Patent Application
20180275790
The present technology relates to an input device, a sensor, an electric apparatus, and a detection method.
In recent years, a pressure sensitive sensor capable of electrostatically detecting input operation is widely used for various electric apparatuses such as a mobile personal computer (PC) and a tablet PC. As a pressure sensitive sensor device for an electric apparatus, there is a known technology having a configuration including a capacitive element and capable of detecting an operated position and pressing force of an operating element with respect to an input operation face (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
An object of the present technology is directed to providing an input device, a sensor, an electric apparatus, and a detection method, which are capable of detecting pressing force applied to a housing.
To solve a problem described above, a first technology provides an input device including a housing and a capacitive sensor provided in the housing, in which the sensor includes: a flexible conductive layer; two rows of sensing units provided in a manner facing the conductive layer; and a structural body which is provided between the two rows when viewed from a thickness direction of the sensor, and separates the conductive layer from the two rows of the sensing units.
A second technology provides a capacitive sensor including: a flexible conductive layer; two rows of sensing units provided in a manner facing the conductive layer; and a structural body which is provided between the two rows when viewed from a thickness direction of the sensor, and separates the conductive layer from the two rows of the sensing units.
A third technology provides an electric apparatus including a housing and a capacitive sensor provided in the housing, in which the sensor includes: a flexible conductive layer; two rows of sensing units provided in a manner facing the conductive layer; and a structural body which is provided between the two rows when viewed from a thickness direction of the sensor, and separates the conductive layer from the two rows of the sensing units.
A fourth technology provides a detection method including: determining whether a capacitance change output from each of sensing units forming a plurality of rows exceeds a threshold; and in a case where the capacitance change exceeds the threshold, determining which one of a region above a sensor and outside of the region is applied with pressing force on the basis of the capacitance change.
As described above, according to the present technology, pressing force applied to the housing can be detected.
Embodiments of the present technology will be described in the following order with reference to the drawings. Note that a same or correspondent portion will be denoted by a same reference sign in all of the drawings in the following embodiments.
1 First Embodiment (Exemplary Electric Apparatus)
1.1 Outline
1.2 External Appearance of Electric Apparatus
1.3 Configuration of Electric Apparatus
1.4 Configuration of Sensing Area
1.5 Configuration of Sensor
1.6 Detecting Operation of Sensor
1.7 Pressing Force Detecting Operation
1.8 Effects
1.9 Modified Examples
2 Second Embodiment (Exemplary Electric Apparatus)
2.1 Configuration of Electric Apparatus
2.2 Pressing Force Detecting Operation
2.3 Effects
3. Third Embodiment (Exemplary Electric Apparatus)
3.1 Configuration of Electric Apparatus
3.2 Pressing Force Detecting Operation
3.3 Effects
3.4 Modified Example
First, an outline of an electric apparatus studied by the inventors of the present technology will be described. As illustrated in
The inventors of the present technology study the use of a following technology as the sensors 130a and 130b. Note that only the sensor 130a will be described because the sensor 130b is similar to the sensor 130a. As illustrated in
The structural layer 134 includes: a frame body 134a as a peripheral edge structural body; and a plurality of structural bodies 134b. The frame body 134a and the plurality of structural bodies 134b are provided between the sensor layer 133 and the REF electrode layer 135 and separate the sensor layer 133 from the REF electrode layer 135.
The sensor layer 133 includes a plurality of capacitive sensing units (hereinafter referred to as “nodes”) NDs, and the nodes NDs include first and second electrodes 133EX and 133EY. Note that, in a case of identify each node ND, each node will be described as a node Nn (n is an integer of 1 or more) in the following description.
As illustrated in
Meanwhile, considering usability (user friendliness or the like) of the sensing function, preferably, the controller IC 112a detects pressing force applied to the sensing area 130Ra set above the sensor 130a, and notifies the host of a result thereof only in a case where a user intentionally applies pressing force to the sensing area 130Ra.
However, not only in the case where pressing force is applied to the sensing area 130Ra (refer to
The above-described false detection is caused by the following reasons. The controller IC 112a detects pressing force applied to the sensing area 130Ra on the basis of whether a capacitance change supplied from the sensor 130a exceeds a threshold T. Generally, the housing 120 such as the electric apparatus 110 has characteristics of having high rigidity and being bent by pressing force, and therefore, in a case where pressing force is applied to a position distant from the sensing area 130Ra as illustrated in
Considering the above situation, the inventors of the present technology has made earnest study on a sensor that can output a capacitance change (specifically, distribution of capacitance changes) by which pressing force applied to a sensing area and pressing force applied to the outside of the sensing area can be determined in order to reduce the above-described false detection. As a result, the inventors have achieved a sensor 30a having a configuration illustrated in
Additionally, the inventors of the present technology has also made earnest study on a detection method to detect pressing force applied to a sensing area on the basis of a capacitance change output from each of the nodes ND constituting the above-described two rows. As a result, achieved is the detection method including: determining whether a capacitance change output from each of the nodes ND constituting the two rows exceeds the threshold; and, in a case where the capacitance change exceeds the threshold, determining pressing force applied to a sensing area and pressing force applied to the outside of the sensing area on the basis of whether a difference between capacitance changes in the two rows exceeds a threshold. Meanwhile, as for the details of this detection method for pressing force applied to the sensing area will be later described in “1.7 Pressing Force Detecting Operation”.
