JPWO2014155608A1 - Touch detection module and contact touch detection method in the touch detection module - Google Patents

Touch detection module and contact touch detection method in the touch detection module Download PDF

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JPWO2014155608A1
JPWO2014155608A1 JP2015507805A JP2015507805A JPWO2014155608A1 JP WO2014155608 A1 JPWO2014155608 A1 JP WO2014155608A1 JP 2015507805 A JP2015507805 A JP 2015507805A JP 2015507805 A JP2015507805 A JP 2015507805A JP WO2014155608 A1 JPWO2014155608 A1 JP WO2014155608A1
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JP6001764B2 (en
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勝之 加藤
勝之 加藤
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Yunitec Corp
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G06F3/0446—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0416—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
    • G06F3/04166—Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0416—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
    • G06F3/0418—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/0416—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
    • G06F3/0418—Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers for error correction or compensation, e.g. based on parallax, calibration or alignment
    • G06F3/04182—Filtering of noise external to the device and not generated by digitiser components
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G06F3/0443—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a single layer of sensing electrodes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
    • G06F3/0445—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K17/962—Capacitive touch switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K17/00—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking
    • H03K17/94—Electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making and –breaking characterised by the way in which the control signals are generated
    • H03K17/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2017/9602—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes
    • H03K2017/9604—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes
    • H03K2017/9615—Touch switches characterised by the type or shape of the sensing electrodes characterised by the number of electrodes using three electrodes per touch switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
    • H03K2217/960765—Details of shielding arrangements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03K—PULSE TECHNIQUE
    • H03K2217/00—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00
    • H03K2217/94—Indexing scheme related to electronic switching or gating, i.e. not by contact-making or -breaking covered by H03K17/00 characterised by the way in which the control signal is generated
    • H03K2217/96—Touch switches
    • H03K2217/9607—Capacitive touch switches
    • H03K2217/960755—Constructional details of capacitive touch and proximity switches
    • H03K2217/960775—Emitter-receiver or "fringe" type detection, i.e. one or more field emitting electrodes and corresponding one or more receiving electrodes

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

接触体の接触の検出感度が高く、かつノイズの影響を受けにくいタッチパネルモジュールを提供する。タッチパネルモジュールは、複数のｘ電極および複数のｙ電極を備えたタッチパネルと、タッチパネル上に接触対が接触することによって生じる静電容量の変化を利用して接触体の接触を検出する検出回路とを有する。電源電圧が印加される分極経路Ｐには、１つのｘ電極が順番に切り替えられて接続される。検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒには、隣り合うｙ電極がそれぞれ１つずつ、順番に切り替えられて接続される。検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧が比較され、両者が異なる場合は、両者が等しくなるように検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加キャパシタが付加され、付加されたキャパシタの容量値を検出値とする。Provided is a touch panel module that has high contact detection sensitivity and is less susceptible to noise. The touch panel module includes a touch panel provided with a plurality of x electrodes and a plurality of y electrodes, and a detection circuit that detects contact of a contact body using a change in capacitance caused by contact of a contact pair on the touch panel. Have. One x electrode is sequentially switched and connected to the polarization path P to which the power supply voltage is applied. The detection path S and the reference path R are connected in such a manner that one adjacent y electrode is switched in order. The voltage of the detection path S and the voltage of the reference path R are compared, and if they are different, an additional capacitor is added to the detection path S or the reference path R so that they are equal, and the capacitance value of the added capacitor is detected. Value.

Description

本発明は、タッチ検出モジュールに関し、特に、ユーザの指やタッチペンなどの接触体の接触の検出に関する。   The present invention relates to a touch detection module, and more particularly to detection of contact of a contact body such as a user's finger or a touch pen.

近年、ディスプレイを備えた様々な機器の入力デバイスとしてタッチパネルが多く用いられている。タッチパネルは、ディスプレイの表面に重ねられて設置され、ディスプレイ上でのユーザの指やタッチペンなどといった接触体の接触を検出することによる簡易な入力操作が可能であるからである。タッチパネルには、検出方式により、抵抗膜方式や静電容量式などに分けられる。中でも、静電容量式、特に投影型静電容量式のタッチパネルは、多点検出が可能であり、さまざまな操作を利用した直感的な入力を実現できることなどの理由から、タブレット型の携帯端末に多く用いられている。   In recent years, a touch panel is often used as an input device for various devices including a display. This is because the touch panel is placed on the surface of the display so that a simple input operation can be performed by detecting contact of a contact body such as a user's finger or a touch pen on the display. The touch panel is classified into a resistance film type and a capacitance type depending on the detection method. In particular, capacitive touch panels, especially projected capacitive touch panels, can detect multiple points, and can be used for tablet-type mobile terminals because they can achieve intuitive input using various operations. Many are used.

一般的な投影型静電容量式のタッチパネルは、ｘ方向に並んで配置された複数のｘ電極と、これらｘ電極が配置された領域上にｘ電極と絶縁されてｙ方向に並んで配置された複数のｙ電極とを有している。タッチパネルは、ｘ電極およびｙ電極と静電結合可能な接触体がこれらｘ電極およびｙ電極が配置された領域のどの領域に接触しているかを検出する検出回路と組み合わされて、タッチパネルモジュールを構成する。   A general projected capacitive touch panel has a plurality of x electrodes arranged side by side in the x direction, and is arranged side by side in the y direction so as to be insulated from the x electrodes on a region where the x electrodes are arranged. And a plurality of y electrodes. The touch panel is combined with a detection circuit that detects which region of the x electrode and y electrode is in contact with a contact body that can be electrostatically coupled to the x electrode and the y electrode, thereby forming a touch panel module. To do.

以下、この種の静電容量式のタッチパネルモジュールにおける接触体の接触位置の検出方法の一例として、特許文献１に開示された方法を例に挙げて説明する。   Hereinafter, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 will be described as an example of a method for detecting the contact position of the contact body in this type of capacitive touch panel module.

（自己容量方式）
図１２に、自己容量方式による検出の場合の模擬的な回路構成を示す。図１２では、タッチパネルが４つのｘ電極Ｘ０、Ｘ１、Ｘ２、Ｘ３および４つのｙ電極Ｙ０、Ｙ１、Ｙ２、Ｙ３を有する場合の回路構成を示している。この場合において、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３およびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３は、適宜のスイッチング回路（不図示）を介して、コンパレータ（不図示）への入力として任意に切り替え可能に接続できるように構成されている。ここでは、複数のｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３のうちｙ方向に隣り合う二つの電極が、それぞれコンパレータへ入力される検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに接続され、一方、複数のｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３についてはすべてが電源電圧（ＶＤＤ）が印加される分極経路Ｐに接続されるものとして説明する。検出動作においては、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒとしてコンパレータに接続されるｘ電極がスイッチング回路によって順次切り替えられ、それ以外のｘ電極は電気的にフローティングとされる。(Self capacity method)
FIG. 12 shows a simulated circuit configuration in the case of detection by the self-capacitance method. FIG. 12 shows a circuit configuration when the touch panel has four x electrodes X0, X1, X2, and X3 and four y electrodes Y0, Y1, Y2, and Y3. In this case, the x electrodes X0 to X3 and the y electrodes Y0 to Y3 are configured to be arbitrarily switchably connected as inputs to a comparator (not shown) via an appropriate switching circuit (not shown). Yes. Here, two electrodes adjacent to each other in the y direction among the plurality of x electrodes X0 to X3 are connected to the detection path S and the reference path R that are respectively input to the comparator, while the plurality of y electrodes Y0 to Y3 are It is assumed that all are connected to the polarization path P to which the power supply voltage (VDD) is applied. In the detection operation, the x electrodes connected to the comparator as the detection path S and the reference path R are sequentially switched by the switching circuit, and the other x electrodes are electrically floated.

このとき、図１２に示すように、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３とｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３とが交差する箇所、隣り合うｘ電極間、隣り合うｙ電極間、およびこのタッチパネルの下に置かれる物質（図ではＧＮＤとして表している）との間で静電容量が発生する。この回路構成を、Ｐ、Ｓ、Ｒに着目した等価回路で表したのが図１３である。   At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, the x electrode X0 to X3 and the y electrode Y0 to Y3 intersect with each other, between the adjacent x electrodes, between the adjacent y electrodes, and a substance placed under this touch panel (see FIG. 12). In this case, an electrostatic capacity is generated. FIG. 13 shows this circuit configuration as an equivalent circuit focusing on P, S, and R.

自己容量方式による検出では、検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧をコンパレータで比較するので、コンパレータに接続されていないｙ電極に発生している静電容量ＣＰｆおよびＣＧｆは無視することができる。また、検出経路Ｓに接続される静電容量ＣＳｆ、ＣＧｆと、基準経路Ｒに接続される静電容量ＣＲＦ、ＣＧｆとは、電極の幅および間隔が等しければ同じ容量値である。同様の理由で、検出経路Ｓに接続される静電容量ＣＧＳおよびＣＧＲも同じ容量値である。よって、上記ＣＳｆ、ＣＧｆをＣＧＳに統合し、ＣＲｆ、ＣＧｆをＣＧＲに統合すると、図１４に示す等価回路が得られる。In the detection by the self-capacitance method, since the voltage of the detection path S and the voltage of the reference path R are compared by a comparator, the capacitances C Pf and C Gf generated in the y electrode not connected to the comparator should be ignored. Can do. In addition, the capacitances C Sf and C Gf connected to the detection path S and the capacitances C RF and C Gf connected to the reference path R have the same capacitance value as long as the widths and intervals of the electrodes are equal. . For the same reason, the capacitances C GS and C GR connected to the detection path S have the same capacitance value. Therefore, when the above C Sf and C Gf are integrated into C GS and C Rf and C Gf are integrated into C GR , the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 14 is obtained.

