JP2006268068A - Touch panel device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel device that allows a user to perform touch operations by tactile sensation without viewing a touch panel, thereby achieving a user interface particularly suited for vehicle drivers and the visually impaired. <P>SOLUTION: The touch panel device 10 that allows an operator to perform input operations by touching it includes a drive that partially varies tactile sensation to the touch panel, and a control part for controlling the drive. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel device that performs a data input operation by touching with a fingertip or the like.

  A touch panel device that performs an input operation by touching with a finger or the like is used in various information terminal devices, portable terminals, and the like, and the types and operation methods are diversified. Under difficult conditions, there were cases where accurate operations could not be performed. In particular, in-vehicle terminals such as car navigation systems perform touch panel operations between driving operations, and thus it is difficult to perform operations by staring at the touch panel screen, and the positions of buttons to be operated are stored in the operator's memory. In many cases, the operation is performed depending on the senses, and accurate operations may not be performed.

  In view of such a problem, a touch panel 100 as shown in FIG. 20 has been proposed. In the touch panel 100, the panel surface 101 of the touch panel 100 is divided into large area dividing lines 110a and 110b made of ridges having a high height, and middle area dividing lines 112a and 112b made of ridges having a height lower than that. It is divided into separate functional areas 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F, and the oblique protrusions 113, the hemispherical protrusions 114, and the lateral protrusions that are lower in height are further divided into the areas 100A, 100C, 100D, and 100F. 115, vertical protrusions 116 are formed, and the regions 100B and 100E are smooth surfaces. The rough position can be specified by the region dividing line, and each region can be specified by each pattern for each region (see Patent Document 1). .

  According to this touch panel, the rough position on the touch panel 100 can be determined by the large area division lines 110a and 110b and the middle division lines 112a and 112b just by touching the surface of the touch panel with a fingertip or the like without viewing the panel display. We were able to know and could easily identify the area corresponding to each function according to the shape and size of the pattern provided in each area

  As another conventional example, a touch panel 200 shown in FIG. 21 has also been proposed. This touch panel 200 is provided with a transparent sheet 206 having convex portions 207a to 207e corresponding to the button positions 205a to 205e of the touch panel 205 on the surface of the touch panel 205 (see Patent Document 2).

  The touch panel 200 can clearly indicate the button positions 205a to 205e of the touch panel 205, that is, the points to be touched, by the convex portions 207a to 207e of the transparent sheet 206 with the above configuration. For this reason, the operator can reliably touch the target button position with the fingertip without hesitation, targeting the convex portion on the button position. Furthermore, even visually impaired persons can recognize the button positions 205a to 205e of the touch panel 205 by the convex portions 207a to 207e of the transparent sheet 206.

  That is, according to the touch panel, the operator can recognize the target region or button position to be operated by touching with a fingertip with a tactile sensation. Therefore, even when it is not possible to gaze, the target area or button position can be recognized, and an accurate operation can be performed.

On the other hand, with the diversification of touch panels, in recent years, the operation screens of touch panels have been variously changed in accordance with functions and usage modes. For this reason, the position of the button or the area that is the point to be touched is changed as appropriate. However, in the touch panels 100 and 200, the convex portions 207a to 207e of the transparent sheet for recognizing the point to be touched and the protrusions 113 and protrusions 114 provided in the respective regions are fixed at fixed positions, and the buttons If the position and area changed, it could not fulfill its effect.
JP-A-5-46313 JP 7-319623 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described various problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device that can perform a touch operation with a tactile sensation without visually recognizing the touch panel.

  The present invention is configured as follows in view of the above problems. That is, the present invention is a touch panel device that performs an input operation by touching by an operator, and includes a drive device that partially changes the touch feeling of the touch panel, and a control unit that controls the drive device. Is a touch panel device characterized by the above.

  According to the above-described configuration, the present invention can change the tactile sensation of the touch panel and allow the user to recognize the pressed position based on the tactile sensation and perform an input operation.

  The tactile sensation is a surface tactile sensation that allows the operator to recognize the position of the button when the operator touches the touch panel surface with a finger or the like.For example, the surface unevenness, temperature change, and resistance difference when pressed Can be mentioned. The resistance at the time of pressing is the resistance when the operator presses the touch panel. For example, the resistance of the part corresponding to the button position is set low (easy to press), and the resistance of the part not corresponding to the button position is set. The structure which makes it high (a state which is hard to push) can be illustrated.

