Detector and display unit

Abstract

To provide a detection device having a narrow frame and high sensitivity of detection of an object in a noncontact state, and to provide a display unit.SOLUTION: A detection device includes: a plurality of first electrodes 24 extended in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes 28 extended in a second direction that crosses the first direction; and a control part. The control part selects two first electrodes 24 and two second electrodes 28 positioned in the outermost side in a predetermined first detection area S1 as first detection electrodes 34, selects at least one of the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28 not selected as the first detection electrodes 34 as a first drive electrode 32, and detects an object in a noncontact state from a signal for expressing capacitance acquired from the first detection electrode 34 by applying voltage to the first drive electrode 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a detection device and a display unit. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a demand for an interface that can receive user instructions through gestures from a display panel that displays characters, images, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a display module that includes a transmission electrode arranged in the display area of the display and a reception electrode that is arranged on the periphery of the display area and surrounds the transmission electrode. In Patent Document 1, a gesture made by a hand or finger in a detection space is detected by measuring the capacitance between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2018-515837 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the display module of Patent Document 1, the receiving electrodes are arranged on the periphery of the display area, which results in a wide frame. Also, in large displays, the spacing between the receiving electrodes is wide, making it difficult to detect small gestures.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a detection device and a display unit that have a narrow frame and high sensitivity for detecting objects in a non-contact state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a detection device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control unit that selects two of the first electrodes and two of the second electrodes located at the outermost sides of a predetermined detection area as first detection electrodes, selects at least one of the first electrodes and the second electrodes not selected as the first detection electrodes as a first drive electrode, and detects an object in a non-contact state from a signal representing electrostatic capacitance obtained from the first detection electrodes by applying a voltage to the first drive electrodes, The control unit The two first electrodes located on the outermost sides of the predetermined detection area are selected as the first detection electrodes, and Intersect the first electrode selected as the first detection electrode selecting all of the second electrodes as the first drive electrodes to acquire the signal; Next, The two second electrodes located at the outermost sides of the predetermined detection area are selected as the first detection electrodes, and The first electrode intersects with the second electrode selected as the first detection electrode. All of the first electrodes are selected as the first drive electrodes to acquire the signal.

[0007] A display unit according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes: The above detection device; and a display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the frame can be narrowed and the sensitivity for detecting an object in a non-contact state can be increased. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a detection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a sensor unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a diagram showing a first detection region, a first driving electrode, and a first detection electrode according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating second drive electrodes and second detection electrodes according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is a diagram showing a signal representing the capacitance of the first detection electrode according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a flowchart showing a detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing a detection process in a non-contact mode according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic diagram showing voltages applied to a first drive electrode and a second drive electrode according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] 6 is a flowchart showing a contact mode detection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing a first detection region, a first driving electrode, and a first detection electrode according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram showing a first detection region, a first driving electrode, and a first detection electrode according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing a detection process in a non-contact mode according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a second detection region according to a third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the third to sixth detection regions according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] 11 is a flowchart showing a detection process in a non-contact mode according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a seventh detection region and an eighth detection region according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] 10 is a flowchart showing a detection process according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a display unit according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 22]FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a sensor unit according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a floating image and a ninth detection region according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing electric lines of force according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 25] 13 is a diagram showing signals representing the capacitances of the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 26] 13 is a diagram showing signals representing the capacitances of the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 27] 13 is a flowchart showing a detection process in a non-contact mode according to the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a detection device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> A detection device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 12. The detection device 10 detects an object (e.g., a user's gesture) in a non-contact state. The detection device 10 also functions as a touch panel by detecting a position touched by an object (e.g., a user's finger). First, the overall configuration of the detection device 10 will be described.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the detection device 10 includes a sensor unit 20 and a control unit 50. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 20 includes a light-transmitting substrate 22, a plurality of first electrodes 24, a plurality of second electrodes 28, and the like. The plurality of first electrodes 24 and the plurality of second electrodes 28 are formed on the light-transmitting substrate 22. The control unit 50 controls the voltages applied to the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28. The control unit 50 also detects an object from a signal representing the capacitance of the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28. In this embodiment, for ease of understanding, the rightward direction of the detection device 10 in FIG. 2 (the rightward direction on the paper) is defined as the +X direction, the upward direction (the upward direction on the paper) is defined as the +Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the +X direction and the +Y direction (toward the viewer on the paper) is defined as the +Z direction.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3 , the detection device 10 constitutes a display unit 200 together with the display device 100. The display unit 200 is mounted on a smartphone, a laptop computer, an information display, or the like. The display device 100 has a display panel 110 and a display control unit 120. The display panel 110 displays two-dimensional characters, images, and the like. The display panel 110 is a liquid crystal display panel, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel, or the like. The display control unit 120 controls the display of the display panel 110. The display control unit 120 and the control unit 50 of the detection device 10 are also connected to each other.

[0014] The sensor unit 20 of the detection device 10 is provided on the display surface side of the display panel 110 via an adhesive layer (not shown). In this case, the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 of the sensor unit 20 are located above the display area of the display panel 110. A resin protective cover 202 is provided on the sensor unit 20 via an adhesive layer (not shown). The detection device 10 detects a non-contact object located in a detection space above the sensor unit 20. The detection device 10 also detects the position where the object comes into contact with the sensor unit 20 (protective cover 202). As a result, the detection device 10 functions as an interface that accepts user instructions regarding the display of the display device 100. The thickness L of the detection space is, for example, 150 mm.

[0015] Next, the specific configuration of the detection device 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the sensor unit 20 of the detection device 10 includes a light-transmitting substrate 22, a plurality of first electrodes 24, an insulating layer 26, and a plurality of second electrodes 28.

[0016] The light-transmitting substrate 22 of the sensor unit 20 is, for example, a glass substrate. The light-transmitting substrate 22 has a first main surface 22a.

[0017] The first electrodes 24 of the sensor unit 20 are each provided on the first main surface 22a of the light-transmitting substrate 22. The first electrodes 24 extend in a first direction (the X direction in this embodiment). The first electrodes 24 are also arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction. The first electrodes 24 have a pattern in which multiple quadrangular corners are connected in a row (a so-called diamond pattern). Each of the first electrodes 24 is electrically connected to the control unit 50 via wiring (not shown).

[0018] The insulating layer 26 of the sensor unit 20 is provided on the first electrode 24 and insulates the first electrode 24 from the second electrode 28. The insulating layer 26 is, for example, a silicon oxide thin film.

[0019] The second electrodes 28 of the sensor unit 20 are each provided on the insulating layer 26. The second electrodes 28 extend in a second direction (the Y direction in this embodiment) that intersects with the first direction. Similar to the first electrodes 24, the second electrodes 28 have a pattern in which multiple rectangular corners are connected in a row. Each of the second electrodes 28 is electrically connected to the control unit 50 via wiring (not shown).

[0020] The first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 are formed of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). When the sensor unit 20 is viewed from above, the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 intersect at a connection portion that connects the corners of a rectangle. The first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 form a capacitance between themselves and an object (for example, a user's finger, hand, pen, etc.). The first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 may be metal mesh electrodes.

