Touch input device, control method for touch input device, and program

Abstract

A touch input device (1) comprises a plurality of transmission electrodes, a plurality of reception electrodes, a capacitance detection unit (12) that detects the capacitance generated between the transmission electrodes and the reception electrodes by mutual-capacitance sensing, a touch panel control unit (13) that comprises a touch operation detection unit (14) that detects a decrease in the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection unit (12) from an initial value to be a touch operation and a noise detection unit (15) that detects an increase in the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection unit from an initial value to be noise, and a touch information processing unit (16) that performs processing that corresponds to coordinate data from when the touch operation detection unit (14) has detected a touch operation. The touch information processing unit (16) invalidates at least a portion of the processing that corresponds to the coordinate data when the noise detected by the noise detection unit (15) has exceeded a first determination value. (Selected drawing: figure 1)

Description

Touch input device, control method and program for touch input device

[0007] ,

[0006] , ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch input device and the like.

[0002] There are various touch detection methods for the touch panel used in the touch input device. Among them, the capacitive touch panel is widely adopted. On the other hand, since the capacitive touch panel detects touch by the change in capacitance when touching the touch panel, for example, it is easily affected by noise from the power supply environment and the like. Therefore, there is a risk of malfunction in an environment affected by noise.

[0003] Regarding such a problem, in Patent Document 1, noise of the touch panel is detected, and based on the detected noise, it is determined whether it is electrically stable. When it is determined that it is electrically unstable, a technique is disclosed in which malfunction can be prevented by not transmitting a signal corresponding to the touch operation.

[0004] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015 - 228053

[0005] The capacitive method has two types of capacitance detection methods: the mutual capacitance method and the self - capacitance method. Patent Document 1 is a technique adopted in a self - capacitance type touch panel that detects an increase in capacitance between an electrode and a ground as a touch operation. On the other hand, the mutual capacitance method is a detection method that detects a decrease in capacitance between a transmission electrode and a reception electrode as a touch operation, and it is difficult to apply the technique of Patent Document 1 to a mutual capacitance type touch panel. Therefore, a technique that can prevent malfunction when noise occurs in a mutual capacitance type touch panel is required.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a touch input device and the like that can prevent malfunction when noise occurs in the mutual capacitance method.

[0007] The touch input device according to this disclosure comprises a touch panel control unit having a plurality of transmitting electrodes, a plurality of receiving electrodes, a capacitance detection unit that detects capacitance between the transmitting electrodes and the receiving electrodes using a mutual capacitance detection method, a touch operation detection unit that detects a decrease in capacitance from an initial value detected by the capacitance detection unit as a touch operation, and a noise detection unit that detects an increase in capacitance from an initial value detected by the capacitance detection unit as noise, and a touch information processing unit that performs processing corresponding to coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit detects a touch operation, wherein the touch information processing unit disables at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds a first determination value.

[0008] The touch input device and the like described herein can prevent malfunctions caused by noise generation in a mutual capacitive system.

[0009] A figure showing the functional configuration of a touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure explaining the capacitance detection method of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the hardware configuration of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the frequency hopping operation of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the operation of disabling the touch operation of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the operation of releasing the touch operation disabled of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the operation of receiving a touch operation of the touch input device according to Embodiment 1 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the operation of the touch input device according to Embodiment 2 of the disclosure. A figure showing an example of the frequency hopping operation of the touch input device according to Embodiment 2 of the disclosure. A figure showing the functional configuration of a touch input device according to Embodiment 3 of the disclosure. A figure showing the functional configuration of a touch input device according to Embodiment 4 of the disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] Embodiment 1. There are various detection methods for touch panels used in touch input devices, but capacitive touch panels that detect touch by changing capacitance when the touch panel is touched are widely used. The touch panel used in the touch input device according to this embodiment is a touch panel that uses a mutual capacitance detection method among such capacitive methods. The mutual capacitance method will be described later in the description of the capacitance detection unit 12.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the touch input device 1 comprises a touch panel unit 11, a touch information processing unit 17, a notification unit 18, and a communication unit 19.

[0013] The touch panel unit 11 comprises a capacitance detection unit 12, a storage unit 13, a touch panel control unit 14, and a plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes (not shown). The touch panel unit 11 corresponds to the touch panel of a touch input device, and the capacitance detection unit 12 and the touch panel control unit 14 function with respect to the plurality of transmitting electrodes and the plurality of receiving electrodes to accept user touch operations. The touch panel unit 11 is an example of a touch panel unit according to this disclosure.

[0014] The capacitance detection unit 12 detects the capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode using a mutual capacitance detection method. A mutual capacitance touch panel is equipped with multiple transmitting electrodes and multiple receiving electrodes, and detects changes in capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. More specifically, in a mutual capacitance touch panel, first, as shown in Figure 2(a), when a signal such as a square wave or sine wave is input to the transmitting electrode, an electric field is generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode. Next, as shown in Figure 2(b), when a conductive object, such as a finger, is brought close, a portion of the electric field generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode is absorbed by the finger, and the electric field received by the receiving electrode decreases. As a result, the amplitude of the signal output by the receiving electrode becomes smaller compared to the case in Figure 2(a). That is, the signals output by the receiving electrode in both Figure 2(a) and Figure 2(b) can be acquired, and based on the acquired signals, changes in capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode can be detected. The capacitance detection unit 12 detects the signal output by the receiving electrode as capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode using this mutual capacitance detection method. Hereafter, the capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode will simply be referred to as capacitance. The capacitance detection unit 12 stores the detected capacitance value in the storage unit 13. Furthermore, the capacitance detection unit 12 stores the coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation in the storage unit 13. The coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation will be described later in the explanation of the touch operation detection unit 15. The capacitance detection unit 12 is an example of a capacitance detection unit that detects the capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode using a mutual capacitance detection method.

