JP2010286895A - Information input device and information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information input device and an information processor capable of protecting an electrode for human body communication, and obtaining both the human body communication function and a touch panel function by a simpler configuration. <P>SOLUTION: This information input device is provided with: a display means; an input means having an electrode layer arranged on the display region of the display means and an insulating protection layer arranged on the upper surface of the electrode layer; a contact position detection means for, when the upper surface of the protection layer is used as a touch panel face, detecting a contact position based on the electric change of the electrode layer to be induced by an operator who touches the touch panel face; and a human body communication means for performing human body communication through the human body of the operator who has touched the touch panel face with an external device carried by the operator by using the electrode layer as a transmission path for human body communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information input device and an information processing device using a touch panel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a touch panel display that detects a position touched by an operator on a display is used. Conventionally, a touch panel display having a human body communication function using a human body as a communication medium has been proposed to supplement data input by a touch panel operation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a device capable of inputting data from a human body communication device worn by an operator by using a touch panel surface that the operator contacts as an electrode plate for human body communication. . Patent Document 2 is disclosed as a human body communication system for communicating information via an electric field.

  However, in the configuration of the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the transparent electrode plate for human body communication is held in an exposed state, the operator directly contacts the electrode plate, and the electrode due to scratches or dirt There is concern about deterioration of the plate. Further, the configuration of the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the configuration of the device becomes complicated because it is necessary to separately provide an electrode plate for human body communication.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is an information input device and information processing capable of protecting a human body communication electrode and realizing a human body communication function and a touch panel function with a simpler configuration. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention provides a display means, an electrode layer provided on a display area of the display means, and an insulating protection provided on an upper surface of the electrode layer. A contact position detection that detects the contact position based on an electrical change of the electrode layer induced by an operator who has touched the touch panel surface with an input means having a layer and an upper surface of the protective layer as a touch panel surface And human body communication means for performing human body communication between the operator and an external device held by the operator via the operator's human body in contact with the touch panel surface, using the electrode layer as a transmission path for human body communication And.

  Further, the present invention provides a display means and a first electrode line group provided on the display area of the display means and arranged in a first direction and arranged in a second direction different from the first direction. A projection capacitive input means having an electrode pattern comprising the second electrode line group and an insulating protective layer provided on the upper surface of the electrode layer; and the upper surface of the protective layer as a touch panel surface. The contact position detecting means for detecting the contact position based on the electrical change of the electrode pattern induced by the operator who has touched the touch panel surface, and using the electrode pattern as a transmission path for human body communication, Human body communication means for performing human body communication with an external device held by the operator via the human body of the operator touching the touch panel surface, and the contact position detected by the contact position detection means or the contact position Control means for controlling the human body communication means so as to identify the electrode lines arranged nearby from the first electrode line group and the second electrode line group and to perform the human body communication using the specified electrode lines And.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while protecting the transparent electrode plate for human body communication, the information input device and information processing apparatus which can implement | achieve a human body communication function and a touch-panel function with a simpler structure are provided. it can.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the planar electrodes shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration related to human body communication of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input unit shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the planar electrode shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a position detection method in the display input unit shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input unit shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the electrode pattern shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a position detection method in the display input unit shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a modification of the third embodiment.

  Embodiments of an information input device and an information processing device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel device 100 as an information input device and a host computer 200 such as a PC (Personal Computer), and is communicably connected.

  The touch panel device 100 includes a display input / output unit 10, a video I / F 13, a video drive unit 14, a switching unit 15, a contact position detection unit 16, a human body communication unit 17, and a communication I / F 18. Yes.

  The display input / output unit 10 includes a display unit 11 and an input / output unit 12 which is a resistive film type touch panel. Hereinafter, the display input / output unit 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input / output unit 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the relationship between the planar electrode 1212 and the planar electrode 1222 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the display input / output unit 10 includes a display unit 11 and an input / output unit 12 disposed on the observation surface side of the display unit 11. Here, the display unit 11 is a display panel such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays a predetermined image (screen) according to the control of the video drive unit 14.

  The input / output unit 12 includes a front-side substrate 121 and a back-side substrate 122 that are opposed to each other with a dot spacer 123 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the outer surface side (observation surface side) of the front substrate 121 (substrate 1211) corresponds to the touch panel surface on which the operator performs a contact operation.

