Position output device

Abstract

To provide a position output device that is excellent in ease of use.SOLUTION: A position output device includes: a plurality of detection electrodes that is provided along an operation face to be operated by an object; a position detection unit that detects a position where an object approaches the plurality of detection electrodes on the basis of an electrostatic capacitance in a plurality of segments partitioned by the plurality of detection electrodes; an output terminal that outputs position data representing the position; a determination unit that determines whether the position data is output from the output terminal or not, determines that the position data is not output from the output terminal when a difference between a total value of a peak value of the electrostatic capacitance to be detected in the plurality of segments and an electrostatic capacitance to be detected in the given number of segments around the segment in which the peak value is detected and a weighted average value having a total value in a previous control period and a total value in a current control period added by prescribed weight is greater than a prescribed value, and determines that the position data is output from the output terminal when the difference is below the prescribed value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a position output device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been an information processing device that includes a sensor panel that is placed on top of a display panel and detects coordinates indicated by a user, and that invalidates coordinates detected in a second area on the periphery of a first area that can be detected by the sensor panel (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015-025458 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, simply invalidating the coordinates (positions) detected in the second area on the periphery of the first area by a sensor panel (position detection unit) that detects the coordinates (positions) does not necessarily improve usability.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a position output device that is easy to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A position output device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of detection electrodes arranged along an operation surface operated by an object, a position detection unit that detects the position at which the object approaches the plurality of detection electrodes based on the capacitance in a plurality of sections divided by the plurality of detection electrodes, an output terminal that outputs position data representing the position, and a judgment unit that determines whether to output the position data from the output terminal, the judgment unit determining not to output the position data from the output terminal if the difference between the sum of the peak value of the capacitance detected in the plurality of sections and the capacitance detected in a predetermined number of sections around the section in which the peak value is detected and a weighted average value obtained by adding the sum in the previous control cycle and the sum in the current control cycle with a predetermined weight is greater than a predetermined value, and determining to output the position data from the output terminal if the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] It is possible to provide a position output device that is easy to use. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a position output device 100. [Figure 2] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the reason why deviations occur in position data at the outer edge of operation area 111. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a first processing method. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a first processing method. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a total value and a weighted average value used in the second processing method. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a second processing method. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating angles calculated by the determination unit 133 in the third processing method. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating exceptional cases in which position data is output. [Figure 9]10 is a flowchart showing a process of a third processing method. [Figure 10] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the width of the area where the fingertip touches the operation panel 110 and the width threshold. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a process of a fourth processing method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment to which the position output device of the present invention is applied will be described.

[0010] <Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a position output device 100. The position output device 100 includes an operation panel 110, electrodes 120, and a control device 130. In the following, explanations will be given using the same XYZ coordinate system in each figure. Also, viewing from an XY plane is referred to as a planar view. Also, for convenience of explanation, the +Z direction may be referred to as up and the -Z direction as down, but this does not represent a universal up-down relationship.

[0011] As an example, the position output device 100 is a touch panel incorporated into an input device used to remotely operate the operating parts of GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces) displayed on the operation screens of various devices such as navigation devices and air conditioners, which are mounted on a display panel located around the dashboard of a vehicle.

[0012] Such an input device has a cylindrical member that can be rotated about a rotation axis parallel to the Z axis by a user's operation, and an operation panel 110 of the position output device 100 is provided on the upper surface of the cylindrical member (the upper surface of the cylinder). An input device incorporating the position output device 100 is placed at the hand of the driver or passenger in the passenger seat (user), such as in the center console of a vehicle, for example. However, the usage of an input device incorporating the position output device 100 is not limited to this usage.

[0013] Furthermore, the position output device 100 outputs position data indicating the position where the user's finger or the like approaches the operation panel 110, based on a change in capacitance that occurs when the user operates the operation panel 110 with the user's finger or the like. Operation is possible with any part of the user's body other than the finger, and operation is also possible with a tool such as a capacitance-compatible stylus pen, but the following description will be given of the case where the user operates with the finger.

[0014] Operation panel 110 is a disc-shaped plate having operation surface 110A, and is made of resin, for example. Operation surface 110A is the upper surface of operation panel 110, and is the surface on which operations are performed on position output device 100. Electrode 120 is arranged on the opposite side of operation panel 110A (-Z direction side).

[0015] Operation surface 110A has operation area 111. Operation area 111 is the area inside a dashed circle shown on operation surface 110A, excluding the outer periphery of operation surface 110A. Electrode 120 is arranged within operation area 111 in a plan view. The outer edge of operation area 111 shown by the dashed circle is the boundary between operation area 111 and the area outside operation area 111.

