JP2014006765A - Operation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An operating device that suppresses a difference in operational feeling depending on the size of a detection object is provided.
The operation device 1 mainly includes a frame 12 provided around an operation surface 20, a touch panel 2 that detects a finger contact with the operation surface 20 and outputs a detection signal, and the touch panel 2. The contact area of the finger is calculated based on the detection signal output from, and the distance from the frame 12 to the reference point of the detection target when the finger contacts the operation surface 20 and the frame 12 is determined from the contact area. The operation surface 20 is divided into a determination unit 3 and a detection region 201 that detects finger contact based on the distance determined by the determination unit 3 and a non-detection region 202 that does not detect contact. And a coordinate conversion unit 4 that converts one coordinate system into a second coordinate system of the detection area 201.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an operating device.

  As a conventional technique, an information processing apparatus is known that switches resolution so that the detection resolution of the fingertip increases as the fingertip approaches the display panel surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This information processing apparatus includes a plurality of horizontal electrodes and vertical electrodes, and detection resolution adjusting means for switching detection resolution according to the facing distance between the object and the display panel surface. This detection resolution adjusting means switches the detection resolution by thinning out the number of horizontal electrodes and vertical electrodes to be detected according to the facing distance between the object and the display panel surface.

JP 2011-138540 A

  In the case of a display panel in which a frame is provided so as to surround the operation surface, there is a problem that a finger touches the frame and an area that cannot be operated is generated between the fingers and the operational feeling varies depending on the thickness of the finger. Even if the resolution is switched so that the fingertip detection resolution is increased according to the distance from the display panel as in the conventional information processing apparatus, the problem is not solved.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operating device that suppresses a difference in operational feeling depending on the size of a detection object.

  One embodiment of the present invention includes a detection unit that includes a frame provided around the operation surface, detects a contact of a detection target with the operation surface, and outputs a detection signal, and a detection signal output from the detection unit. A determination unit that calculates a contact area of the detection target based on the contact area and determines a distance from the frame to the reference point of the detection target when the detection target contacts the operation surface and the frame; The operation surface is divided into a detection region that detects the contact of the detection object and a non-detection region that does not detect the contact based on the determined distance, and the first coordinate system set on the operation surface is defined as the second detection region. And a coordinate conversion unit that converts the coordinate system into the coordinate system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a difference in operational feeling due to the size of the detection object.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an operating device according to an embodiment, FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the operating device, and FIG. 1C is a table relating to a table stored in a determination unit. Fig.2 (a) is the schematic for demonstrating the detection area | region and non-detection area | region of the operating device which concerns on embodiment, (b) is FIG.2 (a) in case the thickness of a finger is standard. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the cross section taken along line II (b) -II (b) shown in FIG. It is the schematic diagram of the cross section which looked at the cross section cut | disconnected by the II (c) -II (c) line shown to the arrow direction. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram for explaining coordinate values in the x-axis direction according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram when the interval between coordinate values is changed. ) Is a schematic diagram in the case where the coordinate values are equally spaced. FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to the embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
The operating device according to the embodiment has a frame provided around the operation surface, detects a contact of the detection target with the operation surface and outputs a detection signal, and detection output from the detection unit A determination unit that calculates a contact area of the detection object based on the signal, and determines a distance from a frame to a reference point of the detection object when the detection object contacts the operation surface and the frame from the contact area; Based on the distance determined by the determination unit, the operation surface is divided into a detection region that detects the contact of the detection object and a non-detection region that does not detect the contact, and the first coordinate system set on the operation surface is used as the detection region. A coordinate conversion unit for converting to a second coordinate system.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of operation device)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an operating device according to an embodiment, FIG. 1B is a block diagram of the operating device, and FIG. 1C is a table relating to a table stored in a determination unit. In each drawing according to the embodiment, the ratio between parts may differ from the actual ratio.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the operating device 1 is provided with a frame 12 on the surface 100 of the main body 10 so as to surround the operating surface 20.

  The operating device 1 can operate a connected electronic device, for example. The operation device 1 detects an operation by, for example, touching the operation surface 20 with a detection object such as a part of the operator's body (for example, a finger) or a dedicated pen, or approaching the detection surface. In response to this operation, an instruction such as movement or selection of the cursor displayed on the electronic device, dragging or dropping of the displayed icon can be given. For example, the operator can operate the connected electronic device by operating the operation surface 20. In the present embodiment, an operation with a finger as a detection target will be described.

