JP2009276821A - Touch panel device, display device, and terminal device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a touch panel suitable for a device with waterproof specifications. <P>SOLUTION: In a display side casing 10 with waterproof specifications, a lower electrode film 120 having a matrixed electrode pattern is formed on the display surface of a display device 12, and an upper electrode film 130 grounded through a ground connection part 14 with an internal case 11 is formed on a face opposite to the display surface of the protection panel 13. When a distance d between the lower electrode film 120 and the upper electrode film 130 changes due to pressurization caused by the touch of the surface of a protection panel 13, a capacitance between the electrode of the lower electrode film 120 and the upper electrode film 130 at the position changes. Thus, it is possible to detect the touched position of the protection panel 13 by detecting the electrode whose capacitance has changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel device, a display device with a touch panel, and a terminal device, and particularly relates to a touch panel device suitable for a waterproof specification device, a display device with a touch panel, and a terminal device.

  In mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, with the improvement of functions, there are increasing opportunities to display, for example, photographic images and moving images taken with the camera function, web pages, TV broadcast screens, etc. Is becoming larger. However, if the display device is made larger with an emphasis on display performance, the keypad may become relatively small, and key input may become difficult. Therefore, by adopting a touch panel that can perform various input operations on the screen, improvement in operability related to input has been attempted (for example, Patent Document 1).

  There are various types of such touch panels, but typical examples include a resistive film type and a capacitance type. In the resistive film method, a resistive film such as a transparent electrode film is configured to face a surface to be touched, so that an electrode is brought into contact with the bending due to the touch to generate a current, and the touch position can be detected. In the capacitive method, an electric field is formed on the surface of the touch panel by forming a transparent electrode on the inner side of the protective panel, and the touch position is detected by a change in the charge of the touched portion.

  Here, since a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone is carried by a user for a long time, various usage environments such as outdoor in rainy weather or a place where water is used are assumed. For this reason, it is also important as one of the basic performances to give the device high waterproofness. Therefore, even when a touch panel is employed, it is required to obtain high waterproofness.

  However, in the case of the resistive film method, since the resistive film is formed on the touch surface, water may adhere to the resistive film in a usage environment that requires waterproof performance. In this case, the resistance film may be deformed by the attached water, which may reduce the accuracy of the touch panel. In addition, in order to ensure waterproofness with a structure in which the resistance film is exposed, it is necessary to perform strict sealing. As a result, the thickness of the sealing portion becomes large, which becomes a design restriction. Furthermore, if the sealing is performed strictly, the resistance film becomes difficult to bend, and the detection accuracy may be lowered. That is, it is extremely difficult to make a structure capable of bending the resistance film and ensuring waterproofness and sufficient strength.

On the other hand, in the case of the electrostatic capacity method, since the electrode is formed inside the protective panel, the above-mentioned problem does not occur. In a usage environment where waterproof performance is required, there is a risk of erroneous input due to adhesion of water droplets.
JP 2000-78252 A

  In other words, the conventional touch panel method is not suitable for use in an environment where waterproof performance is required. For this reason, it is required to realize a touch panel that can obtain high waterproof performance without hindering design and the like and that can operate normally even in a use environment that requires waterproof performance.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said actual condition, and it aims at providing the touchscreen apparatus suitable for waterproof specification, the display apparatus with a touchscreen, and a terminal device.

In order to achieve the above object, a touch panel device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:
A first electrode film formed on the display surface of the display device;
A second electrode film facing and grounding the first electrode film;
Detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film;
It is characterized by providing.

In the touch panel device,
The first electrode film preferably forms a matrix electrode pattern, in this case,
The detection means can detect a touch position based on a change in capacitance in the matrix electrode pattern.

In the touch panel device,
The second electrode film is preferably formed on a transparent member for protecting the display surface.
The detection means can detect a touch position on the transparent member.

  The touch panel device is preferably formed in a display device arranged in a waterproof casing.

In order to achieve the above object, a display device according to a second aspect of the present invention provides:
A first electrode film having a matrix electrode pattern formed on the display surface;
A protective panel for protecting the display surface, wherein a second electrode film to be grounded is formed on a surface facing the display surface;
Detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance according to a change in a distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film by touching the protection panel;
It is characterized by providing.

The display device is preferably placed in a waterproof casing, in this case,
The protective panel is preferably joined to the housing based on the waterproof specification.

