JP2016218820A - Operation detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation detection device capable of improving operability by suppressing the determination of an operation unexpected by an operator.SOLUTION: An operation detection device 1 is substantially configured to include: a touch pad 10 having an operation surface 100 divided into a detection area 101 in which the contact of the operation finger is detected and a non-detection area 102 as a peripheral area of the detection area 101 in which the contact of the operation finger is not detected; a pressure sensor 16 for detecting a pressure due to the contact of the operation finger to the operation surface 100; and a control part 18 for, when the pressure is detected by the pressure sensor 16 even after the touch pad 10 is shifted from the detection state to non-detection state of the operation finger, estimating that the operation finger has moved from the detection area 101 to the non-detection area 102, and for determining a predetermined determinable operation by the estimation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an operation detection device.

  As a conventional technique, a touch sensor that detects a change in capacitance due to the proximity of the operation conductor to the operation surface, and a control that detects the operation position of the operation conductor on the operation surface based on the detected capacitance detected by the touch sensor. There is known an input device that includes a portion and a pressure detection unit that detects that the operation surface is pressed by an operation conductor (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  The control unit of this input device lowers the threshold value when the detected electrostatic capacity does not exceed the reference electrostatic capacity and inputs that the pressing is detected by the pressing detection means, and the detected electrostatic capacity decreases the threshold value. When the corrected capacitance after being lowered is exceeded, position information on the operation surface when the detected capacitance exceeds the corrected capacitance is detected.

JP 2013-156888 A

  However, in the conventional input device, since the pressure detection means lowers the threshold value for detecting the operation by detecting the pressure, the operation conductor is placed in a region where the wirings of the plurality of transparent electrodes arranged below the operation surface are gathered. When approaching, an operation conductor that is not originally detected is easily detected, and an operation that is not intended by the operator may be detected.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation detection device capable of improving the operability by suppressing the determination of an operation not intended by the operator.

  One aspect of the present invention is an operation detection unit having an operation surface that is divided into a detection region in which contact of a detection target is detected, and a region around the detection region, and a non-detection region in which contact of the detection target is not detected, If the pressure detection unit detects pressure even if the operation detection unit shifts from the detection state of the detection target to the non-detection state, the detection target is detected. There is provided an operation detection device including a determination unit that estimates that the detection area has moved to a non-detection area and determines an operation that is determined in advance as a result of the estimation.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, operativity can be improved by suppressing determination of the operation which an operator does not intend.

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the inside of a vehicle on which the operation detection device according to the embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 1B is an example of a block diagram of the operation detection device. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the structure of the operation detection device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is an example of a top view of the operation surface of the touch pad. FIG. 2C is a top view for explaining an example of the arrangement of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes of the touch pad. FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of threshold information stored in the control unit of the operation detection device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for describing an example of a flick operation. FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the determination operation of the operation detection device according to the embodiment.

(Summary of embodiment)
The operation detection device according to the embodiment is an operation detection having an operation surface which is divided into a detection area where a contact of a detection target is detected and a non-detection area where the contact of the detection target is not detected. If the pressure detection unit detects pressure even when the operation detection unit shifts from the detection state of the detection target to the non-detection state, And a determination unit that estimates that the detection target has moved from the detection region to the non-detection region and determines a predetermined operation that can be determined by this estimation.

  Since the operation detection device does not determine an operation performed only by the trajectory or time of the operation detected in the detection area, compared with a case where the operation performed by the trajectory or time detected in the detection area is determined. Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability by suppressing the determination of an operation not intended by the operator.

[Embodiment]
(Configuration of operation detection device 1)
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the inside of a vehicle on which the operation detection device according to the embodiment is mounted, and FIG. 1B is an example of a block diagram of the operation detection device. FIG. 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining an example of the structure of the operation detection device according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is an example of a top view of the operation surface of the touch pad. FIG. 2C is a top view for explaining an example of the arrangement of the X electrodes and the Y electrodes of the touch pad. 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 operation detection device 1 is for operating an electronic device that is electromagnetically connected, for example. The operation detection device 1 is, for example, an instruction such as movement and selection of a cursor displayed on the display unit of an electronic device, selection of a displayed icon, determination, dragging, dropping, etc. by an operation with a conductive pen or an operation finger. It is configured to be able to do. In this embodiment, an operation with an operation finger as a detection target will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, the operation detection device 1 is disposed on a floor console 80 between a driver seat and a passenger seat of the vehicle 8. The operation surface 100 of the operation detection device 1 is exposed to the floor console 80.