図１４に示す等価回路において、前述と同様にＣＰＳとＣＰＲも同じ容量値を持つとすると、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲは等しい。In the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 14, if CPS and CPR have the same capacitance value as described above, the voltage V S of the detection path S and the voltage VR of the reference path R are equal.

この状態において、検出経路Ｓとなるｙ電極上で、接地されている接触体をタッチパネルに接触させると、図１５に示すように、検出経路Ｓと接触体との間に静電容量ＣＦが発生する。これによって、ＶＳとＶＲとの間に電位差が生じ、ＶＳ＜ＶＲとなる。検出回路は、スイッチング回路とコンパレータとの間に可変移送キャパシタンスを備えており、コンパレータによってこの差が検出されると、検出回路は、検出経路Ｓ側に可変移送キャパシタンス内のキャパシタＣＶを付加し、ＶＳとＶＲが等しくなるように調整する。検出回路は、付加したキャパシタＣＶを数値化し、これを測定結果とする。In this state, when a contact body that is grounded is brought into contact with the touch panel on the y electrode that becomes the detection path S, as shown in FIG. 15, the capacitance CF is between the detection path S and the contact body. Occur. Thus, a potential difference occurs between the V S and V R, becomes V S <V R. The detection circuit includes a variable transfer capacitance between the switching circuit and the comparator. When this difference is detected by the comparator, the detection circuit adds a capacitor CV in the variable transfer capacitance to the detection path S side. , adjusted to V S and V R is equal. The detection circuit digitizes the added capacitor CV and uses it as a measurement result.

検出回路は、検出経路Ｓに接続されるｘ電極および基準経路Ｒに接続されるｘ電極を順番に切り替えていき、どの電極がどの経路に接続されたときにどのような測定結果が得られたかに応じて、タッチパネル上のどの位置に接触体が接触しているかを検出する。   The detection circuit sequentially switches the x electrode connected to the detection path S and the x electrode connected to the reference path R, and what measurement result is obtained when which electrode is connected to which path. Accordingly, it is detected at which position on the touch panel the contact body is in contact.

（相互容量方式）
図１６に、相互容量方式による検出の場合の模擬的な回路構成を示す。図１６でも、図１４と同様、タッチパネルが４つのｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３および４つのｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３を有する場合を例に説明する。相互容量方式では、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３のうち隣り合う二つの電極が、異なる電圧が印加される第１分極経路Ｐ＋および第２分極経路Ｐ−に接続される。通常は、一方が電源電圧ＶＤＤ（ハイ）であり、他方がＧＮＤ（ロー）である。また、ｙ電極のうち一つが検出経路Ｓに接続される。それ以外のｘ電極およびｙ電極は接地されている。第１分極経路Ｐ＋、第２分極経路Ｐ−に接続されるｘ電極および検出経路Ｓに接続されるｙ電極は、スイッチング回路（不図示）によって切り替えられ、検出経路Ｓと基準電位が両者の電圧の比較のためにコンパレータ（不図示）に接続される。(Mutual capacity method)
FIG. 16 shows a simulated circuit configuration in the case of detection by the mutual capacitance method. In FIG. 16, as in FIG. 14, the case where the touch panel has four x electrodes X0 to X3 and four y electrodes Y0 to Y3 will be described as an example. In the mutual capacitance method, two adjacent electrodes among the x electrodes X0 to X3 are connected to the first polarization path P + and the second polarization path P− to which different voltages are applied. Normally, one is the power supply voltage VDD (high) and the other is GND (low). One of the y electrodes is connected to the detection path S. The other x electrodes and y electrodes are grounded. The x electrode connected to the first polarization path P + and the second polarization path P− and the y electrode connected to the detection path S are switched by a switching circuit (not shown), and the detection path S and the reference potential are both voltages. Are connected to a comparator (not shown) for comparison.

このとき、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３とｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３とが交差する箇所、隣り合うｘ電極間、隣り合うｙ電極間およびこのタッチパネルの下に置かれる物質（図ではＧＮＤとして表している）との間で静電容量が発生する。この回路構成を、Ｐ＋、Ｐ−、Ｓに着目した等価回路で表したのが図１７である。   At this time, the location where the x electrodes X0 to X3 and the y electrodes Y0 to Y3 intersect, between the adjacent x electrodes, between the adjacent y electrodes, and a substance (shown as GND in the figure) placed under this touch panel Capacitance is generated between. FIG. 17 shows this circuit configuration as an equivalent circuit focusing on P +, P−, and S.

相互容量方式では、検出経路Ｓの電圧に着目すると、静電容量ＣＰ＋Ｇ、ＣＰ−Ｇ、ＣＰ＋Ｐ−は無視できる。また、ＣＰ＋Ｓ、ＣＰ−Ｓの容量値は、電極の幅および間隔が同じであれば同じであり、検出経路Ｓの電圧は、第１分極経路Ｐ＋および第２分極経路Ｐ−の電圧が切り替わってもＣＳＧの容量値に関わらず一定となる。よって、ＣＧＳも無視することができる。以上により簡略化された等価回路を図１８に示す。第１分極経路Ｐ＋および第２分極経路Ｐ−には、図１９に示すように、一定の周期でハイとローが切り替わる電圧が印加されるが、上述したように検出経路Ｓは一定の電圧を保っている。In the mutual capacitance method, when attention is paid to the voltage of the detection path S, the capacitances C P + G , C P−G , and C P + P− can be ignored. The capacitance values of C P + S and C P−S are the same as long as the electrode width and interval are the same, and the voltage of the detection path S is the same as the voltage of the first polarization path P + and the second polarization path P−. Even if it is switched, it is constant regardless of the capacitance value of CSG . Therefore, CGS can also be ignored. FIG. 18 shows an equivalent circuit simplified as described above. As shown in FIG. 19, a voltage that switches between high and low is applied to the first polarization path P + and the second polarization path P−. However, as described above, the detection path S has a constant voltage. I keep it.

ここで、検出経路Ｓに接続するｘ電極と第１分極経路Ｐ＋に接続するｙ電極とが交差する箇所（図１６において丸印で囲んだ部分）で接触体を接触させたときを考える。このときの等価回路は図２０に示すとおりであり、検出経路Ｓと第１分極経路Ｐ＋との間の静電容量の一部が接触体と結合し、これによって、検出経路Ｓと第１分極経路Ｐ＋との間にある容量値がＣＰ−Ｓよりも小さくなる。Here, let us consider a case where the contact body is brought into contact at a position where the x electrode connected to the detection path S and the y electrode connected to the first polarization path P + intersect (portion surrounded by a circle in FIG. 16). The equivalent circuit at this time is as shown in FIG. 20, and a part of the electrostatic capacitance between the detection path S and the first polarization path P + is coupled to the contact body, whereby the detection path S and the first polarization are coupled. The capacitance value between the path P + becomes smaller than CP-S .

そのため、図２１に示すように、検出経路Ｓの電圧は、第１分極経路Ｐ＋および第２分極経路Ｐ−の電圧の切り替えに伴って周期的に変化する。相互容量方式では、検出経路Ｓの電圧の変化を、コンパレータで検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準電位の電圧との差として検出する。コンパレータで電圧差が検出されると、検出回路は、自己容量方式の場合と同様、図２２に示すように、可変移送キャパシタンス内のキャパシタＣＶを付加し、検出経路Ｓの電圧が一定になるように調整する。検出回路は、付加したキャパシタＣＶを数値化し、これを測定結果とする。Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the voltage of the detection path S periodically changes as the voltage of the first polarization path P + and the second polarization path P− is switched. In the mutual capacitance method, a change in the voltage of the detection path S is detected by a comparator as a difference between the voltage of the detection path S and the voltage of the reference potential. When the voltage difference is detected by the comparator, the detection circuit adds the capacitor CV in the variable transfer capacitance as shown in FIG. 22 as in the case of the self-capacitance method, and the voltage of the detection path S becomes constant. Adjust as follows. The detection circuit digitizes the added capacitor CV and uses it as a measurement result.

検出回路は、検出経路Ｓに接続されるｙ電極、第１分極経路Ｐ＋に接続されるｘ電極、および第２分極経路Ｐ−に接続されるｘ電極を順番に切り替えていき、どの電極がどの経路に接続されたときにどのような測定結果が得られたかに応じて、タッチパネル上のどの位置に接触体が接触しているかを検出する。   The detection circuit sequentially switches the y electrode connected to the detection path S, the x electrode connected to the first polarization path P +, and the x electrode connected to the second polarization path P−, which electrode is which Depending on what measurement results are obtained when connected to the path, it is detected at which position on the touch panel the contact body is in contact.

特表２０１１−５１０３７５号公報Special table 2011-510375 gazette

しかしながら、自己容量方式は、ＧＮＤに対する寄生容量の変化を利用しており、ｘ電極とｙ電極とが交差する箇所に発生する静電容量が、タッチパネルに接触体を接触させたときに電極と接触体との間に発生する静電容量と比べて格段に大きい。そのため、同じ検出経路Ｓに接続される電極上であっても、ｘ電極とｙ電極とが交差する箇所に接触体を接触させたときと、それ以外の箇所に接触させたときとで、検出結果に大きな違いが見られず、結果的に、接触体の容量によっては、検出経路Ｓと接続されている電極上のどの位置に接触体が接触しているかを検出するのが困難な場合があった。   However, the self-capacitance method uses a change in the parasitic capacitance with respect to GND, and the capacitance generated at the location where the x electrode and the y electrode intersect is in contact with the electrode when the contact body is brought into contact with the touch panel. It is much larger than the capacitance generated between the body. Therefore, even on the electrodes connected to the same detection path S, the detection is performed when the contact body is brought into contact with the place where the x electrode and the y electrode intersect and when the contact body is brought into contact with other places. As a result, depending on the capacity of the contact body, it may be difficult to detect which position on the electrode connected to the detection path S the contact body is in contact with. there were.