[0021] The control unit 50 of the detection device 10 detects a non-contact object located in the detection space above the sensor unit 20 from a signal representing the capacitance between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28. The detection device 10 also detects the position where the object has come into contact from the signal representing the capacitance between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28. In this embodiment, two detection modes, namely, detection of a non-contact object (hereinafter referred to as non-contact mode) and detection of the position where the object has come into contact (hereinafter referred to as contact mode), are switched in a time-division manner.

[0022] First, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the control unit 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 50 includes an input / output unit 51, a setting unit 52, a selection unit 54, and a switching unit 56. The control unit 50 also includes a non-contact driving unit 62, a non-contact receiving unit 64, a non-contact detecting unit 66, a contact driving unit 72, a contact receiving unit 74, a contact detecting unit 76, and a storage unit 78.

[0023] The input / output unit 51 of the control unit 50 inputs and outputs signals between the setting unit 52 and the display control unit 120 of the display device 100, signals between the non-contact detection unit 66 and the control unit of the electronic device in which the detection device 10 is installed, and the like.

[0024] The setting unit 52 of the control unit 50 sequentially switches between the non-contact mode and the contact mode in a time-division manner, and sets the detection mode to either the non-contact mode or the contact mode. When the setting unit 52 sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the setting unit 52 sets a predetermined first detection area S1 in the sensor unit 20 for detecting a non-contact object, as shown in FIG. 5. The first detection area S1 can be set arbitrarily depending on the image displayed on the display panel 110 of the display device 100. For example, the setting unit 52 receives data representing an image to be displayed on the display panel 110 from the display control unit 120 of the display device 100 via the input / output unit 51, and sets the first detection area S1 based on the data representing the image. In the non-contact mode, a non-contact object located in the detection space above the first detection area S1 is detected. Note that, for ease of understanding, the light-transmitting substrate 22, the insulating layer 26, and the like are omitted from FIG. 5. In the following description, the first electrodes 24 are assigned the symbols x0 to x4 in order from the +Y side, and the second electrodes 28 are assigned the symbols y0 to y6 in order from the -X side.

[0025] Returning to FIG. 4 , the selector 54 of the controller 50 selects the first drive electrode 32, the first detection electrode 34, and the second drive electrode 42, the second detection electrode 44 from among the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28 based on the detection mode and the first detection region S1 set by the setting unit 52. The first drive electrode 32 and the first detection electrode 34 are used in the non-contact mode. The second drive electrode 42 and the second detection electrode 44 are used in the contact mode. A voltage is applied from the controller 50 to the first drive electrode 32 and the second drive electrode 42, and signals representing the capacitances from the first detection electrode 34 and the second detection electrode 44 are received by the controller 50.

[0026] When the non-contact mode is set by the setting unit 52, the selection unit 54 selects, as the first detection electrodes 34, two first electrodes 24(x1) and 24(x3) and two second electrodes 28(y1) and 28(y5), which are located at the outermost positions of the set first detection area S1, as shown in FIG. 5 . The selection unit 54 also selects first drive electrodes 32 from among the remaining first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28, after the first detection electrodes 34 have been selected. In this embodiment, the selection unit 54 selects all of the remaining first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 as the first drive electrodes 32. Note that the selection unit 54 may select only the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 surrounded by the first detection electrodes 34 as the first drive electrodes 32. Furthermore, the selection unit 54 may select, as the first drive electrodes 32, the first electrodes 24 or second electrodes 28 located closer to the outer periphery of the sensor unit 20 than the first detection electrodes 34. The first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 that are not selected as either the first detection electrode 34 or the first drive electrode 32 may be supplied with a ground potential. Also, the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 that are not selected as either the first detection electrode 34 or the first drive electrode 32 may be left floating.

[0027] When the contact mode is set by the setting unit 52, the selection unit 54 selects all of the first electrodes 24 as second drive electrodes 42 and all of the second electrodes 28 as second detection electrodes 44, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0028] Returning to Figure 4, the switching unit 56 of the control unit 50 switches the connections between the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28, the non-contact driving unit 62 and the non-contact receiving unit 64, the contact driving unit 72 and the contact receiving unit 74 based on the selection by the selection unit 54.

[0029] In the non-contact mode, the switching unit 56 connects the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) and the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 to the non-contact receiving unit 64, and connects the remaining first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 not selected as the first drive electrodes 32 to the non-contact driving unit 62. In the contact mode, the switching unit 56 connects the second electrode 28 selected as the second detection electrode 44 to the contact receiving unit 74, and connects the first electrode 24 selected as the second drive electrode 42 to the contact driving unit 72.

[0030] The non-contact driving unit 62, non-contact receiving unit 64, and non-contact detecting unit 66 of the control unit 50 operate in the non-contact mode. The non-contact driving unit 62 applies a voltage to the first driving electrode 32 connected by the switching unit 56. The non-contact receiving unit 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detecting electrode 34 in response to the voltage applied to the first driving electrode 32. The non-contact detecting unit 66 detects an object in a non-contact state from the signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiving unit 64.

[0031] The non-contact detection unit 66 detects the movement of an object in a non-contact state (e.g., a user's gesture) from a time change in the signal strength of a signal representing capacitance. For example, when the user's hand crosses the detection space above the first detection area S1 from the -X direction to the +X direction, the non-contact receiving unit 64 receives a signal representing capacitance as shown in FIG. 7 from the first detection electrodes 34 (i.e., the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) and the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5)). That is, the non-contact receiving unit 64 receives a high-intensity signal from the first electrodes 24(x1) and 24(x3) extending in the X direction while the user's hand crosses the first detection area S1. The non-contact receiving unit 64 also receives high-intensity signals from the second electrodes 28(y1) and 28(y5) extending in the Y direction, in that order, during the short time the user's hand crosses the second electrode 28(y1) or the second electrode 28(y5). The non-contact detecting unit 66 determines that the user has performed a flick gesture from the -X direction to the +X direction based on the change in signal intensity over time, and detects the user's flick gesture from the -X direction to the +X direction. The non-contact detecting unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected non-contact movement of the object to a control unit of an electronic device, device, or the like incorporating the detection device 10. The signal representing the non-contact movement of the object represents, for example, a key event, a message, or the like set by the user in response to a flick gesture in the +X direction. The signal representing the detected non-contact movement of the object may be output once or multiple times for each detection. The detected gesture may be a flick gesture from the −Y direction to the +Y direction, a circle gesture in which an object in a non-contact state moves in a circular shape, or the like.

[0032] Returning to FIG. 4, the contact driver 72, contact receiver 74, and contact detector 76 of the control unit 50 operate in contact mode. The contact driver 72 applies a voltage to the second drive electrode 42 (first electrode 24) connected by the switching unit 56. The contact receiver 74 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the second detection electrode 44 (second electrode 28) in response to the voltage applied to the second drive electrode 42. The contact detector 76 detects the position of contact by the object from the signal representing the capacitance received by the contact receiver 74. The contact detector 76 detects the position of contact by the object from, for example, a change in capacitance (mutual capacitance detection method in a projected capacitive touch panel). The contact detector 76 outputs a signal representing the position of contact by the object to a control unit of an electronic device, device, or the like incorporating the detection device 10.