  The front side substrate 121 includes a substrate 1211 made of an insulating and light transmissive member such as glass or plastic. Light-transmissive planar electrodes 1212 are provided on the surface of the substrate 1211 facing the back side substrate 122 so as to cover a range corresponding to the display area of the display unit 11, and both ends of the planar electrode 1212 in the X direction are provided. A pair of resistive films 1213 (see FIG. 3) to which a predetermined voltage is applied by the contact position detection unit 16 and the human body communication unit 17 are formed in the part.

  The back side substrate 122 includes a substrate 1221 made of a light transmissive member such as glass or plastic. On the surface of the substrate 1221 facing the front substrate 121, a light transmissive planar electrode 1222 is provided so as to cover a range corresponding to the display area of the display unit 11, and both ends of the planar electrode 1222 in the Y direction are provided. A pair of resistance films 1223 (see FIG. 3) to which a predetermined voltage is applied by the contact position detection unit 16 (and the human body communication unit 17) are formed in the part.

  Here, the planar electrode 1212 and the planar electrode 1222 are made of a light-transmitting conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO), and have a substantially uniform sheet resistance throughout the entire surface. Further, the resistance film 1213 and the resistance film 1223 are formed of a highly conductive metal thin film (for example, gold, aluminum, or the like). In FIG. 3, the configuration of the touch panel is a four-wire resistive film method, but not limited thereto, a five-wire resistive film method may be used.

  In the above configuration, when the operator depresses the touch panel surface of the front substrate 121, the planar electrode 1212 and the planar electrode 1222 come into contact with each other, and energization occurs between the duplex electrodes. The contact position detection unit 16 described later detects an energization position between the planar electrode 1212 and the planar electrode 1222 through a terminal portion 1224 formed on the planar electrode 1222.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the video I / F 13 is connected to the host computer 200 via a signal line such as a video cable or an HDMI cable, and outputs an image signal input from the host computer 200 to the video driver 14. The video drive unit 14 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal input from the video I / F 13 and outputs the image signal to the display unit 11 of the display input / output unit 10, thereby displaying the display screen of the display unit 11. Control.

  The switching unit 15 switches the connection destination of the input / output unit 12 between the contact position detection unit 16 and the human body communication unit 17. Specifically, the switching unit 15 includes a connection between the resistance film 1213, the resistance film 1223, and the terminal unit 1224 and the contact position detection unit 16 illustrated in FIG. 3, and the resistance film 1213 or the resistance film 1223 and the human body communication unit 17. By switching the connection between them in a time-sharing manner, one of the contact position detection unit 16 and the human body communication unit 17 is controlled to be connected to the input / output unit 12. Hereinafter, the state where the input / output unit 12 and the contact position detection unit 16 are connected is referred to as the contact position detection unit 16 being active, and the state where the input / output unit 12 and the human body communication unit 17 are connected is referred to as the human body communication unit 17. Is active.

  The contact position detection unit 16 detects the contact position of the operator on the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 12 and notifies the host computer 200 of this detection position via the communication I / F 18. Specifically, the contact position detection unit 16 detects the energization position between the planar electrode 1212 and the planar electrode 1222 via the terminal unit 1224 in the input / output unit 12 having the above-described configuration. The host computer 200 is notified of the contact position of the operator. For detection of the energization position, it is possible to use a publicly known / public technique related to the resistive film method.

  The human body communication unit 17 is a functional unit for performing human body communication by a voltage (electric field) method, and uses the planar electrode 1212 or the planar electrode 1222 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a transmission path for human body communication. To do. Hereinafter, a configuration related to human body communication will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, an example in which the planar electrode 1212 is used as a transmission line for human body communication will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration related to human body communication of the touch panel device 100. As shown in the figure, the human body communication unit 17 applies a voltage (AC voltage) for human body communication according to communication information input from the communication I / F 18 to the planar electrode 1212, A signal transmitter 171 that induces an alternating electric field around the human body of the operator U who is in contact with the touch panel surface, that is, the operator U in the vicinity, and a signal receiver 172 that detects a change in electric field strength of the electric field acting on the planar electrode 1212. A reception processing unit 173 that outputs a change in electric field intensity detected by the signal reception unit 172 to the communication I / F 18 as a reception signal, and a ground electrode 174 that is connected to the ground G using air or the like as a medium. .

