JP2017142644A - Electrostatic input device and program for electrostatic input device program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrostatic input device and program for the electrostatic input device that can effectively prevent wrong operations by palms, and allow fingertips to smoothly perform a normal operation.SOLUTION: An electrostatic input device includes a plurality of electrodes, and receives an input operation in accordance with an electrostatic capacitance generating between the plurality of electrodes and an object when the object comes proximity to a detection surface. The electrostatic input device includes: a variate detection unit that detects a variate corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance; and a judgement unit that judges whether the object in proximity to the detection surface is a fingertip or palm on the basis of the variate to be detected by the variate detection unit. Of the electrodes parallely lined along an end part of the detection surface in a perimeter end part of the detection surface, if at least one condition of when a length of the adjacently existing electrodes in which an amount of change of the electrostatic capacitance is above a threshold exceeds a prescribed width, and when an area or length of a region where the electrode in which the variate corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance is above the threshold exists exceeds a condition corresponding to a prescribed area or length is satisfied, the judgement unit is configured to judge that the object in proximity to the detection surface is the palm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch pad mounted on a notebook PC or the like.

  A touchpad, which is a kind of pointing device, is usually mounted on a notebook PC or the like. The user can operate the mouse pointer by tracing the touch pad with a finger. In recent years, the size of this touch pad has increased, and it is easy for the palm to touch the touch pad when operating the keyboard. For this reason, erroneous operation is likely to occur.

  Therefore, when the contact position is a peripheral part where the palm is often placed, the first condition is that the spatial characteristics (area and aspect ratio) corresponding to the area and length of the contact region correspond to the predetermined area and length. If the contact area exceeds the first condition, the contact area is determined to be the palm, and if the spatial characteristic does not exceed the first condition, the contact area is determined to be the fingertip. And when the contact position is the center where the fingertip is often placed, the contact area is due to the palm when the spatial characteristics exceed the second condition corresponding to the area and length larger than the first condition. There has been proposed a touch pad that makes a determination and determines that the contact area is a fingertip when the spatial characteristics do not exceed the second condition.

JP-A-2015-32177

  As described above, there has been a need for a touch pad that can effectively prevent an erroneous operation with a palm and can smoothly perform a regular operation with a fingertip. However, in the conventional technology, since the center of gravity of the contact area is used to determine whether the position of the operating body is the peripheral area or the central area, a large operating body such as a palm is When contact is made including the vicinity, the position of the center of gravity may be outside the peripheral region, and the determination condition is not correctly applied, and the palm determination in the peripheral region may not be performed correctly. In addition, if the area that is determined to be a palm is widened, there is a high possibility that a normal operation with a fingertip in the surrounding area is erroneously determined to be a palm.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an electrostatic input device and an electrostatic input device that can effectively prevent an erroneous operation with a palm and can smoothly perform a regular operation with a fingertip. Is to provide a program.

  An electrostatic input device according to the present invention has a plurality of electrodes, and accepts an input operation according to a capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the object when the object approaches the detection surface. An input device, wherein a variable detection unit that detects a variable corresponding to the capacitance, and an object that is close to the detection surface is a fingertip or a palm based on a variable detected by the variable detection unit A determination unit that determines whether the variable corresponding to the capacitance among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the end of the detection surface at the peripheral end of the detection surface has a threshold value. When the first condition that the length of the electrodes that are adjacent to each other exceeds a predetermined width is satisfied, it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm.

  Usually, the operation of the touch pad with the fingertip is often performed at the center of the detection surface, and the width when crossing the end of the detection surface tends to be small. In the case of an unintended operation, for example, a palm, it is often arranged at the end of the detection surface, and when it is close to or in contact with the detection surface, the width across the end of the detection surface increases.

  For this reason, of the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold value is predetermined. When the first condition of exceeding the width of the object is satisfied, it is possible to accurately determine whether the object in proximity to the detection surface is a palm, by determining whether the object is a palm or a fingertip. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly. In addition, it is based on whether the finger or palm is at the sensor end, rather than whether or not there is a finger or palm in the invisible virtual area of the sensor end area. It can be effectively prevented.

Preferably, the determination unit according to the present invention corresponds to the first condition and the area or length of the region where the electrode where the variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds a threshold corresponds to a predetermined area or length. When both conditions of the second condition of exceeding the condition to be satisfied are satisfied, it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm.
According to this configuration, when the second condition is further satisfied, it can be determined with higher accuracy by determining that the object close to the detection surface is a palm.

