JP2006127190A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that an input device having a signal detection means and capable of inputting information by utilizing a change in electrostatic capacity coupling between the signal detection means and an object touching the signal detection means requires a specific indicator for applying a signal and having low operability. <P>SOLUTION: The input device comprises a signal application means 1 for applying a signal to a human body and the signal detection means 2 for detecting the signal applied to the human body by the signal application means 1. Since a finger can be used as an indicator and a specific indicator is not required, operability can be improved and an operator can perform long-time input without feeling fatigue. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device, and more particularly to an input device that detects an indicated position indicated by an indicator.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, devices that perform input by directly touching a display screen, such as computers and information terminals, are known. Specifically, it is a touch panel type input device that touches the display screen using an indicator such as a finger. Among them, a resistance film type pointing position detection device arranged on a display device is widely used.

  The resistance film type indication position detection device arranges two transparent resistance films with a gap therebetween, and when touched, the gap is crushed and the two transparent resistance films are contacted to change the resistance value. To make use of the input.

  For this reason, the resistance film type indication position detection device has a problem in durability because the transparent resistance film may be damaged due to an increase in the number of times of use or an excessive force touch.

  In order to solve this problem, there is known a capacitance type input device that performs input using capacitance coupling generated when a display screen is designated by an indicator. Such an input device has a signal detection means, and inputs information by using a change in capacitive coupling between the signal detection means and an object in contact with or in close proximity. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

A conventional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional input device disclosed in Patent Document 1. In FIG.
In FIG. 7, 80 is an indicator pen, 81 is a push button, 82 is a transmission conductor, 83 is a coordinate board, 84 is a multiplexer for Y axis, 85 is a sensor conductor for Y axis, 86 is a multiplexer for X axis, 87 Is an X-axis sensor conductor, 88 is an amplifier, 89 is a band pass filter, 90 is a counter, 91 is an AC / DC converter, 92 is an A / D converter, 93 is a CPU, 94 is a control signal, and 95 is a coordinate data output. is there.

The prior art input device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an electric signal generation circuit (not shown) that generates an electric signal such as a sine wave or a rectangular wave inside the pen 80, and the stylus at the tip of the pen 80 is a transmission conductor 82. From there, an electrical signal is emitted to the surroundings. A lattice-shaped X-axis sensor conductor 87 and Y-axis sensor conductor 85 as shown in the figure are disposed inside the coordinate board 83 as signal detection means.
Capacitance (coupling capacitance) exists between the transmission conductor 82 of the pen 80, the X-axis sensor conductor 87, and the Y-axis sensor conductor 85, and electrical signals from the transmission conductor 82 are transmitted respectively. Since the X-axis sensor conductor 87 and the Y-axis sensor conductor 85 close to the transmission conductor 82 have a large coupling capacity, an electric signal is also transmitted strongly.
The X-axis multiplexer 86 and the Y-axis multiplexer 84 sequentially switch the X-axis sensor conductor 87 and the Y-axis sensor conductor 85 under the control of the CPU 93, and sequentially apply the electrical signals detected by these to the amplifier 88.
The bandpass filter 89 removes noise components other than the necessary frequency band. The output signal of the band pass filter 89 is applied to the AC / DC converter 91, converted to a DC level, and further applied to the A / D converter 92 to be digitized. The CPU 93 calculates the numerical values from the electrical signal levels (signal strengths) of the X-axis sensor conductor 87 and the Y-axis sensor conductor 85, or uses the coordinate table 83 at the tip of the pen 80 according to a table prepared in advance. Specify the coordinates above.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-24829 (page 2-1 and FIG. 1)

However, the input device of the prior art shown in Patent Document 1 requires a special pen having a circuit for generating an electric signal inside, and there is a problem that the input device cannot be used without using this pen. .
That is, when using a prior art input device, the pen must be carried. Further, the pen needs a battery as a power source for driving an electric signal generating circuit and the like. When the battery is exhausted, the electric signal radiation from the transmission conductor 82 is weakened. There is a problem that the input becomes unstable due to instability. In particular, when used in an environment where a replacement battery cannot be prepared immediately, such as when going out, the input device cannot be used at that time, which is a serious problem. In addition, when a conventional portable input device is installed in a small portable device that is used while being carried, the input work environment may move, and the pen may be left behind. There was also the problem of being unable to do so.
Further, since it is necessary to hold the pen with the hand during the input operation, there is a problem that the input operation for a long time causes fatigue. In addition, for example, there is a problem that the input operation cannot be performed in a situation where the pen cannot be gripped due to circumstances such as injury.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to provide an input device having excellent durability and operability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the input device of the present invention adopts the following structure.

