JP2017220368A - Touch sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch sensor device that is able to reduce a manufacturing cost by making the number of electrodes smaller than that of detection areas.SOLUTION: A touch sensor device 1 is substantially configured by comprising: an operation panel 10 having at least nine high dielectric constant parts, which are high in dielectric constant, and a low dielectric constant part, which is lower in dielectric constant than the high dielectric constant parts, and exposing the high dielectric constant parts and the low dielectric constant part from a surface 100a; at least four electrodes that are arranged on a rear face 100b of the operation panel 10 such that four projection areas 16, which are areas formed such that images projecting four adjacent high dielectric constant parts intersect themselves, have an equal area, and that are electrostatically coupled with a detection target located near or in contact with the high dielectric constant part; and a control section 20 that detects a touch operation on the basis of a signal output from an electrode and determines the high dielectric constant parts touch-operated from the at least nine dielectric constant parts on the basis of a combination of electrodes from which the touch operation has been detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch sensor device.

  As a conventional technique, an operation plate that forms an operation surface that is operated to be touched by an operation body, and an electrode plate that is disposed on the opposite side of the operation surface with respect to the operation plate are provided. There is known a capacitance type switch that operates on and off in accordance with a change in capacitance caused by (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this capacitive switch, the operation plate is integrally formed of resin by multi-color molding of a plate-shaped substrate and a high dielectric constant material having a higher dielectric constant than the substrate, and the high dielectric constant material is an electrode. Arranged in the projection range of the plate.

JP 2014-203540 A

  However, since the conventional capacitive switch has the same number of detection areas as the electrode plate for detecting a touch operation by the operating body, it is not possible to reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of electrodes compared to the detection area.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch sensor device that can reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of electrodes as compared with the detection region.

  One embodiment of the present invention is a low dielectric constant having a high dielectric constant, provided between at least nine high dielectric constant portions arranged in a matrix and the high dielectric constant portion, and having a dielectric constant lower than that of the high dielectric constant portion. 4 projection regions, which are regions formed by intersecting the operation plate having a high-permittivity portion and a low-permittivity portion exposed on the surface and a projection of four adjacent high-permittivity portions. Are arranged on the back surface of the operation plate so as to have the same area, and at least four electrodes that are electrostatically coupled to a detection target that approaches or contacts the high dielectric constant portion, and a touch operation based on an output signal output from the electrodes Provided is a touch sensor device comprising: a determination unit that determines a high dielectric constant part that has been touched from at least nine high dielectric constant parts based on a combination of electrodes that are detected and a touch operation is detected.

  According to the present invention, the manufacturing cost can be reduced by reducing the number of electrodes as compared with the detection region.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the high dielectric constant portion and the electrodes of the touch sensor device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a diagram of the touch sensor device. FIG. 2A is an example of a cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along line II (b) -II (b) of FIG. 2A viewed from the direction of an arrow, and FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a determination table. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the touch sensor device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4B illustrates an example of an arrangement of a high dielectric constant portion and electrodes of the touch sensor device. 4C is an example of the determination table, and FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the touch sensor device according to the third embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
The touch sensor device according to the embodiment has a high dielectric constant, and is provided between at least nine high dielectric constant portions arranged in a matrix and the high dielectric constant portion, and has a dielectric constant lower than that of the high dielectric constant portion. 4 is an area formed by intersecting itself with an operation plate having a low dielectric constant portion, the high dielectric constant portion and the low dielectric constant portion exposed on the surface, and a projection of four adjacent high dielectric constant portions. Based on the output signal output from the electrodes and at least four electrodes that are arranged on the back surface of the operation plate so that the two projection areas have the same area, and are electrostatically coupled to the detection target that approaches or contacts the high dielectric constant portion And a determination unit that detects a touch operation and determines a high dielectric constant portion where the touch operation is performed from at least nine high dielectric constant portions based on a combination of electrodes in which the touch operation is detected. .

  Since this touch sensor device has a smaller number of electrodes than the number of high dielectric constant portions, the manufacturing cost can be reduced compared to the case where the electrodes and the detection region are the same.