[0016] The electrode 120 includes a plurality of electrodes 120A extending in the X direction and a plurality of electrodes 120B extending in the Y direction. The electrodes 120 are an example of a detection electrode. The plurality of electrodes 120A and the plurality of electrodes 120B are located at different positions in the Z direction and are spaced apart at a predetermined interval. The electrodes 120A and 120B may have any shape and be made of any material as long as they are made of a conductive material, and are, for example, made of copper.

[0017] A capacitance is formed at intersections 121 where electrodes 120A and 120B intersect in a plan view. Intersections 121 between multiple electrodes 120A and multiple electrodes 120B are arranged in a matrix pattern within operation area 111. Intersections 121 are an example of sections obtained by dividing operation area 111 into a matrix pattern.

[0018] The electrodes 120A and 120B are connected to the control device 130 via a cable 125. The cable 125 transmits the potentials detected by the plurality of electrodes 120A and the plurality of electrodes 120B to the control device 130 separately.

[0019] The control device 130 is realized by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), an internal bus, etc. The control device 130 has a main control unit 131, a position detection unit 132, a determination unit 133, a memory 134, and an output terminal 135.

[0020] The main control unit 131, the position detection unit 132, and the determination unit 133 are functional blocks showing the functions of the programs executed by the control unit 130. The memory 134 is a functional representation of the memory of the control unit 130. The output terminal 135 is connected to an external device such as the above-mentioned input device or an ECU (Electronic Controlled Unit) to which the input device is connected, and outputs position data detected by the control unit 130 to the external device.

[0021] The main control unit 131 is a processing unit that controls the processing of the control device 130 , and executes processing other than the processing performed by the position detection unit 132 and the determination unit 133 .

[0022] The position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 based on the potential difference (voltage) at each intersection 121 of the plurality of electrodes 120A and the plurality of electrodes 120B, based on the capacitance detected by the electrodes 120 and input via the cable 125. The position detection unit 132 detects the position at which the user's finger approaches the operation surface 110A based on the capacitance at each intersection 121, and generates position data representing the detected position. The position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 in each control cycle of the position output device 100, and generates position data.

[0023] Here, the capacitance at each intersection 121 of the plurality of electrodes 120A and the plurality of electrodes 120B changes not only when the user's finger touches the operation surface 110A, but also when the user approaches the operation surface 110A. Therefore, approaching the operation surface 110A includes a case where the user's finger touches the operation surface 110A, and a case where the user's finger does not touch the operation surface 110A but approaches the operation surface 110A to such an extent that the capacitance at each intersection 121 of the plurality of electrodes 120A and the plurality of electrodes 120B changes.

[0024] The only difference between the case where the user's finger is in contact with operation surface 110A and the case where the user's finger is not in contact but is approaching operation surface 110A is the magnitude of the capacitance, and detection by position detection unit 132 is performed in the same way. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the following will describe the case where the user's finger is in contact with operation surface 110A.

[0025] When detecting the position where the user's finger approaches operation surface 110A, position detection unit 132, for example, determines the position of the center of gravity of the peak value (maximum value) of the capacitances at the multiple intersections 121 and the capacitances of a predetermined number of intersections 121 around the intersection 121 that gives the peak value on the XY plane, and regards the determined position as the detected position. Note that such a method of detecting the position is just one example, and the position may be detected by various other methods.

[0026] The determination unit 133 determines whether or not to output position data representing the position detected by the position detection unit 132 from the output terminal 135 to the outside of the position output device 100, based on the capacitance detected by the electrode 120 and input via the cable 125.

[0027] When the determination unit 133 determines that the position data should be output from the output terminal 135, the position detection unit 132 outputs the position data to the output terminal 135. As a result, the position data is output to an external device such as an input device or an ECU connected to the output terminal 135.

[0028] Furthermore, if determination unit 133 determines that the position data should not be output from output terminal 135, position detection unit 132 does not output the position data to output terminal 135. As a result, the position data is not output from output terminal 135.

[0029] The memory 134 stores programs, data, etc. required for the main control unit 131, the position detection unit 132, and the determination unit 133 to execute processing.

[0030] Next, the reason why a deviation occurs in the position detected by the position detection unit 132 at the outer edge of the operation area 111 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the reason why a deviation occurs in the position data at the outer edge of the operation area 111. In Fig. 2, black dots represent positions detected by the position detection unit 132. It is assumed that the fingertip moves along the arrow (1) while touching the operation panel 110.

[0031] Since operation panel 110 is circular, the outer edge (boundary) of operation area 111 is also circular. Therefore, intersections 121 are arranged in a zigzag pattern along the outer edge of operation area 111.