As illustrated in
Each of the front surface 10Sa and the back surface 10Sb of the electric apparatus 10 has a rectangular shape having a long side and a short side when these surfaces are viewed from a vertical direction. The sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb are provided at both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the back surface 10Sb of the electric apparatus 10. The sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb are provided along peripheral edges of the back surface 10Sb, more specifically, along the short sides of the back surface 10Sb. Each of the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb has, for example, a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from a direction vertical to the back surface 10Sb. When a user grips both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the electric apparatus 10, pressing force is applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb by a finger and the like, and the electric apparatus 10 executes predetermined operation.
The housing 20 includes, for example, a metal, wood, a polymer resin, or the like. Examples of the metal include elementary substances such as aluminum, titanium, zinc, nickel, magnesium, copper, and iron, or alloys containing two or more of these metals. Specific examples of the alloy can include stainless used steel (SUS), aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, and the like.
The housing 20 includes: a first housing 21 constituting the front surface 10Sa side of the electric apparatus; and a second housing 22 constituting the back surface 10Sb side of the electric apparatus. The first housing 21 has a large opened portion 21a extending from a center of the first housing 21 to the vicinity of the peripheral edge portion, and a display portion of the display device 11PL is exposed from the opened portion 21a. A touch panel is provided on the display device 11PL. The second housing 22 has a small opened portion 22a in the vicinity of a corner portion, and a lens portion of the camera module 11CM is exposed from the opened portion 22a.
Examples of the display device 11PL can include a liquid crystal display, an electro luminescence (EL) display, and the like, but not limited thereto. Examples of the touch panel can include a capacitive touch panel and the like, but not limited thereto.
As illustrated in
The sensors 30a and 30b are so-called capacitive pressure sensitive sensors. The sensors 30a and 30b supply, as capacitance changes, the controller ICs 12a and 12b with pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb.
The controller ICs 12a and 12b detect pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb respectively on the basis of the capacitance changes supplied from the sensors 30a and 30b (more specifically, distribution of capacitance changes), and notify the host 11 of detection results thereof. Specifically, in a case where pressing force is detected, a pressing force detection signal to be output to the host 11 is turned “ON”, and in a case where pressing force is not detected, a pressing force detection signal to be output to the host 11 is turned “OFF”.
The host 11 includes the above-described display device 11PL, camera module 11CM, and the like, and executes various processing in accordance with operation at the touch panel provided on the display device 11PL. For example, the host 11 executes processing such as displaying an image and character information on the display device 11PL, moving a cursor displayed on the display device 11PL, and the like. Additionally, the host 11 executes photographing of a still image or a moving image with the camera module 11CM.
The host 11 controls operation of the electric apparatus 10 on the basis of detection results of pressing force notified from the controller ICs 12a and 12b. For example, in a case where detection of the pressing force is notified, a sleep mode (energy saving mode) of the electric apparatus 10 is canceled. On the other hand, in a case where detection of pressing force is not notified, the sleep mode of the electric apparatus 10 is maintained.
As illustrated in
The second housing 22 has recessed portions 23a and 23b respectively at positions on back sides of the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb. The recessed portions 23a and 23b are provided respectively at both end portions in a longitudinal direction of the inner surface 22SI. Each of the recessed portions 23a and 23b extends in a short direction of the inner surface 22SI, namely, along the short sides of the inner side surface 22SI. Each of the recessed portions 23a and 23b has a flat bottom surface.
The sensor 30a is housed in the recessed portion 23a, and the housed sensor 30a is held inside the recessed portion 23a by a fixation plate 41 functioning as a fixing member. Similarly, the sensor 30b is housed in the recessed portion 23b, and the housed sensor 30b is held inside the recessed portion 23b by the fixation plate 41.
Preferably, a thickness D of the second housing 22 in each of the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions 23a and 23b (refer to
The sensors 30a and 30b are electrically connected to PCBAs 13a and 13b via FPCs 14a and 14b, respectively. The above-described controller ICs 12a and 12b are mounted on the PCBAs 13a and 13b.
(Sensor)
Since the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb have similar configurations, only the sensing area 30Ra will be described below. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The sensor 30a has a plurality of nodes ND. Each node ND is a capacitive element of a mutual capacitance system. The plurality of nodes ND is arranged in a manner forming two rows in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a. Intervals between the nodes ND in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a are normally equal. However, depending on characteristics required in the sensor 30a, the intervals between the nodes ND may not be equal. Preferably, each projecting portion 30TP is provided in a manner overlapping with each node ND when viewed in the thickness direction of the sensor 30a. The reason is that detection sensitivity of the sensing area 30Ra can be improved.
