JP2004214058A - Operation panel input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation panel input device having simple constitution, wherein the detection of the characteristic light signal by input operation is facilitated by reducing general light other than a characteristic light signal reaching a light receiving means 6 and increasing the relative light receiving amount of the characteristic light signal to the general light. <P>SOLUTION: The operation panel input device judges that when the light receiving means 6 detects the inherent light signal at the light emitting timing of the inherent light signal with a light emitting means 5, input operation to an operation area 30 is executed, and a convex convergent lens 12 is formed in a transparent substrate 9B portion of a back light panel 9 crossing with a light path of the inherent light signal. The inherent light signal is converged with the convergent lens 12, and emitted in the upper part of the operation area 30, and since light containing the inherent light signal in the upper part of the operation area 30 by input operation is converged and guided to the light receiving means 6, the relative light receiving amount of the inherent light signal to the general light is increased, and detection of the input operation is facilitated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to an operation panel input device for performing various input operations on home electric appliances, and more particularly, to an operation panel input device capable of performing an input operation without touching an operation panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[0003]
2. Description of the Related Art Home appliances such as a water heater and a washing machine are provided with an operation panel on which operation switches for operating these devices are collectively mounted. The operator performs a predetermined operation control on the device by operating one of the operation switches with a finger.
[0004]
However, since the normal operation panel has a structure in which the operation switch is directly pressed with a finger to operate, there is no choice but to use movable parts, and there is a problem in its durability. However, there is a problem that the touch panel becomes dirty and impairs the beauty of the operation panel.
[0005]
For this reason, a non-contact operation panel input device capable of executing a predetermined operation without directly touching the operation panel with a finger is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-100287 (page 4, FIG. 2)
[0007]
FIG. 6 shows this conventional operation panel input device 100, in which a control content for a home appliance (for example, a power supply of the home appliance is turned on) is provided inside an operation panel 101 formed of a transparent acrylic plate. ) Corresponding to a plurality of optical switch units U ₁ , U ₂ ・ ・ Is arranged.
[0008]
Each set of optical switch units U includes an infrared light emitting element 102 that emits an infrared signal of a unique frequency (hereinafter, referred to as a unique optical signal) and a red light capable of receiving the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102. And an external light receiving element 103.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 7, the unique optical signals emitted from each optical switch unit U are mutually different from each other. ₁ , U ₂ The light is repeatedly emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 at a predetermined scanning cycle T so as not to overlap with the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 6, the infrared light emitting element 102 and the infrared light receiving element 103 which form a pair in the same optical switch unit U are mounted on the surface of the printed wiring board 104 so as to be adjacent to each other. An infrared filter 105 that transmits only infrared light is provided between U and the operation panel 101.
[0011]
Therefore, the unique optical signal emitted from each set of infrared light emitting elements 102 is output to the outside through the infrared filter 105 and the operation panel 101 above the same, and the unique optical signal is output from the external light. Only the infrared ray containing the light passes through the operation panel 101 and the infrared filter 105 in the vicinity and reaches the infrared light receiving element 103.
[0012]
A microcomputer (not shown) that determines an input operation to the optical switch unit U is provided on the output side of the infrared light receiving element 103 via a band-pass filter that allows a photoelectric conversion signal having a natural frequency to pass. Therefore, only when the infrared light receiving element 103 receives the unique optical signal of the unique frequency, the photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer, whereby the natural light, other remote control transmission signals, etc. And the unique optical signal emitted from the light source.
[0013]
When there is no object that reflects the unique optical signal near the optical switch unit U, the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is received by the infrared light receiving device as a pair of the same optical switch unit U. The element 103 does not receive light, and no photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer. In this state, the microcomputer determines that the input operation on the optical switch unit U has not been performed.
[0014]
On the other hand, the optical switch unit U ₁ When an input operation is performed by, for example, bringing a finger close to the operation panel 101 on which is disposed, the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is reflected by the finger approaching above the operation panel 101, and the operation is performed again. The same optical switch unit U transmitted through the panel 101 and the infrared filter 105 ₁ Are input to the infrared light receiving element 103. The microcomputer converts the photoelectric conversion signal photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 103 into the same optical switch unit U. ₁ Of the optical switch unit U when the infrared light emitting element 102 of FIG. ₁ It is determined that an input operation has been performed with respect to, and for example, a control signal for turning on the power is output to the home electric appliance.
