JP2006049271A - Optically transparent tach panel and detector using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical transparent tach panel used for operating various kind of electronic instruments and a detector using the same, in which detectability both for proximity and press position of a finger is increased, and the proximity and press force are clearly distinguished. <P>SOLUTION: The optical transparent tach panel comprises an upper substrate 11 having an upper conductive layer 12 formed under the substrate, and a lower substrate 13 having a lower conductive layer 13 formed on the substrate facing to the lower conductive layer 14 with a fixed space therebetween, wherein a plurality of surface conductive layers 17A to 17D are formed on the upper substrate 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a light transmissive touch panel used for operation of various electronic devices, and a detection device that detects the proximity and press of an operator's finger or the like as a conductive object to the touch panel.

  In recent years, it is attached to the front surface of a display element such as an LCD and visually recognizes characters, symbols, patterns, etc. displayed on the display element through a light-transmitting touch panel as an operation surface, and presses the operation surface to display characters, etc. Electronic devices such as car navigation systems that make selections and decisions are increasing.

  In particular, in the operation of car navigation, there is a demand for an operator's finger that is close to the operation surface of the light-transmissive touch panel to some extent and that has a high detection accuracy for both proximity and pressing at the pressed position.

  Such a conventional light-transmissive touch panel will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional light transmissive touch panel. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a light transmissive substrate such as glass, and a plurality of conductive and linear upper patterns 2 are provided on the upper operation surface. Are formed parallel to the front-rear direction.

  Further, on the lower surface of the substrate 1, like the upper pattern 2, a plurality of lower patterns 3 are formed in parallel in the left-right direction orthogonal to the upper pattern 2 to constitute a light transmissive touch panel.

  The light transmissive touch panel configured in this manner is disposed on the front surface of a display element (not shown) and attached to the electronic device, and each of the plurality of upper patterns 2 and lower patterns 3 is detected by the electronic device. Connected to a circuit (not shown).

  In the above configuration, when a finger approaches or is pressed by the finger on the operation surface of the light transmissive touch panel, the detection circuit measures the capacitance formed between the finger and the pattern facing the finger, The proximity or pressing position of the finger is detected.

  For example, when the finger is closest to the nth of the upper pattern 2, the detection circuit sequentially advances the capacitance value between two adjacent patterns while sequentially feeding the patterns one by one from the end of the upper pattern 2. From the n-1 and nth and n and n + 1th capacitance values of the upper pattern 2 facing the finger, it is recognized that the proximity of the finger is closest to the nth.

  On the other hand, the mth of the lower pattern 3 that is closest to the finger and is orthogonal to the nth of the upper pattern 2 is the m-1 and mth and m and m + 1th of the lower pattern 3 facing the finger, as described above. From the capacitance value, it is recognized that the proximity of the finger is the mth closest.

  As a result, the detection circuit detects a position where the nth of the upper pattern 2 and the mth of the lower pattern 3 intersect with each other as the proximity position of the finger.

  Similarly, the finger pressing position also measures the capacitance value between two adjacent patterns in order, detects the intersection of the upper pattern 2 and the lower pattern 3 as the finger pressing position, and approaches the proximity position and the pressing position. In response to this, various functions of the electronic device are switched.

  Here, the capacitance value increases in proportion to the size of the area where the finger and the pattern face each other, increases in inverse proportion to the distance between the finger and the pattern that face each other, and increases as the distance decreases. The larger the finger gets closer to the pattern, the larger it becomes.

As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.
Special table 2003-511799 gazette

  However, in the conventional translucent touch panel, in order to increase the detection accuracy of the pressed position, it is necessary to increase the number of the upper pattern 2 and the lower pattern 3, but the pattern width is reduced accordingly, and the capacitance value is also increased. It becomes small and it becomes difficult to detect the proximity of a finger that is some distance away.

  On the other hand, if it is possible to detect the proximity of a finger that is separated to some extent by widening the pattern width, the number of patterns is reduced and the detection accuracy of the pressed position is lowered.