  This operation device 1 mainly has a frame 12 provided around the operation surface 20, and serves as a detection unit that detects contact of a finger with the operation surface 20 and outputs capacitance information as a detection signal. The touch area of the finger is calculated based on the touch panel 2 and the detection signal output from the touch panel 2, and the distance from the frame 12 to the reference point of the detection target when the finger contacts the operation surface 20 and the frame 12 is calculated. The operation surface 20 is divided into a determination unit 3 that determines from the contact area, a detection region 201 that detects finger contact based on the distance determined by the determination unit 3, and a non-detection region 202 that does not detect contact. And a coordinate conversion unit 4 that converts the first coordinate system set to 20 into the second coordinate system of the detection region 201.

(Configuration of touch panel 2)
The touch panel 2 according to the present embodiment, for example, has a capacitance type that outputs, as a detection signal, a change in current inversely proportional to the distance between the sensor wire 21 and the sensor wire 22 and the finger when the finger approaches the operation surface 20. It is a touch sensor. As the touch panel 2, for example, a known resistive film type, infrared type, SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) type touch panel, or the like can be used.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the touch panel 2 is schematically configured to include a plurality of sensor wires 21 and sensor wires 22 and a touch panel control unit 23.

  The sensor wire 21 and the sensor wire 22 are formed using, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

  As shown in FIG. 1B, the sensor wire 21 and the sensor wire 22 are arranged along the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the paper surface. In the present embodiment, the horizontal direction of the paper surface of FIG. 1B is the x axis, the vertical direction is the y axis, and the upper left of the operation surface 20 of the touch panel 2 is the origin. This xy coordinate system is the first coordinate system.

  In the x-axis direction, for example, m sensor wires 21 are arranged at equal intervals. This m is, for example, a positive integer.

  In the y-axis direction, for example, n sensor wires 22 are arranged at equal intervals. This n is, for example, a positive integer.

  The sensor wires 21 arranged along the x axis are electrically insulated from the sensor wires 22 arranged along the y axis, for example.

  The touch panel control unit 23 is configured to read the capacitance in the order of the sensor wire 21 in the x-axis direction from the left to the right in FIG. 1B and the sensor wire 22 in the y-axis direction from the top to the bottom of the paper. Yes. The touch panel control unit 23 is configured to read out the capacitance based on a control signal output from the control unit 5.

  The touch panel control unit 23 is configured to output, for example, the read capacitance value (capacitance value) of each sensor wire 21 to the determination unit 3 and the control unit 5 as capacitance information.

  As an example, the touch panel 2 constitutes an absolute operation system in which the display screen of the display device and the operation surface 20 are 1: 1. Accordingly, the resolution in the x-axis direction and the resolution in the y-axis direction of the touch panel 2 are set to have the same ratio as the aspect ratio of the display screen as an example.

  Therefore, as an example, when the aspect ratio of the display screen is 16: 9, the resolution is set so that the resolution in the x-axis direction is 256 and the resolution in the y-axis direction is 144. In accordance with this resolution, a coordinate value in the x-axis direction and a coordinate value in the y-axis direction of the xy coordinate system are set. That is, as an example, the x-axis coordinate value is 0 to 255, and the y-axis coordinate value is 0 to 144.

  The touch panel 2 may be configured to include a display device on the side opposite to the operation surface 20, for example.

(Configuration of the discriminator 3)
Fig.2 (a) is the schematic for demonstrating the detection area | region and non-detection area | region of the operating device which concerns on embodiment, (b) is FIG.2 (a) in case the thickness of a finger is standard. FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the cross section taken along line II (b) -II (b) shown in FIG. It is the schematic diagram of the cross section which looked at the cross section cut | disconnected by the II (c) -II (c) line shown to the arrow direction.

  The determination unit 3 is configured to determine the contact of the finger when the capacitance based on the acquired capacitance information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. This contact includes the case where the finger is close to the operation surface 20 to the extent that the capacitance is equal to or greater than the threshold value, as described above. That is, the determination of contact may be made even if the finger is not in contact with the operation surface 20. The determination unit 3 is configured to calculate the contact area of the finger after determining the contact of the finger.

  The determination unit 3 includes a table 30 to be described later in which the contact area and the distance are associated with each other, and determines the distance based on the calculated contact area and the table 30. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the determination unit 3 uses the frame 12 when the detection target object contacts the operation surface 20 and the frame 12 based on the capacitance information acquired from the touch panel 2. The distance from the detection object to the reference point of the detection object is determined. Since the detection target in the present embodiment is a finger, the distance from the frame 12 to the reference point of the finger is proportional to the thickness of the finger estimated from the contact area in contact with the operation surface 20 as an example. .

