electronic equipment

The electronic device addresses alternating periods in passive matrix displays by continuously converting electrical energy for touch detection, improving brightness and accuracy while simplifying manufacturing and enhancing light transmittance.

JP7749506B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-06KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
View PDF 3 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022063766
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-04-07
Publication Date
2025-10-06
Estimated Expiration
2042-04-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional passive matrix organic electroluminescence displays suffer from alternating light-emitting and touch detection periods, leading to reduced brightness and detection accuracy, as well as intermittent electrical energy conversion.

Method used

An electronic device with a positive electrode, negative electrode, conversion unit, current limiting unit, first and second current generating units, and control unit that continuously convert electrical energy into another form while detecting touch inputs, using a self-capacitance method to determine touch operations.

Benefits of technology

Enables continuous detection of touch inputs with improved brightness and accuracy by simultaneously converting electrical energy and performing display functions, simplifying manufacturing and enhancing light transmittance.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007749506000001
    Figure 0007749506000001
  • Figure 0007749506000002
    Figure 0007749506000002
  • Figure 0007749506000003
    Figure 0007749506000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus that detects a detection object while successively converting electric energy.SOLUTION: A display input device 1 is approximately constituted by including: an anode 20; a cathode 22; a conversion unit that converts the electric energy of a current flowing between the anode 20 and the cathode 22 into other energy; a current limiting unit 4 that limits the current flowing in the cathode 22 to a limiting current value ILIM; a first current generation unit 6 that generates a first current IA and supplies to the anode 20; a second current generation unit 7 that generates a second current IB having a larger voltage than the voltage of the first current IA in order to charge the anode 20, and superimposes the second current IB on the first current IA before supplying to the anode 20; and a control unit 8 that controls the second current IB superimposed on the first current IA, and determines, concurrently with electric energy conversion by the conversion unit, proximity or contact of an operation finger 9 on the basis of the result of having measured the voltage of the anode 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technique, a passive matrix organic electroluminescence display having a light emitting function and a touch detection function is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] This passive matrix organic electroluminescence display includes an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) element having a plurality of cathodes, a plurality of anodes, and an organic functional layer unit sandwiched between the cathodes and anodes and including a light-emitting layer. In the passive matrix organic electroluminescence display, the cathodes and anodes function as touch detection electrodes, and the light-emitting period of the organic EL element and the touch detection period by the touch detection electrodes are temporally separated, that is, the light-emitting period and the touch detection period alternate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-030884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this conventional passive matrix organic electroluminescence display, the light-emitting period and the touch detection period alternate, which results in a shorter light-emitting period and lower brightness, as well as a shorter touch detection period and lower detection accuracy of touch operations, compared to when the periods are not switched.Furthermore, for example, when the organic functional layer converts electrical energy into energy other than light energy, the electrical energy conversion period and the touch detection period alternate, resulting in a problem of electrical energy conversion being intermittent.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that detects an object to be detected while continuously converting electrical energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides an electronic device comprising: a positive electrode arranged below an operation input surface to which a detection object approaches or comes into contact; a negative electrode electrically connected to the positive electrode; a conversion unit electrically connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and converting the electrical energy of a current flowing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode into another energy; a current limiting unit electrically connected to the negative electrode and limiting the current flowing to the negative electrode via the positive electrode and the conversion unit to a limited current value; a first current generating unit electrically connected to the positive electrode and generating a first current that serves as electrical energy for the conversion unit and supplying it to the positive electrode; a second current generating unit electrically connected to the positive electrode and generating a second current having a voltage greater than that of the first current to charge the positive electrode, superimposing the second current on the first current and supplying it to the positive electrode; and a control unit that controls the second current generating unit to control the second current superimposed on the first current, and determines whether a detection object has approached or come into contact with the detection object based on the measurement results of the voltage of the positive electrode measured in parallel with the conversion of electrical energy by the conversion unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a detection target while continuously converting electrical energy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display input device, and FIG. 1(c) is an example of a block diagram of the display input device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the operation when the second current of the display input device is Lo. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation when the second current of the display / input device is Hi. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the operation when the second current of the display / input device transitions from Hi to Lo. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the display input device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The electronic device according to the embodiment is generally configured to include: a positive electrode disposed below an operation input surface to which a detection target approaches or comes into contact; a negative electrode electrically connected to the positive electrode; a conversion unit electrically connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and configured to convert the electrical energy of the current flowing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode into another energy source; a current limiting unit electrically connected to the negative electrode and configured to limit the current flowing to the negative electrode via the positive electrode and the conversion unit to a limited current value; a first current generating unit electrically connected to the positive electrode and configured to generate a first current that serves as electrical energy for the conversion unit and supply it to the positive electrode; a second current generating unit electrically connected to the positive electrode and configured to generate a second current having a voltage greater than that of the first current in order to charge the positive electrode, superimpose the second current on the first current, and supply it to the positive electrode; and a control unit that controls the second current generating unit to control the second current superimposed on the first current, and determines whether a detection target has approached or come into contact with the detection target based on the measurement results obtained by measuring the voltage of the positive electrode in parallel with the conversion of electrical energy by the conversion unit.