In order to achieve the above object, a terminal device according to the third aspect of the present invention provides:
A terminal device having a display device,
The display device
A first electrode film having a matrix electrode pattern formed on a display surface of the display device;
A protective panel that protects the display surface formed by a second electrode film grounded in the terminal on a surface facing the display surface;
Position detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance according to a change in the distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film by touching the protection panel;
It is characterized by providing.

The terminal device is
A strength detecting means for detecting the strength of the touch based on a change in capacitance according to a change in the distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film due to the touch on the protective panel;
Control means for performing an input / output operation according to the strength of the touch detected by the strength detection means;
It is desirable to further include.

The terminal device preferably has a waterproof casing. In this case,
It is desirable that the display device is configured in the waterproof casing.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a touch panel suitable for a waterproof device.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
An example in which the terminal device according to the present invention is realized as a mobile communication terminal will be described below. The mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a mobile phone, and is a foldable mobile communication terminal configured by a display-side casing 10 and a keypad-side casing 20 as shown in FIG. It shall be. Note that the mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment conforms to or corresponds to a waterproof specification (such as JIS C 0920 or IEC 60529 (that is, JIS protection class or IP code)), which conforms to or corresponds to a standard for a protection structure related to waterproofing. (Including splash-proof and drip-proof).

  In the mobile communication terminal 1 shown in FIG. 1, a display device including a liquid crystal display panel or the like is configured in the display-side casing 10, and a keypad for performing an input operation and each part of the mobile communication terminal 1 are provided. It is assumed that a control unit (CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, various circuits (not shown), etc.) for control is configured on the keypad side housing 20. The display-side casing 10 and the keypad-side casing 20 are connected by a hinge mechanism or the like so that they can be opened and closed, thereby realizing a foldable mobile communication terminal.

  Here, the mobile communication terminal according to the present invention is provided with a touch panel function in the display device configured in the display-side casing 10 in addition to the waterproof specification as described above. . The structure of the display side housing | casing 10 for implement | achieving such a waterproof specification and a touchscreen function is demonstrated with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a main configuration in the display-side housing 10.

  As shown in the figure, the display-side casing 10 itself is composed of an upper case 10A and a lower case 10B, and an inner case 11 is configured inside the casing formed by these cases.

  The inner case 11 is formed of a conductive metal such as magnesium or stainless steel, for example, and is provided inside the display side housing 10 as a base for securing the strength of the entire display side housing 10 and arranging various circuits. Composed.

  The display device 12 is arranged on such an inner case 11. The display device 12 includes, for example, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, a driver circuit, and the like, and is electrically connected to a control unit configured in the keypad side housing 20. As a result, display output is performed in accordance with an instruction from the control unit.

  In order to make the display surface of the display device 12 visible from the outside, an opening is formed in the upper case 10A. For this reason, the protection panel 13 for protecting the display device 12 is disposed so as to cover at least the opening of the upper case 10A. The protective panel 13 is a transparent panel formed of, for example, acrylic or glass.

  In the display-side casing 10 having such a configuration, by using a method and a member that can ensure waterproofness at least for joining the upper case 10A and the lower case 10B and joining the protective panel 13 and the upper case 10A, waterproof specifications It is assumed that the mobile communication terminal 1 is realized.

  Here, the mobile communication terminal 1 according to the present embodiment has a touch panel function as well as such a waterproof specification. A configuration for realizing the touch panel function will be described.

  In the present embodiment, an electrode film is formed on each of the display surface of the display device 12 and the inner surface of the protection panel 13 to realize a touch panel function. This configuration will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the display-side housing 10.

  As shown in the figure, a lower electrode film 120 is formed on the display surface of the display device 12, and an upper electrode film 130 is formed on the inner surface of the protective panel 13 (that is, the surface facing the display surface of the display device 12). Is done. That is, a pair of opposing electrode films is formed inside the display-side housing 10. In the present embodiment, the distance between the lower electrode film 120 and the upper electrode film 130 is “distance d”. Each such electrode film is formed of a conductive transparent material such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) so as not to hinder the visibility of display.

  The lower electrode film 120 and the upper electrode film 130 have the same materials and physical properties, but have different wirings and electrode patterns. In the present embodiment, the upper electrode film 130 is grounded by being electrically connected to the inner case 11, and the lower electrode film 120 is electrically connected to a predetermined detection circuit (described later in detail). Take.