[0032] Furthermore, when the entire tip of one finger is in contact with the operation panel 110, the maximum value (peak value) of the capacitances of all detected intersections 121 is obtained at the position where the approximate center of the fingertip is in contact. Since the peak value of capacitance has a large effect on the center of gravity, when the entire tip of one finger is in contact with the operation panel 110, the position detected by the position detection unit 132 is very close to the position of intersection 121 that gives the peak value of capacitance.

[0033] Therefore, when a fingertip touches the operation panel 110 and moves from outside the outer edge to inside the operation area 111, the peak value of the capacitance detected in the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction may differ from the peak value of the capacitance detected in the X-axis direction and / or the Y-axis direction when the entire fingertip is in contact with the operation panel 110.

[0034] 2, when the fingertip overlaps the outer edge of the operation area 111, the position detected by the position detection unit 132 may be shifted in the X-axis and / or Y-axis directions compared to when the entire fingertip is in contact with the operation panel 110. This is because when the fingertip overlaps the outer edge, the part of the fingertip that gives the peak value of capacitance when the entire fingertip is in contact with the operation panel 110 may be outside the operation area 111. Such a shift in the detected position becomes noticeable particularly when the moving direction of the fingertip is not along the radial direction of the operation panel 110 (the direction passing through the center).

[0035] Therefore, even if the user moves the fingertip in a straight line when touching the operation panel 110, if the fingertip overlaps the outer edge, the detected trajectory of the fingertip will be curved. If the trajectory of the fingertip is detected as curved, the user may not be able to perform the input operation as intended.

[0036] As described above, the position output device 100 suppresses the problem caused by detecting a curved fingertip trajectory, and improves usability by outputting position data when a predetermined action is performed. Details of the four types of processing (first processing to fourth processing) of the position output device 100 are explained below. The position output device 100 performs any one of the first processing to fourth processing.

[0037] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating the first processing method. In Fig. 3A to 3C, the capacitance values ​​of intersections 121 detected by position detection unit 132 are shown in quadrant sections of operation area 111 as numerical values ​​within sections shown at positions corresponding to each intersection 121 (for ease of explanation in this specification, each section shown as a square in a matrix as shown in Fig. 3 may be referred to as an intersection). The capacitance values ​​are normalized values, and even if a value is 0, some capacitance value is actually obtained.

[0038] 3(A) to 3(C) show, as an example, the capacitance when a fingertip touching the operation panel 110 moves from the +Y direction outside the operation area 111 to the inside of the operation area 111. The capacitances shown in FIGS. 3(A) to 3(C) were acquired in three consecutive control cycles.

[0039] 3(A) and (B), the entire fingertip is not in contact with the operation panel 110, and some of the fingertip extends outside the operation area 111. In FIG. 3(C), the entire fingertip is within the operation area 111.

[0040] Furthermore, of the multiple intersections 121 arranged in a matrix, the intersections 121 located on the outermost side and closest to the outer edge of the operation area 111 (intersections 121 shown in dark gray) are intersections 121 included in the boundary area. The boundary area is located within a predetermined range inside the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0041] 3A to 3C show a zigzag boundary area that corresponds to one intersection 121 from the outer edge of operation area 111. Note that the boundary area may also be a range that corresponds to two or more intersections 121 from the outer edge of operation area 111.

[0042] 3(A), the peak value of the capacitance of all intersections 121 is the maximum value (120) of the detection values ​​(i.e., 0, 10, 40, and 120) shown at each intersection 121, and is obtained at the intersection 121 shown circled in the boundary area shown in dark gray. The entire fingertip is not in contact with the operation panel 110, and the approximate center of the fingertip is in the boundary area.

[0043] If the peak value of the capacitance is obtained at the intersection 121 within the boundary region, the position output device 100 does not output position data because, as described above, there is a risk of the detected position being shifted.

[0044] 3(B), the peak value of the capacitance has moved inward (toward the center of the operation area 111) from the boundary area shown in dark gray. The position of the fingertip has moved in the -Y direction more than in FIG. 3(A), but since a value (110) close to the peak value is obtained in the boundary area, it is considered that the entire fingertip is not in contact with the operation panel 110.

[0045] In this case, the position output device 100 calculates the difference between each capacitance (40, 110, 40, 10) obtained at the intersections 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value in the boundary region (in FIG. 3(B), the four intersections 121 located next to the peak capacitance value (120) as indicated by the arrows) and the peak value, and determines whether the minimum value of the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value). The predetermined value is 50, for example. The intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value in the boundary region refers to the intersection 121 that is one intersection away from the intersection 121 that gives the peak value in the boundary region.

[0046] In FIG. 3(B), the four differences are 80 (120-40), 10 (120-110), 80 (120-40), and 110 (120-10), and the minimum value of these is 10, which is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value (50), so the position output device 100 does not output position data.

