N using a calculation formula S3 that reflects a correspondence coefficient K corresponding to the first total intensity EL1 to derive an adjusted correspondence value N'.

[0143] Here, the case where the first total intensity EL1 is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity EL2 is assumed to be in the following state. That is, it is assumed that the detected object is located very close to the first electrode unit 4E1, and when the position detection unit 11E derives the adjustment corresponding value N' using the first electrode unit 4E1, the derived adjustment corresponding value N' is close to the actual coordinate value. The determination of whether the first total intensity EL1 is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity EL2 is performed from the viewpoint of whether such a state exists. For example, the position detection unit 11E derives the difference between the first total intensity EL and the second total intensity EL2, and when this difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that the first total intensity EL1 is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity EL2. This threshold value is determined in advance based on a previous test or simulation from the viewpoint of a criterion for determining whether the above-mentioned state exists.

[0144] On the other hand, in a second case where the comparison between the first total intensity EL1 and the second total intensity EL2 shows that the second total intensity EL2 is sufficiently greater than the first total intensity EL1, the position detection unit 11E derives a corresponding value N using a calculation formula S1 based on the detection values ​​of electrodes DE21 to DE25 of the second electrode unit 4E2, and adjusts the corresponding value N using a calculation formula S3 that reflects the correspondence coefficient K corresponding to the second total intensity EL2 to derive an adjusted corresponding value N'.

[0145] Here, the case where the second total intensity EL2 is sufficiently greater than the first total intensity EL1 is assumed to be in the following state: That is, it is assumed that the object to be detected is located very close to the second electrode unit 4E2, and when the position detection unit 11E derives the adjustment corresponding value N' using the second electrode unit 4E2, the derived adjustment corresponding value N' is close to the actual coordinate value. Whether the second total intensity EL2 is sufficiently greater than the first total intensity EL1 is determined in the same manner as in the first case, from the viewpoint of whether such a state exists.

[0146] Furthermore, in the case of a third case that is neither the first nor the second case as a result of comparing the first total intensity EL1 and the second total intensity EL2, the position detection unit 11E executes the following corresponding value related processing. That is, the position detection unit 11E derives a corresponding value N (corresponding to a "first corresponding value") by a calculation formula S1 using the first electrode unit 4E1, and adjusts this by a calculation formula S3 to derive an adjusted corresponding value N'. Hereinafter, the adjusted corresponding value N' derived by using the first electrode unit 4E1 is referred to as a "first adjusted corresponding value N1" (corresponding to a "first corresponding value after adjustment"). Furthermore, the position detection unit 11E derives a corresponding value N (corresponding to a "second corresponding value") by a calculation formula S1 using the second electrode unit 4E2, and adjusts this by a calculation formula S3 to derive an adjusted corresponding value N'. Hereinafter, the adjustment corresponding value N' derived using the second electrode unit 4E2 will be referred to as a "second adjustment corresponding value N2" (corresponding to a "second corresponding value after adjustment").

[0147] Next, the position detection unit 11E derives the final adjustment corresponding value NN using the following calculation formula S4. Calculation formula S4: NN=(EL1*N1+EL2*N2) / (EL1+EL2) Here, NN indicates the final adjusted corresponding value, EL1 indicates the first overall intensity, EL2 indicates the second overall intensity, N1 indicates the first adjusted corresponding value, and N2 indicates the second adjusted corresponding value.

[0148] The calculation formula S4 is a formula for deriving the final adjustment corresponding value NN (corresponding to the "third corresponding value") by performing a weighted average with the first total intensity EL1 and the second total intensity EL2 as weights and the first adjustment corresponding value N1 and the second adjustment corresponding value N2 as variables. That is, in the third case, the position detection unit 11E mixes the first adjustment corresponding value N1 and the second adjustment corresponding value N2 according to the ratio between the first total intensity EL1 and the second total intensity EL2, that is, the ratio between "the proximity between the detected object and the first electrode unit 4E1" and "the proximity between the detected object and the second electrode unit 4E2", to derive the final adjustment corresponding value NN. This makes it possible to derive a highly accurate final adjustment corresponding value NN by suitably utilizing the features that the first electrode unit 4E1 and the second electrode unit 4E2 are located opposite each other across the display screen 2a and that the closer the electrode unit is to the first electrode unit 4E1 or the second electrode unit 4E2, the higher the accuracy of the adjustment corresponding value N'. The position detection unit 11E detects the final corresponding value NN as the left-right position of the object to be detected.

