阅读说明：本技术 传感器装置 (Sensor device ) 是由 柿木雄飞 高田直树 于 2019-11-22 设计创作，主要内容包括：实施方式的传感器装置具备：静电电容型的触摸面板,具有多个电极；输入装置,构成为包括第一导体和第二导体的共振电路被非导体覆盖；以及传感器控制器,控制触摸面板。在触摸面板上配置有输入装置的情况下或者在配置于触摸面板上的输入装置已被操作的情况下,第一导体和第二导体中的每一导体与该触摸面板所具有的多个电极中的至少一个电极进行电容耦合。传感器控制器基于共振电路的共振频率对触摸面板所具有的多个电极中的每一电极施加电压,从而检测第一导体和第二导体在触摸面板上的位置。(The sensor device of the embodiment is provided with: an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and a sensor controller controlling the touch panel. Each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel when the input device is arranged on the touch panel or when the input device arranged on the touch panel is operated. The sensor controller applies a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, thereby detecting positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel.)

1. A sensor device is provided with:

an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes;

an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and

a sensor controller to control the touch panel,

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled with at least one of a plurality of electrodes possessed by the touch panel in a case where the input device is disposed on the touch panel or in a case where the input device disposed on the touch panel has been operated,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes provided to the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit.

2. The sensor device of claim 1,

the plurality of electrodes includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode facing the first conductor and the second electrode facing the second conductor when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

the sensor controller detects the position of the first conductor by applying a voltage to the first electrode and detects the position of the second conductor by applying a voltage to the second electrode.

3. The sensor device of claim 1,

the resonance circuit is a circuit in which an inductor and a capacitor are connected in parallel between the first conductor and the second conductor.

4. The sensor device of claim 1,

the input device is a knob which is rotatable around a rotation axis,

the first conductor and the second conductor are held by the knob and arranged on a part of a circumference around the rotation axis,

the sensor controller detects positions of the first conductor and the second conductor when a knob disposed on the touch panel is rotated.

5. The sensor device of claim 1,

the input device is configured as a button capable of switching between a first state in which the button has been pressed and a second state in which the button has not been pressed,

the first and second conductors are configured within the input device such that: in the first state, the capacitive coupling is performed with at least one of the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel, and in the second state, the capacitive coupling is not performed with the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first and second conductors when the input device is in the first state.

6. The sensor device of claim 1,

the input device is configured as a slider, the slider comprising: a first member formed to be elongated at least in one direction; and a second member formed to be slidable along the first member,

the first conductor is disposed inside the first member,

the second conductor is disposed inside the second member,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor when the second member is slid with respect to the first member.

7. The sensor device of claim 1,

the sensor controller detects positions of the first conductor and the second conductor based on a self-electrostatic capacitance of each of a plurality of electrodes possessed by the touch panel.

8. The sensor device of claim 1,

the touch panel has a plurality of electrodes including: a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting with a first direction so as to extend in the first direction; and a plurality of second electrodes arranged in the first direction so as to extend in the second direction,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first and second conductors based on mutual electrostatic capacitances between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

9. The sensor device of claim 8,

wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively opposed to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively opposed to at least one of the plurality of second electrodes when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

a first electrode opposed to the first conductor is different from a first electrode opposed to the second conductor, and a second electrode opposed to the first conductor is different from a second electrode opposed to the second conductor.

10. The sensor device of claim 1,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

acquiring a first detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit when the touch panel is powered on,

acquiring a second detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit,

the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected by comparing the first detection value and the second detection value.

11. The sensor device of claim 10,

the touch panel is mounted on a display device,

the sensor controller performs time-sharing: a first operation of displaying an image on the display device; and a second action of detecting the positions of the first conductor, the second conductor and other objects on the touch panel.

12. The sensor device of claim 11,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

updating a first detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to a second region in which the input device is disposed, based on a second detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to the second region, when the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected and the position of the other object is not detected from the second region other than the first region,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

13. The sensor device of claim 12,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

further acquiring a third detection value of each of the plurality of electrodes by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to the first region based on a non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit when the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected,

updating a first detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to the first region based on the third detection value,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

14. The sensor device of claim 10,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

further acquiring a third detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit,

updating the first detection value based on the third detection value,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

15. An input device, which is used by being disposed on a capacitive touch panel having a plurality of electrodes, includes:

a first conductor;

a second conductor;

a resonant circuit including the first conductor and the second conductor; and

a non-conductor formed to cover the resonance circuit,

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled with at least one of a plurality of electrodes possessed by the touch panel in a case where the input device is disposed on the touch panel or in a case where the input device disposed on the touch panel has been operated,

the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel are detected by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit.

16. A method performed by a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is provided with: an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and a sensor controller for controlling the touch panel, the method comprising:

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel in a case where the input device is provided on the touch panel or in a case where the input device provided on the touch panel has been operated;

applying a voltage to each electrode of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit; and

detecting a position of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor device.

Background

In general, as an interface of a display device, a sensor (for example, a touch panel) for detecting contact or proximity of an object such as a finger is put to practical use.

In recent years, it has been disclosed that an input device is disposed (mounted) on a touch panel.

In this case, although the user can operate the input device disposed on the touch panel, it is necessary to detect the operation of the input device by the user with high accuracy.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2017/094234

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor device capable of detecting a user operation with high accuracy.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

The sensor device of the embodiment is provided with: an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and a sensor controller controlling the touch panel. Each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel when the input device is provided on the touch panel or when the input device provided on the touch panel has been operated. The sensor controller detects the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes provided to the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a sensor device according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a display device mounted with a sensor device.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a planar structure of the input device.

Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a circuit configuration of a resonance circuit provided in the input device.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining a basic principle of a touch detection operation using a resonance circuit.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a relationship between each voltage and a detection value output from the detector in the touch detection operation.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection values in the touch detection operation.

Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining a case where a finger of a user is present at a position facing a drive electrode.

Fig. 10 is a diagram for explaining a case where a finger of a user is present at a position facing a drive electrode.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which electric charges are accumulated in the driving electrode system.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which charge is accumulated in the detector system.

Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining a difference in detection values when the drive electrodes are driven at the non-resonance frequency and the resonance frequency.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing one example of the first process of the sensor controller.

Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining the display writing operation and the touch detection operation performed in time division.

Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing one example of the second processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the third processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing one example of the fourth processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing one example of the fifth processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing one example of the fifth processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of the sixth processing of the sensor controller.

Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a planar structure of another example of the input device.

Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a planar structure of another example of the input device.

Fig. 24 is a diagram showing another example of a resonance circuit provided in the input device.

Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sensor device according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional structure of a display device on which a sensor device is mounted.

Fig. 27 is a diagram for explaining a basic principle of a touch detection operation using a resonance circuit.

Fig. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship among the voltages, the detection value output from the detector, and the state of the switch during the touch detection operation.

Fig. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of detection values in the touch detection operation.

Fig. 30 is a diagram for explaining a case where the position of the input device cannot be detected.

Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaining a case where the position of the input device cannot be detected.

Fig. 32 is a diagram showing an example of a planar structure of the input device.

Fig. 33 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship among conductors, drive electrodes, and detection electrodes provided in the input device.

Fig. 34 is a diagram for explaining a positional relationship among conductors, drive electrodes, and detection electrodes provided in the input device.

Detailed Description

The present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The disclosure is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the contents that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art with respect to appropriate modifications to the gist of the invention are included in the scope of the invention. In addition, in order to make the description clearer, the drawings may schematically show the width, thickness, shape, and the like of each part as compared with the actual form, but the drawings are only an example and do not limit the explanation of the present invention. In the present specification and the drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the constituent elements that exhibit the same or similar functions as those described above in the drawings, and the overlapping detailed description may be omitted as appropriate.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an external appearance of a sensor device according to the present embodiment. The sensor device 1 of the present embodiment includes a capacitance-type touch panel 2 as a sensor capable of detecting contact or proximity of an object such as a finger (hereinafter referred to as touch detection).

The capacitance type touch panel 2 includes, for example, a touch panel that performs touch detection by a Self capacitance (Self) method and touch detection by a Mutual capacitance (Mutual) method, and in the present embodiment, a description is given of a case where the touch panel 2 that performs touch detection by the Self capacitance method (hereinafter referred to as the Self capacitance type touch panel 2) is used.