一方、相互容量方式では、検出経路に接続されている電極と第１分極経路に接続されている電極との交差する箇所での相互容量性カップリングによる静電容量の変化を利用しているため、電極の交差する箇所での接触体の接触をより確実に検出することができる。しかし、コンパレータが比較する２つの電圧のうち、タッチパネルの下に配置される表示デバイスの駆動時に発生するノイズの影響を受けるのは検出経路に接続されている電極のみであり、基準電位はノイズの影響を受けにくい（図２３参照）。そのため、図２４に示すように、ノイズによる検出経路の電圧の変動分が基準電位の電圧との差として生じ、これを接触体の接触による変動であると誤検出してしまうおそれがあった。   On the other hand, the mutual capacitance method uses a change in electrostatic capacitance due to mutual capacitive coupling at the intersection of the electrode connected to the detection path and the electrode connected to the first polarization path. The contact of the contact body at the location where the electrodes intersect can be detected more reliably. However, of the two voltages compared by the comparator, only the electrodes connected to the detection path are affected by the noise generated when driving the display device arranged under the touch panel, and the reference potential is the noise level. Not easily affected (see FIG. 23). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, the fluctuation in the voltage of the detection path due to noise occurs as a difference from the voltage of the reference potential, which may be erroneously detected as fluctuation due to contact of the contact body.

本発明の目的は、接触体の接触の検出感度が高く、かつノイズの影響を受けにくい、タッチ検出モジュールおよびそのタッチ検出モジュールでの接触体のタッチ検出方法を提供することである。   An object of the present invention is to provide a touch detection module that has high contact detection sensitivity and is not easily affected by noise, and a touch detection method of the contact body in the touch detection module.

上記目的を達成するため本発明のタッチ検出モジュールは、互いに絶縁されて配置された少なくとも１つの第１電極および少なくとも２つの第２電極を備えた電極ユニットと、静電容量の変化を利用して、前記電極ユニット上に接触体が接触したことを検出する検出回路と、複数の付加キャパシタと、を有するタッチ検出モジュールであって、
前記検出回路は、
前記第１電極と接続される、電源電圧が印加される分極経路と、
前記第２電極とそれぞれ接続される、検出経路および基準経路と、
前記検出経路の電圧と前記基準経路の電圧とを比較するコンパレータと、
前記コンパレータからの出力結果に応じて、前記コンパレータに入力される前記検出経路の電圧と前記基準経路の電圧とが等しくなるように、接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の前記付加キャパシタを前記検出経路または前記基準経路に付加させ、付加した前記付加キャパシタの値を検出値とする制御ユニットと、
を有する。In order to achieve the above object, a touch detection module of the present invention uses an electrode unit including at least one first electrode and at least two second electrodes that are insulated from each other, and a change in capacitance. A touch detection module comprising: a detection circuit that detects that a contact body is in contact with the electrode unit; and a plurality of additional capacitors,
The detection circuit includes:
A polarization path to which a power supply voltage is applied, connected to the first electrode;
A detection path and a reference path respectively connected to the second electrode;
A comparator that compares the voltage of the detection path with the voltage of the reference path;
In accordance with the output result from the comparator, the ratio of the capacitance after contact to the capacitance before contact so that the voltage of the detection path and the voltage of the reference path input to the comparator are equal. A control unit that adds the additional capacitor of the value of the value to the detection path or the reference path and uses the value of the added additional capacitor as a detection value;
Have

また、本発明のタッチ検出方法は、互いに絶縁されて配置された少なくとも１つの第１電極および少なくとも２つの第２電極を備えた電極ユニットと、静電容量の変化を利用して、前記電極ユニット上に接触体が接触したことを検出する検出回路と、複数の付加キャパシタと、を有するタッチ検出モジュールにおける接触体のタッチ検出方法であって、
前記第１電極を電源電圧が印加される分極経路に接続し、前記第２電極をそれぞれ検出経路および基準経路に接続する第１ステップと、
前記第２電極が接続された、前記検出経路の電圧および前記基準経路の電圧を比較する第２ステップと、
前記電圧の比較の結果、前記検出経路の電圧を前記基準経路の電圧が等しくなるように、接触体の接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の付加キャパシタを前記検出経路または前記基準経路に付加し、付加したキャパシタの容量値を検出値とする第３ステップとを有する。According to another aspect of the touch detection method of the present invention, the electrode unit includes at least one first electrode and at least two second electrodes that are arranged to be insulated from each other, and a change in capacitance. A touch detection method of a contact body in a touch detection module having a detection circuit for detecting that a contact body is in contact with a plurality of additional capacitors,
Connecting the first electrode to a polarization path to which a power supply voltage is applied, and connecting the second electrode to a detection path and a reference path, respectively;
A second step of comparing the voltage of the detection path and the voltage of the reference path to which the second electrode is connected;
As a result of the voltage comparison, an additional capacitor having a value corresponding to the ratio of the capacitance after contact to the capacitance before contact of the contact body is set so that the voltage of the detection path becomes equal to the voltage of the reference path. And a third step of adding to the detection path or the reference path and using the capacitance value of the added capacitor as a detection value.

本発明によれば、検出経路に接続される電極と分極経路に接続される電極との交差部で極めて高い検出値を得ることができるため、接触体の接触を高感度で検出することができる。しかも、タッチパネル外部からのノイズは検出経路および基準経路に同様に作用し、これらの電圧の比較結果には殆ど影響を与えないので、ノイズの影響を受けにくい安定した検出が可能となる。   According to the present invention, since an extremely high detection value can be obtained at the intersection between the electrode connected to the detection path and the electrode connected to the polarization path, the contact of the contact body can be detected with high sensitivity. . In addition, noise from the outside of the touch panel acts on the detection path and the reference path in the same manner, and hardly affects the comparison result of these voltages, so that stable detection that is hardly affected by noise is possible.

本発明の一実施形態によるタッチパネルモジュールのブロック図である。1 is a block diagram of a touch panel module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図１に示すタッチパネルの電極配置と、その配置によって生じる静電容量を示す模擬的な回路図である。FIG. 2 is a simulated circuit diagram showing electrode arrangement of the touch panel shown in FIG. 1 and capacitance generated by the arrangement. 図２に示す模擬的な回路図の、簡略化された等価回路図である。FIG. 3 is a simplified equivalent circuit diagram of the simulated circuit diagram shown in FIG. 2. 図２に示す領域Ａ上で接触体がタッチパネルに接触したときの、図３に対応する簡略化された等価回路図である。FIG. 4 is a simplified equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when the contact body touches the touch panel on the region A shown in FIG. 2. 図２に示す領域Ｂ上で接触体がタッチパネルに接触したときの、図３に対応する簡略化された等価回路図である。FIG. 4 is a simplified equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when the contact body touches the touch panel on the region B shown in FIG. 2. 図２に示す領域Ｃ上で接触体がタッチパネルに接触したときの、図３に対応する簡略化された等価回路図である。FIG. 4 is a simplified equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when the contact body touches the touch panel on the region C shown in FIG. 2. 図１に示すタッチパネルをディスプレイ上に置いたときの、図３に対応する簡略化された等価回路図である。FIG. 4 is a simplified equivalent circuit diagram corresponding to FIG. 3 when the touch panel shown in FIG. 1 is placed on a display. 図７に示す等価回路において、パルス状のノイズが発生したときの、Ｐ、ＳおよびＲの電圧の変化を示す図である。FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating changes in voltages of P, S, and R when pulse noise occurs in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 7. 本発明の他の実施形態によるタッチパネルモジュールのブロック図である。It is a block diagram of the touch panel module by other embodiments of the present invention. 本発明のさらに他の実施形態によるタッチスイッチモジュールの模式的回路図である。FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of a touch switch module according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 図１０に示すタッチスイッチモジュールの等価回路図である。FIG. 11 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the touch switch module shown in FIG. 10. 従来のタッチパネルの、自己容量方式による位置検出を説明するための、静電容量を考慮した模擬的な回路構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the simulated circuit structure in consideration of the electrostatic capacitance for demonstrating the position detection by the self-capacitance system of the conventional touch panel. 図１２に示す回路構成をＰ、Ｓ、Ｒに着目して表した等価回路である。13 is an equivalent circuit in which the circuit configuration illustrated in FIG. 12 is expressed by paying attention to P, S, and R. 図１３に示す等価回路を簡略化した図である。It is the figure which simplified the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 図１４に示す等価回路において、Ｓ上に被検出物を置いたときの検出手順を説明する図である。FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a detection procedure when an object to be detected is placed on S in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 14. 従来のタッチパネルの、相互容量方式による位置検出を説明するための、静電容量を考慮した模擬的な回路構成を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the simulated circuit structure in consideration of the electrostatic capacitance for demonstrating the position detection by the mutual capacitance system of the conventional touch panel. 図１６に示す回路構成をＳ、Ｐ＋、Ｐ−に着目して表した等価回路である。16 is an equivalent circuit in which the circuit configuration illustrated in FIG. 16 is expressed by paying attention to S, P +, and P−. 図１７に示す等価回路を簡略化した図である。It is the figure which simplified the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 図１８に示す等価回路において、周期的に変化する電圧をＰ＋およびＰ−に印加したときに、Ｓの電圧が一定であることを示す図である。FIG. 19 is a diagram showing that the voltage of S is constant when a periodically changing voltage is applied to P + and P− in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 18. 図１８に示す等価回路において、Ｐ＋とＳが交差する箇所に被検出物を置いたときの等価回路である。In the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 18, it is an equivalent circuit when an object to be detected is placed at a place where P + and S intersect. 図２０に示す等価回路におけるＳの電圧変化を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the voltage change of S in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 図２０に示す等価回路において、キャパシタＣＶの付加によってＳの電圧を一定とした状態を示す等価回路図である。FIG. 21 is an equivalent circuit diagram showing a state in which the voltage of S is made constant by adding a capacitor CV in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 20. 一般的な相互容量方式による検出におけるノイズの影響を説明する等価回路図である。It is an equivalent circuit diagram explaining the influence of noise in detection by a general mutual capacitance method. 図２３に示す等価回路において、パルス状のノイズが発生したときの、Ｐ＋、Ｐ−、Ｓおよび基準電位の電圧の変化を示す図である。FIG. 24 is a diagram showing changes in voltages of P +, P−, S, and a reference potential when pulsed noise occurs in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 23.