[0047] The reason why the difference between the capacitance obtained at the adjacent intersection 121 (FIG. 3(B)) in the boundary area and the peak value is calculated in this way is that when the entire fingertip is not in contact with the operation panel 110, the edge of the fingertip is considered to be on the center side of the operation area 111, but the center side of the fingertip may be on the outside (boundary area side).

[0048] 3(C), the peak capacitance value has moved further inward than the boundary region indicated by the dark gray. The fingertip position has moved further in the -Y direction than in FIG. 3(B), and the value obtained at intersection 121 adjacent to the value (110) close to the peak value on the +Y direction side has dropped to 40, indicating that the entire fingertip is likely to want to contact operation panel 110.

[0049] In this case, the position output device 100 calculates the difference between each capacitance (40, 40) obtained at the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value within the boundary area (in Figure 3(C), the two intersections 121 located next to the peak capacitance value (120) as shown by the arrows) and the peak value, and determines whether the minimum value of the difference is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (threshold value).

[0050] In FIG. 3(C), the two differences are both 80 (120-40), and the minimum value of 80 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (50), so the position output device 100 outputs the position data.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the first processing method.

[0052] When the process starts, the position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 (step S11).

[0053] The determination unit 133 determines whether the peak value of the capacitance is in the boundary region (step S12).

[0054] If the determination unit 133 determines that the peak value of the capacitance is not in the boundary region (S11: NO), it determines whether the peak value of the capacitance is inside the boundary region (step S13).

[0055] If the determination unit 133 determines that the peak value of the capacitance is inside the boundary region (S13: YES), it determines whether the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is inside the boundary region (step S14).

[0056] When the judgment unit 133 judges that the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is within the boundary region (S14: YES), it calculates the difference between the capacitance obtained at the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value within the boundary region and the peak value, and stores the minimum value of the difference in memory 134 (step S15).

[0057] The determination unit 133 reads the minimum value of the differences from the memory 134, and determines whether the minimum value of the differences is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value) (step S16).

[0058] If the determination unit 133 determines that the minimum value of the differences is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value) (S16: YES), it determines to output the position data and causes the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S17). Since the position detection unit 132 generates the position data based on the capacitance acquired from each intersection 121 in each control cycle, the position detection unit 132 outputs the position data from the output terminal 135 in step S17.

[0059] When the process of step S17 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0060] If the determination unit 133 determines in step S14 that the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is not within the boundary area (S14: NO), it advances the flow to step S17, determines that the position data should be output, and causes the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S17).

[0061] The peak value is obtained at an intersection 121 that is more inward of the operation area 111 than the boundary area and more inward of the operation area 111 than the intersection 121 next to the boundary area (the intersection 121 shown in light gray in Figures 3(A) to (C)). Since the entire fingertip is considered to be within the operation area 111, position data is output.

[0062] Furthermore, if the determination unit 133 determines in step S12 that the peak value of the capacitance is in the boundary region (S11: YES), it determines that the position data should not be output, and does not cause the position detection unit 132 to output the position data (step S18).

[0063] When the process of step S18 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0064] Furthermore, if the determination unit 133 determines in step S13 that the peak value of the capacitance is not inside the boundary region (S13: NO), it determines that the position data should not be output, and does not cause the position detection unit 132 to output the position data (step S18).

[0065] Furthermore, if the determination unit 133 determines in step S16 that the minimum value of the differences is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value) (S16: NO), it determines not to output the position data and does not cause the position detection unit 132 to output the position data (step S18).

[0066] As described above, the position output device 100 does not output position data when the position of the intersection 121 that gives the peak value of the capacitance is in the boundary area. However, the position output device 100 outputs position data when the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is inside the boundary area, the intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is in the boundary area, and the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value). This is because the center of the fingertip is within the operation area 111, and there is an extremely low possibility that the position of the center of gravity found by the position detection unit 132 will be shifted, so the position output device 100 outputs position data.

[0067] Therefore, the position output device 100 can output position data even when the fingertip is near the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0068] Therefore, it is possible to provide a position output device 100 that is easy to use.

[0069] If the entire fingertip is within the operation area 111, the process proceeds from step S14 to step S17 and the position data is output, so that the usability when the entire fingertip is within the operation area 111 is also good.

[0070] Next, the second processing method will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the total value and weighted average value used in the second processing method.

[0071] In the second processing method, the position output device 100 determines not to output position data from the output terminal 135 if the difference between the peak value of the capacitance and the sum of the capacitances obtained at the eight intersections 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value of the capacitance, and a weighted average value obtained by adding the sum in the previous control cycle and the sum in the current control cycle with a predetermined weight is greater than a predetermined value, and determines to output position data from the output terminal if the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0072] In other words, the above-mentioned total value is the total value of the capacitance obtained at nine intersections 121 in a 3x3 array (three in the X direction x three in the Y direction) centered on the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance value (150), as shown in Figure 5(A). In Figure 5(A), at the eight intersections 121 adjacent to the peak value (150), four 54s and four 75s are obtained.