[0033] The storage unit 78 of the control unit 50 stores programs, data, a signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiving unit 64, a signal representing the capacitance received by the contact receiving unit 74, and the like.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the hardware configuration of the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 92, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 93, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 94, an input / output interface 96, and a specific function circuit 98. The CPU 92 executes a program stored in the ROM 93. The ROM 93 stores programs, data, signals, etc. The RAM 94 stores data. The input / output interface 96 inputs and outputs signals between each unit. The specific function circuit 98 includes a drive circuit, a receiving circuit, a switching circuit, an arithmetic circuit, etc. The functions of the control unit 50 are realized by the execution of the program by the CPU 92 and the functions of the specific function circuit 98.

[0035] Next, the detection process (operation) of the detection device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12. Here, a case will be described in which a display unit 200 having the detection device 10 and the display device 100 is mounted on an electronic device. In the detection process of the detection device 10, as shown in FIG. 9, a non-contact mode detection process (step S100) is performed, and then a contact mode detection process (step S200) is performed. After the contact mode detection process (step S200), if an end instruction is not input to the control unit 50 (step S300; NO), the detection process of the detection device 10 returns to the non-contact mode detection process (step S100). If an end instruction is input to the control unit 50 (step S300; YES), the detection process of the detection device 10 ends.

[0036] The detection process in the non-contact mode (step S100) will be described with reference to Fig. 10. First, the setting unit 52 of the control unit 50 sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, and further sets a first detection area S1 (step S102). The first detection area S1 is set, for example, according to data representing an image to be displayed on the display panel 110, which is input via the input / output unit 51.

[0037] Next, the selector 54 of the control unit 50 selects first drive electrodes 32 and first detection electrodes 34 from among the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 based on the set first detection area S1 (step S104). Specifically, the selector 54 selects two first electrodes 24 (x1, x3) and two second electrodes 28 (y1, y5), which are located on the outermost sides of the set first detection area S1, as the first detection electrodes 34. The selector 54 also selects the remaining first electrodes 24 (x0, x2, x4) and second electrodes 28 (y0, y2-y4, y6) as the first drive electrodes 32.

[0038] Next, the switching unit 56 of the control unit 50 connects the selected first drive electrode 32 to the non-contact drive unit 62 of the control unit 50, and connects the selected first detection electrode 34 to the non-contact receiver 64 of the control unit 50 (step S106). Then, the non-contact drive unit 62 applies a voltage to the first drive electrode 32 (step S108), and the non-contact receiver 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 (step S110). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the non-contact drive unit 62 applies a voltage of a predetermined pulse width to the first electrode 24 (x0, x2, x4) and the second electrode 28 (y0, y2-y4, y6). The non-contact receiver 64 receives, for example, a signal representing the capacitance as shown in FIG. 7. The signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiver 64 is stored in the memory unit 78.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 10 , the non-contact detection unit 66 of the control unit 50 determines the movement of the non-contact object (user gesture) from the time change in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiving unit 64 (step S112). The determination is performed based on a specific algorithm, deep learning, or the like, from the time change in the signal strength stored in the storage unit 78. Furthermore, the determination is preferably performed from the time change in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance of at least three first detection electrodes 34. This prevents detection outside the first detection region S1. If the time change in the signal strength is determined to represent the movement of the non-contact object and the movement of the non-contact object is detected (step S112; YES), the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the non-contact object via the input / output unit 51 to the control unit of the electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is installed (step S114). When the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs the signal representing the movement of the non-contact object, the non-contact mode detection process (step S100) ends. In addition, the non-contact detection unit 66 may first determine the movement of the object in a non-contact state from the change over time in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance of one or two first detection electrodes 34, and then determine the movement of the object in a non-contact state again from the change over time in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance of at least three first detection electrodes 34.

[0040] If the change in signal strength over time is not determined to represent the movement of the object in the non-contact state and the movement of the object in the non-contact state is not detected (step S112; NO), the detection process in the non-contact mode (step S100) ends.

[0041] The contact mode detection process (step S200) will be described with reference to Fig. 12. First, the setting unit 52 of the control unit 50 sets the detection mode to the contact mode (step S202). Next, the selection unit 54 of the control unit 50 selects second drive electrodes 42 and second detection electrodes 44 from among the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 (step S204). Specifically, the selection unit 54 selects all of the first electrodes 24 as second drive electrodes 42, and all of the second electrodes 28 as second detection electrodes 44.

[0042] The switching unit 56 of the control unit 50 connects the selected second drive electrode 42 to the contact drive unit 72 of the control unit 50, and connects the selected second detection electrode 44 to the contact receiver 74 of the control unit 50 (step S206). Then, the contact drive unit 72 applies a voltage to the second drive electrode 42 (step S208), and the contact receiver 74 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the second detection electrode 44 (step S210). As shown in FIG. 11, the contact drive unit 72 repeatedly applies a voltage of a predetermined pulse width to the first electrodes 24(x0) to 24(x4) in sequence. Note that the contact drive unit 72 may apply a voltage of a predetermined pulse width once to each of the first electrodes 24(x0) to 24(x4).

[0043] The contact detection unit 76 of the control unit 50 detects the position where the object has touched using a mutual capacitance detection method from the signal representing the capacitance received by the second detection electrode 44 (step S212). If the contact detection unit 76 detects the position where the object has touched (step S212; YES), it outputs a signal representing the position where the object has touched to the control unit of the electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is mounted via the input / output unit 51 (step S214). When the contact detection unit 76 outputs the signal representing the position where the object has touched, the contact mode detection process (step S200) ends.

[0044] If the contact detection unit 76 does not detect the position where the object has made contact (step S212; NO), the contact mode detection process (step S200) ends.

[0045] As described above, the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 of the sensor unit 20 located above the display area of the display panel 110 can detect the movement of an object in a non-contact state, thereby narrowing the frame of the detection device 10. Furthermore, the first detection area S1 for detecting the movement of an object in a non-contact state can be set arbitrarily, so the movement of an object in a non-contact state can be detected with high sensitivity regardless of the size of the display panel 110. The detection device 10 can also function as a touch panel.

[0046] <Embodiment 2> In the non-contact mode of detection in the first embodiment, the detection device 10 applies a voltage to the first drive electrodes 32 all at once and receives a signal simultaneously from each of the four first detection electrodes 34. In the non-contact mode of detection, the detection device 10 may drive the first drive electrodes 32 and the first detection electrodes 34 in a time-division manner.

[0047] In this embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 50 in the non-contact mode and the detection process in the non-contact mode are different from those in embodiment 1. The other configurations and processes of the detection device 10 are the same as those of the detection device 10 in embodiment 1.

[0048] In the non-contact mode, the control unit 50 of this embodiment drives the first drive electrodes 32 and the first detection electrodes 34 in a time-division manner. Specifically, the control unit 50 of this embodiment receives signals representing capacitance from two of the first detection electrodes 34, and then receives signals representing capacitance from another two of the first detection electrodes 34, and detects an object in a non-contact state from the signals representing the capacitance of the four first detection electrodes 34.