[0015]
At this time, the other optical switch units U ₂ In some cases, the infrared light receiving element 103 receives the unique optical signal reflected by the finger, but the optical switch unit U ₂ The photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer at a timing different from the timing at which the infrared light emitting element 102 emits the unique optical signal. ₂ Is not recognized as an input operation for.
[0016]
Generally, inside the operation panel 101, as shown in FIG. 8, a liquid crystal display panel 106 for displaying the control contents and operation method of each optical switch unit U or the operation state of the home electric appliance, and furthermore, On the other hand, a transparent substrate 108 on which a diffusion sheet 107 is adhered on the front side and a reflector 109 is adhered on the back side is arranged. The transparent substrate 108 guides light from a light source (not shown) to the entire back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 106, and functions as a backlight of the liquid crystal display panel 108.
[0017]
An output-side small hole 110 and an input-side small hole 111 are formed in the reflector 109 above the infrared light emitting element 102 and the infrared light receiving element 103, respectively, and a unique optical signal passes through these small holes 110 and 111. I am trying to do it.
[0018]
The diffusion sheet 107 covering the surface of the transparent substrate 108 diffuses the passing light such that the output side small holes 110 and the input side small holes 111 are not visible from outside the operation panel 101.
[0019]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0020]
According to the operation panel input device 100, the finger does not directly touch the operation panel 101 to stain the surface thereof, and since no moving parts are used, the durability can be improved.
[0021]
However, since the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 102 is radially dispersed on the operation panel 101, only a part thereof is reflected by the finger above the operation panel 101, and the same optical switch unit U It is input to the infrared light receiving element 103 again.
[0022]
Further, this specific optical signal is greatly attenuated when reflected by the finger, and further reciprocates through the operation panel 101, the infrared filter 105, the liquid crystal display panel 106, the transparent substrate 108, etc. which are interposed in the optical path. Therefore, the amount of light that is reflected at these boundaries as shown in FIG. 8 and reaches the infrared light receiving element 103 is extremely weak and difficult to detect.
[0023]
For the above reasons, it is difficult for the infrared light receiving element 103 to detect the specific optical signal, and particularly when the diffusion sheet 107 is interposed, the specific optical signal is also diffused, so that the detection becomes more difficult. .
[0024]
On the other hand, light (hereinafter, referred to as general light) other than a specific light signal, such as extraneous light that enters from outside the operation panel 101 and internal scattered light due to the reflection inside the operation panel 101, also enters the infrared light receiving element 103. Therefore, it was not possible to simply amplify and detect only the unique optical signal input to the infrared light receiving element 103.
[0025]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such a conventional problem, and has a simple configuration to increase the number of unique optical signals reaching the light receiving unit and to facilitate detection of the unique optical signal by an input operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation panel input device.
[0026]
Also, an operation panel input device that reduces general light reaching the light receiving means other than the unique optical signal, increases the relative light reception amount of the unique optical signal with respect to the general light, and facilitates detection of the unique optical signal by an input operation. The purpose is to provide.
[0027]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0028]
The operation panel input device according to claim 1, comprising a translucent operation panel in which an operation area is set, and a transparent substrate in which a diffusion sheet and a reflection plate are stacked on the front and back, and the operation panel is scattered by backlight light. A backlight panel that guides light outward from the rear side of the panel, and a unique optical signal is directed outward through an output side hole formed in the reflector panel and an operation area of the operation panel, which is located inside the backlight panel. Light emitting means for emitting light, and light receiving means for receiving a unique optical signal from the outside through an input side hole formed in the operation area and the reflecting plate, wherein the light receiving means An operation panel input device that determines that an input operation on an operation area has been performed when a unique light signal is detected,
The transparent substrate of the backlight panel is characterized in that a portion that intersects an optical path connecting the light emitting means and / or the light receiving means with the operation area is a convergent lens part having a convex curved surface.
[0029]
When the portion of the transparent substrate of the backlight panel that intersects with the optical path connecting the light emitting means and the operation area is a convergent lens having a convex curved surface, specific light diffused and emitted from the light emitting means. Since the signal is converged by the converging lens unit, the specific optical signal leaking out of the operation area decreases, and the luminous flux of the specific optical signal above the operation area increases.