  The finger reference point is, for example, the center of gravity obtained from the contact area when the modeled finger ideally contacts the frame 12 and the operation surface 20, and is closest to the frame 12 of the contact area. The middle point of the point and the width of the finger as a model can be considered. In this embodiment, as an example, the midpoint of the width of the finger when the modeled finger contacts the frame 12 is used as the reference point.

  For example, the contact area S is calculated using a known method such as a method of calculating using a plurality of coordinates obtained from a plurality of capacitances that are equal to or greater than a threshold value. Moreover, the table 30 may be calculated | required by experiment, simulation, etc., for example. Furthermore, the determination unit 3 is not limited to the configuration using the table 30, for example, and may be configured to obtain a non-detection region 202 and the like to be described later by calculation.

  The determination unit 3 may be configured to determine the distance using the average value of the contact area S during the period in which the touch panel 2 detects a finger contact. In this case, the determination unit 3 determines that the finger has touched the operation surface 20 and calculates an average of a plurality of contact areas S calculated during a period until it is determined that the finger has moved away from the operation surface 20.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the table 30 associates the detected finger contact area S with the finger thickness. As an example, when the contact area S is S ≦ a, the thickness of the finger is determined as “thin”. As an example, when the contact area S is a <S <b, the thickness of the finger is determined as “standard”. As an example, when the contact area S is b ≦ S, the thickness of the finger is determined to be “thick”. It is assumed that 0 <a, b, c. The determination unit 3 outputs the determined result to the coordinate conversion unit 4 as determination information.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the determination unit 3 divides the operation surface 20 into a detection area 201 that detects a finger and a non-detection area 202 that does not detect the finger according to the thickness of the finger.

Specifically, identification portion 3, if it is determined the thickness of the finger and the "narrow", a non-detection region width is W _A. The identification portion 3, if it is determined the thickness of the finger and the "standard", a non-detection region width is W _B. Discriminating section 3, if it is determined the thickness of the finger and the "thick", the non-detection region width is W _C. The non-detection region width is the width of the non-detection region 202 indicated by the oblique lines in FIG. This width is W _A <W _B <W _C.

  When the operator's finger comes into contact with the frame 12, an area that is difficult to operate with the finger appears between the finger and the frame 12 as shown in FIG. Since the area cannot be easily touched with a finger, the operation becomes difficult when a selectable icon or cursor is located in the area. The non-detection region 202 is set so as to include the region, and is estimated from the contact area S of the finger. The width of the non-detection area 202 is set as the width from the frame 12.

  The determination of the thickness of the finger is performed based on, for example, capacitance information in which a finger contact is first detected. In other words, when the operation is continued, the thickness of the finger is determined based on the capacitance information in which the operation is first detected. Therefore, as an example, the non-detection area 202 is not changed as long as the operation continues.

  In addition, when the contact area S used for determining the first distance is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value, the determination unit 3 sets the first coordinate system to the second distance corresponding to the first distance. When the contact area S used to determine the second distance is larger than the first threshold value, the discrimination information to be converted into the coordinate system is output to the coordinate conversion unit 4, and the non-detection area based on the second distance When the capacitance information detected and output at 202 is compared with a predetermined second threshold value and the capacitance information is large, the first coordinate system is set according to the second distance. The discrimination information to be converted into the second coordinate system may be output to the coordinate conversion unit 4. As an example, when the first distance is a distance when the finger is standard, and the second distance is a distance when the finger is thick, the capacitance information is the second threshold. If it is less than or equal to the value, it is converted to a second coordinate corresponding to the first distance.

  Specifically, the capacitance detected by one electrode is influenced not only by the size of the finger but also by differences in body conductivity and dielectricity depending on the individual. Therefore, as an example, even when an operation is performed with a thin finger, there is a possibility that a large capacitance exceeding the threshold value used to determine the thickness of the finger is detected and it is determined that the finger is thick. is there. Therefore, as an example, the determination unit 3 determines that the finger is thick, and the capacitance information output from the electrode located in the non-detection region 202 where the finger is difficult to touch is based on a predetermined second threshold value. When the condition that the finger is large is satisfied, the controller device 1 is configured to output discrimination information indicating that the finger is thick, so that the controller device 1 converts the finger into a thick finger coordinate system regardless of whether the finger is standard or thin. It becomes possible to prevent erroneous conversion. This process may be performed according to the number of finger sizes to be determined. The determination unit 2 may be configured to perform the above determination when the finger position when determining the finger size is near the frame 12.

(Configuration of coordinate conversion unit 4)
FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram for explaining coordinate values in the x-axis direction according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram when the interval between coordinate values is changed. ) Is a schematic diagram in the case where the coordinate values are equally spaced. FIG. 3C shows a modification of the embodiment.