  Suitably, the said determination part of this invention determines with it being a fingertip, when the object which adjoins the said detection surface moves more than predetermined amount.

  When operating the touch pad, it is usual to perform an input operation by moving only the fingertip without moving the palm around the touch pad for stability. That is, even when the width across the edge of the detection surface is large, if the object close to the detection surface moves by a predetermined amount or more, the possibility of being a fingertip is very high. In the above configuration, the determination unit determines that the object is the fingertip when the object close to the detection surface moves by a predetermined amount or more, and thus can determine whether the object is the palm or the fingertip with high accuracy. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  Suitably, the said determination part of this invention changes the said conditions in the determination from the next time, when it determines with the object close to the said detection surface being a palm. According to this configuration, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  Preferably, when the determination unit according to the present invention determines that the object close to the detection surface is a palm, the predetermined width is changed in the next determination.

  As described above, for the sake of stability, it is usual to perform the input operation by moving only the fingertip without placing and moving the palm around the touch pad. In other words, the palm once placed is usually input without moving, but if the amount of contact with the palm is insufficient or the number of electrodes for detecting fingers at the sensor end is unstable, An event that is falsely detected as a finger tends to occur. In the above configuration, when it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm, the predetermined width is changed, for example, lowered in the next determination to facilitate the determination of the palm. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent an erroneous operation with the palm and to smoothly perform a regular operation with the fingertip.

  Preferably, the determination unit of the present invention changes the predetermined area in the next determination when determining that the object close to the detection surface is a palm. According to this configuration, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  Preferably, the present invention invalidates an input operation to the detection surface of an object determined to be a palm when the determination unit determines that the object close to the detection surface is a palm. It has a control part.

  According to the above configuration, when it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm, the control unit invalidates the input operation of the object, so the object close to the detection surface is determined to be a palm. In this case, the acceptance of the input operation by the palm is invalidated, and the erroneous operation by the palm can be effectively prevented, and the regular operation by the fingertip can be smoothly performed.

  Preferably, the determination unit according to the present invention is configured such that, when there are a plurality of regions adjacent to each other with a corner corresponding to the capacitance, a variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds a threshold, The total value of the variables corresponding to the capacitances of the regions that are adjacent to each other across the part is calculated, and it is determined whether the object close to the detection surface is a palm.

  When the palm is placed across the upper end and the left end, the upper end and the right end of the detection surface, if the width across the end of the detection surface is small at the upper end and the left end, it may not be possible to detect the palm. . However, according to the above configuration, when the electrodes whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold value are adjacent to each other across the corner, the total value of the regions adjacent to each other across the corner is calculated. Then, it is determined whether the object close to the detection surface is a palm. For this reason, even when the palm is placed across the corners between the upper end and the left end, the upper end and the right end of the detection surface, it can be accurately determined that the palm is a palm. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  The program for an electrostatic input device according to the present invention has a plurality of electrodes, and accepts an input operation according to the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the object when the object approaches the detection surface. A program for an electrostatic input device executed by an electrostatic input device, the step of detecting a variable corresponding to the capacitance, and an object close to the detection surface based on the detected variable is a fingertip And determining whether it is a palm or not, and a variable corresponding to the capacitance among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface has a threshold value. When the first condition that the length of the electrodes that are adjacent to each other exceeds a predetermined width is satisfied, it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm.

  According to said structure, the process of detecting the variable corresponding to an electrostatic capacitance, and the process of determining whether the object close to a detection surface is a fingertip or a palm based on the detected variable is a computer. Among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold is When the first condition of exceeding a predetermined width is satisfied, it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm. Usually, the operation of the touch pad with the fingertip is often performed at the center of the detection surface. Also, the width across the end of the detection surface tends to be small.

  In the case of an unintended operation, for example, when the palm is in proximity to or in contact with the detection surface, the width of the portion that is in proximity or in contact with the end of the detection surface increases. For this reason, among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold value has a predetermined width. If it exceeds, by determining that the object close to the detection surface is a palm, it is possible to accurately determine whether the object is a palm or a fingertip. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  According to the electrostatic input device and the program for an electrostatic input device of the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent an erroneous operation with a palm and to smoothly perform a regular operation with a fingertip.