[First embodiment]
(Outline of touch sensor device 1)
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of the arrangement of the high dielectric constant portion and the electrodes of the touch sensor device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a diagram of the touch sensor device. FIG. 2A is an example of a cross-sectional view of a cross section taken along line II (b) -II (b) of FIG. 2A viewed from the direction of an arrow, and FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a determination table. Note that, in each drawing according to the embodiment described below, the ratio between figures may be different from the actual ratio. In FIG. 1B, main signals and information flow are indicated by arrows.

  The touch sensor device 1 is, for example, a self-capacitance type touch sensor that detects a touch operation performed on a touch area by an operation finger as a detection target, as illustrated in FIG. The touch sensor device 1 is electrically connected to an electronic device to be operated. The detection target is not limited to the operation finger, and may be a part of the operator's body or a conductive pen.

  The touch sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a first touch area 101 to a ninth touch area 109. As an example, numbers from “1” to “9” are printed in the first touch area 101 to the ninth touch area 109. For example, when a touch operation in the third touch area 103 is detected, the touch sensor device 1 determines that “3” has been touched.

  For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2B, the touch sensor device 1 includes an operation panel 10, first electrode 14 a to fourth electrode 14 d, and a control unit 20 as a determination unit. Are generally configured.

  The operation plate 10 has a high dielectric constant, is provided between at least nine high dielectric constant portions arranged in a matrix, and a low dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant lower than that of the high dielectric constant portion. 12, the high dielectric constant portion and the low dielectric constant portion 12 are exposed on the surface 100a.

  The matrix shape indicates a state in which the high dielectric constant portions are arranged in m rows and n columns at equal intervals. The high dielectric constant portions in the present embodiment are the first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the first electrode 14a to the fourth electrode 14d are regions formed by intersecting themselves with projections of four adjacent high dielectric constant portions. The four projection regions 16 are arranged on the back surface 100b of the operation plate 10 so as to have the same area, and are electrostatically coupled to the operation finger 9 that approaches or contacts the high dielectric constant portion.

  Specifically, for example, when the first high dielectric constant portion 111 is projected onto the first electrode 14a in the normal direction, the mapping of the first high dielectric constant portion 111 projected onto the first electrode 14a Is a projection region 16 indicated by oblique lines in FIG. When the first high dielectric constant portion 111, the second high dielectric constant portion 112, the fourth high dielectric constant portion 114, and the fifth high dielectric constant portion 115 are projected onto the first electrode 14a, four projection regions are obtained. 16 is obtained, and the first electrode 14a is arranged so that the four projection regions 16 have the same area.

  Note that the projection area 16 need not have the same area as long as it has an area that generates an output signal that is touch-determined by a touch operation on the high dielectric constant portion. Therefore, the interval between the high dielectric constant portions may be different to such an extent that the projection region 16 capable of touch determination is generated. The high dielectric constant portion and the electrode are not limited to a rectangular shape, and may be a circular shape.

Control unit 20, based on a combination of the first electrode 14a~ fourth electrode 14d on the basis of the output signals S _{1 ~} output signal S ₄ that is output from the detecting the touch operation, electrodes touch operation has been detected The first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 determine the high dielectric constant portion that has been touched.

  In the operation plate 10 of the present embodiment, a design portion 15 on which a design is formed is disposed on the surface 100a. This design part 15 is resin films, such as PE (polyethylene) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride), for example. The design portion 15 has an operation surface 150 on the surface, and numbers “1” to “9” are printed on the operation surface 150.

(Configuration of operation panel 10)
In the operation plate 10, the first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 are resin members having a high dielectric constant, the low dielectric constant portion 12 is a resin member having a low dielectric constant, and the dielectric constant is low. A high resin member and a resin member having a low dielectric constant are integrally formed.

  Specifically, the low dielectric constant portion 12 is formed so as to cover the outside (side surface and back surface) excluding the surfaces of the first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 arranged in a matrix. Has been. The first high dielectric constant part 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant part 119 and the low dielectric constant part 12 are generated by a two-color molding method.

  The first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 are made of, for example, conductive plastic or synthetic rubber. The first high dielectric constant part 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant part 119 include, for example, a resin material such as PPE (polyphenylene ether) and PC (polycarbonate) containing a conductive member such as carbon black. It is formed to have a higher dielectric constant than the material.