[0030]
Further, when the portion of the transparent substrate of the backlight panel which intersects with the optical path connecting the light receiving means and the operation area is a convergent lens portion having a convex curved surface, the portion above the operation area including the unique optical signal is provided. Since the light that enters from the convergence lens unit is converged by the converging lens unit and guided to the light receiving unit, the amount of light received by the light receiving unit for internal scattered light and general light entering from outside the operation area is relatively reduced, and the detection of the unique optical signal Becomes easier.
[0031]
Since the converging lens section can be formed only by making the surface of the transparent substrate of the backlight panel a convex curved surface, it is possible to converge a unique optical signal passing through the operation area without preparing a separate member.
[0032]
Further, the operation panel input device according to claim 2 is composed of a translucent operation panel in which an operation area is set, and a transparent substrate in which a diffusion sheet and a reflection plate are stacked on the front and back, while scattering backlight light. A backlight panel that guides light outward from the back side of the operation panel, an output light hole formed in the backlight panel, and an output side hole formed in the reflector and the operation area of the operation panel remove the specific optical signal. Light-emitting means for emitting light toward the outside, and light-receiving means for receiving a unique optical signal from the outside through an input side hole formed in the operation area and the reflection plate. An operation panel input device for determining that an input operation to an operation area has been performed when the means detects a unique optical signal,
The diffusion sheet of the backlight panel is characterized in that a portion that intersects an optical path connecting the light emitting unit and / or the light receiving unit to the operation area is cut off.
[0033]
When the diffusion sheet at a portion that intersects with the optical path connecting the light emitting means and the operation area is notched, the unique optical signal diffused and emitted from the light emitting means is not diffused by the diffusion sheet and is not diffused by the diffusion sheet. Light is emitted upward.
[0034]
Further, when the diffusion sheet at a portion that intersects with the optical path connecting the light receiving unit and the operation area is notched, light entering from above the operation area including the unique optical signal is not diffused by the diffusion sheet. The light is guided to the light receiving means.
[0035]
Since the unique optical signal is not attenuated by the diffusion sheet, the detection by the light receiving means becomes easy.
[0036]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the operation panel input device, wherein the light emitting means is mounted on a front surface side of the printed wiring board arranged inside the backlight panel, and the light receiving means has a light receiving surface formed on the input side small hole of the reflecting plate. And mounted in a mounting hole formed in the printed wiring board from the back side of the printed wiring board.
[0037]
Since the light emitting means is mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board near the operation panel, the optical path of the unique optical signal is shortened, and the attenuation is reduced.
[0038]
Since the light receiving means is mounted in the mounting hole formed in the printed circuit board, the light receiving means does not directly receive the unique optical signal emitted from the light emitting means, and the amount of internal scattered light received is reduced.
[0039]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the operation panel input device 1 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 and FIG.
[0040]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the operation panel input device 1, which is attached to a housing surface of a washing machine (not shown). The operation panel input device according to the present invention is particularly suitable for a control input device such as a washing machine and a bath water heater that require waterproofness, but an input device for controlling other electric devices such as an audio device and an air conditioner. May be attached to these housings.
[0041]
In the operation panel input device 1, a rectangular transparent acrylic plate 3, a liquid crystal display panel 4, and a backlight panel 9 are laminated from the outside (the upper side in FIG. A printed wiring board 7 on which an infrared light emitting element 5 and an infrared light receiving element 6 are mounted is disposed in a stack, and the whole of them is accommodated in a case 2 made of synthetic resin.
[0042]
The case 2 is composed of a square base 2a that opens outward and a holding cover 2b that fits around the square and has a fixed frame 22 protruding above the square, and mounting screws 23 that are inserted through the flange portions of both. Are integrated. As shown in FIG. 2, the transparent acrylic plate 3 serving as an operation panel is sandwiched between the base 2 a and the fixing frame 22 of the holding cover 2 b while being screwed with the mounting screw 23, and is attached to the case 2. Positioning is fixed.
[0043]
By providing a step corresponding to the thickness of the fixing frame 22 around the transparent acrylic plate 3, the surface of the transparent acrylic plate 3 and the surface of the surrounding case 2 are aligned on the same plane. Here, the case 2 and the transparent acrylic plate 3 are bonded in a sealed state with an adhesive so that water droplets, dust, and the like do not enter the operation panel input device 1. Waterproofing and dustproofing may be performed between the case 2 and the transparent acrylic plate 3 by interposing a seal or the like in addition to an adhesive.