[0073] If the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance is located closest to the outer edge of the operation area 111, there will be no 3x3 intersections 121 centered on the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance, and the number of intersections 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance will be seven or less. In this case, the sum of the capacitance obtained at the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance and the seven or fewer adjacent intersections 121 is taken as the value. The intersection 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance is the intersection 121 immediately adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak capacitance.

[0074] Furthermore, the weighted average value is a weighted average value obtained by adding the total value in the previous control cycle (one cycle before) and the total value in the current control cycle with a predetermined weight. For example, if the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle is made larger than the weight of the total value in the current control cycle, the weighted average value will be a value that is more influenced by the total value in the previous control cycle. Conversely, if the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle is made smaller than the weight of the total value in the current control cycle, the weighted average value will be a value that is less influenced by the total value in the previous control cycle.

[0075] When the position of the fingertip overlaps the outer edge of the operation area 111 and the entire fingertip is not within the operation area 111, the number of intersections 121 adjacent to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value is small, as described above, and the total value is relatively low.

[0076] Therefore, in the second processing method, the position output device 100 determines not to output the position data from the output terminal 135 if the difference between the total value in the current control cycle and the weighted average value is greater than a predetermined value, and determines to output the position data from the output terminal 135 if the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

[0077] In this determination method, the difference becomes large when the position of the fingertip overlaps the outer edge of the operation area 111 and the entire fingertip is not within the operation area 111, and the difference becomes small when the entire fingertip is within the operation area 111.

[0078] In Fig. 5(B), the horizontal axis represents the position in the X or Y direction, and the closer to either end, the closer to the outer edge of the operation area 111. Also, in Fig. 5(B), the vertical axis represents the capacitance. In Fig. 5(B), the dashed line represents the total value, the solid line represents the weighted average value, and the dashed-dotted line represents the difference between the total value and the weighted average value.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5(B), it can be seen that the difference between the total value and the weighted average value becomes large at both ends close to the outer edges of operation area 111.

[0080] The allocation of the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle and the weight of the total value in the current control cycle can be set, for example, according to the size of operation panel 110 in a planar view, the pitch of electrodes 120A and 120B (the distance between adjacent electrodes 120A and 120B), etc.

[0081] When the entire fingertip is not within the operation area 111, the greater the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle is made compared to the weight of the total value in the current control cycle, the greater the difference between the total value in the current control cycle and the weighted average value.

[0082] Furthermore, when the entire fingertip is not within the operation area 111, the smaller the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle is made compared to the weight of the total value in the current control cycle, the smaller the difference between the total value in the current control cycle and the weighted average value becomes.

[0083] Therefore, the position output device 100 sets a larger predetermined value (threshold value) used to determine whether to output position data as the weight of the total value in the previous control cycle increases compared to the weight of the total value in the current control cycle.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of the second processing method.

[0085] When the process starts, the position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 (step S21).

[0086] The determination unit 133 causes the position detection unit 132 to generate position data, and calculates a total value centered around the peak value of the capacitance (step S22).

[0087] The determination unit 133 calculates a weighted average value by adding the total value in the previous control cycle and the total value in the current control cycle with a predetermined weight (step S23).

[0088] The determination unit 133 determines whether the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the weighted average value calculated in step S23 from the total value calculated in step S22 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (threshold value) (step S24).

[0089] If the determination unit 133 determines that the absolute value of the subtracted value is equal to or less than a predetermined value (threshold value) (S24: YES), it determines to output the position data and causes the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S25).

[0090] When the process of step S25 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0091] If the judgment unit 133 determines in step S24 that the absolute value of the subtracted value is not equal to or less than a predetermined value (threshold value) (S24: NO), it determines not to output the position data and does not cause the position detection unit 132 to output the position data (step S26).

[0092] When the process of step S26 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0093] As described above, the position output device 100 determines whether the fingertip is on the outer edge of the operation area 111 or whether the entire fingertip is within the operation area 111 depending on whether the difference between the total value and the weighted average value is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and determines whether to output position data depending on the determination result.

[0094] That is, even if the fingertip is close to the outer edge of the operation area 111, the position data is output if the difference between the total value and the weighted average value is equal to or less than a predetermined value. This is because the center of the fingertip is within the operation area 111, and there is an extremely low possibility that the position of the center of gravity found by the position detection unit 132 will be shifted, so the position data is output.

[0095] Therefore, the position output device 100 can output position data even when the fingertip is near the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0096] Therefore, it is possible to provide a position output device 100 that is easy to use.