  The first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 have a rectangular shape in a top view. The first high dielectric constant portion 111 defines the first touch region 101. Similarly, the second high dielectric constant portion 112 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 define the second touch region 102 to the ninth touch region 109.

  The first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the third high dielectric constant portion 113 are arranged from left to right on the paper surface of FIG. The fourth high dielectric constant portion 114 to the sixth high dielectric constant portion 116 are arranged from the left under the first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the third high dielectric constant portion 113 on the paper surface of FIG. Lined up to the right. The seventh high dielectric constant portion 117 to the ninth high dielectric constant portion 119 are provided from the left under the fourth high dielectric constant portion 114 to the sixth high dielectric constant portion 116 on the paper surface of FIG. Lined up to the right.

  The low dielectric constant portion 12 is formed using, for example, an insulating resin material such as PPE or PC. For example, the difference between the dielectric constant of the high dielectric constant portion and the dielectric constant of the low dielectric constant portion 12 is 10 or more.

(Configuration of the first electrode 14a to the fourth electrode 14d)
The first electrode 14a to the fourth electrode 14d are formed using a metal material such as copper or gold, for example. The first electrode 14a to the fourth electrode 14d are disposed, for example, on the back surface 100b of the operation plate 10 by vapor deposition or adhesion.

First electrode 14a~ fourth electrode 14d, the high dielectric constant portion to approach or contact to do the finger 9 and the capacitive coupling, increased the output signals S _{1 ~} output signal S ₄ corresponding to the capacitance It is configured to output to the control unit 20.

The first electrode 14a, when a touch operation is performed on the first high dielectric constant portion 111, and outputs the output signals S ₁ that is proportional to the area of the projection area 16 by projecting the first high dielectric constant portion 111. Similarly, when a touch operation is performed on the second high dielectric constant portion 112, the fourth high dielectric constant portion 114, and the fifth high dielectric constant portion 115, the first electrode 14a has an area of the projection region 16. and it outputs the proportional output signal S _1.

When the second electrode 14b is touched to the second high dielectric constant part 112, the third high dielectric constant part 113, the fifth high dielectric constant part 115, and the sixth high dielectric constant part 116, and it outputs an output signal S ₂ which is proportional to the area of the projection region 16.

When the third electrode 14c is touched to the fourth high dielectric constant portion 114, the fifth high dielectric constant portion 115, the seventh high dielectric constant portion 117, and the eighth high dielectric constant portion 118, and it outputs an output signal S ₃ which is proportional to the area of the projection region 16.

When the fourth electrode 14d is touched to the fifth high dielectric constant part 115, the sixth high dielectric constant part 116, the eighth high dielectric constant part 118, and the ninth high dielectric constant part 119, and it outputs an output signal S ₃ which is proportional to the area of the projection region 16.

(Configuration of control unit 20)
The control unit 20 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs operations and processes 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 20, a touch determination threshold value 21, and a determination table 22 are stored. For example, the RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

The touch determination threshold value 21 is a threshold value for performing touch determination. For example, the control unit 20 converts the output signals S ₁ to S ₄ acquired from the first electrode 14 a to the fourth electrode 14 d into digital values and compares them with the touch determination threshold value 21. When the digital value is equal to or greater than the touch determination threshold value 21, the control unit 20 determines that a touch operation has been performed.

This touch determination threshold value 21 is set to be lower than the digital value of the output signal output when there is one projection region 16 of the high dielectric constant portion where the touch operation is performed. Thus when a touch operation is performed on the first high dielectric constant portion 111, the first electrode 14a outputs the output signals S ₁ corresponding to the projection area 16 of the first high dielectric constant portion 111. The control unit 20 determines a digital value based on the output signal S ₁ is because the touch determination threshold 21 or the touch operation is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the determination table 22 is a table for determining a high dielectric constant portion, that is, a touch area where a touch operation is performed from a combination of electrodes determined to have a touch operation. Note that “◯” shown in FIG. 2C indicates that there is a touch operation, and “X” indicates that there is no touch operation.

When a touch operation is performed on the fifth high dielectric constant portion 115, that is, the fifth touch region 105, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the fifth high dielectric constant portion 115 is projected, the first electrode The projection region 16 is generated in the 14a to the fourth electrode 14d. That is, the first electrode 14 a to the fourth electrode 14 d output the output signals S ₁ to S ₄ corresponding to the projection region 16.