  In addition, the touch panel device according to the present invention further includes a display unit, and the control unit controls the drive device so as to partially change the touch feeling of the touch panel according to the display content of the display unit. It is good.

  For example, the touch feeling of the touch panel can be partially changed according to the position of the displayed button. With the above configuration, the touch feeling of the touch panel corresponding to the button and the touch panel not corresponding to the button can be made different. Therefore, the operator can recognize the position of the button by tactile sensation, and can accurately grasp the position of the button without visual recognition. In addition, a button position detection unit that detects the position of the button is further provided, and the tactile sensation is changed based on the position of the button detected by the button position detection unit. Is possible.

  The button position detection unit detects the position of the button in the entire touch panel device. For example, coordinates that match the touch panel and the liquid crystal display unit are developed, and the position of the button displayed on the liquid crystal display unit is detected. Detect coordinates. The control unit partially changes the tactile sensation of the location corresponding to the coordinate of the button position on the touch panel based on the button position, for example, the coordinate detected by the button position detection unit.

  In the present invention, not only the change according to the position of the button, but also the position of the button and the part that changes the tactile sensation may be different. For example, when the user performs an operation without visually recognizing the touch panel device, the operation position may be recognized only by a change in tactile sensation without displaying a button.

  Furthermore, as another configuration, it is possible to use operation display by buttons and operation display by tactile sensation, or to select voice input and input by touch operation, so that tactile sensation is changed at the time of voice input, You may comprise so that touch operation can be performed without visually recognizing. The touch panel is a limited area because a button and an area for changing the tactile sensation are provided separately, and each accepts an input operation, so that the button for accepting the input operation and the area for which the tactile sensation is changed can be overlaid. The apparatus can be used greatly.

  Further, the touch panel device according to the present invention may arbitrarily set the shape of the region where the tactile sensation is changed. For example, the touch panel may be divided into a plurality of regions in a matrix, or an arbitrary shape such as a circle, a triangle, or a quadrangle may be used as a region for changing the tactile sensation. desirable.

  In addition, the touch panel device according to the present invention further includes a standing portion that is disposed so as to cover the surface of the touch panel, and is erected by a change in magnetism, and a plurality of electrodes that are disposed on the back surface of the touch panel, The controller may control the voltage of the electrodes to partially change the touch feeling of the touch panel.

  With the above configuration, the voltage of the electrode corresponding to the region where the tactile sensation is changed can be changed to change the standing portion of the region. Therefore, the tactile sensation between the area and the surface of the other touch panel can be made different, and the operator can perform a touch operation with the tactile sensation.

  In addition, the said standing part changes the shape by giving an electric charge (for example, static electricity) from the outside, and can be set as various structures. For example, resin fiber hairs can be exemplified. Unlike metallic materials, resin fiber hair is a material that is difficult to release static electricity and is easily charged. Therefore, by arranging the fiber hair on the surface of the touch panel and applying a voltage to the corresponding electrode, the fiber hair can be erected by the electrostatic force charged in the fiber hair. In addition, since the said fiber hair is attached | subjected to the surface of a touch panel, it is preferable that it is transparent or semi-transparent so that a liquid crystal display part can be visually recognized.

  Furthermore, the standing part of the present invention may be a plurality of folds formed on the surface of the film by attaching a resin film to the surface of the touch panel. This resin film is also easily charged in the same manner as the fiber hairs, and the tactile sensation can be changed by changing its shape by changing the voltage of the electrode. Since this crease can be formed on a single film, it can be easily attached as compared with the fiber bristles. In addition, it is preferable to use a transparent or semi-transparent film as in the case of the fiber bristles.

  The touch panel device according to the present invention connects a rear panel plate disposed between the touch panel and the liquid crystal display unit, the touch panel and the rear panel plate, and a plurality of spaces between the touch panel and the rear panel plate. A connecting member to be divided; an air layer defined by the touch panel, the rear panel plate, and the connecting member; and an air pressure adjusting unit that adjusts an air pressure of the air layer, and the control unit includes the air pressure adjusting unit. It is good also as controlling the touch and changing the tactile sensation of the touch panel partially.