(Fixation Plate)
As illustrated in
The fixation plate 41 includes, for example, a polymer resin or a metal. The fixation plate 41 may have a layered structure including a polymer resin layer and a metal layer.
As illustrated in
The REF electrode layer 31 is provided on the back surface 30Sb side of the sensor layer 32 and the REF electrode layer 34 is provided on the sensing surface 30Sa side of the sensor layer 32. Since the REF electrode layers 31 and 34 are thus provided on both surface sides of the sensor layer 32, external noise (external electric field) is suppressed from entering the inside of the sensor 30a. The REF electrode layer 31 and the sensor layer 32 are bonded to each other via a bond layer 35 interposed therebetween. The structural layer 33 is provided between a front surface of the sensor layer 32 and a back surface of the REF electrode layer 34.
(REF Electrode Layer)
The REF electrode layer 31 constitutes the back surface 30Sb of the sensor 30a. The REF electrode layer 34 constitutes the sensing surface 30Sa of the sensor 30a. The REF electrode layers 31 and 34 are connected to the ground potential. The REF electrode layer 31 is a conductive base material having rigidity or flexibility, and includes a base material 31a and a conductive layer 31b provided on a back surface of the base material 31a as illustrated in
Each of the base materials 31a and 34a has a film-like or plate-like shape, for example. Here, the film also includes a sheet. As a material of the base materials 31a and 34a, a polymer resin or glass can be used, for example.
Examples of the polymer resin can include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), an acrylic resin (PMMA), polyimide (PI), triacetyl cellulose (TAC), polyester, polyamide (PA), aramid, polyethylene (PE), polyacrylate, polyether sulfone, polysulfone, polypropylene (PP), diacetyl cellulose, polyvinyl chloride, an epoxy resin, a urea resin, a urethane resin, a melamine resin, a cyclic olefin polymer (COP), a norbornene-based thermoplastic resin, and the like.
The conductive layers 31b and 34b are at least needed to be electrically conductive, and for example, an inorganic conductive layer including an inorganic conductive material, an organic conductive layer including an organic conductive material, an organic-inorganic conductive layer including both of the inorganic conductive material and the organic conductive material, and the like can be used.
Examples of the inorganic conductive material can include a metal, a metal oxide, and the like. Here, the metal is defined to include semimetal. Examples of the metal can include metals such as aluminum, copper, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, nickel, tin, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, manganese, molybdenum, tungsten, niobium, tantelum, titanium, bismuth, antimony, and lead, or an alloy of these metals, but note limited thereto. Examples of the metal oxide can include an indium tin oxide (ITO), a zinc oxide, an indium oxide, an antimony added tin oxide, a fluorine added tin oxide, an aluminum added zinc oxide, a gallium added zinc oxide, a silicon added zinc oxide, a zinc oxide-tin oxide series, an indium oxide-tin oxide series, a zinc oxide-indium oxide-magnesium oxide series, and the like, but not limited thereto.
Examples of the organic conductive material can include a carbon material, a conductive polymer, and the like. Examples of the carbon material can include carbon black, a carbon fiber, fullerene, graphene, carbon nanotube, carbon microcoil, nanohorn, and the like, but not limited thereto. As the conductive polymer, for example, a substituted or unsubstituted polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, a (co)polymer including one or two kinds selected from these, or the like can be used, but not limited thereto.
Note that the REF electrode layers 31 and 34 may also include only the conductive layers 31b and 34b without including the base materials 31a and 34a. In this case, the REF electrode layers 31 and 34 may be metal plates. Additionally, the REF electrode layer 31 provided on the back surface side of the sensor 30a may be omitted. In this case, preferably, a REF electrode layer is separately provided inside the housing 20 such that the REF electrode layer is positioned on the back surface side of the sensor 30a.
(Bond Layer)
The bond layer 35 includes, for example, an adhesive or a double-sided adhesive tape having an insulation property. As the adhesive, for example, one or more kinds selected from a group including an acrylic adhesive, a silicone adhesive, a urethane adhesive, and the like can be used. Here, pressure sensitive adhesion is defined as a kind of adhesion. According to this definition, an adhesive layer is deemed as one kind of the bond layer.
Sensor Layer
The sensor layer 32 is provided between the REF electrode layers 31 and 34 and detects, as a capacitance change, a change in a distance from the REF electrode layer 34 located on the sensing surface 30Sa side, and outputs the detected capacitance change to the controller IC 12a. Specifically, the sensor layer 32 includes a plurality of nodes ND constituting two rows, and the plurality of nodes ND detects a change in the distance between the sensor layer 32 and the REF electrode layer 31 as a capacitance change, and outputs the detected capacitance change to the controller IC 12a.
The sensor layer 32 is a capacitive sensor layer, and as illustrated in
In the following, exemplary configurations of the first and second electrodes 32EY and 33EX will be described with reference to
The first electrodes Y0 and Y1 are arranged in parallel apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The second electrodes X0, X1, X3, and X4 are led to a region between the first electrodes Y0 and Y1 arranged in parallel, and then made to intersect with the first electrode Y0 and led out from the region. The second electrodes X4, X5, X6, X7, and X8 are led to the region between the first electrodes Y0 and Y1 arranged in parallel, and then made to intersect with the first electrode Y1 and led out from the region.
