JP2005266890A - Touch panel device, control method of touch panel device and pos terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel device, a control method of the touch panel device and a POS terminal device capable of easily controlling a vibration pattern with high speed of response, being driven at a low voltage, and providing an operator with operational feeling with a simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This touch panel device 10 comprises a touch panel 1, a coil 24, and a magnet 23 composed of rare earth bond magnet. The electric current is allowed to flow in the coil 24 on the basis of the information on which the touch panel 1 is touched or pressed, thus the coil 24 and the magnet 23 are relatively moved, and one of the coil 24 and the magnet 23 vibrates the touch panel 1 fixed directly or through a touch panel frame 56 to allow the operator of the touch panel device 10 or the POS terminal device 100 to have the operational feeling. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel device that inputs data to a processing device such as a computer by pressing a panel surface or touching the panel surface, a control method for the touch panel device, and a POS terminal device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, touch panel devices that input data to a processing device such as a computer by pressing the panel surface or contacting the panel surface are known. In such a touch panel device, a correspondence between a pressing position on the touch panel and output data is determined in advance, the pressing position is detected, and data corresponding to the pressing position is input.

  In this type of touch panel device, operation can be performed by lightly pressing, but the operation feeling is poor, and it is difficult for the operator to know from the operation feeling whether the input operation has been performed. Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a touch panel device has been proposed in which a touch panel is vibrated in accordance with an operation on the touch panel device to give an operational feeling to a pressed fingertip. As means for vibrating the touch panel, there is a means for generating vibration by rotating an eccentric weight with a motor (see Patent Document 1), a means for moving the touch panel with a piezoelectric element at a high speed (see Patent Document 2), and the like. ,Are known.

JP 2000-137576 A JP 2003-122507 A

  However, the method as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that it takes time to generate vibration and the response speed is slow. In addition, when the number of rotations (frequency) is increased, the amplitude increases accordingly, and it is difficult to control individual vibration elements, and it is difficult to set many types of vibration patterns that can be distinguished by touch. . In particular, there is a problem that it is very difficult to perform detailed control such that the touch panel is arbitrarily shaken in the same direction as the pressing direction or in the opposite direction to the pressing direction.

  On the other hand, in the method as disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to apply a high drive voltage to the piezoelectric element in order to generate the amount of displacement that can be felt by the fingertip, which requires a booster circuit and the like, resulting in a complicated circuit. There was a problem. Moreover, in order to incorporate a piezoelectric element in a touch panel, there existed a subject that the structure of a touch panel became complicated. And there also existed the subject that an assembly process also became complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a touch panel device, a touch panel device control method, and a POS terminal that have a high response speed, can easily control a vibration pattern, can be driven at a low voltage, and can give an operator a sense of operation with a simple configuration. An object is to provide an apparatus.

  The touch panel device according to the present invention includes a touch panel, a coil, and a magnet, and based on information that the touch panel is contacted or pressed, a current is passed through the coil, the coil and the magnet are relatively moved, and by the relative movement, The touch panel is vibrated with vibration that can be sensed by touch.

  The control method of the touch panel device according to the present invention includes a step of detecting that the touch panel is touched or pressed, and a relative movement between the coil and the magnet by passing a current through the coil based on the detection information of the touch or press. And causing the touch panel to vibrate.

  According to the method and configuration of the present invention, by passing an electric current through the coil, the coil and the magnet can be moved relative to each other, and the touch panel can be vibrated in a tactile sense by the relative movement. . As a result, an operational feeling can be given to the operator. In addition, a sufficient driving force can be obtained by applying a low voltage to the current flowing in the coil. A high voltage for driving the piezoelectric element is not required, and the touch panel can be vibrated at a low voltage. Furthermore, by controlling the current flowing through the coil, the flowing time, and the like, the amplitude and vibration cycle for vibrating the touch panel can be controlled, and the moving direction of the touch panel can also be controlled by the direction of the current. Therefore, the touch panel can be vibrated with various vibration patterns.

  In this case, the magnet is preferably a rare earth bonded magnet.

  According to this configuration, since the rare earth magnet has a large energy product, the necessary force can be generated with a smaller magnet. Further, it is possible to reduce the current flowing through the coil in order to generate a necessary force. Furthermore, since the bond magnet is manufactured by a method such as compression molding or injection molding, the degree of freedom in shape is high, and a magnet having a more suitable shape can be used.

  In this case, a holding frame that holds the touch panel is further provided. The touch panel is attached to the holding frame so that the touch panel can be moved minutely, and either the coil or the magnet is fixed to the touch panel. It is preferable that the other is fixed to the holding frame.

  According to this configuration, the touch panel is directly moved by relatively moving the coil and the magnet. Since there is little loss of power caused by transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently. In addition, since there is little time delay due to transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated with good timing. Furthermore, the configuration for vibrating the touch panel is only to fix a coil or a magnet to the touch panel, and it is not necessary to change the structure of the touch panel, and the touch panel can be vibrated with a simple configuration.

  In this case, the touch panel is held and the touch panel frame that is held by the holding frame is further provided. The touch panel frame is attached to the holding frame so as to be minutely movable with respect to the holding frame. It is preferable that either one is fixed to the touch panel frame and the other is fixed to the holding frame.

