JP2009282825A - Matrix touch panel device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a matrix touch panel device capable of detecting a contact point in a short time. <P>SOLUTION: The matrix touch panel device comprises: N lines (N≥2) of input resistance films Ri which are formed on a first substrate 11; and M lines (M≥2) of output resistance films Ro which are formed on a second substrate 21 facing the first substrate 11, and cross the N lines (N≥2) of input resistance films Ri with a gap to form a matrix. The matrix touch panel device detects an event that the first substrate 11 is pressed to the second substrate 21 at each cross point P by determining whether the input resistance film Ri and the output resistance film Ro are in a contact state at each cross point P of each input resistance film Ri and each output resistance film Ro. The matrix touch panel device has a voltage supplying means 31 for supplying a voltage to respective input resistance films Ri and an output voltage reading means 37 for reading outputs from the respective output resistance films Ro. The output voltage reading means 37 simultaneously reads outputs from m lines (2≤m≤M) of the respective output resistance films Ro of the M lines of output resistance films Ro. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a matrix type touch panel device and a program for detecting a contact position.

Conventionally, a matrix type touch panel device in which a plurality of input resistance films (X lines) and a plurality of output resistance films (Y lines) are arranged in a matrix is known. In this type of matrix-type touch panel device, at the intersection of the input resistance film and the output resistance film, whether or not the intersection is touched by detecting whether it is in an electrically connected (contacted) state, That is, the contact position is detected. As this detection method, a voltage is sequentially applied to each input resistance film, and the voltage value at the intersection of the input resistance film and each output resistance film is determined while the voltage is applied to each input resistance film. Output sequentially. And a contact position is detected by the change of the voltage value of the said intersection (for example, refer patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-63720

  However, in the above-described matrix type touch panel device, all lines of each input resistance film and each output resistance film are sequentially scanned in order to detect the contact position. As a result, all the intersections on the touch panel are scanned one by one. Will be. For this reason, it takes time to scan the entire touch panel, and as a result, it takes time to detect the contact position.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a matrix type touch panel device and a program capable of detecting a contact position in a short time.

  The matrix-type touch panel device of the present invention is formed on an N number of input resistance films formed on the first substrate (where N ≧ 2) and a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, M output resistance films intersecting in a matrix with a gap with respect to N input resistance films (where M ≧ 2), each of the input resistance films and the output resistance films. By detecting whether or not the input resistance film and the output resistance film are in contact with each other at the intersection, it is detected that the first substrate is pressed relative to the second substrate at each intersection. The matrix type touch panel device includes a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage for contact detection to each input resistance film, and an output side reading unit that reads an output from each output resistance film. Of the output resistance films, m (however, And wherein the reading ≦ m ≦ M to become an output from the output resistive film integer) simultaneously.

  According to this configuration, outputs from the m output resistive films can be read simultaneously. That is, by simultaneously reading (scanning) the output resistance film for m lines, it is possible to simultaneously acquire output voltages at a plurality of intersections (m) with the input resistance film. As a result, compared to, for example, scanning all the intersections on the touch panel one by one, the time taken to scan the entire touch panel can be shortened (reduced to about 1 / m of time), resulting in a contact position. Detection time can be shortened.

  In the matrix type touch panel device of the present invention, it is preferable that the voltage applying means simultaneously applies a voltage to n (where 2 ≦ n ≦ N) input resistance films among the N input resistance films. .

  According to this configuration, by simultaneously applying voltages to the n input resistance films, the output voltage at the intersection of n lines (input resistance film) × m lines (output resistance film), that is, n × m intersections is obtained. Can be acquired at the same time. Thereby, compared with the case where all the intersections on the touch panel are scanned one by one, the time required for scanning the entire touch panel can be reduced to about 1 / (n × m).

  In the matrix type touch panel device of the present invention, it is preferable that a comparator is individually connected to each output resistance film.

  According to this configuration, deterioration of latency can be suppressed by individually connecting a comparator to each output resistance film. In other words, when each output resistance film is collected, the number of IC terminals connected to the line from the combined output resistance film increases, and the sum of the stray capacitance causes the latency to deteriorate, but this problem is solved. it can.

  In the matrix type touch panel device of the present invention, the output side reading means includes a first reading means for simultaneously digitally reading outputs from the m output resistance films when a voltage is applied to the n input resistance films; A second reading means for digitally reading the output from the output resistance film for each intersection with respect to a contact range consisting of n × m intersections determined to be in a contact state from a reading result of one reading means; It is preferable that the second reading unit includes a third reading unit that analogly reads the output of the intersection determined to be in the contact state from the reading result of the two reading units.