  That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to improve both the detection distance of the proximity distance and the pressing position of the finger.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and enhances the detection capability of both the proximity distance and the pressing position of a finger and provides a light-transmissive touch panel that can clearly detect proximity and pressing. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface and a lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween. The light-transmitting touch panel is configured by forming a plurality of surface conductive layers at predetermined locations on the upper surface of the upper substrate, and even when the proximity of the finger is detected to some extent by the plurality of surface conductive layers. In addition, the presence or absence of pressing and the detection of the pressing position are detected by detecting the contact ratio between the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer and the resistance ratio between the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer at this location, so that a conductive object such as a finger can be detected. Proximity can be detected even from a certain distance, the detection accuracy of the pressed position is high, and a light-transmitting touch panel that can clearly detect proximity and pressure can be obtained.

  The invention according to claim 2 comprises the light transmissive touch panel according to claim 1 and a detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of surface conductive layers, the upper conductive layer, and the lower conductive layer of the light transmissive touch panel. The detection circuit is configured such that the detection circuit detects the proximity of a conductive object based on signals from a plurality of surface conductive layers, and detects the presence or absence of the pressure and the position of the pressure based on signals from the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer. Thus, it has an effect that it is possible to realize a detection device capable of detecting the proximity of a conductive object such as a finger and detecting the presence / absence of pressing and the pressing position with high accuracy.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, further comprising a notification means for generating sound, light, vibration or the like in response to the proximity or pressing of the conductive object. In operation, when the operator brings a finger close to the upper surface of the predetermined display of the display element, the detection circuit detects the proximity of the finger and outputs a signal of this detection to the notification means. Is generated to generate sound, light, vibration, or the like, so that the operator can confirm a predetermined display only by bringing his / her finger close to the upper surface without visually recognizing the display.

  As described above, according to the present invention, proximity detection is possible even from a place where a conductive object such as a finger is some distance away, detection accuracy of the pressed position is high, and proximity and pressure can be clearly distinguished and detected. The advantageous effect that a light-transmissive touch panel can be provided is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light transmissive touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a light transmissive upper substrate such as polyethylene terephthalate or polycarbonate film. A light transmissive upper conductive layer 12 is formed by vacuum sputtering or the like.

  A plurality of upper electrodes (not shown) are formed on both ends of the upper conductive layer 12 by printing with a paste such as silver or carbon.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a light-transmitting lower substrate such as glass or acrylic or polycarbonate resin. On the upper surface, a light-transmitting lower conductive layer 14 of indium tin oxide is formed in the same manner as the upper conductive layer 12. Yes.

  A plurality of lower electrodes (not shown) are provided on the upper surface of the lower conductive layer 14 at both ends in a direction orthogonal to the upper electrode, and the upper conductive layer 12 is kept at a predetermined distance, as with the upper electrode. A plurality of dot spacers (not shown) are formed at predetermined intervals.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a frame-shaped spacer such as a nonwoven fabric or a polyester film. An adhesive layer (not shown) made of a thermoplastic resin is applied and formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the spacer 16.

  Then, the outer periphery is bonded to the upper substrate 11 and the lower substrate 13 via the spacer 16 so that the upper conductive layer 12 and the lower conductive layer 14 face each other with a predetermined gap.

  Reference numerals 17A to 17D denote light-transmitting surface conductive layers such as indium tin oxide, which are formed at predetermined locations on the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 by vacuum sputtering or the like.

  2, the surface conductive layers 17A to 17D are each formed in a planar shape at predetermined positions on the upper and lower sides of the upper substrate 11 and on the respective upper and lower surfaces. At one end of the portion, upper electrodes 18A and 18B and lower electrodes 18C and 18D, which are formed by printing with a paste of silver, carbon, or the like, are provided to constitute a light-transmissive touch panel.

  Further, a detection circuit (not shown) composed of the light transmissive touch panel and a microcomputer or the like connected to the electrodes of the surface conductive layers 17A to 17D and the upper conductive layer 12 and the lower conductive layer 14 of the light transmissive touch panel. ), And a notification device (not shown) including a buzzer, a light emitting diode, a motor, and the like connected to the detection circuit, constitute a detection device (not shown).

  The light-transmitting touch panel configured in this way is disposed, for example, on the upper surface of a display device for car navigation, a detection circuit and a notification means are incorporated in the car navigation, and the detection circuit is a control circuit for car navigation ( (Not shown).

  In the above configuration, the detection circuit repeatedly detects the capacitance values between the surface conductive layers 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D and the two surface conductive layers facing each other in order.