  According to this configuration, the touch panel frame holding the touch panel is directly moved by the relative movement of the coil and the magnet. Since there is little loss of power caused by transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently. In addition, since there is little time delay due to transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated with good timing. Furthermore, a display device or the like can be arranged on the back surface of the touch panel (the surface opposite to the surface to be pressed or touched), information can be displayed on the display device, and an operator can check the information via the touch panel. be able to.

  In this case, it is preferable that the touch panel device changes a pattern of relative movement between the coil and the magnet by changing a pattern in which a current flows through the coil according to a position on the touch panel where the touch panel is touched or pressed.

  In this case, it is preferable that the control method of the touch panel device changes the pattern for causing the touch panel to vibrate by changing a pattern for passing a current through the coil in accordance with the position on the touch panel where the touch panel is touched or pressed.

  According to this method and configuration, the pattern for vibrating the touch panel can be changed corresponding to the pressed or touched position. Therefore, the operator can know the position on the touch panel operated according to the operational feeling. By storing the relationship between the position on the touch panel and the operation content, it is possible to know the operation content from the operational feeling, and it is possible to confirm whether or not the intended operation has been performed without depending on vision.

  The POS terminal device of the present invention includes the touch panel device described above.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to move the coil and the magnet relatively by passing an electric current through the coil, and to vibrate the touch panel in a tactile sense by the relative movement. Thereby, it is possible to give an operational feeling to the operator of the POS terminal device.

  Hereinafter, a touch panel device, a touch panel device control method, and a POS terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First embodiment)
A touch panel device including a resistive film type touch panel, which is an embodiment of the touch panel, will be described in detail.

  First, a resistive film type touch panel will be described. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a resistive film type touch panel, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation principle of the resistive film type touch panel. As shown in FIG. 1, a resistive film type touch panel 1 of the present embodiment has an ITO transparent electrode 4 and silver paste electrode terminals 6a, 6a, 6b on both sides of a transparent upper substrate 2 made of a polyethersulfone film. 6b and silver paste routing electrodes 7 and 8 and external connection terminals 9 are formed. An ITO transparent electrode 14 and silver paste electrode terminals 16a and 16b at both ends thereof are formed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 12 made of a glass plate. On the transparent electrode 14 made of ITO, dot-shaped spacers (not shown) are formed at a height of 5 μm and at intervals of 5 mm. The direction connecting the electrode terminals 6 a and 6 b of the upper substrate 2 and the direction connecting the electrode terminals 16 a and 16 b of the lower substrate 12 are overlapped so as to be orthogonal to each other, and are bonded with a double-sided tape 17. The electrode terminals 16 a and 16 b of the lower substrate 12 and the routing electrode 8 of the upper substrate 2 are electrically connected by a silver paste at a gap portion provided in the double-sided tape 17.

  FIG. 2A schematically shows an electrical configuration of a resistive touch panel. The resistors RX and RY are formed of transparent electrodes 4 and 14, respectively. The electrode terminal 6a and the electrode terminal 16a are each connected to a power source that applies a reference voltage via a changeover switch. The electrode terminal 6a and the electrode terminal 16a are each connected to a voltage detection circuit (both not shown). The electrode terminal 6b and the electrode terminal 16b are each connected to the circuit ground GND via the changeover switch. The electrode terminal 6b and the electrode terminal 16b are each connected to a voltage detection circuit (both not shown). The length in the X direction of the transparent electrode 4 constituting the resistor RX, that is, the distance between the electrode terminal 6a and the electrode terminal 6b is LX. The length in the Y direction of the transparent electrode 14 constituting the resistor RY, that is, the distance between the electrode terminal 16a and the electrode terminal 16b is LY.

FIG. 2B schematically shows the electrical configuration of the resistive touch panel when the position in the X direction in the figure is detected. The upper substrate 2 is pressed, and the transparent electrode 4 and the transparent electrode 14 are in contact at the contact point 20. The contact point 20 is at a distance of LX1 from the electrode terminal 6a and LX2 from the electrode terminal 6b. The resistor RX is divided at the contact point 20 into a resistor RX1 and a resistor RX2. The magnitudes of the resistor RX1 and the resistor RX2 are proportional to the distance LX1 between the electrode terminal 6a and the contact point 20 and the distance LX2 between the electrode terminal 6b and the contact point 20 (see Expression (1)). Therefore, LX1 is expressed as the following equation (2).
LX1: LX = RX2: (RX1 + RX2) (1)
LX1 = LX * RX2 / (RX1 + RX2) (2)

  At both ends of the transparent electrode 4, the changeover switch is turned on, the electrode terminal 6a is connected to the power source, and the electrode terminal 6b is connected to the circuit ground GND. At both ends of the transparent electrode 14, the changeover switch is turned OFF, and the electrode terminal 16a and the electrode terminal 16b are connected to a voltage detection circuit, respectively.