[0011] In this electronic device, current is constantly supplied to the conversion unit, so that the detection target can be detected while continuously converting electrical energy, compared to when electrical energy conversion periods and detection periods are alternated.

[0012] [Embodiment Mode] (Outline of display input device 1) 1(a) and 1(b) are diagrams showing an example of a display / input device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1(c) is an example of a block diagram of a display / input device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of the display / input device according to the embodiment when the second current is Lo. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of the display / input device according to the embodiment when the second current is Hi. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation of the display / input device according to the embodiment when the second current transitions from Hi to Lo.

[0013] 2 to 4 show the control signal S2 and the second current I B , the first current I A + Second current I B (IA+IB), current I C , current I D and the measured voltage V. In the graph of the control signal S2, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents voltage value. B , the first current I A + Second current I B , current I C and current I D In the graph of (a), the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is current value. In the graph of measured voltage V, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is voltage value.

[0014] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. In addition, in Figures 1(c) to 4, arrows indicate the flow of main signals, information, current, etc. Furthermore, "A to B" indicating a numerical range, etc., is used to mean A or more and B or less.

[0015] A display input device 1 serving as an electronic device is mounted on a vehicle, for example. As shown in Fig. 1(a), for example, the display input device 1 has a plurality of organic EL elements 2 (described later) and has a display function that displays a display image 10 relating to the in-vehicle device as a display unit of the in-vehicle device of the vehicle, and a function that accepts operation input for an icon 11 displayed as the display image 10. As shown in Fig. 1(c), for example, the display input device 1 has a function that displays the display image 10 based on display image information S1, which is information on the image to be displayed.

[0016] The operation input is, for example, a touch operation by approaching or contacting the operation input surface 30 with the operation finger 9 as the detection target. Note that approaching the operation input surface 30 means that when the sensitivity of the detection target is high, the detection target is detected in a floating state before contacting the operation input surface 30. In this embodiment, the detection target is the user's operation finger 9, but is not limited to this and may be a detectable object such as a stylus pen.

[0017] Examples of in-vehicle devices include a vehicle control device that controls the overall vehicle settings and automatic driving functions, an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that displays a map of the current location and provides guidance to the destination, a seat device that controls the position and tilt of the seat, and a music and video playback device that plays music and videos.

