JP2005190950A - Input device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device realizing cost reduction, size reduction, and improvement of strength of an apparatus on which the input device is mounted, by realizing size reduction and improvement of strength of a construction at a low cost without deteriorating detection performance by a detection electrode. <P>SOLUTION: The input device 1 comprises a touch panel 5 having a display surface that input contents to be input, and a detector 6 detecting that the input contents displayed on the display surface is directed by an operator, and the detector 6 recognizes the contents input by the operator, by detecting variations in electrostatic capacitance caused from the finger of the operator approaching to the detection electrode 12 formed on an isolative circuit substrate 11. The detection electrode 12 is formed near an end of the circuit substrate 11 in the input device 1 and the circuit substrate 11 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5, and the end of the substrate that the detection electrode 12 is formed is arranged so as to contact or approach a surface opposed to the display surface of the touch panel 5, at a position approaching the display region of the input contents on the display surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device using a capacitance method used in various devices.

  Conventionally, an input device using a capacitance method called a touch sensor or the like is used as an input device of various devices. Capacitance type input devices generally include a pair of electrodes that are spaced apart, and the capacitance between the electrodes changes when an operator's finger approaches the pair of electrodes. By detecting this, the input by the operator is recognized. Such an input device is described in Patent Document 1, for example.

  10A and 10B are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a DVD player 32 using a conventional capacitive input device 31, where FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view and FIG. 10B is a front view. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the detection unit 36 constituting the input device 31. The DVD player 32 is configured by disposing an input device 31, a DVD drive device 34, and a control unit 37 for controlling the DVD player 32 in a casing 33. The DVD drive device 34 is a device that inserts / discharges a DVD through the DVD insertion / ejection port 34a and reads information recorded from the inserted DVD. The DVD drive device 34 is arranged on the upper side in the casing 33, and the DVD insertion / ejection port 34 a is exposed from the upper front side of the casing 33. Further, the input device 31 and the control unit 37 are disposed below the DVD drive device 34 in the casing 33. The input device 31 is disposed on the front side, and the control unit 37 is disposed behind the input device 31.

  The input device 31 is a device for an operator to instruct the input content to be input to the DVD player 32, and includes a touch panel 35 that performs input operations composed of characters, graphics, and the like and displays the input content, And a detection unit 36 that detects that an input content is instructed by a person. The touch panel 35 is configured by forming input contents by providing a light-transmitting region and a light-blocking region on one surface (display surface) of a flat plate made of a light-transmitting material, for example. The input content is formed, for example, by forming a translucent area along the shape of a character or graphic to be displayed in a black shading area as a background.

  On the touch panel 35 shown in FIG. 10, three operation buttons B11 to B13 are formed. The operation button B11 is a volume increase button that is operated when the volume is increased, the operation button B12 is a volume decrease button that is operated when the volume is decreased, and the operation button B13 is used when the power is turned on / off. This is an ON / OFF button to be operated. Such a touch panel 53 is disposed on the front surface side of the casing 33 and below the DVD insertion / ejection opening 34a in a state where the display surface is exposed to the outside so that the input content can be viewed by the operator. In FIG. 10B, with respect to the display surface of the touch panel 35, the light shielding area as the background is expressed in white, and the translucent areas such as the square frames and characters forming the buttons B11 to B13 are expressed in black. .

  As shown in FIG. 11, the detection unit 36 is connected to the detection electrode 42 and the detection electrode 42 on the insulating circuit board 41 to generate a sensing field and detect a change in the sensing field (capacitance). IC chip 43 to be connected, LED (light emitting diode) 44 that is a light emitting element for illuminating buttons B11 to B13 which are input contents of touch panel 35, and cable 38 connected to control unit 37 of DVD player 32 are connected. The connector 45 is arranged. The detection electrode 42 is formed on the surface of the circuit board 41 with substantially the same size as the display area of the buttons B <b> 11 to B <b> 13 that is the input content of the touch panel 35.