  A display device 85 is disposed on the center console 81 of the vehicle 8 as shown in FIG. The display device 85 functions as a display unit of the above-described electronic device. The operation detection device 1 can instruct, for example, the movement of the cursor displayed on the display device 85 or the switching of the displayed image. Examples of the electronic apparatus include a navigation device, an air conditioner, a music playback device, and a video playback device mounted on the vehicle 8. Further, the operation detection device 1 can operate a menu or the like that is displayed on the display device 85 by the vehicle control unit of the vehicle 8.

  As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2A, the operation detection device 1 is a detection area 101 where contact of the operation finger is detected, and an area around the detection area 101. The touch pad 10 as the operation detection unit having the operation surface 100 divided into the non-detection areas 102 that are not detected, the pressure sensor 16 as the pressure detection unit that detects the pressure due to the touch of the operation finger on the operation surface 100, and the touch pad 10 If the pressure sensor 16 detects pressure even when the operation finger moves from the detection state to the non-detection state, it is estimated that the operation finger has moved from the detection region 101 to the non-detection region 102 and can be determined by this estimation. And a control unit 18 as a determination unit for determining a predetermined operation.

(Configuration of touchpad 10)
The touch pad 10 is, for example, a capacitive touch pad. The touchpad 10 is close to the detection area 101 of the operation surface 100, or to detect the electrostatic capacitance between the contact operation fingers, so as to output a detection value S ₂ based on the detected electrostatic capacitance structure Has been. Note that the above approach indicates a state in which the detected electrostatic capacity is so close that it exceeds a threshold value for operation determination.

  In the touch pad 10, for example, electrodes are arranged on a plate-like member such as glass or synthetic resin. The surface of the plate member is an operation surface 100. Further, the touch pad 10 is supported by the casing 1a of the operation detection device 1 as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the horizontal direction of the paper surface of FIGS. 2B and 2C is the X axis, the vertical direction is the Y axis, and the upper left of the operation surface 100 is the origin. In the following, the X-axis coordinates are indicated by X _{1 to} X ₅ from the left to the right, with subscript numbers (1 to 5) added to X. The coordinates of the Y axis are indicated by Y ₁ to Y ₅ from the top to the bottom, with a subscript number (1 to 5) added to Y.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the touch pad 10 includes a plurality of X electrodes 11a arranged so as to be orthogonal to the X axis, and a plurality of Y electrodes 12a arranged so as to be orthogonal to the Y axis. Have.

  The X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a are formed using a metal material such as copper, for example. Further, the X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a may be transparent electrodes such as ITO (indium oxide), for example. And as an example, the X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a are insulated and arranged at equal intervals.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, the X electrode 11 a includes a plurality of electrode portions that are square, and a plurality of connection portions that are smaller in area than the electrode portions and connect the electrode portions to each other. It is roughly structured. The electrode disposed in coordinates X ₁ and the coordinate X _5, as an example, has a shape obtained by dividing the X electrode 11a which is disposed on the other of the coordinates into two in the longitudinal direction, it may be the same shape.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2C, the Y electrode 12a has the same shape as the X electrode 11a. In addition, the shape of the X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a is not limited to said example, It can change.

  The operation detection device 1 may be configured such that the touch pad 10 is configured with a transparent electrode or the like, and the touch pad 10 is disposed on a display device such as the display device 85.

  Further, the touch pad 10 includes a drive unit 13 and a reading unit 14 as shown in FIG.

The drive unit 13 is supplied with a drive signal S ₁ from the control unit 18. Driving unit _13, in the order of X 1 to X _5, and supplies the driving signals _{S 1} to selectively X electrode 11a.

The reading section 14, the X electrode 11a of the _{X i} is driven (i is an integer of 0 to _5), in the order of Y 1 to Y _5, a detection value _{S 2} is selectively connected to the Y electrode 12a Output to the control unit 18. The detected value S ₂ is an electrostatic capacity obtained on the basis of the X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a that is selected.

The reading unit 14 according to the present embodiment reads the electrostatic capacitance based on the selected X electrode 11a and Y electrode 12a, performs digital conversion processing, and converts the analog value into a digital value. Thus detected value S _2, as an example, a digital value.

  As an example, the touch pad 10 detects a touch operation, a tap operation, a double tap operation, a tracing operation, a drag operation, a flick operation, a pinch out (pinch open) operation, a pinch in (pinch close) operation, and the like.

