IP Library Granted Patent US 9,046,969
Granted Patent B2
US 9,046,969 · App. 13/110,961 · Granted Jun 2, 2015

Input device

Inventors: Shinji Kamaeguchi (Osaka, JP); Tamotsu Yamamoto (Hyogo, JP); Hiroyasu Okada (Hyogo, JP); Takaya Nakamura (Osaka, JP); Naoyuki Takagi (Shiga, JP)
Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
G06F3/044G06F3/0416G06F3/04886G06F2203/04101G06F2203/04805
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,046,969
App. No.
13/110,961
Granted
Jun 2, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An input device includes an electrode part, a switching circuit, a driving circuit, a detecting circuit, and a controller. The electrode part includes a plurality of electrode pieces. The switching circuit is formed of a plurality of switches connected to the electrode pieces respectively. The driving circuit and the detecting circuit are connected to the electrode part via the switching circuit. The controller is connected to the driving circuit, the switching circuit, and the detecting circuit. The controller controls the respective switches such that the electrode pieces are individually opened or connected to one of the driving circuit and the detecting circuit.

Claims (31)

1. An input device comprising:

an electrode part formed of electrode pieces;

a switching circuit formed of a plurality of switches connected to the electrode pieces respectively;

a driving circuit and a detecting circuit both of which are connected to the electrode part via the switching circuit; and

a controller connected to the driving circuit, the switching circuit, and the detecting circuit;

wherein the controller controls the switching circuit such that among the plurality of electrode pieces, the number of electrode pieces connected to the driving circuit decreases following a decrease in distance between an object to be detected and the electrode part;

wherein the controller controls the respective switches such that the electrode pieces are individually opened or connected to one of the driving circuit and the detecting circuit;

wherein the controller allows generating an electric field over at least a first one of the electrode pieces, the at least first one of the electrode pieces being connected to the driving circuit; and

wherein the electric field is applied to the detecting circuit through at least a second one of the electrode pieces via a space over the electrode part, the at least second one of the electrode pieces being connected to the detecting circuit.

2. The input device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the detecting circuit is a differential detection circuit.

3. The input device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the controller controls the switching circuit such that among the plurality of electrode pieces, the number of electrode pieces connected to the driving circuit at a first position close to the object to be detected is greater than the number of electrode pieces connected to the driving circuit at a second position farther from the object to be detected than the first position, and

the controller determines, based on a detection result of the detecting circuit, an electrode piece, among the electrode pieces, to which a second object to be detected has gotten close around the second position.

4. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein

the controller determines, based on a detection result of the detecting circuit, an electrode piece, among the electrode pieces, to which the object to be detected has gotten close.

5. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the controller controls the switching circuit so that, as distance between the object to be detected and the electrode decreases, accuracy in detecting the position of the object to be detected increases.

6. An input device comprising:

an electrode part formed of electrode pieces;

a switching circuit formed of a plurality of switches connected to the electrode pieces respectively;

a driving circuit and a detecting circuit both of which are connected to the electrode part via the switching circuit; and

a controller connected to the driving circuit, the switching circuit, and the detecting circuit;

wherein the controller controls the switching circuit such that among the plurality of electrode pieces, the number of electrode pieces connected to the driving circuit at a first position close to a first object to be detected is greater than the number of electrode pieces connected to the driving circuit at a second position farther from the first object to be detected than the first position;

wherein the controller determines, based on a detection result of the detecting circuit, an electrode piece, among the electrode pieces, to which a second object to be detected has gotten close around the second position;

wherein the controller controls the respective switches such that the electrode pieces are individually opened or connected to one of the driving circuit and the detecting circuit;

wherein the controller allows generating an electric field over at least a first one of the electrode pieces, the at least first one of the electrode pieces being connected to the driving circuit; and

wherein the electric field is applied to the detecting circuit through at least a second one of the electrode pieces via a space over the electrode part, the at least second one of the electrode pieces being connected to the detecting circuit.

7. The input device according to claim 6 ,

wherein the detecting circuit is a differential detection circuit.

8. The input device according to claim 6 , wherein

the controller determines, based on a detection result of the detecting circuit, an electrode piece, among the electrode pieces, to which the first object to be detected has gotten close.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2011
From: KAMAEGUCHI, SHINJI; YAMAMOTO, TAMOTSU; OKADA, HIROYASU; NAKAMURA, TAKAYA; TAKAGI, NAOYUKI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026351/0250 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2010-127471 · Jun 3, 2010 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110298735A1 · Dec 8, 2011