  The coordinate conversion unit 4 is configured to set a coordinate system based on the detection area 201 set by the determination unit 3. The coordinate conversion unit 4 is configured to output the set coordinate system information to the control unit 5 as coordinate conversion information.

  When no finger contact is detected, that is, in the initial state, the coordinate conversion unit 4 has the entire operation surface 20, that is, the detectable region 200 as the detection region 201, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the coordinate values of the x axis and the y axis between the frames 12 are set according to the resolution. Therefore, the coordinate conversion unit 4 has an xy coordinate system (the first coordinate system having a coordinate value of 0 to 255 between the frames 12 and a coordinate value of 0 to 143 between the frames 12 and the y axis. 1 coordinate system).

When a finger having a standard thickness is detected, the coordinate conversion unit 4 uses the xy coordinate system set on the operation surface 20 as the x ₁ y ₁ coordinates of the detection area 201 as shown in FIG. Convert to system (second coordinate system). By this conversion, the coordinate conversion unit 4 performs coordinate conversion so that the resolution (x axis is 256 and y axis is 144) set in the detectable region 200 does not change even in the detection region 201. That is, the resolution in the x ₁ axis direction in the x ₁ y ₁ coordinate system is 256, and the resolution in the y ₁ axis direction is 144. Thus the coordinate transformation unit 4, _{x 1} axis, has a coordinate value of 0 to 255, _{y 1} axis, sets the _x 1 _{y 1} coordinate system having a coordinate value of 0-143.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the coordinate conversion unit 4 includes a predetermined first area (change area 201a) inside the detection area 201 and other second areas (standard area 201b). The detection area 201 is divided, and the coordinate interval of the first region and the coordinate interval of the second region are changed to be different.

  This is because the coordinate interval of the standard region 201b is made equal to the coordinate interval before the change by narrowing the coordinate interval around the detection region 201. That is, since the size of the detection region 201 changes according to the thickness of the finger, when the coordinates of the detection region 201 are evenly allocated, the coordinate interval when the finger is small is wider than the coordinate interval when the finger is thick. Become. Therefore, when the operator changes the finger and operates, it is conceivable that the operation feeling varies depending on the finger used.

  However, the coordinate conversion unit 4 can set the coordinate interval of the standard region 201b so as not to change depending on the size of the finger by adjusting the interval of the change region 201a. Accordingly, the coordinate conversion unit 4 uses the coordinate interval of the xy coordinate system shown in FIG. 3A as a reference, and converts the coordinate interval of the standard area 201b of the converted second coordinate system as the reference interval. I do.

  Here, as an example, the width of the change area 201a is set to be about half the width of the determined finger. Note that the width of the change area 201a is not limited to about half of the width of the finger. For example, the width of the change area 201a may be set based on an allowable coordinate interval. The remaining area may be set as the change area 201a.

(Modification)
As a modification, the coordinate conversion unit 4 sets a change area 201c that is a coordinate system (x ₂ y ₂ coordinate system) in which the coordinate intervals of the detection area 201 are equal intervals, as shown in FIG. It may be configured to. When set in this way, the operation feeling is unified in the entire detection area 201.

(Configuration of control unit 5)
The control unit 5 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs operations and processing on acquired data according to a stored program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that is a semiconductor memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. Microcomputer. In this ROM, for example, a program for operating the control unit 5 is stored. For example, the RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like. Further, the control unit 5 has means for generating a clock signal therein, and operates based on this clock signal.

  The control unit 5 determines an operation based on the capacitance information acquired from the touch panel 2, the threshold value, and the coordinate conversion information acquired from the coordinate conversion unit 4, and the operation surface on which the operation is performed after the operation is determined. Twenty coordinates are calculated and output to the connected electronic device as operation information. The calculation of the coordinates is performed based on a predetermined period corresponding to the clock signal, as in the case of reading out the capacitance. The control unit 5 is configured to generate a control signal based on the predetermined cycle and output the control signal to the touch panel control unit 23.

  The control unit 5 calculates a finger detection point in the first coordinate system based on the capacitance information. This calculation is performed, for example, by a method using a known weighted average. The control unit 5 converts the calculated coordinate values into the coordinates of the second coordinate system. The control unit 5 is configured to generate and output operation information including the coordinate value of this coordinate.

  Below, operation | movement of the operating device 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIG. 4, referring each figure.

(Operation)
The control unit 5 generates a control signal based on a predetermined cycle and outputs the control signal to the touch panel control unit 23. The touch panel control unit 23 reads the capacitance based on the acquired control signal, generates capacitance information (S1), and outputs the capacitance information to the determination unit 3.