It is the figure which mounted the electrostatic input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention in notebook PC. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an electrostatic input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which the finger | toe and palm contacted or adjoined to the electrostatic input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of the electrostatic input device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 4 for explaining the operation of the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram in which an electrostatic input device 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a notebook PC 1. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a finger or palm is in contact with or close to the electrostatic input device 2. 4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the electrostatic input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

  The electrostatic input device 2 is a touch pad, for example, and is mounted on the notebook PC 1 as shown in FIG. An operation plate is provided on the uppermost surface of the electrostatic input device 2, and the surface of the operation plate serves as a detection surface 3 for detecting an operation by the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrostatic input device 2 includes a plurality of X electrodes 5 and a plurality of Y electrodes 6 laid on the substrate 4, and these electrodes are connected to the control means 8 via wiring 7. ing. The control means 8 applies a voltage using one of the X electrode 5 and the Y electrode 6 as a drive electrode and detects a voltage using the other as a detection electrode, and a finger, palm, etc. are in contact with or close to the substrate 4 (hereinafter referred to as contact). Etc.), a variable corresponding to the electrostatic capacity is detected to detect palm contact.
The X electrode 5 and the Y electrode 6 of this embodiment are detection means for outputting a voltage converted into a capacitance value. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, other variables such as finger pressure are detected and output. It may be a system to do.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the control unit 8 includes a variable amount detection unit 81, a binarization unit 82, a finger recognition unit 83, a position calculation unit 84, an area calculation unit 85, a determination unit 86, and a control unit 87. 2 is a functional configuration diagram realized by a memory element, a CPU, and the like included in the electrostatic input device 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the illustration of a drive unit that applies a voltage to the drive electrode is omitted.

  The control means 8 is, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and by executing the electrostatic input device program 101, the variable amount detection unit 81, the binarization unit 82, the finger recognition unit 83, the position calculation unit 84, and the like shown in FIG. At least some functions of the area calculation unit 85, the determination unit 86, and the control unit 87 are realized.

  The functions of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 may be realized by hardware, and the electrostatic input device program is executed by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). May be realized. The electrostatic input device program is an embodiment corresponding to the electrostatic input device program of the present invention.

  The variable quantity detection unit 81 detects a variable quantity corresponding to the capacitance of the X electrode 5 and the Y electrode 6 and creates matrix data. Specifically, the variable amount detection unit 81 calculates the capacitance value for each region divided based on the driving state of the driving electrode and the voltage detected by the detecting electrode, and creates capacitance matrix data.

  The binarization unit 82 binarizes the capacitance value calculated for each region with a predetermined threshold value. The binarization unit 82 compares the calculated capacitance value with a predetermined threshold value, and sets it to “1” if it exceeds the predetermined threshold value, and “0” otherwise.

  The finger recognition unit 83 performs finger recognition processing. Specifically, the finger recognizing unit 83 recognizes a contact area in which portions having binary data 1 are continuously present.

  The position calculation unit 84 calculates the position of the contact area recognized by the finger recognition unit 83. Specifically, the position calculation unit 84 calculates the center of gravity of the contact area indicating the contact of the operating body such as a finger. The calculated position is used for movement control of a pointer displayed on the screen.

  The area calculation unit 85 calculates the area of the contact area recognized by the finger recognition unit 83.

The determination unit 86 determines whether an object that contacts the entire detection surface 3 is a palm (AP determination), and determines whether an object that contacts the end of the detection surface 3 is also a palm (EP). Judgment).
Specifically, the determination unit 86 determines whether an object that contacts the detection surface 3 is a fingertip or a palm based on the variable detected by the variable detection unit 81. For example, when the EP determination is performed, the determination unit 86 has a variable corresponding to the capacitance that exceeds the threshold among the electrodes arranged along the end of the detection surface 3 at the peripheral ends 3A to 3D of the detection surface 3. When the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other exceeds a predetermined width (threshold), it is determined that the object that contacts the detection surface 3 is a palm.