  In this case, as shown in FIG. 3A, the ground connection portion 14 formed of a gasket, a pin, or the like made of a conductive material is formed at a position in contact with both the upper electrode film 130 and the inner case 11. As a result, the upper electrode film 130 is grounded to the inner case 11.

  Thus, since one of the opposing electrode films is grounded, a capacitor as shown in FIG. 3B is formed inside the display-side housing 10. In this case, the capacitance of the capacitor changes as the distance d changes. In this embodiment, a touch panel function is realized using this principle.

  The touch panel performs various input operations by touching the display screen with a finger or a pen. When performing such an operation in the configuration shown in FIG. 3A, the mobile communication terminal 1 is used. The user touches the outer surface of the protective panel 13. At this time, the protection panel 13 bends due to the touch to the protection panel 13. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3C, the distance d between the lower electrode film 120 and the upper electrode film 130 in the pressed portion changes. That is, the capacitance of the portion where the touch operation is performed changes. Therefore, if the position where the capacitance has changed can be detected, the touch panel can be realized with the configuration shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, an electrode pattern as shown in FIG. 4A is formed on the lower electrode film 120 in order to detect the position where the capacitance change has occurred. This electrode pattern is formed on a matrix so that XY coordinates on the display screen can be detected. That is, an electrode pattern for detecting the position in the X direction and an electrode pattern for detecting the position in the Y direction are formed. Each electrode has a rhombus shape as shown in FIG. 4A, for example, and forms an X electrode group for detecting the X position and a Y electrode group for detecting the Y position.

  That is, an electrode pattern formed by connecting a plurality of rhombus electrodes formed at equal intervals in the Y direction at the same X position is used as a set of X electrode patterns, and a plurality of X electrode patterns are formed at equal intervals in the X direction. An electrode is constructed. Similarly, an electrode pattern formed by connecting a plurality of rhombus electrodes formed at equal intervals in the X direction at the same Y position is used as a set of Y electrode patterns, and a plurality of Y electrode patterns are formed at equal intervals in the Y direction. A Y electrode is formed.

  Each of the X electrode and the Y electrode formed in this way is connected to the detection unit 200 as shown in FIG. The detection unit 200 is an IC or the like that detects a change in capacitance, and monitors the capacitance value input from each of the X electrode and the Y electrode, and specifies the position of the electrode where the capacitance has changed. . This detection part 200 shall be electrically connected with the control part which controls the whole mobile communication terminal 1, and inputs the information which shows the specified position into a control part. Note that the control unit may function as the detection unit 200.

  Here, in order to detect the touch position on the protective panel 13, it is only necessary to detect a change in capacitance that occurs when the distance d is smaller than a predetermined value. Therefore, by setting in advance a change in capacitance that occurs when the distance d becomes smaller than the predetermined value, a position where the distance d becomes smaller than the predetermined value, that is, a finger, a pen, or the like on the protective panel 13 The position touched by can be specified. In addition, the method of specifying a position by the change in a matrix-like electrode shall be performed by the known method used with the existing touch panel etc.

  As described above, the capacitor is formed by facing the lower electrode film 120 formed on the display surface of the display device 12 and the upper electrode film 130 formed on the inner surface of the protective panel 13 to form the protective panel. It is possible to realize a touch panel device that detects a touch position on the outer side surface of 13.

  In this case, since each electrode film used for position detection is formed inside the housing, both waterproofness and a highly accurate touch panel function can be achieved.

  That is, in the conventional resistive film method in which the resistive film is formed on the outer surface, the detection accuracy is reduced when the resistive film is deformed due to adhesion of water, but all of the electrode films according to the present embodiment are placed inside the casing. Since it is formed, it is not deformed by the adhesion of water.

  In addition, in the conventional electrostatic method, since the electrode film is formed inside the protective panel, there is no deformation due to the adhesion of water, but the capacitance also changes due to water droplets adhering to the outer surface of the protective panel. Although an erroneous input has occurred, in the configuration of the present embodiment, since the change in capacitance due to the change in the distance between the opposing electrode films is detected, the distance between the electrode films does not change due to the attachment of water droplets. It is possible to reliably detect a touch with a finger or a pen.

  Thus, reliable touch detection can be performed even in a situation where waterproofness is required. In addition, since the electrode film is formed inside the protection panel, even if the protection panel needs to be bent for detection, sufficient sealing can be applied to achieve a touch panel function without impairing high waterproofness. Can do.