図１を参照すると、タッチパネル１０と検出回路２０とを有する、本発明の一実施形態による投影型静電容量式のタッチパネルモジュール１が示される。   Referring to FIG. 1, a projected capacitive touch panel module 1 having a touch panel 10 and a detection circuit 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

タッチパネル１０は、ｘ方向に並んで配置された複数のｘ電極Ｘ０、Ｘ１、Ｘ２・・・Ｘｎと、ｘ方向と交差する方向であるｙ方向に並んで配置された複数のｙ電極Ｙ０、Ｙ１、Ｙ２・・・Ｙｍとを有する。ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍは、それぞれ等間隔で配置されることが好ましい。また、隣り合うｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎ間のギャップおよび隣り合うｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍ間のギャップは狭く（数ｍｍ程度）、タッチパネル１０の面内方向ほぼ全領域がｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍで占められている。   The touch panel 10 includes a plurality of x electrodes X0, X1, X2,... Xn arranged side by side in the x direction and a plurality of y electrodes Y0, Y1 arranged side by side in the y direction that intersects the x direction. , Y2... Ym. The x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym are preferably arranged at equal intervals. Further, the gap between the adjacent x electrodes X0 to Xn and the gap between the adjacent y electrodes Y0 to Ym are narrow (about several mm), and almost the entire region in the in-plane direction of the touch panel 10 is the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrode Y0. ~ Ym.

ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎとｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍとは互いに絶縁されている。ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎとｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍとを絶縁するために、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎとｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍとは、絶縁層を介して積層された構成とすることができる。あるいは、例えばｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎを互いに間隔をあけて配置するとともに、もう一方の電極であるｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍを、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎの間に複数のセグメントに分割して配置し、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎを間において隣接するセグメント同士を、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎとは絶縁されて形成されたジャンパーで接続した構成とすることもできる。   The x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym are insulated from each other. In order to insulate the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym, the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym can be stacked via an insulating layer. Alternatively, for example, the x electrodes X0 to Xn are arranged at intervals, and the other electrodes y electrodes Y0 to Ym are divided into a plurality of segments between the x electrodes X0 to Xn. A segment in which the electrodes X0 to Xn are adjacent to each other may be connected by a jumper that is insulated from the x electrodes X0 to Xn.

接触体がタッチパネル１０に接触したときにｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍと接触体とのギャップを確保するため、タッチパネル１０の上面全体が誘電体部材で覆われる。誘電体部材としては、フィルム、合成樹脂シートおよびガラス板など、電極を投影し得る誘電体部材であれば任意の部材を用いることができる。   In order to secure gaps between the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym and the contact body when the contact body contacts the touch panel 10, the entire upper surface of the touch panel 10 is covered with a dielectric member. As the dielectric member, any member can be used as long as it is a dielectric member capable of projecting electrodes, such as a film, a synthetic resin sheet, and a glass plate.

タッチパネル１０は、ＬＣＤパネルなどの表示デバイス上に重ねて配置され、表示デバイスに表示された画像はタッチパネル１０を通して視認することができるようになっている。よって、タッチパネル１０を構成する部材はすべて、表示デバイスから発せられる可視光に対して透明な材料で作られている。以上説明したタッチパネル１０の構造は、公知の構造であってよい。   The touch panel 10 is placed on a display device such as an LCD panel so that an image displayed on the display device can be viewed through the touch panel 10. Therefore, all members constituting the touch panel 10 are made of a material that is transparent to visible light emitted from the display device. The structure of the touch panel 10 described above may be a known structure.

検出回路２０は、制御ユニット２１、スイッチング回路２２、可変移送キャパシタンス２３およびコンパレータ２４を有する。これらは１つの基板上に個別に構成することもできるし、１つの半導体チップの中に適宜の回路の組み合わせとして組み込むこともできる。   The detection circuit 20 includes a control unit 21, a switching circuit 22, a variable transfer capacitance 23, and a comparator 24. These can be individually configured on one substrate, or can be incorporated as an appropriate combination of circuits in one semiconductor chip.

スイッチング回路２２は、タッチパネル１０の各ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよび各ｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍを、電源に接続される分極経路Ｐ、接地電位（ＧＮＤ）、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒの何れか一つに接続するように切り替える回路である。   The switching circuit 22 is one of a polarization path P, a ground potential (GND), a detection path S, and a reference path R connected to the power source for the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym of the touch panel 10. It is a circuit which switches so that it may connect to.

コンパレータ２４は、スイッチング回路２２で切り替えられた検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒの電圧が等しいかどうかを比較する。可変移送キャパシタンス２３は、それぞれ容量値が異なり、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに任意に接続可能に設けられた複数のキャパシタ（キャパシタアレイ）を内蔵しており、これらのキャパシタの１つまたは複数を適宜組み合わせた所定の容量値のキャパシタを検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加することができる。   The comparator 24 compares whether or not the voltages of the detection path S and the reference path R switched by the switching circuit 22 are equal. The variable transfer capacitance 23 has a different capacitance value and incorporates a plurality of capacitors (capacitor arrays) that can be arbitrarily connected to the detection path S and the reference path R, and one or more of these capacitors are provided. A capacitor having a predetermined capacitance value combined as appropriate can be added to the detection path S or the reference path R.

制御ユニット２１は、スイッチング回路２２の動作を制御するとともに、コンパレータ２４からの出力に応じて、コンパレータ２４に入力される検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧が等しくなるように、可変移送キャパシタンス２３が検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加するキャパシタの容量値を制御する。スイッチング回路２２の動作の制御について、より詳しくは、制御ユニット２１は、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎのうち一つが順番に分極経路Ｐとして電源に接続され、一方、ｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍについては、隣り合う二つが組となって順番に検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒとしてコンパレータ２４に入力され、残りの電極は接地電位（ＧＮＤ）となるように、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍの接続を切り替える。   The control unit 21 controls the operation of the switching circuit 22, and in accordance with the output from the comparator 24, the voltage of the detection path S input to the comparator 24 and the voltage of the reference path R become equal to each other. 23 controls the capacitance value of the capacitor added to the detection path S or the reference path R. More specifically, in the control of the operation of the switching circuit 22, the control unit 21 has one of the x electrodes X0 to Xn sequentially connected to the power source as the polarization path P, while the y electrodes Y0 to Ym are adjacent to each other. The x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym are connected so that the two pairs are sequentially input to the comparator 24 as the detection path S and the reference path R, and the remaining electrodes have the ground potential (GND). Switch.

上記のとおり構成されたタッチパネル１０においては、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎとｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍとが交差する箇所、隣り合うｘ電極間、隣り合うｙ電極間、およびＧＮＤとの間に静電容量が発生する。この静電容量を考慮した模擬的な回路構成を図２に示す。なお、図２では、説明の簡略化のため、図１に示したタッチパネル１０のうち４つのｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘ３および４つのｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙ３についてのみ示している。   In the touch panel 10 configured as described above, there is a capacitance between a location where the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym intersect, between adjacent x electrodes, between adjacent y electrodes, and GND. Occur. A simulated circuit configuration in consideration of this capacitance is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, only the four x electrodes X0 to X3 and the four y electrodes Y0 to Y3 are illustrated in the touch panel 10 illustrated in FIG.

図２から分かるように、本実施形態の回路構成は、図１３等を用いて説明した自己容量方式をベースとしている。本実施形態による回路構成が従来の自己容量方式による回路構成と異なっている点は、以下の点である。
（１）電源電圧が印加される分極経路Ｐに接続されるのは、１つまたは２つのｘ電極のみである（図２では、ｘ電極Ｘ１が、分極経路Ｐに接続されている）。これは、相互容量方式と同様に、電極の交点でセンシングを行うためである。
（２）分極経路Ｐに接続される電極以外のすべての電極が接地される。As can be seen from FIG. 2, the circuit configuration of the present embodiment is based on the self-capacitance method described with reference to FIG. The circuit configuration according to the present embodiment is different from the circuit configuration according to the conventional self-capacitance method in the following points.
(1) Only one or two x electrodes are connected to the polarization path P to which the power supply voltage is applied (in FIG. 2, the x electrode X1 is connected to the polarization path P). This is because sensing is performed at the intersection of the electrodes as in the mutual capacitance method.
(2) All electrodes other than the electrodes connected to the polarization path P are grounded.

図２に示した回路構成を簡略化した等価回路を図３に示す。図３に示す等価回路は、自己容量方式による検出の場合の等価回路と同じである。   FIG. 3 shows an equivalent circuit obtained by simplifying the circuit configuration shown in FIG. The equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the equivalent circuit in the case of detection by the self-capacitance method.