[0149] Next, the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3E will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 28 is a flowchart showing the operation executed by the capacitive proximity detector 3E in one cycle. In particular, Fig. 28 shows the operation of the capacitive proximity detector 3E in the above-mentioned Example 1. As shown in Fig. 28, the capacitance detector 10D drives each of the electrodes DE11-DE15 and the electrodes DE21-DE25 in a time-division manner, detects each of the detection values ​​corresponding to the capacitance between each of the electrodes DE11-DE15 and the electrodes DE21-DE25 and the object to be detected, and outputs the values ​​to the position detector 11E (step SD1).

[0150] The position detection unit 11E receives the detection values ​​of each electrode DE from the capacitance detection unit 10 (step SD2). Next, the position detection unit 11E derives a determination intensity and determines whether the determination intensity is equal to or greater than a threshold (step SD3). If the determination intensity is not equal to or greater than the threshold (step SD3: NO), the position detection unit 11E ends the process. If the determination intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold (step SD3: YES), the position detection unit 11E derives a first total intensity EL1 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE11-DE15 of the first electrode unit 4E1 (step SD4). Next, the position detection unit 11E derives a second total intensity EL2 based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE21-DE25 of the second electrode unit 4E2 (step SD5).

[0151] Next, the position detection unit 11E determines whether the first case corresponds to the first case in which the first total intensity EL1 is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity EL2 (step SD6). If the first case corresponds (step SD6: YES), the position detection unit 11E derives a corresponding value N based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE11 to DE15 of the first electrode unit 4E1, and adjusts the corresponding value N to derive an adjusted corresponding value N' (step SD7). After the process of step SD7, the process proceeds to step SD11.

[0152] If the first case does not apply (step SD6: NO), the position detection unit 11E determines whether the second case applies in which the second total intensity EL2 is sufficiently greater than the first total intensity EL1 (step SD8). If the second case applies (step SD8: YES), the position detection unit 11E derives a corresponding value N based on the detection values ​​of the electrodes DE21-DE25 of the second electrode unit 4E2, and adjusts the corresponding value N to derive an adjusted corresponding value N' (step SD9). After processing step SD9, the processing procedure proceeds to step SD11.

[0153] If the second case does not apply (i.e., if the third case applies) (step SD8: NO), the position detection unit 11E executes a corresponding value association process (step SD10). In this corresponding value association process, the position detection unit 11E derives a first adjustment corresponding value N1 using the first electrode unit 4E1. Furthermore, the position detection unit 11E derives a second adjustment corresponding value N2 using the second electrode unit 4E2. Next, the position detection unit 11E derives a final adjustment corresponding value NN using the calculation formula S4. After the process of step SD10, the processing procedure proceeds to step SD11.

[0154] In step SD11, the position detection unit 11E determines whether the adjustment corresponding value N' derived in step SD7, the adjustment corresponding value N' derived in step SD9, or the final adjustment corresponding value NN derived in step SD11 is within a predetermined fixed range (step SD11). If the corresponding value N is within the fixed range (step SD11: YES), the position detection unit 11E determines that the object to be detected is located in a fixed area in the left-right direction (step SD12). If the corresponding value N is not within the fixed range (step SD11: NO), the position detection unit 11E determines that the object to be detected is not located in a fixed area in the left-right direction (step SD13).

[0155] <Modification of the sixth embodiment> Next, a modified example of the sixth embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment described above, the position detection unit 11E derives the final adjustment corresponding value NN using the calculation formula S4 in the third case. However, the method of deriving the final adjustment corresponding value NN is not limited to the method using the calculation formula S4. In other words, the final adjustment corresponding value NN may be a value derived based on the first adjustment corresponding value N1 and the second adjustment corresponding value N2. For example, the position detection unit 11E may be configured to derive the final adjustment corresponding value NN as the average value of the first adjustment corresponding value N1 and the second adjustment corresponding value N2, or a value derived using other statistical methods.