[0015] The storage unit 13 stores the capacitance value detected by the capacitance detection unit 12. The storage unit 13 also stores the coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation. Furthermore, the storage unit 13 stores the first judgment value, the second judgment value, and the detection frequency set by the user. The first judgment value, the second judgment value, and the detection frequency will be described later in the explanation of the touch panel control unit 14.

[0016] The touch panel control unit 14 includes a touch operation detection unit 15 and a noise detection unit 16. The touch panel control unit 14 also references the capacitance value detected by the capacitance detection unit 12 from the storage unit 13 and calculates the change in capacitance from the initial value. The initial value refers to the value obtained immediately after the touch input device 1 is started up and initialization is performed. That is, immediately after the touch input device 1 is started up and initialization is performed, the touch panel control unit 14 obtains the initial capacitance value stored in the storage unit 13 from the capacitance detection unit 12, and thereafter compares the capacitance value obtained each time with the obtained initial value to calculate the change in capacitance. The touch operation detection unit 15 uses the change in capacitance calculated by the touch panel control unit 14 to detect a touch operation, and the noise detection unit 16 uses it to detect noise. Furthermore, when the coordinate data at the time the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation is stored in the storage unit 13, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 that the coordinate data has been stored in the storage unit 13. Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a first determination value, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 that the noise has exceeded the first determination value. In addition, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 that the noise has fallen below the first determination value. Also, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a second determination value which is a determination value smaller than the first determination value, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the detection frequency used by the capacitance detection unit 12 when detecting capacitance. Hereafter, changing the detection frequency used by the capacitance detection unit 12 when detecting capacitance will be referred to as frequency hopping. When frequency hopping is performed, the frequency of the signal input to the transmitting electrode is changed. For example, if frequency hopping is performed at a detection frequency that avoids the noise frequency band, the capacitance detection unit 12 inputs a signal to the transmitting electrode at a detection frequency that avoids the noise frequency band. At the same time, the touch panel control unit 14 reacquires the capacitance immediately after frequency hopping as its initial value. Therefore, the increase from the initial value of the reacquired capacitance is suppressed, and the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 is suppressed.The first judgment value, the second judgment value, and the detection frequency are set in advance by the user, but multiple detection frequencies can be set. The touch panel control unit 14 is an example of a touch panel control unit according to this disclosure.

[0017] The touch operation detection unit 15 detects a decrease in capacitance from the initial value calculated by the touch panel control unit 14 as a touch operation. In other words, the touch operation detection unit 15 monitors the change in capacitance from the initial value calculated by the touch panel control unit 14 and detects a decrease in capacitance from the initial value as a touch operation. The touch operation detection unit 15 also stores the coordinate data at the time of touch operation detection in the storage unit 13. Here, the coordinate data at the time of touch operation detection refers to the coordinate data within the surface of the touch panel unit 11 at the time the touch operation detection unit 15 detects the touch operation. The touch operation detection unit 15 is an example of a touch operation detection unit that detects a decrease in capacitance from the initial value detected by the capacitance detection unit as a touch operation.

[0018] The noise detection unit 16 detects as noise increases from the initial value of the capacitance calculated by the touch panel control unit 14. In other words, the noise detection unit 16 monitors the change from the initial value of the capacitance calculated by the touch panel control unit 14 and detects as noise when the capacitance increases from the initial value. Here, noise in this embodiment includes, for example, electrical noise from the power supply environment, as well as water, oil, dust, etc. The noise detection unit 16 is an example of a noise detection unit that detects as noise increases from the initial value of the capacitance detected by the capacitance change detection unit.

[0019] The touch information processing unit 17 performs processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation. More specifically, first, when the touch information processing unit 17 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a touch operation has been stored in the storage unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as "coordinate data storage notification"), it reads the coordinate data. Next, the touch information processing unit 17 identifies the processing associated with the read coordinate data and executes it as the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. For example, suppose there is an "emergency stop" display on the surface of the touch panel unit 11 that performs processing to stop all external devices connected to the touch input device 1. In that case, when the user touches the "emergency stop" display, the touch information processing unit 17 performs processing corresponding to the "emergency stop" touched by the user, that is, processing to stop all external devices connected to the touch input device 1. Also, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 invalidates the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. More specifically, if the touch information processing unit 17 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded a first determination value, it will not read the coordinate data or perform any processing corresponding to the coordinate data, even if it receives a coordinate data storage notification from the touch panel control unit 14. The touch information processing unit 17 will maintain a state (hereinafter referred to as the "touch operation disabled state") in which it does not read the coordinate data or perform any processing corresponding to the coordinate data, even if it receives a coordinate data storage notification from the touch panel control unit 14, until it receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has fallen below the first determination value. For example, even if a user touches the "emergency stop" display mentioned above while the touch operation disabled state is active, the touch information processing unit 17 will not perform any processing corresponding to the "emergency stop" touched by the user, i.e., the processing to stop all external devices connected to the touch input device 1. Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit 17 has disabled the processing corresponding to the coordinate data at the time the touch operation detection unit 15 detected the touch operation, it will resume processing corresponding to the coordinate data at that time.More specifically, when the touch information processing unit 17 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise level has fallen below a first determination value, it releases the touch disabled state. When it receives a coordinate data storage notification from the touch panel control unit 14, it returns to a state in which it reads the coordinate data and performs the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. The touch information processing unit 17 is an example of a touch information processing unit according to this disclosure.