[0097] Next, the third processing method will be described. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the angle calculated by determination unit 133 in the third processing method. Fig. 7 shows operation area 111 and center 111C of operation area 111. Also, an annular area within operation area 111 that is a distance RI or more from center 111C is boundary area (area shown in gray) 111D.

[0098] The width (radial width) of boundary area 111D is set to a width that allows the position to be detected at least twice by position detection unit 132 at an average operation speed of the user's fingertip. This is to enable the position of the user's fingertip, which touches operation panel 110 from outside operation area 111, to be detected twice or more within boundary area 111D.

[0099] 7, it is assumed that the position of the user's fingertip detected by the position detection unit 132 moves from point A (X0, Y0) on the outer edge of the operation area 111 to point C (X2, Y2) via point B (X1, Y1). The coordinates of the center 111C are (0, 0).

[0100] The angle θ0 of the line connecting point A (X0, Y0) and the center 111C (0, 0) with the line that passes through the center 111C (0, 0) and is parallel to the X axis is θ0 = tan -1 The angle θ0 is calculated by (Y0 / X0). The angle θ0 is the initial angle of the fingertip relative to the center 111C (0,0) of the position where the fingertip enters the operation area 111, and is stored in the memory 134.

[0101] The angle θ1 of movement in the direction in which the detected position moves from point A (X0, Y0) to point B (X1, Y1) relative to a line that passes through the center 111C (0, 0) and is parallel to the X axis is θ1 = tan -1 It can be calculated by (Y0-Y1 / X0-X1).

[0102] Similarly, the angle θ2 of movement in the direction in which the detected position moves from point B (X1, Y1) to point C (X2, Y2) relative to a line that passes through the center 111C (0, 0) and is parallel to the X axis is θ2 = tan -1 It can be calculated by (Y1-Y2 / X1-X2).

[0103] When the position of the fingertip moves from point A to point B and point C at the initial angle θ0, the detected position is unlikely to shift because the trajectory is perpendicular to the tangent to the outer edge of the operation area 111 and follows the radial direction of the operation panel 110 from when the fingertip starts to enter the operation area 111 until it completely enters the operation area 111. However, when the fingertip moves in a direction different from the initial angle θ0, for example, from point A to point B1 and point C1, the detected position is likely to shift as described using FIG. 2.

[0104] Therefore, in the third processing method, the position output device 100 does not output position data when the absolute value of the difference between the initial angle θ0 and the moving angle is greater than a predetermined angle (angle threshold), and outputs position data when the absolute value of the difference between the initial angle θ0 and the moving angle is equal to or less than the predetermined angle (angle threshold).

[0105] Furthermore, the position output device 100 exceptionally outputs position data even when the movement angle relative to the initial angle θ0 is greater than a predetermined angle (angle threshold) in the following cases: Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a case in which position data is exceptionally output.

[0106] 8, when the position detected by the position detection unit 132 moves continuously over a certain distance from point A2 to point B2 to point C2 to point D2 to point E2 to point F2, it is considered that the user is intentionally performing such an operation. The continuous movement to point A2 to point B2 to point C2 to point D2 to point E2 to point F2 is an operation performed after the movement angle with respect to the initial angle θ0 becomes larger than a predetermined angle (angle threshold).

[0107] In such a case, the position output device 100 outputs the position data exceptionally. For example, even if the position output device 100 determines not to output the position data at points A2 and B2, it determines to output the position data from point C2 through points D2 and E2 to point F2.

[0108] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the process of the third processing method.

[0109] When the process starts, the position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 (step S31).

[0110] The determination unit 133 causes the position detection unit 132 to generate position data and calculates a movement angle (step S32). The calculation of the movement angle is a calculation of an initial angle θ0 when the fingertip position enters the operation area 111, and after the entry, it is an angle with respect to a line that passes through the center 111C(0,0) of the movement direction from the position detected by the position detection unit 132 in the previous control cycle to the position detected by the position detection unit 132 in the current control cycle and is parallel to the X axis.

[0111] The determination unit 133 determines whether the position represented by the position data generated by the position detection unit 132 in step S32 is within the boundary area 111D (step S33).

[0112] If it is determined that the current position is within boundary area 111D (S33: YES), determination unit 133 determines whether the current position has occurred within boundary area 111D from outside operation area 111 for the first time (step S34). Whether the current position has occurred within boundary area 111D from outside operation area 111 can be determined by whether the position has been detected for the first time at the outer edge of operation area 111 from a state in which position detection unit 132 has not detected a position.

[0113] When the determination unit 133 determines that the touch has occurred for the first time from outside the operation area 111 to within the boundary area 111D (S34: YES), the determination unit 133 stores the initial angle θ0 calculated in step S32 in the memory 134 (step S35).