  According to this configuration, the intersections are further narrowed down by reading the output from the output resistance film again by the second reading unit with respect to the contact range including the n × m intersections read by the first reading unit. be able to. In general, it takes more time to read the output of an intersection in an analog manner than to read it digitally, so the more intersections that are subject to analog reading, the more until the contact position (pressing position) is detected. It takes longer time. That is, this is one cause that hinders the speed of detection of the contact position on the touch panel. For this reason, n × m intersections read by the first reading unit are subjected to digital processing again by the second reading unit to further narrow down the intersections, and are subjected to analog reading by the third reading unit. By reducing the number of intersections, the time required for analog reading can be shortened, and as a result, the time for detecting the contact position can be shortened (the scanning process for the entire touch panel can be speeded up).

  In the matrix type touch panel device of the present invention, each of the N input resistance films has a pair of input terminals at both ends, and each of the M output resistance films has a pair of output terminals at both ends. Preferably, a voltage is selectively applied to each input resistance film from a pair of input terminals, and the output side reading means selectively reads the output from each output resistance film from the pair of output terminals.

  According to this configuration, when each of the plurality of input resistance films has a pair of input terminals at both ends, two input paths for voltage for contact detection are formed at each intersection. Since the output voltage value varies depending on the path length, two output voltage values are obtained for each intersection. The same applies to the case where each of the plurality of output resistance films has a pair of output terminals at both ends. In other words, according to this configuration, since four (2 × 2) output voltage values can be acquired, the number of output voltage values that can be used for determining the contact state between the input resistance film and the output resistance film is determined. It can be increased, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

  In the matrix-type touch panel device of the present invention, it is preferable that at least one of the first and second substrates is covered with a conductive shield member.

  According to this configuration, the influence of noise from the outside is reduced, so that erroneous detection can be avoided. In addition, when using the touchscreen comprised by the 1st and 2nd board | substrate in combination with a display apparatus, it is preferable to comprise a conductive shield member with a transparent resistive film.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as each means in the matrix touch panel device described above.

  By using this program, it is possible to provide a program that can simultaneously acquire output voltages at a plurality of intersections (m) with the input resistance film by simultaneously reading outputs from the plurality of output resistance films. .

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The matrix type touch panel device according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “touch panel device”) is used, for example, on a display screen of a liquid crystal display device (a touch panel integrated display device). When the upper surface is pressed with a finger or the like, the contact is detected.

  In the first embodiment, the voltage for contact detection to the input resistance film is sequentially applied one by one, and the output is simultaneously read from the six output resistance films during the voltage application to the input resistance film. A case will be described as an example. That is, the description will be made assuming that the number m of the output resistance films that read the output simultaneously is “m = 6”.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the touch panel device 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 10 includes a first substrate 11 having a plurality (N) of input resistance films Ri formed on a lower surface thereof, and is disposed to face the first substrate 11. ) And the second substrate 21 on which the output resistance film Ro is formed. The first substrate 11 and the second substrate 21 are overlapped via a dot spacer (not shown). The plurality of input resistance films Ri and the plurality of output resistance films Ro have gaps in the vertical direction and constitute a plurality of intersections P in a matrix in plan view.

  The first substrate 11 is made of a permeable transparent film. On the other hand, the 2nd board | substrate 21 is comprised with the glass plate. The plurality of input resistance films Ri and the plurality of output resistance films Ro are each formed of a transparent resistance film (for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide)). Input terminals 12 are provided at both ends of each input resistance film Ri (in FIG. 1, only one side is shown for convenience). Similarly, output terminals 22 are provided at both ends of each output resistance film Ro (in FIG. 1, only one side is shown for convenience).

  The touch panel device 10 is installed on a display screen (not shown) with the second substrate 21 facing downward, and when the first substrate 11 is pressed against the second substrate 21 from above against each intersection P by the user. The contact detection voltage applied to the input resistance film Ri is output from the output resistance film Ro because the input resistance film Ri and the output resistance film Ro are in contact with each other at the intersection P. . Based on this output, it is detected that the first substrate 11 has been pressed.

  Furthermore, a conductive shield film (conductive shield member) 13 is provided on the upper surface of the first substrate 11. The conductive shield film 13 is composed of a transparent resistance film and is in a grounded state. The conductive shield film 13 is always insulated from the input resistance film Ri by the first substrate 11. Since the conductive shield film 13 reduces the influence of external noise, erroneous detection can be avoided. In consideration of the influence of noise from below (particularly the display device), it is preferable to provide the conductive shield film 13 on the lower surface of the second substrate 21. However, considering the visibility of the display screen, it is preferable that the conductive shield film 13 is the minimum necessary.

  Next, a circuit configuration of the touch panel device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch panel device 10 includes a voltage application unit 31 (voltage application unit), an output switching unit 32, an AD converter 33, a comparator 34, an MPX (Multiplexer) circuit 35, and a control circuit 36. CPU 37 (output side reading means).