[0156] In addition, in the third case, the position detection unit 11E may be configured to execute the following process instead of the corresponding value-related process executed in the sixth embodiment. That is, the first total intensity EL1 and the second total intensity EL2 are compared, and when the first total intensity EL1 is equal to or greater than the second total intensity EL2, the position detection unit 11E derives the corresponding value N and the adjusted corresponding value N' using the first electrode unit 4E1, and sets the adjusted corresponding value N' as the position of the object in the left-right direction. On the other hand, when the second total intensity EL2 is greater than the first total intensity EL1, the position detection unit 11E derives the corresponding value N and the adjusted corresponding value N' using the second electrode unit 4E2, and sets the adjusted corresponding value N' as the position of the object in the left-right direction. According to this configuration, the feature that the first electrode unit 4E1 and the second electrode unit 4E2 are positioned opposite each other across the display screen 2a, and the feature that the accuracy of the adjustment correspondence value N' is higher the closer to the electrode unit (the first electrode unit 4E1 or the second electrode unit 4E2), can be advantageously utilized to detect the position of the object to be detected with high accuracy.

[0157] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, each embodiment merely shows an example of the embodiment for realizing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited thereby. In other words, the present invention can be embodied in various forms without departing from the gist or main characteristics thereof.

[0158] For example, in the first embodiment, the surface areas of the electrodes D are all the same size. However, for reasons such as convenience in designing the capacitive proximity detector 3, the surface areas of the electrodes D may be different. In this case, the position detection unit 11 adjusts the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit 10 in accordance with the surface area of ​​the electrodes D. The position detection unit 11 then uses the adjusted detection value as a parameter for the calculation formula S1 to derive the corresponding value N. The above also applies to the other embodiments (including modified examples).

[0159] In the first embodiment, the capacitive proximity detector 3 is applied to the in-vehicle device 1 provided in a vehicle, but the device to which the capacitive proximity detector 3 is applied is not limited to a device provided in a vehicle. The above also applies to the other embodiments (including modified examples).

[0160] In the first embodiment, the position detection unit 11 derives the corresponding value N using the calculation formula S1, and thereby detects the position of the detection object in the left-right direction. However, the method by which the position detection unit 11 detects the position of the detection object in the left-right direction is not limited to the method exemplified in the first embodiment. In other words, in consideration of the characteristic that the detection value detected for each electrode D is biased in a manner according to the position of the detection object in the left-right direction, any method may be used as long as it detects the position of the detection object in the left-right direction based on the arrangement position of the electrode D and the bias of the magnitude of the detection value for each electrode D. As an example, a calculation formula using a statistical method other than the weighted average may be used to derive a value indicating the position of the detection object in the left-right direction, and the position of the detection object in the left-right direction may be detected based on this. The above is similar to other embodiments (including modified examples). [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E Capacitive proximity detection device 4, 4A, 4B Electrode Unit 4E1 First electrode unit 4E2 Second electrode unit 10, 10A, 10B, 10D, 10E Capacitive detection unit 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E Position detection unit D, DD, Dxy, D1~D5, DD1~DD4, D11~D15, D21~D25, D31~D35, D41~D45, DE11~DE15, DE21~DE25 Electrodes DH auxiliary electrode

Claims

1. An electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged in one direction; a capacitance detection unit that drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a position detection unit that detects a position of the detection object in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes, The position detection unit performing a calculation using the positions of the electrodes in the one direction and the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes to derive a corresponding value that indicates the position of the object to be detected in the one direction while reflecting a bias in the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes; and deriving the corresponding value; monitoring whether the change in the corresponding value itself is equal to or greater than a reference value, and making a valid determination when the change is equal to or greater than the reference value; When the validity determination is made, a predetermined action to be taken in response to the validity determination is executed by a predetermined device. A capacitive proximity detection device comprising:

2. The position detection unit performs a weighted average using the detection value for each of the electrodes as a weight and the position of the electrode in the one direction as a variable to derive the corresponding value.

2. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 1.

3. The position detection unit determines whether the corresponding value is within a certain range, and if so, determines that the object to be detected is located in a certain area in the one direction.

3. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to each other.