An input device that has signal detection means and inputs information using a change in capacitive coupling between the signal detection means and an object that is in contact with or close to the signal detection means,
Having signal applying means for applying a signal to the human body;
The signal detection means detects a signal when a human body contacts or approaches the signal detection means,
Information is input based on a change in a signal between the human body and the signal detection means, which is caused by the movement of the human body.

  The signal applying means includes an AC power source that generates a signal of a specific frequency, an application electrode that is a terminal that applies a signal to the human body, and a contact detection means that detects contact of the human body with the application electrode. To do.

  The signal detection means includes a plurality of transparent electrodes that are terminals for detecting a signal from a human body, a detection resistor that converts a current included in the signal into a detection voltage, a differential amplifier that amplifies the detection voltage, and a connection between the transparent electrodes And a switch for switching between.

  The transparent electrode is a liquid crystal drive electrode of a liquid crystal display device.

  The transparent electrode is arranged on a windshield of a wristwatch type device.

The input device of the present invention detects input by applying a signal to the human body and detecting the applied signal, and a part of the human body such as a finger can be used as an indicator. There is an effect that it is not necessary to use a special pen or a special indicator for input.
There is no worry about battery shortage or loss of the indicator, which has been a problem with the conventional technology, and there is no fatigue caused by holding the indicator. The operability can be greatly improved.

  Further, unlike the resistance film type indication position detection device, since it is not necessary to have a movable part, durability can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the contact detection means for detecting the contact of the human body is provided, the power when not in use can be reduced, and the battery life can be improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an input device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing signal applying means of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing signal detection means of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a first usage pattern of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a second usage pattern of the input device of the present invention. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the contact detection means of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a front view of the contact detection means, and FIG. 6B is a configuration diagram of the contact detection means. is there.

[Structure explanation: FIGS. 1 to 6]
First, the configuration of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 1, 1 is a signal applying means, 2 is a signal detecting means, and 3 is a human body.

  In FIG. 2, 4 is an AC power source, 5 is an applied electrode, and 6 is a contact detection means.

  In FIG. 3, 7 is a transparent electrode, 8 is a switch, 9 is a detection resistor, and 10 is a differential amplifier. A plurality of transparent electrodes 7 are provided.

  In FIG. 4, 11 is a portable information device, and 12 is a signal path. 30 is the left hand and 31 is the right hand.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 13 denotes a wristwatch type device, for example, a wristwatch.

  In FIG. 6, 14 is a first contact detection electrode, 15 is a second contact detection electrode, and 16 is a contact detection resistor. 33 is the resistance of the human body.

  1 to 6, the same number is assigned to the same configuration.

[Principle explanation: Fig.1, Fig.2, Fig.3]
First, the basic principle of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the input device of the present invention performs input by applying an AC signal to a human body 3 by a signal applying unit 1 and detecting the applied signal by a signal detecting unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the signal applying unit 1 generates a signal having a specific frequency by the AC power supply 4 and applies the signal to the human body 3 through the application electrode 5. The application electrode 5 can be covered with an insulator cover. This is because the signal to be applied propagates through the capacitive coupling that occurs when the human body 3 contacts or approaches the application electrode 5 because the applied signal is alternating current. The proximity distance between the human body 3 and the application electrode 5 is approximately 2 mm. Of course, as the proximity distance increases, a signal is less likely to be applied to the human body 3, and thus it is preferable that this distance is small.
The contact detection means 6 is disposed in the vicinity of the application electrode 5 and detects the presence or absence of contact with the human body 3. Thereby, when the human body 3 is not in contact, the AC power supply 4 can be stopped, and the power consumption can be effectively reduced.
Of course, even if the human body 3 is in contact, the AC power supply 4 can be stopped. For example, there is a case where input is not performed for a certain period of time. That is, the stop time can be switched such that the AC power supply 4 is stopped at an interval of 20 mSec when input is not performed for a certain period of time, and is stopped at an interval of 2 mSec once input is started. Of course, the interval at which the AC power supply 4 is stopped is not limited to this, and can be freely selected. As described above, the intermittent operation can reduce the power consumption as compared with the case where the AC power supply 4 is always operated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the signal detection unit 2 detects a signal from the human body 3 by using a plurality of transparent electrodes 7. The transparent electrode 7 can be covered with an insulator cover. This is because the signal to be detected propagates through the capacitive coupling that occurs when the human body 3 is in contact with or close to the transparent electrode 7. The proximity distance between the human body 3 and the transparent electrode 7 is approximately 1 mm to 2 mm. Of course, the smaller the proximity distance, the easier it is to detect, so a smaller distance is preferable.
The switch 8 sequentially switches the connection between the transparent electrode 7 and the detection resistor 9. Although not shown, the switch 8 is provided with a plurality of switch elements connected to the transparent electrode 7. As this switch element, a general contact relay, a semiconductor switch, or the like can be used, but it is preferable that a resistance required for switching, that is, a so-called on-resistance is small. The differential amplifier 10 amplifies the voltage appearing at the detection resistor 9. As the differential amplifier 10, a commercially available implementation amplifier can be used.