[0044]
The liquid crystal display panel 4 displays, through the transparent acrylic plate 3, control contents for performing an input operation on the washing machine and a predetermined display relating to the operation of the washing machine. In the initial operation mode of the washing machine shown in FIG. , 30g indicating input operations such as input of a main power source, start of selection operation, selection of a washing course, etc. are displayed together with operation areas 30A, 30B,. In this initial operation mode, a used water amount 31 estimated from the weight of the put clothes and a washing time 32 are displayed.
[0045]
The display by the liquid crystal display panel 4 is displayed under the control of a liquid crystal driver (not shown). The position and number of the display indicating the operation area and the input operation, and other displays are determined according to the operation state of the washing machine. It is designed to be variable.
[0046]
The backlight panel 9 includes a transparent substrate 9B made of a transparent acrylic plate or the like, a diffusion sheet 9A attached to the surface of the transparent substrate 9B (the surface facing the liquid crystal display panel 4), and a back side of the transparent substrate 9B. And a reflector 9C whose surface facing the transparent substrate 9B is white, and scatters the backlight emitted from the backlight source 40 (see FIG. 3) inside the transparent substrate 9B. While guiding light.
[0047]
As a result, from the outside of the transparent acrylic plate 3, a specific backlight light source is not recognized, and the entire display background of the liquid crystal display panel 4 is visually observed as if illuminated by the backlight light.
[0048]
In the present embodiment, the backlight panel 9 and the backlight light source 40 are separated from each other by the threshold plate 33 for each operation area 30, and the back of the operation area 30 is illuminated by different light sources.
[0049]
The reflecting plate 9C has a surface facing the backlight panel 9 made white by applying a white paint to the surface as described above, and reflects the backlight light into the backlight panel 9 so as not to escape downward. ing. Since the color of the backlight is white, if the backlight light is colored in a predetermined color, the background of the display by the liquid crystal display panel 4 is visually recognized as having changed to the color.
[0050]
In the reflection plate 9C, an output side small hole 34 is formed above (front side) the infrared light emitting element 5 in FIG. 3, and an input side small hole 35 is formed above the infrared light receiving element 6 in FIG. These small holes 34 and 35 are, for example, small holes having an inner diameter of about 1 to 1.5 mm. Further, since the light path is scattered by the diffusion sheet 9A on the front side of the backlight panel 9, the transparent acrylic plate 3 It is not visible from outside.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 3, the rear surface of the transparent substrate 9B facing the output side small hole 34 and the input side small hole 35 is the convergent lens portion 12 formed in a spherical convex curved surface.
[0052]
The optical axis of the converging lens portion 12 is set in the direction in which the output side small hole 34 or the input side small hole 35 is formed, that is, in the vertical direction in FIG. To protrude. Thereby, the reflection plate 9C is stuck and adhered along the rear surface of the transparent substrate 9B without interfering with the converging lens portion 12.
[0053]
The printed wiring board 7 is attached to the case 2 inside the reflecting plate 9C and parallel to the reflecting plate 9C, and seven sets of infrared light emitting elements 5 and infrared light receiving elements 6 are mounted on the printed wiring board 7. . An operation detection unit U is composed of a set of infrared light emitting elements 5 and an infrared light receiving element 6, and here, seven sets of infrared light emitting elements 5 corresponding to seven types of operation areas 30A, 30B,. Operation detection unit U comprising ₁ , U ₂ ..U ₆ Is arranged.
[0054]
The infrared light emitting element 5 serving as a light emitting means is constituted by an infrared light emitting diode here, and is mounted on the front side of the printed wiring board 7 as shown in FIG. It is soldered to the pattern on the back side. Since the infrared light emitting diode emits light on the front surface side of the printed wiring board 7, the light emission optical path is further shortened, the internal reflection is reduced, and the light emission amount to the outside is increased as compared with the case where the infrared light emitting diode is mounted from the back side. . The infrared light emitting element 5 is mounted on the printed wiring board 7 below the output side small hole 34, whereby the light emitting optical axis of the infrared light emitting element 5 is shifted by the converging lens portion 12 in the output side small hole 34. It almost matches the optical axis.