(Embodiment 2)
In the touch panel having the structure shown in the first embodiment, the change in capacitance due to the change in the distance d between the electrode films facing each other is detected. Therefore, by detecting the degree of change in capacitance, The strength can also be detected.

  In this case, the operability on the touch panel can be improved by performing an input / output operation corresponding to the strength of the touch in the control unit that controls the mobile communication terminal 1. That is, an operation that is performed when the touch is weak and an operation that is performed when the touch is strong are defined in advance, and an operation according to the strength of the touch determined based on the amount of change in capacitance detected by the detection unit 200 is performed. By doing so, it is possible to provide a plurality of types of input patterns without changing the input mode.

  That is, if the touch panel function is realized by the structure shown in the first embodiment, it is possible to perform operation control based on the strength of touch. In other words, even when the touch panel device having the structure shown in the first embodiment is applied to a device that is not waterproof, it is possible to achieve functions that are not found in conventional touch panel devices.

As described above, by applying the present invention as in the above embodiment, a high-quality touch panel function can be realized with a waterproof device, and the convenience of the touch panel function can be improved.

  The said embodiment is an example and the application range of this invention is not restricted to this. That is, various applications are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, to provide a display device with a touch panel function in which the lower electrode film 120, the upper electrode film 130, the ground connection portion 14, and the like, which are necessary for realizing the touch panel function in the above-described embodiment, are configured integrally with the display device. In addition, the lower electrode film 120, the protective panel 13, the upper electrode film 130, the ground connection part 14, and the detection part 200 are integrally formed to provide a touch panel device applicable to an existing display device. Also good.

  Such a display device with a touch panel function or a touch panel device can be applied to any device as long as it has a display device, and is not limited to the mobile communication terminal shown in the above embodiment. For example, the touch panel function can be realized by applying the structure shown in the above embodiment to various apparatuses such as a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants: personal digital assistant), and a digital camera.

It is a figure which shows the mobile communication terminal concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure in the display side housing | casing shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the touchscreen apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a display side housing | casing, (b) demonstrates the principle in which a capacitor | condenser is formed. (C) is a figure for demonstrating the principle in which an electrostatic capacitance changes with a touch. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the lower electrode film 120 shown in FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a diagram for explaining an electrode pattern of the lower electrode film, and FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the connection of an electrode film and a detection part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mobile communication terminal, 10 ... Display side housing | casing, 10A ... Upper case, 10B ... Lower case, 11 ... Inner case, 12 ... Display apparatus, 120 ... Lower electrode film, 13 ... Protection panel, 130 ... Upper electrode Membrane 14 ... Ground connection part 200 ... Detection part

Claims (9)

A first electrode film formed on the display surface of the display device;
A second electrode film facing and grounding the first electrode film;
Detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance caused by a change in distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film;
A touch panel device comprising: The first electrode film forms a matrix electrode pattern,
The detecting means detects a touch position based on a change in capacitance in the matrix-like electrode pattern;
The touch panel device according to claim 1. The second electrode film is formed on a transparent member for protecting the display surface,
The detecting means detects a touch position on the transparent member;
The touch panel device according to claim 1 or 2. The touch panel device is formed in a display device arranged in a waterproof casing.
The touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel device is a touch panel device. A first electrode film having a matrix electrode pattern formed on the display surface;
A protective panel for protecting the display surface, wherein a second electrode film to be grounded is formed on a surface facing the display surface;
Detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance according to a change in a distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film by touching the protection panel;
A display device comprising: The display device is disposed in a waterproof casing,
The protective panel is joined to the housing based on the waterproof specification.
The display device according to claim 5. A terminal device having a display device,
The display device
A first electrode film having a matrix electrode pattern formed on a display surface of the display device;
A protective panel that protects the display surface formed by a second electrode film grounded in the terminal on a surface facing the display surface;
Position detecting means for detecting a touch position based on a change in capacitance according to a change in the distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film by touching the protection panel;
A terminal device comprising: A strength detection means for detecting the strength of the touch based on a change in capacitance according to a change in the distance between the first electrode film and the second electrode film due to a touch on the protective panel;
Control means for performing an input / output operation according to the strength of the touch detected by the strength detection means;
The terminal device according to claim 7, further comprising: The terminal device has a waterproof casing,
The display device is configured in the waterproof case.
The terminal device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein

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