[0049] Similar to the control unit 50 of the first embodiment, the control unit 50 of the present embodiment includes an input / output unit 51, a setting unit 52, a selection unit 54, a switching unit 56, a non-contact driving unit 62, a non-contact receiving unit 64, a non-contact detecting unit 66, a contact driving unit 72, a contact receiving unit 74, a contact detecting unit 76, and a storage unit 78. The configurations of the input / output unit 51, the contact driving unit 72, the contact receiving unit 74, the contact detecting unit 76, and the storage unit 78 are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0050] The setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, similar to the setting unit 52 of embodiment 1. When the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, it sets a predetermined first detection area S1 in the sensor unit 20 to detect an object in a non-contact state.

[0051] Similar to the first embodiment, the selection unit 54 of this embodiment selects the first drive electrodes 32 and the first detection electrodes 34, and the second drive electrodes 42 and the second detection electrodes 44 from among the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28, based on the detection mode and the first detection region S1 set by the setting unit 52. When the contact mode is set by the setting unit 52, the selection unit 54 of this embodiment selects all of the first electrodes 24 as the second drive electrodes 42 and all of the second electrodes 28 as the second detection electrodes 44, similar to the first embodiment.

[0052] 13 , the selection unit 54 of this embodiment selects, as first driving electrodes 32, two first electrodes 24(x1) and 24(x3) located on the outermost sides of the first detection region S1 from among the first electrodes 24. In addition, the selection unit 54 of this embodiment selects, as first driving electrodes 32, second electrodes 28(y2-y4) that intersect with the first electrodes 24(x1) and 24(x3) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 within the first detection region S1.

[0053] 14, after the non-contact receiving unit 64 receives signals representing capacitance from the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) selected as the first detection electrodes 34, the selecting unit 54 of this embodiment selects, from among the second electrodes 28, two second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) located on the outermost sides of the first detection region S1 as the first detection electrodes 34. The selecting unit 54 of this embodiment selects, as the first drive electrodes 32, the first electrodes 24(x1-x3) that intersect with the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 within the first detection region S1.

[0054] In accordance with the selection by the selection unit 54, the switching unit 56 of this embodiment connects the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 to the non-contact receiving unit 64, and connects the second electrodes 28(y2-y4) selected as the first drive electrodes 32 to the non-contact driving unit 62. In addition, in accordance with the selection by the selection unit 54, the switching unit 56 of this embodiment connects the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 to the non-contact receiving unit 64, and connects the first electrodes 24(x1-x3) selected as the first drive electrodes 32 to the non-contact driving unit 62.

[0055] Similar to the non-contact driving unit 62 of the first embodiment, the non-contact driving unit 62 of the present embodiment applies a voltage to the first driving electrode 32 connected by the switching unit 56. Similarly to the non-contact receiving unit 64 of the first embodiment, the non-contact receiving unit 64 of the present embodiment receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 in response to the voltage applied to the first driving electrode 32.

[0056] In this embodiment, the non-contact driving unit 62 applies a voltage to the second electrodes 28(y2-y4) selected as the first driving electrodes 32, and the non-contact receiving unit 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) selected as the first detection electrodes 34. In addition, the non-contact driving unit 62 applies a voltage to the first electrodes 24(x1-x3) selected as the first driving electrodes 32, and the non-contact receiving unit 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) selected as the first detection electrodes 34.

[0057] The non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment detects the movement of an object in a non-contact state from the change over time in signal strength of a signal representing the capacitance of the first detection electrodes 34 (first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3)) that was first received by the non-contact receiving unit 64, and the change over time in signal strength of a signal representing the capacitance of the first detection electrodes 34 (second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5)) that was later received by the non-contact receiving unit 64. The non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the object in a non-contact state to the control unit of an electronic device, device, etc. that incorporates the detection device 10.

[0058] In this embodiment, the movement of an object in a non-contact state is detected from a signal representing the capacitance of the first detection electrodes 34 that are sequentially selected and driven, so that it is possible to prevent the detection of an object in a non-contact state outside the first detection area S1. Note that the determination of the movement of an object in a non-contact state is the same as in the first embodiment.

[0059] Next, the detection process in the non-contact mode (step S100) of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. Here, a case will be described in which a display unit 200 having the detection device 10 and the display device 100 is mounted on an electronic device. First, the setting unit 52 sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode and further sets a first detection area S1 (step S122). Next, the selection unit 54 selects first detection electrodes 34 from among the first electrodes 24 and selects first drive electrodes 32 from among the second electrodes 28 based on the set first detection area S1 (step S124). Specifically, the selection unit 54 selects two first electrodes 24 (x1, x3) located on the outermost sides of the set first detection area S1 from among the first electrodes 24 as the first detection electrodes 34. In addition, the selection unit 54 selects, from among the second electrodes 28, the second electrodes 28 (y2-y4) that intersect with the first electrodes 24 (x1, x3) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 within the first detection region S1, as the first drive electrodes 32.

[0060] Next, the switching unit 56 connects the selected first drive electrode 32 to the non-contact drive unit 62 and connects the selected first detection electrode 34 to the non-contact receiver 64 (step S126). Then, the non-contact drive unit 62 applies a voltage to the first drive electrode 32 (step S128), and the non-contact receiver 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 (step S130).

[0061] In this embodiment, if a signal representing the capacitance is received from the first electrode 24 after receiving a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 (step S132; YES), the selector 54 selects the first detection electrode 34 from among the second electrodes 28 and selects the first drive electrode 32 from among the first electrodes 24 (step S134), and returns to step S126. The selector 54 selects, from among the second electrodes 28, two second electrodes 28 (y1, y5) located on the outermost sides of the first detection region S1 as the first detection electrodes 34. The selector 54 also selects, from among the first electrodes 24, first electrodes 24 (x1-x3) that intersect with the second electrodes 28 (y1, y5) selected as the first detection electrodes 34 within the first detection region S1 as the first drive electrodes 32.

[0062] If the non-contact detection unit 66 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the second electrode 28 after receiving a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 (step S132; NO), the non-contact detection unit 66 determines the movement of the object in the non-contact state from the time change in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance of the first electrodes 24(x1), 24(x3) and the second electrodes 28(y1), 28(y5) (step S136). This determination is the same as step S112 in the first embodiment. If the time change in the signal strength is determined to represent the movement of the object in the non-contact state and the movement of the object in the non-contact state is detected (step S136; YES), the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the object in the non-contact state to the control unit of the electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is installed via the input / output unit 51 (step S138). When the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs the signal representing the movement of the object in the non-contact state, the non-contact mode detection process (step S100) of this embodiment ends.

[0063] If the change in signal strength over time is not determined to represent the movement of an object in a non-contact state and the movement of an object in a non-contact state is not detected (step S136; NO), the non-contact mode detection process of this embodiment (step S100) ends.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the movement of an object in a non-contact state is detected from signals representing the capacitance of the four first detection electrodes 34 that are driven two by two in sequence, thereby preventing the detection of an object in a non-contact state outside the first detection area S1. Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the frame of the detection device 10 can be narrowed, and the movement of an object in a non-contact state can be detected with high sensitivity.

[0065] <Embodiment 3> The detection device 10 of the first and second embodiments detects a non-contact object in the first detection area S1. The detection device 10 may sequentially change the detection area and detect a non-contact object in each detection area.