  The detection unit 36 is disposed on the back side of the touch panel 35. At this time, the touch panel 35 and the detection electrode 42 are arranged in parallel to each other so that the detection electrode 42 corresponds to the display area of the buttons B <b> 11 to B <b> 13 that is the input content of the touch panel 35. In this way, the input device 31 is configured.

  The input device 31 is configured such that a sensing field is generated around the detection electrode 42, and the display area of the buttons B11 to B13, which are input contents displayed on the touch panel 35, is present in the sensing field. Has been. Therefore, when an operator's finger approaches or touches the display area of the buttons B11 to B13 displayed on the touch panel 35, the sensing field changes. By detecting the change in the sensing field by the IC chip 43, the input device 31 recognizes the input content instructed by the operator.

Japanese Patent No. 3293402

  In the input device 31 described above, as shown in FIG. 12, a sensing field indicated by reference numeral SF <b> 1 is generated around the detection electrode 42, but an IC chip 43, a ground electrode, or the like is formed around the detection electrode 42. When other electronic components are arranged, there is a problem that the sensing field becomes small as indicated by reference numeral SF2 due to the influence of these other electronic components. In order to solve this problem, when another electronic component such as the IC chip 43 is arranged on the circuit board 41 so as to be separated from the detection electrode 42, the circuit board 41 becomes large, and the size of the detection unit 36 increases. As a result, there is a problem that the input device 31 also becomes larger. Further, when the input device 31 is arranged on the front side of the DVD player 32, the area occupied by the input device 31 on the front side of the DVD player 32 increases, and the height and width of the DVD player 32 increase. There is.

  On the other hand, if the other electronic components such as the IC chip 43 and the detection electrode 42 are arranged on separate substrates, it is possible to prevent a sensing field generated from the detection electrode 42 from being reduced, and the size of the detection unit 36 can be reduced. However, in this case, since the number of substrates increases and a cable for connecting the substrates is necessary, there arises a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  In the input device 31 described above, as shown in FIG. 13A, the touch panel 35 and the circuit board 41 of the detection unit 36 are arranged in parallel. Therefore, when the operator presses the touch panel 35 lightly, no particular problem occurs. However, when the operator presses the touch panel 35 strongly, as shown in FIG. There is a problem that the circuit board 41 is bent, which causes a gap between the touch panel 35 and the circuit board 41, or the sensing function is impaired.

  Further, in the input device 31 described above, it is necessary to install a light emitting element for illuminating the buttons B11 to B13 which are input contents displayed on the touch panel 35. As shown in FIG. 14A, when an LED 44, for example, is mounted as a light emitting element on the circuit board 41 on which the detection electrode 42 is arranged, the LED 44 is displayed on the touch panel 35 as shown in FIG. 14B. The area illuminated by the touch panel becomes very small, the buttons B11 to B13 displayed on the touch panel 35 cannot be sufficiently illuminated, and it becomes difficult for the operator to recognize the input content of the touch panel 35. is there.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15A, lighting function-related electronic components including the LEDs 44 are separated and mounted on a substrate 46 different from the circuit substrate 41 on which the detection electrodes 42 are arranged. When another substrate 46 is disposed apart from the substrate 41 on which the detection electrode 42 is disposed, the emitted light from the light emitting element such as the LED 44 diffuses, so as shown in FIG. The area illuminated by the light emitting element on the touch panel 35 is increased, and the input content displayed on the touch panel 35 can be sufficiently illuminated. However, in this case, since the number of substrates increases and a member for connecting the substrates is required, there arises a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16A, when a backlight module 47 in which electronic components related to lighting functions including a light emitting element are integrated is used, as shown in FIG. The area illuminated on 35 becomes larger, and the input content displayed on the touch panel 35 can be sufficiently illuminated. However, in this case, since the expensive backlight module 47 is used, there arises a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems in the prior art, and it is possible to reduce the configuration and improve the strength at a low cost without degrading the detection performance by the detection electrode. An object of the present invention is to provide an input device capable of reducing the cost, downsizing, and improving the strength of a device on which the device is mounted.