Further, the determination unit 86 determines whether the object that contacts the detection surface 3 is a palm based on the area calculated by the area calculation unit 85. Specifically, when the spatial characteristic corresponding to the area calculated by the area calculation unit 85 exceeds a condition corresponding to a predetermined area (for example, 2 cm ² ), the determination unit 86 touches the detection surface 3 or the like. Is determined to be a palm.
Further, the determination unit 86 determines whether or not the contact area has moved from the initial touch position based on the position information calculated by the position calculation unit 84, and touches the detection surface 3 when detecting a movement of a predetermined amount or more. The object to be determined is not a palm. The detailed operation of the determination unit 86 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  Based on the determination result in the determination unit 86 (whether the object touching the detection surface 3 is a palm or a fingertip), the control unit 87 determines the AP of the determination unit 86 in the determination unit 86 (the entire detection surface 3). On / Off of the operation (flag) of the palm determination based on the area etc.) and the EP determination (palm determination based on the width at the end of the detection surface 3) is controlled. The detailed operation of the control unit 87 will be described later with reference to FIGS.

In the above description, the determination unit 86 determines whether the object that touches the detection surface 3 is a palm based on the area calculated by the area calculation unit 85. However, the determination unit 86 uses the finger recognition unit. Based on the length of the contact area recognized in 83, it may be configured to determine whether the object that contacts the detection surface 3 is a palm.
Furthermore, the determination unit 86 determines whether an object that contacts the detection surface 3 is a palm based on both the area calculated by the area calculation unit 85 and the length of the contact area recognized by the finger recognition unit 83. You may comprise as follows.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the palm is in contact with the detection surface 3 in the first embodiment. Also, a circle P in FIG. 3 indicates that the palm is in contact, and a circle F indicates that the finger is in contact.

Usually, the operation of the electrostatic input device 2 (touch pad) with the fingertip is often performed at the center of the detection surface 3. Moreover, the width (broken line portion in the circle F) across the peripheral end portions 3A to 3D of the detection surface 3 tends to be small. In the case of an unintended operation, for example, when the palm is in contact with the detection surface 3, the width across the peripheral end portions 3 </ b> A to 3 </ b> D of the detection surface 3 (broken line portion in the circle P) increases.
For this reason, in this embodiment, among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface 3 at the peripheral edges 3A to 3D of the detection surface 3, the electrodes whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold value are adjacent to each other. The detection surface exceeds the condition corresponding to the predetermined area or length, and the area or length of the electrode exists where the existing length exceeds the predetermined width and the variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold value. It is determined that the object close to 3 is a palm.

  Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether the palm or the fingertip. As a result, it is possible to effectively prevent an erroneous operation with the palm and to achieve an operational effect that a normal operation with the fingertip can be smoothly performed. Note that the electrodes arranged in parallel do not have to be one row, and may not be the outermost row (for example, the second row from the outside may be used). Further, the peripheral end portions to be determined may be all of 3A to 3D, and the peripheral end portion having a large amount of palm contact may be appropriately selected.

  4 and 5 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The flow shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed every time the electrostatic output is read and matrix data is created. The flow shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be performed by a coordinate output process performed asynchronously with detection.

  First, the variable amount detection unit 81 creates capacitance matrix data (S101). The variable amount detector 81 creates matrix data by calculating a capacitance value for each divided area based on the driving state of the driving electrode and the voltage detected by the detecting electrode.

  Next, the binarization unit 82 binarizes the matrix data created by the variable amount detection unit using a predetermined threshold as a criterion, and the finger recognition unit 83 performs finger recognition processing (S102). The finger recognizing unit 83 is a process for recognizing a contact area in which portions having binarized data of 1 exist continuously, and recognizes the contact area as an operation body such as a finger.

Next, the position calculation unit 84 calculates the position for each contact area recognized by the finger recognition unit 83 (S103). Specifically, the position calculation unit 84 calculates the center of gravity of the contact area indicating the contact of the operating body such as a finger. The calculated position is used for movement control of a pointer displayed on the screen.
The area calculation unit 805 calculates the area for each contact area recognized by the finger recognition unit 83 (S103). Note that either position calculation or area calculation may be performed first.

The subsequent flow is a determination process performed for each recognized contact area.
The determination unit 86 determines whether a touch operation with a finger has been performed on the detection surface 3 (S104). When the touch operation with the finger is not performed (No in S104), the control unit 87 turns off the AP determination flag and the EP determination flag (S105).
Next, when a touch operation has been performed last time (in the previous cycle), the control unit 87 notifies finger release data (data indicating that the finger has moved away from the detection surface 3) (S106).

When a touch operation with a finger is performed (Yes in S104), the determination unit 87 confirms whether the flag for EP determination is On (S107). If the EP determination flag is not On (No in S107), the determination unit 87 determines whether it is the first touch operation (1st touch) (S108).
Whether or not the first touch is determined is determined as the first touch when there is no previous touch coordinate within a predetermined distance from the current touch position.