[0066] In this embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 50 in the non-contact mode and the detection process in the non-contact mode are different from those in embodiment 1. The control unit 50 of this embodiment sequentially changes the predetermined detection area for detecting a non-contact object, and detects a non-contact object in each area. The other configurations and processes of the detection device 10 are the same as those of the detection device 10 of embodiment 1.

[0067] Like the control unit 50 of the first embodiment, the control unit 50 of this embodiment includes an input / output unit 51 to a storage unit 78. The configurations of the input / output unit 51, the contact drive unit 72, the contact receiving unit 74, the contact detection unit 76, and the storage unit 78 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0068] The setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, similarly to the setting unit 52 of the first embodiment. When the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, it sets predetermined second detection regions S2 to sixth detection regions S6 for detecting non-contact objects. In this embodiment, the second detection region S2 is the largest region in which the detection device 10 can detect a non-contact object, as shown in FIG. 16. Furthermore, the third detection region S3 to sixth detection region S6 are regions obtained by dividing the second detection region S2 into four, as shown in FIG. 17. When the setting unit 52 of this embodiment detects a non-contact object in the second detection region S2, it sequentially changes the detection region for detecting the non-contact object to the third detection region S3 to sixth detection region S6.

[0069] Similar to the selection unit 54 of the first embodiment, the selection unit 54 of the present embodiment selects, as first detection electrodes 34, two first electrodes 24 and two second electrodes 28 located on the outermost sides in each of the set second detection regions S2 to sixth detection regions S6. Furthermore, the selection unit 54 of the present embodiment selects first drive electrodes 32 from among the remaining first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 after the first detection electrodes 34 have been selected. For example, when the setting unit 52 sets the second detection region S2, the selection unit 54 of the present embodiment selects, as first detection electrodes 34, two first electrodes 24(x0) and 24(x4) and two second electrodes 28(y0) and 28(y6), and selects, as first detection electrodes 34, first electrodes 24(x1-x3) and second electrodes 28(y1-y5), as first drive electrodes 32, as shown in FIG.

[0070] Similar to the switching unit 56 of the first embodiment, the switching unit 56 of the present embodiment connects the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 selected as the first driving electrode 32 to the non-contact driving unit 62. Furthermore, the switching unit 56 of the present embodiment connects the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 selected as the first detecting electrode 34 to the non-contact receiving unit 64.

[0071] Similar to the non-contact driving unit 62 of the first embodiment, the non-contact driving unit 62 of the present embodiment applies a voltage to the first driving electrode 32 connected by the switching unit 56. Similarly to the non-contact receiving unit 64 of the first embodiment, the non-contact receiving unit 64 of the present embodiment receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 in response to the voltage applied to the first driving electrode 32.

[0072] The non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment detects an object in a non-contact state from a change over time in the signal strength of a signal representing the capacitance of the first detection electrode 34 received by the non-contact receiving unit 64. In this embodiment, when the detection region for detecting an object in a non-contact state is the second detection region S2, the non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment detects the presence or absence of an object in a non-contact state. Furthermore, when the detection region for detecting an object in a non-contact state is any of the third detection region S3 to the sixth detection region S6, the non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment detects the movement of the object in a non-contact state.

[0073] Next, the detection process (step S100) in the non-contact mode of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 18. Here, too, a case will be described in which a display unit 200 having a detection device 10 and a display device 100 is mounted on an electronic device. First, the control unit 50 detects the presence or absence of an object in a non-contact state in the second detection area S2 (step S140).

[0074] In step S140, the setting unit 52 sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode and further sets the second detection area S2. The setting unit 52 also sets the number of detections to 1 (step S142). In this embodiment, the setting unit 52 counts the number of detections in the second detection area S2, and if the number of detections is equal to or greater than a predetermined number N (a natural number greater than 1) (step S144; NO), the non-contact mode detection process (step S100) ends.

[0075] If the number of detections is smaller than the predetermined number N (step S144; YES), the presence or absence of a non-contact object is detected (step S146). Specifically, the selection unit 54 selects the first detection electrode 34 (first electrode 24(x0, x4), second electrode 28(y0, y6)) and the first drive electrode 32 (first electrodes 24(x1-x3), second electrodes 28(y1-y5)). The switching unit 56 connects the first drive electrode 32 to the non-contact drive unit 62 and connects the first detection electrode 34 to the non-contact receiver 64. The non-contact drive unit 62 applies a voltage to the first drive electrode 32, and the non-contact receiver 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34. The non-contact detection unit 66 determines and detects the presence or absence of a non-contact object from a change over time in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiver 64. If there is no object in a non-contact state (step S148; NO), the control unit 50 returns to determining the number of detections (step S144).

[0076] If an out-of-contact object is present (step S148; YES), the control unit 50 sequentially detects the movement of the out-of-contact object in the third detection region S3 to the sixth detection region S6. If the movement of the out-of-contact object is detected, the control unit 50 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the out-of-contact object to the control unit of the electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is mounted (steps S152 to S159). The detection of the out-of-contact object in each of the third detection region S3 to the sixth detection region S6 and the output of the signal are similar to the detection of the out-of-contact object (steps S102 to S112) and the output of the signal (step S114) in the first embodiment. When the determination of the movement of the out-of-contact object in the sixth detection region (step S158; NO) or the output of the signal representing the movement of the object (step S159) is completed, the out-of-contact mode detection process (step S100) in this embodiment is completed.

[0077] As described above, in this embodiment, after detecting an out-of-contact object in the second detection area S2, which is the largest detectable area, the second detection area is divided into third detection area S3 to sixth detection area S6, and the movement of the out-of-contact object can be detected with higher sensitivity. Also, since the out-of-contact object is detected sequentially in each of the third detection area S3 to sixth detection area S6, it is possible to detect multiple out-of-contact objects (for example, gestures by multiple users). Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the frame of the detection device 10 can be narrowed.

[0078] <Embodiment 4> In the third embodiment, the detection device 10 sequentially changes the detection area and detects an out-of-contact object in each detection area. The detection device 10 may change the detection area based on the movement of the detected out-of-contact object, and detect the out-of-contact object in the changed detection area.

[0079] In this embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 50 and the detection process in non-contact mode are different from those in embodiment 1. After detecting the movement of an object in a non-contact state in a predetermined detection area, the control unit 50 in this embodiment changes the predetermined detection area based on the detected movement of the object in a non-contact state, and detects the object in a non-contact state in the changed predetermined detection area. The other configurations of the detection device 10 are the same as those of the detection device 10 in embodiment 1.

[0080] Like the control unit 50 of the first embodiment, the control unit 50 of this embodiment includes an input / output unit 51 to a storage unit 78. The configurations of the input / output unit 51, the contact drive unit 72, the contact receiving unit 74, the contact detection unit 76, and the storage unit 78 are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0081] The setting unit 52 of this embodiment, like the setting unit 52 of the first embodiment, sequentially switches between the non-contact mode and the contact mode in a time-division manner and sets the detection mode to either the non-contact mode or the contact mode. When the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode, it sets a predetermined seventh detection area S7 for detecting an object in a non-contact state. It also sets a predetermined eighth detection area S8 based on the movement of the object in a non-contact state detected in the seventh detection area S7. For example, when the non-contact detection unit 66 detects a user's flick gesture from the -X direction to the +X direction in the seventh detection area S7, the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the eighth detection area S8 located on the +X side of the seventh detection area S7, as shown in FIG. 19 .