The first electrodes Y2 and Y3 are arranged in parallel apart from each other at a predetermined interval. The second electrodes X8, X9, X10, X11, and X12 are led to a region between the first electrodes Y2 and Y3 arranged in parallel, and then made to intersect with the first electrode Y2 and led out from the region. The second electrodes X12, X13, X14, X15, and X16 are led to the region between the first electrodes Y2 and Y3 arranged in parallel and then made to intersect with the first electrode Y3 and led out from the region.
As described above, the second electrodes X0, X1, . . . , X15, and X16 are wired so as to be led to the region between the first electrodes Y0 and Y1 and the region between the first electrodes Y2 and Y3, and therefore, a space necessary for wiring can be more reduced than in a case where the second electrodes X0, X1, . . . , X15, and X16 are wired so as to be led to the outside of the region between the first electrodes Y0 and Y1 and the outside of the region between the first electrodes Y2 and Y3.
Nodes N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5 are constituted of overlapping portions of the first electrode Y0 and the second electrodes X0, X1, X3, and X4, respectively. Nodes N11, N12, N13, N14, and N15 are constituted of overlapping portions of the first electrode Y1 and the second electrodes X4, X5, X6, X7, and X8, respectively. Nodes N16, N17, N18, N19, and N20 are constituted of overlapping portions of the first electrode Y2 and the second electrodes X8, X9, X10, X11, and X12, respectively. Nodes N6, N7, N8, N9, and N10 are constituted of overlapping portions between the first electrode Y3 and the second electrodes X12, X13, X14, X15, and X16, respectively.
As illustrated in
Each second electrode 32EX includes an electrode body 32EXa including a linear electrode element. The electrode body 32EXa has, for example, a comb-like shape, a ladder-like shape, or a mesh-like shape. The electrode body 32EXa is provided in a manner overlapping with the electrode line 32EYa in the thickness direction of the sensor 30a. Each node ND is constituted of an overlapping portion or an intersecting portion of the electrode line 32EYa and the electrode body 32EXa.
The base materials 32a and 32d are similar to the above-described base materials 31a and 34a.
As a material of the insulating layer 32b, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, a thermosetting resin, an insulating resist, a metal compound, or the like can be used. Specifically, for example, a resin material such as polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyimide, polyester, epoxy, polyvinyl phenol, and polyvinyl alcohol, and metal compounds such as SiO2, SiNx, SiON, Al2O3, Ta2O5, Y2O3, HfO2, HfAlO, ZrO2, and TiO2 can be used.
The bond layer 32c is similar to the bond layer 35.
(Structural Layer)
The structural layer 33 is provided between the two rows of nodes ND when viewed from the thickness direction of the sensor 30a, and includes a structural body 33a that separates the REF electrode layer 34 from the sensor layer 32. The structural body 33a extends between the two rows of the node ND when viewed from the thickness direction of the sensor 30a. Specifically, the structural body 33a is a continuous body extending in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a at a center position in a short direction of the sensor 30a. Empty space portions 33d and 33d are provided respectively on both sides of the structural body 33a in the short direction of the sensor 30a. The node ND is provided at position overlapping with the empty space portion 33d in the thickness direction of the sensor 30a. The empty space portion 33d is provided between the row of the nodes ND and the REF electrode layer 34. Preferably, the empty space portions 33d and 33d are separated by the structural body 33a. The reason is that detection accuracy for pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is improved because, in a case where pressing force is applied to a side of the sensing area 30Ra, a difference between capacitance changes detected in nodes ND respectively located in the two rows and most adjacent to each other becomes large. Preferably, both sides (both sides in the short direction) of the structural layer 33 are open. The reason is that detection accuracy for pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is improved because, in a case where pressing force is applied to a side of the sensing area 30Ra, a difference between capacitance changes detected in nodes ND respectively located in the two rows and most adjacent to each other becomes large.
As illustrated in
Note that the configuration of the structural body 33a is not limited to the configuration in which the structural portion 33b and the joint portion 33c are separately formed as described above, and the structural portion 33b and the joint portion 33c may be integrally formed in advance. In this case, a material capable of achieving both functions of the structural portion 33b and the joint portion 33c is selected as a material of the structural body 33a, for example.