[0020] If the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a first determination value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 (hereinafter referred to as "information corresponding to the noise"). More specifically, if the notification unit 18 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded the first determination value, it notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise. Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value, the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of information corresponding to the noise to the user. More specifically, if the notification unit 18 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has fallen below the first determination value, it cancels the notification of information corresponding to the noise to the user. Here, "information corresponding to the noise" in this case at least includes the fact that the noise has exceeded the first determination value, but may also include other information, such as a specific noise value or actions to be taken. Also, the notification to the user may be carried out in any way that allows the user to recognize the information corresponding to the noise. For example, information corresponding to noise may be displayed on a display unit (not shown), or it may be displayed on an external device such as a personal computer using an engineering tool after connecting to an external device. Alternatively, for example, the housing of the touch input device 1 may be equipped with a light-emitting unit such as an LED, and the user may be notified of the noise-corresponding information by the flashing of the light-emitting unit for a certain period of time. Furthermore, for example, the user may be notified of the noise-corresponding information by generating sound from an external device such as a sound-generating unit (not shown) or a speaker connected to the touch input device 1. The notification of noise-corresponding information to the user may also be canceled by the user's operation, such as by providing a "close" indicator on the surface of the touch panel unit 11 that performs a process to cancel the notification of noise-corresponding information to the user, and the user touching the "close" indicator. Notification unit 18 is an example of a notification unit according to this disclosure.

[0021] The communication unit 19 communicates with the device connected to the touch input device 1. For example, the touch input device 1 connects to external devices such as personal computers via the communication unit 18 to exchange various data with external devices using engineering tools. Also, for example, the touch input device 1 connects to external devices such as computers and speakers via the communication unit 18 to notify the user of information corresponding to noise by the aforementioned notification unit 18.

[0022] The touch input device 1 may be connected to a control device for controlling industrial equipment used in production processes in a factory or the like. Examples of industrial equipment include industrial robots or conveying equipment. Examples of control devices include PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). The control device is an example of an external device connected to the touch input device 1.

[0023] In this case, the control device controls the operation of the industrial equipment based on the user's touch operation of the touch input device 1. In spaces such as factories where multiple industrial equipment are arranged, noise is likely to occur. Therefore, false detection of touch operations is likely to occur. If false detection of touch operations occurs, the control device may malfunction, and the industrial equipment may operate unexpectedly. This could result in significant damage, such as damage to products or damage to the industrial equipment. According to the touch input device 1 of this embodiment, malfunctions when noise occurs are prevented, as will be described later. As a result, even when the touch input device 1 is connected to the control device of the industrial equipment, malfunctions of the control device are prevented, and damage is prevented.

[0024] An example of the hardware configuration of the touch input device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 3. The touch input device 1 includes a non-volatile memory 1001, a volatile memory 1002, a communication interface 1003, and a processor 1004, all of which are connected by a bus 1000.

[0025] The non-volatile memory 1001 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The non-volatile memory 1001 stores the program executed by the processor 1004.

[0026] The volatile memory 1002 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory). The volatile memory 1002 stores programs stored by the processor 1004 from the non-volatile memory 1001. The volatile memory 1002 also functions as working memory when the processor 1004 executes programs.

[0027] The communication interface 1003 includes, for example, an I / O (Input / Output) interface, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, and a serial port. The touch input device 1 communicates with external devices such as computers via the communication interface 1003, exchanging data with various devices and providing notifications to the user via the aforementioned notification unit 18. The communication interface 1003 functions as a communication unit 19.

[0028] The processor 1004 includes, for example, a CPU and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 1004 stores programs from the non-volatile memory 1001 to the volatile memory 1002, and executes the programs stored in the volatile memory 1002 to realize each function and perform each operation. Each operation will be described later in the explanation of the operation of the touch input device 1.

[0029] Next, the operation of the touch input device 1 configured in this way will be explained. In the touch input device 1, the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state and the touch operation reception process, which will be described later, are performed in parallel. The operation of switching the touch operation disabled state will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 7. Here, Figure 4 is a flowchart of the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the specific operation of "frequency hopping" (step S13) in the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 shown in Figure 4. Furthermore, Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the specific operation of "disabling touch operation" (step S15) in the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 shown in Figure 4. Finally, Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the specific operation of "releasing touch operation disabled" (step S17) in the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 shown in Figure 4.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, when the touch input device 1 is started up and initialization is performed, the touch panel control unit 14 immediately obtains the initial capacitance value stored in the storage unit 13 from the capacitance detection unit 12 (step S11). Thereafter, the touch panel control unit 14 first compares the capacitance value obtained each time with the obtained initial value to calculate the change in capacitance. Next, of the changes in the calculated capacitance from the initial value, the touch operation detection unit 15 detects a decrease from the initial value as a touch operation, and the noise detection unit 16 detects an increase from the initial value as noise.

[0031] In step 11, the touch panel control unit 14 obtains the initial capacitance value stored in the storage unit 13 from the capacitance detection unit 12 immediately after initialization is performed, and then the noise detection unit 16 determines whether the noise exceeds the second determination value (step S12).

[0032] If the noise detection unit 16 does not determine that the noise exceeds the second judgment value (step S12: No), the noise detection unit 16 repeats the operation of step S12.