[0082] The configurations of the selection unit 54, switching unit 56, non-contact drive unit 62, and non-contact receiving unit 64 of this embodiment are the same as those of embodiment 1. As in embodiment 1, the non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment detects the movement of an object in a non-contact state from a change over time in the signal strength of a signal representing capacitance received by the non-contact receiving unit 64. Furthermore, the non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the object in a non-contact state to the setting unit 52 and a control unit of an electronic device, device, or the like in which the detection device 10 is installed.

[0083] Next, the detection process of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 20. A case will be described in which a display unit 200 having a detection device 10 and a display device 100 is mounted on an electronic device.

[0084] In the detection process of this embodiment, first, a non-contact object is detected in the seventh detection region S7 (step S162), and then a contact mode detection process (step S200) is performed. The detection of a non-contact object in the seventh detection region S7 is similar to the detection of a non-contact object in the first embodiment (steps S102 to S112).

[0085] If no movement of the non-contact object is detected in the non-contact object detection in the seventh detection region S7 (step S162; NO), and an end instruction is not input to the control unit 50 after the contact mode detection process (step S200) (step S300; NO), the detection process returns to the non-contact object detection in the seventh detection region S7 (step S162). If no movement of the non-contact object is detected in the non-contact object detection in the seventh detection region S7 (step S162; NO), and an end instruction is input to the control unit 50 after the contact mode detection process (step S200) (step S300; YES), the detection process ends.

[0086] If the movement of the non-contact object is detected in the detection of the non-contact object in the seventh detection region S7 (step S162; YES), after the contact mode detection process (step S200), the non-contact object is detected in the eighth detection region S8 (step S164). In this case, the setting unit 52 sets the eighth detection region S8 based on the movement of the non-contact object detected in the seventh detection region. The other processes are the same as those in the detection of the non-contact object in the first embodiment (steps S102 to S112).

[0087] If movement of the non-contact object is detected in the detection of the non-contact object in the eighth detection region S8 (step S164; YES), the non-contact detection unit 66 determines that the movement of the non-contact object is movement from the seventh detection region S7 to the eighth detection region S8 (for example, a large flick gesture from the seventh detection region S7 to the eighth detection region S8). Then, the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the non-contact object to a control unit of an electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is mounted, via the input / output unit 51 (step S166).

[0088] On the other hand, if no movement of the non-contact object is detected in the detection of the non-contact object in the eighth detection region S8 (step S164; NO), the non-contact detection unit 66 determines that the movement of the non-contact object is movement in the seventh detection region S7 (for example, a flick gesture in the seventh detection region S7). Then, the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the non-contact object to a control unit of an electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is mounted, via the input / output unit 51 (step S168).

[0089] After outputting a signal representing the movement of the detected non-contact object (steps S166 and S168), a contact mode detection process (step S200) is performed. If an end instruction is not input to the control unit 50 after the contact mode detection process (step S200) (step S300; NO), the detection process returns to the detection of the non-contact object in the seventh detection area S7 (step S162). If an end instruction is input to the control unit 50 after the contact mode detection process (step S200) (step S300; YES), the detection process ends.

[0090] As described above, in this embodiment, the detection area is changed from the seventh detection area S7 to the eighth detection area S8 based on the movement of the non-contact object detected in the seventh detection area S7, and the non-contact object in the changed eighth detection area S8 is detected, so that larger movements of the non-contact object can be detected with high sensitivity. Also, in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the frame of the detection device 10 can be narrowed.

[0091] <Embodiment 5> In the first embodiment, the detection device 10 and a display device 100 that displays two-dimensional characters, images, etc. constitute a display unit 200. The display device 100 may be a display device that displays stereoscopic images (three-dimensional images).

[0092] The display device 100 of this embodiment displays a stereoscopic image as a floating image formed in the air. As shown in Fig. 21 , the display device 100 of this embodiment includes a naked-eye stereoscopic display 312, a spatial imaging element 314, and a display control unit 120. The display control unit 120 of this embodiment controls the display of the naked-eye stereoscopic display 312.

[0093] The autostereoscopic display 312 is a display that projects different images to the left and right eyes of a user (observer) based on a first input image and a second input image for two viewpoints. The autostereoscopic display 312 is a known lenticular lens type stereoscopic image display, a known parallax barrier type stereoscopic image display, or the like.

[0094] The spatial imaging element 314 forms a floating image by focusing the stereoscopic images (first input image and second input image) projected by the naked-eye stereoscopic display 312 in space. The spatial imaging element 314 is, for example, a flat imaging element having an array of optical reflecting elements (not shown) each having two reflecting surfaces. The optical reflecting elements reflect light from an object by a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface that are orthogonal to each other, and then allow the light to pass through. The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface form a pair, and the second reflecting surface is positioned at a different level from the first reflecting surface and intersects with the first reflecting surface. A known real mirror image imaging optical system (for example, JP 2012-163702 A and JP 2013-80227 A) can be used as the spatial imaging element 314.

[0095] In this embodiment, the sensor unit 20 of the detection device 10 is provided on the user-side surface 314a of the spatial imaging element 314, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, the first electrodes 24 of the sensor unit 20 are provided on the surface 314a of the spatial imaging element 314. The insulating layer 26 of the sensor unit 20 is provided on the first electrodes 24 to insulate the first electrodes 24 from the second electrodes 28. The second electrodes 28 of the sensor unit 20 are provided on the insulating layer 26. In addition, a protective layer (not shown) is provided on the second electrodes 28 of the sensor unit 20.

[0096] In this embodiment, the control unit 50 of the detection device 10 sets a detection area according to the imaging position of the floating image displayed by the display device 100 of this embodiment, and detects a non-contact object in the set detection area. The configuration of the control unit 50 and the detection of a non-contact object are the same as those in the first or second embodiment.

[0097] As described above, the detection device 10 functions as an interface that receives user instructions regarding the floating image (stereoscopic image) displayed by the display device 100. Furthermore, the detection device 10 sets a detection area according to the imaging position of the floating image, so that the detection device 10 can detect user instructions regarding the floating image with high sensitivity. Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, the frame of the detection device 10 can be narrowed, as in the first embodiment.

[0098] <Embodiment 6> In the display unit 200 of the fifth embodiment, the detection device 10 may select a third detection electrode from the first electrodes or the second electrodes located outside the detection area according to the depth of the floating image displayed by the display device 100, and determine the position of the object in a non-contact state in the depth direction of the floating image. Here, the depth direction of the floating image means the direction (+Z direction) perpendicular to the detection area (surface 314a of the spatial imaging element 314). Since the configurations of the display device 100 and the sensor unit 20 of the detection device 10 in this embodiment are the same as those in the fifth embodiment, the control unit 50 of the detection device 10 will be described.