The reference voltage VX is applied to the resistor RX, and the voltage VX1 of the contact point 20 detected by the power supply detection circuit is as shown in Expression (3). Therefore, the resistor RX2 is expressed as shown in Equation (4). From Expression (4) and Expression (2), LX1 is expressed as Expression (5) with reference voltage VX, voltage VX1 of contact point 20, and distance LX. Therefore, the position of the contact point 20 in the X direction can be obtained from the detected voltage VX1 of the contact point 20.
VX1 = VX * RX2 / (RX1 + RX2) (3)
RX2 = (RX1 + RX2) * VX1 / VX (4)
LX1 = LX * VX1 / VX (5)

  Next, the changeover switch is switched so that both ends of the transparent electrode 14 are connected to the power source, the electrode terminal 16b is connected to the circuit ground GND, and both ends of the transparent electrode 4 are connected to the electrode terminal 6a and the electrode terminal. 6b are connected to the voltage detection circuit. The position of the contact point 20 in the Y direction can be detected in the same manner as in the X direction.

  Next, the touch panel device 10 including a resistive film type touch panel will be described. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the touch panel device 10, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the touch panel device 10.

  Near the center of the substantially flat holding substrate 21, a substantially flat magnet 23 made of a rare earth bonded magnet is fixed. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped panel support member 22 made of a flexible material is fixed to the same surface of the holding substrate 21 in the vicinity of the periphery of the holding substrate 21. One surface of the panel support member 22 opposite to the one surface fixed to the holding substrate 21 is fixed to the lower substrate 12 of the touch panel 1, and the touch panel 1 is held by the holding substrate 21 via the panel support member 22. ing. The touch panel 1 is movable with respect to the holding substrate 21 within a range where the panel support member 22 is bent.

  A coil 24 is also fixed to the lower substrate 12. The coil 24 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and one end surface of the tube is fixed to the lower substrate 12, and the other end surface faces the holding substrate 21 with a slight gap. The positional relationship between the coil 24 and the magnet 23 is such that a rectangular cylindrical coil 24 surrounds the magnet 23, and a slight gap is provided between the coil 24 and the magnet 23. The end of the conducting wire forming the coil 24 is connected to an amplifier 37 (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and shown in FIG. 5) described later. The magnet 23 is magnetized in the plate-like thickness direction. A slight gap is provided between the surface of the magnet 23 facing the touch panel 1 and the touch panel 1. Although only three turns of the coil 24 shown in FIG. 3 are shown for the sake of simplicity, the number of turns of the coil 24 can be appropriately determined according to the required driving force.

  Next, a functional configuration for realizing the present invention in the touch panel device 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing the overall functional configuration for realizing the present invention, and shows the relationship between the functional units.

  The vibration pattern storage unit 34 is a storage unit that stores a vibration pattern for vibrating the touch panel 1. Corresponding to the position on the operation surface of the touch panel 1, a vibration pattern for vibrating the touch panel 1 is determined in advance and stored in the vibration pattern storage unit 34. When the surface of the touch panel 1 is pressed, the transparent electrode 4 and the transparent electrode 14 come into contact with each other, and a voltage corresponding to the contact position is detected. The touch panel controller 31 controls the touch panel 1 and acquires information that the touch panel 1 is pressed and information on the pressed position from the detected voltage. The touch panel controller 31 transmits the acquired pressing information and pressing position information to the vibration control unit 33. The vibration control unit 33 recognizes the pressing information and the pressing position information from the touch panel controller 31, selects a vibration pattern corresponding to the pressing position information from the vibration pattern storage unit 34, reads out a corresponding vibration control pulse, and generates a signal generator. Send to 36. The signal generator 36 causes a current to flow through the coil 24 via the amplifier 37 in accordance with the vibration control pulse.

  In the present embodiment, each function is realized by software using the vibration control unit 33. However, when each of the above functions can be realized by a single electronic circuit that does not use an arithmetic device, such a function is used. A simple electronic circuit can be used. The electronic circuit may be built in the touch panel device or may be provided in a host device that inputs data from the touch panel device.

  Next, the operation of the touch panel device 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the touch panel device.

  When the touch panel device 10 is powered on, the touch panel device 10 enters a standby state (step S1). Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the touch panel 1 is pressed. When the touch panel 1 is not pressed (NO in step S2), the standby state in step S1 is maintained. If the touch panel 1 is pressed (YES in step S2), the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S <b> 3, the touch panel controller 31 detects an output voltage from the touch panel 1 and obtains a pressed position on the touch panel 1. The pressed position information is sent to the vibration control unit 33. Next, in step S <b> 4, the vibration control unit 33 selects a vibration pattern corresponding to the detected pressing position from the vibration patterns stored in the vibration pattern storage unit 34. A vibration control pulse corresponding to the selected vibration pattern is sent to the signal generator 36.

  Next, in step S5, the signal generator 36 causes a current to flow through the coil 24 via the amplifier 37 in accordance with the vibration control pulse. Next, in step S <b> 6, when an electric current flows through the coil 24, an electromagnetic induction force is generated, and the coil 24 moves relative to the magnet 23. As described above, the touch panel 1 is held by the holding substrate 21 via the flexible panel support member 22, and when the panel support member 22 bends, the touch panel 1 is attached to the holding substrate 21. Are relatively movable. Therefore, the touch panel 1 to which the coil 24 is fixed is moved together with the coil 24. When the direction in which the current flows is changed, the moving direction of the coil 24 is also changed, the moving direction of the touch panel 1 moved together is also changed, and the touch panel 1 can be vibrated by changing the direction in which the current is passed. At this time, the voltage for passing a current through the coil 24 is about several volts, and can be used as it is without increasing the voltage.