Exemplary detecting operation of the sensor 30a will be described below with reference to
Since the structural body 33a is provided between the two rows of the nodes ND when viewed from the thickness direction of the sensor 30a, following features can be obtained (refer to
Exemplary pressing force detecting operation in the controller IC 12a will be described below with reference to
First, in step S11, when power of the electric apparatus 10 is applied, the host 11 that is the main body of the electric apparatus 10 initializes the controller IC 12a. Next, in step S12, the controller IC 12a sequentially applies a predetermined pulse (voltage) to the second electrodes X0, X1, . . . , and X16 and sequentially scans the second electrodes X0, X1, . . . , and X16, thereby detecting capacitance changes in the nodes N1 to N20 (specifically, distribution of the capacitance changes) (refer to
Next, in step 13, the controller IC 12a determines whether there is any pair having capacitance changes Cn and C1n exceeding a threshold T (note that Cn and C1n respectively indicate the capacitance changes in the nodes Nn and N1n) among the respective pairs of nodes Nn and N1n (note that n is an integer of 1 or more and 10 or less) facing each other in the short direction of the sensor 30a (refer to
In step S13, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines that there is a pair having the capacitance changes Cn and C1n exceeding the threshold T, the controller IC 12a determines, in step S14, whether an absolute value |ΔC| (=|Cn−C1n|) of the difference between the capacitance changes in the pair of nodes Nn and N1n determined to have the capacitance changes exceeding the threshold T exceeds a threshold (|ΔT|) (refer to
In step S14, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines that the absolute value |ΔC| of the difference between the capacitance changes exceeds the threshold |ΔT|, the processing returns to step S12. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S14 that the absolute value |ΔC| of the difference between the capacitance changes does not exceed the threshold |ΔT|, the controller IC 12a notifies, in step S15, the host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is detected. When the fact that the pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is detected is notified to the host 11, predetermined processing such as cancellation of sleep processing is executed.
The electric apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment includes: the second housing 22 having the recessed portions 23a and 23b on the inner surface 22SI; and the pressure sensitive sensors 30a and 30b provided in the recessed portions 23a and 23b. Consequently, when pressing force is applied by a finger and the like to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb set on the back side of the bottom surfaces 23S of the recessed portions 23a and 23b, the bottom surfaces of the recessed portions 23a and 23b are bent and pressing force is applied to the sensing surfaces 30Sa of the sensors 30a and 30b by the bottom surfaces 23S of the recessed portions 23a and 23b. Therefore, the sensors 30a and 30b can detect pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb.
Additionally, each of the sensors 30a and 30b includes: the flexible REF electrode layer 34; the sensor layer 32 provided in a manner facing the REF electrode layer 34 and including the two rows of nodes ND; and the structural body 33a which is provided between the two rows of nodes ND when viewed from the thickness direction of the sensor 30a, and separates the REF electrode layer 34 from the sensor layer 32. In each of the sensors 30a and 30b having such a configuration, in a case where pressing force is applied to each of the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb, a difference between capacitance changes detected in the nodes ND respectively located in the two rows and adjacent to each other is small. On the other hand, in a case where pressing force is applied to a side portion of the sensing area 30Ra, a difference between capacitance changes detected in the nodes ND respectively located in the two rows and adjacent to each other is large. Therefore, the sensors 30a and 30b can output capacitance changes (more specifically, distribution of capacitance changes) by which pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb and pressing force applied to the outside of the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb can be determined.
Furthermore, the controller ICs 12a and 12b determine whether capacitance changes output from respective nodes ND constituting the two rows exceed a first threshold, and in a case where the capacitance changes exceed the first threshold, pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb and pressing force applied to the outside of the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb are determined on the basis of whether a difference between capacitance changes in the nodes ND respectively located in the two rows and adjacent to each other exceeds a second threshold. Therefore, pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb is correctly detected.
As illustrated in
The support plate 43 is provided in order to support the back surface 30Sb of the sensor 30a. Preferably, the support plate 43 is more hardly deformed than the sensor 30a is. In other words, preferably, the support plate 43 has rigidity higher than that of the sensor 30a. The reason is that detection sensitivity of the sensing area 30Ra can be improved.
The support plate 43 includes, for example, a polymer resin or a metal. A spring plate 27a may have a layered structure including a polymer resin layer and a metal layer. As the polymer resin, a material similar to those of the base materials 31a and 34a can be exemplified. As the metal, a material similar to that of the housing 20 can be exemplified.
The elastic layer 44 includes rubber like urethane foam, for example. An adhesive layer may be provided on one side or both sides of the elastic layer 44. The elastic layer 44 has, for example, a sheet-like shape, but not limited thereto.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In the case where the inner surface 22SI of the second housing 22 is conductive, a conductive layer is provided on the inner surface 22SI. In the case where only the inner surface of the recessed portion 23a or only the bottom surface 23S of the recessed portion 23a is conductive in the second housing 22, a conductive layer is provided on the inner surface of the recessed portion 23a or the bottom surface 23S of the recessed portion 23a. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive layer obtained by drying and curing a plating layer, a vapor deposition layer, a sputtering layer, a metal foil, a conductive paste, or the like.
In the sensor 53a having the above-described configuration, the portion of bottom surface 23S of the second housing 22 is used as the REF electrode layer 34, and therefore, the configuration of the sensor 51a can be simplified and thinned.
As illustrated in
In the case where the entire fixation plate 41 is conductive, the fixation plate 41 includes a conductive material. In the case where only the surface of the fixation plate 41 facing the sensor layer 32 is conductive, a conductive layer is provided on the surface facing the sensor layer 32. The conductive layer is, for example, a conductive layer obtained by drying and curing a plating layer, a vapor deposition layer, a sputtering layer, a metal foil, a conductive paste, or the like.