[0099] The control unit 50 of this embodiment includes an input / output unit 51 to a storage unit 78, similar to the control unit 50 of embodiment 1. The configurations of the input / output unit 51, contact drive unit 72, contact receiving unit 74, contact detection unit 76, and storage unit 78 are the same as those of embodiment 1. The configuration of the control unit 50 in contact mode and the detection process for the contact mode are the same as those of embodiment 1.

[0100] When the non-contact mode is set as the detection mode, the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the ninth detection region S9 in the sensor unit 20 according to the image formation position of the floating image Ob, as shown in Fig. 23. Furthermore, when the floating image Ob has a deep depth (i.e., when the height of the floating image Ob in the +Z direction is high), the setting unit 52 of this embodiment sets the third detection electrode 340 outside the ninth detection region S9 according to the depth of the floating image Ob.

[0101] Similar to the selection unit 54 of the first embodiment, the selection unit 54 of the present embodiment selects first drive electrodes 32 and first detection electrodes 34 from among the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 based on the detection mode set by the setting unit 52 and the ninth detection region S9. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23 , two first electrodes 24 (x0, x3) and two second electrodes 28 (y3, y5) located on the outermost sides of the ninth detection region S9 are selected as the first detection electrodes 34. In addition, the first electrodes 24 (x1, x2) and the second electrode 28 (y4) are selected as the first drive electrodes 32. Furthermore, the selection unit 54 of the present embodiment selects a third detection electrode 340 from among the first electrodes 24 and second electrodes 28 located outside the ninth detection region S9 in accordance with the depth of the floating image Ob. In the present embodiment, the second electrode 28 (y2) located outside the ninth detection region S9 is selected as the third detection electrode 340.

[0102] The switching unit 56 of this embodiment connects the first electrode 24 (x1, x2) and the second electrode 28 (y4) selected as the first drive electrode 32 to the non-contact drive unit 62. The switching unit 56 of this embodiment also connects the first electrode 24 (x0, x3) and the second electrode 28 (y3, y5) selected as the first detection electrode 34 to the non-contact receiving unit 64. Furthermore, the switching unit 56 of this embodiment connects the second electrode 28 (y2) selected as the third detection electrode 340 to the non-contact receiving unit 64.

[0103] The non-contact driving unit 62 of this embodiment applies a voltage to the first driving electrode 32. The non-contact receiving unit 64 of this embodiment receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 and a signal representing the capacitance from the third detection electrode 340, in response to the voltage applied to the first driving electrode 32.

[0104] The non-contact detection unit 66 of this embodiment determines and detects the position of the non-contact object in the depth direction of the floating image Ob and the movement of the non-contact object from the time change in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 and the time change in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance from the third detection electrode 340.

[0105] For example, when the user's hand crosses the deep portion A of the floating image Ob from the -Y direction to the +Y direction, as shown in FIG. 24, the user's hand does not cross the electric field lines between the first drive electrode 32 and the first detection electrode 34 (second electrode 28(y3)), but crosses the electric field lines between the first drive electrode 32 and the third detection electrode 340 (second electrode 28(y2)). Therefore, a signal representing the capacitance as shown in FIG. 25 is acquired. That is, while the user's hand crosses the deep portion A from the -Y direction to the +Y direction, a high-intensity signal is acquired from the second electrodes 28(y2) and 28(y5) extending in the Y direction. Furthermore, a high-intensity signal is acquired from the first electrodes 24(x3) and 24(x0) extending in the X direction, in this order. Because the user's hand does not cross the electric field lines between the first drive electrode 32 and the first detection electrode 34 (second electrode 28(y3)), no high-intensity signal is acquired from the second electrode 28(y3). From the change in the signal intensity over time, the non-contact detection unit 66 determines and detects that the user has made a flick gesture from the -Y direction to the +Y direction in the deep part A.

[0106] On the other hand, when the user's hand crosses the shallow depth portion B of the floating image Ob from the −Y direction to the +Y direction, the user's hand crosses the electric field lines between the first driving electrode 32 and the first detection electrode 34 (second electrode 28(y3)) and the electric field lines between the first driving electrode 32 and the third detection electrode 340 (second electrode 28(y2)). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26 , while the user's hand crosses the shallow depth portion B from the −Y direction to the +Y direction, high-intensity signals are acquired from the second electrode 28(y2), the second electrode 28(y3), and the second electrode 28(y5). Furthermore, high-intensity signals are acquired from the first electrode 24(x3) and the first electrode 24(x0), in this order. From the change in intensity of these signals, the non-contact detection unit 66 determines and detects that the user has performed a flick gesture from the −Y direction to the +Y direction at the shallow depth portion B. If a high-intensity signal is acquired from the second electrode 28(y3) but not from the second electrode 28(y2), it can be determined as a false detection.

[0107] Next, the detection process (step S100) in the non-contact mode of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 27. A case where the display unit 200 is mounted on an electronic device will be described. First, the setting unit 52 sets the detection mode to the non-contact mode. Furthermore, a ninth detection area S9 is set according to the image formation position of the floating image Ob, and a third detection electrode 340 is set outside the ninth detection area S9 according to the depth of the floating image Ob (step S182). Next, the selection unit 54 selects the first drive electrode 32 and the first detection electrode 34 from among the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28 based on the set ninth detection area S9. Furthermore, the selection unit 54 selects the third detection electrode 340 from among the first electrodes 24 and the second electrodes 28 located outside the ninth detection area S9 (step S184).

[0108] Next, the switching unit 56 connects the selected first drive electrode 32 to the non-contact drive unit 62, and connects the selected first detection electrode 34 and third detection electrode to the non-contact receiver 64 of the control unit 50 (step S186). Then, the non-contact drive unit 62 applies a voltage to the first drive electrode 32 (step S188), and the non-contact receiver 64 receives a signal representing the capacitance from the first detection electrode 34 and the third detection electrode 340 (step S190). The signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiver 64 is stored in the memory unit 78.

[0109] The non-contact detection unit 66 of the control unit 50 determines the movement of the object in the non-contact state (user gesture) from the change over time in the signal strength of the signal representing the capacitance received by the non-contact receiving unit 64 (step S192). The determination is the same as step S112 in the first embodiment. If it is determined that the change over time in the signal strength represents the movement of the object in the non-contact state and the movement of the object in the non-contact state is detected (step S192; YES), the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs a signal representing the detected movement of the object in the non-contact state to the control unit of the electronic device in which the display unit 200 (detection device 10) is mounted via the input / output unit 51 (step S194). When the non-contact detection unit 66 outputs the signal representing the movement of the object in the non-contact state, the detection process in the non-contact mode (step S100) ends.

[0110] If the change in signal strength over time is not determined to represent the movement of the object in the non-contact state and the movement of the object in the non-contact state is not detected (step S192; NO), the detection process in the non-contact mode (step S100) ends.

[0111] As described above, in this embodiment, the third detection electrode 340 is selected from the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 located outside the ninth detection region S9, so it is possible to determine the position of the non-contact object in the depth direction of the floating image and detect the movement of the non-contact object. Also, in this embodiment, as in embodiment 1, the frame of the detection device 10 can be narrowed, and the movement of the non-contact object can be detected with high sensitivity.