本実施形態では、上記の回路構成に基づいて、コンパレータ２４からの出力結果に応じて、コンパレータ２４に入力される検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧が等しくなるように、接触体の接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の付加キャパシタを検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加させ、付加した付加キャパシタを検出値とする。また、本実施形態では、上記の回路構成によって、図３に示す等価回路において、ＧＮＤと検出経路Ｓとの間の静電容量ＣＧＳが、検出経路Ｓと分極経路Ｐとの間の静電容量ＣＰＳよりも大きくなるように構成されている。同様に、ＧＮＤと基準経路Ｒとの間の静電容量ＣＧＲが、基準経路Ｒと分極経路Ｐとの間の静電容量ＣＰＲよりも大きくなるように構成されている。In the present embodiment, based on the above circuit configuration, the contact of the contact body so that the voltage of the detection path S and the voltage of the reference path R input to the comparator 24 are equal to each other according to the output result from the comparator 24. An additional capacitor having a value corresponding to the ratio of the capacitance after contact with the previous capacitance is added to the detection path S or the reference path R, and the added additional capacitor is set as a detection value. Further, in the present embodiment, with the above circuit configuration, in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 3, the electrostatic capacitance C GS between the GND and the detection path S is the electrostatic capacity between the detection path S and the polarization path P. It is configured to be larger than the capacity CPS . Similarly, the capacitance C GR between the GND and the reference path R is configured to be larger than the capacitance C PR between the reference path R and the polarization path P.

図２に示す回路構成において、分極経路Ｐとなるｘ電極Ｘ１上で、かつ、検出経路Ｓとなるｙ電極Ｙ１にも基準経路Ｒとなるｙ電極Ｙ２にも重ならない位置（例えば、図中Ａで示す領域）に、ユーザの指あるいはタッチペンなどの接触体を接触させると、図４に示すように、分極経路Ｐと接触体との間に静電容量ＣＦが発生する。この静電容量ＣＦは、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲは等しい。よって、制御ユニット２１は、可変移送キャパシタンス２３に対しては何もせず、測定結果（検出値）、すなわち検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに付加されるキャパシタの容量ＣＶ＝０である。In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, a position on the x electrode X <b> 1 that becomes the polarization path P and that does not overlap the y electrode Y <b> 1 that becomes the detection path S and the y electrode Y <b> 2 that becomes the reference path R (for example, A in the figure). When a contact body such as a user's finger or a touch pen is brought into contact with the area indicated by), a capacitance CF is generated between the polarization path P and the contact body as shown in FIG. The electrostatic capacitance C F, the voltage V R of the voltage V S and the reference path R of the detection path S is equal. Therefore, the control unit 21 does nothing for the variable transfer capacitance 23, and the measurement result (detected value), that is, the capacitance C V of the capacitor added to the detection path S and the reference path R = 0.

次に、図２に示す回路構成において、検出経路Ｓとなるｙ電極Ｙ１上で、かつ、分極経路Ｐとなるｘ電極Ｘ２と重ならない位置（例えば、図中Ｂで示す領域）に接触体を接触させた場合を考える。この場合は、図５に示すように、検出経路Ｓと接触体との間に静電容量ＣＦが発生する。このとき、ＣＧＳ＝ＣＧＲ、ＣＰＳ＝ＣＰＲとすると、接触体の接触によって、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳは基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲよりも低くなる。検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲとがコンパレータ２４で比較され、その比較結果に基づいて、検出ユニット２１は、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳを基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲと等しくするようなキャパシタＣＶが検出経路Ｓ側に付加されるように、可変移送キャパシタンス２３を制御する。付加されたキャパシタの容量ＣＶは、接触体の接触によるキャパシタの変化量（＝ＣＦ）と等しく、その値をそのまま測定結果（検出値）として用いることができる。Next, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, the contact body is placed on the y electrode Y <b> 1 that becomes the detection path S and at a position that does not overlap with the x electrode X <b> 2 that becomes the polarization path P (for example, a region indicated by B in the figure). Consider the case of contact. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a capacitance CF is generated between the detection path S and the contact body. At this time, when the C GS = C GR, C PS = C PR, by contact of the contact body, the voltage V S of the detection path S is lower than the voltage V R of the reference path R. The voltage V R of the voltage V S and the reference path R of the detection path S is compared in a comparator 24, based on the comparison result, the detection unit 21, the voltage V R of the reference path R a voltage V S of the detection path S The variable transfer capacitance 23 is controlled so that a capacitor CV that is equal to is added to the detection path S side. The capacitance C V of the added capacitor is equal to the amount of change (= C F ) of the capacitor due to the contact of the contact body, and the value can be used as the measurement result (detected value) as it is.

次に、図２に示す回路構成において、検出経路Ｓとなる電極Ｙ１と分極経路Ｐとが交差する位置（例えば、図中Ｃで示す領域）に接触体を接触させた場合を考える。この場合の等価回路を図６に示す。図６において、分極経路Ｐと検出経路Ｓとの間の静電容量ＣＰＳＦは、接触体が接触したことによって、接触体が接触する前の静電容量ＣＰＳから変化した静電容量である。ＣＰＳとＣＰＲとＣＰＳＦとの間には、
ＣＰＳ＝ＣＰＲ＞ＣＰＳＦ
なる関係がある。Next, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, a case is considered in which a contact body is brought into contact with a position where the electrode Y1 serving as the detection path S and the polarization path P intersect (for example, a region indicated by C in the figure). An equivalent circuit in this case is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the capacitance C PSF between the polarization path P and the detection path S is a capacitance changed from the capacitance C PS before the contact body comes into contact with the contact body. . Between the C PS and C PR and C PSF,
C PS = C PR > C PSF
There is a relationship.

ここで、通常の自己容量方式による検出と本実施形態による検出との違い、具体的には、付加される静電容量ＣＶの求め方の違いについて、より詳しく説明する。Here, the difference between the detection by the normal self-capacitance method and the detection by the present embodiment, specifically, the difference in how to obtain the added capacitance CV will be described in more detail.

まず、通常の自己容量方式による検出について説明する。通常の自己容量方式では、すべてのｘ電極が分極経路Ｐとして電源と接続され、電源電圧（ＶＤＤ）が印加されている。そのため、ＣＰＳおよびＣＰＲの容量値は大きくなると考えられ、その値を、例えば５０ｐＦとする。また、分極経路Ｐ、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒの何れにも接続されていない電極は電気的にフローティングとされているため、検出経路Ｓとなる電極および基準経路Ｒとなる電極のＧＮＤとの容量結合は、本実施形態による検出と比べて小さいと考えられる。そこで、ＣＧＦおよびＣＧＲの容量値を、例えば１０ｐＦとする。また、接触体の静電容量ＣＦを２ｐＦとし、検出経路Ｓと基準経路Ｒとの間の静電容量ＣＰＳは、接触体の接触により１ｐＦだけ減少する、すなわちＣＰＳＦ＝４９ｐＦであると仮定する。First, detection by a normal self-capacitance method will be described. In a normal self-capacitance method, all x electrodes are connected to a power source as a polarization path P, and a power source voltage (VDD) is applied. Therefore, the capacitance value of C PS and C PR is believed to be larger, the value, for example, 50 pF. In addition, since the electrode that is not connected to any of the polarization path P, the detection path S, and the reference path R is electrically floating, the electrode that becomes the detection path S and the GND of the electrode that becomes the reference path R The capacitive coupling is considered to be small compared to the detection according to the present embodiment. Therefore, the capacitance value of C GF and C GR, eg, 10 pF. Further, the capacitance C F of the contact body is 2 pF, and the capacitance C PS between the detection path S and the reference path R decreases by 1 pF due to the contact of the contact body, that is, C PSF = 49 pF. Assume.

このとき、コンパレータ２４に入力される、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲが等しくなるためには、図６に示す等価回路において、ＣＳＲを無視すると、以下の式（１）に示す関係が成り立つということである。At this time, is input to the comparator 24, to the voltage V R of the voltage V S and the reference path R of the detection path S is equal, in the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 6, and ignoring the C SR, the following formula ( The relationship shown in 1) holds.

Figure 2014155608
式（１）を変形し、ＣＶについての式で表すと、以下の式（２）が得られる。
Figure 2014155608
 When the formula (1) is modified and expressed by the formula for CV , the following formula (2) is obtained.

Figure 2014155608
式（２）において、前述したとおり、ＣＦ＝２ｐＦ、ＣＧＳ＝ＣＧＲ＝１０ｐＦ、ＣＰＳＦ＝４９ｐＦ、およびＣＰＲ＝５０ｐＦを代入すると、検出値、すなわち可変移送キャパシタンス２３が付加するキャパシタの容量ＣＶ≒２．２４（ｐＦ）となる。
Figure 2014155608
 In Expression (2), as described above, when C F = 2 pF, C GS = C GR = 10 pF, C PSF = 49 pF, and C PR = 50 pF are substituted, the detection value, that is, the capacitance of the capacitor to which the variable transfer capacitance 23 is added. Capacitance C V ≈ 2.24 (pF).

一方、図２に示す回路構成においてＢで示す領域上に接触体を接触させた場合は、図５において、ＣＦ＝２ｐＦ、ＣＰＳ＝ＣＰＲ＝５０ｐＦ、ＣＧＳ＝ＣＧＲ＝１０ｐＦであるから、検出値、すなわち付加するキャパシタの容量ＣＶ＝２ｐＦとなる。On the other hand, when the contact body is brought into contact with the region indicated by B in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, C F = 2 pF, C PS = C PR = 50 pF, and C GS = C GR = 10 pF in FIG. Therefore, the detected value, that is, the capacitance C V of the added capacitor is 2 pF.