  When the vibration by the selected vibration pattern is finished, the vibration generating operation corresponding to one press is finished, and the process returns to the standby state of step S1 again.

  FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of a vibration pattern. The electric current which flows into the coil 24, and the time which is flowing are shown. The pattern shown in FIG. 7A is to displace the touch panel 1 so that current flows in one direction and is pushed back in the direction opposite to the pressing direction with respect to the touch panel 1 or escapes in the same direction as the pressing direction. . By this displacement, it is possible to realize a feeling of resistance similar to the feeling of resistance of a switch incorporating a spring and the feeling of clicking of a switch incorporating a snap spring. The feeling of operation can be changed by adjusting the current i and the energization time a, which is the time to flow the current, and adjusting the amount of displacement, the time during which the current is displaced, and the like. The energization time a is, for example, 100 ms.

  The pattern shown in FIG. 7B causes the touch panel 1 to vibrate by alternately passing current. A feeling of operation can be realized by applying a plurality of times of pressing to the fingertip pressing the touch panel 1. The frequency of vibration can be increased to generate audible vibration and sound can be generated from the touch panel 1. In addition, it is possible to mix vibrations of different frequencies so that the operation feeling applied to the fingertip and the generation of sound can be generated almost simultaneously.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By passing an electric current through the coil 24, the coil 24 can be moved relative to the magnet 23, and the touch panel 1 to which the coil 24 is fixed can be vibrated by the relative movement. As a result, an operational feeling can be given to the operator.

  (2) The driving source that vibrates the touch panel 1 is the coil 24 and the magnet 23, and the voltage of the current flowing through the coil is high enough to obtain a sufficient driving force by applying a low voltage and drive the piezoelectric element. No voltage is required, and the touch panel 1 can be vibrated with a low voltage.

  (3) The drive source that vibrates the touch panel 1 is the coil 24 and the magnet 23, and the amplitude and the vibration period for vibrating the touch panel 1 can be controlled by controlling the current flowing through the coil 24 and the flowing time. The moving direction of the touch panel 1 can also be controlled by the direction of current. Therefore, the touch panel 1 can be vibrated with various vibration patterns.

  (4) The drive source that vibrates the touch panel 1 is the coil 24 and the magnet 23, and the touch panel 1 is vibrated by moving the coil 24 relative to the magnet 23, so that the touch panel 1 is vibrated with an amplitude of several millimeters. It is possible to vibrate with a large amplitude sufficient to give the operator an operational feeling by touch.

  (5) The magnet 23 is composed of a rare earth bonded magnet, and the rare earth magnet has a large energy product, so that a necessary force can be generated with a smaller magnet. Further, it is possible to reduce the current flowing through the coil 24 in order to generate a necessary force.

  (6) Since the magnet 23 is composed of a rare earth bonded magnet, and the bonded magnet is manufactured by a method such as compression molding or injection molding, the shape has a high degree of freedom, and a magnet having a more suitable shape can be used. .

  (7) The drive source that vibrates the touch panel 1 is the coil 24 and the magnet 23, and the coil 24 is directly fixed to the touch panel 1. Is moved directly. Since there is little loss of power caused by transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently. In addition, since there is little time delay due to transmitting power, the touch panel can be vibrated with good timing.

  (8) The drive source for vibrating the touch panel 1 is the coil 24 and the magnet 23, and the configuration for vibrating the touch panel 1 is simply to fix the coil 24 to the touch panel 1 and fix the magnet 23 to the holding substrate 21. Good. There is no need to change the structure of the touch panel 1, and the touch panel 1 can be vibrated with a simple configuration.

  A vibration pattern corresponding to a position on the operation surface of the touch panel 1 is stored in the vibration pattern storage unit 34 in advance. When the vibration control unit 33 receives the pressed position information, the vibration control unit 33 selects a vibration pattern corresponding to the pressed position information from the vibration pattern storage unit 34 and sends a corresponding vibration pulse to the signal generator 36. The signal generator 36 controls the vibration control. A current is supplied to the coil 24 through the amplifier 37 in accordance with the pulse. Therefore, the pattern for vibrating the touch panel 1 can be changed corresponding to the position where the touch panel 1 is pressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the touch panel device according to the present invention will be described. The touch panel device of this embodiment is basically the same as the touch panel device 10 described in the first embodiment. Only a configuration for holding the touch panel 1 different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device according to the second embodiment. The touch panel device 50 according to the present embodiment is configured by mounting the touch panel 1 and the like on a holding frame 51. The holding frame 51 has a box shape in which a peripheral wall 51b is erected on four sides of a bottom plate 51a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and an upper surface is an opening. A substantially flat magnet 53 made of a rare earth bonded magnet is fixed to the inner bottom surface of the holding frame 51 having a substantially box shape, that is, near the center of the bottom plate 51a. A substantially rectangular parallelepiped panel frame support member 52 made of a flexible material is fixed to the same surface of the bottom plate 51 a in the vicinity of the peripheral wall 51 b of the holding frame 51. One surface of the panel frame support member 52 opposite to the one surface fixed to the bottom plate 51 a is fixed to the lower surface of the touch panel frame 56, and the touch panel frame 56 is supported by the holding frame 51 via the panel frame support member 52. Has been. The arrangement of the panel frame support member 52 is the same as that of the panel support member 22 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 3). The touch panel frame 56 is movable with respect to the holding frame 51 within a range where the panel frame support member 52 is bent.