[0112] <Modification> Although the embodiments have been described above, various modifications can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0113] For example, in embodiment 1, the detection device 10 detects contact of an object using a mutual capacitance detection method, but the detection device 10 may also detect contact of an object using a self-capacitance detection method, or a combination of the mutual capacitance detection method and the mutual capacitance detection method.

[0114] The detection device 10 of the first to sixth embodiments also functions as a touch panel. The detection device 10 does not have to function as a touch panel.

[0115] In the embodiment for detecting a non-contact object, the first electrode 24 and the second electrode 28 that are not selected as either the first drive electrode 32, the first detection electrode 34, or the third detection electrode 340 are preferably supplied with a ground potential or left floating.

[0116] In the fourth embodiment, the eighth detection area S8 is set in the direction (+X side) of the flick gesture detected in the seventh detection area S7, but the eighth detection area S8 may be set on the opposite side (-X side) to the direction of the flick gesture. If an uncontacted object is detected in the eighth detection area S8 set on the opposite side to the direction of the flick gesture, for example, the flick gesture detected in the seventh detection area S7 can be determined to be a false detection.

[0117] Furthermore, the movement of the non-contact object detected in the seventh detection region S7 and the movement of the non-contact object detected in the eighth detection region S8 may be output individually to a control unit of an electronic device incorporating the detection device 10. Furthermore, the movement of one non-contact object may be determined from the movement of the non-contact object detected in the seventh detection region S7 and the movement of the non-contact object detected in the eighth detection region S8, and the detected movement of one non-contact object may be output to a control unit of an electronic device incorporating the detection device 10.

[0118] In embodiment 4, the next detection area may be set based on the movement of the non-contact object detected in the eighth detection area S8, and the movement of the non-contact object may be detected in the set detection area.

[0119] In the second embodiment, after receiving a signal representing the capacitance from the first electrode 24 in step S132, a contact mode detection process (step S200) may be performed before proceeding to the process of selecting the first detection electrode 34 from the second electrodes 28 and the first drive electrode 32 from the first electrodes 24 in step S134.

[0120] In the third embodiment, for example, the contact mode detection process (step S200) may be performed after detection in the third detection region S3 (step S152) and a signal representing the movement of the object in a non-contact state is output (step S153). Alternatively, the contact mode detection process (step S200) may be performed after signals representing the movement of the object in a non-contact state in each of the fourth detection region S4 to sixth detection region S6 are output (steps S155, S157, and S159).

[0121] Furthermore, in the detection process of the embodiment, the non-contact mode detection process (step S100) is performed once, and then the contact mode detection process (step S200) is performed once, as shown in Fig. 9. Alternatively, the non-contact mode detection process (step S100) and the contact mode detection process (step S200) may each be performed multiple times.

[0122] The control unit 50 may include dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a control circuit. In this case, each process may be executed by separate hardware. Alternatively, each process may be executed collectively by a single piece of hardware. Some of the processes may be executed by dedicated hardware, and other parts of the processes may be executed by software or firmware.

[0123] Although the preferred embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such specific embodiments, and the present disclosure includes the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 10 detection device, 20 sensor unit, 22 light-transmitting substrate, 22a first main surface, 24 (x0-x4) first electrode, 26 insulating layer, 28 (y0-y6) second electrode, 32 first driving electrode, 34 first detection electrode, 42 second driving electrode, 44 second detection electrode, 50 control unit, 51 input / output unit, 52 setting unit, 54 selection unit, 56 switching unit, 62 non-contact driving unit, 64 non-contact receiving unit, 66 non-contact detection unit, 72 contact driving unit, 74 contact receiving unit, 76 contact detection unit, 78 memory unit, 92 CPU, 93 ROM, 94 RAM, 96 input / output interface, 98 specific function circuit, 100 display device, 110 display panel, 120 display control unit, 200 display unit, 202 protective cover, 312 naked-eye 3D display, 314 Spatial imaging element, 314a surface, 340 third detection electrode, L thickness, Ob floating image, A deep part of the floating image, B shallow part of the floating image, S1 first detection area, S2 second detection area, S3 third detection area, S4 fourth detection area, S5 fifth detection area, S6 sixth detection area, S7 seventh detection area, S8 eighth detection area, S9 ninth detection area

Claims

1. a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control unit that selects two of the first electrodes and two of the second electrodes located at the outermost sides of a predetermined detection area as first detection electrodes, selects at least one of the first electrodes and the second electrodes not selected as the first detection electrodes as a first drive electrode, and detects an object in a non-contact state from a signal representing electrostatic capacitance obtained from the first detection electrodes by applying a voltage to the first drive electrode, The control unit selecting, as the first detection electrodes, two of the first electrodes located at the outermost sides within the predetermined detection area, and selecting, as the first drive electrodes, all of the second electrodes that intersect with the first electrodes selected as the first detection electrodes within the predetermined detection area; and acquiring the signal; Next, two of the second electrodes located at the outermost sides of the predetermined detection area are selected as the first detection electrodes, and all of the first electrodes that intersect with the second electrodes selected as the first detection electrodes within the predetermined detection area are selected as the first drive electrodes, thereby acquiring the signal. Detection device.

2. a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction; a plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction; a control unit that selects two of the first electrodes and two of the second electrodes located at the outermost sides of a predetermined detection area as first detection electrodes, selects all of the first electrodes and the second electrodes not selected as the first detection electrodes as first drive electrodes, and simultaneously applies a voltage to the first drive electrodes, thereby detecting an object in a non-contact state from a signal representing electrostatic capacitance obtained at one time from the first detection electrodes. Detection device.

3. the control unit detects the object in the non-contact state from the signals acquired from at least three of the first detection electrodes.

3. The detection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the control unit sequentially changes the predetermined detection area and detects the non-contact object in each of the changed predetermined detection areas.

4. The detection device according to claim 1.

5. the control unit changes the predetermined detection area based on the detected movement of the non-contact object, and detects the non-contact object in the changed predetermined detection area.

4. The detection device according to claim 1.

6. the control unit selects one of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes as a second drive electrode, selects the other of the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes as a second detection electrode, and detects a position where the object has come into contact from a signal representing electrostatic capacitance obtained from the second detection electrode by applying a voltage to the second drive electrode.

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

7. A detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a display device; Display unit.

8. The display device includes: an autostereoscopic display that projects different images onto the left and right eyes of observers aligned in a predetermined direction based on first and second input images for two viewpoints; and a spatial imaging element that has a plurality of light reflecting elements that reflect light from an object using first and second reflecting surfaces that are orthogonal to each other, and that forms floating images in the air corresponding to the first and second input images projected by the autostereoscopic display; the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes of the detection device are provided on the spatial imaging element; The display unit according to claim 7.

9. the control unit changes the predetermined detection area according to an image formation position of the floating image. The display unit according to claim 8.

10. the control unit selects a third detection electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode located outside the predetermined detection area according to the depth of the floating image, and determines the position of the object in a non-contact state in the depth direction of the floating image from a signal representing a capacitance acquired from the first detection electrode and a signal representing a capacitance acquired from the third detection electrode; 10. A display unit according to claim 8 or 9.

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