An input device according to the present invention includes a touch panel having a display surface on which input content to be input is displayed, and a detection unit that detects that the input content displayed on the display surface is instructed by an operator. The detection unit has a detection electrode formed on a flat insulating circuit board, and detects an electrostatic capacitance change caused by the proximity of an operator's finger to the detection electrode, thereby In the input device that recognizes the input content instructed by
The detection unit is configured such that the detection electrode is formed near the end of the circuit board, the circuit board is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, and the detection electrode is formed. The substrate end portion is arranged so as to be in contact with or close to the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel at a position close to the display area of the input content on the display surface.

  In the input device configured as described above, the detection electrode is formed on a flat circuit board from one surface to the other surface through the end surface, and an electrode portion formed on the end surface is input to the display surface. You may arrange | position so that it may contact | abut or adjoin the surface on the opposite side to the display surface of a touch panel in the position close | similar to the display area of a content.

  Further, in the above input device, the detection electrode penetrates the circuit board and a rectangular conductor portion formed on the surface near the end face of the flat circuit board so that one side is along the end face of the circuit board. And a detection line provided in parallel with the end face protruding to the opposite side of the conductor part forming surface, and the substrate end face formed so that the conductor part is along However, you may arrange | position so that it may contact | abut or adjoin to the surface on the opposite side to the display surface of a touch panel in the position close | similar to the display area of the input content in the said display surface.

  In the input device, the detection unit may be configured by forming detection electrodes on both surfaces of the circuit board.

  In the input device, a conductive coating may be added to a region included in a sensing field generated from the detection electrode with respect to the touch panel.

  According to the input device of the present invention, since the insulating circuit board constituting the detection unit is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, the detection electrode of the detection unit is located with respect to the display surface of the touch panel. In addition to being arranged extending in the vertical direction, it is arranged on the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel and at a position close to the display area of the input content on the display surface. It has been confirmed that the capacitance of the detection electrode changes even when an operator's finger approaches from a direction perpendicular to the end face of the detection electrode (a direction parallel to the surface). Therefore, if the operator brings his / her finger close to the input content displayed on the touch panel, the input device can recognize the input content instructed by the operator.

  In addition, since the circuit board constituting the detection unit is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, the area occupied by the detection unit in the display surface of the touch panel is arranged in parallel to the display surface. It becomes smaller than the case. Therefore, the size of the input device is determined by the size of the touch panel, and the size of the input device can be reduced.

  In addition, since the circuit board constituting the detection unit is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, a large circuit board is used to arrange the detection electrodes and other electronic components at intervals on the circuit board. If a circuit board extended in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel is used, a large circuit board can be used without changing the area occupied by the detection unit in the display surface of the touch panel. Therefore, without increasing the size of the input device, the detection electrode and other electronic components can be arranged on the circuit board with a sufficient interval, and a sufficient sensing function by the detection electrode can be ensured. it can.

  In addition, the circuit board constituting the detection unit is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, and the end of the circuit board is the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel, and the display of the input content on the display surface When the operator touches a position close to the area, the touch panel is supported by the circuit board and does not bend even when the operator strongly presses the display area of the input contents on the touch panel when instructing the input contents. Therefore, the strength of the touch panel is improved, and a gap is prevented between the touch panel and the circuit board, and the sensing function is prevented from being impaired.

  In addition, since the circuit board constituting the detection unit is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, the detection electrode is formed when a light emitting element for illuminating the input content of the touch panel is required, for example. If the light emitting element is mounted on the circuit board, the light emitting element can be arranged at a predetermined interval from the touch panel. Therefore, an input device that can sufficiently illuminate input contents without mounting a light emitting element on a separate substrate or using an expensive backlight module can be realized at low cost.

  Further, in the input device of the present invention, if a detection electrode extending from one surface of the circuit board to the other surface via the end surface is formed, a sensing field generated in a direction perpendicular to the end surface of the circuit board is expanded. As a result, the detection sensitivity of the detection electrode is increased, and the detectable region on the touch panel (the region in which it is possible to detect that the operator's finger is close or in contact) is increased.