[0018] 1(b), the display input device 1 may be a switch in which a predetermined function is switched between an on state and an off state by a touch operation. The display input device 1 has a design 12, and displays the design 12 on the operation input surface 30 by using the organic EL element 2 as lighting. The design 12 is formed, for example, by removing a light-shielding film formed on the operation input surface 30 with a laser or the like. When there are multiple locations that accept touch operations, multiple designs 12 are provided according to the locations.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1( c), the display input device 1 includes a positive electrode 20 arranged below an operation input surface 30 to which an operation finger 9 approaches or comes into contact, a negative electrode 22 electrically connected to the positive electrode 20, a conversion unit electrically connected between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 22 and converting the electrical energy of the current flowing between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 22 into another energy, and a current limiter 10 electrically connected to the negative electrode 22 and limiting the current flowing to the negative electrode 22 via the positive electrode 20 and the conversion unit to a limit current value I LIM a current limiting unit 4 electrically connected to the positive electrode 20 and configured to limit the first current I A and supplying the first current I to the positive electrode 20; and A A second current I has a voltage greater than the voltage of B and generates a first current I A The second current I B and a second current generating unit 7 that controls the second current generating unit 7 to generate a first current I A A second current I is superimposed on B and a control unit 8 that controls the conversion of electric energy by the conversion unit and determines the approach or contact of the operating finger 9 based on the measurement result obtained by measuring the voltage of the positive electrode 20 in parallel with the conversion of electric energy by the conversion unit.

[0020] The conversion unit of this embodiment is, for example, the organic EL layer 21 that converts electrical energy into light energy. The conversion unit is not limited to the organic EL layer 21, and may be configured separately from the organic EL layer 21 to convert electrical energy into light energy, or may convert electrical energy into thermal energy, mechanical energy, or the like. For example, the conversion unit may be a heating wire that converts electrical energy into thermal energy. Also, for example, the conversion unit may be a motor that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

[0021] The display input device 1 mainly employs the following method to detect the touch operation of the operating finger 9 while constantly converting electrical energy into optical energy.

[0022] A method for charging only the electrode-GND capacitance 15 (touch capacitance 150 and parasitic capacitance 151) while a current is flowing through the organic EL element 2 The display input device 1 supplies a current greater than the limit to the organic EL element 2 while limiting the current flowing through the organic EL element 2, thereby charging the capacitance 15 between the electrode GND. In the display input device 1, the supply of electricity for emitting light to the organic EL element 2 and the charging for detecting a touch operation are simultaneously established.

[0023] -Method of constantly energizing the organic EL element 2 and method of discharging the charge that has been charged after detecting a touch operation The display input device 1 receives a second current I, which is a pulse current. B a second current generating unit 7 that generates the second current I B A first current I having a voltage lower than the maximum voltage of A and a first current generating unit 6 that generates a second current I B When the voltage is Lo, the first current I A flows to the organic EL element 2. The display input device 1 receives a second current I B Immediately after the voltage is switched from Hi to Lo, the charge stored in the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15 flows to the organic EL element 2, and the voltage between the positive electrode 20 and the negative electrode 22 of the organic EL element 2 drops to the voltage flowing in from the first current generating unit 6, thereby discharging the charge stored in the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15.

[0024] 2, the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15 indicates the electrostatic capacitance between the positive electrode 20 and GND, and includes a touch capacitance 150 that occurs between GND and the organic EL element 2 via the operating finger 9, and a parasitic capacitance 151 that inevitably occurs between GND and the positive electrode 20. This inter-electrode GND capacitance 15 includes electrostatic capacitances other than the element capacitance 212 of the organic EL element 2. Here, the voltage of the positive electrode 20 is a voltage based on the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15.

[0025] (Configuration of organic EL element 2) The display input device 1 includes a plurality of organic EL elements 2. As shown in FIG. 1(c), each organic EL element 2 includes a positive electrode 20, an organic EL layer 21, and a negative electrode 22, and is protected by a protective portion 3.

[0026] The positive electrode 20 is, for example, a transparent electrode formed in a plate shape using ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0027] The organic EL layer 21 is a laminate of a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron injection layer, etc., and is sandwiched between an anode 20 and a cathode 22. The organic EL layer 21 is a layer formed of a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron injection layer, etc., and is sandwiched between an anode 20 and a cathode 22. D The light 211 is emitted through the positive electrode 20 and the protective portion 3 .