According to the above configuration, when the air pressure of the air layer changes, the rear panel is disposed on the back surface of the touch panel. Can be different. Since the operator has different resistances when pressed, the operator can perform a touch operation by touch when pressed. In addition, by dividing the air pressure in several stages, it is possible to identify a plurality of regions by tactile sensation.

  Furthermore, the touch panel may have a plurality of holes. By forming a plurality of holes in the touch panel, when the air pressure is changed, air can be ejected from the holes and the operator can recognize a region where a touch operation should be performed by blowing out air.

  In addition, a film covering the surface of the touch panel device is attached, and when the air pressure adjustment unit is controlled by the control unit and the air pressure increases, the film covering the hole expands, and a protrusion is formed on the surface of the touch panel. You may comprise so that it may be formed.

  According to the said structure, a protrusion is formed in the film to which the surface of the touch panel was adhered by raising the air pressure of the air layer, and the shape of the touch panel surface can be made different. Therefore, the operator can recognize the area where the touch operation is performed based on the touch on the touch panel. Furthermore, by making the pressure of air pressure different depending on the type of button, it is possible to identify a plurality of regions depending on the size or hardness of the formed protrusion.

  The touch panel device according to the present invention further includes a plurality of heating elements arranged so as to cover the back surface of the touch panel, and the control unit changes the tactile sensation of the touch panel by energizing the heating elements. It is good as a feature.

  With the above configuration, the temperature of the surface of the touch panel can be changed by energizing the heating element. Therefore, the touch feeling on the surface of the touch panel can be made different, and the operator can recognize the area where the touch operation is performed based on the touch feeling due to the temperature change.

  Furthermore, the touch panel according to the present invention connects the rear panel plate disposed between the touch panel and the liquid crystal display unit, the touch panel and the rear panel plate, and divides the space between the touch panel and the rear panel plate into a plurality of sections. A connecting member, and an air layer defined by the touch panel, the rear panel plate and the connecting member, wherein the touch panel is formed with a plurality of holes and a film covering a surface is attached, When the heating element is energized, the film covering the hole portion expands to form a protrusion on the touch panel surface.

  According to the said structure, when the heat generating body corresponding to the said button position is energized and the air layer of the said part is heated, the film which covers the hole of a touch panel expand | swells, and forms a protrusion on the surface of a touch panel. Can do. Therefore, the operator can recognize the area where the touch operation is performed by tactile sensation without visual recognition.

  As described above, according to the touch panel device of the present invention, the touch operation on the surface of the touch panel is made different based on the position of the button that is appropriately changed. It can be performed.

<Embodiment 1>
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of touch panel device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device 10 shown in FIG. In the touch panel device 10, a liquid crystal display panel 2 that displays an operation screen such as buttons and a touch panel 3 are sequentially stacked on a substrate 1. The surface of the touch panel 3 is provided with fiber hairs 4 as standing portions so as to cover the touch panel 3, and a plurality of electrodes 5 are disposed on the back surface of the touch panel 3.

  The touch panel 3 and the liquid crystal display unit 2 are provided with the same coordinates and sections, and the electrodes 5 are arranged so as to correspond to the sections. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the X-axis in the horizontal direction and the Y-axis in the vertical direction are formed, and the reference lines from X1 to X14 and Y1 to Y9 are developed on the respective axes. The section indicating the position of the button or the like is represented by a surrounding reference line as a portion surrounded by the reference line of each axis.

  The touch panel device 10 includes a control unit (not shown) and a button position detection unit that detects the position of the button. The button position detection unit detects in which section the button is located every time the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 is changed. Information on the button position detected by the button position detection unit is sent to the control unit. The control unit selects an electrode corresponding to the button position based on the button position detected by the button position detection unit, and applies a voltage to the electrode.

  The fiber bristles 4 are made of a transparent resin, and are attached so as to cover substantially the entire surface of the touch panel 3. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes 5 arranged via the touch panel 3, the fiber hairs 4 are raised by electrostatic force. Therefore, on the surface of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the button position, the fiber bristles 4 are erected, and the tactile sensation between the position corresponding to the button position and the position not corresponding to the button position is distinguished.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the electrode 5. The electrode 5 is disposed on the back surface of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the section. A terminal 13 connected to each electrode 5 through a conduction path is disposed at a connection portion with the substrate 1 which is a main body of the touch panel device 10, and each electrode 5 and the substrate 1 are conductively connected.