  In the input device of the present invention described above, a rectangular conductor portion formed on the surface near the end surface of the circuit board so that one side extends along the end surface of the circuit board is opposite to the conductor portion forming surface through the circuit board. If a detection electrode is formed by electrically connecting detection lines provided in parallel to the end face of the substrate, the sensing field generated in a direction perpendicular to the end face of the circuit board can be obtained with a relatively simple configuration. Expanding. As a result, the detection sensitivity of the detection electrodes increases, and the detectable area on the touch panel increases.

  In the input device of the present invention, if detection electrodes are formed on both sides of the circuit board, the detectable area can be increased without increasing the number of circuit boards, and a large number of input contents can be handled at the same time. Can be manufactured at low cost.

  In the input device of the present invention, if a conductive coating is added to the touch panel in a region included in the sensing field generated from the detection electrode, the sensing field is expanded as compared with the case of only the detection electrode. be able to.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a DVD player 2 provided with an input device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a side longitudinal sectional view and (b) is a front view. is there. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the detection unit 6 constituting the input device 1. The DVD player 2 is configured by disposing an input device 1, a DVD drive device 4, and a control unit 7 that controls the DVD player 2 in a casing 3. The DVD drive device 4 is a device that inserts / discharges a DVD through the DVD insertion / ejection port 4a and reads information recorded from the inserted DVD. The DVD drive device 4 is disposed on the upper side in the casing 3, and the DVD insertion / ejection port 4 a is exposed from the upper front side of the casing 3. Further, the input device 1 and the control unit 7 are disposed below the DVD drive device 4 in the casing 3. The input device 1 is disposed on the front side, and the control unit 7 is disposed behind the input device 1.

  The input device 1 is a device for an operator to instruct input contents to be input to the DVD player 2. The input device 1 includes a touch panel 5 that displays input content including characters and graphics, and a detection unit 6 that detects that the input content is instructed by an operator.

  The touch panel 5 is configured by forming input contents by providing a light transmitting region and a light blocking region on one surface (display surface) of a flat plate made of a light transmitting material, for example. The input content is formed, for example, by forming a translucent area along the shape of a character or graphic to be displayed in a black shading area as a background. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, three operation buttons B <b> 1 to B <b> 3 that indicate operation positions by fingertip contact or the like are formed on the touch panel 5. The operation button B1 is a volume increase button that is operated when the volume is increased, the operation button B2 is a volume decrease button that is operated when the volume is decreased, and the operation button B3 is used when the power is turned on / off. This is an ON / OFF button to be operated. Such a touch panel 5 is disposed on the front side of the casing 3 and below the DVD insertion / ejection opening 4a in a state where the display surface is exposed to the outside so that the input content can be viewed by the operator. In FIG. 1B, with respect to the display surface of the touch panel 5, the light-shielding area as the background is represented in white, and the translucent areas such as the square frames and characters forming the buttons B1 to B3 are represented in black. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2, the detection unit 6 generates a sensing field connected to the detection electrode 12 and the detection electrode 12 on the insulating circuit board 11 and changes the sensing field, that is, An IC chip 13 that detects a change in capacitance, an LED (light emitting diode) 14 that is a light emitting element for illuminating the input content of the touch panel 5, and a cable 8 connected to the control unit 7 of the DVD player 2 are connected. And a connector 15 to be arranged.

  The detection unit 6 is formed such that the rectangular detection electrode 12 is a surface near the end of the circuit board 11 and one side is along the end face of the circuit board 11, and the circuit board 11 is perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5. The end of the substrate on which the detection electrode 12 is formed is arranged in contact with the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel 5 at a position close to the display area of the input content on the display surface. ing. Note that the detection unit 6 may be disposed so as to be close to the display surface of the touch panel 5 without contacting the surface.