  For example, when the finger is brought close to the region a1 between the surface conductive layers 17A and 17C while visually recognizing the display of the car navigation, the capacitance formed between the surface conductive layers 17A and 17C facing the finger is increased. By measuring between the electrode 18A and the lower electrode 18C, it is detected that the finger is approaching.

  At this time, the detection circuit outputs this detection signal to the notification means, and the notification means inputs this signal to generate a “beep” sound, light or vibration linked to this sound, and so on. The person is notified that the finger has approached the area a1.

  When the operator brings the finger close to the areas a2, a3, and a4, the detection circuit similarly detects the increased capacitance value, detects that the finger has approached, A detection signal corresponding to the region is output to the notification means.

  Then, the notifying means generates a beeping sound, a beeping sound, a beeping sound, light or vibration associated with the sound, and notifies the operator of the sound.

  In other words, when the operator brings his finger close, the detection circuit detects the proximity position, and the notification means generates sound, light, vibration, etc. corresponding to this, so the operator does not visually check the display each time. You can also check the display.

  For example, when the operator presses a position somewhere within the range of the area a1 with a finger, the upper substrate 11 bends, and the upper conductive layer 12 at the pressed position comes into contact with the lower conductive layer 14 to detect the detection circuit. Is detected by clearly distinguishing it from the proximity, applying a voltage between the upper and lower electrodes, detecting the resistance ratio between these electrodes, and detecting the position of the pressed portion. Is detected in detail.

  Therefore, for example, if the display of the display device of the car navigation system corresponding to the area a1 is a “traffic information” switch, the operator brings his / her finger close to the upper surface without visually recognizing this display, It is possible to confirm that there is a finger at the “traffic information” section simply by confirming the sound.

  Then, after this confirmation, when the finger is brought closer and the area a1 is pressed, the detection circuit detects the pressed position and outputs a detection signal to the control circuit of the car navigation system. The contents can be output with sound or the like, and the operator can hear the contents of “traffic information”.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by forming the surface conductive layers 17A to 17D at predetermined locations on the upper surface of the upper substrate 11 having the upper conductive layer 12 formed on the lower surface, the light transmissive touch panel is configured. Capacitance value between each surface conductive layer can be increased, and the detection circuit can detect the proximity from a certain distance, and also can detect the presence or absence of pressing and this pressing position, so even from a position where the finger is separated to some extent It is possible to obtain a light transmissive touch panel that can detect proximity, has high detection accuracy of a pressed position, and can clearly detect proximity and press, and a detection device using the touch panel.

  Then, by providing the detection device with a notification means that generates sound, light, vibration, etc. according to the proximity and press of the finger, for example, in the operation of car navigation, the operator detects the proximity of the finger. In addition, since the notification means generates sound, light, vibration, etc., the operator can perform a predetermined operation without having to visually check the display each time.

  Note that the proximity in the above description includes a weak contact with a conductive object such as a finger to the extent that the upper substrate 11 is not bent.

  The light-transmitting touch panel and the detection device using the same according to the present invention can detect proximity even from a place where a conductive object such as a finger is separated to some extent, has high detection accuracy of a pressed position, and clearly indicates proximity and pressure. This is advantageous in that it can be detected in a divided manner, and is useful for operations of various electronic devices.

Sectional drawing of the light transmissive touch panel by one embodiment of this invention Top view of the same top view Sectional view of a conventional light-transmissive touch panel

Explanation of symbols

11 Upper substrate 12 Upper conductive layer 13 Lower substrate 14 Lower conductive layer 16 Spacer 17A to 17D Surface conductive layer 18A to 18D Electrode

Claims (3)

An upper substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the lower surface and a lower substrate having an upper conductive layer formed on the upper surface and facing the upper conductive layer with a predetermined gap therebetween. A light transmissive touch panel on which a plurality of surface conductive layers are formed. A light-transmitting touch panel according to claim 1, and a detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of surface conductive layers, the upper conductive layer, and the lower conductive layer of the light-transmissive touch panel, and the detection circuit is connected to the surface conductive layer. A detection device that detects the proximity of a conductive object by a signal, and detects the presence or absence of a pressure and the position of the pressure by signals from the upper conductive layer and the lower conductive layer. The detection device according to claim 2, further comprising a notification unit that generates sound, light, vibration, or the like in response to the proximity or pressing of the conductive object.

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