JP2000181629A - Touch panel with uneven layer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To smoothly perform input operation corresponding to various input systems such as visual input, type typing input, and line drawing input by mounting an uneven layer, formed of a transparent film having an uneven pattern formed on its surface, on a flat layer so that it can freely be peeled. SOLUTION: On a liquid crystal display plate 1, a touch type input layer 2 is formed and on this touch type input layer 2, a flat layer 3 is formed of a flat transparent film. On this flat layer 3, the uneven layer 4 formed of the transparent film having the uneven pattern 4a... formed on the surface is mounted in a freely peelable state and one side part 4b of the uneven layer 4 is joined detachably to the circumference of one side part of the flat layer 3 by a clip 5. In this case, the uneven pattern 4a... formed on the uneven layer 4 may be key-top type projections indicating the locations of touch switches 2a... and projection or recessed ruled lines along the array of the touch switches 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel with a concavo-convex layer that can support various input methods such as visual input, blind touch input, and line drawing input as required.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Touch panels (or tablets) capable of inputting information by pressing a predetermined position on an input surface with a finger or a writing instrument or by performing a drawing operation while pressing the touch panel (or tablet) have been widely used. In general, these touch panels have a smooth touch surface, so that it is difficult to perform an input by a so-called blind touch, and cannot be used by a visually impaired person. In order to solve this problem, for example, JP-A-7-319623, JP-A-6-36642, JP-A-5-189151, JP-A-10-255106, JP-A-8-29
No. 7542 proposes to form an uneven pattern on the surface of the touch panel.

[0003]

However, in the case of a touch panel on which these concavo-convex patterns are formed, for example, when an input is made by a drawing method in which the pen is moved while pressing with a pen, the concavities and convexities hinder the smoothness. Operation was difficult.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel capable of performing a smooth input operation corresponding to various input methods such as visual input, blind touch input, and drawing input. To provide.

[0004]

According to the present invention, a flat layer made of a flat transparent film is formed on a touch-type input layer, and an uneven surface is formed on the flat layer. Provided is a touch panel with a concavo-convex layer, characterized in that a concavo-convex layer formed of a transparent film on which a pattern is formed is detachably mounted.

In this touch panel, since both the flat layer and the uneven layer are made of a transparent film, visual input can be performed at any time from the flat layer or the uneven layer while watching the image displayed on the substrate. is there. In addition, since an uneven pattern is formed on the surface of the uneven layer, a blind touch is possible by touching the uneven pattern with a finger. Furthermore, when performing drawing input etc., since the uneven layer is detachably mounted on the flat layer, if the uneven layer is peeled by hand to expose the flat layer, it is smooth and free of obstacles. On the flat layer, drawing input can be performed smoothly.

In the above, it is preferable that one side of the uneven layer is joined to the periphery of one side of the flat layer. With this, the peelable uneven layer does not dissipate when peeled from the touch panel main body and is joined only at one side, so that the flat layer can be easily exposed by turning with one hand. This joint is
It is preferable that it can be freely attached and detached. by this,
The uneven layer can be replaced with an uneven layer having another uneven pattern if desired.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention. In this touch panel, a touch input layer 2 is formed on a liquid crystal display panel 1, and a flat layer 3 made of a flat transparent film is formed on the touch input layer 2. On the flat layer 3, an uneven layer 4 made of a transparent film having an uneven pattern 4a on the surface is detachably mounted, and one side 4 of the uneven layer 4 is formed.
b is detachably connected to the periphery of one side of the flat layer 3 by the clip 5.

The touch-type input layer 2 is composed of a matrix in which strip-shaped transparent electrodes are arranged vertically and horizontally, and each intersection is a touch switch 2a. This touch switch has a threshold value for the contact pressure,
The switch is turned on only by a pressing force based on a clear input intention of the operator, and an input signal is output to the system. The liquid crystal display panel 1 displays the functions of the touch switches 2a,.

An uneven pattern 4a formed on the uneven layer 4 is provided.
May be a key-top-shaped projection indicating the location of the touch switch 2a..., Or a convex or concave ruled line along the arrangement of the touch switches 2a. Is also good. This uneven layer 4 has one side 4b.
Is freely detachably attached to the periphery of one side portion of the flat layer with the clip 5, so that an uneven layer having a different uneven pattern can be replaced and used as necessary.

[0010] The touch panel with the uneven layer has an uneven layer 4
Is mounted, the user can visually recognize the position of the desired touch switch 2a according to the display on the liquid crystal display panel 1 and press the finger with the finger F in accordance with the display on the liquid crystal display panel 1, and perform the desired touch switch by blind touch according to the concave / convex pattern 4a. 2a can also be pressed. In particular, when there is a visual impairment, or when the position of the touch switch 2a is visually unknown due to the malfunction of the liquid crystal display panel 1, the position can be found by tactile sensation. In the case of performing the drawing input, as shown in FIG. 2, the flat layer 3 appears immediately when the concavo-convex layer 4 is turned up, so that the drawing input can be performed smoothly using the pen P.

[0011]

In the touch panel with an uneven layer according to the present invention, the uneven layer is detachably mounted on the flat layer, and the visual input, the blind touch input, the drawing input, and the like are obtained by mounting / separating the uneven layer. Accordingly, input operations corresponding to various input methods can be smoothly performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: liquid crystal display panel 2: touch input layer 2a: touch switch 3: flat layer 4: uneven layer 4a: uneven pattern 4b: side portion 5: clip F: finger P: pen

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flat layer made of a flat transparent film is formed on a touch-type input layer, and an uneven layer made of a transparent film having an uneven pattern formed on the surface is detachably mounted on the flat layer. A touch panel with an uneven layer, characterized in that: 2. The touch panel with a concavo-convex layer according to claim 1, wherein one side of the concavo-convex layer is joined to a periphery of one side of the flat layer. 3. The touch panel with a concavo-convex layer according to claim 1, wherein one side of the concavo-convex layer is removably joined to a periphery of one side of the flat layer.