Although not shown in fig. 1, the touch panel 2 is mounted on, for example, a display device (display panel). In this case, the touch panel 2 may be formed on the display surface of the display device, or may be integrated with the display device. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal display device using a liquid crystal layer, but may be an organic Electro Luminescence (EL) display device using an organic Light Emitting layer, an LED display device using an LED (Light Emitting Diode), or the like.

The sensor device 1 of the present embodiment further includes an input device disposed (attached) on the touch panel 2. The input device of the present embodiment includes, for example, input devices 3a to 3 d.

The input device 3a is, for example, an input device configured as a knob rotatable about a rotation axis. The user can rotate the input device 3a by disposing the input device 3a (knob) on the touch panel 2.

The input device 3b is an input device configured as a handle rotatable about a rotation axis. The user can rotate the input device 3b by disposing the input device 3b (handle) on the touch panel 2.

The input device 3c is an input device configured as a button that can be switched between a pressed state (first state) and an unpressed state (second state). The user can perform an operation of pressing the input device 3c (button) by disposing the input device 3c on the touch panel 2.

The input device 3d is an input device configured to include a slider formed as a member (first member) elongated at least in one direction and a member (second member) formed to be slidable along the member. The user can perform an operation of sliding the second member of the input device 3d with respect to the first member by disposing the input device 3d (slider) on the touch panel 2.

In the example shown in fig. 1, the input devices 3a to 3d are arranged on the touch panel 2, but at least one of the input devices 3a to 3d may be arranged on the touch panel 2. Note that, although the input devices 3a to 3d are described here, the input device of the present embodiment may be any member that is disposed (attached) on the touch panel 2 and used, and may be a joystick, a Jog dial (wheel), or the like, for example.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the structure of the sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, the sensor device 1 includes a touch panel 2, an input device 3, and a sensor controller 4.

As described above, the touch panel 2 is a self-capacitance type touch panel, and includes a plurality of transparent electrodes (hereinafter, referred to as drive electrodes) 21. The plurality of drive electrodes 21 are arranged in a matrix in the touch detection area 2a where contact or approach of an object to the touch panel 2 is detected. Specifically, the plurality of drive electrodes 21 are arranged in, for example, a first direction X and also arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction X. The touch detection area 2a is, for example, an area that coincides with a display area of a display device on which the touch panel 2 is mounted. The plurality of drive electrodes 21 are connected to the sensor controller 4 via wires.

The input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2. The input device 3 may be at least one of the input devices 3a to 3d shown in fig. 1. In the following description, the input device 3 disposed on the touch panel 2 will be mainly described as the above-described input device 3a (knob).

Note that the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2, but for convenience, a region 2b of the touch detection region 2a in which the input device 3 is disposed (that is, a region overlapping with the input device 3) is referred to as an input device region (first region). On the other hand, for convenience, the region 2c other than the input device region 2b in the touch detection region 2a is referred to as an input device outside region (second region).

The sensor controller 4 detects an operation of the input device 3 by the user by applying a predetermined voltage (drive signal COM) to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21. In addition, the sensor controller 4 can also detect, for example, contact or approach of a finger of the user to the input device outer area 2c (that is, operation by the user with the finger). In the present embodiment, the operation is performed by the user's finger in addition to the input device 3, but the operation may be performed by using another object such as a pen instead of the user's finger.

The detection result by the sensor controller 4 is output to, for example, an external host device 10 or the like. In the host device 10, processing corresponding to the detection result (operation by the user) is executed.

In a display area of the display device on which the touch panel 2 is mounted, a plurality of pixels (not shown) are arranged in a matrix. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a pixel switch (TFT: Thin Film Transistor), a pixel electrode, and the like. The sensor controller 4 is connected to a gate drive circuit 5 or the like, and supplies a gate control signal to (a gate electrode of) a pixel switch included in each of the plurality of pixels via the gate drive circuit 5. Thus, the sensor controller 4 writes an image signal output from the host device 10, for example, to each of the plurality of pixels via the signal line, and displays an image in the display region of the display device.

That is, in the present embodiment, the sensor controller 4 functions as a display and touch detection IC (driving unit) that performs an operation of displaying an image on the display device (display area) and an operation of detecting the position of an object on the touch panel 2 (that is, detecting an operation by a user). In the following description, for convenience, an operation (first operation) of displaying an image on the display device is referred to as a display writing operation. In the following description, for convenience, the operation (second operation) of detecting the position of the object on the touch panel 2 is referred to as a touch detection operation.

Each of the plurality of driving electrodes 21 may also serve as an electrode for image display (common electrode).

Fig. 3 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure of the display device DSP on which the sensor device 1 is mounted. The display device DSP includes a display panel PNL and an illumination device IL. In one example, the display panel PNL is a liquid crystal display panel, for example, and includes a first substrate SUB1, a second substrate SUB2, and a liquid crystal layer LC.

The first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB2 are bonded by a seal SE. The liquid crystal layer LC is held between the first substrate SUB1 and the second substrate SUB 2.

The display panel PNL incorporates the touch panel 2 of the sensor device 1. That is, the first substrate SUB1 includes the drive electrodes (common electrodes) 21 and the pixel electrodes PE of the touch panel 2. One drive electrode 21 is opposed to the plurality of pixel electrodes PE, for example.

The optical element OD1 including the polarizing plate PL1 is located between the first substrate SUB1 and the illumination device IL, and is bonded to the first substrate SUB 1. The optical element OD2 including the polarizing plate PL2 is located between the second substrate SUB2 and the cover member CV (cover glass), and is bonded to the second substrate SUB 2. The cover member CV is bonded to the optical element OD2 by a transparent adhesive AD.

Although not shown in fig. 3, the sensor controller 4 is disposed on the first substrate SUB1, for example, and is connected to the host device 10 via a flexible wiring board or the like connected to the first substrate SUB.

The input device 3 is disposed (arranged) on the surface CVa of the cover member CV. In the present embodiment, the input device 3 includes two conductors (a first conductor and a second conductor) 31a and 31b, and the conductors 31a and 31b are configured to be covered with a nonconductor 32. The conductors 31a and 31b are, for example, in contact with the touch panel 2 (cover member CV) in a state where the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2. That is, in the case where the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2, the touch panel 2 (the sensor controller 4) can detect contact or proximity (that is, touch) by the conductors 31a and 31b included in the input device 3.

In fig. 3, assuming that the input device 3 is the input device 3a described above, the nonconductor 32 is formed in the shape of a knob. In this case, the input device 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the rotation axis O. The conductors 31a and 31b are held by a non-conductor 32 formed in a knob shape and are arranged on a part of the circumference around the rotation axis O.

The input device 3 has a fixed body 33 shown in fig. 3, and is disposed (attached) to the touch panel 2 (the front surface CVa) via the fixed body 33.

Although fig. 3 shows an in-cell (embedded) type display device DSP in which the touch panel 2 is built in the display panel PNL, the display device DSP may be an out-cell (external) type or an on-cell (external) type in which the touch panel 2 is disposed in such a manner as to overlap the display panel PNL.

When the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2 as described above, for example, an operation by the user is detected in accordance with the position of the conductors 31a and 31b on the touch panel 2, which is changed by rotating the input device 3 (knob). Specifically, for example, in the case where the position of the conductor 31a (or 31b) on the touch panel 2 is moved from the first position to the second position, the touch panel 2 (sensor controller 4) can detect an operation of rotating the input device 3 so that the position of the conductor 31a on the touch panel 2 is moved from the first position to the second position.

Here, the input device 3 of the present embodiment may be operated directly (that is, by bare hands) by a finger of a user, for example, but it is also assumed that the input device is operated by a non-conductive substance such as a glove. Since it is troublesome to perform different operations (touch detection operations) when the input device is directly operated with a finger or when the input device is operated with a glove or the like, the conductors 31a and 31b are not electrically connected to the outside of the input device 3 in the present embodiment.

However, the operation of the input device 3 by the user (that is, the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b on the touch panel 2) is detected based on the change in the self-capacitance of the drive electrode 21 when the conductors 31a and 31b are in contact with or close to the touch panel 2, and then, as described above, when the conductors 31a and 31b are not electrically connected to the outside, the detection value (sensor signal) for the conductors 31a and 31b becomes small, which becomes a factor of erroneous detection.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a resonance circuit including the conductors 31a and 31b is formed inside the input device 3, and the touch detection operation is performed based on a potential change due to resonance caused by electric field coupling.