  In the input device 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 3A, the sensing field SF is generated around the detection electrode 12 as a center. This sensing field SF is generated by charging and discharging the charge to the detection electrode 12 (supply to the detection circuit) at intervals of 100 nanoseconds. In a state where the sensing field SF is not disturbed, a certain amount of charge is supplied to the detection circuit, so that the detection circuit detects a predetermined capacitance. When the sensing field SF is generated, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the operator's finger Y comes close to the surface of the detection electrode 12 from the vertical direction, the sensing field SF A part is disturbed by being absorbed by the finger Y. As a result, the amount of charge supplied to the detection circuit changes, and the detection circuit detects a change in capacitance. In this manner, the input device 1 detects that the operator's finger Y has approached the detection electrode 12. Such capacitance type sensors are described in, for example, US Pat. No. 5,730,165, US Pat. No. 6,452,514, and US Pat. No. 6,646,036.

  By the way, since the sensing field SF described above is generated around the detection electrode 12, as shown in FIG. 3C, the detection electrode 12 is a surface near the end of the circuit board 11 and one side is the end face of the substrate. The sensing field SF is projected outward from the end surface 12 s of the detection electrode 12, that is, the end surface 11 s of the circuit board 11. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3D, the operator's finger Y is perpendicular to the end surface 12 s of the detection electrode 12 (end surface 11 s of the circuit board 11), that is, parallel to the surface of the detection electrode 12. Even when the sensor is close to the sensor, a part of the sensing field SF is disturbed by being absorbed by the finger Y in the same manner as described above, and the change in capacitance can be detected by the detection circuit.

  The present invention has been made by paying attention to the fact that the proximity of the finger Y can be detected even when the operator's finger Y approaches the end surface 12s of the detection electrode 12 from the vertical direction as described above. In the input device 1, the detection electrode 12 is formed on the surface near the end of the circuit board 11 so that one side is along the end face of the circuit board, and the circuit board 11 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5. The substrate end portion on which the detection electrode 12 is formed is arranged so as to be in contact with the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel 5 at a position close to the display area of the input content on the display surface. That is, the position of the detection unit 6 is determined so that the display area of the buttons B1 to B3 that are the input contents displayed on the touch panel 5 exists in the sensing field SF. Therefore, when the operator's finger Y approaches or touches the display area of the buttons B1 to B3 displayed on the touch panel 5, the sensing field SF changes. By detecting the change of the sensing field SF with the IC chip 13, the input device 1 recognizes the input content instructed by the operator.

  Further, in the above-described input device 1, the circuit board 11 constituting the detection unit 6 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5, and therefore the area occupied by the detection unit 6 in the display surface of the touch panel 5 is As compared with the case where the circuit board 11 is arranged in parallel to the display surface, it becomes smaller. Therefore, the size of the front side where the operation surface of the input device 1 exists is determined by the size of the touch panel 5, and the size of the front side of the input device 1 can be reduced. It is possible to reduce the size.

  In the input device 1 described above, since the circuit board 11 constituting the detection unit 6 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5, the detection electrode 12 and the IC chip 13 are arranged on the circuit board 11. When a large circuit board 11 is used to arrange other electronic components with a space therebetween, as shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 11 extended in the direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5 is used. For example, the large circuit board 11 can be used without changing the area occupied by the detection unit 6 in the display surface of the touch panel 5. Therefore, the detection electrode 12 and other electronic components such as the IC chip 13 can be arranged on the circuit board 11 with a sufficient space without increasing the size of the operation side of the input device 1. As a result, the sensing field SF can be prevented from changing due to the influence of other electronic components such as the IC chip 13, and sufficient sensing sensitivity by the detection electrode 12 can be ensured.

  In the input device 1 described above, as shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 11 constituting the detection unit 6 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5, and the end of the circuit board 11 is When the operator designates the buttons B1 to B3, the surface is on the opposite side of the display surface of the touch panel 5 and is in contact with the position close to the display area of the buttons B1 to B3 displayed on the display surface. Even when the display area of the buttons B1 to B3 on the touch panel 5 is strongly pressed, the touch panel 5 is supported by the circuit board 11 and does not bend. Therefore, the strength of the touch panel 5 is improved, and a gap is prevented between the touch panel 5 and the circuit board 11 or the sensing function is prevented from being impaired.