  On the other hand, the transmission / reception device 300 is a portable information terminal such as a cellular phone held by the operator U of the touch panel device 100, and serves as a transmission path between the data processing unit 31 that generates communication information for transmission and the human body. The electrode 32, a signal for human body communication corresponding to communication information (AC voltage) is applied to the electrode 32 to induce an AC electric field around the human body of the operator U, and the electric field acting on the electrode 32 A signal receiving unit 34 that detects a change in electric field strength, a reception processing unit 35 that performs a predetermined process using the change in the electric field strength detected by the signal receiving unit 34 as a received signal, and a ground G using air or the like as a medium. And a ground electrode 36.

  In the above configuration, when the operator U wearing the transmission / reception device 300 contacts the touch panel surface of the touch panel device 100, the human body of the operator U acts as a communication medium, and the human body communication unit 17 and the transmission / reception device 300 A communication path is established between them. Accordingly, the human body communication unit 17 can exchange information with the transmission / reception device 300 via the human body of the operator U. As a method for generating a voltage for human body communication and a method for detecting a change in electric field strength, it is possible to use a publicly known / public technique such as the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4088896.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the communication I / F 18 is an interface for exchanging various types of information with the host computer 200. Specifically, the communication I / F 18 transmits the contact position input from the contact position detection unit 16 to the host computer 200. Further, the communication I / F 18 outputs communication information received from the host computer 200 to the signal transmission unit 171 of the human body communication unit 17 and transmits a reception signal input from the reception processing unit 173 to the host computer 200. In addition, RS232C, USB, etc. can be used as communication I / F18.

  The host computer 200 includes a storage device such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and HDD (not shown), and realizes predetermined processing (operation) through cooperation between the CPU and a program stored in the storage device.

  Specifically, the host computer 200 outputs an image signal to the touch panel device 100 and exchanges various information with the touch panel device 100 according to the contact position on the touch panel surface. Hereinafter, the operation of the host computer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Here, FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the host computer 200 and show an example of a display screen displayed on the display unit 11.

  In FIG. 5, operation areas A 1, A 2, and A 3 represent operation areas for instructing predetermined processing contents, and the operator touches each operation area via the input / output unit 12 to perform the operation. It is possible to instruct the host computer 200 about the processing contents predetermined in the area. Each operation region is preferably displayed in a visually distinguishable state by using an icon image or the like.

  Here, assuming that the operation area A1 indicates, for example, display of the predetermined information A11, the host computer 200 inputs the contact position from the contact position detection unit 16 as the contact position when the contact position detection unit 16 is active. Information A11 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6 in response to the touch operation on the operation area A1. In the figure, the information A11 is displayed in a balloon shape, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Also, assuming that the operation area A2 is an instruction for inputting predetermined information, for example, the host computer 200 performs an operation input as a contact position from the contact position detection unit 16 when the contact position detection unit 16 is active. It is detected that information is input from the touch panel device 100 (human body communication unit 17) in accordance with the contact operation to the area A2. Then, when the next human body communication unit 17 is active, the host computer 200 receives the reception signal notified from the human body communication unit 17 and executes predetermined processing according to the reception signal.

  Also, assuming that the operation area A3 is, for example, an instruction to output predetermined information, the host computer 200 is operated as an input from the contact position detection unit 16 as a contact position when the contact position detection unit 16 is active. It is detected that an instruction to output information is issued to touch panel device 100 (human body communication unit 17) in response to a touch operation on region A3. In this case, the host computer 200 transmits information to be output to the human body communication unit 17 as communication information, so that when the next human body communication unit 17 is active, the host computer 200 transmits the information to the transmission / reception device 300 by human body communication.

  As described above, according to the touch panel device 100 of the present embodiment, the human body communication function and the touch panel function are simplified by using the planar electrode 1212 for detecting the contact position as a transmission path for human body communication. Can be realized. Further, since the planar electrode 1212 is covered with the substrate 1211, it is possible to prevent an operator from directly contacting the planar electrode 1212 and to suppress deterioration of the planar electrode 1212 due to scratches or dirt. be able to.