Fig. 4 shows an example of a planar structure of the input device 3 (input device 3 a). As shown in fig. 4, a resonance circuit (LC circuit) including conductors 31a and 31b, an inductor L, and a capacitor C is provided inside the input device 3 (nonconductor 32) according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2, the conductors 31a and 31b are capacitively coupled to the drive electrodes 21 disposed at positions facing the conductors 31a and 31 b.

Next, an example of a circuit configuration of a resonance circuit provided in the input device 3 will be described with reference to fig. 5.

As shown in fig. 5, the conductors 31a and 31b of the input device 3 function as capacitive coupling portions that are capacitively coupled to the drive electrodes 21 of the touch panel 2 when a voltage is applied to the drive electrodes 21. In the example shown in fig. 5, the sizes of the capacitive coupling portions (areas of the conductors 31a and 31b that are in contact with or close to the touch panel 2) are different from each other, but the sizes of the capacitive coupling portions may be the same for each of the capacitive coupling portions.

In the resonant circuit provided in the input device 3, the inductor L and the capacitor C are connected in parallel between the conductors 31a and 31 b. In the resonance circuit shown in fig. 5, a resistor R is further provided.

In the present embodiment, for example, a change (movement) in the position of the capacitive coupling portion with respect to the touch detection region 2a (the drive electrode 21) when the user operates the input device 3 is detected via such a resonance circuit. Note that a change in the area of the capacitive coupling portion (that is, the contact area) may be detected.

The basic principle of the touch detection operation using the resonance circuit provided in the input device 3 will be described below with reference to fig. 6. In the resonance circuit shown in fig. 6, the resistor R is omitted.

In the present embodiment, since the touch detection (operation) of the self-capacitance method is performed, the drive electrode 21 is alternately connected to the predetermined voltage Vdd and the detector 23 (that is, the connection is switched) via the switch 22 as shown in fig. 6.

In fig. 6, the operation of the resonance circuit when a voltage is applied to the drive electrode 21 disposed at a position facing the conductor 31b will be described. In this case, the voltage of the conductor 31a (capacitive coupling portion) is V1, the voltage of the conductor 31b (capacitive coupling portion) is V2, and the voltage of the drive electrode 21 is V3. In the present embodiment, since each of the plurality of driving electrodes 21 is sequentially driven, when a voltage is applied to the driving electrode 21 disposed at a position facing the conductor 31b, the conductor 31a is connected to GND.

In such a resonance circuit, for example, when one of the drive electrodes 21 disposed at positions facing the capacitive coupling portions (the conductors 31a and 31b) is used as a reference, the other vibrates at a resonance frequency, and resonance occurs. In the case where resonance occurs in the resonance circuit, the conductors 31a and 31b resonate in opposite phases.

As shown in fig. 6, the capacitance (electrostatic capacitance) between the conductor 31a and the electrode on the touch panel 2 side is C1, the capacitance of the capacitor C included in the resonance circuit is C2, and the capacitance between the conductor 31b and the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the conductor 31b is C3. The capacitance on the detector 23 side is also set to C4.

Here, fig. 7 shows an example of the relationship between the voltages V1 to V3 and the detection value (output) output from the detector 23 in the touch detection operation.

At the instant when the switch 22 is switched to Vdd at time t1 of the touch detection operation, no current flows through the inductor L of the resonance circuit, and therefore a potential difference is generated between V1 and V2 by the capacitance distribution of the GND-C1-C2-C3-Vdd system.

Next, since a potential difference is generated between V1 and V2, a current starts to flow through the inductor L (that is, starts to resonate at a resonant frequency determined by the inductor L and the capacitor C) during a period from time t1 to t 2.

Note that at the time t2 (that is, the time of half the cycle of resonance), the orientation of the voltage between V2 and V1 becomes opposite to the time t 1.

When the switch 22 is switched from Vdd to the detector 23 side at time t2, the potential of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the conductor 31b falls to GND, and therefore, as in the case where the switch 22 is switched to Vdd at time t1, a potential difference occurs between V1 and V2 due to capacitive division. The potential difference generated at this time is opposite to the potential difference at time t 1. In the resonance circuit of the present embodiment, since the two circuits overlap, the potential difference between V1 and V2 increases.

At the moment when the switch 22 is switched to the detector 23 side at time t2 in the detector 23, the electric charge charged to the system of the drive electrodes 21 is charged to C4. The potential on the output side of the detector 23 is in the negative direction. During the period from time t2 to t3, V2 gradually increases, and therefore the charge is further charged to C4. The period from time t2 to time t3 shown in fig. 7 corresponds to the detection period of touch detection.

As shown in fig. 8, by repeating the above-described operation, the amplitude of resonance in the resonance circuit increases, and the charge charged in the detector 23 increases for each detection period.

Here, although the description has been given of the case where a voltage is applied to the drive electrode 21 facing the conductor 31b based on the resonance frequency (that is, the drive electrode 21 is driven at the resonance frequency), the same operation is performed also in the case where a voltage is applied to the drive electrode 21 facing the conductor 31 a.

Next, a case where the user's finger is present at a position facing the drive electrode 21 (that is, the drive electrode 21 and GND hold capacitance) will be briefly described with reference to fig. 9 and 10. In fig. 9 and 10, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in fig. 6 to 8.

When the switch 22 is connected to the Vdd side at time t1 shown in fig. 10, electric charges are charged to the system of the drive electrodes 21 during the period from time t1 to t 2. Fig. 11 shows a state in which the charge q is accumulated in C3 (system a) when the switch 22 is connected to Vdd.

Next, when the switch 22 is connected to the detector 23 side at time t2, the potential of the system of the drive electrodes 21 becomes GND due to a virtual short circuit. At this time, since there is no potential difference, there is no charge in C3. Thus, the charged electric charge q is charged to C4, and a potential difference is generated across C4. Fig. 12 shows a state in which the charge q is accumulated in the C4 (system B) when the switch 22 is connected to the detector 23.

When the drive electrode 21 and the GND hold capacitances, negative charges are charged in advance by repeating the above operations.

When the capacitive coupling portion that is capacitively coupled to the drive electrode 21 is not GND, the electric charges are similarly charged when a potential difference occurs between both ends of C3.

That is, for example, even if the input device 3 is configured not to have a resonance circuit inside and the input device 3 holds only a conductor, the electric charge can be charged, but the detection value in this case is small.

In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the detection value can be increased by providing the resonance circuit including the conductors 31a and 31b inside the input device 3.

Here, the touch panel 2 generally detects a change from a state when the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on (that is, at the time of startup). Therefore, when the input device 3 is already disposed on the touch panel 2 at the time when the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on, the initial state of the input device 3 (that is, the initial positions of the conductors 31a and 31b) cannot be detected.

However, in the present embodiment, by providing the above-described resonance circuit in the input device 3, for example, even in a state where the input devices 3 (that is, the conductors 31a and 31b) are arranged at the same position, the detection values are different between a case where the touch detection operation is performed based on the non-resonance frequency and a case where the touch detection operation is performed based on the resonance frequency.

Hereinafter, a difference in detection values when the drive electrode 21 disposed at a position facing the conductor 31a or 31b is driven at the non-resonance frequency and the resonance frequency will be described with reference to fig. 13. The upper half of fig. 13 shows a case where the drive electrode 21 is driven at a non-resonant frequency (that is, a voltage is applied to the drive electrode 21 at the non-resonant frequency), and the lower half of fig. 13 shows a case where the drive electrode 21 is driven at a resonant frequency (that is, a voltage is applied to the drive electrode 21 at the resonant frequency).

As shown in the upper part of fig. 13, when the drive electrode 21 is driven at a frequency (that is, a non-resonance frequency) different from the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (input device 3), the resonance of the resonance circuit decreases, and thus the detection value decreases. On the other hand, when the drive electrode 21 is driven at the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, the input device 3 resonates, and the detection value increases.

Note that the waveform of the input device 3 shown in the upper half of fig. 13 is incorrect, but when the drive electrode 21 is driven at the non-resonant frequency, the amplitude becomes smaller than the waveform of the input device 3 when the drive electrode 21 is driven at the resonant frequency shown in the lower half of fig. 13.

In the present embodiment, as described above, by making it possible to obtain different detection values in the touch detection operation based on the off-resonance frequency and the touch detection operation based on the resonance frequency, the initial state of the input device 3 (the initial positions of the conductors 31a and 31b) is detected when the power supply to the touch panel 2 (the display device DSP mounted on the sensor device 1) is turned on.