[0114] When the process of step S35 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0115] In the control cycle following the control cycle in which the initial angle θ0 was stored in the memory 134, the judgment unit 133 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 in step S31, causes the position detection unit 132 to generate position data in step S32, and calculates the movement angle.If, in step S34 after determining in step S33 that the position represented by the position data is within the boundary area 111D (S33: YES), it is determined for the first time in step S34 that the movement has not occurred from outside the operation area 111 to within the boundary area 111D (S34: NO), the judgment unit 133 performs the following processing in step S36.

[0116] The determination unit 133 determines whether the absolute value of the value obtained by subtracting the initial angle θ0 from the movement angle calculated in step S32 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined angle (angle threshold) (step S36).

[0117] If the determination unit 133 determines that the absolute value of the subtracted value is equal to or less than a predetermined angle (angle threshold) (S36: YES), it determines to output the position data and causes the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S37).

[0118] When the process of step S37 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0119] If the determination unit 133 determines in step S36 that the absolute value of the subtracted value is not equal to or less than the predetermined angle (angle threshold) (S36: NO), it determines whether the movement distance of the position detected by the position detection unit 132 for each control cycle after determining in step S34 that the operation has occurred for the first time from outside the operation area 111 to within the boundary area 111D is equal to or greater than the predetermined distance (distance threshold) (step S38). The predetermined distance (distance threshold) may be set to an appropriate distance that is considered to be a distance at which the user is intentionally performing an operation to move the fingertip.

[0120] If the determination unit 133 determines that the movement distance is greater than or equal to a predetermined distance (distance threshold) (S38: YES), it proceeds to step S37, determines that the position data should be output, and causes the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S37).

[0121] The flow proceeds from step S38 to S37 when the user intentionally moves the fingertip, as shown in Fig. 8. Note that Fig. 8 shows an operation of scrolling round and round along the outer edge of operation area 111 within boundary area 111D, but the operation may be performed not within boundary area 111D but within an area inside boundary area 111D (toward center 111C), or may be an operation spanning boundary area 111D and an area inside boundary area 111D.

[0122] On the other hand, if the judgment unit 133 determines in step S38 that the movement distance is not greater than the predetermined distance (distance threshold) (S38: NO), it determines not to output the position data and does not cause the position detection unit 132 to output the position data to the output terminal 135 (step S39).

[0123] When the process of step S37 ends, the main control unit 131 ends the process in the control cycle (END), and starts the process from the start in the next control cycle.

[0124] As described above, in the third processing method, the position output device 100 obtains the movement angle by which the position detected by the position detection unit 132 moves within the boundary area 111D, and calculates the absolute value of the difference between the movement angle and the initial angle.

[0125] If the absolute value of the difference is greater than a predetermined angle (angle threshold), the position data is not output, and if the absolute value of the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined angle (angle threshold), the position data is output. This is because if the movement direction is toward the center 111C of the operation area 111, there will be little positional deviation even if the position data is output.

[0126] Therefore, the position output device 100 can output position data even when the fingertip is near the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0127] Therefore, it is possible to provide a position output device 100 that is easy to use.

[0128] Next, the fourth processing method will be described. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating the width of the area where the fingertip touches the operation panel 110 and the width threshold. The fourth processing method is the third processing method to which a determination based on the width of the area where the fingertip touches the operation panel 110 has been added. Therefore, below, a redundant description of the same content as the third processing method will be omitted. The width of the area where the fingertip touches the operation panel 110 uses the width in the X direction and the width in the Y direction.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 10(A), when the area where the fingertip contacts the operation panel 110 is relatively large, when the fingertip contacting the operation panel 110 moves from outside the operation area 111 along the arrow (2), a shift may occur in the position detected by the position detection unit 132 at the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0130] However, as shown in FIG. 10(B), when the area where the fingertip contacts the operation panel 110 is relatively small, when the fingertip contacting the operation panel 110 moves from the outside of the operation area 111 along the arrow (3), there is little deviation in the position detected by the position detection unit 132 at the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0131] This is because when the area of ​​the area where the fingertip contacts the operation panel 110 is small, the position detected by the position detection unit 132 is less likely to deviate compared to when the area of ​​the area where the fingertip contacts the operation panel 110 is large, due to the relationship with the pitch of the intersection 121 in the X and Y directions.

[0132] The width of the fingertip touching the operation panel 110 may be determined, for example, as follows. For example, when a capacitance distribution is obtained that spreads radially from a peak value (150) as shown in FIG. 10(C), where the capacitance obtained at adjacent intersections 121 changes significantly, it is necessary to determine how many intersections 121 in the X and Y directions the finger width corresponds to. When determining the finger width in this way, a capacitance threshold may be used, for example. Here, the threshold is assumed to be 50.