  A coil 54 is fixed to the touch panel frame 56. The coil 54 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, one end surface of the tube is fixed to the touch panel frame 56, and the other end surface faces the bottom plate 51a with a slight gap. The positional relationship between the coil 54 and the magnet 53 is such that a rectangular cylindrical coil 54 surrounds the magnet 53, and a slight gap is provided between the coil 54 and the magnet 53. The end of the conducting wire forming the coil 54 is connected to the amplifier 37 (shown in FIG. 5 and not shown in FIG. 8) described in the first embodiment. The magnet 53 is magnetized in the plate-like thickness direction. A slight gap is provided between the magnet 53 and the touch panel frame 56. Note that only six turns of the coil 54 shown in FIG. 8 are shown for the sake of simplicity, but the number of turns of the coil 54 can be appropriately determined in accordance with the required driving force.

  The touch panel frame 56 has a box shape with an opening on the opposite side of the surface on which the coil 54 is fixed. A protrusion 56a is formed around the inner bottom surface of the box-shaped touch panel frame 56, and the touch panel 1 is placed on the protrusion 56a. The touch panel 1 is fixed inside the touch panel frame 56 by being pressed by the claws 56b. There is a gap corresponding to the height of the protrusion 56a between the touch panel 1 and the inner bottom surface of the touch panel frame 56, and a key arrangement plate 57 is inserted. An opening 56 c that communicates with a gap between the touch panel 1 and the inner bottom surface of the touch panel frame 56 is provided on a side surface of the touch panel frame 56. Furthermore, an opening 51c is provided in the peripheral wall 51b facing the opening 56c. The key arrangement plate 57 can be inserted or removed through the opening 56c and the opening 51c.

  The key arrangement plate 57 is a sheet made of paper or plastic, and an arrangement of operation keys set on the touch panel 1 is described. The touch panel 1 is transparent, and the description on the key arrangement plate 57 can be visually recognized via the touch panel 1. FIG. 9 is an example of the operation key arrangement described on the key arrangement plate 57. Characters or symbols suggesting the operation contents of the operation keys and square lines surrounding the characters or symbols are described. When the area surrounded by the square line is pressed, the operation keys described there can be operated, and the contents suggested there can be operated.

  In the same manner as in the first embodiment, by passing a current through the coil 54, the touch panel 1, the touch panel frame 56, and the key arrangement plate 57 are vibrated together as in the touch panel 1 in the first embodiment. Can do.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the key arrangement plate 57 on which the arrangement of operation keys is described can be arranged on the back surface of the touch panel 1, the key arrangement plate 57 can be visually recognized through the transparent touch panel 1. The operation keys set on the touch panel 1 can be operated by pressing the operation keys described on the key arrangement plate 57 while visually confirming them. Therefore, a desired operation key can be operated without a doubt.

  (2) The key arrangement plate 57 can be replaced, and the arrangement of the operation keys described can be easily changed corresponding to the operation keys set on the touch panel 1.

  (3) The touch panel 1 is vibrated integrally with the touch panel frame 56 by the force applied to the touch panel frame 56. Therefore, the present invention can be applied even to a weak touch panel that is bent when a force for vibrating is applied.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the touch panel device according to the present invention will be described. The touch panel device of this embodiment is basically the same as the touch panel device 50 described in the second embodiment. Only a configuration for holding the touch panel 1 different from the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device according to the third embodiment. The touch panel device 60 of the present embodiment is configured by mounting the touch panel 1 and the like on a holding frame 61. The holding frame 61, the magnet 63, and the panel frame support member 62 have basically the same configuration and arrangement as the holding frame 51, the magnet 53, and the panel frame support member 52 in the second embodiment. .

  The touch panel frame 66 has a two-body structure of an upper frame 66a and a lower frame 66b. The touch panel 1 is held on the upper frame 66a as in the second embodiment. The coil 64 is fixed to the lower frame 66b in the same manner as the coil 54 of the second embodiment.

  The upper frame 66a and the lower frame 66b have a structure in which the upper frame 66a and the lower frame 66b are integrated, and a space is formed under the touch panel 1 when the upper frame 66a and the lower frame 66b are integrated. A liquid crystal panel 67 as a display device is arranged in the space. Specifically, the liquid crystal panel 67 is fixed on a frame body 68 a of the liquid crystal panel frame 68. A plurality of frame legs 68b are formed integrally with the frame body 68a around the frame body 68a. The lower frame 66b is provided with an opening 66c corresponding to the position of the frame leg 68b, and the frame leg 68b penetrates the opening 66c. The liquid crystal panel frame 68 and the liquid crystal panel 67 are fixed to the holding frame 61 by fixing the tip of the frame leg 68 b to the holding frame 61. Of course, the opening into which the frame leg 68b is fitted is provided in a portion where the panel frame support member 62 is not provided.