An example of a processing procedure of the sensor controller 4 when detecting the operation of the user is described below with reference to a flowchart of fig. 14. The processing shown in fig. 14 is executed when the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on. Hereinafter, the process shown in fig. 14 is referred to as a first process of the sensor controller 4 for convenience.

When the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on, the sensor controller 4 performs a baseline detection operation (step S1). In this baseline detection operation, a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel 2 based on the non-resonance frequency (that is, each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 is driven at the resonance frequency), and the detection value of each of the drive electrodes 21 is acquired as a baseline.

When the process of step S1 is executed, the sensor controller 4 performs a touch detection operation (step S2). In the touch detection operation, a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel 2 based on the resonance frequency (that is, each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 is driven at the resonance frequency), and a detection value (hereinafter, referred to as a detection line) of each of the drive electrodes 21 is acquired.

Next, the sensor controller 4 calculates a difference (Diff) between the detection line acquired by executing the processing of step S2 and the baseline acquired by executing the processing of step S1.

Here, as described above, when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2 at the time when the power supply of the touch panel 2 is turned on, the detection value (the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the conductors 31a and 31b) that can be acquired in the baseline detection operation based on the off-resonance frequency is different from the detection value (the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the conductors 31a and 31b) that can be acquired in the touch detection operation based on the resonance frequency.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, by calculating the difference between the detection line and the baseline as described above, the position of the drive electrode 21 at which different detection values can be obtained when the baseline detection operation is performed and when the touch detection operation is performed can be detected as the position of the conductors 31a and 31 b. In this case, for example, the position of the drive electrode 21 at which a detection value having a difference value equal to or larger than a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as a threshold value) is acquired is detected. The positions of the conductors 31a and 31b detected in this way are indicated by coordinate values in the touch panel 2 (touch detection area 2 a).

Here, the sensor controller 4 determines whether or not the difference between the detection line and the baseline calculated as described above is equal to or greater than a threshold value (that is, whether or not the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2) (step S3).

When determining that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value (yes in step S3), the sensor controller 4 detects the position of the drive electrode 21 (that is, the position of the conductors 31a and 31b provided in the input device 3) at which the detected value of the difference being equal to or greater than the threshold value is acquired, and outputs the position (coordinate value) to, for example, the host device 10 (step S4). When the process of step S4 is executed, the process returns to step S2, and the process is repeated.

Here, the above-described base line is necessary to detect an object that is in contact with or close to the touch panel 2, but the detection value (detection line) in the touch detection operation may change, for example, according to a change in the environment. Therefore, the baseline compared to the detection line is preferably updated periodically.

Therefore, if it is determined in step S3 that the difference is not equal to or greater than the threshold value (no in step S3), the sensor controller 4 updates the baseline detected in step S1 (step S5). In this case, the sensor controller 4 sets the detection line acquired by executing the processing of step S2 as a baseline. When the process of step S5 is executed, the process returns to step S2 and repeats.

Note that, if the detection line is set as a baseline when the input device 3 is detected, for example, when the input device 3 is not operated (that is, the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b are not changed), the same detection line as the baseline can be acquired, and the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b cannot be detected from the difference.

Therefore, when it is determined in step S3 that the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the process of step S5 (that is, the process of updating the baseline) is not executed.

Here, although the initial state of the input device 3 is mainly detected when the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on, for example, after the process of step S21 is executed, the position (contact position) of the finger of the user with respect to the input device outer region 2c (region other than the input device region 2b) can be detected.

That is, even when the touch panel 2 (the input device outside area 2c) is operated with the finger of the user, the difference between the detection line and the baseline is equal to or larger than the threshold value, and the position of the finger of the user can be detected.

Thus, in the first processing of the sensor controller 4 shown in fig. 14, the processing of step S4 is executed when at least one of the positions of the input device 3 (conductors 31a and 31b) and the user 'S finger is detected (that is, the difference between the detection line and the baseline is equal to or greater than the threshold value), and the processing of step S5 is executed when neither of the positions of the input device 3 and the user' S finger is detected (that is, the difference between the detection line and the baseline is equal to or greater than the threshold value).

The first process of the sensor controller 4 is continuously repeated until the power supply of the touch panel 2 (the display device DSP on which the sensor device 1 is mounted) is turned off.

Here, although the processing related to the touch detection operation for detecting the operation by the user is mainly described in fig. 14, the sensor controller 4 performs the display writing operation (the operation for displaying an image) in addition to the touch detection operation.

In this case, the sensor controller 4 can perform the display writing operation and the touch detection operation in time division. Thus, as shown in fig. 15, a period (display period) during which the display writing operation is performed and a period (touch detection period) during which the touch detection operation is performed are alternately provided.

Note that fig. 15 shows only three pixels for convenience, and Sig shows an image signal written to each of a plurality of pixels during a display period, and Gate shows a Gate signal supplied to the plurality of pixels (pixel switches) to which the image signal is written during the display period. The image signal Sig and the Gate signal Gate are supplied in display line units.

In addition, fig. 15 shows an example in which the first drive electrode 21 is driven during the first touch detection period, the second drive electrode 21 is driven during the second touch detection period, and the third drive electrode 21 is driven during the third touch detection period, for example, all the drive electrodes 21 may be sequentially driven during the first touch detection period. In the present embodiment, since resonance does not occur when all the drive electrodes 21 are simultaneously driven at the same amplitude, the drive electrodes 21 may be driven so as to at least resonate.

As described above, an example of the processing procedure of the sensor controller 4 in the case where the display writing operation and the touch detection operation are performed in time division is described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 16. Here, differences from the processing shown in fig. 14 described above are mainly described. In the following description, the process shown in fig. 16 is referred to as a second process of the sensor controller 4 for convenience.

When the power of the touch panel 2 is turned on, the process of step S11 corresponding to the process of step S1 shown in fig. 14 is executed.

Next, the sensor controller 4 performs a display writing operation (step S12). Although details are omitted, in the display writing operation, for example, an image signal (pixel signal) is written for each of a plurality of pixels arranged in the display area of the display device DSP, and an image is displayed in the display area.

When the process of step S12 is executed, the processes of steps S13 to S16 equivalent to the processes of steps S2 to S5 shown in fig. 14 are executed.

When the processing of step S15 or S16 is executed, the process returns to step S12 and the processing is repeated.

As described above, when the display writing operation and the touch detection operation are performed in a time-division manner, for example, each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 can be used as an electrode for image display (common electrode), and thus, the display device DSP can be thinned.

Here, it is preferable that the baseline is periodically updated as described above, but in the processing shown in fig. 14 and 16 (the first processing and the second processing of the sensor controller 4), when the state in which the input device 3 is arranged on the touch panel 2 is maintained, the baseline cannot be updated. It is also assumed that the input device 3 continues to be used (operated) for a long period of time, and therefore, a configuration is useful in which the baseline is updated even in a state in which the input device 3 is arranged on the touch panel 2.

Hereinafter, an example of a processing procedure of the sensor controller 4 for updating the base line when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2 will be described with reference to a flowchart of fig. 17. Here, differences from the processing shown in fig. 16 described above are mainly described. In the following description, the process shown in fig. 17 is referred to as a third process of the sensor controller 4 for convenience.

When the power of the touch panel 2 has been turned on, the processes of steps S21 to S23, which correspond to the processes of steps S11 to S13 shown in fig. 16 described above, are executed.

When the process of step S23 is executed, the difference between the detection line and the base line is calculated as described above, and the position of the conductors 31a and 31b provided in the input device 3 or the position of the finger of the user can be detected based on the difference.

Here, the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the conductors 31a and 31b is different from the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position facing the finger of the user because the detection value is based on resonance in the resonance circuit. Therefore, the sensor controller 4 can determine whether to detect the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b (hereinafter referred to as the positions of the input devices 3) or the positions of the fingers of the user (hereinafter referred to as touch positions) based on the difference between the detection lines and the base lines. For example, whether the position of the input device 3 or the touch position is detected may be determined by a pattern (pattern) of the detection values.

Therefore, when the process of step S23 is executed, the sensor controller 4 determines whether or not the position of the input device 3 is detected (step S24).

If it is determined that the position of the input device 3 is detected (yes at step S24), the sensor controller 4 specifies the area on the touch panel 2 where the input device 3 is disposed (that is, the input device area 2b) (step S25). Here, since the positions (coordinate values) of the conductors 31a and 31b of the input device 3 are detected, when the conductors 31a and 31b are arranged at positions on the touch panel 2 corresponding to the coordinate values, the coordinate values of the area on the touch panel 2 occupied by the input device 3, etc., are determined as the input device area 2 b.