[0055]
The infrared light receiving element 6 serving as a light receiving means is constituted by a photodiode whose light receiving surface 6a is covered with an infrared filter (not shown), and is formed in the printed wiring board 7 below the input side small hole 35. It is mounted from the back side in the mounting hole 14 provided, and the legs are soldered to the pattern on the back side of the printed wiring board 7. As a result, the light receiving surface 6a of the infrared light receiving element 6 faces the input side small hole 35 from inside the mounting hole 14, and the light receiving optical axis of the infrared light receiving element 6 corresponds to the converging lens portion 12 in the input side small hole 35. It almost matches the optical axis.
[0056]
As shown in FIG. 4, the infrared light emitting element 5 is driven and controlled by the driver 15 at a natural frequency of a natural frequency of, for example, 455 kHz. The element 5 emits a unique optical signal, which is an infrared signal of 455 kHz.
[0057]
The control output terminal of the microcomputer 10 is connected to the input side of the driver 15, and the microcomputer 10 controls the drive control signals of the drivers 15 of each set so as not to be simultaneously output. Thereby, the unique optical signals emitted from the operation detection units U are emitted from the respective infrared light emitting elements 5 at timings that do not overlap each other, as shown in FIG.
[0058]
A band pass filter 16 is connected to the output of the infrared light receiving element 6. The band-pass filter 16 outputs a photoelectric conversion signal having a natural frequency of 455 kHz, which has been photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 6, to the waveform shaping circuit 17, and accordingly, the infrared light receiving element 6 receives the unique light signal. Only when this is done, the photoelectric conversion signal is output to the microcomputer 10 via the waveform shaping circuit 17. Thus, the natural light, another remote control transmission signal, and the like, and the unique optical signal emitted from the infrared light emitting element 5 can be identified by the light receiving means 6.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel input device 1 configured as described above almost coincides with the emission optical axis of the infrared light emitting element 5 and the optical axis of the converging lens unit 12 in the output side small hole 34. The unique optical signal is converged by the converging lens 12 and emitted above the operation area 30. That is, the emission directivity angle α of the infrared light emitting element 5 _O Angle β _O Therefore, the intrinsic light signal leaking out of the operation area 30 decreases, and the light flux above the operation area 30 increases.
[0060]
Further, since the light receiving optical axis of the infrared light receiving element 6 substantially coincides with the optical axis of the converging lens portion 12 in the input side small hole 35, the light receiving directivity angle α _I Smaller angle β _I Thus, light above the operation area 30 is received, and extraneous light entering from outside the operation area 30 is reduced. Further, since the light receiving surface 6a of the infrared light receiving element 6 is disposed in the mounting hole 14, it is difficult to receive the internally reflected light and the like, and the infrared light receiving element 6 is located above the operation area 30 including the unique light signal. Light is mainly received, and the amount of received general light such as internal scattered light is reduced.
[0061]
When there is no object above the operation area 30 that reflects the unique light signal, the infrared light receiving element 6 does not receive the unique light signal, and the microcomputer 10 sends the photoelectric conversion signal from the waveform shaping circuit 17 to the microcomputer 10. Is not output. In this state, the microcomputer 10 determines that the input operation has not been performed on the operation area 30 and does not output a control signal to the washing machine.
[0062]
On the other hand, when the finger 11 approaches the specific operation area 30 to perform “input of the main power” displayed on the operation area 30A, for example, the operation detection provided for the operation area 30A is performed. Unit U ₁ Since the unique light signal is periodically emitted from the infrared light emitting element 5 to the outside of the operation area 30A, the unique light signal is reflected by the finger 11, and again the same operation detection unit U in the operation area 30A. ₁ Are input to the infrared light receiving element 6. The microcomputer 10 converts the photoelectric conversion signal photoelectrically converted by the infrared light receiving element 6 into the same operation detection unit U ₁ Is input almost simultaneously with the timing at which the infrared light-emitting element 5 emits a unique optical signal. Therefore, it is assumed that the input operation has been performed on the operation area 30A, and the main power supply to the washing machine is turned on Output a signal.
[0063]
At this time, another operation detection unit (for example, U ₂ In some cases, the infrared light emitting element 5) receives the unique optical signal reflected by the finger 11, but the operation detection unit U ₂ The photoelectric conversion signal is input to the microcomputer 10 at a timing different from the timing at which the infrared light emitting element 5 emits the unique optical signal. ₂ Is not recognized as an input operation for.