[0028] In FIG. 1( c ), the light-emitting function of the organic EL layer 21 is represented by a light-emitting element 210 , and the parasitic capacitance component of the organic EL layer 21 is represented as an element capacitance 212 .

[0029] The negative electrodes 22 are formed in a plate shape from a conductive metal or a conductive alloy, such as copper or aluminum, and are provided for each of the organic EL elements 2. As shown in FIG. 1(c), the negative electrodes 22 are electrically connected to a ground circuit 5.

[0030] (Configuration of protection unit 3) The protective part 3 is formed in a plate shape from, for example, a transparent resin such as polycarbonate, glass, etc. The front surface of the protective part 3 serves as an operation input surface 30. A plurality of organic EL elements 2 are arranged on the back surface 31 side of the protective part 3.

[0031] (Configuration of current limiting unit 4) The current limiting unit 4 is electrically connected between the negative electrode 22 and the ground circuit 5. The current limiting unit 4 limits a predetermined limit current value I LIM It is configured so that a current of more than this does not flow.

[0032] (Configuration of ground circuit 5) The ground circuit 5 is configured as a circuit that determines the reference potential of the display input device 1.

[0033] (Configuration of the first current generating unit 6) The first current generating unit 6 is electrically connected to the organic EL element 2 via a node 17 between the control unit 8 and the positive electrode 20. The first current generating unit 6 generates at least a limited current value I LIM A first current I having a current value equal to or greater than A to the anode 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the first current generating unit 6 includes a constant voltage source 60, a resistor 61 for adjusting the current, and a diode 62 for determining the direction of the current flow.

[0034] The constant voltage source 60 generates a constant voltage LV as shown in Fig. 2. The first current generating unit 6 generates a limited current value I LIM Based on the first current I A This constant voltage LV is, for example, 8V.

[0035] (Configuration of second current generating unit 7) The second current generating unit 7 is located between the control unit 8 and the positive electrode 20, and is electrically connected to the organic EL element 2 via a node 16. The second current generating unit 7 may be connected closer to the control unit 8 than the first current generating unit 6, that is, between the control unit 8 and node 17, or between the organic EL element 2 and node 17.

[0036] The second current generating unit 7 generates a second current I, which is a pulse current having a first state Hi where the voltage value is high and a second state Lo where the voltage value is lower than Hi, under the control of the control unit 8. B The control unit 8 is configured to generate a second current I B The voltage V2 of the positive electrode 20 and the limiting current value I measured when LIM Current I DIf the difference between the voltage V1 and the voltage V2 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value 82, it is determined that the operating finger 9 has approached or contacted the operating finger 9. As will be described later, the voltage V1 is removed by the filter unit 80 as an offset voltage, so that the voltage V2 measured by the voltage measurement unit 81 is actually compared with the threshold value 82.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the second current generating unit 7 is configured to include a constant voltage source 70, a constant current unit 71, a switch unit 72 for generating a pulse current, and a diode 73 for determining the direction of current flow.

[0038] 2, the constant voltage source 70 generates a constant voltage HV. For example, the constant voltage HV is 10 V. The constant current unit 71 generates a second current I B Generate.

[0039] The switch unit 72 is electrically connected to the control unit 8 and switches between ON and OFF based on a control signal S2 output from the control unit 8. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the switch unit 72 is ON, the second current generating unit 7 generates a current value I PLS The second current I B is supplied to the positive electrode 20 and the switch unit 72 is OFF, the second current I B The supply of will be stopped.

[0040] Therefore, the second current generating unit 7 generates the second current I, which is a pulse current, by turning the switch unit 72 ON and OFF. B The second current I shown in Figs. B In the graph, the vertical axis represents the current value and the horizontal axis represents the time.

[0041] (Configuration of control unit 8) The control unit 8 is a microcomputer including, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for the operation of the control unit 8. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results. The control unit 8 also has means for generating a clock signal therein and operates based on this clock signal.