Next, the sensor controller 4 determines whether or not the touched position has been detected (step S26).

If it is determined that the touch position is not detected (no in step S26), the sensor controller 4 updates the baseline corresponding to the input apparatus outside area 2c (step S27).

In this case, the sensor controller 4 determines an area excluding the input device area 2b determined in step S25 described above from the touch detection area 2a as the input device outside area 2 c. The sensor controller 4 sets, as a baseline corresponding to the input apparatus outside area 2c, the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position overlapping the input apparatus outside area 2c (that is, the detection line corresponding to the input apparatus outside area 2c) among the detection values acquired by executing the processing of step S23.

When the process of step S27 is executed, the baseline corresponding to the input device outside area 2c is updated, but the baseline corresponding to the input device area 2b is not updated.

When the process of step S27 is executed, the process returns to step S22, and the process is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S26), the process returns to step S22 without executing the process in step S27, and the process is repeated.

If it is determined that the position of the input device 3 is not detected in step S24 (no in step S24), the sensor controller 4 determines whether or not the touched position is detected (step S28).

If it is determined that the touch position is not detected (no in step S28), the sensor controller 4 updates the base lines corresponding to all the touch detection areas 2a (step S29). The processing of step S29 corresponds to the processing of step S16 shown in fig. 16 (step S5 shown in fig. 14) described above, and the sensor controller 4 sets the detection line acquired by executing the processing of step S23 as a baseline. When the process of step S29 is executed, the process returns to step S22, and the process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S28 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S28), the process returns to step S22 and the process is repeated.

According to the third process of the sensor controller 4 shown in fig. 17 described above, even when the position of the input device 3 is detected (that is, the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2), if the touch position is not detected, the baseline corresponding to the input device outside area 2c can be updated. When both the position of the input device 3 and the touch position are not detected, the baseline corresponding to the touch detection area 2a is updated.

Thus, by distinguishing the update of the baseline between the area where the input device 3 is arranged (the input device area 2b) and the area other than the area (the area outside the input device 2c), the baseline corresponding to the area where the touch position (that is, the position of the finger of the user) is detected can be updated even when the input device 3 is continuously arranged.

Although not shown in fig. 17, the position of the input device 3 (conductors 31a and 31b) or the touched position detected by executing the processing of step S23 is output to the host device 10 or the like at an arbitrary timing, for example.

Here, when the third process of the sensor controller 4 is executed, the baseline corresponding to the input device outside area 2c can be updated, but the baseline corresponding to the input device area 2b cannot be updated while the input devices 3 are continuously arranged.

An example of a processing procedure of the sensor controller 4 for updating the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b will be described below with reference to a flowchart of fig. 18. Here, differences from the processing shown in fig. 17 described above are mainly described. In the following description, the process shown in fig. 18 is referred to as a fourth process of the sensor controller 4 for convenience.

When the power of the touch panel 2 has been turned on, the processes of steps S31 to S35, which correspond to the processes of steps S21 to S25 shown in fig. 17 described above, are executed. In the description of fig. 18, the touch detection operation performed in step S33 will be referred to as a first touch detection operation for convenience.

When the process of step S35 is executed, the sensor controller 4 performs a display writing operation (step S36). The processing of step S36 is similar to the processing of step S32.

Next, the sensor controller 4 performs a second touch detection operation (step S37). Each of the plurality of driving electrodes 21 is driven at the resonant frequency in the first touch detection action of step S33 described above, but each of the plurality of driving electrodes 21 is driven at the non-resonant frequency in the second touch detection action of step S37. Thereby, the sensor controller 4 acquires the detection value of each driving electrode 21 driven at the non-resonance frequency as a detection line.

When the second touch detection operation is performed, the touch position can be detected based on the difference between the detection line acquired by executing the process of step S37 and the baseline acquired by executing the process of step S31. On the other hand, since the plurality of drive electrodes 21 are driven at the non-resonant frequency in the baseline detection operation and the second touch detection operation, the position of the input device 3 cannot be detected in the second touch detection operation.

When the process of step S37 is executed, the sensor controller 4 updates the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b (step S38). In this case, the sensor controller 4 sets, as a baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b, the detection value of the drive electrode 21 disposed at the position overlapping the input device region 2b specified in step S35 (that is, the detection line corresponding to the input device region 2b) among the detection values acquired by executing the processing of step S37.

Next, the processes of steps S39 and S40 equivalent to the processes of steps S26 and S27 shown in fig. 17 are performed. The input device outside area 2c in step S40 is an area obtained by excluding the input device area 2b determined in step S35 from the touch detection area 2 a.

If it is determined in step S39 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S39), the process returns to step S32 without executing the process of step S40, and the process is repeated. When step S40 is executed, the process returns to step S32, and the process is repeated.

If it is determined in step S34 that the position of the input device 3 has not been detected (no in step S34), the processing in steps S41 and S42 corresponding to the processing in steps S28 and S29 shown in fig. 17 is executed.

If it is determined in step S41 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S41), or if the process of step S42 is executed, the process returns to step S32 and repeats.

According to the fourth processing of the sensor controller 4 shown in fig. 18 described above, when the position of the input device 3 is detected (that is, when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2), the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b is updated with the detection value (detection line) obtained by driving the plurality of drive electrodes 21 at the non-resonant frequency.

That is, by performing the touch detection operation by differentiating between the resonance drive and the non-resonance drive, the baseline corresponding to the input device area 2b can be updated even when the input device 3 is continuously arranged.

In the example shown in fig. 18, the case where the first touch detection operation (touch detection at the resonance frequency) based on the resonance frequency and the second touch detection operation (touch detection at the off-resonance frequency) based on the off-resonance frequency are alternately performed is shown, but the second touch detection operation (updating of the baseline) may be performed 1 time for n (n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times of the first touch detection operation (position detection of the input device 3), for example. The position of the input device 3 as described above can be detected in the first touch detection operation, and the touch position can be detected in the first touch detection operation and the second touch detection operation, and therefore, the report rate of the position detection of the input device 3 in this case is n/(n +1) of the detection of the touch position.

Another example of the processing procedure of the sensor controller 4 for updating the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b will be described with reference to the flowcharts of fig. 19 and 20. Here, differences from the processing shown in fig. 17 are mainly described. In the following description, the processing shown in fig. 19 and 20 is referred to as fifth processing of the sensor controller 4 for convenience.

When the power of the touch panel 2 has been turned on, the processes of steps S51 to S55, which correspond to the processes of steps S21 to S25 shown in fig. 17 described above, are executed. In the description of fig. 19 and 20, the touch detection operation performed in step S53 will be referred to as a first touch detection operation for convenience.

When the process of step S55 is executed, the sensor controller 4 updates the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b (step S56). In this case, the sensor controller 4 sets, as a baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b, the detection values of the drive electrodes 21 disposed at the position overlapping the input device region 2b determined in step S55 (that is, the detection lines corresponding to the input device region 2b) among the detection values acquired by executing the processing of step S53.

In executing the process of step S56, the processes of steps S57 and S58 equivalent to the processes of steps S26 and S27 shown in fig. 17 are executed. If it is determined in step S57 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S57), or if the process of step S58 is executed, the process of step S61 below is executed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S54 that the position of the input device 3 has not been detected (no in step S54), the processing in steps S59 and S60 equivalent to the processing in steps S28 and S29 shown in fig. 17 is executed. If it is determined in step S59 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S59), or if the process of step S60 has been executed, the process of step S61 is executed.

Next, the sensor controller 4 performs a display writing operation (step S61). The processing of step S61 is similar to the processing of step S52.

When the process of step S61 is executed, the sensor controller 4 performs the second touch detection action (step S62). The second touch detection operation in step S62 is the same as the second touch detection operation described above with reference to fig. 18. That is, in the second touch detection operation of step S62, each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 is driven at the off-resonance frequency, and the detection value of each drive electrode 21 is acquired as the detection line.

Here, for example, when it is determined in step S54 that the position of the input device 3 has been detected (that is, the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2), the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b at the time when the processing of step S62 is executed is the detection value (that is, the detection value based on the resonance frequency) acquired in the first touch detection operation of step S53.

On the other hand, in the second touch detection operation of step S62, a detection value based on the off-resonance frequency is acquired as a detection line.