[0033] If the noise detection unit 16 determines that the noise exceeds the second determination value (step S12: Yes), the touch panel control unit 14 performs frequency hopping (step S13). That is, if step S12 is affirmed, the operations from steps S131 to S132 shown in Figure 5 are performed. Hereafter, the specific operation of the frequency hopping of the touch panel control unit 14 after step S12 is affirmed will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0034] In frequency hopping, first, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the detection frequency used to detect changes in capacitance (step S131). The detection frequency is referenced from the storage unit 13.

[0035] After the touch panel control unit 14 changes the detection frequency used to detect changes in capacitance in step S131, the touch panel control unit 14 reacquires the initial value of the capacitance (step S132). Note that this initial value is different from the initial value acquired in step S11, and is the initial value of the capacitance stored in the storage unit 13 from the capacitance detection unit 12 immediately after the detection frequency used to detect changes in capacitance was changed in step S132. Subsequently, the capacitance detection unit 12 first detects the capacitance at the detection frequency changed in step S131. Next, the touch panel control unit 14 calculates the change in capacitance using the initial value reacquired in step S132. By changing the detection frequency and reacquiring the initial value in this way, in steps S14 and S16, which are performed thereafter, the noise detection unit 16 will determine the noise in a different detection environment than that of step S12, which has already been performed.

[0036] Returning to Figure 4, after the frequency hopping operation is completed in step S13, the noise detection unit 16 determines whether the noise exceeds the first determination value (step S14).

[0037] If the noise detection unit 16 does not determine that the noise exceeds the first judgment value (step S14: No), the noise detection unit 16 repeats the operation of step S14.

[0038] If the noise detection unit 16 determines that the noise exceeds the first determination value (step S14: Yes), the touch panel control unit 14 performs an operation to disable touch operation (step S15). That is, if step S14 is affirmed, the operations from steps S151 to S153 shown in Figure 6 are performed. Hereafter, the specific operation of the touch panel control unit 14 to disable touch operation after step S14 is affirmed will be explained with reference to Figure 6.

[0039] In disabling touch operation, the touch panel control unit 14 first notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 that the noise has exceeded a first determination value (step S151).

[0040] In step S151, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 that the noise has exceeded the first determination value. The notification unit 18 then notifies the user of the first information (step S152). In this case, the first information is that the noise has exceeded the first determination value.

[0041] After the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the first information in step S152, the touch information processing unit 17 disables touch operation (step S153).

[0042] Returning to Figure 4, after the operation to disable touch operation in step S15 is completed, the noise detection unit 16 determines whether or not the noise has fallen below the first determination value (step S16).

[0043] If the noise detection unit 16 does not determine that the noise level is below the first judgment value (step S16: No), the noise detection unit 16 repeats the operation of step S16.

[0044] If the noise detection unit 16 determines that the noise level has fallen below the first determination value (step S16: Yes), the touch panel control unit 14 performs the operation to disable touch operation (step S17). That is, if step S16 is affirmed, the operations from steps S171 to S173 shown in Figure 7 are performed. Hereafter, the specific operation of the touch panel control unit 14 to disable touch operation after step S16 is affirmed will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0045] In the release of touch operation invalidation, first, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 that the noise has fallen below the first determination value (step S171).

[0046] After the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 and the notification unit 18 in step S171 that the noise has fallen below the first determination value, the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the first information to the user (step S172).

[0047] After the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the first information to the user in step S172, the touch information processing unit 17 cancels the touch operation invalid state (step S173).

[0048] Returning to FIG. 4, after the operation of releasing touch operation invalidation ends in step S17, the touch input device 1 ends the operation of switching the touch operation invalid state. Note that when the touch input device 1 restarts and initialization is executed after the operation of switching the touch operation invalid state ends, the operation resumes from step S11, and when the operation continues without restarting, the operation resumes from step S12.

[0049] If the user has previously set a plurality of detection frequencies to be used during frequency hopping, the touch information processing unit 17 invalidates the processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value even after changing to any of the plurality of set detection frequencies. That is, if the user has previously set a plurality of detection frequencies, first, after the determination in step S14 is affirmative, if there is an unused detection frequency among the plurality of set detection frequencies, the touch information processing unit 17 does not proceed to step S15 but returns to step S13. Next, the touch information processing unit 17 changes back to an unused detection frequency in step S131 and then performs steps S132 and S14. The touch information processing unit 17 repeats such operations until all the plurality of set detection frequencies are used.

[0050] Next, the operation of the touch operation reception process of the touch input device 1 configured as described above will be explained with reference to Figure 8. Here, Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch operation reception process of the touch input device 1.

[0051] As shown in Figure 8, the touch operation detection unit 15 determines whether or not a touch operation has been detected (step S21).

[0052] If the touch operation detection unit 15 does not determine that a touch operation has been detected (step S21: No), the touch operation detection unit 15 repeats the operation of step S21.

[0053] If the touch operation detection unit 15 determines that a touch operation has been detected (step S21: Yes), the capacitance detection unit 12 stores the coordinate data (hereinafter simply referred to as coordinate data) at the time the touch operation detection unit 15 detected the touch operation in the storage unit 13 (step S22).

[0054] In step S22, after the capacitance detection unit 12 stores the coordinate data in the storage unit 13, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 that the coordinate data has been stored (step S23).

[0055] In step S23, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the touch information processing unit 17 that the coordinate data has been stored. In step S24, the touch information processing unit 17 determines whether or not the touch operation is disabled.

[0056] If the touch information processing unit 17 does not determine that the touch operation is disabled (step S24: No), the touch information processing unit 17 reads the coordinate data (step S25).