  In the input device 1 described above, since the circuit board 11 constituting the detection unit 6 is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel 5, the LEDs 14 for illuminating the buttons B <b> 1 to B <b> 3 of the touch panel 5 are provided. Even when mounted on the circuit board 11 on which the detection electrodes 12 are formed, the LEDs 14 can be arranged at a predetermined interval from the touch panel 5. Therefore, the input device 1 that can sufficiently illuminate the buttons B1 to B3 can be realized at low cost without mounting the LED 14 on a separate substrate or using an expensive backlight module.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a side view. Since the second embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above, the same reference numeral is given to the same configuration, and detailed description thereof is omitted. A feature of the input device according to the second embodiment is that the detection electrode 12 in the detection unit 6 is formed on the flat circuit board 11 from the one surface 11a to the other surface 11b through the end surface 11s. That is, the detection electrode 12 is formed on the conductor surface 12a formed on the one surface 11a of the circuit board 11, the conductor portion 12b formed on the other surface 11b, the end surface 11s, and the conductor portions 12a and 12b. And a conductor portion 12s connecting the two. And the detection part 6 is a position in which the conductor part 12s formed in the end surface 11s of the circuit board 11 adjoins to the display area of button B1-B3 in the touch panel 5, and is on the surface on the opposite side to the display surface of the touch panel 5. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut. The detection unit 6 may be disposed so as to be close to the conductor portion 12s without contacting the surface of the touch panel 5 opposite to the display surface.

  Thus, in the input device 1, if the detection electrode 12 extending from the one surface 11a of the circuit board 11 to the other surface 11b via the end surface 11s is formed, a sensing field generated in a direction perpendicular to the end surface 11s of the circuit board 11 is formed. Expands. As a result, the detection sensitivity of the detection electrode 12 is increased, and the detectable region on the touch panel 5 (the region where it is possible to detect that the operator's finger is approaching or touching) is increased. In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a perspective view. Since the third embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and detailed description thereof is omitted. A feature of the input device 1 according to the third embodiment is that the detection electrode 12 in the detection unit 6 is arranged so that the one surface 11a in the vicinity of the end surface 11s of the flat circuit board 11 is along the end surface 11s of the circuit board 11 on one side. The formed rectangular conductor portion 12c is electrically connected to the conductor portion 12c through the circuit board 11, and on the opposite side to the surface on which the conductor portion 12c is formed, that is, the other side of the circuit board 11. That is, the detection line 12j is provided so as to protrude toward the surface 11b and to be parallel to the end face 11s. The detection line 12j is made of a conductive metal wire, and is electrically connected to the conductor portion 12c at two locations. And the detection part 6 is in the position in which the board | substrate end surface 11s formed so that the conductor part 12c may follow along the display area of button B1-B3 in the touch panel 5 on the surface on the opposite side to the display surface of the touch panel 5. It arrange | positions so that it may contact | abut. The detection unit 6 may be arranged so as to be close to the substrate end surface 11 s without contacting the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel 5.