In this case, for example, even when the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b of the input device 3 are changed (that is, the input device 3 is operated), the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b can be detected by calculating the difference between the detection line corresponding to the input device area 2b and the base line even when the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b are maintained (that is, the input device 3 is not operated).

Therefore, the sensor controller 4 can determine whether the position of the input device 3 (that is, the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b) has been detected (step S63).

If it is determined that the position of the input device 3 has been detected (yes at step S63), the processing of steps S64 to S67 corresponding to the processing of steps S55 to S58 described above is executed. If it is determined in step S66 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S66), or if the process in step S67 has been executed, the process returns to step S52 and the process is repeated.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S63 that the position of the input device 3 has not been detected (no in step S63), the processing in steps S68 and S69 corresponding to the processing in steps S59 and S60 described above is executed. If it is determined in step S68 that the touch position has been detected (yes in step S68), or if the process in step S69 has been executed, the process returns to step S52 and the process is repeated.

According to the fifth processing of the sensor controller 4 shown in fig. 19 and 20 described above, by alternately performing the first touch detection operation based on the resonance frequency and the second touch detection operation based on the off-resonance frequency, and detecting the difference from the previous frame, it is possible to achieve both the update of the baseline with respect to the input device region 2b and the position detection of the input device 3 (the conductors 31a and 31 b).

Here, in fig. 19 and 20, the description has been given of the processing in consideration of the case where the touch position (that is, the contact position of the finger of the user) is detected in the touch panel 2, but the processing may be simpler if the detection of the touch position is not taken into consideration.

Fig. 21 shows an example of a processing sequence of the sensor controller 4 in the case where the detection of the touched position is not taken into consideration. In the following description, the process shown in fig. 21 is referred to as a sixth process of the sensor controller 4 for convenience. The sixth process of the sensor controller 4 will be briefly described.

First, the sensor controller 4 performs a baseline detection operation (step S71). Based on this baseline detection operation, the detection value of each drive electrode 21 based on the off-resonance frequency is acquired as a baseline.

Next, the sensor controller 4 performs a first touch detection operation (step S72). In accordance with the first touch detection operation, detection values of the respective drive electrodes 21 based on the resonance frequency are acquired as detection lines.

Here, since the baseline acquired by executing the processing of step S71 is a baseline based on the non-resonance frequency and the detection line acquired by executing the processing of step S72 is a baseline based on the resonance frequency, the position of the input device 3 (conductors 31a and 31b) can be detected by calculating the difference between the baseline and the detection line.

When the process of step S72 is executed, the sensor controller 4 updates the baseline acquired by executing the process of step S71 based on the detection line acquired by executing the process of step S72 described above (step S73).

Next, the sensor controller 4 performs a second touch detection operation (step S74). In accordance with the second touch detection operation, the detection value of each drive electrode 21 based on the off-resonance frequency is acquired as a detection line.

Here, since the baseline updated in step S73 is the baseline based on the resonance frequency and the detection line acquired by executing the processing of step S74 is the detection line based on the off-resonance frequency, the position of the input device 3 (conductors 31a and 31b) can be detected by calculating the difference between the baseline and the detection line.

When the process of step S74 is executed, the sensor controller 4 further updates the baseline that has been updated in step S73, based on the detection line acquired by executing the process of step S74 described above (step S75). When the process of step S75 is executed, the process returns to step S72, and the process is repeated.

In the case where the detection of the touch position by the finger of the user is not considered, it is sufficient if the first touch detection operation based on the resonance frequency and the second touch detection operation based on the non-resonance frequency are alternately performed as shown in fig. 21, and the baseline is updated with the detection value (detection line) acquired in the touch detection operation.

In the present embodiment, the first to sixth processes have been described as the processes of the sensor controller 4, but the sensor controller 4 may execute at least one of the first to sixth processes. Further, which of the first to sixth processes is to be executed may be determined based on, for example, the specification or performance of the display device DSP (or the sensor device 1). The first to sixth processes of the sensor controller 4 may be executed in combination as appropriate.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the resonance circuit including the conductors 31a and 31b (first and second conductors) is provided in the input device 3, and when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2, the conductors 31a and 31b are capacitively coupled to at least one of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel 2. In the present embodiment, a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel based on the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, and the positions (coordinate positions) of the conductors 31a and 31b on the touch panel are detected.

In this case, for example, the position of the conductor 31a is detected by applying a voltage to the drive electrode 21 facing the conductor 31a, and the position of the conductor 31b is detected by applying a voltage to the drive electrode 21 facing the conductor 31 b. The resonance circuit of the present embodiment is configured as a circuit in which the inductor L and the capacitor C are connected in parallel between the conductors 31a and 31 b.

In the present embodiment, since the detection value for detecting the physical state of the input device 3 can be increased by such a configuration, erroneous detection of the input device 3 can be suppressed, and the operation of the input device 3 arranged on the touch panel 2 by the user can be detected with high accuracy.

In the case where the input device 3 of the present embodiment is configured as a knob (the input device 3a shown in fig. 1), the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b when the knob disposed on the touch panel 2 is rotated (that is, the operation of the user rotating the knob) can be detected.

In the present embodiment, the input device 3 is mainly described as a knob, but the input device 3 may be, for example, a handle (input device 3b shown in fig. 1), a button (input device 3c shown in fig. 1), a slider (input device 3d shown in fig. 1), or the like.

Here, fig. 22 shows an example of a planar structure of the input device 3c (button). As shown in fig. 22, a resonance circuit (LC circuit) including conductors 31a and 31b, an inductor L, and a capacitor C is provided inside the input device 3C (the nonconductor 32). The input device 3 is configured such that the conductors 31a and 31b come into contact with or approach the touch panel 2 (that is, are capacitively coupled to at least one of the plurality of drive electrodes 21) when the input device 3 is pressed. Thus, by detecting the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b when the input device 3c is pressed, the operation of the user pressing the input device 3c (button) can be detected.

Fig. 23 shows an example of a planar structure of the input device 3d (slider). As shown in fig. 23, a resonance circuit (LC circuit) including conductors 31a and 31b, an inductor L, and a capacitor C is provided inside the input device 3C (the nonconductor 32). The input device 3d is configured to be able to slide the second member along the first member formed to extend in one direction. In this case, the conductor 31a is disposed inside the first member, and the conductor 31b is disposed inside the second member. The conductors 31a and 31b are in contact with or close to the touch panel 2 while the input device 3d is disposed on the touch panel. Thus, by detecting the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b when the second member slides along the first member, the user's operation of sliding the second member can be detected.

Here, the input devices 3c (buttons) and 3d (sliders) are explained, and the input device 3b (handle) has an internal configuration substantially the same as that of the input device 3a, although the shape and size of the nonconductor 32 are different. This enables detection of a user operation for rotating the input device 3b (handle).

As shown in fig. 24, a resonance circuit including, for example, capacitors C1 and C2 may be provided inside the input device 3. According to the input device 3, for example, when the input device 3 is operated, a change in resonance due to a change in a circuit inside the input device 3 (for example, two points in the circuit are short-circuited and no longer serve as a resonance circuit, or a change in capacitance or inductance and a change in resonance frequency) can be detected as the operation by the user. Fig. 24 shows a case where the input device 3 is a button, but the configuration shown in fig. 24 may be applied to other input devices other than buttons.

In the present embodiment, the input device 3 disposed on the touch panel 2 may be any input device as long as a resonance circuit including the conductors 31a and 31b is provided therein, and may be an input device other than the input devices 3a to 3d described above.

In the present embodiment, when the touch panel 2 is powered on, a voltage is applied to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel 2 based on the off-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit, thereby obtaining a baseline (a first detection value for each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21). In addition, a detection line (a second detection value of each of the plurality of electrodes 21) is acquired by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 included in the touch panel based on the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. In the present embodiment, the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b are detected by comparing the baseline and the detection line.

In the present embodiment, with such a configuration, the initial state of the input device 3 (the initial positions of the conductors 31a and 31b) when the touch panel 2 (the display device DSP) is powered on (that is, when activated) can be detected, and the user's operation based on the change in the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b from the initial state can be detected.

In the present embodiment, the plurality of drive electrodes 21 may be used as the image display electrodes (common electrodes) to perform the display writing operation (first operation) and the touch detection operation (second operation) in a time-division manner. With this configuration, the display device DSP can be made thinner.