In the detection procedure, the signals appearing on the transparent electrodes 7 are sequentially detected while switching the switch elements of the switch 8. Since a signal is applied to the human body 3 by the signal applying means 1, a signal having the largest amplitude appears at the transparent electrode 7 closest to the human body 3, and the output of the differential amplifier 10 is maximized. In this way, the designated position can be specified.
That is, as the human body 3 moves, the signal between the human body 3 and the signal detection means 2 changes, and information is input based on this change.

[Description of operation: FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6]
Next, the operation of the input device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a case where the input device of the present invention is mounted on the portable information device 11 as the first embodiment of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a case where the portable information device 11 is held with the left hand 30 and input is performed with the right hand 31.
As shown in FIG. 4, the application electrode 5 and the contact detection means 6 are provided in a portion that holds the portable information device 11. A signal applied from the application electrode 5 is transmitted from the thumb of the left hand 30 to the index finger of the right hand 31 via the human body. That is, the signal path 12 shown in FIG. 4 is formed and propagates to the transparent electrode 7.
When detecting the designated coordinates, the transparent electrode 7 is arranged so as to intersect the X direction and the Y direction. Generally, a display device is incorporated in the portable information device 11. For example, a liquid crystal display device. Since the liquid crystal drive electrode for driving the liquid crystal display device is arranged so as to intersect the X direction and the Y direction, this and the transparent electrode 7 can be shared.

At the time of detection, the signals appearing on the respective transparent electrodes 7 are sequentially detected while switching the switch elements of the switch 8. Of course, the coordinate indicated by the right hand 31 may not be one. For example, pictograms and symbols such as icons may be displayed in an area composed of a plurality of coordinates, and operated multiple times each time a button is pressed.
Even if characters or symbols are drawn as symbols by sliding the finger of the right hand 31 on the transparent electrode 7, the switch element is switched several times and the signal appearing on the transparent electrode 7 is examined. The characters and symbols can be entered. That is, it is possible to directly input characters and symbols such as “A”, “2”, and “%” by drawing them with a finger.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the contact detection means 6. As shown in FIG. 6A, the contact detection means 6 is arranged so as to be integrated with the application electrode 5. The contact detection means 6 has a first contact detection electrode 14 and a second contact detection electrode 15, and a DC voltage E is applied to the first contact detection electrode 14 as shown in FIG. Apply it. A human body 3 shown in FIG. 6B is, for example, a thumb.
Since the human body 3 can be regarded as a resistance of about several hundreds KΩ in terms of direct current, when the contact detection means 6 is touched with a thumb or the like, a series resistance circuit is formed by the resistance 33 of the human body 3 and the contact detection resistance 16, and the series resistance A voltage Vout corresponding to the ratio is detected from the second contact detection electrode 15. When the human body 3 is not touching, Vout is 0 V because pull-down is caused by the contact detection resistor 16. In this way, the presence or absence of contact can be detected.

  The contact detection means 6 shown in FIG. 6 can be detected simply by touching a human body. However, the contact detection means 6 is not limited to this. For example, the contact detection means 6 may be configured using a mechanical switch, a pressure sensitive element, a conductive rubber, or the like, and can be changed according to the specifications and usage status of a device on which the input device of the present invention is mounted. .