In the sensor 54a having the above-described configuration, the fixation plate 41 is used as the REF electrode layer 31, and therefore, the configuration of the sensor 54a can be simplified and thinned.
As illustrated in
In the sensor 55a having the above-described configuration, the portion of bottom surface 23S of the recessed portion 23a is used as the REF electrode layer on the front surface side, and the fixation plate 41 is used as the REF electrode layer on the back surface side, and therefore, the configuration of the sensor 52a is simplified and thinner.
No projecting portion 30TP may be provided on the sensing surface 30Sa. In this case, preferably, a material having a low elastic modulus is used as the structural body 33a. The reason is that detection sensitivity of the sensor 30a can be improved.
The sensor 30a may include only one pair of nodes ND facing each other. In this case, the sensor 30a may be provided at a corner portion or a predetermined position of a side portion of the second housing 22, a predetermined position of the main surface portion 22PL, or the like. In this case, pressing force applied to a predetermined portion such as the corner portion of the second housing 22 can be detected with high accuracy.
In the first embodiment, the case where each pair of the nodes Nn and N1n having capacitance changes to be compared faces each other in the short direction of the sensor 30a has been described, but each pair of the nodes Nn and N1n having capacitance changes to be compared may not necessarily face each other in the short direction of the sensor 30a and may be displaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a. In this case, the controller IC 12a may compare capacitance changes in the nodes Nn and N1n located most adjacent to each other. In a case where two nodes N1n and N1n+1 are located most adjacent to the node Nn, the controller IC 12a may compare capacitance changes in the most adjacent two nodes which are a pair of Nn and N1n and a pair of Nn and N1n+1, or may compare capacitance changes in any predetermined pair out of the pair of nodes Nn and N1n and the pair of nodes Nn and N1n+1.
In the first embodiment, the case where the two rows of the nodes ND extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a has been described, but the two rows of the nodes ND may be rows meandering in the short direction of the sensor 30a (for example, zigzag rows).
In the first embodiment, the case where the structural body 33a is the continuous body extending in the longitudinal direction of the sensor 30a has been described, but the structural body 33a may be a discontinuous body provided intermittently. Additionally, the plurality of structural bodies 33a may be arranged in the longitudinal direction at the center position in the short direction of the sensor 30a. In this case, for example, each of the structural bodies 33a may have a conical shape, a columnar shape (for example, a columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape), a needle-like shape, a partial shape of a sphere (for example, a hemispherical shape), a partial shape of an ellipsoid (for example, semi-ellipsoid shape), a polygonal shape, or the like, but not limited thereto, other shapes may also be adopted.
The first and second electrodes 32EY and 32EX may be formed inside the same plane. In this case, the first and second electrodes 32EY and 32EX include the comb-shaped first and second electrode bodies respectively such that the first and second comb-shaped electrode bodies are engaged with each other.
In the first embodiment, the example in which the sleep mode is canceled by the pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb has been described, but other operation of the electric apparatus 10 other than this operation may also be executed by the pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb. For example, adjustment of output sound volume, adjustment of brightness of a screen, hereafter to sleep operation, and the like may be executed by the pressing force applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb.
The controller ICs 12a and 12b determine whether pressing force is continuously applied to the sensing area 30Ra for a predetermined period or longer on the basis of capacitance changes supplied from the sensors 30a and 30B, and only in a case where application of the pressing force is continued for the predetermined period or longer, such pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra may be notified to the host 11. In this case, it is possible to reduce false operation in a case where a user unintentionally applies pressing force to the sensing area 30Ra.
The controller ICs 12a and 12b determine whether the pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is detected a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period on the basis of capacitance changes supplied from the sensors 30a and 30B, and only in a case where the pressing force is detected the predetermined number of times within the predetermined period, the pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra may be notified to the host 11. In this case also, the advantages similar to those described above can be obtained.
In the first embodiment, the example in which the sensors 30a and 30b are provided in the recessed portions 23a and 23b included in the second housing 22 has been described, but the recessed portions 23a and 23b may not be necessarily provided. Additionally, side surfaces of the recessed portions 23a and 23b may be curved surfaces or inclined surfaces.
The housing 20 is an example of a bendable base material, and the sensor 30a can be used for various kinds of bendable base materials. A surface on which the sensor 30a is provided is not limited to a flat surface, and may also be a curved surface, a bent surface, a wave surface, or the like. Additionally, the shape of the base material is not limited to a flat plate shape, and may also be a curved plate shape, a bent plate shape, a corrugated plate shape, or the like.
In the above-described first embodiment, the exemplary case where the electric apparatus is a tablet computer has been described, but the present technology is not limited thereto and can be applied to various kinds of electric apparatuses each having an exterior body such as a housing. For example, the first embodiment is also applicable to a personal computer, a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a television, a remote controller, a camera, a game machine, a navigation system, an electronic book, an electronic dictionary, a portable music player, a wearable terminal such as a smart watch or a head mound display, a radio, an electric tool, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a wearable apparatus, a stereo, a water heater, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a dryer, a lighting device, a toy, a medical apparatus, a robot, and the like. Note that a so-called electronic apparatus is also included in the electric apparatuses.