  The touch operation indicates, for example, an operation of touching the operation surface 100 with an operation finger. The tap operation corresponds to, for example, a mouse click, and indicates an operation of hitting the operation surface 100 with an operation finger. The double tap operation corresponds to, for example, a double click of the mouse, and indicates an operation of hitting the operation surface 100 twice continuously with an operation finger. The tracing operation indicates, for example, an operation of sliding with the operation finger in contact with the operation surface 100. The drag operation indicates, for example, an operation of sliding an operation finger with an image selected when moving an image or the like. The flick operation indicates an operation of paying the operation surface 100 with an operation finger, for example. The pinch-out operation indicates, for example, an operation for expanding an image or the like by spreading two operation fingers in contact with the operation surface 100. The pinch-in operation indicates, for example, an operation for reducing an image or the like by bringing two operation fingers brought into contact with the operation surface 100 closer to each other.

  The operation that is determined in advance as being determinable by the above estimation is, for example, at least one of a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, and a pinch-out operation. In this embodiment, a flick operation as a predetermined operation will be described.

  The control unit 18 has threshold information 180 for determining these operations. The threshold information 180 will be described later.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the touch pad 10 has a flat design with almost no steps from the floor console 80. Therefore, since there is no bezel or the like covering the non-detection region 102, the operator can contact not only the detection region 101 but also the non-detection region 102 as shown in FIG.

  The detection area 101 is an area where the X electrode 11a and the Y electrode 12a are mainly located below. The touch pad 10 detects an operation such as the above-described flick operation performed on the detection area 101.

  The non-detection region 102 is a region where the wiring 11b electrically connected to the X electrode 11a and the wiring 12b electrically connected to the Y electrode 12a are mainly located below. The touch pad 10 is configured not to detect an operation performed on the non-detection area 102.

  The plurality of wirings 11b are electrically connected to the drive unit 13 via the flexible substrate 15 as shown in FIG. The plurality of wirings 12 b are electrically connected to the reading unit 14 via the flexible substrate 15.

(Configuration of pressure sensor 16)
The pressure sensor 16 is, for example, an electronic or mechanical pressure sensor. As an example, the pressure sensor 16 is disposed at the center of the back surface 100a of the touch pad 10 as shown in FIG. The operation detection device 1 may have a configuration in which a plurality of pressure sensors are arranged at the four corners of the touch pad 10.

The pressure sensor 16 detects a pressure applied to the touch pad 10 and outputs a pressure value S ₃ to the control unit 18.

(Configuration of control unit 18)
FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of threshold information stored in the control unit of the operation detection device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for describing an example of a flick operation. FIG.

  The control unit 18 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 18 and threshold information 180 are stored. For example, the RAM is used as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like, and stores history information 185. The control unit 18 has a function of measuring time.

  When the pressure is not detected within a predetermined time after the touch pad 10 is in the non-detection state, the control unit 18 determines the flick operation based on the elapsed time from the detection state until the pressure is not detected. To do.

  Moreover, the control part 18 determines operation different from flick operation, when a pressure is detected longer than the predetermined time after the touchpad 10 will be in a non-detection state. This predetermined time is a time threshold value 184 described later which the control unit 18 has.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the threshold information 180 includes a plurality of threshold values. As an example, the threshold information 180 includes a threshold for detecting an operation finger approaching or touching the operation surface 100, a threshold for determining the type of operation performed, and a pressure threshold 183. And a time threshold value 184.

The threshold value for detecting the operating finger is, for example, the detection threshold value 181. Control unit 18 determines whether the operation finger is detected in the detection area 101 by comparing the detected value S ₂ acquired from the touch pad 10 and the detection threshold 181. Control unit 18, the operation finger based on the detected value S ₂ is greater than the detection threshold 181 is stored as time series history information 185 by calculating the detected coordinates. The touch pad 10 may be configured to calculate the coordinates at which the operation finger is detected and output information on the coordinates to the control unit 18.

  The threshold value for determining the type of operation performed is, for example, the determination threshold value 182. The determination threshold value 182 includes, for example, a plurality of threshold values set for each of the above-described tracing operations. In FIG. 3A, a tracing threshold value 182a and a flicking threshold value 182b are illustrated as an example. Hereinafter, the flick threshold value 182b will be described.

  As an example of the operation performed with one operating finger, there are a touch operation, a flick operation, and a tracing operation. This touch operation is an operation performed in substantially the same place, and the time during which the operation surface 100 is touched, that is, the detected time is short. Further, the flick operation has a longer distance to move the operation surface 100 and a detected time than the touch operation. The tracing operation has a longer moving distance and a longer detection time than the flick operation.