  The determination unit 3 determines the presence or absence of contact based on the acquired capacitance information. The determination unit 3 determines the thickness of the finger when it is determined that there is a finger contact, that is, when Yes is established in step 2 (S3).

  When the determination unit 3 compares the calculated contact area S with the table 30 to determine the thickness of the finger, the determination unit 3 sets the width of the non-detection region 202 based on the determined thickness of the finger (S4). The determination unit 3 generates determination information including information on the width of the non-detection region 202 and outputs the determination information to the coordinate conversion unit 4.

  The coordinate conversion unit 4 divides the operation surface 20 into a detection area 201 that detects finger contact and a non-detection area 202 that does not detect contact based on the discrimination information, and uses the first coordinate system set on the operation surface 20. The detection area 201 is converted to the second coordinate system (S5). The coordinate conversion unit 4 generates coordinate conversion information including information on the second coordinate system and outputs the coordinate conversion information to the control unit 5.

  The control unit 5 calculates a finger detection point based on the capacitance information acquired from the touch panel 2. Subsequently, the control unit 5 converts the calculated detection point into coordinates in the coordinate system of the detection area 201 based on the coordinate conversion information, generates operation information including the calculated coordinate information, and outputs the operation information to the electronic device. (S6).

(Effect of embodiment)
The operating device 1 according to the present embodiment can suppress a difference in operational feeling due to the size of the detection target. Specifically, since the controller device 1 sets the detection area 201 according to the thickness of the finger that has touched the operation surface 20, it is not necessary to touch an area that is difficult to operate near the frame 12 for operation. Operation feeling is improved.

  In addition, since the controller device 1 includes the table 30 that associates the contact area with the distance from the frame 12 to the reference point of the finger, the time required for the processing is shortened compared to a table 30 that does not have a table. Since a control unit capable of performing a simple process is not required, it is manufactured at a low cost.

  The controller device 1 divides the detection area 201 into the change area 201a and the standard area 201b, and changes the coordinate interval of the change area 201a and the coordinate interval of the standard area 201b so that the coordinate intervals are equalized. Compared with what is to be performed, since the operation in the standard area 201b does not depend on the thickness of the finger, it is possible to suppress a difference in operation feeling when the finger is changed.

  As mentioned above, although some embodiment and modification of this invention were demonstrated, these embodiment and modification are only examples, and do not limit the invention based on a claim. These novel embodiments and modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and the like can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments and modifications are necessarily essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Operation apparatus, 2 ... Touch panel, 3 ... Discriminating part, 4 ... Coordinate conversion part, 5 ... Control part, 10 ... Main body, 12 ... Frame, 20 ... Operation surface, 21 ... Sensor wire, 22 ... Sensor wire, 23 ... Touch panel control unit, 30 ... table, 100 ... surface, 200 ... detectable area, 201 ... detection area, 201a ... change area, 201b ... standard area, 201c ... change area, 202 ... non-detection area

Claims (5)

A detection unit that includes a frame provided around the operation surface, detects a contact of the detection target with respect to the operation surface, and outputs a detection signal;
A contact area of the detection target is calculated based on the detection signal output from the detection unit, and a reference of the detection target from the frame when the detection target contacts the operation surface and the frame. A discriminator for discriminating the distance to the point from the contact area;
The operation surface is divided into a detection region that detects contact of the detection target object and a non-detection region that does not detect contact based on the distance determined by the determination unit, and first coordinates set on the operation surface A coordinate transformation unit for transforming a system to a second coordinate system of the detection area;
The operating device with.   The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a table that associates the contact area with the distance, and determines the distance based on the calculated contact area and the table.   The coordinate conversion unit divides the detection area into a predetermined first area inside the detection area and a second area other than the first area, the coordinate interval of the first area and the second area The operating device according to claim 1, wherein the coordinate interval of the region is changed to be different.   The operation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determination unit determines the distance using an average value of a contact area during a period in which the detection unit detects a contact of the detection target. apparatus. The discrimination unit
When the contact area used for determining the first distance is equal to or smaller than a predetermined first threshold value, the first coordinate system is converted to the second coordinate system corresponding to the first distance. Output discrimination information to the coordinate conversion unit,
When the contact area used for determining the second distance is larger than the first threshold, a detection signal detected and output in the non-detection region based on the second distance is predetermined. When the detection signal is large compared with the second threshold value, the coordinate conversion unit displays discrimination information for converting the first coordinate system to the second coordinate system according to the second distance. The operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating device outputs to

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