  Next, the manner of changing the tactile sensation by changing the button position will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 is changed, the button position detection unit detects the position of the button. For example, on the screen of the touch panel shown in FIG. 4, six buttons from A to F are displayed. The A button is a portion surrounded by the reference lines X2, Y2, X5, and Y5, and the section (X2, Y2, X5, Y5).

  Similarly, the B button is classified (X6, Y2, X9, Y5), the C button is classified (X10, Y2, X13, Y5), the D button is classified (X2, Y7, X5, Y8), and the E button is classified. (X6, Y7, X9, Y8), F button is indicated as a section (X10, Y7, X13, Y8).

  Information on the button position detected by the button position detection unit is sent to the control unit. Based on the position information of the buttons, the control unit selects the electrodes 5a located at the portions corresponding to the buttons A to F, and applies a voltage only to the electrodes 5a (see FIG. 5). When a voltage is applied to each electrode 5a, only the fiber hair 4a at the location corresponding to the electrode 5a is raised by electrostatic force. On the other hand, the fiber hair 4b corresponding to the electrode 5b to which no voltage is applied does not rise.

  Thus, by raising only the fiber hair 4a corresponding to the button position, the operator can recognize whether or not the touched portion is a button without visual recognition. Since the operator can identify whether the button is a touch or not, the operator can select and operate the button to be operated by checking the upper, lower, left, and right buttons.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, it was made to recognize whether it is a button position by raising or not raising the fiber hair 4, However, The raising type | mold differs according to the kind of button, and the kind of button can also be identified by tactile sensation. May be configured.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the fiber hairs 4 are attached to the surface of the touch panel 3. However, the present invention only needs to be erected by the change of the electrode 5, and may have other configurations. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a magnetic sheet 6 having a plurality of pleats 6a formed on the surface is attached to the surface of the touch panel 3, and the shape of the folds 6a is changed by changing the voltage of the electrodes 5. It may be configured.

<Embodiment 2>
The second embodiment is a touch panel device 20 in which the tactile sensation is changed by applying air pressure to the configuration in which the tactile sensation is changed by applying an electric charge in the first embodiment. Note that the schematic configuration of the touch panel such as the substrate 1 and the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the plan view of the touch panel are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description of the same configuration is omitted by using the same reference numerals.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel device 20 according to the second embodiment. The touch panel device 20 according to the second embodiment includes a substrate 1, a liquid crystal display unit 2, a touch panel 3, a film material 7 attached so as to cover the surface of the touch panel 3, the touch panel 3 and the liquid crystal display unit 2. And a connecting member 9 for connecting the rear panel 8 and the touch panel 3 to each other.

  An air layer 11 is separated by the touch panel 3, the rear panel plate 8, and the connection member 9, and an air pressure adjusting unit 14 for adjusting the air pressure of the air layer 11 is connected to the air layer 11. The air layer 11 is formed for each section based on the reference line, and the air pressure can be adjusted for each air layer 11.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a main part of the air layer 11 of the touch panel device 20. The air layer 11 is separated by the touch panel 3, the rear panel 8, and the connection member 9, and the air layer adjustment unit 13 is connected to the rear panel 8. The air pressure adjusting unit 14 adjusts the packing 14a bonded to the back surface of the rear panel 8, the hose 14b connected to the hole formed in the rear panel 8 and the packing 14a, and the air injected into the hose 14b. And a pump 14d. The valve 14c is controlled by a control unit. By opening and closing the valve 14c, the air from the pump 14d is injected into the air layer 11, and the air pressure of the air layer 11 can be adjusted.

  In the touch panel 3, a plurality of holes 3 a are formed for each section, and the holes 3 a are closed by the film material 7. When the air pressure is increased by the air pressure adjusting unit 14, the air in the air layer 11 increases and the film material 7 that closes the hole 3 a of the touch panel 3 swells. That is, when the air pressure is increased, a large number of protrusions 7a are formed on the film material 7 on the surface of the touch panel 3 (see FIG. 9).