つまり、通常の自己容量方式による検出では、図２に示す回路構成において、Ｂで示す領域上に接触体を接触させた場合と、Ｃで示す領域上に接触体を接触させた場合とでは、検出結果がほとんど同じになる。   That is, in the detection by the normal self-capacitance method, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, when the contact body is brought into contact with the area indicated by B and when the contact body is brought into contact with the area indicated by C, The detection results are almost the same.

ところが、本実施形態では、分極経路Ｐとして電源電圧（ＶＤＤ）が印加されるｘ電極は１つまたは２つなので、ＣＰＳおよびＣＰＲは通常の自己容量方式の場合と比べて小さくなり、例えば、それぞれ５ｐＦ程度であると仮定する。また、分極経路Ｐ、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒの何れとも接続されない電極はＧＮＤに接続されるため、ＣＧＳおよびＣＧＲは通常の自己容量方式の場合と比べて大きくなり、例えば、それぞれ５０ｐＦ程度であると仮定する。それ以外の条件は、通常の自己容量方式の場合と同じである。However, in this embodiment, since one or two x electrodes are applied with the power supply voltage (VDD) as the polarization path P, CPS and CPR are smaller than those in the normal self-capacitance method. , Each is assumed to be about 5 pF. In addition, since the electrodes that are not connected to any of the polarization path P, the detection path S, and the reference path R are connected to GND, C GS and C GR are larger than those in the normal self-capacitance method, for example, 50 pF each. Assuming that The other conditions are the same as in the normal self-capacitance method.

上記の場合、図２に示す回路構成のＣで示す領域に接触体を接触させると、検出経路Ｓと基準経路Ｒとの間の静電容量ＣＰＳは接触体の接触により１ｐＦだけ減少し、図６におけるＣＰＳＦ＝４ｐＦとなる。式（２）に、ＣＦ＝２ｐＦ、ＣＧＳ＝ＳＧＲ＝５０ｐＦ、ＣＰＳＦ＝４ｐＦ、およびＣＰＲ＝５ｐＦを代入すると、検出値、すなわち可変移送キャパシタンス２３が付加するキャパシタの容量ＣＶ＝１５ｐＦとなる。In the above case, when the contact body is brought into contact with the region indicated by C in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, the capacitance C PS between the detection path S and the reference path R decreases by 1 pF due to the contact of the contact body, In FIG. 6, C PSF = 4 pF. Substituting C F = 2 pF, C GS = S GR = 50 pF, C PSF = 4 pF, and C PR = 5 pF into equation (2), the detected value, that is, the capacitance of the capacitor added by the variable transfer capacitance 23 C V = 15 pF.

本実施形態によれば、検出経路Ｓに接続される電極と分極経路Ｐに接続される電極との交点で極めて高い検出値を得ることができる。その結果、接触体の容量ＣＦが小さかったり、あるいはタッチパネル１０上に設置される誘電体部材の厚みが厚く、電極と接触体との距離が離れたりして、結果的に接触体の接触によるキャパシタの変化量が小さい場合であっても、検出経路Ｓに接続される電極と分極経路Ｐに接続される電極との交点近傍において、接触体の接触を通常の自己容量方式と比べて高感度で検出することができる。According to the present embodiment, an extremely high detection value can be obtained at the intersection of the electrode connected to the detection path S and the electrode connected to the polarization path P. By a result, small or the capacity C F of the contact body, or increasing the thickness of the dielectric member to be installed on the touch panel 10, and or away distance between the electrode contact member, resulting in contact body contacts Even when the amount of change of the capacitor is small, the contact of the contact body in the vicinity of the intersection of the electrode connected to the detection path S and the electrode connected to the polarization path P is more sensitive than the normal self-capacitance method. Can be detected.

以上説明したとおり、本実施形態のタッチパネルモジュール１は、電極が交差する領域で接触体が接触したことを検出でき、この点については相互容量方式による検出と同様である。また、ｘ電極Ｘ０〜Ｘｎおよびｙ電極Ｙ０〜Ｙｍの各経路との接続を順番に切り替えていくことも相互容量方式による検出と同様である。したがって、得られた検出値をどのように用いて接触体の接触値を検出するかについては、相互容量方式と同様とすることができる。   As described above, the touch panel module 1 of the present embodiment can detect that the contact body has contacted in the region where the electrodes intersect, and this is the same as the detection by the mutual capacitance method. Similarly to the detection by the mutual capacitance method, the connection with the respective paths of the x electrodes X0 to Xn and the y electrodes Y0 to Ym is sequentially switched. Therefore, how to use the obtained detection value to detect the contact value of the contact body can be the same as the mutual capacitance method.

例えば、まず、ｘ電極Ｘ０を分極経路Ｐに接続するとともに、ｙ電極Ｙ０およびＹ１をそれぞれ検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに接続した状態で検出値を求める。次いで、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒと接続されるｙ電極を一つずつずらしながら同様のことを最後のｙ電極Ｙｍまで繰り返す。以上のようにｘ電極Ｘ０のスキャンが終了した後、ｘ電極Ｘ１を分極経路Ｐに接続し、ｘ電極Ｘ１についても上記と同様にスキャンを実行する。これを残りのｘ電極Ｘ２〜Ｘｎについて順番に実行すると、すべての電極の交点についての検出値が得られる。得られた検出値のうち、高い検出値を示したときに分極経路Ｐに接続されたｘ電極と検出経路Ｓに接続されたｙ電極との交点が、接触体が接触している位置として検出される。   For example, first, the detected value is obtained with the x electrode X0 connected to the polarization path P and the y electrodes Y0 and Y1 connected to the detection path S and the reference path R, respectively. Next, the same operation is repeated until the last y electrode Ym while shifting the y electrodes connected to the detection path S and the reference path R one by one. After the scan of the x electrode X0 is completed as described above, the x electrode X1 is connected to the polarization path P, and the scan is performed on the x electrode X1 in the same manner as described above. When this is executed in order for the remaining x electrodes X2 to Xn, detection values for the intersections of all the electrodes are obtained. Among the obtained detection values, when a high detection value is indicated, the intersection of the x electrode connected to the polarization path P and the y electrode connected to the detection path S is detected as a position where the contact body is in contact. Is done.

ところで、タッチパネルモジュール１の使用に際して、タッチパネル１０はＬＣＤパネルなどの表示デバイス上に設置される。そのため、表示デバイスの駆動に伴うパルス状のノイズがタッチパネル１０に入ってしまうことがある。一般的には、検出感度が高くなればなるほど、ノイズを拾いやすくなる傾向がある。しかし本実施形態のタッチパネルモジュール１においては、図７に示すように、ノイズは検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに同じように作用する。そのため、図８に示すように、検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒの電圧も同じように変化し、これらがコンパレータ２４に入力されてもコンパレータ２４からの出力に変化はない。つまり、本実施形態のタッチパネルモジュール１は、高感度でありながら、耐ノイズ性にも優れている。   By the way, when the touch panel module 1 is used, the touch panel 10 is installed on a display device such as an LCD panel. For this reason, pulsed noise accompanying the drive of the display device may enter the touch panel 10. In general, the higher the detection sensitivity, the easier it is to pick up noise. However, in the touch panel module 1 of the present embodiment, noise acts on the detection path S and the reference path R in the same manner as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the voltages of the detection path S and the reference path R also change in the same way, and even if these are input to the comparator 24, the output from the comparator 24 does not change. That is, the touch panel module 1 of this embodiment is excellent in noise resistance while being highly sensitive.

上述した実施形態では、検出回路２０が、検出値を得るための付加キャパシタを可変移送キャパシタンス２３（キャパシタアレイ）として備えた例を説明した。この場合、例えば上述のように１５ｐＦという高い検出値をカバーできるようにするためには、可変移送キャパシタンス２３は、少なくとも０〜１５ｐＦの範囲の容量値から任意の容量値を選択できるように多数の付加キャパシタを備えている。例えば検出回路２０が１つの半導体チップに組み込まれた構成とした場合、チップサイズの制限等から、可変移送キャパシタンス２３が含むことのできる付加キャパシタの数および容量も制限され、必要とされるキャパシタの範囲をカバーできなくなることもある。   In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the detection circuit 20 includes the additional capacitor for obtaining the detection value as the variable transfer capacitance 23 (capacitor array) has been described. In this case, for example, in order to be able to cover a detection value as high as 15 pF as described above, the variable transfer capacitance 23 has a large number of capacitance values so that an arbitrary capacitance value can be selected from capacitance values in the range of at least 0 to 15 pF. An additional capacitor is provided. For example, when the detection circuit 20 is configured to be incorporated in one semiconductor chip, the number and capacity of additional capacitors that can be included in the variable transfer capacitance 23 are limited due to chip size limitations and the like. You may not be able to cover the range.

そこで、図９に示すように、検出回路２０とは別に、制御ユニット２１からの指令により検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに付加される外部キャパシタ３０を追加し、可変移送キャパシタンス２３ではカバーできない容量値を外部キャパシタ３０で補うようにすることもできる。外部キャパシタ３０は、例えば、可変移送キャパシタンス２３内のすべての付加キャパシタを合計した容量よりも大きい容量を持つことができる。   Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, separately from the detection circuit 20, an external capacitor 30 added to the detection path S and the reference path R according to a command from the control unit 21 is added, and the capacitance value that cannot be covered by the variable transfer capacitance 23. May be supplemented by an external capacitor 30. The external capacitor 30 may have a capacity that is larger than the total capacity of all the additional capacitors in the variable transfer capacitance 23, for example.