In the case of the first touch operation (1st touch) (Yes in S108), the determination unit 86 touches the upper end of the detection surface 3 in the X direction (lateral direction) by a predetermined amount C1 (C1 is an arbitrary value) or more. It is determined whether the left and right ends of the detection surface 3 are touched in the Y direction (vertical direction) by a predetermined amount C1 (C1 is an arbitrary value) or more (S109).
At this time, the value of the predetermined amount C1 may be changed between the X direction and the Y direction. Further, although the region is described at the upper, lower, left and right ends of the sensor, the sensor end region may be further disassembled and defined, and the predetermined amount C may be individually defined.

When the upper end of the detection surface 3 is touched by a predetermined amount C1 or more in the X direction (lateral direction), or when the left and right ends of the detection surface 3 are touched by a predetermined amount C1 or more in the Y direction (vertical direction) (Yes in S109), The determination unit 86 determines whether or not a sensor edge determination condition (eg, area> 2 cm ² ) is satisfied (S110). When the determination condition is satisfied (Yes in S110), the control unit 87 determines that the contact area is a palm, and sets the EP determination flag to On (S111). Here, the area is used as a determination criterion, but not only the area but also the width of the touch area or other palm determination conditions may be changed. Different palm determination conditions may be applied to each contact area.

  Next, the determination unit 87 performs palm determination over the entire detection surface 3, and the control unit 87 sets the AP determination flag On if the palm determination condition is satisfied, and sets the AP determination flag otherwise. It is set to Off (S117).

Next, the determination unit 86 determines that the operation finger A in S104 is a palm if either or both of the AP determination flag and the EP determination flag are On. The determination unit 87 determines that the finger is a finger if both the AP determination flag and the EP determination flag are Off (S118).
Next, the control unit 87 notifies the coordinate data of the touch position to the next processing step, for example, a PC (not shown), together with the determination result (whether it is a finger or a palm) of the determination unit 876 (S119). . In the case of palm determination, processing for invalidating the input for a certain time (for example, 0.5 sec) may be performed in the processing step of the PC side driver.

  In S109, the upper end of the detection surface 3 is not touched in the X direction (horizontal direction) by a predetermined amount C1 or more, and the left and right ends of the detection surface 3 are not touched in the Y direction (vertical direction) by a predetermined amount C1 or more. In (No in S109), the EP determination flag is not turned on, and the process proceeds to S117. In this case, since the AP determination flag and the EP determination flag are both Off in S105, it is determined that the operating finger is a finger.

Further, when it is not the first touch operation (1st touch) (No in S108), the determination unit 88 determines whether or not it has moved by a predetermined amount (arbitrary value) or more from the position of the 1st touch (S112). Note that the presence or absence of movement can be determined from the detected touch position. If it has moved more than a predetermined amount (Yes in S112), the controller 87 sets the EP determination flag to Off (S113), and proceeds to the operation of S117.
If it has not moved more than the predetermined amount (No in S112), the process proceeds to S109. That is, the EP determination is performed only for the operation finger that has not moved more than a predetermined distance from the first touch.

  If the EP determination flag is On in S107 (Yes in S107), the determination unit 86 touches the upper end of the detection surface 3 in the X direction (horizontal direction) by a predetermined amount C2 or more, or the left and right ends of the detection surface 3 Is touched in the Y direction (vertical direction) by a predetermined amount C2 or more (S114). At this time, the predetermined amount C2 may be changed between the X direction and the Y direction.

  When the upper end of the detection surface 3 is touched by a predetermined amount C2 or more in the X direction (lateral direction), or when the left and right ends of the detection surface 3 are touched by a predetermined amount C2 or more in the Y direction (vertical direction) (Yes in S114), The determination unit 86 determines whether or not the sensor end determination condition (distance or area is a predetermined value or more) is satisfied (S115).

  When the determination condition for the sensor end is satisfied (Yes in S115), the control unit 87 sets the EP determination flag to On (S116). Thereafter, the operation proceeds to S117. If the answer is No in S114 and S115, the process proceeds to S113, and the EP determination flag is set to Off. That is, when the finger is separated from the sensor end, or when the finger at the sensor end satisfies the palm determination release condition at the sensor end, it is determined as a finger.