  On the liquid crystal panel 67, an arrangement of operation keys set on the touch panel 1 as described in the key arrangement plate 57 of the second embodiment is displayed. Corresponding operation key arrangements can be displayed in conjunction with operation key setting changes set on the touch panel 1.

  In the same manner as in the first embodiment, by passing a current through the coil 64, the touch panel 1 and the touch panel frame 66 can be vibrated together as in the touch panel 1 in the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The touch panel 1 arranged on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 67 can be vibrated, and the touch panel device 60 including the liquid crystal panel 67 can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the touch panel device according to the present invention will be described. The touch panel device of this embodiment is basically the same as the touch panel device 50 described in the second embodiment. Only a configuration for holding the touch panel 1 different from the second embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device according to the fourth embodiment. The touch panel device 70 of the present embodiment is configured by mounting the touch panel 1 and the like on a holding frame 71. The holding frame 71 and the panel frame support member 72 have basically the same configuration and arrangement as the holding frame 51 and the panel frame support member 52 in the second embodiment.

  A liquid crystal panel 67 is installed in the vicinity of the center of the inner bottom surface of the holding frame 71 having a substantially box shape with an upper opening. An annular magnet 73 made of a bond magnet is fixed to the holding frame 71 so as to surround the periphery of the liquid crystal panel 67.

  The touch panel 1 holds the touch panel 1. The portion of the touch panel frame 76 facing the liquid crystal panel 67 is an opening, and the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 67 can be seen through the touch panel 1. A coil 74 is fixed to the touch panel frame 76. The coil 74 has a rectangular cylindrical shape, and one end surface of the cylinder is fixed to the touch panel frame 76, and the other end surface is opposed to the inner bottom surface of the box-shaped holding frame 71 with a slight gap. doing. The positional relationship between the coil 74 and the magnet 73 is such that a rectangular cylindrical coil 74 surrounds the magnet 73, and a slight gap is provided between the coil 74 and the magnet 73.

According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The touch panel 1 arranged on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel 67 can be vibrated, and the touch panel device 70 including the liquid crystal panel 67 can obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

  (2) The magnet 73 is a bonded magnet, and the magnet 73 can be easily formed into an annular shape. By disposing the annular magnet 73 around the liquid crystal panel 67, the liquid crystal panel 67 is installed directly on the holding frame 71. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel frame for holding the liquid crystal panel is unnecessary, and the touch panel device 70 is downsized. be able to.

  (3) Since the liquid crystal panel 67 is directly installed on the holding frame 71, a liquid crystal panel frame for holding the liquid crystal panel is unnecessary, and a configuration for installing together with the liquid crystal panel frame is not required. The shape becomes simple. Therefore, the touch panel frame 76 can be made lighter and can be vibrated more easily.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the touch panel device according to the present invention will be described. The touch panel device of this embodiment is basically the same as the touch panel device 10 described in the first embodiment. Only a configuration for holding the touch panel 1 different from the first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device according to the fifth embodiment. In the touch panel device 80 of the present embodiment, the touch panel 1 is directly held by the holding frame 81. The holding frame 81 has a two-body structure of an upper holding frame 81a and a lower holding frame 81b. The touch panel 1 is held by loosely fitting the periphery of the touch panel 1 in a groove formed between the upper holding frame 81a and the lower holding frame 81b. doing. The touch panel 1 and the groove have a slight gap in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the touch panel 1, and the touch panel 1 can move within the gap.

  The coil 24 and the magnet 23 have the same configuration as that of the touch panel device 10 in the first embodiment.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the touch panel 1 can be vibrated in the same manner as the touch panel 1 in the first embodiment by passing a current through the coil 24.

According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since the touch panel 1 is directly held by the holding frame 81, the panel support member 22 provided in the touch panel device 10 in the first embodiment is unnecessary. Therefore, the coil 24 and the magnet 23 can be arranged in the space occupied by the panel support member 22, and the coil 24 and the magnet 23 can be arranged at a more efficient position.

  (2) Since the touch panel 1 is directly held by the holding frame 81, the panel support member 22 provided in the touch panel device 10 in the first embodiment is not necessary, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal device provided with a touch panel device according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 13 is an external perspective view of the POS terminal device. The POS terminal apparatus 100 is an example of a POS terminal apparatus. For example, a bar code reader 101, a printing apparatus 102, an input apparatus 103, a display apparatus 104, a card reader 106, a card input apparatus 107, a cache, and the like. And a drawer 108. The input device 103 is for inputting merchandise information and the like, and the card input device 107 is for inputting information relating to a credit card and the like. The input device 103 and the card input device 107 are configured by the touch panel device described above.

According to the sixth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) The operation surface of the input device 103 or the card input device 107 can be vibrated, and the operator who performs an input operation on the POS terminal can be given an operational feeling, similar to the first to fifth embodiments. An effect can be obtained.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, and can be implemented as follows.

  (Modification 1) In the above embodiment, the coil is fixed to the movable touch panel or the touch panel frame, and the magnet is fixed to the fixed holding substrate or the holding frame. However, the magnet is fixed to the movable touch panel or the touch panel frame. The coil may be fixed to the holding substrate or the holding frame on the fixed side.

  When a large force is required to vibrate a large touch panel and the number of turns of the coil increases, the magnet may be lighter. What is fixed to the movable side is preferably lighter. In addition, the coil needs to be connected to allow current to flow from the drive circuit, but the magnet is not necessary. In consideration of these conditions, a more suitable configuration can be selected.