[0057] After the touch information processing unit 17 reads the coordinate data in step S25, the touch information processing unit 17 performs processing corresponding to the read coordinate data (step S26).

[0058] After performing processing corresponding to the coordinate data read by the touch information processing unit 17 in step S26, the touch information processing unit 17 terminates the operation of the touch operation reception processing of the touch input device 1.

[0059] If the touch information processing unit 17 determines that touch operation is disabled (step S24: Yes), it does not read coordinate data or perform processing corresponding to the coordinate data, and therefore the touch information processing unit 17 terminates the operation of the touch operation reception process of the touch input device 1.

[0060] Thus, in the touch input device 1 according to this embodiment, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 disables the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the noise generated when noise occurs from being mistakenly detected as a touch operation, and thus has the effect of preventing malfunctions when noise occurs.

[0061] In this embodiment, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 disables the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. However, it is also possible to disable only the processing related to the operation of external devices connected to the touch input device 1 among the processing related to the coordinate data, and not disable the other processing. That is, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 may disable at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. For example, suppose that on the surface of the touch panel unit 11, in addition to the "emergency stop" display mentioned above, there is a "display setting" that processes the screen display settings of the touch input device 1, and a "device value display" that processes the device value of external devices connected to the touch input device 1. Since "emergency stop" is a display that processes the operation of external devices connected to the touch input device 1, if the user touches the "emergency stop" display while touch operation is disabled, the touch information processing unit 17 does not perform the processing corresponding to the "emergency stop" touched by the user, that is, the processing that stops all external devices connected to the touch input device 1. On the other hand, "Display Settings" is a display that processes operations related to the touch input device 1, and not a display that processes operations related to the operation of external devices connected to the touch input device 1. Therefore, even if the user touches the display indicating "Display Settings" while touch operation is disabled, the touch information processing unit 17 does not disable the process corresponding to the "Display Settings" touched by the user, that is, it processes the screen settings of the touch input device 1. Similarly, "Device Value Display" is a display that processes operations related to external devices connected to the touch input device 1, but it is a display that processes operations related to the display of device values, and not a display that processes operations related to operation. Therefore, even if the user touches the display indicating "Device Value Display" while touch operation is disabled, the touch information processing unit 17 does not disable the process corresponding to the "Device Value Display" touched by the user, that is, it processes the display of the device value of the external device connected to the touch input device 1.Thus, when the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 disables at least a portion of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, thereby disabling only the processing that needs to be disabled, while allowing the processing that does not need to be disabled to continue.

[0062] Furthermore, in the touch input device 1 according to this embodiment, first, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds a second determination value which is a determination value smaller than the first determination value, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the detection frequency used by the capacitance detection unit 12 when detecting capacitance. Next, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 after changing the detection frequency exceeds the first determination value, the touch information processing unit 17 disables the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. Therefore, even in an environment where noise exists, the detected noise can be suppressed by changing the detection frequency to one that avoids the noise frequency band. Thus, it becomes unnecessary to immediately disable touch operations, and the detection of touch operations can be continued.

[0063] In this embodiment, the second determination value is set to be smaller than the first determination value, but the second determination value may be the same as the first determination value. That is, the second determination value may be less than or equal to the first determination value. However, even if the second determination value is the same as the first determination value, the noise detection unit 16 will determine whether the noise exceeds the first determination value after determining whether the noise exceeds the second determination value, just as it does when the second determination value is smaller than the first determination value.

[0064] As mentioned above, if the user has set multiple detection frequencies in advance, the touch information processing unit 17 will disable the processing corresponding to the coordinate data if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value, regardless of which of the multiple detection frequencies has been changed. This increases the opportunities for noise suppression by changing the detection frequency, and further reduces the opportunities to immediately disable touch operations.

[0065] Furthermore, in the touch input device 1 according to this embodiment, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value after the processing corresponding to the coordinate data has been disabled, the touch information processing unit 17 resumes the processing corresponding to the coordinate data. Therefore, when the noise environment becomes such that it has almost no effect on the detection of touch operations, the disabling of touch operations can be reversed, thus eliminating the need to unnecessarily disable touch operations.

[0066] Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first judgment value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16. This allows the user to be informed that the environment is such that the noise is affecting touch operation. Thus, it has the effect of prompting the user to review the installation environment of the device including the touch input device, or making the user aware that there is a possibility of malfunction in the touch input device.

[0067] Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit 17 has disabled the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of information corresponding to the noise to the user. Therefore, when the noise environment becomes such that it has almost no effect on the detection of touch operations, there is no need to notify the user that the environment is at a level where the noise affects touch operations, thus eliminating the need to unnecessarily notify the user. In addition, by ceasing to notify the user, it is possible to recognize that the environment is no longer at a level where the noise affects touch operations, which also has the effect of providing a clear indication.

[0068] Furthermore, if frequency hopping occurs, the determination of whether or not to disable touch operation may be made based on whether or not the distribution of capacitance changes within the surface of the touch panel 11 is uniform. That is, when frequency hopping occurs, first, the capacitance detection unit 12 detects capacitance across the entire surface of the touch panel 11. Next, the touch panel control unit 14 calculates the change in capacitance across the entire surface based on the distribution of capacitance within the surface obtained from the capacitance detection unit 12. Next, the noise detection unit 16 refers to the distribution of capacitance changes within the surface calculated by the touch panel control unit 14 and determines whether or not to disable touch operation based on whether or not the distribution of capacitance changes within the surface is uniform. In this way, noise is determined within the surface, which has the effect of being able to determine with greater accuracy whether or not the noise is at a level that affects touch operation.