制御ユニット２１は、可変移送キャパシタンス２３内の付加キャパシタをすべて検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加してもまだ両者の電圧が等しくならない場合、可変移送キャパシタンス２３が付加する付加キャパシタはリセット（＝０）し、代わりに、外部キャパシタ３０を検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加する。この段階で検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧が等しくなれば、制御ユニット２１は外部キャパシタ３０の容量値を検出値とする。両者の電圧が等しくなければ、制御ユニット２１は、外部キャパシタ３０を付加したままさらに可変移送キャパシタンス２３内の付加キャパシタを、容量値が次第に大きくなるように適宜組み合わせて、検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧が等しくなるように調整する。   When the control unit 21 adds all the additional capacitors in the variable transfer capacitance 23 to the detection path S or the reference path R and the voltages of both are still not equal, the additional capacitor added by the variable transfer capacitance 23 is reset (= 0). Instead, the external capacitor 30 is added to the detection path S or the reference path R. If the voltage of the detection path S becomes equal to the voltage of the reference path R at this stage, the control unit 21 uses the capacitance value of the external capacitor 30 as the detection value. If the two voltages are not equal, the control unit 21 further combines the additional capacitors in the variable transfer capacitance 23 with the external capacitor 30 added thereto so that the capacitance value gradually increases, and the voltage of the detection path S and the reference It adjusts so that the voltage of the path | route R may become equal.

以上、本発明について、複数のｘ電極および複数のｙ電極を備えたタッチパネルを有するタッチパネルモジュールを例に挙げて説明した。しかし、本発明は、第１電極および第２電極を備えたタッチスイッチモジュールに適用することもできる。   As described above, the present invention has been described by taking as an example a touch panel module having a touch panel including a plurality of x electrodes and a plurality of y electrodes. However, the present invention can also be applied to a touch switch module including a first electrode and a second electrode.

以下、図１０を参照して、本発明の他の実施形態によるタッチスイッチモジュールについて説明する。図１０に示すタッチスイッチモジュール１００は、隣接して配置された第１および第２の２つのスイッチ１１０、１２０を有する。第１スイッチ１１０は、分極経路Ｐに接続された第１電極１１１と、検出経路Ｓに接続された第２電極１１２と、ＧＮＤに接続されたグランド電極１１３とを有する。   Hereinafter, a touch switch module according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The touch switch module 100 shown in FIG. 10 has first and second switches 110 and 120 arranged adjacent to each other. The first switch 110 includes a first electrode 111 connected to the polarization path P, a second electrode 112 connected to the detection path S, and a ground electrode 113 connected to GND.

図示した例では、第１スイッチ１１０において、第１電極１１１は、第１スイッチ１１０の上半分の領域を占めて形成されている。第２電極１１２は、第１スイッチ１１０の中央部分に配置され、グランド電極１１３は、第１電極１１１との間で第２電極１１２を取り囲むように配置されている。第２電極１１２とグランド電極１１３との境界は、両者のカップリングする面積を増やすためにジグザグ状に形成されることが好ましい。同様の理由で、検出経路ＳとＧＮＤとの間にコンデンサを設けることもできる。   In the illustrated example, in the first switch 110, the first electrode 111 is formed to occupy the upper half region of the first switch 110. The second electrode 112 is disposed in the central portion of the first switch 110, and the ground electrode 113 is disposed so as to surround the second electrode 112 with the first electrode 111. The boundary between the second electrode 112 and the ground electrode 113 is preferably formed in a zigzag shape in order to increase the area for coupling them. For the same reason, a capacitor can be provided between the detection path S and GND.

また、第２スイッチ１２０は、分極経路Ｐに接続された第１電極１２１と、基準経路Ｒに接続された第２電極１２２と、ＧＮＤに接続されたグランド電極１２３とを有する。この第２スイッチ１２０は、第１スイッチ１１０の第２電極１１２を、検出経路Ｓではなく基準経路Ｒに接続しただけで、それ以外の構成は第１スイッチ１１０と同様に構成することができる。   The second switch 120 includes a first electrode 121 connected to the polarization path P, a second electrode 122 connected to the reference path R, and a ground electrode 123 connected to GND. The second switch 120 can be configured in the same manner as the first switch 110 except that the second electrode 112 of the first switch 110 is connected to the reference path R instead of the detection path S.

なお、図示していないが、本形態のタッチスイッチモジュール１００も、前述したタッチパネルモジュールと同様、検出回路を有する。ただし、本形態では電極の切り替えは必要ないので、検出回路は、制御ユニット、複数の付加キャパシタおよびコンパレータを有する。コンパレータは、検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧とを比較する。制御ユニットは、コンパレータからの出力結果に応じて、コンパレータに入力される検出経路Ｓの電圧と基準経路Ｒの電圧とが等しくなるように、接触体の接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の付加キャパシタを検出経路Ｓまたは基準経路Ｒに付加させ、付加した付加キャパシタの値を検出値とする。   Although not shown, the touch switch module 100 of the present embodiment also has a detection circuit, like the touch panel module described above. However, since it is not necessary to switch electrodes in this embodiment, the detection circuit includes a control unit, a plurality of additional capacitors, and a comparator. The comparator compares the voltage of the detection path S with the voltage of the reference path R. In accordance with the output result from the comparator, the control unit is configured so that the voltage of the detection path S input to the comparator and the voltage of the reference path R become equal to each other after the contact with respect to the electrostatic capacitance before the contact is made. An additional capacitor having a value corresponding to the capacitance ratio is added to the detection path S or the reference path R, and the value of the added additional capacitor is set as a detection value.

図１１に、図１０に示した回路構成の等価回路を示す。図１１から明らかなように、本形態の等価回路も、図２に示した回路構成の等価回路と同様である。また、ＧＮＤと検出経路Ｓとの間の静電容量ＣＧＳが、検出経路Ｓと分極経路Ｐとの間の静電容量ＣＰＳよりも大きくなるように構成され、同様に、ＧＮＤと基準経路Ｒとの間の静電容量ＣＧＲが、基準経路Ｒと分極経路Ｐとの間の静電容量ＣＰＲよりも大きくなるように構成されている。FIG. 11 shows an equivalent circuit of the circuit configuration shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 11, the equivalent circuit of this embodiment is the same as the equivalent circuit having the circuit configuration shown in FIG. Further, the capacitance C GS between the GND and the detection path S is configured to be larger than the capacitance C PS between the detection path S and the polarization path P. Similarly, the GND and the reference path the capacitance C GR between R is configured to be larger than the capacitance C PR between the reference path R and the polarization path P.

上記のように構成されたタッチスイッチモジュール１００の動作について、代表して第１スイッチ１１０の動作を以下に説明する。   As an operation of the touch switch module 100 configured as described above, an operation of the first switch 110 will be described below as a representative.

ユーザの指やタッチペンなどの接触体が、第１スイッチ１１０の上半分、すなわち、第１電極１１１上のみの領域に接触した場合は、検出経路Ｓの自己容量に影響を及ぼさないため、コンパレータからの出力に変化はなく、測定結果（検出値）はゼロである。これは図２の回路構成においてＡで示す領域に接触した場合に相当する。   When a contact body such as a user's finger or a touch pen touches the upper half of the first switch 110, that is, the region only on the first electrode 111, the self-capacitance of the detection path S is not affected. There is no change in the output, and the measurement result (detected value) is zero. This corresponds to the case where the region indicated by A in the circuit configuration of FIG.

接触体が第１スイッチ１１０の下半分、すなわち、第２電極１１２上を含み、かつ、第１電極１１１上を含まない領域に接触した場合は、分極経路Ｐと検出経路Ｓとの間の相互容量が減少しないため、接触体の接触による第１電極の自己容量の変化分が、測定結果（検出値）として出力される。これは、図２の回路構成においてＢで示す領域に接触した場合に相当する。   When the contact body comes into contact with the lower half of the first switch 110, that is, the region that includes the second electrode 112 but does not include the first electrode 111, the mutual contact between the polarization path P and the detection path S Since the capacity does not decrease, the change in the self-capacitance of the first electrode due to the contact of the contact body is output as a measurement result (detected value). This corresponds to the case where the region indicated by B in the circuit configuration of FIG.

接触体が第１スイッチ１１０の中央部分、すなわち、第１電極１１１と第２電極１１２の両方を含む領域に接触した場合は、第１電極１１１と第２電極１１２との間の相互容量が減少し、第２電極１１２の自己容量が増加するので、最も大きな測定結果（検出値）が出力される。これは、図２の回路構成においてＣで示す領域に接触した場合に相当する。   When the contact body contacts the central portion of the first switch 110, that is, the region including both the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 111 and the second electrode 112 decreases. In addition, since the self-capacitance of the second electrode 112 increases, the largest measurement result (detected value) is output. This corresponds to the case where the region indicated by C in the circuit configuration of FIG.

以上、第１スイッチ１１０の動作について説明したが、第２スイッチ１２０についても同様である。   The operation of the first switch 110 has been described above, but the same applies to the second switch 120.

本形態のタッチスイッチモジュール１００は、前述したタッチパネルモジュールと同様の原理を採用することにより、第１スイッチ１１０および第２スイッチ１２０への接触体の接触を、高感度で検出することができ、かつ、耐ノイズス性にも優れている。   The touch switch module 100 of the present embodiment can detect contact of the contact body with the first switch 110 and the second switch 120 with high sensitivity by adopting the same principle as the touch panel module described above, and It also has excellent noise resistance.