  In addition, although this embodiment demonstrated the form which displays information as processes other than the input and output of information by human body communication, it shall not be restricted to this example. In the present embodiment, an example in which operation areas for inputting and outputting information are provided in the same screen has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, an operation area for inputting information is provided. Alternatively, only the operation area for outputting information may be displayed. Further, a plurality of operation areas for information input and / or information output may be displayed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the second embodiment, a configuration using a surface type capacitive touch panel will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided about the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a touch panel device 400 as an information input device and a host computer 200.

  The touch panel device 400 replaces the display input / output unit 10, the switching unit 15, the contact position detection unit 16, and the human body communication unit 17 of the touch panel device 100 shown in FIG. A detection unit 43 and a human body communication unit 44 are provided.

  The display input / output unit 40 includes the display unit 11 and an input / output unit 41 that is a surface capacitive touch panel. Hereinafter, the display input / output unit 40 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input / output unit 40 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of the planar electrode 412 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a position detection method in the display input / output unit 40. In addition, illustration of the display part 11 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the display input / output unit 40 includes a display unit 11 and an input / output unit 41 provided on the observation surface side of the display unit 11. Here, the input / output unit 41 includes a substrate 411 formed of a light transmissive member such as glass or plastic, and a light transmissive planar electrode provided to cover a range corresponding to the display area of the display unit 11. 412 and a cover layer 413 formed of an insulating and light-transmitting member such as glass or plastic. In the present embodiment, the outer surface side (observation surface side) of the cover layer 413 corresponds to the touch panel surface on which the operator performs a contact operation.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, electrodes 414 to which a predetermined voltage is applied by the contact position detection unit 43 and the human body communication unit 44 are formed at the four corners of the planar electrode 412. Here, the planar electrode 412 is made of a light-transmitting conductive film such as indium tin oxide (ITO), and has a substantially uniform sheet resistance throughout the entire surface. The electrode 414 is formed of a highly conductive metal thin film (eg, gold, aluminum, etc.).

  The switching unit 42 switches the connection destination of the input / output unit 41 between the contact position detection unit 43 and the human body communication unit 44. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the switching unit 42 switches the connection between the electrode 414 and the contact position detection unit 43 and the connection between the electrode 414 and the human body communication unit 44 in a time-sharing manner. Thus, one of the contact position detection unit 43 and the human body communication unit 44 is controlled to be connected to the input / output unit 41.

  The contact position detection unit 43 detects the contact position of the operator on the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 41 and notifies the host computer 200 of this detection position via the communication I / F 18. Specifically, when the operator's finger touches the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 41, capacitive coupling occurs between the operator's finger and the planar electrode 412, as shown in FIG. A current flows through the finger from. The contact position detector 43 measures the ratio of the current flowing from the electrodes 414 at the four corners to detect the contact position where the operator's finger has come into contact, and notifies the host computer 200 via the communication I / F 18. . For detection of the energization position, it is possible to use a publicly known / public technique relating to a surface capacitive touch panel.

  Similar to the human body communication unit 17, the human body communication unit 44 is a functional unit for performing human body communication by a voltage (electric field) method, and is connected to the electrode 414 of the input / output unit 41 by the switching unit 42. The electrode 412 is used as a transmission line for human body communication.

  In the above configuration, when an operator wearing the transmission / reception device 300 shown in FIG. 4 touches the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 41, the human body of the operator acts as a communication medium and transmits / receives to / from the human body communication unit 44. A communication path is established with the device 300. Accordingly, the human body communication unit 44 can exchange information with the transmission / reception device 300 via the operator's human body.

  As described above, according to the touch panel device 400 of the present embodiment, the human body communication function and the touch panel function can be simplified by using the planar electrode 412 for detecting the contact position as a transmission path for human body communication. Can be realized. Further, since the planar electrode 412 is covered with the cover layer 413, it is possible to prevent an operator from directly contacting the planar electrode 412, and to suppress deterioration of the planar electrode 412 due to scratches or dirt. can do.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, as a third embodiment, a configuration using a projected capacitive touch panel will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided about the element similar to 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment includes a touch panel device 500 and a host computer 200.

  The touch panel device 500 replaces the display input / output unit 10, the switching unit 15, the contact position detection unit 16, and the human body communication unit 17 of the touch panel device 100 shown in FIG. A detection unit 53 and a human body communication unit 54 are provided.