In the present embodiment, although the position of the input device 3 (the conductors 31a and 31b) is detected, when the touched position (the position of another object such as a finger of the user) is not detected from the input device outside area 2c, the baseline corresponding to the input device outside area 2c is updated using the detection line corresponding to the input device outside area 2 c.

In the present embodiment, when the position of the input device 3 is detected, a detection line (third detection value) corresponding to the input device region 2b may be acquired based on the off-resonance frequency, and the baseline corresponding to the input device region 2b may be updated based on the detection line.

In the present embodiment, a detection line corresponding to the touch detection region 2a may be further acquired based on the non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit (a third detection value may be acquired for each of the plurality of drive electrodes 21 by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel 2) regardless of the detection and non-detection of the position of the input device 3, and the baseline may be updated based on the detection line.

In the present embodiment, by executing the above-described processing, even when the detection value of each drive electrode 21 changes due to, for example, a change in the environment, a highly accurate touch detection operation can be performed using an appropriate baseline.

(second embodiment)

Next, a second embodiment will be described. The first embodiment described above is a sensor device including a touch panel of a self-capacitance system, but the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the sensor device includes a touch panel that performs touch detection of a mutual capacitance system (hereinafter referred to as a touch panel of a mutual capacitance system).

The appearance of the sensor device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Fig. 25 shows an example of the structure of the sensor device 1 according to the present embodiment. In fig. 25, the same components as those in fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Here, the different parts from fig. 2 are mainly described.

As shown in fig. 25, the sensor device 1 includes a touch panel 2, an input device 3, a display controller (display driver) 4a, and a touch controller (touch driver) 4 b.

The touch panel 2 is a mutual capacitance type touch panel, and includes a plurality of drive electrodes Tx and a plurality of detection electrodes Rx. The plurality of driving electrodes Tx are arranged at intervals in one direction. On the other hand, the plurality of detection electrodes Rx are arranged at intervals so as to intersect the drive electrodes Tx. In the example shown in fig. 25, the plurality of driving electrodes Tx extend in the second direction Y, for example, and are arranged side by side in the first direction X. On the other hand, the plurality of detection electrodes Rx extend in the first direction X, for example, and are arranged side by side in the second direction Y. In such a touch panel 2, an area where each of the plurality of driving electrodes Tx intersects with each of the plurality of detection electrodes Rx corresponds to the touch detection area 2 a.

The plurality of driving electrodes Tx also serve as, for example, electrodes for image display (common electrodes), and are connected to the display controller 4a via wires. The plurality of detection electrodes Rx are connected to the touch controller 4b via wires.

The input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2. The input device 3 may be at least one of the input devices 3a to 3d shown in fig. 1. In the following description, a case where the input device 3 is the input device 3a will be mainly described.

The display controller 4a and the touch controller 4b correspond to a sensor controller that controls the touch panel 2. The display controller 4a applies a predetermined voltage (drive signal COM) to each of the plurality of drive electrodes Tx. Thus, each of the plurality of driving electrodes Tx generates a capacitance (mutual capacitance) with the detection electrode Rx disposed at a position intersecting the driving electrode Tx. The touch controller 4b acquires the detection value of the detection electrode Rx and detects the operation of the input device 3 by the user. In addition, the touch controller 4b can also detect, for example, contact or approach of a finger of the user to the input device outer area 2c (that is, operation by the user with the finger). The detection result of the touch controller 4b is output to, for example, an external host device 10 or the like. In the host device 10, processing corresponding to the detection result (operation by the user) is executed.

The display controller 4a is connected to a plurality of pixels, a gate driver circuit 5, and the like arranged in a display area of the display device on which the touch panel 2 is mounted, and displays an image in the display area.

Fig. 26 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure of the display device DSP on which the sensor device 1 is mounted. In fig. 26, the same components as those in fig. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Here, the different parts from fig. 3 are mainly described.

In the first embodiment described above, the first substrate SUB1 includes the plurality of drive electrodes 21, but in the present embodiment, the first substrate SUB1 includes the plurality of drive electrodes (common electrodes) Tx, and the second substrate SUB2 includes the detection electrode Rx.

Although not shown in fig. 26, the display controller 4a is disposed on the first substrate SUB1, for example, and the touch controller 4b is disposed on a flexible wiring substrate connected to the second substrate SUB2, for example.

Fig. 26 shows an embedded display device DSP in which the touch panel 2 is embedded in the display panel PNL, but the display device DSP may be an external embedded type or an external type in which the touch panel 2 is provided so as to overlap the display panel PNL.

Here, the configuration of the input device 3 disposed on the touch panel 2 in the present embodiment is as described in the first embodiment. That is, a resonance circuit (LC circuit) including the conductors 31a and 31b, the inductor L, and the capacitor C is provided inside the input device 3. Here, a description of the circuit configuration of the resonance circuit is omitted.

Hereinafter, a basic principle of a touch detection operation using a resonance circuit provided in the input device 3 will be described with reference to fig. 27. In the resonance circuit shown in fig. 27, the resistor R is omitted.

In the present embodiment, since the touch detection (operation) of the mutual capacitance method is performed, the drive electrode Tx is connected to the predetermined voltage Vdd via the switch 24 as shown in fig. 27. The detection electrode Rx is connected to the detector 25 via a switch 26. The detection electrode Rx is connected to the detector 25 when the switch 26 is in the on state, and is connected to GND when the switch 26 is in the off state.

In fig. 27, the operation of the resonance circuit when a voltage is applied to the drive electrode Tx disposed at a position facing the conductor 31b will be described. In this case, the voltage of the conductor 31a (capacitive coupling portion) is V1, the voltage of the conductor 31b (capacitive coupling portion) is V2, and the voltage of the drive electrode Tx is V3. In the present embodiment, since each of the plurality of driving electrodes Tx is sequentially driven, when a voltage is applied to the driving electrode Tx disposed at a position facing the conductor 31a, the conductor 31a is connected to GND.

In such a resonance circuit, for example, when one of the drive electrodes 21 disposed at positions facing the capacitive coupling portions (the conductors 31a and 31b) is set as a reference, the other vibrates at a resonance frequency, and resonance occurs. In the case where resonance occurs in the resonance circuit, the conductors 31a and 31b resonate in opposite phases.

In fig. 27, the capacitance (electrostatic capacitance) between the conductor 31a and the electrode on the touch panel 2 side is denoted by C1, the capacitance of the capacitor C included in the resonance circuit is denoted by C2, the capacitance between the conductor 31b and the drive electrode Tx disposed at the position facing the conductor 31b is denoted by CTx, the capacitance between the conductor 31b and the detection electrode Rx disposed at the position facing the conductor 31b is denoted by CRx, and the capacitance between the drive electrode Tx disposed at the position facing the conductor 31a and the detection electrode Rx is denoted by CTxRx.

Here, fig. 28 shows an example of the relationship among the voltages V1 to V3, the detection value (output) output from the detector 25, and the state of the switch 26(SW) in the touch detection operation.

At the moment when the switch 24 is switched to Vdd at time t1 during the touch detection operation, a current does not flow through the inductor L of the resonance circuit, and a potential difference is generated between V1 and V2 by capacitance distribution.

In this case, the voltages of V2 and V3 rise, and therefore a current flows from the detector 25 side to Rx, and the potential on the output side of the detector 25 decreases.

Next, a potential difference is generated between V1 to V2 after time t1, and thus a current starts to flow through the inductor L (that is, resonance starts at a resonance frequency determined by the inductor L and the capacitor C).

As a result of the current flowing through inductor L, the potential of V2 drops, and therefore a current flows from the detector 25 side into conductor 31b, and the potential of the output side of detector 25 rises.

As shown in fig. 29, by repeating the above-described operation, the amplitude of resonance in the resonance circuit increases, and the charge charged in the detector 25 increases for each detection period.

Here, although the description has been given of the case where a voltage is applied to the drive electrode Tx facing the conductor 31b based on the resonance frequency (that is, the drive electrode Tx is driven at the resonance frequency), the same operation is performed also in the case where a voltage is applied to the drive electrode Tx facing the conductor 31 a.

The operation of the sensor device 1 (touch panel 2) when detecting the operation by the user in the present embodiment is as described in the first embodiment, and therefore, the detailed description thereof is omitted here. The processing performed by the sensor controller 4 in the foregoing first embodiment is performed by the display controller 4a and the touch controller 4b in the present embodiment. Specifically, the process of driving each of the plurality of driving electrodes Tx at the non-resonant frequency and the display writing action are performed by the display controller 4a, and the other processes are performed by the touch controller 4 b.