  The determination threshold value 182 is set so as to be able to determine the difference between the touch operation, the tracing operation, and the flick operation described above.

The pressure threshold value 183 is, for example, a threshold value related to pressure. Control unit 18 determines that the pressure value S ₃ obtained from the pressure sensor 16 is greater than the pressure threshold value 183, operation finger is in contact with the operation surface 100.

  Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, when the tracing operation is performed across the detection area 101 and the non-detection area 102, the touch pad 10 detects the locus 9 in the detection area 101, but is not detected. The locus 9 in the area 102 cannot be detected. The locus 9 indicates a locus in which the operating finger contacts the operation surface 100 by the tracing operation.

  As described above, the flick operation and the drag operation can be determined based on, for example, the operation time and the operation distance. When the non-detection area is hidden by a bezel or the like and the detection area is substantially the operation surface, the flick operation and the drag operation can be determined by the operation time and the operation distance.

  However, when the touch pad 10 is arranged so as to be flat with the periphery as in the present embodiment, the non-detection region 102 that is not suitable for the detection of the operating finger is exposed, as shown in FIG. An operation that extends over both the detection area 101 and the non-detection area 102 can be performed.

  As a result, when the operator traces the operation surface 100 with the intention of the tracing operation, the detected time and the locus 9 in the detection area 101 are shortened, and there is a possibility that it is erroneously determined that the flick operation has been performed.

  The control unit 18 of the present embodiment monitors the pressure on the operation surface 100 with the pressure sensor 16 in order to prevent this erroneous determination. That is, the control unit 18 is configured to determine the contact of the operating finger in the non-detection region 102 that is not detected by the touch pad 10 based on whether or not the pressure sensor 16 detects the pressure.

The control unit 18 compares the pressure value S ₃ acquired from the pressure sensor 16 with the pressure threshold value 183, and if the pressure value S ₃ is greater than the pressure threshold value 183, the operating finger contacts the non-detection region 102. It is estimated that the operation continues.

Thus the control unit 18 as a trigger that the operation in the detection area 101 on the basis of the detected value S ₂ acquired from the touch pad 10 is no longer detected, or made operation can flick operation of the flick operation is different from other operations Before determining whether or not the pressure is present, it is determined whether or not pressure is detected.

  When the touch pad 10 does not detect an operation but the pressure sensor 16 continues to detect a pressure greater than the pressure threshold value 183, the control unit 18 is based on the time when the operation was detected by the touch pad 10. Instead of determining the operation, the operation is determined in consideration of the time from the start of the detection of the operation by the touch pad 10 until the pressure is not detected.

  Furthermore, the control unit 18 switches whether to perform a flick operation determination or other operation determination based on the time when the pressure is detected.

  Specifically, the control unit 18 confirms the pressure using the non-detection state as a trigger, and compares the time during which the pressure is detected with the time threshold value 184 when the pressure is detected. When the time during which the pressure is detected is within the time threshold value 184, the control unit 18 determines the flick operation. Further, when the time during which the pressure is detected is longer than the time threshold value 184, the control unit 18 determines an operation other than the flick operation. The time threshold value 184 is 1 second as an example.

  An operation other than the flick operation is, for example, a tracing operation. For example, when the time during which the pressure is detected becomes longer than the time threshold value 184, the control unit 18 determines whether or not the tracing operation is performed based on the locus 9 and the time of the detection region 101.

  Here, as a modification, the control unit 18 detects a pinch-in or a pinch-out, and when one is in a detection state and the other is in a non-detection state, the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 16 is a fluctuation within a predetermined range. If so, the continuation of the operation may be estimated assuming that the other operating finger has moved to the non-detection region 102.

  The history information 185 is generated by associating the coordinates at which the operation is detected with time and arranging them in time series. The control unit 18 calculates the distance at which the operation is detected and the duration of the operation based on the history information 185.

Control unit 18, based on the determined operation generates an operation information S _4, and outputs the connected electronic equipment.

  Hereinafter, an example of the determination operation in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This determination operation assumes a case where the determination operation of the flick operation is performed using a change from the detection state to the non-detection state as a trigger.

(Operation)
Operation control unit 18 of the detection device 1, when the power supply of the vehicle 8 is turned on, and acquires the detection value S ₂ outputs a driving signals S ₁ to the touch pad 10 (S1).