  The display input / output unit 50 includes a display unit 11 and an input / output unit 41 that is a projected capacitive touch panel. Hereinafter, the display input / output unit 50 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the display input / output unit 50 shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view of the electrode pattern 513 shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a position detection method in the display input / output unit 50. In addition, illustration of the display part 11 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the display input / output unit 50 includes a display unit 11 and an input / output unit 51 provided on the observation surface side of the display unit 11. Here, the input / output unit 51 includes a substrate 511 and a substrate 512 made of an insulating and light-transmitting member such as glass or plastic, a range corresponding to the display area of the display unit 11, and the substrate 511. An electrode pattern 513 provided between the substrate 512 and the substrate 512 is provided. In the present embodiment, the outer surface side (observation surface side) of the substrate 512 corresponds to the touch panel surface on which the operator performs a contact operation.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the electrode pattern 513 is composed of a plurality of electrode lines 5131 arranged in the X direction and a plurality of electrode lines 5132 arranged in the Y direction, and is arranged on the observation surface side of the substrate 511. Patterned in a lattice pattern on the surface. A predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode pattern 513 (electrode line 5131 and electrode line 5132) by the contact position detection unit 53 and the human body communication unit 54. Note that the electrode line 5131 and the electrode line 5132 are formed of a light-transmitting conductive line such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and are separated from each other by an insulating film or the like so as not to be short-circuited.

  The switching unit 52 switches the connection destination of the input / output unit 51 between the contact position detection unit 53 and the human body communication unit 54. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the switching unit 52 performs time-sharing between the connection between the electrode pattern 513 and the contact position detection unit 53 and the connection between the electrode pattern 513 and the human body communication unit 54. By switching, control is performed so that either the contact position detection unit 53 or the human body communication unit 54 is connected to the input / output unit 51.

  The contact position detection unit 53 detects the contact position of the operator on the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 51 and notifies the host computer 200 of this detection position via the communication I / F 18. Specifically, when the operator's finger contacts the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 51, capacitive coupling occurs between the operator's finger and the planar electrode 412 as shown in FIG. The contact position detection unit 53 detects the contact position where the operator's finger is in contact from the change in capacitance between the electrode lines caused by this approach, and notifies the host computer 200 via the communication I / F 18. For the detection of the contact position, it is possible to use a publicly known / public technique related to a projected capacitive touch panel.

  Similar to the human body communication unit 17, the human body communication unit 54 is a functional unit for performing human body communication by a voltage (electric field) method, and is connected to the electrode pattern 513 of the input / output unit 51 by the switching unit 52. The electrode pattern 513 is used as a transmission line for human body communication. In addition, although the human body communication part 54 shall be connected to both the electrode wire 5131 and the electrode wire 5132 which comprise the electrode pattern 513, it is good also as a form connected only to either one.

  In the above configuration, when an operator wearing the transmission / reception device 300 shown in FIG. 4 touches the touch panel surface of the input / output unit 51, the human body of the operator acts as a communication medium, and the human body communication unit 54 and the transmission / reception device A communication path is established with 300. As a result, the human body communication unit 54 can exchange information with the transmission / reception device 300 via the operator's human body.

  As described above, according to the touch panel device 500 of the present embodiment, the human body communication function and the touch panel function can be configured more simply by using the electrode pattern 513 for contact position detection as a transmission path for human body communication. Can be realized. Further, since the electrode pattern 513 is covered with the substrate 512, it is possible to prevent an operator from directly contacting the electrode pattern 513, and it is possible to suppress deterioration of the electrode pattern 513 due to scratches or dirt. .

  Incidentally, in the case of a projected capacitive touch panel, it is possible to detect two or more contacts (multi-touch). When a multi-tap operation is performed by one operator, the contact position detection unit 53 simultaneously detects a plurality of contact positions, so the host computer 200 performs a plurality of processes corresponding to each contact position. For example, when a multi-tap operation instructs the operator to send a plurality of different information corresponding to each contact position, the host computer 200 sends all information corresponding to each contact position to the operator. The human body communication unit 54 is controlled.

  In the case of a multi-tap operation, it is assumed that the number of operators is not limited to one and a plurality of operators operate the same touch panel surface at the same time. In this case, it is preferable in terms of security to individually transmit information corresponding to each position for each operator, that is, for each operation position. Hereinafter, as a modification of the present embodiment, a configuration capable of controlling information to be transmitted for each contact position will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a modification of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, an information processing apparatus according to a modification of the present embodiment includes a touch panel device 600 and a host computer 700.