[0069] Embodiment 2.

[0070] The touch input device according to Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the notification unit 18 notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise even when the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the second determination value. Furthermore, the touch input device according to Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of information corresponding to the noise to the user even when the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the second determination value. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 1. From here on, the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be explained, but the parts that are the same as Embodiment 1 will not be explained.

[0071] The touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2 differs from the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 1 only in a part of the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 and a part of the operation of the frequency hopping of the touch input device 1. Therefore, the specific operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 9. The specific operation of frequency hopping of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2 will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Other parts are the same as in Embodiment 1, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0072] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 has exceeded the second determination value. Also, in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 has fallen below the second determination value.

[0073] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2, the notification unit 18 notifies and cancels information corresponding to noise to the user, and of the information corresponding to noise, "the noise has exceeded a first determination value" is designated as first information and "the noise has exceeded a second determination value" is designated as second information. The notification unit 18 notifies the user of at least one of the first information and the second information corresponding to the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16. More specifically, first, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 18 exceeds the second determination value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information. That is, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information when it receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded the second determination value. Next, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 exceeds the first determination value after the notification unit 18 has notified the user of the second information, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the first information. In other words, if the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information and then receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded the first determination value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the first information. Next, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit 17 has disabled the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, the notification unit 18 cancels notifying the user of the first information. In other words, if the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the noise that has fallen below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit 17 has disabled the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, the notification unit 18 cancels notifying the user of the first information. Next, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the second determination value after the notification unit 18 has canceled notifying the user of the first information, the notification unit 18 cancels notifying the user of the second information. In other words, if the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the first information to the user and then receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise level has fallen below the second determination value, the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the second information to the user.

[0074] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2. It differs from Figure 4 in that steps S17', S17'', and S17'''' are added. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the specific operation of "frequency hopping" (step S13) in the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state of the touch input device 1 shown in Figure 9. It differs from Figure 5 in that steps S131' and S131'' are added. The other steps are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their explanation is omitted.

[0075] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2, during frequency hopping, first, the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise has exceeded the second determination value (step S131').

[0076] In step S131', the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise has exceeded the second determination value, and then the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information (step S131'').

[0077] After the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information in step S131'', the process proceeds to step S131, and the subsequent frequency hopping operation is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0078] Furthermore, in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 2, after the operation to disable touch operation is completed in step S17, the noise detection unit 16 determines whether or not the noise has fallen below the second determination value (step S17').

[0079] If the noise detection unit 16 does not determine that the noise level is below the second determination value (step S17': No), the touch input device 1 according to embodiment 2 terminates the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state.

[0080] If the noise detection unit 16 determines that the noise level has fallen below the second determination value (step S17': Yes), the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise level has fallen below the second determination value (step S17'').

[0081] In step S17'', the touch panel control unit 14 notifies the notification unit 18 that the noise level has fallen below the second determination value, and then the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the second information to the user (step S17'').

[0082] After the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the second information to the user in step S17'', the touch input device 1 according to embodiment 2 terminates the operation of switching the touch operation disabled state.

[0083] In this second embodiment of the touch input device 1, there are no changes from the first embodiment except that the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information and cancels the notification. Therefore, in the second embodiment of the touch input device 1, all the effects achieved by the first embodiment of the touch input device 1 are also achieved by the second embodiment of the touch input device 1.

[0084] Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 18 exceeds the second judgment value, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the second information. This has the effect of informing the user that the environment is noisy enough to require attention before the noise reaches a level that affects touch operation, thereby prompting them to pay attention to the noise.

[0085] Furthermore, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit 16 falls below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit 17 has disabled the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, the notification unit 18 cancels the notification of the second information to the user. Therefore, if the noise environment is no longer at a level that requires the user's attention, there is no need to notify the user that it is a noise environment that requires the user's attention, thus eliminating the need for unnecessary notifications to the user. In addition, by ceasing to notify the user, it is possible for the user to recognize that the noise environment is no longer at a level that requires their attention.

[0086] Embodiment 3. The touch input device according to Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in that it further includes a parameter changing unit 31 that changes a parameter related to one of the capacitance detection unit 12, the touch operation detection unit 15, or the noise detection unit 16 through user operation. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 1. Hereafter, the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be described, but the parts that are the same as Embodiment 1 will not be described.

[0087] The touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3 differs from the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 1 only in a part of its functional configuration. Therefore, an example of the functional configuration of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3 will be described with reference to Figure 11. The other parts are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description will be omitted.

[0088] As shown in Figure 11, the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3 comprises a touch panel unit 11, a touch information processing unit 17, a notification unit 18, a communication unit 19, and a parameter change unit 31.