[0042] The control unit 8 includes a filter unit 80 including a high-pass filter that filters out noise when measuring the voltage of the positive electrode 20, and a voltage measurement unit 81 that measures the voltage of the positive electrode 20 via the filter unit 80. As a modified example, the filter unit 80 and the voltage measurement unit 81 may be provided outside the control unit 8 as a circuit.

[0043] The control unit 8 is an integrated circuit (IC) in which a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a filter unit 80, and a voltage measurement unit 81 are integrated.

[0044] The control unit 8 is configured to perform touch detection using a self-capacitance method, in which the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15 is charged and the presence or absence of a touch operation is determined from a change in potential.

[0045] The control unit 8 controls the second current I B is a pulse current, the switch unit 72 of the second current generating unit 7 is configured to be turned ON and OFF periodically by the control signal S2.

[0046] The voltage measurement unit 81 measures the voltage based on the capacitance 15 between the electrode GND via the positive electrode 20. The voltage V1 is calculated by the current limiting unit 4 as the limited current value I LIM The voltage V2 is the voltage when there is no touch operation and the first current I A and the second current I Bis the voltage when supplied to the anode 20. Therefore, ideally, the voltage measurement unit 81 does not need to measure voltages smaller than voltage V1 or voltages larger than voltage V2.

[0047] Here, the voltage that changes depending on whether or not a touch operation is performed is the current I B is the voltage rise amount (=V2-V1) between Hi and V2. Therefore, when V2 is input to the measurement voltage V measured by the voltage measurement unit 81, the sensitivity at the time of touch detection decreases by the voltage V1, which is the offset voltage. The voltage measurement unit 81 is, for example, an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter), and is configured to convert the input analog voltage into a digital value with a resolution of a set number of bits. Therefore, the voltage that changes depending on the presence or absence of a touch operation is, as described above, the current I B is the voltage rise between Hi, so ideally, in order to increase the resolution, only the voltage rise can be input to the voltage measurement unit 81. However, if voltage V2 is input as is to the measurement voltage V, the resolution of the voltage measurement unit 81 will be reduced by the offset voltage V1 relative to the voltage rise (= V2 - V1). For this reason, the voltage measurement unit 81 is configured to measure the voltage from which voltage V1, the offset voltage, has been removed using a high-pass filter. The resolution is, for example, 10 bits.

[0048] For this reason, the control unit 8 includes a filter unit 80 having a high-pass filter for removing the voltage V1 that becomes the offset voltage. As a modification, the filter unit 80 may further include a high-cut filter so as not to pass signals with a voltage equal to or higher than V2.

[0049] Control unit 8 determines that a touch operation has been performed when voltage V2 measured by voltage measurement unit 81 is smaller than predetermined threshold value 82. When a touch operation is detected, control unit 8 generates operation information S3, which is information such as the position where the touch operation was detected, and outputs it to an electrically connected in-vehicle device.

[0050] In the following, the second current I B2 to 4, the operation of the display input device 1 from Lo to Hi and from Hi to Lo will be described. B , the superimposed first current I A and the second current I B , current I C , current I D , and the current graph value of the measured voltage V is shown as a black dot.

[0051] Second current I B If is Lo The control unit 8 outputs a control signal S2 to turn off the switch unit 72, thereby preventing the second current I B When the switch unit 72 is turned off, the supply of the second current I B is zero, as shown in Figure 2.

[0052] First current I A is always supplied to the positive electrode 20. Therefore, the first current I A + Second current I B (I A +I B ) is the first current I A This first current I A is the limit current value I LIM Minute current I D flows through the positive electrode 20, the organic EL layer 21, the negative electrode 22, and the current limiting unit 4 to the ground circuit 5. Note that the first current I A The current value is the limit current value I LIM If the first current I A is the current I D This becomes:

[0053] The capacitance between the electrodes and GND is 15, and the current value I PLS The limiting current I flowing from the OLED element 2 LIM Current I minus C However, the current I C is the first current I A flows through the organic EL element 2, and a second current I B is zero, so the current value I PLSbecomes zero, which means that the capacitance 15 between the electrode and GND is not charged.