  Thus, in the input device 1, the rectangular conductor portion 12 c formed on one surface 11 a near the end surface 11 s of the circuit board 11 so that one side extends along the substrate end surface 11 s, and both ends penetrate the circuit board 11. The detection line 12j and the detection electrode 12 are formed so as to be electrically connected to the conductor portion 12c and to protrude to the opposite side of the formation surface (one surface 11a) of the conductor portion 12c and to be parallel to the substrate end surface 11s. Then, the sensing field generated in the direction perpendicular to the end surface 11s of the circuit board 11 is expanded. Thereby, the detection sensitivity by the detection electrode 12 increases, and the detectable area on the touch panel 5 increases. In the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a side view showing the state of occurrence of the sensing field SF, (a) showing the state of occurrence in the second embodiment, and (b) showing the state of occurrence in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, compared with the second embodiment in which the detection electrodes 12 are formed of the conductor portions 12 a, 12 b, and 12 s formed on both surfaces and end surfaces of the circuit board 11, the detection electrodes 12 are one of the circuit boards 11. A conductor portion 12c formed on the surface and a detection line 12j that is electrically connected to the conductor portion 12c through the circuit board 11 and projecting on the other surface side of the circuit board 11 are formed. In the third embodiment, when the end surface 11s of the circuit board 11 is used as a reference, it was confirmed that the sensing field SF is generated farther. In addition, in 3rd Embodiment shown in the said FIG.6 and FIG.7 (b), although the detection line 12j is comprised with the electroconductive metal wire, it is not limited to this, L shape or U shape You may comprise by thin electroconductive metal plates, such as. In this case, one or both ends of the L-shaped or U-shaped metal plate are electrically connected to the conductor portion 11c through the circuit board 11, and the metal plate is connected to the other surface side of the circuit board 11. The detection line 12j is configured to project.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory views for explaining a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8A is a rear view of the touch panel 5 and FIG. 8B is a side view showing a generation state of the sensing field SF. Since the fourth embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described second embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and detailed description thereof is omitted. A feature of the input device 1 according to the fourth embodiment is that a conductive coating 20 is added to a region included in the sensing field SF generated from the detection electrode 12 on the back surface of the touch panel 5. Since the touch panel 5 in the embodiment is a so-called transmissive touch panel that displays the buttons B1 to B3 by transmitting light from the LED 14, the conductive coating 20 includes a conductive polymer PEDOT (polyethylenedioxithiophene) as a main component. The transparent conductive ink for screen printing (Orgacon: registered trademark) and a conductive material having translucency such as ITO (indium tin oxide) are realized.

  In this way, in the input device 1, if the conductive coating 20 is added to the area included in the sensing field generated from the detection electrode 12 on the touch panel 5, only the detection electrode 12 is obtained as shown in FIG. It was confirmed that the sensing field SF expanded compared to the case of. Further, the conductive coating 20 may be added to a component constituting the touch panel 5 and made of an insulating material. For example, in order to prevent the light from the LED 14 from leaking from the periphery of the edge of the substrate to the outside on the front side of the substrate made of a translucent material constituting the touch panel 5, a covering member called an overlay is provided. If placed, a conductive coating 20 may be added to the overlay.

  The conductive coating 20 may be added not only to the input device 1 according to the second embodiment but also to the input device 1 according to the first or third embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a side longitudinal sectional view, (b) is a perspective view, and (c) is a front view of the touch panel 5. It is. Since the fifth embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the above-described first embodiment, the same configuration is denoted by the same reference numeral, and detailed description thereof is omitted. The feature of the input device 1 according to the fifth embodiment is that the detection electrodes 12 are formed on both surfaces of the circuit board 11, and the LEDs 14 that illuminate the input content displayed on the touch panel 5 are also mounted on both surfaces of the circuit board 11. That is. The LED 14 mounted on one surface of the circuit board 11 and the LED 14 mounted on the other surface are different in color of emitted light. In this input device 1, the circuit board 11 constituting the detection unit 6 is disposed so that the end surface 11 s thereof is in contact with the back surface of the touch panel 5, so that the circuit board 11 functions as a light shielding plate and is emitted from the LED 14. The light does not reach the side opposite to the mounting surface of the LED 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9C, the input contents (display areas) RA and RB displayed close to each other in the vertical direction on the touch panel 5 can be displayed in different colors.

  In this manner, in the input device 1, if the detection electrodes 12 are formed on both sides of the circuit board 11, the detectable area can be increased without increasing the circuit board 11, and an input that can handle a large number of input contents at the same time. The apparatus 1 can be manufactured at low cost. Further, when the detection electrodes 12 and the LEDs 14 are arranged on both surfaces of the circuit board 11, and the LEDs 14 arranged on one side of the circuit board 11 and the LEDs 14 arranged on the other side are different from each other in color, Since the substrate 11 functions as a light shielding plate, multicolor display on the touch panel 5 can be realized at low cost without providing a separate light shielding plate. The configuration in which the LEDs 14 are mounted on both surfaces of the circuit board 11 is applied not only to the input device according to the first embodiment but also to the input device according to the second, third, or fourth embodiment. You may do it.