[0089] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3, the parameter change unit 31 changes a parameter related to one of the capacitance detection unit 12, the touch operation detection unit 15, or the noise detection unit 16 through user operation. A parameter related to the capacitance detection unit 12 is, for example, the "detection frequency" which is related when the capacitance detection unit 12 detects capacitance. A parameter related when the noise detection unit 16 detects noise is, for example, a threshold value such as the "first judgment value" or "second judgment value" used when the noise detection unit 16 detects noise. A parameter related to the touch operation detection unit 15 is, for example, the "detection sensitivity" which is related when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects touch operations. Note that "detection sensitivity" is the sensitivity when the touch operation detection unit 15 detects touch operations and when the noise detection unit 16 detects noise. In other words, "detection sensitivity" is also a parameter related when the noise detection unit 16 detects noise. For example, if "detection sensitivity" is set to "high sensitivity", touch operations will be more easily detected, but noise will also be more easily detected, making it easier for noise to be mistakenly detected as a touch operation. Conversely, if, for example, the "detection sensitivity" is set to "low sensitivity," noise detection becomes less likely, making it less likely for noise to be mistakenly detected as a touch operation, while touch operations themselves also become less likely to be detected. The "detection sensitivity" can be set to "standard," "high sensitivity," or "low sensitivity" as described above, or a threshold can be set to control the magnitude of the "detection sensitivity." Note that the parameters are not limited to those mentioned above, and the parameter change unit 31 can be changed by user operation as long as it is a parameter related to any of the capacitance detection unit 12, the touch operation detection unit 15, or the noise detection unit 16. Examples include parameters related to the number of touches or detections, and parameters related to thresholds other than the "first judgment value" and "second judgment value." Furthermore, parameter changes can be made directly from the touch input device 1, or by connecting to an external device such as a personal computer and using an engineering tool. The parameter change unit 31 is an example of a parameter change unit according to this disclosure.

[0090] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3, the capacitance detection unit 12 detects capacitance using the parameter changed by the parameter change unit 31. For example, if the parameter "detection frequency" is changed by the parameter change unit 31, the capacitance detection unit 12 detects capacitance using the changed detection frequency.

[0091] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3, the touch operation detection unit 15 detects touch operations using parameters changed by the parameter change unit 31. For example, if the "detection sensitivity" parameter is changed by the parameter change unit 31, the touch operation detection unit 15 detects touch operations using the changed detection sensitivity.

[0092] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 3, the noise detection unit 16 detects noise using the parameter changed by the parameter change unit 31. For example, if the parameter of the "first determination value" is changed by the parameter change unit 31, the noise detection unit 16 detects noise using the changed first determination value.

[0093] In this third embodiment of the touch input device 1, there are no changes from the first embodiment except that it further includes a parameter changing unit 31 that allows the user to change a parameter related to one of the capacitance detection unit 12, the touch operation detection unit 15, or the noise detection unit 16. Therefore, in the third embodiment of the touch input device 1, all the effects achieved by the first embodiment of the touch input device 1 are also achieved by the third embodiment of the touch input device 1.

[0094] Furthermore, the parameter change unit 31 allows the user to change parameters related to any of the capacitance detection unit 12, touch operation detection unit 15, and noise detection unit 16. This allows the user to change parameters according to the noise environment, enabling adaptation to various noise environments. In addition to user operation, as described above, the parameter change unit 31 may also automatically change parameters when the noise exceeds any of the judgment values. For example, if the noise exceeds the first judgment value, the parameter change unit 31 may repeatedly change the detection frequency, for example, until the detected noise falls below the first judgment value. By having the parameter change unit 31 automatically change parameters according to the noise situation in this way, the user is saved the trouble of changing parameters.

[0095] Furthermore, the parameters include detection sensitivity, which is the sensitivity at which the touch operation detection unit 15 detects touch operations and the noise detection unit 16 detects noise. Therefore, even in noisy environments where it is difficult to cope by simply adjusting the detection frequency and the first judgment value, adjusting the detection sensitivity increases the likelihood of being able to cope. For example, consider a noisy environment where the noise exceeds the first judgment value and touch operations are disabled. Even in such a case, by simultaneously lowering the detection sensitivity within the range where touch operations can be detected, it is possible to minimize the impact of detected noise while maintaining the detection of touch operations. As a result, even in such noisy environments, the likelihood of not having to disable touch operations increases.

[0096] Furthermore, similar to Embodiment 1, when the notification unit 18 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded a first determination value, it notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise, but the information corresponding to the noise may include information prompting the user to change the parameters. Moreover, as in Embodiment 2, even when the notification unit 18 receives notification from the touch panel control unit 14 that the noise has exceeded a second determination value, the information corresponding to the noise may also include information prompting the user to change the parameters. This has the effect of allowing the user to understand when they should change the parameters.

[0097] Embodiment 4. The touch input device according to Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the touch panel control unit 14 is physically separated from the touch panel unit 11'. Otherwise, it is the same as Embodiment 1. Hereafter, the parts that differ from Embodiment 1 will be explained, but the parts that are the same as Embodiment 1 will not be explained.

[0098] The touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4 differs from the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 1 only in a part of its functional configuration. Therefore, an example of the functional configuration of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to Figure 12. The other parts are the same as in Embodiment 1, so their description will be omitted.

[0099] As shown in Figure 12, in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4, the touch input device 1 comprises a touch panel unit 11', a touch panel control unit 14, a touch information processing unit 17, a notification unit 18, and a communication unit 19. This means that the touch panel control unit 14 is physically separated from the touch panel unit 11. In other words, in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4, the touch panel control unit 14, which is provided on the touch panel unit 11 of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 1, is provided separately from the touch panel unit 11'.

[0100] In the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4, the touch panel section 11' includes a capacitance detection section 12, a storage section 13, and a plurality of transmitting electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes (not shown).

[0101] In this fourth embodiment of the touch input device 1, there are no changes from the first embodiment except that the touch panel control unit 14 is physically separated from the touch panel unit 11'. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment of the touch input device 1, all the effects that the first embodiment of the touch input device 1 provides are also achieved by the fourth embodiment of the touch input device 1.