As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the sensor device 1 includes the touch panel 2 of the mutual capacitance system, by providing the resonance circuit including the conductors 31a and 31b in the input device 3, the operation of the input device 3 disposed on the touch panel 2 by the user can be detected with high accuracy as in the first embodiment.

Here, although the sensor device 1 of the present embodiment includes the touch panel 2 of the mutual capacitance type, depending on the operation of the input device 3 by the user, as shown in fig. 30, the conductors 31a and 31b included in the input device 3 may be arranged so as to face (overlap) the same drive electrode Tx.

In this case, even if a voltage is applied to the drive electrode Tx facing the conductors 31a and 31b, no potential difference is generated between the conductors 31a and 31b, and therefore the position of the input device 3 (the conductors 31a and 31b) cannot be detected.

In addition, depending on the operation of the input device 3 by the user, as shown in fig. 31, two conductors 31a and 31b provided in the input device 3 may be arranged so as to face (overlap) the same detection electrode Rx.

In this case, the two conductors 31a and 31b are cancelled out by the opposite-phase resonance, and the potential change due to the resonance cannot be acquired as the detection value because no potential is generated at the detection electrode Rx. Therefore, the position of the input device 3 (the conductors 31a and 31b) cannot be detected.

That is, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the conductors 31a and 31b face the same drive electrode Tx and face the same detection electrode Rx, there is a possibility that the position of the input device 3 cannot be detected.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the input device 3 is disposed on the touch panel 2, the input device 3 is configured to: a drive electrode Tx (first electrode) opposed to the conductor 31a (first conductor) is different from a drive electrode Tx opposed to the conductor 31b (second conductor), and a detection electrode Rx (second electrode) opposed to the conductor 31a is different from a detection electrode Rx opposed to the conductor 31 b.

Here, fig. 32 shows an example of a planar structure of the input device 3 (input device 3a) in which the non-conductor 32 is formed in a knob shape. Fig. 32 shows an example in which the conductor 31b is formed in a C-shape inside the nonconductor 32, for example.

According to the input device 3, as shown in fig. 33, the drive electrode Tx facing the conductor 31a can be made different from the drive electrode Tx facing the conductor 31 b. In addition, according to the input device 3, as shown in fig. 34, the detection electrode Rx facing the conductor 31a can be made different from the detection electrode Rx facing the conductor 31 b. In this case, it is possible to avoid the case where the position of the input device 3 (the conductors 31a and 31b) cannot be detected as described above with reference to fig. 30 and 31.

The input device 3 (conductors 31a and 31b) shown in fig. 32 is an example, and if the conductors 31a and 31b are formed so that the drive electrodes Tx facing each of the conductors 31a and 31b do not coincide with each other and the detection electrodes Rx facing each of the conductors 31a and 31b do not coincide with each other, the shapes and sizes of the conductors 31a and 31b may be different from those shown in fig. 32.

In the case where the input device 3 is a button (input device 3c), if the conductors 31a and 31b are formed as shown in fig. 22, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation where the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b cannot be detected.

Similarly, in the case where the input device 3 is a slider (input device 3d), if the conductors 31a and 31b are formed as shown in fig. 23, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation where the positions of the conductors 31a and 31b cannot be detected.

As described above, according to the embodiments, it is possible to provide a sensor device that detects an operation of a user with high accuracy.

Hereinafter, the invention of the present embodiment will be noted.

[C1]

A sensor device is provided with:

an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes;

an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and

a sensor controller to control the touch panel,

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel when the input device is provided on the touch panel or when the input device provided on the touch panel has been operated,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes provided to the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit.

[C2]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the plurality of electrodes includes: a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode facing the first conductor and the second electrode facing the second conductor when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

the sensor controller detects the position of the first conductor by applying a voltage to the first electrode and detects the position of the second conductor by applying a voltage to the second electrode.

[C3]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the resonance circuit is a circuit in which an inductor and a capacitor are connected in parallel between the first conductor and the second conductor.

[C4]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the input device is a knob which is rotatable around a rotation axis,

the first conductor and the second conductor are held by the knob and arranged on a part of a circumference around the rotation axis,

the sensor controller detects positions of the first conductor and the second conductor when a knob disposed on the touch panel is rotated.

[C5]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the input device is configured as a button capable of switching between a first state in which the button has been pressed and a second state in which the button has not been pressed,

the first and second conductors are configured within the input device such that: in the first state, the capacitive coupling is performed with at least one of the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel, and in the second state, the capacitive coupling is not performed with the plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first and second conductors when the input device is in the first state.

[C6]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the input device is configured as a slider, the slider comprising: a first member formed to be elongated at least in one direction; and a second member formed to be slidable along the first member,

the first conductor is disposed inside the first member,

the second conductor is disposed inside the second member,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor when the second member is slid with respect to the first member.

[C7]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the sensor controller detects positions of the first conductor and the second conductor based on a self-electrostatic capacitance of each of a plurality of electrodes possessed by the touch panel.

[C8]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the touch panel has a plurality of electrodes including: a plurality of first electrodes arranged in a second direction intersecting with a first direction so as to extend in the first direction; and a plurality of second electrodes arranged in the first direction so as to extend in the second direction,

the sensor controller detects the positions of the first and second conductors based on mutual electrostatic capacitances between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

[C9]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively opposed to at least one of the plurality of first electrodes when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are respectively opposed to at least one of the plurality of second electrodes when the input device is disposed on the touch panel,

a first electrode opposed to the first conductor is different from a first electrode opposed to the second conductor, and a second electrode opposed to the first conductor is different from a second electrode opposed to the second conductor.

[C10]

The sensor device of [ C1], wherein,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

acquiring a first detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit when the touch panel is powered on,

acquiring a second detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit,

the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected by comparing the first detection value and the second detection value.

[C11]

The sensor device of [ C10], wherein,

the touch panel is mounted on a display device,

the sensor controller performs time-sharing: a first operation of displaying an image on the display device; and a second action of detecting the positions of the first conductor, the second conductor and other objects on the touch panel.

[C12]

The sensor device of [ C11], wherein,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

updating a first detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to a second region in which the input device is disposed, based on a second detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to the second region, when the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected and the position of the other object is not detected from the second region other than the first region,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

[C13]

The sensor device of [ C12], wherein,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

when the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor are detected, a third detection value for each of the plurality of electrodes is further acquired by applying a voltage to the electrode corresponding to the first region based on a non-resonant frequency of the resonant circuit,

updating a first detection value acquired by applying a voltage to an electrode corresponding to the first region based on the third detection value,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

[C14]

The sensor device of [ C10], wherein,

the sensor controller operates as follows:

further acquiring a third detection value of each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel by applying a voltage to each of the plurality of electrodes based on a non-resonance frequency of the resonance circuit,

updating the first detection value based on the third detection value,

further detecting the position of the first conductor and the second conductor using the updated first detection value.

[C15]

An input device, which is used by being disposed on a capacitive touch panel having a plurality of electrodes, includes:

a first conductor;

a second conductor;

a resonant circuit including the first conductor and the second conductor; and

a non-conductor formed to cover the resonance circuit,

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel when the input device is provided on the touch panel or when the input device provided on the touch panel has been operated,

the positions of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel are detected by applying a voltage to each of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit.

[C16]

A method performed by a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is provided with: an electrostatic capacitance type touch panel having a plurality of electrodes; an input device configured such that a resonance circuit including a first conductor and a second conductor is covered with a nonconductor; and a sensor controller that controls the touch panel, the method including the steps of:

each of the first conductor and the second conductor is capacitively coupled to at least one of a plurality of electrodes provided on the touch panel when the input device is provided on the touch panel or when the input device provided on the touch panel has been operated;

applying a voltage to each electrode of a plurality of electrodes included in the touch panel based on a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit; and

detecting a position of the first conductor and the second conductor on the touch panel.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are given as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent thereof.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a sensor device; 2: a touch panel; 3. 3a, 3b, 3c, 3 d: an input device; 4: a sensor controller; 4 a: a display controller; 4 b: a touch controller; 5: a gate drive circuit; 10: a host device; 21: a drive electrode; 22. 24: a switch; 23. 25: a detector; 31a, 31 b: conductor, 32: a non-conductor; l, L: an inductor; c: capacitor, Tx: a drive electrode; rx: and a detection electrode.