Control unit 20 determines that the first electrode 14a~ first electrode 14d on the basis of the output signals _{S 1} ~ output signal _{S 4} and the touch determination threshold 21 is touched. The control unit 20 then generates operation information S ₅ in which the first electrode 14a~ fourth electrode 14d extracts the combination of that there is a touch operation from the judgment table 22, a fifth touch area 105 is touched Output to the connected electronic device.

Also when a touch operation is performed on the touch area 108 of the eighth, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), the third electrode 14c and the fourth electrode 14d detects the touch operation by the output signal S ₃ and the output signal the first electrode 14a and second electrode 14b outputs an output signal _{S 1} and the output signal _{S 2} to no touch operation outputs the S _4.

The control unit 20 extracts, from the determination table 22, a combination in which the first electrode 14a and the second electrode 14b do not detect the touch operation, and the third electrode 14c and the fourth electrode 14d detect the touch operation, and outputs operation information S ₅ to the touch operation has been performed on the touch area 108 of the eighth.

  Here, the high dielectric constant portion of the touch sensor device 1 is arranged in m rows and n columns, but more high dielectric constant portions may be arranged to increase the touch area. The touch sensor device 1 can be expanded to satisfy, for example, m rows and n columns (3 ≦ m, n: n = m + A: 0 ≦ A). Note that m, n, and A are integers.

  That is, the touch sensor device 1 has 3 rows and 3 columns in the above-described example, but for example, 3 rows and 4 columns (m = 3: n = 3 + A: A = 1) or 4 rows and 6 columns (m = 4: n = 4 + A: A = 2). When expanded, the number of electrodes increases by (m−1) × A.

  Below, an example of operation | movement of the touch sensor apparatus 1 of this Embodiment is demonstrated according to the flowchart of FIG.

(Operation)
The control unit 20 of the touch sensor device 1 compares the digital value obtained by converting the output signals S ₁ to S ₄ with the touch determination threshold value 21 to determine the presence or absence of a touch operation. When “Yes” in Step 1 is established, that is, when a touch operation is detected (Step 1: Yes), the control unit 20 determines a touch region from the combination of electrodes that detected the touch operation (Step 2).

Control unit 20 generates the operation information S ₅ and outputs to the connected electronic device based on the determined touch region (Step3).

(Effects of the first embodiment)
The touch sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce the manufacturing cost by reducing the number of electrodes as compared with the touch area. Specifically, the touch sensor device 1 has nine touch areas, but has four electrodes that detect the touch areas. Therefore, the touch sensor device 1 can determine the touch operation for each touch area with fewer electrodes than the touch area, and thus can reduce the manufacturing cost. In addition, since the touch sensor device 1 can detect a touch area equal to or more than the number of electrodes, the touch sensor device 1 can be easily downsized as compared with the case where the number of electrodes and the touch areas is the same.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a touch operation on touch areas arranged one-dimensionally is detected.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 4B illustrates an example of an arrangement of a high dielectric constant portion and electrodes of the touch sensor device. FIG. 4C is an example of a determination table. In the embodiments described below, parts having the same functions and configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

  The touch sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least three high dielectric constant portions having a high dielectric constant and a low dielectric constant portion 12 having a dielectric constant lower than that of the high dielectric constant portion. And an operation plate 10 in which the high dielectric constant portion and the low dielectric constant portion 12 are exposed to the surface 100a.

  Further, the touch sensor device 1 is disposed on the back surface 100b of the operation panel 10 so that two projection regions 16 that are regions formed by projecting adjacent high dielectric constant portions intersecting with each other have the same area. At least two electrodes that are electrostatically coupled to the operation finger 9 that approaches or contacts the high dielectric constant portion are provided.

  The touch sensor device 1 detects a touch operation based on an output signal output from the electrode, and a high dielectric that is touched from at least three high dielectric constant portions based on a combination of electrodes from which the touch operation is detected. The control part 20 which determines a rate part is provided.

  In the present embodiment, as an example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, three high dielectric constant portions (first high dielectric constant portion 111 to third high dielectric constant portion 113). And two electrodes (first electrode 14a and second electrode 14b).