Control unit 18 determines whether an operation has been detected by comparing the detected value S ₂ and the detection threshold 181 obtained. When the operation is detected (S2: Yes), the control unit 18 generates the history information 185 by associating the coordinates where the operation finger is detected with the time (S3).

Control unit 18 obtains the detected value _{S 2} of the next period (S4). The control unit 18 determines whether or not an operation has been detected as in Step 2.

When the operation is detected (S5: Yes), the control unit 18 associates the newly detected coordinates and time and accumulates the history information 185 (S6). Control unit 18 advances the process to step 4, to obtain the detected value S ₂ of the next cycle.

Here, in step 5, when the operation is not detected, that is, when the operation finger is changed from the detection state to the non-detection state in the detection region 101 (S 5: No), the pressure value S output from the pressure sensor 16 is detected. ₃ and the pressure threshold value 183 are compared. Control unit 18 is greater than the pressure value S ₃ the pressure threshold 183, if pressure is detected (S7: Yes), the pressure starts measuring the time being detected.

When the time during which the pressure is detected is within the time threshold value 184 (S8: Yes), the control unit 18 determines the flick operation (S9). Control unit 18 outputs operation information _{S 4} based on the determination result to the electronic device (S10). Note the control unit 18, if it is determined that the flick operation has been performed, when generating the operation information S ₄ based on the flick operation is not determined that the flick operation has been performed, the determination threshold 182 tracing threshold a determination is another operation by using a value 182a, and generates operation information S ₄ based on the determination result.

Here, in step 2, when no operation is detected (S < _b > 2: No), the control unit 18 advances the processing to step 1 to acquire the detection value S < _b > ₂ of the next cycle.

  Further, in step 7, when the pressure is not detected (S7: No), the process proceeds to step 9 to determine the flick operation (S11).

In Step 8, when the time during which the pressure is detected exceeds the time threshold value 184 (S8: No), the control unit 18 determines an operation other than the flick operation (S12). Control unit 18 outputs operation information _{S 4} based on the determination result to the electronic device (S10).

(Effect of embodiment)
The operation detection device 1 according to the present embodiment does not determine the flick operation by using the transition from the detection state to the non-detection state as a trigger. If the pressure is detected even in the non-detection state, the pressure is detected. Since the determination of the flick operation or other operations is performed based on the detected time, the determination accuracy of the performed operation is improved as compared with the case where the flick operation is determined using the transition to the non-detection state as a trigger. Therefore, the operation detection device 1 can improve the operability by suppressing the determination of an operation not intended by the operator.

  The operation detection device 1 has a higher degree of freedom in design compared to the case where a non-detection region is made inaccessible by providing a bezel or the like, and the design that is flat with the surroundings can be adopted. Yes.

  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 detection apparatus, 1a ... Housing, 8 ... Vehicle, 9 ... Trajectory, 10 ... Touch pad, 11a ... X electrode, 11b ... Wiring, 12a ... Y electrode, 12b ... Wiring, 13 ... Drive part, 14 ... Reading , 15 ... flexible substrate, 16 ... pressure sensor, 18 ... control unit, 80 ... floor console, 81 ... center console, 85 ... display device, 100 ... operation surface, 100a ... back surface, 101 ... detection region, 102 ... non-detection Area, 180 ... threshold information, 181 ... detection threshold, 182 ... determination threshold, 182a ... tracing threshold, 182b ... flick threshold, 183 ... pressure threshold, 184 ... time threshold 185: History information

Claims (4)

An operation detection unit having an operation surface that is divided into a detection region in which contact of the detection target is detected and a region around the detection region, and a non-detection region in which contact of the detection target is not detected;
A pressure detection unit that detects pressure due to contact of the detection target with the operation surface;
If the pressure detection unit detects pressure even when the operation detection unit shifts from the detection state of the detection target to the non-detection state, it is estimated that the detection target has moved from the detection region to the non-detection region A determination unit that determines a predetermined operation that can be determined by the estimation;
An operation detection device comprising: The determination unit is based on an elapsed time from the detection state until the pressure is not detected when the pressure is not detected within a predetermined time after the operation detection unit becomes the non-detection state. To determine the predetermined operation,
The operation detection apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit determines an operation different from the predetermined operation when the pressure is detected longer than the predetermined time after the operation detection unit enters the non-detection state.
The operation detection apparatus according to claim 2. The predetermined operation determined by the determination unit is at least one of a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, and a pinch-out operation.
The operation detection device according to claim 1.

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