[0054] Therefore, the second current I B When is Lo, the voltage measurement unit 81 measures the voltage V1.

[0055] Second current I B If is Hi The control unit 8 outputs a control signal S2 to turn the switch unit 72 from OFF to ON, and a second current I B When the switch unit 72 is turned on, the second current I B As shown in Figure 3, the current changes from Lo to Hi, and the current value changes from zero to I PLS This becomes:

[0056] Second current I B When the voltage level of the second current generator 7 is switched from Lo to Hi, the second current generator 7 generates a second current I B However, the current I is limited by the current limiting unit 4. D However, the excess current that exceeds the limit is charged in the capacitance 15 between the electrode and GND, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 3, and the potential of the positive electrode 20 begins to rise. The potential of the positive electrode 20 continues to rise at a slope related to the magnitude of the capacitance 15 between the electrode and GND, as shown in the graph of the measured voltage V in Figure 3.

[0057] The potential of the positive electrode 20 is equal to the first current I A When the voltage becomes equal to or greater than this, the first current I A In other words, the second current I B When is Lo, the first current I A The current value is the limit current value I LIM and the current I D The second current I B When is Hi, the second current I B A part of the current I D The current flows to the organic EL element 2 and charges the capacitance 15 between the electrode and GND.

[0058] Therefore, the second current I B When the first current I A + Second current I B (I A +I B ) is the current value I PLS At this time, the voltage measurement unit 81 measures the voltage V2 as the measurement voltage V of the positive electrode 20.

[0059] If a touch operation is being performed, voltage measurement unit 81 measures a voltage V2 (>V1) that is lower than the peak voltage V2. Control unit 8 compares the measured voltage V2 with threshold value 82 to determine whether a touch operation is being performed.

[0060] Second current I B When switches from Hi to Lo The control unit 8 outputs a control signal S2 to turn off the switch unit 72, thereby preventing the second current I B When the switch unit 72 is turned off, the supply of the second current I B switches from Hi to Lo as shown in Figure 4.

[0061] The charge stored in the capacitance 15 between the electrode GND flows to the organic EL element 2 as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4, and the potential based on the stored charge starts to drop. After this potential drops to near the voltage of the first current generating unit 6, the first current I A begins to flow, and the current limiting unit 4 limits the current to a limit value I LIM rises to.

[0062] The display input device 1 receives a second current I B When the voltage is switched from Hi to Lo, the charge stored in the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15 flows to the ground circuit 5 via the organic EL element 2, and can be discharged.

[0063] An example of the operation of the display input device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 5. When the display input device 1 is powered on, a second current IB is assumed to be Lo.

[0064] (operation) When the power is turned on, the control unit 8 of the display input device 1 turns on the first current generating unit 6 to generate the first current I A is supplied to the positive electrode 20 (Step 1).

[0065] The control unit 8 starts measuring time and determines the second current I B If the answer to step 2 is "Yes," that is, if the second current I B When it is time to switch from Lo to Hi (Step 2: Yes), the control signal S2 is output to the switch unit 72, which switches the switch unit 72 from OFF to ON, and the second current I B Switch from Lo to Hi (Step 3).

[0066] The control unit 8 controls the second current I B The control unit 8 monitors whether a certain time has elapsed, which is set as a time sufficient for switching from Hi to Lo and charging the inter-electrode GND capacitance 15. If "Yes" in Step 4 is established, that is, if the certain time has elapsed (Step 4: Yes), the control unit 8 controls the voltage measurement unit 81 to acquire the measured voltage V (Step 5).

[0067] After acquiring the measured voltage V, the control unit 8 outputs a control signal S2 to the switch unit 72, switching the switch unit 72 from ON to OFF, and causing the second current I B Switch from Hi to Lo (Step 6).

