JP2002182855A - Touch panel unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel unit with which an operator can perform reliable input without anxiety while actually feeling a stroke and a click in performing an input operation and the operator does not make any input mistakes. SOLUTION: This touch panel unit is provided with a display device 1, a touch panel sensor plate 4 which is provided over the display device 1, is used by the operator to touch a display button 2 displayed on the display screen of the display device 1 to select the button 2 to perform an input, and also has a display button detecting parts 3 for detecting an operator touch on the display button 2, cushioning materials 5 arranged between the sensor plate 4 and the display device 1, a switching mechanism 6 for making the fixed sensor plate 4 to be movable when the detecting part 3 detects a touch on the display button 2 and switching the cushioning materials 5 so as to press the cushioning materials 5, and a controlling part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch panel device for making a selection input using a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a cathode ray tube display device, and more particularly, to a display button displayed on a display screen. The present invention relates to a touch panel device that is not touched only by light touching, and that allows an operator to perform a secure and reliable input operation while realizing a stroke feeling and a click feeling at the time of input without error input.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a plurality of display buttons for selecting and inputting are displayed on a display screen of a display device, and an operator touches the display buttons to perform various input operations. Touch panel devices of a capacitance type, a resistive type and the like are often used. These touch panel devices are used in various information terminal devices, portable devices, and the like, and tend to be miniaturized. In particular, information terminal devices installed in public facilities and the like are used by a wide range of people from children to elderly people. Most of the input work in these touch panel devices is performed by an operator touching a display button for selection with a finger or a writing instrument.

[0003]

By the way, the above-mentioned touch panel device has an advantage that the operator can input by simply touching the display button for selection. On the other hand, the spacing between the display buttons has become narrower due to the miniaturization of various information devices, and even if the operator touches an unintended display button, the operator will make a mistake and input it again each time. It was inconvenient. Further, since the stroke feeling and the click feeling cannot be obtained for the operator, there is a problem in that even if the operator intends to touch the intended display button, the operator may feel uneasy as to whether the input has been securely performed. Particularly, information weak people, such as children and the elderly, often find it difficult to perform input operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch panel device in which an operator can perform a secure and reliable input while feeling a stroke or a click while performing an input operation and does not make a mistake.

[0005]

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a display device 1 and a display button 2 disposed on the display device 1 and allowing an operator to display on a display screen of the display device 1. And a touch panel sensor plate 4 having a display button detecting unit 3 for detecting an operator's touch on the display button 2 and being disposed between the touch panel sensor plate 4 and the display device 1. And a switching mechanism 6 that switches the fixed touch panel sensor plate 4 to a movable state and presses the buffer material 5 when the display button detection unit 3 detects a touch on the display button 2,
A touch panel device comprising a control unit. In the touch panel device according to the first aspect, only when the operator touches the intended display button 2, the touch panel sensor plate 4 is made movable and the cushioning material 5 is pressed, so that the operator feels a stroke feeling and a click feeling. Thus, a touch panel device can be obtained in which a reliable input can be performed with a sense of security and no mistake is made.

In a second aspect, the present invention is characterized in that an input to the display button 2 is determined only when a load value applied to the cushioning member 5 exceeds a predetermined value. Provide equipment. In the touch panel device according to the second aspect, since the touch panel device is driven only when the input to the display button 2 is determined, the reliability of the input operation is further improved.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a touch panel device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG. Note that the present invention is not limited by this.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal display device as a display device, and a plurality of display buttons 2 are displayed on a liquid crystal front panel. Reference numeral 4 denotes a touch panel sensor plate disposed opposite to the liquid crystal display device 1, and a commercially available touch panel sensor plate of an ultrasonic type, an optical type, a capacitance type, a resistive type, or the like is used. Also, this touch panel sensor plate 4
Are provided with display button detection units 3 according to the above-described various methods corresponding to the display buttons 2 on the liquid crystal panel. In addition, between the liquid crystal display device 1 and the touch panel sensor plate 4, for example, a mechanical switching mechanism 6 configured so that the distal end portion 7 moves in the horizontal direction by magnetic force due to energization, and a spring or a traction material, etc. The cushioning members 5 are provided corresponding to the four corners of the touch panel sensor plate 4. And
When the display button detection unit 3 detects a touch on the display button 2 by the operator, the touch panel sensor plate 4 is switched from a fixed state to a movable state by the switching mechanism 6 and is configured to press the cushioning material 5.

Further, although not shown in detail, the cushioning material 5
Above is a pressure sensor 8 for detecting a load value applied to the cushioning material 5.
Are arranged, and only when the load value on the cushioning material 5 exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the input to the display button 2 has been made. Note that these series of operations are configured to be performed by a control unit (not shown).

In the touch panel device configured as described above, the touch panel sensor plate 4 is normally used when there is no input operation.
Is in a state of being fixedly held by the switching mechanism 6. On the other hand, when the display button detection unit 3 detects a touch on the display button 2 by the operator, a switching signal is output from the touch panel sensor plate 4, and the touch panel sensor plate 4 is switched to the movable state by the switching mechanism 6. As a result,
Since the touch panel sensor plate 4 presses the spring 5 which is a cushioning material, the operator can input while realizing that the display button 2 has been pressed through the spring 5. When the switching signal is not output from the touch panel sensor plate 4 (including when the user touches a part other than the display button), the spring 5 remains in the fixed state, and the input by the display button 2 is not performed. In addition, the intended display button 2
Even if is touched, if the load value applied to the spring 5 is not more than the predetermined value, the input by the display button 2 is not performed by the detection setting by the pressure sensor 8.

As described above, in this touch panel device, the touch panel sensor plate 4 is only touched when the display button 2 intended to apply a load value equal to or more than the predetermined value to the cushioning material 5 is touched.
Is in a movable state, and the operator can perform a reliable input operation without erroneous input while realizing a click feeling as if the display button 2 was pressed.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the operator can perform accurate input while feeling the click feeling at the time of input work which cannot be obtained by the conventional touch panel device by simple means.
There is no mistake input. Further, by adopting a configuration in which the input to the display button is determined only when a load value equal to or more than the predetermined value is applied to the cushioning material, it is possible to provide a touch panel device capable of more reliable input. There is a great practical effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a touch panel device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Display apparatus 2 Display button 3 Display button detection part 4 Touch panel sensor board 5 Buffer material 6 Switching mechanism 7 Tip part 8 Pressure sensor

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) G09F 9/00 366 G06F 3/023 310L H01H 13/00

Claims (2)

[Claims] A display device, disposed on the display device, wherein an operator touches a display button displayed on a display screen of the display device to select and input the display button; A touch panel sensor plate 4 having a display button detection unit 3 for detecting an operator's touch with respect to the touch panel; a cushioning member 5 disposed between the touch panel sensor plate 4 and the display device 1; A touch panel device comprising: a switching mechanism 6 configured to switch the fixed touch panel sensor plate 4 to a movable state and press the cushioning member 5 when a touch is detected, and a control unit. 2. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein an input to the display button 2 is determined only when a load value applied to the cushioning member 5 exceeds a predetermined value.