  The touch panel device 600 includes a human body communication unit 61 instead of the human body communication unit 54 of the touch panel device 500 described above. In FIG. 15, only the electrode pattern 513 of the display input / output unit 50 is illustrated. Also, illustration of the video I / F 13 is omitted.

  In FIG. 15, the electrode pattern 513 is composed of a total of seven electrode lines X0 to X6, and the electrode line 5132 is composed of a total of seven electrode lines Y0 to Y6. Here, X0 to X6 and Y0 to Y6 are identifiers for identifying each electrode line.

  In addition, the host computer 700 includes a control unit 71 as control means realized by the cooperation of a CPU and a program stored in a storage device (none of which is shown). The control unit 71 controls information output to the touch panel device 600 so that information transmitted by human body communication at each of the contact positions is individually detected for the plurality of contact positions simultaneously detected by the contact position detection unit 53. .

  Specifically, when the control unit 71 receives an operator's contact position from the contact position detection unit 53 during transmission of information by human body communication, the control unit 71 receives the electrode line 5131 and the electrode line located near the contact position or the contact position. 5132 is specified. For example, when the contact positions of T1 and T2 shown in FIG. 15 are notified from the contact position detection unit 53, the control unit 71 specifies (X1, Y1) for the contact position T1 and (X5, Y1) is specified.

  When the control unit 71 reads out information to be transmitted corresponding to each contact position (hereinafter referred to as generation source information) from a storage unit (not illustrated) or the like, two new pieces of information (hereinafter referred to as the second generation information) are generated for each generation source information. 1 information and second information).

  Here, the first information and the second information are a set of information capable of restoring the generation source information that is the generation source of the first information and the second information. For example, a set of two information obtained by dividing the source information into two by a recoverable method, an encrypted source information obtained by encrypting the source information by a predetermined encryption method, For example, a pair with the decryption key. In addition, when generating 1st information and 2nd information by encryption, a different decoding key for every production | generation source information shall be produced | generated by a random number etc.

  In addition, the control unit 71 associates the set of the first information and the second information generated for each contact position with the identifier of the electrode line specified for the contact position, and outputs it to the human body communication unit 61 as communication information. For example, in a case where the generation source information D1 is transmitted by a contact operation to the contact position T1, the control unit 71 uses the set of the first information D11 and the second information D12 generated from the generation source information D1 as the contact position T1. Is transmitted to the touch panel device 600 (human body communication unit 61) in association with the identifier (X1, Y1) of the electrode line corresponding to. Further, when the generation source information D2 is transmitted by the contact operation to the contact position T2, the control unit 71 uses the first information D21 and the second information D22 generated from the generation source information D2 as the contact position T2. Is transmitted to the touch panel device 600 (human body communication unit 61) in association with the identifier (X5, Y1) of the electrode line corresponding to.

  On the other hand, the human body communication unit 61 has a configuration capable of individually supplying a voltage to each of the electrode line 5131 and the electrode line 5132, and performs a unique operation described below when transmitting information by human body communication. . Specifically, when the human body communication unit 61 receives communication information to be transmitted from the host computer 700 (control unit 71) via the communication I / F 18, each electrode line corresponding to the identifier included in the communication information. In addition, a voltage for human body communication according to the first information and the second information included in the communication information is applied.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 15 described above, the human body communication unit 61 applies a voltage corresponding to the first information D11 to the electrode line 5131 of the identifier X1, and applies a voltage corresponding to the first information D21 to the electrode line 5131 of the identifier X5. Apply. Moreover, the human body communication part 61 applies the voltage according to the 2nd information D12 and D22 to the electrode wire 5132 of the identifier Y1.

  In this case, since the transmission / reception device 300 of the operator who has touched the contact position T1 receives the first information D11, the first information D21, and the second information D12, the first information that is paired among these pieces of information. The generation source information D1 can be restored from D11 and the second information D12. Similarly, the transmission / reception apparatus 300 of the operator who has touched the contact position T2 receives the first information D11, the first information D21, and the second information D22. The generation source information D2 can be restored from the first information D21 and the second information D22.