[0064]
When the microcomputer 10 recognizes that an input operation has been performed on the operation area 30A, the backlight light source 40 illuminating the back of the area 30A is turned on, and the backlight light is guided to the backlight panel 9 on the back side. . Therefore, the operator can know whether the input operation to the operation area 30A is correctly recognized by the illumination on the back surface of the operation area 30A.
[0065]
The backlight light source 40 may blink to guide the operator to the next operation. For example, in the initial operation mode in FIG. 1, when waiting for the input of course washing, After the backlight light is guided to the backlight panel 9 on the back side of the operation area 30C, and after it is determined that the input operation to the operation area 30C has been performed, the "normal" , "Wool", "hand washing", and "dry", the backlight may be guided to the backlight panels 9 of the operation areas 30D, 30E, 30F, and 30G.
[0066]
When the operation area 30 has a relatively large area, such as the operation area 30C, the operation detection unit U provided corresponding to one operation area 30 has a plurality of infrared light-emissions that are simultaneously controlled. An element 5 and a plurality of infrared light receiving elements 6 are used. That is, the output side small hole 34, the input side small hole 35, and the mounting hole 14 are respectively formed inside the plurality of dispersed positions in the operation area 30C, and the lower side of the output side small hole 34 and the inside of the mounting hole 14 are formed. An infrared light emitting element 5 and an infrared light receiving element 6 are arranged. Although one infrared light receiving element 6 can detect only a part of the unique light signal reflected from the outside of the operation area 30 through the input side small hole 35 having a small diameter that cannot be visually recognized, a large number of infrared light receiving elements 6 Are arranged in a distributed manner, even if the operation area 30 is wide, the reflected unique optical signal can be reliably detected by any of the infrared light receiving elements 6. In a case where it is necessary to receive a unique optical signal that is reflected in a wide area as described above, it is not always necessary to provide the converging lens unit 12 at the corresponding portions of all the input side holes 35 and the output side holes 34. Good.
[0067]
FIG. 5 shows a main part of an operation panel input device 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Except for the diffusion sheet 9E and the transparent substrate 9D of the backlight panel 9, other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Since it is the same as the input device 1 according to the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0068]
In the present embodiment, in order to increase the amount of the specific optical signal received by the infrared light receiving element 6 which is reflected above the operation area 30, the portion of the diffusion sheet 9 </ b> E intersecting with the optical path of the specific optical signal is cut. The notch 52 is formed so that the unique optical signal is not diffused.
[0069]
The notch 52 formed in the diffusion sheet 9E is formed above the output side small hole 34 and the input side small hole 35, and has a shape that does not block light passing through these small holes 34, 35. Desirably, the inner diameter is slightly larger than the inner diameter of 35.
[0070]
If the inside diameter of the small holes 34 and 35 is about 1 to 1.5 mm, the inside diameter is about 2.0 mm and does not stand out from the outside through the operation panel 3.
[0071]
The shape of the notch 52 may be any shape other than the circular shape.
[0072]
The transparent substrate 9D of the backlight panel 9 is a flat surface whose surface does not form a convex curved surface. However, as in the first embodiment, a transparent substrate 9B provided with a converging lens portion 12 may be used. In this case, since the light passing through the output side small hole 34 and the input side small hole 35 is converged by the converging lens unit 12 thereabove, the size of the notch 52 is made smaller and less noticeable. can do.
[0073]
In the above embodiment, the liquid crystal display panel 4 is stacked on the rear side of the operation panel 3, but the present invention can also be applied to an operation panel input device without the liquid crystal display panel 4 interposed.
[0074]
In addition, the transparent panels 9B and 9D of the operation panel 3 and the backlight panel 9 use the transparent acrylic plate 3, but other transparent materials such as a glass plate may be used.
[0075]
Further, the converging lens portion 12 is formed on the back surface of the transparent substrate 9C. However, the converging lens portion 12 may be formed on the front surface facing the diffusion sheet 9A, or may be formed on both front and back surfaces. As described above, by adjusting the number of converging lenses 12 on the optical path and the curvature of the convex curved surface, the emission angle β of the unique optical signal can be adjusted according to the input operation area of each operation area 30. _O And light receiving angle β _I Can be adjusted, and only the specific light signal reflected by the input operation area of the operation area 30 except for the general light outside the operation area 30 can be received.