  (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the outer periphery of the magnet is surrounded by the coil. However, the outer periphery of the coil may be surrounded by the magnet. The degree of freedom of the position where the coil and the magnet are arranged is increased, and the coil or the magnet fixed to the movable side can be arranged at a more efficient position for vibrating the touch panel.

  (Modification 3) In the said embodiment, although the magnetic field was formed with one magnet with respect to one coil, a several magnet may be arrange | positioned and a several magnetic field may be formed. The degree of freedom of the place where the magnetic field can be formed is increased, and the coil and the magnet can be arranged at a position where the touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently.

  (Modification 4) In the fourth embodiment, the coil 74 is provided so as to surround the annular magnet 73, but another coil may be provided inside the magnet 73. Many coil conductors can be arranged at positions near the magnet and where the magnetic flux density is high, and the touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently.

  (Modification 5) In the above embodiment, one set of coils and magnets is provided, but a plurality of sets of coils and magnets may be provided. The touch panel can be vibrated with more vibration patterns, such as changing the vibration direction in each coil and magnet pair. In addition, it is possible to select only the coil in the vicinity of the pressed position and pass the current, and it is possible to realize an operational feeling with less energy consumption.

  (Modification 6) In the said embodiment, although the magnet was a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, you may make it another shape so that a touch panel can be vibrated more efficiently. By forming the magnets with bonded magnets, various shapes of magnets can be easily formed.

  (Modification 7) In the third and fourth embodiments, the liquid crystal panel is configured to be held on the fixed side. However, like the key arrangement plate 57 in the second embodiment, the liquid crystal panel is integrated with the touch panel. You may comprise so that it may vibrate.

  (Modification 8) In the fifth embodiment, the touch panel 1 is directly held by the holding frame 81, but this configuration is applied to the touch panel device of the second, third, or fourth embodiment. It is good also as composition which abolishes a panel frame support member and is held directly to a holding frame.

  (Modification 9) In the fifth embodiment, as in the other embodiments, in response to the touch panel 1 being pressed, a current is passed through the coil 24 to vibrate the touch panel 1. A method in which a current is passed through the coil 24 in advance can also be employed.

  When a current is passed through the coil in one direction, a force that moves the magnet, the coil, and the electromagnetic force relatively in one direction continues to work between the magnet and the coil. With this force, the touch panel 1 shown in FIG. 12 can be held in the groove formed in the holding frame 81 by being shifted to either the pressing direction or the non-pressing direction of the touch panel 1. Furthermore, by applying a force larger than the force for moving the magnet and the coil relative to each other during the operation, the touch panel 1 can be operated and moved against the force for moving the magnet and the coil relatively.

  In this case, a current is passed through the coil 24 so as to bias the touch panel 1 in the opposite direction to the direction in which the touch panel 1 is pressed. The touch panel 1 is held in a counter press direction in a groove formed in the holding frame 81. When the operator presses the touch panel 1, the touch panel 1 moves only by a gap between the touch panel 1 and the holding frame 81 against the urging force, and is moved toward the pressing direction in the groove and stops. The operator moves the touch panel 1 while receiving an urging force, and then receives a drag force that the touch panel 1 has stopped. The feeling received by the operator is similar to that when the operation button urged in the counter-pressing direction by a spring or the like is pressed.

  (Modification 10) In the above embodiment, the touch panel or the touch panel frame is configured to be vibrated by being held with a gap or being fixed through a flexible support member. However, the touch panel itself or the touch panel frame itself may be flexible. Even if the periphery of the touch panel or the touch panel frame is fixed to a holding frame or the like, the coil or magnet of the present invention can be arranged near the center of the touch panel or the touch panel frame, and the touch panel can be vibrated. The touch panel itself or the touch panel frame itself, which is applied with a force near the center, can vibrate by bending like a drum skin, giving the operator a sense of operation.

  (Modification 11) In the embodiment, the vibration pattern is set corresponding to the position on the touch panel 1, but may be set corresponding to the operation key set on the touch panel 1. Corresponding to the operation of the same operation key, the touch panel 1 can be vibrated with the same vibration pattern, and even if the layout of the operation keys set on the touch panel 1 is changed, the same operation key is the same. A feeling of operation can be realized.

  (Modification 12) In the above embodiment, the touch panel uses a resistive touch panel. However, the present invention is not limited to the resistive touch panel, but an ultrasonic system, a capacitive system, or an optical system. The present invention can also be applied to a touch panel device using any type of touch panel.

The technical idea grasped from the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below.
(Technical idea 1) The touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of sets of the coil and the magnet are provided.

  According to this configuration, the touch panel can be vibrated with more vibration patterns such as changing the vibration direction in each coil and magnet pair. In addition, it is possible to select only the coil in the vicinity of the pressed position and pass the current, and it is possible to realize an operational feeling with less energy consumption.

  (Technical Thought 2) The touch panel is attached to the holding frame by loosely fitting into a groove provided in the holding frame, and the groove and the touch panel have a gap in the pressing direction of the touch panel. The touch panel is movable in the pressing direction of the touch panel in the groove, and a current is constantly applied to the coil to bias the touch panel in a reverse pressing direction of the touch panel. The touch panel device according to any one of 1 to 3.