  On the other hand, when the air pressure is lowered by the air pressure adjusting unit 14, the air in the air layer is reduced, and the film material 7 that closes the hole 3 a of the touch panel 3 is recessed. That is, when the air pressure is lowered, the film material 7 on the surface of the touch panel maintains a smooth state or a large number of recesses are formed. Thus, by forming the protrusion 7a or the recess on the surface of the touch panel 3, the operator can recognize the button position with a tactile sensation.

Next, the manner of change in tactile sensation due to the change in button position will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 is changed, the button position detection unit detects the positions of the A to F buttons. Based on the position information of the buttons, the control unit selects the air pressure adjusting unit 14 connected to the air layer 11 located in the part corresponding to each of the buttons A to F, and the air is adjusted by the air pressure adjusting unit 14. inject. Selected air layer 11 (corresponding to the button position)
When air is injected, the film material 7 that closes the hole 3 a of the touch panel 3 of the air layer swells, and a protrusion 7 a is formed on the surface of the touch panel 3. On the other hand, the protrusion 7a is not formed on the surface of the touch panel 3 of the air layer 11 where air is not injected (does not correspond to the button position), and the smooth state is maintained (see FIG. 7).

  In this way, by forming the protrusion 7a only on the surface of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the button position, the operator can recognize whether or not the touched portion is a button without being visually recognized. it can. Since the operator can recognize whether the button is a touch or not, it is possible to select and operate the button to be operated by checking the upper, lower, left and right buttons.

  Further, in the second embodiment, a film material 7 is attached to the surface of the touch panel 3 and air is injected into the air layer 11 to form a protrusion 7a on the surface of the touch panel 3 to change the tactile sensation. However, as a modification, for example, the film material 7 may not be provided and air may be ejected from the hole 3a of the touch panel 3 (see FIG. 10). With the above configuration, by injecting air into the corresponding air layer, air can be ejected from the hole on the surface of the touch panel corresponding to the button position, and the button position can be recognized by the ejection of air.

  Furthermore, as a modified example of the second embodiment, by adjusting the air pressure of the air layer 11 formed on the back surface of the touch panel 3 without forming a hole in the touch panel 3, and by the difference in resistance when the touch panel 3 is pressed, You may comprise so that a button position may be recognized.

  For example, the air pressure of the air layer 11 at the location corresponding to the button position is made lower than the air layer 11 at the location not corresponding to the button position, and the resistance of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the button position is lowered. The operator can recognize the button position by touching the surface of the touch panel 3 with his / her hand and searching for a low resistance (ie, a place where the touch is easy).

  Furthermore, the touch panel device 20 according to the second embodiment has the air layer 11 on the back surface of the touch panel 3 and changes the tactile sensation on the surface of the touch panel 3 by adjusting the air amount of the air layer 11. Instead, other fluids that can change the flow rate of the liquid may be used.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel device using a working fluid instead of air. In this touch panel device, a working fluid is sealed in the air layer 11, and a patch 15 is provided in a hole 8 a formed in the rear panel 8. A solenoid 16 is disposed on the back surface of the patch 15, and the tip of the pin 16 a of the solenoid 16 can contact the patch 14. The solenoid 16 is controlled by a control unit, and when energized, the pin 16a of the solenoid 16 protrudes and presses the patch 14 to change the pressure of the working fluid.

  In addition, by using a material whose refractive index is close to the material of the touch panel as the working fluid, the internal structure of the panel such as the conduction path and the boundary of the cavity can be made inconspicuous. Visibility is not impaired, which is preferable.

<Embodiment 3>
The third embodiment is a touch panel device 30 in which the tactile sensation of the touch panel 3 that has been changed by changes in magnetism and air pressure in the above-described embodiment is changed by a change in temperature. In the third embodiment, the schematic configuration of the touch panel device such as the substrate 1 and the liquid crystal display unit 2 and the plan view of the touch panel device are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. Description is omitted.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of touch panel device 30 according to the third embodiment. A touch panel device 30 according to the third embodiment includes a substrate 1, a liquid crystal display unit 2, a touch panel 3, and a heating element 12 attached to the back surface of the touch panel 3. The heating element 12 is controlled by the control unit, and the control unit energizes the heating element 12 based on the button position detected by the button position detection unit.

  FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of the heating element 12, and the heating element 12 is arranged for each of the sections. A terminal 15 connected to each heating element 12 through a conduction path is disposed at a connection portion of the touch panel device 30 with the substrate 1, and each heating element 12 and the substrate 1 are conductively connected. When the heating element 12 is energized, the temperature of the touch panel 3 rises and the operator can recognize the button position based on the difference in surface temperature.

  Further, by using the touch panel 3 made of a material that expands and contracts due to temperature changes, the touch panel 3 at a position corresponding to the energized heating element 12 can be partially expanded. In this way, the heat generating body 12 can be energized to make the touch of the surface of the touch panel 3 different.

  Next, the manner of changing the tactile sensation by changing the button position will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. When the screen displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 2 is changed, the button position detection unit detects the positions of the A to F buttons. Based on the position information of this button, the control unit selects the heating element 12 located at a portion corresponding to each of the buttons A to F, and energizes the selected heating element 12. When the selected heating element 12 (corresponding to the button position) is energized, the temperature of the corresponding touch panel 3 rises, the surface of the touch panel 3 becomes warm, the touch panel 3 expands, and a bulge is formed on the surface. (See FIG. 14). On the other hand, the surface of the touch panel 3 corresponding to the heating element 12 that is not energized (does not correspond to the button position) does not change in temperature and maintains a smooth state.

  In this way, by giving a temperature change only to the touch panel 3 corresponding to the button position, the operator can recognize whether or not the touched portion is a button without visual recognition. Since the operator can recognize whether the button is a touch or not, the operator can select and operate the button to be operated by checking the upper, lower, left, and right buttons.

  As a modification of the third embodiment, the touch of the surface of the touch panel 3 may be varied by heating the air with a heating element and expanding the air. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the modification, in which the touch panel 3 in which a large number of holes 3 a are formed, the film material 7 attached to the surface of the touch panel 3, and the rear panel 8 disposed on the back surface of the touch panel 3. And a connecting member 9 for connecting the rear panel 8 and the touch panel, and a heating element 12 attached to the rear surface of the rear panel 8.

  An air layer 11 is separated by the touch panel 3, the rear panel 8 and the connection member 9, and the air in the air layer 11 is heated by energizing the heating element 12. When the air is heated, the air expands, and a protrusion 7 a is formed on the film material 7 that covers the surface of the touch panel 3. The operator can recognize the button position by the protrusion 7a.

<Embodiment 4>
In the first to third embodiments, the tactile sensation of the touch panel is changed according to the position of the displayed button, and the position of the button and the region where the tactile sensation is changed correspond to each other. Is an embodiment in which a button to be displayed is not associated with a region where the touch feeling of the touch panel is changed. Note that any one of the first to third embodiments can be applied to the configuration for changing the touch feeling of the touch panel. In the following description of the embodiment, the display mode is described, and the touch feeling is changed. Description of the general configuration is omitted.

  FIG. 16 is a plan view of the touch panel device 40 according to the fourth embodiment. The liquid crystal display unit 2 displays buttons for accepting touch operations and G, H, and I, and regions J and K in which the tactile sensation is changed are formed on the same screen.

  The displayed screen of FIG. 16 is a volume operation screen. The button G is displayed with “volume” as the operation target, and the buttons H and I are “UP” for operating the volume respectively. The characters “DOWN” are displayed. Regions J and K are an upward arrow and a downward arrow, and volume UP and DOWN operations can be performed using these regions J and K.

  The user can arbitrarily perform a touch operation with a button and a touch operation with the region, and can perform a touch operation with a tactile sensation not only when the touch panel device 40 can be visually recognized but also when it cannot be visually recognized. it can. In addition, since the regions J and K for changing the tactile sensation and the buttons G, H, and I can be arranged in an overlapping manner, a display screen that is a limited region can be widely used.

<Embodiment 5>
The fifth embodiment is a touch panel device configured so that a touch operation by a button and a touch operation by a region in which a tactile sensation is changed can be selected according to a usage mode. The touch panel device according to Embodiment 5 is a device that can accept voice input and input by a touch operation, does not display a button at the time of voice input, and accepts a touch operation by a region in which a tactile sensation is changed.