[0076]
When the convergent lens portion 12 is formed on the front surface side of the transparent substrate 9C, the convergent lens portion 12 projecting upward is accommodated in the notch 52 using the notch 52 described in the second embodiment. can do.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light amount of the unique optical signal reaching the light receiving unit increases only by forming the converging lens portion by processing the surface shape of the transparent substrate of the backlight panel. At the same time, the amount of general light other than the unique optical signal decreases, and the detection of the unique optical signal by the input operation becomes easy.
[0078]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, only by forming the notch in the diffusion sheet, the number of unique optical signals reaching the light receiving means increases, and the detection of the unique optical signal by the input operation becomes easy.
[0079]
In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the input operation, the optical path of the unique optical signal is shortened, the attenuation is reduced, and the light receiving means is mounted in the mounting hole. Is also reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an operation panel input device 1 according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the operation panel input device 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a main part of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the operation panel input device 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of an operation panel input device 50 according to another embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional operation panel input device 100.
FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing a unique optical signal emitted from each operation detection unit U.
FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing details of a configuration of a conventional operation panel input device.
[Explanation of symbols]
1,50 operation panel input device
3 Operation panel (transparent acrylic board)
4 LCD panel
5 Light emitting means
6 Light receiving means
6a Light receiving surface
7 Printed wiring board
9 Backlight panel
9A, 9E Diffusion sheet
9B transparent substrate
9C reflector
9D transparent substrate
12 Convergent lens part
14 mounting holes
30 Operation area
34 Output side small hole
35 Input side small hole
52 Notch

Claims (3)

It comprises a translucent operation panel (3) in which an operation area (30) is set, a transparent substrate (9B) in which a diffusion sheet (9A) and a reflection plate (9C) are stacked on the front and back sides, and a backlight is provided. A backlight panel (9) for guiding light outward from the back side of the operation panel (3) while scattering the light;
The unique optical signal is directed outward through an output side hole (34) formed in the reflector panel (9C) and the operation area (30) of the operation panel (3), which is arranged inside the backlight panel (9). A light emitting means (5) for emitting light,
Light receiving means (6) for receiving a unique optical signal from outside through an operation area (30) and an input side small hole (35) formed in the reflector (9C);
An operation panel input device that determines that an input operation to the operation area (30) has been performed when the light receiving unit (6) detects the unique optical signal at the emission timing of the unique optical signal by the light emitting unit (5). So,
In the transparent substrate (9B) of the backlight panel (9), a portion that intersects with an optical path connecting the light emitting means (5) and / or the light receiving means (6) and the operation area (30) has a convex surface as a convergent surface. An operation panel input device comprising a lens unit (12). It comprises a translucent operation panel (3) in which an operation area (30) is set, a transparent substrate (9B) in which a diffusion sheet (9A) and a reflection plate (9C) are stacked on the front and back sides, and a backlight is provided. A backlight panel (9) for guiding light outward from the back side of the operation panel (3) while scattering the light;
The unique optical signal is directed outward through an output side hole (34) formed in the reflector panel (9C) and the operation area (30) of the operation panel (3), which is arranged inside the backlight panel (9). A light emitting means (5) for emitting light,
Light receiving means (6) for receiving a unique optical signal from outside through an operation area (30) and an input side small hole (35) formed in the reflector (9C);
An operation panel input device that determines that an input operation to the operation area (30) has been performed when the light receiving unit (6) detects the unique optical signal at the emission timing of the unique optical signal by the light emitting unit (5). So,
In the diffusion sheet (9A) of the backlight panel (9), a portion (52) crossing an optical path connecting the light emitting means (5) and / or the light receiving means (6) and the operation area (30) is cut out. An operation panel input device comprising: The light emitting means (5) is mounted on the surface side of the printed wiring board (7) disposed inside the backlight panel, and the light receiving means (6) is configured such that the light receiving surface is formed on the input side small hole of the reflector (9C). 3. The printed wiring board (7) is mounted in a mounting hole (14) formed in the printed wiring board (7) from the back side of the printed wiring board (7). Operation panel input device as described.

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