[0102] Furthermore, the touch panel control unit 14 is physically separated from the touch panel unit 11'. In other words, in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 1, the touch panel control unit 14 was built into the touch panel unit 11, but in the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4, the touch panel control unit 14 is provided separately from the touch panel unit 11'. Having the touch panel control unit 14 provided separately from the touch panel unit 11' is convenient for customizing the touch input device 1. For example, consider the case where a touch panel unit 11 according to Embodiments 1 to 3 is procured from an external manufacturer and incorporated into the touch input device 1. For example, if the touch panel control unit 14 is originally built into the touch panel unit 11, an embedded manufacturer that purchases the touch panel unit 11 and manufactures the touch input device 1 may not be able to freely customize the program executed by the touch panel control unit 14 if the touch panel control unit 14 originally built into the touch panel unit 11 is a black box. In contrast, in the case of the touch input device 1 according to Embodiment 4, the touch panel unit 11' does not have a built-in touch panel control unit 14, but rather the control unit is located outside the touch panel unit 11'. Therefore, even if the touch panel unit 11' is incorporated into the touch input device 1, the control of the touch panel unit 11' is performed by the externally located touch panel control unit 14. As a result, the embedded manufacturer does not depend on the touch panel unit 11' and can freely customize the program executed by the touch panel control unit 14. Therefore, instead of manufacturing the touch panel unit 11' in-house, the touch panel unit 11' can be procured from an external manufacturer and incorporated into the touch input device 1, which has the effect of expanding the range of customization for the touch input device 1.

[0103] This disclosure allows for various embodiments and modifications without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. In other words, the scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims, not by the embodiments. Various modifications made within the scope of the claims and the equivalent significance of the disclosure are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0104] 1 Touch input device, 11, 11' Touch panel section, 12 Capacitance detection section, 13 Storage section, 14 Touch panel control section, 15 Touch operation detection section, 16 Noise detection section, 17 Touch information processing section, 18 Notification section, 19 Communication section, 31 Parameter change section, 1000 Bus, 1001 Non-volatile memory, 1002 Volatile memory, 1003 Communication interface, 1004 Processor

Claims

1. A touch input device comprising: a plurality of transmitting electrodes; a plurality of receiving electrodes; a capacitance detection unit that detects the capacitance generated between the transmitting electrodes and the receiving electrodes using a mutual capacitance detection method; a touch operation detection unit that detects a decrease in the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection unit from an initial value as a touch operation; a noise detection unit that detects an increase in the capacitance detected by the capacitance detection unit from an initial value as noise; and a touch information processing unit that performs processing corresponding to coordinate data when the touch operation detection unit detects a touch operation, wherein the touch information processing unit disables at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds a first determination value.

2. The touch input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds a second determination value which is less than or equal to the first determination value, the touch panel control unit changes the detection frequency used by the capacitance detection unit when detecting the capacitance, and if the noise detected by the noise detection unit after changing the detection frequency exceeds the first determination value, the touch information processing unit disables at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data.

3. The touch input device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of detection frequencies are set in advance, and the touch information processing unit disables at least a portion of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data if the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds the first determination value, even after changing to any of the plurality of set detection frequencies.

4. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the touch information processing unit restarts the processing corresponding to the coordinate data if the noise detected by the noise detection unit falls below the first determination value after disabling at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data.

5. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of information corresponding to the noise detected by the noise detection unit when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds the first determination value.

6. The touch input device according to any one of claims 2 to 3, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the user of first information and second information corresponding to noise detected by the noise detection unit, wherein the notification unit notifies the user of the second information when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds the second determination value, and the notification unit notifies the user of the first information when the noise detected by the noise detection unit exceeds the first determination value after the notification unit has notified the user of the second information.

7. The touch input device according to claim 5, characterized in that, after the touch information processing unit disables at least a portion of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit falls below the first determination value, the notification unit cancels notification of the information corresponding to the noise to the user.

8. The touch input device according to claim 6, characterized in that, if the noise detected by the noise detection unit falls below the first determination value after the touch information processing unit has disabled at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data, the notification unit cancels the notification of the first information to the user, and if the noise detected by the noise detection unit falls below the second determination value after the notification unit has canceled the notification of the first information to the user, the notification unit cancels the notification of the second information to the user.

9. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a parameter changing unit for changing a parameter related to at least one of the capacitance detection unit, the touch operation detection unit, and the noise detection unit by user operation, wherein the capacitance detection unit detects the capacitance with the parameter changed by the parameter changing unit, the touch operation detection unit detects the touch operation with the parameter changed by the parameter changing unit, and the noise detection unit detects the noise with the parameter changed by the parameter changing unit.

10. The touch input device according to claim 9, characterized in that the parameter further includes a detection sensitivity which is the sensitivity when the touch operation detection unit detects the touch operation and when the noise detection unit detects the noise.

11. The touch input device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the touch panel control unit is physically separated from the touch panel unit which includes the transmitting electrode, the receiving electrode, and the capacitance detection unit.

12. A control method for a touch input device, comprising: a first step of detecting a decrease in capacitance between a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode from an initial value as a touch operation; a second step of detecting an increase in capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode from an initial value as noise; a third step of performing processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the touch operation is detected; and a fourth step of disabling at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data if the noise exceeds a first determination value.

13. A program for a touch input device, characterized by causing a computer to perform the following steps: a first step of detecting a decrease in capacitance between a transmitting electrode and a receiving electrode from an initial value as a touch operation; a second step of detecting an increase in capacitance between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode from an initial value as noise; a third step of performing processing corresponding to the coordinate data when the touch operation is detected; and a fourth step of disabling at least a part of the processing corresponding to the coordinate data if the noise exceeds a first determination value.

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