  The input device of the present invention is widely used for devices including an input device for an operator to directly input information to be input such as operation contents of the device, such as a DVD player, into the device. be able to. The input device of the present invention is particularly useful for devices such as stationary DVD players and CD players that are relatively thin and have the input device disposed on the front side thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the DVD player 2 provided with the input device 1 which is 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a side surface longitudinal cross-sectional view, (b) is a front view. 3 is a plan view of a detection unit 6 that constitutes the input device 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a detection principle in the input device 1. It is a figure which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the touch panel 5 and the detection part 6 in the input device 1, (a) is a side view, (b) is a top view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a perspective view. It is a side view which shows the generation | occurrence | production state of sensing field SF in 2nd and 3rd embodiment, (a) shows 2nd Embodiment, (b) has shown 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating 4th Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a rear view of the touch panel 5, (b) is a side view which shows the generation | occurrence | production state of sensing field SF. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating 5th Embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a perspective view, (c) is a front view of the touch panel 5. FIG. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the DVD player 32 using the conventional electrostatic capacitance type input device 31, (a) is sectional drawing, (b) is a front view. 3 is a plan view of a detection unit 36 that constitutes an input device 31. FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state where a sensing field is generated in the input device 31. FIG. It is a side view which shows the arrangement | positioning relationship between the touch panel 35 in the input device 31, and the circuit board 41 which comprises a detection part. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the problem of a prior art, (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the problem of a prior art, (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the problem of a prior art, (a) is a side view, (b) is a front view.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Input device 2 DVD player 3 Casing 4 DVD drive device 4a DVD insertion / extraction port 5 Touch panel 6 Detection part 7 Control part 8 Cable 11 Circuit board 11a One surface 11b Other surface 11s End surface 12 Detection electrode 12a Conductor part 12b Conductor part 12c Conductor portion 12s Conductor portion 12j Detection line 13 IC chip 14 LED (light emitting diode)
15 Connector 20 Conductive coating B1 Volume increase button B2 Volume decrease button B3 ON / OFF button SF Sensing field SF1 Sensing field SF2 Sensing field Y Operator's finger

Claims (5)

A touch panel having a display surface on which input content to be input is displayed, and a detection unit that detects that the input content displayed on the display surface is instructed by an operator, and the detection unit has a flat plate shape It has a detection electrode formed on an insulating circuit board, and recognizes the input content instructed by the operator by detecting a change in capacitance caused by the proximity of the operator's finger to the detection electrode. In the input device,
The detection unit is configured such that the detection electrode is formed near the end of the circuit board, the circuit board is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the display surface of the touch panel, and the detection electrode is formed. An input device, wherein an end portion of a substrate is disposed so as to be in contact with or close to a surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel at a position close to a display area of input content on the display surface. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the detection electrode is formed on a flat circuit board from one surface to the other surface via the end surface, and an electrode portion formed on the end surface is input content on the display surface. An input device, wherein the input device is disposed so as to be in contact with or close to the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel at a position close to the display area. 2. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the detection electrode has a rectangular conductor portion formed on a surface in the vicinity of an end face of a flat circuit board so that one side is along the end face of the circuit board; and the circuit board. And a detection line provided in parallel to the end face protruding to the opposite side of the conductor part forming surface, and formed so that the conductor part extends along the conductor part forming surface. The input device is characterized in that the substrate end face is disposed so as to be in contact with or close to the surface opposite to the display surface of the touch panel at a position close to the display area of the input content on the display surface. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is configured by forming detection electrodes on both surfaces of the circuit board. The input device according to claim 1, wherein a conductive coating is added to a region included in a sensing field generated from the detection electrode with respect to the touch panel.

Images