１ タッチパネルモジュール
１０ タッチパネル
２０ 検出回路
２１ 制御ユニット
２２ スイッチング回路
２３ 可変移送キャパシタンス
２４ コンパレータ
３０ 外部キャパシタ
１００ タッチスイッチモジュール
１１０ 第１スイッチ
１２０ 第２スイッチDESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Touch panel module 10 Touch panel 20 Detection circuit 21 Control unit 22 Switching circuit 23 Variable transfer capacitance 24 Comparator 30 External capacitor 100 Touch switch module 110 1st switch 120 2nd switch

図２に示す回路構成において、分極経路Ｐとなるｘ電極Ｘ１上で、かつ、検出経路Ｓとなるｙ電極Ｙ１にも基準経路Ｒとなるｙ電極Ｙ２にも重ならない位置（例えば、図中Ａで示す領域）に、ユーザの指あるいはタッチペンなどの接触体を接触させると、図４に示すように、分極経路Ｐと接触体との間に静電容量ＣＦが発生する。この静電容量ＣＦは、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲ に影響を与えない。よって、制御ユニット２１は、可変移送キャパシタンス２３に対しては何もせず、測定結果（検出値）、すなわち検出経路Ｓおよび基準経路Ｒに付加されるキャパシタの容量ＣＶ＝０である。 In the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, a position on the x electrode X <b> 1 that becomes the polarization path P and that does not overlap the y electrode Y <b> 1 that becomes the detection path S and the y electrode Y <b> 2 that becomes the reference path R (for example, A in the figure). When a contact body such as a user's finger or a touch pen is brought into contact with the area indicated by), a capacitance CF is generated between the polarization path P and the contact body as shown in FIG. The electrostatic capacitance C F does not affect the voltage V R of the voltage V S and the reference path R of the detection path S. Therefore, the control unit 21 does nothing for the variable transfer capacitance 23, and the measurement result (detected value), that is, the capacitance C V of the capacitor added to the detection path S and the reference path R = 0.

次に、図２に示す回路構成において、検出経路Ｓとなるｙ電極Ｙ１上で、かつ、分極経路Ｐとなるｘ電極Ｘ１と重ならない位置（例えば、図中Ｂで示す領域）に接触体を接触させた場合を考える。この場合は、図５に示すように、検出経路Ｓと接触体との間に静電容量ＣＦが発生する。このとき、ＣＧＳ＝ＣＧＲ、ＣＰＳ＝ＣＰＲとすると、接触体の接触によって、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳは基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲよりも低くなる。検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳと基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲとがコンパレータ２４で比較され、その比較結果に基づいて、検出ユニット２１は、検出経路Ｓの電圧ＶＳを基準経路Ｒの電圧ＶＲと等しくするようなキャパシタＣＶが基準経路Ｒ側に付加されるように、可変移送キャパシタンス２３を制御する。付加されたキャパシタの容量ＣＶは、接触体の接触によるキャパシタの変化量（＝ＣＦ）と等しく、その値をそのまま測定結果（検出値）として用いることができる。 Next, in the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 2, the contact body is located on the y electrode Y <b> 1 that becomes the detection path S and at a position that does not overlap with the x electrode X <b> 1 that becomes the polarization path P (for example, a region indicated by B in the figure). Consider the case of touching. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a capacitance CF is generated between the detection path S and the contact body. At this time, when the C GS = C GR, C PS = C PR, by contact of the contact body, the voltage V S of the detection path S is lower than the voltage V R of the reference path R. The voltage V R of the voltage V S and the reference path R of the detection path S is compared in a comparator 24, based on the comparison result, the detection unit 21, the voltage V R of the reference path R a voltage V S of the detection path S The variable transfer capacitance 23 is controlled so that a capacitor CV that is equal to is added to the reference path R side. The capacitance C V of the added capacitor is equal to the amount of change (= C F ) of the capacitor due to the contact of the contact body, and the value can be used as the measurement result (detected value) as it is.

Claims (6)

互いに絶縁されて配置された少なくとも１つの第１電極および少なくとも２つの第２電極を備えた電極ユニットと、静電容量の変化を利用して、前記電極ユニット上に接触体が接触したことを検出する検出回路と、複数の付加キャパシタと、を有するタッチ検出モジュールであって、
前記検出回路は、
前記第１電極と接続される、電源電圧が印加される分極経路と、
前記第２電極とそれぞれ接続される、検出経路および基準経路と、
前記検出経路の電圧と前記基準経路の電圧とを比較するコンパレータと、
前記コンパレータからの出力結果に応じて、前記コンパレータに入力される前記検出経路の電圧と前記基準経路の電圧とが等しくなるように、接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の前記付加キャパシタを前記検出経路または前記基準経路に付加させ、付加した前記付加キャパシタの値を検出値とする制御ユニットと、
を有するタッチ検出モジュール。Detection of contact between the electrode unit having at least one first electrode and at least two second electrodes, which are insulated from each other, and a change in capacitance, on the electrode unit. A touch detection module having a detection circuit and a plurality of additional capacitors,
The detection circuit includes:
A polarization path to which a power supply voltage is applied, connected to the first electrode;
A detection path and a reference path respectively connected to the second electrode;
A comparator that compares the voltage of the detection path with the voltage of the reference path;
In accordance with the output result from the comparator, the ratio of the capacitance after contact to the capacitance before contact so that the voltage of the detection path and the voltage of the reference path input to the comparator are equal. A control unit that adds the additional capacitor of the value of the value to the detection path or the reference path and uses the value of the added additional capacitor as a detection value;
A touch detection module. 複数の前記第１電極がｘ方向に並んで配置されるとともに、複数の前記第２電極が、前記ｘ方向と交差する方向に並んで配置され、
前記分極電圧と個々の前記第１電極との接続、前記検出経路と個々の前記第２電極との接続および前記基準経路と前記第２電極との接続を切り替え可能に構成されたスイッチング回路をさらに有し、
前記制御ユニットは、前記分極経路に接続される１つまたは２つの前記第１電極、並びに前記検出経路および前記基準経路に接続される１つまたは２つの前記第２電極が順番に切り替えられるように前記スイッチング回路の動作を制御し、すべての第１電極と第２電極との組み合わせで前記検出値を取得し、取得した検出値に基づいて接触体の接触一を検出する、請求項１に記載のタッチ検出モジュール。The plurality of first electrodes are arranged side by side in the x direction, and the plurality of second electrodes are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the x direction,
A switching circuit configured to switch the connection between the polarization voltage and each first electrode, the connection between the detection path and each second electrode, and the connection between the reference path and the second electrode; Have
The control unit may sequentially switch one or two of the first electrodes connected to the polarization path, and one or two of the second electrodes connected to the detection path and the reference path. The operation of the switching circuit is controlled, the detection values are acquired by a combination of all the first electrodes and the second electrodes, and contact one of the contact body is detected based on the acquired detection values. Touch detection module. 複数の前記付加キャパシタの少なくとも一部が、キャパシタアレイとして前記検出回路内に組み込まれている、請求項１または２に記載のタッチ検出モジュール。   The touch detection module according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of additional capacitors are incorporated in the detection circuit as a capacitor array. 前記付加キャパシタの少なくとも一部が、前記検出回路とは別に構成された外部キャパシタとして前記検出経路および前記基準経路のいずれかに接続可能に設けられている、請求項１から３のいずれか一項に記載のタッチ検出モジュール。   4. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the additional capacitor is provided so as to be connectable to either the detection path or the reference path as an external capacitor configured separately from the detection circuit. 5. The touch detection module according to 1. 互いに絶縁されて配置された少なくとも１つの第１電極および少なくとも２つの第２電極を備えた電極ユニットと、静電容量の変化を利用して、前記電極ユニット上に接触体が接触したことを検出する検出回路と、複数の付加キャパシタと、を有するタッチ検出モジュールにおける接触体のタッチ検出方法であって、
前記第１電極を電源電圧が印加される分極経路に接続し、前記第２電極をそれぞれ検出経路および基準経路に接続する第１ステップと、
前記第２電極が接続された、前記検出経路の電圧および前記基準経路の電圧を比較する第２ステップと、
前記電圧の比較の結果、前記検出経路の電圧を前記基準経路の電圧が等しくなるように、接触体の接触前の静電容量に対する接触後の静電容量の比率分の値の付加キャパシタを前記検出経路または前記基準経路に付加し、付加したキャパシタの容量値を検出値とする第３ステップとを有するタッチ検出方法。Detection of contact between the electrode unit having at least one first electrode and at least two second electrodes, which are insulated from each other, and a change in capacitance, on the electrode unit. A touch detection method for a contact body in a touch detection module having a detection circuit and a plurality of additional capacitors,
Connecting the first electrode to a polarization path to which a power supply voltage is applied, and connecting the second electrode to a detection path and a reference path, respectively;
A second step of comparing the voltage of the detection path and the voltage of the reference path to which the second electrode is connected;
As a result of the voltage comparison, an additional capacitor having a value corresponding to the ratio of the capacitance after contact to the capacitance before contact of the contact body is set so that the voltage of the detection path becomes equal to the voltage of the reference path. And a third step of adding to the detection path or the reference path and using the capacitance value of the added capacitor as a detection value. 前記タッチ検出モジュールは、複数の前記第１電極がｘ方向に並んで配置されるとともに、複数の前記第２電極が、前記ｘ方向と交差する方向に並んで配置されており、
前記分極経路に接続する第１電極、並びに前記検出経路に接続する第２電極および前記基準電極に接続する第２電極を順番に切り替えて前記第１ステップ、第２ステップおよび第３ステップをこの順番に実行することにおってすべての第１電極と第２電極との組み合わせで前記検出値を取得し、取得した検出値に基づいて接触体の接触位置を検出することをさらに含む、請求項５に記載のタッチ検出方法。The touch detection module includes a plurality of the first electrodes arranged in the x direction and a plurality of the second electrodes arranged in a direction intersecting the x direction.
The first electrode connected to the polarization path, the second electrode connected to the detection path, and the second electrode connected to the reference electrode are sequentially switched to perform the first step, the second step, and the third step in this order. The method further includes: acquiring the detection value for all combinations of the first electrode and the second electrode in detecting the contact position of the contact body based on the acquired detection value. Touch detection method according to claim 1.
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