[0133] In Figure 10(C), at the intersection 121 next to the intersection 121 that gives the peak value (150), a capacitance of 75 or 54 is obtained, which is above the threshold value (50), but at the intersection 121 next to the intersection 121, a capacitance of 5, 13, or 19 is obtained, which is below the threshold value (50).

[0134] In such a case, the width of the fingertip may be determined to be the width of three intersections 121.

[0135] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing of the fourth processing method. In the flow shown in Fig. 11, step S32 of the flow showing the processing of the third processing method shown in Fig. 9 is changed to S32A, and step S32B is added after step S32A. After step S32B, the processing of steps S33 to S39 continues. Therefore, the following explanation will mainly focus on the differences from Fig. 9.

[0136] When the process starts and the position detection unit 132 detects the capacitance at each intersection 121 in step S31, the determination unit 133 causes the position detection unit 132 to generate position data, calculates the movement angle, and further determines the width of the fingertip (step S32A).

[0137] The process of step S32A is the process of step S32 shown in FIG. 9, to which a process of measuring the width of the fingertip has been added.

[0138] The determination unit 133 determines whether the fingertip width determined in step S32A is equal to or smaller than the fingertip width threshold (width threshold) stored in the memory 134 (step S32B).

[0139] If the determination unit 133 determines that the width is equal to or less than the width threshold (S32B: YES), the flow proceeds to step S37. This is because when the finger width is narrow and equal to or less than the width threshold, positional deviation is unlikely to occur even at the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0140] On the other hand, if the determination unit 133 determines that the width is not equal to or less than the width threshold (S32B: NO), the flow proceeds to step S33. If the finger width is not equal to or less than the width threshold but is thick, there is a risk of positional deviation occurring even at the outer edge of the operation area 111, and therefore, by performing the processes from step S33 onwards, similar to the third processing method, it is determined whether or not to output position data.

[0141] As described above, the fourth processing method adds processing to the third processing method in which position data is output also at the outer edge of the operation area 111 when the finger width is thin and equal to or less than the width threshold.

[0142] Therefore, the position output device 100 can output position data even when the fingertip is near the outer edge of the operation area 111.

[0143] Therefore, it is possible to provide a position output device 100 that is easy to use.

[0144] While the present invention has been described above as an exemplary embodiment of a position output device, the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible without departing from the scope of the claims. As an example, in the disclosed embodiment, it has been described that position data is not output in a predetermined case, but the present invention also includes a configuration in which, instead of not outputting position data, the device outputs that the position data is invalid.

[0145] Furthermore, the present invention has been described assuming that the detection value based on the capacitance formed at the intersection 121 between the plurality of electrodes 120A extending in the X direction and the plurality of electrodes 120B extending in the Y direction as shown in FIG. 1 corresponds to the detection value of a section divided into a matrix as shown in FIG. 3, but is not limited to this electrode configuration and can be applied to any electrode configuration that can detect the proximity coordinates of a nearby object. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 100 Position output device 110 Operation Panel 120 electrodes 125 Cable 130 Control device 131 Main control unit 132 Position detection unit 133 Judgment section 134 memory 135 output terminal

Claims

1. a plurality of detection electrodes provided along an operation surface that is operated by an object; a position detection unit that detects a position where the object approaches the operation surface based on capacitance; an output terminal for outputting position data representing the position; a determination unit that determines whether or not the position data is to be output from the output terminal; Including, the determination unit determines not to output the position data from the output terminal when a difference between a first angle formed by a line connecting a first position represented by the position data and a center of an operation area of ​​the operation surface and a line parallel to the X-axis and a second angle formed by a line parallel to the X-axis and a direction in which the position represented by the position data moves from the first position to a second position within a boundary area within a predetermined range from an outer edge of the operation area is greater than a predetermined value, and determines to output the position data from the output terminal when the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

2. the position detection unit detects a position where an object approaches the plurality of detection electrodes based on capacitances in a plurality of sections divided by the plurality of detection electrodes; 2. The position output device of claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the position data will not be output from the output terminal if the difference between a first width in a first axis direction and a second width in a second axis direction of the object is greater than a predetermined width based on the capacitance in the plurality of sections and the difference is greater than a predetermined value, and determines that the position data will be output from the output terminal if the difference is less than or equal to the predetermined value.

3. 3. The position output device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines not to output the position data from the output terminal when a difference between the second angle and a third angle formed by a direction in which the position represented by the position data moves from the second position to the third position within the boundary area and a line parallel to the X-axis is greater than the predetermined value, even if the difference is equal to or less than the predetermined value.

4. 4. The position output device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines that the position data is to be output from the output terminal if the movement distance of the position data is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance, even if the difference is greater than the predetermined value.

5. The position output device according to claim 1 , wherein an outer edge of the operation area is circular.

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