[0068] The control unit 8 determines whether or not a touch operation has been performed based on the measurement result of the voltage measurement unit 81. If a touch operation has been detected (Step 7: Yes), the control unit 8 outputs operation information S3 based on the determined touch operation to the electrically connected in-vehicle device (Step 8), and proceeds to step 2.

[0069] Here, if the control unit 8 does not detect a touch operation in Step 7 (Step 7: No), the control unit 8 proceeds to Step 2.

[0070] (Effects of the embodiment) The display input device 1 of this embodiment can detect the detection target while continuously converting electric energy. Specifically, the display input device 1 can detect the detection target while converting electric energy into light energy by the organic EL layer 21. Therefore, compared to a case where the electric energy conversion period and the detection period are alternately performed, the display input device 1 can detect the detection target while continuously performing display and illumination by the organic EL element 2.

[0071] When the electrical energy conversion period and the detection period are alternated, the time allocated to each period is halved, resulting in a decrease in brightness and detection accuracy. However, since the display input device 1 detects the detection target while continuously displaying and illuminating, it is possible to extend the detection period, thereby enabling higher brightness and improved detection accuracy.

[0072] The display input device 1 does not require detection electrodes for detecting touch operations, and therefore, compared to a case where separate detection electrodes are provided, the manufacturing process can be simplified and the display input device 1 can be made thinner.

[0073] The display input device 1 can output the light 211 output from the organic EL element 2 without passing through a detection electrode for touch detection, which improves transmittance and allows for more efficient use of light compared to when a separate detection electrode is provided, making it easier to achieve high brightness.

[0074] The display input device 1 according to the above-described embodiment and variant examples may be partially realized by a computer-executed program, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., depending on the application.

[0075] Although several embodiments and modifications of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments and modifications are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments and modifications may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...display input device, 2...organic EL element, 4...current limiting section, 6...first current generating section, 7...second current generating section, 8...control section, 20...positive electrode, 21...organic EL layer, 22...negative electrode, 30...operation input surface, 80...filter section, 81...voltage measuring section

Claims

1. a positive electrode disposed below an operation input surface to which a detection object approaches or comes into contact; a negative electrode electrically connected to the positive electrode; a conversion unit electrically connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, for converting the electrical energy of the current flowing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode into another energy; a current limiting unit electrically connected to the negative electrode and configured to limit a current flowing through the positive electrode and the conversion unit to a limited current value; a first current generating unit electrically connected to the anode, generating a first current that serves as the electrical energy of the conversion unit, and supplying the first current to the anode; a second current generating unit electrically connected to the anode, generating a second current having a voltage greater than a voltage of the first current in order to charge the anode, and superimposing the second current on the first current to supply the resulting current to the anode; a control unit that controls the second current generating unit to control the second current superimposed on the first current, and determines approach or contact of the detection target based on a measurement result obtained by measuring a voltage of the positive electrode in parallel with the conversion of the electrical energy by the conversion unit; Electronic equipment equipped with

2. the first current generating unit supplies the first current having a current value at least equal to or greater than the limited current value to the anode; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. the second current generating unit generates the second current, which is a pulse current having a first state in which a voltage value is high and a second state in which a voltage value is lower than that of the first state, under the control of the control unit; the control unit determines that the detection object has approached or been in contact with the object when a difference between a voltage of the positive electrode measured when the second current is in the first state and a voltage of the current having the limited current value is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. The control unit includes a filter unit including a high-pass filter that filters noise when measuring the voltage of the positive electrode; a voltage measurement unit that measures the voltage of the positive electrode through the filter unit; Equipped with The electronic device according to claim 3 .

5. the conversion unit is an organic EL layer that converts the electrical energy into light energy; The electronic device according to claim 1 .

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Passive matrix type organic electroluminescent display and touch detection method

    JP2020030884A

  • Organic electroluminescence module, smart device, and illumination device

    WO2015186266A1

  • Organic electroluminescence module, smart device, and illumination device

    WO2017154278A1