Furthermore, the present technology is not limited to the electric apparatuses and applicable to various items other than the electric apparatuses. For example, the present technology is applicable to buildings such as a house, a building member, a vehicle, furniture such as a table and a desk, a manufacturing device, an analytical instrument, and the like. Examples of the building member can include a paving stone, a wall material, a floor tile, a floor board, and the like. Examples of the vehicle can include a vehicle (for example, a car, a motorcycle, and the like), a ship, a submarine, a railroad vehicle, an aircraft, a spacecraft, an elevator, playground equipment, and the like.
As illustrated in
In the electric apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, when pressing force is applied to the sensing area 30Ra is by a finger or the like, the sensing area 30Ra of the housing 20 is bent. Pressing force is applied to the sensing surface 30Sa via the projecting portions 30TP by such bending. Consequently, a distance between each of the nodes ND and the REF electrode layer 34 is displaced in a position where pressing force is applied and the vicinity thereof, and capacitance in each of the nodes ND is changed. On the other hand, when pressing force is applied to a side position of the sensing area 30Ra by a finger or the like, the housing 20 is bent around the position. In a case where the bent portion extends to the sensing area 30Ra, pressing force results in being applied to the sensing surface 30Sa via the projecting portions 30TP. In this case, a node ND located closer to a center position of the pressing force tends have a shorter distance from the REF electrode layer 34, and a capacitance change tends to be large.
Controller ICs 12a and 12b perform comparison of capacitance changes in the nodes ND between the three rows, and determines pressing force applied to sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb. More specifically, whether pressing force is applied to the sensing areas 30Ra and 30Rb is determined by comparing capacitance changes in three nodes ND adjacent in a direction between the rows of the nodes ND (short direction of the sensor 60a).
In the following, exemplary pressing force detecting operation in the controller IC 12a will be described with reference to
First, in step S31, when power of the electric apparatus 10 is applied, a host 11 that is a main body of the electric apparatus 10 initializes the controller IC 12a. Next, in step S32, the controller IC 12a sequentially applies a predetermined pulse (voltage) to a plurality of second electrodes 32EX included in the sensor 60a and sequentially scans the second electrodes 32EX, thereby detecting capacitance changes in nodes N1 to N30 (more specifically, distribution of capacitance changes) (refer to
Next, in step 33, the controller IC 12a determines whether there is any set having capacitance changes Cn, C1n, and C2n exceeding a threshold T (note that Cn, C1n, and C2n respectively indicate capacitance changes in the nodes Nn, N1n, and N2n) among sets of the nodes Nn, N1n, and N2n (note that n is an integer of 1 or more and 10 or less) adjacent to one another in the short direction of the sensor 60a (refer to
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines that the capacitance changes Cn, C1n, and C2n exceed the threshold T in step S33, the controller IC 12a determines in step S34 whether the set of Cn, C1n, and C2n determined to exceed the threshold T satisfy relations of Cn<C1n and C1n>C2n. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S33 that the capacitance changes Cn, C1n, C2n do not exceed the threshold T, the processing returns to step S32.
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S34 that the relations Cn<C1n and C1n>C2n are satisfied, the controller IC 12a notifies the host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra is detected in step S34. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S34 that the relations Cn<C1n and C1n>C2n are not satisfied, the processing returns to step S32.
The electric apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment has three rows in the sensor 60a, and determination is made on whether a load center exists inside the sensing area 30Ra on the basis of capacitance changes Cn, C1n, and C2n in nodes Nn, N1n, and N2n constituting each set and arranged in a width direction of the sensor 60a. Therefore, whether the load center exists inside the sensing area 30Ra can be more correctly determined.
As illustrated in
A controller IC 12a detects which one of the three sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra pressing force is applied to, and executes operation in accordance with a detection result thereof. The sensing area 30Ra is an area provided substantially above sensor 30a. The sensing areas 71Ra and 72Ra are areas provided in a manner adjacent to both sides of the sensing area 30Ra. Functions of different electric apparatuses may be assigned to the sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra respectively, or operation relative to a menu screen or the like may be performed by using the sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra.
In the following, exemplary pressing force detecting operation in the controller IC 12a will be described with reference to
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines that an absolute value |ΔC| of a difference between capacitance changes is not smaller than a threshold in step S14, the controller IC 12a determines in step S16 whether the difference ΔC between the capacitance changes satisfies ΔC>0, specifically, whether the difference is a positive value.
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S16 that ΔC>0 is satisfied, the controller IC 12a notifies, in step S17, a host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 71Ra is detected. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S16 that ΔC>0 is not satisfied, the controller IC 12a notifies, in step S18, the host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 72Ra is detected.