Although not shown, when the EP determination flag is On in S107 (Yes in S107), the determination unit 86 confirms whether or not the button switch is operated. The EP determination flag may be determined to be Off (the process proceeds to S113).
Here, the button switch is a button switch used in association with the electrostatic input device 2 and is disposed adjacent to the electrostatic input device 2 or disposed below the electrostatic input device 2. The button switch is operated by the user pressing down the detection surface 3 with a finger. The output of the button switch operation is configured to be acquired by the control means 8.
The button switch is linked with the electrostatic input device, for example, by moving the pointer on the PC screen to a predetermined position with the electrostatic input device and pressing the button switch at that position to display an operation decision or a menu. Used while. When such a button switch operation is performed, since the detection surface 3 is pushed down with a finger, the contact area may become larger than an input operation with a normal finger. In order to prevent misidentification as a palm in such a case, the above configuration may be adopted.

  As described above, the electrostatic input device 2 according to the present embodiment has a plurality of electrodes, and inputs according to the capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the object when the object approaches the detection surface. An electrostatic input device 2 that receives an operation, and a variable detection unit 81 that detects a variable corresponding to the capacitance, and an object that is close to the detection surface 3 is detected by a fingertip based on the variable detected by the variable detection unit. A determination unit 86 configured to determine whether there is a palm or not, and the determination unit 86 is an electrostatic electrode among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the end portion of the detection surface 3 at the peripheral end portions 3A to 3D of the detection surface 3. The length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold exceeds a predetermined width (threshold), and the area of the region where the electrodes whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold exist When the length exceeds the condition corresponding to the predetermined area or length, it is close to the detection surface 3 It determines that the object is a palm to.

  Usually, the operation of the touch pad with the fingertip is often performed at the center of the detection surface. Also, the width when crossing the end of the detection surface tends to be small. In the case of an unintended operation, for example, when the palm is close to or in contact with the detection surface, the width when crossing the end of the detection surface is increased. For this reason, among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold value has a predetermined width. If the area or length of the region where the electrode exists and the variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold exceeds the condition corresponding to the predetermined area or length, the object close to the detection surface is a palm. It is possible to accurately determine whether it is a palm or a fingertip. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly. In addition, it is based on whether the finger or palm is at the sensor end, rather than whether or not there is a finger or palm in the invisible virtual area of the sensor end area. It can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, the determination unit 86 of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the present embodiment determines that it is a fingertip when an object close to the detection surface 3 moves by a predetermined amount or more.

  When operating the touch pad, it is usual to perform an input operation by moving only the fingertip without moving the palm around the touch pad for stability. That is, even when the width across the edge of the detection surface is large, if the object close to the detection surface 3 moves a predetermined amount or more, the possibility of being a fingertip is very high. In the above configuration, the determination unit 86 determines that the object is a fingertip when an object close to the detection surface 3 moves by a predetermined amount or more, and therefore can determine whether the object is a palm or a fingertip with high accuracy. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

  In addition, when the determination unit 86 of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the present embodiment determines that the object close to the detection surface 3 is a palm, the determination unit 86 changes at least one of the predetermined width and the threshold in the next determination. May be.

  As described above, for the sake of stability, it is usual to perform the input operation by moving only the fingertip without placing and moving the palm around the touch pad. That is, the palm once placed is usually subjected to an input operation without being moved normally, and erroneous detection is likely to occur. In the above configuration, when it is determined that the object close to the detection surface 3 is a palm, it is determined to be a palm by changing at least one of a predetermined width and a threshold, for example, by lowering the threshold in the next determination. It becomes easy. For this reason, it is possible to effectively prevent an erroneous operation with the palm and to smoothly perform a regular operation with the fingertip.

  Further, the control unit 87 of the electrostatic input device 2 according to the present embodiment detects an object that is determined to be a palm when the determination unit 86 determines that the object that is close to the detection surface 3 is a palm. The input operation to surface 3 is invalidated.

  That is, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the object close to the detection surface 3 is a palm, the input of the operation body to the detection surface 3 is prohibited for a certain period of time, so that the proximity to the detection surface 3 is prohibited. When it is determined that the object to be touched is a palm, acceptance of an input operation by the palm is invalidated, and an erroneous operation by the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation by the fingertip can be smoothly performed. The invalid area of the input operation is not limited to the entire detection surface 3 but may be limited to a specific region such as the vicinity of the end region of the detection surface 3 determined to be a palm.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above. That is, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, combinations, subcombinations, and alternatives regarding the components of the above-described embodiments within the technical scope of the present invention or an equivalent scope thereof.