  (Technical Thought 3) The touch panel frame is attached to the holding frame by loosely fitting into a groove provided in the holding frame, and the groove and the touch panel frame are in the pressing direction of the touch panel. There is a gap, and the touch panel frame is movable in the pressing direction of the touch panel in the groove, and a current is constantly applied to the coil to urge the touch panel frame in a counter pressing direction of the touch panel. The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is biased in a counter-pressing direction of the touch panel.

  According to these configurations, an electric current is passed through the coil to urge the touch panel in the opposite direction to the direction in which the touch panel is pressed, and the touch panel is held in the opposite direction in the groove formed in the holding frame. be able to. When the operator presses the touch panel, the touch panel moves against the urging force only by the gap between the touch panel and the groove of the holding frame or between the touch panel frame and the groove of the holding frame, and is pushed in the pressing direction in the groove. And stop. The operator moves the touch panel while receiving an urging force, and then receives a drag force that stops the touch panel. Accordingly, it is possible to give the operator a feeling of operation similar to the case where the operator presses the operation button biased in the opposite pressing direction by a spring or the like.

  (Technical Thought 4) A coil, a magnet, and a flexible touch panel are provided, and an electric current is passed through the coil based on information that the touch panel is in contact with or pressed, so that the coil and the magnet A touch panel device that relatively moves and bends the touch panel by the relative movement.

  According to this configuration, the touch panel can vibrate like a drum skin due to relative movement between the coil and the magnet, so that the touch panel can vibrate, and an operational feeling can be given to the operator.

  (Technical idea 5) The technical idea 4 further includes a touch panel frame that has flexibility and holds the touch panel, and the touch panel frame and the touch panel are bent by the relative movement of the coil and the magnet. Touch panel device.

  According to this configuration, the touch panel can vibrate like a drum skin by the relative movement of the coil and the magnet, so that the touch panel can vibrate, giving the operator a feeling of operation. it can.

The exploded perspective view of a resistive film type touch panel. Explanatory drawing explaining the principle of operation of a resistive film type touch panel. The disassembled perspective view of the touch-panel apparatus in 1st Embodiment. A sectional view of a touch panel device in a 1st embodiment. The functional block diagram which shows the functional whole structure which implement | achieves this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement when the touch panel of a touch panel apparatus is pressed. The figure which shows an example of a vibration pattern. Sectional drawing of the touch-panel apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows an example of an operation key arrangement | sequence. Sectional drawing of the touch-panel apparatus in 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the touchscreen apparatus in 4th Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the touchscreen apparatus in 5th Embodiment. The external appearance perspective view of a POS terminal device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Touch panel, 10 ... Touch-panel apparatus, 20 ... Contact point, 21 ... Holding substrate, 22 ... Panel support member, 23 ... Magnet, 24 ... Coil, 31 ... Touch-panel controller, 33 ... Vibration control part, 34 ... Vibration pattern memory | storage part , 36 ... Signal generator, 37 ... Amplifier, 50 ... Touch panel device, 51 ... Holding frame, 52 ... Panel frame support member, 53 ... Magnet, 54 ... Coil, 56 ... Touch panel frame, 57 ... Key arrangement board, 60 ... Touch panel Device 61 ... Holding frame 62 ... Panel frame supporting member 63 ... Magnet 64 64 Coil 66 Touch panel frame 67 Liquid crystal panel 68 Liquid crystal panel 70 Touch panel device 71 Holding frame 72 Panel frame support member, 73 ... magnet, 74 ... coil, 76 ... touch panel frame, 80 ... touch panel device, 81 ... holding frame, 100 ... POS End equipment, 103 ... input device, 107 ... card input device.

Claims (8)

A touch panel, a coil, and a magnet are provided.
Based on information touched or pressed by the touch panel,
Current is passed through the coil to move the coil and the magnet relative to each other,
A touch panel device that vibrates the touch panel with vibration that can be sensed by tactile sense by the relative movement.   The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is a rare earth bonded magnet. A holding frame for holding the touch panel;
The touch panel is attached to the holding frame so as to be minutely movable with respect to the holding frame,
Either one of the coil and the magnet is fixed to the touch panel,
The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the other is fixed to the holding frame. While holding the touch panel, further provided a touch panel frame held by the holding frame,
The touch panel frame is attached to the holding frame so as to be minutely movable with respect to the holding frame,
Either one of the coil and the magnet is fixed to the touch panel frame,
The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the other is fixed to the holding frame. Depending on the position on the touch panel where the touch panel is contacted or pressed,
The touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pattern of a current flowing through the coil is changed to change a pattern of relative movement between the coil and the magnet. Detecting that the touch panel is touched or pressed;
A method of controlling a touch panel device, comprising: passing a current through a coil based on detection information indicating contact or being pressed, causing the coil and a magnet to move relative to each other, and causing the touch panel to vibrate. Depending on the position on the touch panel where the touch panel is contacted or pressed,
The method of controlling a touch panel device according to claim 6, wherein a pattern for causing the touch panel to vibrate is changed by changing a pattern for passing a current through the coil.   A POS terminal device comprising the touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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