FIG. 5 schematically shows a case where the input device of the present invention is mounted on the arm-type device 13 as a second embodiment of the input device of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a case where the wrist-type device 13 is attached to the wrist of the left hand 30 and input is performed with the right hand 31.
Although not shown, the signal applying means 1 is provided on the back surface of the wrist device 13. The signal applied by the signal applying means 1 is transmitted from the wrist of the left hand 30 to the index finger of the right hand 31 via the human body. That is, the signal path 12 shown in FIG. 5 can be formed and propagated to the transparent electrode 7 disposed on the windshield of the wrist-type device 13 to detect the indicated position.

Various applications are mounted on the wrist device 13. If the wristwatch device 13 is, for example, a multifunctional wristwatch, various functions of the wristwatch, such as time correction, alarm time setting, chronometer start / stop, function menu selection, etc. An input device can be used. This eliminates the need for button and crown operations, and allows operations to be performed with intuitive and easy-to-understand operations such as touch. Furthermore, since buttons and crowns are not required or the number thereof can be reduced, the degree of freedom of design as a wristwatch can be increased.
In FIG. 5, the transparent electrode 7 is shown as a circle for the sake of explanation, but of course, the shape is not limited thereto. In the case where a display device is provided under the windshield of a wristwatch and, for example, pictograms and symbols such as icons are displayed and operated each time a button is pressed, the transparent electrode 7 can be provided in accordance with the shape. .

  The input device of the present invention detects input by applying a signal to the human body and detecting the applied signal, and a part of the human body such as a finger can be used as an indicator. There is no need to use a special pen or special indicator for input, and the operability can be greatly improved. There is no worry about battery shortage or loss of the indicator, which has been a problem in the prior art, and there is no fatigue caused by holding the indicator, and input can be performed for a long time.

Further, unlike the resistance film type indication position detection device, since it is not necessary to have a movable part, durability can be improved.

In addition, since the contact detection means for detecting the contact of the human body is provided, the AC power supply for applying a signal to the human body can be stopped when the human body is not in contact, and the power consumption when not in use is effectively reduced. be able to.
Furthermore, when input is not performed for a certain period of time, application of a signal to the human body can be stopped, so that an intermittent operation can be performed and power consumption can be reduced.

  The input device of the present invention applies an electrical signal to the human body, and it goes without saying that the electrical signal is about 800 μA and does not affect the human body.

  The input device of the present invention can be applied to a computer, an information terminal, a device that can be grasped by a human body, and a device that can be attached to a human body, which are required to have durability. It is particularly suitable for small portable information devices in which input operability is important with a limited device size.

It is a block diagram which shows the input device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the signal application means of the input device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the signal detection means of the input device of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 1st usage pattern of the input device of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the 2nd usage pattern of the input device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the contact detection means of the input device of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the input device of a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Signal application means 2 Signal detection means 3 Human body 4 AC power supply 5 Applied electrode 6 Contact detection means 7 Transparent electrode 8 Switch 9 Detection resistance 10 Differential amplifier 11 Portable information device 12 Signal path 13 Wristwatch 14 1st contact detection electrode 15 1st 2 contact detection electrodes 16 contact detection resistance 30 left hand 31 right hand 33 human body resistance 80 pen 81 push button 82 transmission conductor 83 coordinate board 84 Y-axis multiplexer 85 Y-axis sensor conductor 86 X-axis multiplexer 87 X-axis sensor conductor 88 Amplifier 89 Band pass filter 90 Counter 91 AC / DC converter 92 A / D converter 93 CPU
94 Control signal 95 Coordinate data output

Claims (5)

An input device that has signal detection means and inputs information using a change in capacitive coupling between the signal detection means and an object that is in contact with or close to the signal detection means,
Having signal applying means for applying a signal to the human body;
The signal detection means detects the signal when a human body contacts or approaches the signal detection means,
An input device for inputting information on the basis of a change in the signal between the human body and the signal detection means, which is caused by the movement of the human body. The signal applying means includes
An AC power supply that generates the signal of a specific frequency;
An application electrode that is a terminal for applying the signal to the human body;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising contact detection means for detecting contact or proximity of a human body to the application electrode. The signal detection means includes
A plurality of transparent electrodes which are terminals for detecting the signal from the human body;
A detection resistor for converting a current included in the signal into a detection voltage;
A differential amplifier for amplifying the detection voltage;
The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch that switches connection of the transparent electrode.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode is a liquid crystal driving electrode of a liquid crystal display device.   The input device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent electrode is disposed on a windshield of a wristwatch type device.

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