  Processing in the touch panel device will be described in detail based on the flowchart shown in FIG. The control unit of the touch panel device waits for an input instruction from the user (step 1). When an input instruction is received from the user, it is determined whether the input instruction is a voice input instruction or an input instruction by a touch operation (step 2).

  When the input instruction is not a voice input, that is, an input instruction by a touch operation, the user views the touch panel device and performs the touch operation, and displays a button for the user to perform the touch operation. Accept (step 3). On the other hand, when the input instruction is a voice input instruction, the user performs the operation without visually recognizing the touch panel device, and does not display the button (or in combination with the display of the button) to change the touch feeling of the touch panel. Then, a touch operation is accepted in the changed area (step 4).

  As described above, according to the touch panel device according to the fifth embodiment, the touch operation suitable for the usage mode can be promoted by changing the mode of accepting the touch operation according to the mode of the user's input instruction.

  In the touch panel device according to the first to fifth embodiments, the touch panel itself has a mechanism for changing the tactile sensation, but a touch sheet that can change the tactile sensation is provided. You may comprise so that a tactile sensation may be changed. By providing the tactile sensation sheet, it is possible to perform a touch operation with a tactile sensation according to the present invention over an existing touch panel device. Furthermore, by separately providing a touch sheet, the touch sheet itself can be replaced as a consumable item.

For example, FIGS. 18 and 19 are examples of a fixing structure of the touch panel 3 in the touch panel device according to the embodiment. This touch panel device is provided with a frame 18 that can be opened and closed via a hinge 17 at one end of the upper surface of the touch panel device body.
Is fixed with the touch panel 3 interposed therebetween. By using the touch sheet, the touch panel 3 and the touch sheet can be combined and fixed by a frame, the touch sheet can be easily attached, and a touch operation by touch can be performed.

  In the above embodiments, the liquid crystal display has been described as the display unit, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to any display device such as a CRT display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, or the like.

  Furthermore, the combination with the display device is not necessarily essential. For example, by inputting the touch panel device of the present invention on a printed material, input corresponding to the printed content of the printed material can be performed.

  Further, the touch panel device of the present invention can be used alone without any printed matter. In other words, since it is possible to perform an input operation without relying on sight and relying only on touch, it is possible to provide a user interface that allows easy input operation even to a person with visual disabilities.

  As described above, in the embodiments, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described. However, the touch panel device according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and includes combinations thereof as much as possible. .

2 is a plan view of touch panel 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of touch panel 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of an electrode of touch panel 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a section of touch panel 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 3. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of touch panel 10 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the touchscreen apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the air layer 11 of the touchscreen apparatus 20 which concerns on this Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of touch panel 20 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of touch panel 20 according to Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of an air layer 11 in a modification of the second embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the touch-panel apparatus 30 which concerns on this Embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a main part of a heating element 12 of a touch panel 30 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is sectional drawing of the touch-panel apparatus 30 which concerns on this Embodiment 3 (at the time of protrusion formation). 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of touch panel 30 according to Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a top view of the touch panel apparatus 40 which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing in a touch panel device according to Embodiment 5. 1 is a perspective view of a touch panel device according to Embodiments 1 to 5. FIG. It is a side view of the touch panel device concerning Embodiments 1-5. It is a top view of the conventional touch panel 100. FIG. It is a top view of the conventional touch panel 200. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 20, 30, 40 Touch panel apparatus 1 Board | substrate 2 Liquid crystal display part 3 Touch panel 3a Hole part 4 Fiber bristle 5 Electrode 6 Sheet 6a Fold 7 Film material 8 Rear panel board 9 Connection member 11 Air layer 12 Heating body 13 Terminal 14 Air layer Adjustment unit 15 Patch 16 Solenoid 17 Hinge 18 Frame

Claims (5)

In a touch panel device that performs an input operation by touching an operator,
A touch panel device comprising: a drive device that partially changes a touch feeling of the touch panel; and a control unit that controls the drive device. A display unit;
The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the driving device so as to partially change a touch feeling of the touch panel according to display contents of the display unit.   The touch panel device according to claim 2, wherein a touch feeling of the touch panel is partially changed according to a position of a button displayed on the display unit.   The touch panel device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a shape of a region where the tactile sensation is changed can be arbitrarily set.   The touch panel device according to claim 4, wherein the shape of the region where the tactile sensation is changed is selected from a predetermined pattern.

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