4. An electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction; a capacitance detection unit that drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a position detection unit that detects a position of the detection object in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes, The electrode unit is configured by arranging a plurality of the electrodes linearly along a first direction and a plurality of the electrodes linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a matrix shape, the capacitance detection unit sets each of the electrodes linearly arranged along the first direction as a first group functioning as one electrode, and further sets each of the plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along the second direction as a second group functioning as one electrode, drives each of the first group and the second group in a time division manner, and detects detection values ​​for each of the first group and the second group; The position detection unit detecting a position of the detection object in the second direction based on an arrangement position of each of the first groups in the second direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the first groups; The position of the detection object in the first direction is detected based on the arrangement positions of the second groups in the first direction and the bias of the magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the second groups. A capacitive proximity detection device comprising:

5. An electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction; a capacitance detection unit that drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a position detection unit that detects a position of the detection object in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes, The position detection unit Using the positions of the electrodes in the one direction and the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, a calculation is performed to derive a corresponding value that indicates the position of the object in the one direction while reflecting a bias in the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, and the corresponding value is derived; Recognizing the amount of separation between the electrode unit and the detection object; The correspondence value is adjusted by reflecting the degree of deviation between an electrode group center position, which is the center position in the one direction of an area in which the plurality of electrodes of the electrode unit are arranged, and a position indicated by the correspondence value, and the degree of the deviation is more strongly reflected as the amount of separation increases when the correspondence value is adjusted. A capacitive proximity detection device comprising:

6. The position detection unit uses the detection value for each of the electrodes as a weight and performs a weighted average using the position of the electrode in the one direction as a variable to derive the corresponding value.

6. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5.

7. The position detection unit determines whether the corresponding value exists within a certain range, and if so, determines that the detected object is located in a certain area in the one direction.

7. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to each other.

8. The position detection unit adjusts the correspondence value by adding a value derived by subtracting a value indicating the center position of the electrode group from the correspondence value and multiplying the resultant value by a coefficient to the correspondence value, and when adjusting the correspondence value, the coefficient is increased as the amount of separation increases.

6. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5.

9. The position detection unit derives a total intensity, which is an overall intensity of the detection values ​​of the plurality of electrodes, based on a detection result of the capacitance detection unit, and recognizes the degree of the separation amount based on the derived total intensity.

9. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5 or 8.

10. the electrodes of the electrode unit are provided along the one direction outside a display screen of the display panel, and an auxiliary electrode is provided at a position opposite to the electrode unit with the display screen in between; the capacitance detection unit drives the auxiliary electrode to detect a detection value corresponding to a capacitance between the auxiliary electrode and the detection object, The position detection unit derives a total intensity, which is an overall intensity of the detection values ​​of the plurality of electrodes, based on a detection result of the capacitance detection unit, and recognizes the degree of the separation amount based on the derived total intensity and the magnitude of the detection value of the auxiliary electrode detected by the capacitance detection unit.

9. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5 or 8.

11. the electrode unit includes a first electrode unit including a plurality of the electrodes arranged side by side along the one direction outside the display screen, and a second electrode unit including a plurality of the electrodes arranged side by side along the one direction at a position facing the first electrode unit with the display screen in between, The position detection unit deriving a first total intensity, which is a total intensity of detection values ​​of the plurality of electrodes of the first electrode unit, based on a detection result of the capacitance detection unit, and deriving a second total intensity, which is a total intensity of detection values ​​of the second electrode unit; In a first case where the first total intensity is sufficiently greater than the second total intensity, the first electrode unit is used to derive and adjust the corresponding value, and the position of the detection object in the one direction is detected based on the corresponding value; In a second case where the second total intensity is sufficiently greater than the first total intensity, the second electrode unit is used to derive and adjust the corresponding value, and the position of the detection object in the one direction is detected based on the corresponding value; In a third case other than the first case and the second case, a first corresponding value is derived and adjusted using the first electrode unit, and a second corresponding value is derived and adjusted using the second electrode unit, and a corresponding value related process is executed to detect the position of the object in the one direction based on the adjusted first corresponding value and the adjusted second corresponding value.

9. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 5 or 8.

12. In the third case, the position detection unit performs a weighted average with the first total intensity and the second total intensity as weights and the adjusted first corresponding value and the adjusted second corresponding value as variables to derive a third corresponding value indicating the position of the object in the one direction.

12. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 11.