In the third embodiment, it is possible to detect, by using one sensor 30a, pressing force applied to the sensing area 30Ra set above the sensor 30a and pressing force applied the sensing areas 71Ra and 72Ra respectively provided on both sides of the sensing area 30Ra. Therefore, the configuration of the electric apparatus 70 can be more simplified compared to a case where the sensor 30a is provided in each of the sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra. Additionally, a cost for the electric apparatus 70 can be reduced.
The electric apparatus 70 according to the third embodiment of the present technology includes a sensor 60a of a second embodiment instead of the sensor 30a.
In the following, exemplary pressing force detecting operation in the controller IC 12a will be described with reference to
In a case where that the controller IC 12a determines in step S34 that relations of Cn<C1n and C1n>C2n are not satisfied, the controller IC 12a determines in step S36 whether a relation of Cn>C1n>C2n is satisfied.
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S36 that the relation Cn>C1n>C2n is satisfied, the controller IC 12a notifies the host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 71Ra is detected in step S37. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S36 that the relation Cn>C1n>C2n is not satisfied, the controller IC 12a determines in step S38 whether a relation of Cn<C1n<C2n is satisfied.
In a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S38 that the relation of Cn<C1n<C2n is satisfied, the controller IC 12a notifies the host 11 of a fact that pressing force applied to the sensing area 72Ra is detected in step S39. On the other hand, in a case where the controller IC 12a determines in step S38 that the relation of Cn<C1n<C2n is not satisfied, the processing returns to step S32.
The controller IC 12a may notify the host 11 of only detection in one or two areas of the above-described sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra. In this case, the electric apparatus 70 can be made deemed to have only one or two areas out of the above-described sensing areas 30Ra, 71Ra, and 72Ra.
While the embodiments and modified examples thereof in the present technology have been specifically described, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modified examples thereof, and various kinds of modification based on the technical idea of the present technology can be made.
For example, the configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, numerical values, and the like described in the above-described embodiments and modified examples thereof are merely examples, and a configuration, a method, a process, a shape, a material, and a numerical value different from these may be used as needed.
Also, the configurations, methods, processes, shapes, materials, numerical values, and the like in the above-described embodiments and modified examples can be combined each other without departing from the gist of the present technology.
Additionally, the present technology can adopt configurations below.
(1)
An input device including:
a housing; and
a capacitive sensor provided in the housing,
in which the sensor includes:
a flexible conductive layer;
two rows of sensing units provided in a manner facing the conductive layer; and
a structural body which is provided between the two rows when viewed from a thickness direction of the sensor, and separates the conductive layer from the two rows of the sensing units.
(2)
The input device recited in to (1), further including a fixing member adapted to press the sensor against the housing.
(3)
The input device recited in (1) or (2), further including:
a support layer provided between the sensor and the fixing member; and
an elastic layer provided between the fixing member and the support layer.
(4)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (3), further including a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion provided on the conductive layer,
in which the first projecting portion and the second projecting portion are respectively provided at positions overlapping with the two rows when viewed from the thickness direction of the sensor.
(5)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (4), in which the structural body extends between the two rows.
(6)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (5), in which a portion between the row and the conductive layer is an empty space.
(7)
The input device recited in (6), in which the empty space is divided by the structural body.
(8)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (7), further including a row of sensing units, the row facing the conductive layer and being provided between the two rows of the sensing units.
(9)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (8), in which side portions of a structural layer including the structural body are open.
(10)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (9), in which the sensing unit includes: an electrode line extending in a row direction of the sensing units; and an electrode body provided in a manner overlapping with the electrode line in the thickness direction of the sensor, and including a linear electrode element.
(11)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (10), in which
the sensor is a long sheet, and
the row of the sensing units extends in a longitudinal direction of the sensor.
(12)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (11), in which the housing is bendable.
(13)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (12), in which the housing has a recessed portion to house the sensor.
(14)
The input device recited in any one of (1) to (13), further including a control unit adapted to detect pressing force applied to the housing on the basis of a capacitance change in the sensing unit.
(15)
A capacitive sensor including:
a flexible conductive layer;
two rows of sensing units provided in a manner facing the conductive layer; and
a structural body which is provided between the two rows when viewed from a thickness direction of the sensor, and separates the conductive layer from the two rows of sensing units.
(16)
An electric apparatus including the input device recited in any one of (1) to (14).
(17)
A detection method including:
determining whether a capacitance change output from each of sensing units forming a plurality of rows exceeds a threshold; and
in a case where the capacitance change exceeds the threshold, determining which one of a region above the sensor and outside of the region is applied with pressing force on the basis of the capacitance change.
(18)
The detection method recited in (17), in which determination on pressing force is performed by comparing the capacitance changes between the plurality of rows.
(19)
The detection method recited in (17), in which determination on pressing force is performed by comparing capacitance changes in the sensing units adjacent in a direction between the rows.
(20)
The detection method recited in (17), in which determination on pressing force is performed on the basis of whether a difference in the capacitance changes between the rows exceeds a threshold.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-175224 | Sep 2015 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2016/003425 | 7/22/2016 | WO | 00 |