  The first high dielectric constant portion 111 to the third high dielectric constant portion 113, the first electrode 14a, and the second electrode 14b are arranged in a line as shown in FIG. 4B.

  In the first electrode 14 a, the first high dielectric constant portion 111 and the second high dielectric constant portion 112 overlap in the projection region 16 in a top view of FIG. In the second electrode 14 b, the second high dielectric constant portion 112 and the third high dielectric constant portion 113 overlap in the projection region 16.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4C, the determination table 22 indicates that the first high dielectric constant portion 111, that is, the first electrode 14a when the first electrode 14a is “◯” and the second electrode 14b is “x”. If the first electrode 14a is “◯” and the second electrode 14b is “◯”, the second high dielectric constant portion 112, that is, the second touch is assumed. When it is assumed that a touch operation is performed on the region 102 and the first electrode 14 a is “×” and the second electrode 14 b is “◯”, the third high dielectric constant portion 113, that is, the third touch region 103. Is configured as a table in which a touch operation is performed.

  Note that the touch sensor device 1 can be configured to add the same number of electrodes and high dielectric constant portions and to detect a plurality of touch areas.

(Effect of the second embodiment)
The touch sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment has three touch areas, but has two electrodes for detecting the touch area. Therefore, the touch sensor device 1 can determine the touch operation for each touch area with fewer electrodes than the touch area, and thus can reduce the manufacturing cost.

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a space is formed on the side surface of the high dielectric constant portion.

  FIG. 4D is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a touch sensor device according to the third embodiment. In the touch sensor device 1, as shown in FIG. 4D, the low dielectric constant portion surrounding the high dielectric constant portion is a space 5. Compared to the case where the touch sensor device 1 does not employ this configuration, the amount of material of the low dielectric constant portion 12 is reduced, and the dielectric constant of air is lower than that of the low dielectric constant portion 12. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  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. Further, 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 ... Touch sensor apparatus, 5 ... Space, 9 ... Operation finger, 10 ... Operation board, 12 ... Low dielectric constant part, 14a-14d ... 1st electrode-4th electrode, 15 ... Design part, 16 ... Projection area | region , 20 ... control unit, 21 ... touch determination threshold value, 22 ... determination table, 100a ... front surface, 100b ... back surface, 101 to 109 ... first touch area to ninth touch area, 111 to 119 ... first High dielectric constant part to ninth high dielectric constant part, 150 ... operation surface

Claims (4)

A high dielectric constant portion having at least three high dielectric constant portions having a high dielectric constant, and a low dielectric constant portion having a dielectric constant lower than that of the high dielectric constant portion; An operation plate with a low dielectric constant portion exposed on the surface;
Arranged on the back surface of the operation plate so that two projection regions, which are regions formed by projecting adjacent high dielectric constant portions intersecting with each other, have the same area, approach the high dielectric constant portion or At least two electrodes electrostatically coupled to the object to be detected;
The high dielectric constant in which a touch operation is detected based on an output signal output from the electrode, and the touch operation is performed from at least three high dielectric constant portions based on a combination of the electrodes in which the touch operation is detected. A determination unit for determining a part;
A touch sensor device. A high dielectric constant having at least nine high dielectric constant portions arranged in a matrix, and a low dielectric constant portion provided between the high dielectric constant portions and having a lower dielectric constant than the high dielectric constant portion; An operation plate in which the high dielectric constant portion and the low dielectric constant portion are exposed on the surface;
Arranged on the back surface of the operation plate so that four projected regions, which are regions formed by projecting four adjacent high dielectric constant portions intersecting with each other, have the same area, At least four electrodes that are electrostatically coupled to an object to be approached or touched;
The high dielectric constant in which a touch operation is detected based on an output signal output from the electrode, and the touch operation is performed from at least nine high dielectric constant portions based on a combination of the electrodes in which the touch operation is detected. A determination unit for determining a part;
A touch sensor device. The operation plate is a resin member having a high dielectric constant in the high dielectric constant portion, a resin member having a low dielectric constant in the low dielectric constant portion, and a resin member having a high dielectric constant and a resin member having a low dielectric constant. Formed as a unity,
The touch sensor device according to claim 1. The operation plate has a design portion on which the design is formed disposed on the surface.
The touch sensor device according to claim 1.

Images