  Determination unit 86 When the determination unit 86 determines that the object close to the detection surface 3 is a palm, an input operation to the detection surface of the object determined to be a palm is performed for a certain time (for example, 0. 0). 5 sec) It may be configured to be invalid.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the determination unit 86 is adjacent to each other with the corners interposed between the regions where the electrodes corresponding to the capacitances are adjacent to each other across the corners. You may comprise so that the total value of the variable corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance of the area | region which exists may be calculated, and it may be determined whether the object which adjoins a detection surface is a palm.

  When the palm is placed across the upper end and the left end, the upper end and the right end of the detection surface, if the width across the end of the detection surface is small at the upper end and the left end, it may not be possible to detect the palm. . However, according to the above configuration, when the regions where the variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold are adjacent to each other, the regions adjacent to each other across the corners are adjacent to each other across the corners. A total value of variables corresponding to the capacitance of the existing area is calculated, and it is determined whether the object close to the detection surface is a palm. For this reason, even when the palm is placed across corners such as the upper end and the left end, the upper end and the right end of the detection surface, it can be accurately determined that the palm is a palm. As a result, an erroneous operation with the palm can be effectively prevented, and a regular operation with the fingertip can be performed smoothly.

1 ... Notebook PC
2. Electrostatic input device (touch pad)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Detection surface 3A-3D ... Peripheral edge part 4 ... Board | substrate 5 ... X electrode 6 ... Y electrode 7 ... Wiring 8 ... Control means 81 ... Variable amount detection part 82 ... Binarization part 83 ... Finger recognition part 84 ... Position calculation part 85: Area calculation unit 86 ... Determination unit 87 ... Control unit 101 ... Program for electrostatic input device

Claims (10)

An electrostatic input device having a plurality of electrodes and receiving an input operation according to a capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the object when the object approaches the detection surface,
A variable detector for detecting a variable corresponding to the capacitance;
A determination unit that determines whether an object close to the detection surface is a fingertip or a palm based on a variable detected by the variable detection unit;
The determination unit
Among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold value has a predetermined width. An electrostatic input device that determines that an object close to the detection surface is a palm when the first condition of exceeding is satisfied. The first condition;
When both conditions of the second condition that the area or length of the region where the electrode where the variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold exceeds the condition corresponding to the predetermined area or length are satisfied The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein the object close to the detection surface is determined to be a palm. The determination unit
The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein when the object close to the detection surface moves by a predetermined amount or more, the electrostatic input device determines that the object is a fingertip. The determination unit
The electrostatic input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm, the condition is changed in the next determination. The determination unit
5. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein when the object close to the detection surface is determined to be a palm, the predetermined width is changed in a determination from the next time. The determination unit
The electrostatic input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the object close to the detection surface is determined to be a palm, the predetermined area is changed in a determination from the next time.   The control part which invalidates the input operation to the said detection surface of the object determined to be a palm, when the determination part determines that the object close to the said detection surface is a palm. The electrostatic input device according to claim 6. The determination unit
When the region where the electrodes whose variables corresponding to the capacitance exceed the threshold exists adjacent to each other across the corner portion, the electrostatic capacitance of the region adjacent to the corner portion is present. The electrostatic input device according to claim 1, wherein a total value of variables corresponding to the capacitance is calculated and it is determined that the object close to the detection surface is a palm. For an electrostatic input device executed by an electrostatic input device having a plurality of electrodes and receiving an input operation according to a capacitance generated between the plurality of electrodes and the object when the object approaches the detection surface A program,
Detecting a variable corresponding to the capacitance;
Determining whether the object close to the detection surface is a fingertip or a palm based on the detected variable,
Among the electrodes arranged in parallel along the edge of the detection surface at the peripheral edge of the detection surface, the length of the electrodes adjacent to each other whose variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold value has a predetermined width. A program for an electrostatic input device that determines that an object in proximity to the detection surface is a palm when the first condition of exceeding is satisfied. The first condition;
When both conditions of the second condition that the area or length of the region where the electrode where the variable corresponding to the capacitance exceeds the threshold exceeds the condition corresponding to the predetermined area or length are satisfied The program for an electrostatic input device according to claim 9, wherein the object close to the detection surface is determined to be a palm.

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