13. In the third case, instead of the corresponding value relating process, the position detection unit executes a process of comparing the first total intensity with the second total intensity, deriving and adjusting the first corresponding value when the first total intensity is equal to or greater than the second total intensity, and setting the adjusted first corresponding value as the position of the detectable object in the one direction, while executing a process of deriving and adjusting the second corresponding value when the second total intensity is greater than the first total intensity, and setting the adjusted second corresponding value as the position of the detectable object in the one direction.

12. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 11.

14. The plurality of electrodes have different surface areas, The position detection unit adjusts the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes in accordance with the size of a surface area of ​​the electrode.

14. The capacitive proximity detector according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance is a distance between the first electrode and the second electrode.

15. An electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction; a capacitance detection unit that drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a position detection unit that detects a position of the detection object in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes, The plurality of electrodes have different surface areas, The position detection unit adjusts the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes in accordance with the size of a surface area of ​​the electrode. A capacitive proximity detection device comprising:

16. A method for detecting a position of a detection target using a capacitive proximity detection device having an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged in one direction, comprising: a first step in which a capacitance detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a second step in which a position detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device detects a position of the detection target in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of detection values ​​detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes; In the second step, the position detection unit using the positions of the electrodes in the one direction and the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, a calculation is performed to derive a corresponding value indicating the position of the object to be detected in the one direction while reflecting the bias in the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, deriving the corresponding value, monitoring whether or not the amount of change in the corresponding value itself has become equal to or greater than a reference amount, and making a valid determination when the amount of change has become equal to or greater than the reference amount; When the validity determination is made, a predetermined action to be taken in response to the validity determination is executed by a predetermined device. A method for detecting the position of an object to be detected.

17. A method for detecting the position of a detection target using a capacitive proximity detection device having an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction, comprising: a first step in which a capacitance detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a second step in which a position detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device detects a position of the detection target in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of detection values ​​detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes; The electrode unit is configured by arranging a plurality of the electrodes linearly along a first direction and a plurality of the electrodes linearly along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction in a matrix shape, In the first step, the capacitance detection unit each of the electrodes linearly arranged along the first direction is defined as a first group functioning as one electrode, and each of the plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along the second direction is defined as a second group functioning as one electrode, each of the first group and the second group is driven in a time division manner, and a detection value for each of the first group and the second group is detected; In the second step, the position detection unit detecting a position of the detection object in the second direction based on an arrangement position of each of the first groups in the second direction and a bias in magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the first groups; The position of the detection object in the first direction is detected based on the arrangement positions of the second groups in the first direction and the bias of the magnitude of the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the second groups. A method for detecting the position of an object to be detected.

18. A method for detecting the position of a detection target using a capacitive proximity detection device having an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction, comprising: a first step in which a capacitance detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a second step in which a position detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device detects a position of the detection target in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of detection values ​​detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes; In the second step, the position detection unit Using the positions of the electrodes in the one direction and the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, a calculation is performed to derive a corresponding value that indicates the position of the object in the one direction while reflecting a bias in the magnitudes of the detection values ​​for the electrodes, and the corresponding value is derived; Recognizing the amount of separation between the electrode unit and the detection object; The correspondence value is adjusted by reflecting the degree of deviation between an electrode group center position, which is the center position in the one direction of an area in which the plurality of electrodes of the electrode unit are arranged, and a position indicated by the correspondence value, and the degree of the deviation is more strongly reflected as the amount of separation increases when the correspondence value is adjusted. A method for detecting the position of an object to be detected.

19. A method for detecting the position of a detection target using a capacitive proximity detection device having an electrode unit having a plurality of electrodes linearly arranged along one direction, comprising: a first step in which a capacitance detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device drives each of the electrodes in a time-division manner and detects detection values ​​corresponding to capacitances between each of the electrodes and a detection target; a second step in which a position detection unit of the capacitive proximity detection device detects a position of the detection target in the one direction based on arrangement positions of the electrodes in the one direction and a bias in magnitude of detection values ​​detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes; The plurality of electrodes have different surface areas, In the second step, the position detection unit adjusts the detection value detected by the capacitance detection unit for each of the electrodes in accordance with the size of a surface area of ​​the electrode. A method for detecting the position of an object to be detected.

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