  As described above, according to the information processing apparatus according to the present modification, the touch panel device 600 has the same effect as the touch panel device 500, and information transmitted for each contact position even when a multi-tap operation is performed. Can be controlled individually.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, and the like are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, the information input device and the information processing device according to the present invention are useful for the information input device and the information processing device provided with the touch panel, and in particular, when performing human body communication using the human body in contact with the touch panel surface. Suitable for

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Information processing apparatus 10 Display input part 11 Display part 12 Input part 121 Front side board | substrate 1211 Board | substrate 1212 Planar electrode 1213 Resistance film 122 Back side board | substrate 1221 Board | substrate 1222 Planar electrode 1223 Resistance film | membrane 1224 Terminal part 123 Dot spacer 13 Video I / F
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Video drive part 15 Switching part 16 Contact position detection part 17 Human body communication part 171 Signal transmission part 172 Signal reception part 173 Reception processing part 174 Ground electrode 18 Communication I / F
200 Host Computer 300 Transmission / Reception Device 31 Data Processing Unit 32 Electrode 33 Signal Transmission Unit 34 Signal Reception Unit 35 Reception Processing Unit 36 Ground Electrode 400 Touch Panel Device 40 Display Input / Output Unit 41 Input / Output Unit 411 Substrate 412 Planar Electrode 413 Cover Layer 414 Electrode 42 switching unit 43 contact position detection unit 44 human body communication unit 500 touch panel device 50 display input / output unit 51 input / output unit 511 substrate 512 substrate 513 electrode pattern 5131 electrode line 5132 electrode line 52 switching unit 53 contact position detection unit 54 human body communication unit 600 Touch panel device 61 Human body communication unit 700 Host computer 71 Control unit

JP 2006-318067 A Japanese Patent No. 4088896

Claims (10)

Display means;
An input means having an electrode layer provided on a display area of the display means, and an insulating protective layer provided on an upper surface of the electrode layer;
A contact position detecting means for detecting the contact position based on an electrical change of the electrode layer induced by an operator in contact with the touch panel surface, the upper surface of the protective layer being a touch panel surface;
Human body communication means for performing human body communication with an external device held by the operator via the human body of the operator in contact with the touch panel surface, using the electrode layer as a transmission path for human body communication;
An information input device comprising:   The information input device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching unit that switches a connection destination of the electrode layer between the contact position detection unit and the human body communication unit.   The information input device according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit performs switching between the contact position detection unit and the human body communication unit in a time-sharing manner. The input means is a resistive film type touch panel having a pair of on-surface electrodes opposed to each other with a predetermined gap as the electrode layer,
The information input device according to claim 1, wherein the human body communication unit uses any one of the on-surface electrodes as a transmission path for the human body communication. The input means is a surface capacitive touch panel having one surface electrode as the electrode layer,
The information input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the human body communication unit uses the on-surface electrode as a transmission path for the human body communication. The input means is a projected capacitive touch panel having an electrode pattern comprising a plurality of electrode lines arranged with a predetermined gap as the electrode layer,
The information input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the human body communication unit uses the electrode pattern as a transmission path for the human body communication. Display means;
An electrode pattern comprising a first electrode line group provided on the display area of the display means and arranged in a first direction and a second electrode line group arranged in a second direction different from the first direction And a projected capacitive input means having an insulating protective layer provided on the upper surface of the electrode layer,
A contact position detecting means for detecting the contact position based on an electrical change of the electrode pattern induced by an operator in contact with the touch panel surface, the upper surface of the protective layer being a touch panel surface;
Human body communication means for performing human body communication with an external device held by the operator via the operator's human body in contact with the touch panel surface, using the electrode pattern as a transmission path for human body communication,
The contact position detected by the contact position detecting means or the electrode lines arranged in the vicinity of the contact position are specified from the first electrode line group and the second electrode line group, respectively, and the specified electrode lines are used. Control means for controlling the human body communication means to perform the human body communication;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   When transmitting information to the external device by the human body communication, the control unit generates first information and second information that can restore the information from information to be transmitted, and the first information and the second information The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the human body communication unit is controlled to apply each voltage for human body communication according to information to each of the identified electrode lines.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a switching unit that switches a connection destination of the electrode pattern between the contact position detection unit and the human body communication unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the switching unit performs switching between the contact position detection unit and the human body communication unit in a time division manner.

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