  Two voltage application units 31 are provided in correspondence with the input terminals 12 provided at both ends of each input resistance film Ri. Each voltage application unit 31 is configured by a switching element such as an IC, and applies a voltage for contact detection (input sweep) one by one to the plurality of input resistance films Ri in order from the end (FIG. 2). Then, voltages are applied in the order of the arrow Ai). In FIG. 2, the thick input resistance film Ri indicates the input resistance film Ri to which a voltage is applied.

  Two output switching units 32 are provided in correspondence with the output terminals 22 provided at both ends of each output resistance film Ro. Each output switching unit 32 is configured by a switching element such as an IC. When the output voltage is digitally captured for a plurality of output resistance films Ro, six output terminals 22 are sequentially ungrounded (high) sequentially from the end. By switching the connection from the impedance) to the grounded output resistor Rpd, six output voltages (the output voltages of the six intersections P) are simultaneously taken (output scan). That is, all the output terminals 22 are in the non-ground state except when the output of each output resistance film Ro is taken in, but when the outputs are taken in by each output switching unit 32, six output terminals 22 are simultaneously output. The resistor Rpd is grounded (see FIG. 3). When each input resistance film Ri and each output resistance film Ro are in contact with each other at each intersection P, a voltage is output from the output resistance film Ro.

  In FIG. 2, six output resistance films Ro are sequentially scanned in the direction of arrow Ao. Also, the six output resistance films Ro indicated by bold lines indicate that the output terminal 22 is the output resistance film Ro in a grounded state (connected to the output resistance Rpd). Further, in FIG. 3, all terminals (not shown) other than the terminals shown in the figure (one input terminal 12 to which voltage is applied and six output terminals 22 used for measurement) are not grounded. It is in a state.

  Then, in a state where a voltage for contact detection is applied to one input resistance film Ri, output scanning is sequentially performed for each of the plurality of output resistance films Ro, and then the voltage is applied to the adjacent input resistance film Ri. Similarly, an output scan is performed on the output resistance film Ro. By repeating this, the output voltage is taken in for all the intersection points P. When the output voltage from the output resistance film Ro is taken in an analog manner, the output terminals 22 of the output resistance film Ro to be read are switched one by one from the non-grounded state to the grounded state (the connection to the output resistance Rpd is switched). ), One output voltage at each intersection P is read.

  In the present embodiment (first embodiment), since the input terminals 12 are provided at both ends of each input resistance film Ri, each voltage application section 31 is selective to both ends of each input resistance film Ri. Can be applied with a voltage. Similarly, since the output terminals 22 are provided at both ends of each output resistance film Ro, each output switching unit 32 can selectively output a voltage from both ends of each output resistance film Ro. As a result, four contact detection voltage input / output paths are formed for each intersection P (in FIG. 3, lower input / left output, upper input / left output, lower input / right output, upper input).・ Right output). Since the output voltage value differs depending on the path length (length of the resistance film), four output voltage values can be obtained for each intersection. For this reason, the number of output voltage values that can be used for determining the contact state between the input resistance film Ri and the output resistance film Ro can be increased, and the determination accuracy can be improved.

  The comparator 34 compares the output voltage taken from each output resistance film Ro with the reference voltage, and is individually connected to each output terminal 22 provided at one end of each output resistance film Ro ( In FIG. 2, for the sake of convenience, some parts are omitted). A plurality of comparators 34 connected to the output terminal 22 at one end of the output resistance film Ro are connected to one MPX circuit 35. Then, the comparator 34 digitally outputs the comparison result between the output voltage and the reference voltage to the control circuit 36 via the MPX circuit 35. The control circuit 36 outputs the output result to the CPU 37, and the CPU 37 detects the presence / absence of an output for each intersection P based on the output result.

  Two AD converters 33 are provided by providing output terminals 22 at both ends of each output resistance film Ro. Each AD converter 33 AD-converts the output voltage (analog output voltage at each intersection P) from each output resistance film Ro taken in an analog manner to obtain an output voltage value, and outputs this to the CPU 33. Then, for each intersection P, the CPU 33 compares the acquired output voltage value with a pre-stored calculated (or experimentally obtained) contact voltage value, and whether or not the intersection P is in a contact state. Determine whether.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a series of processes for detecting a contact position (pressed position) on the touch panel device 10 will be described. First, the CPU 37 applies a voltage to the first (first) input resistance film Ri by the voltage application unit 31 (S01). Next, the CPU 37 changes the output terminals 22 of the output resistance film Ro from the first (first) to the sixth one from the non-ground state to the ground state (connected to the output resistor Rpd), and these six output terminals 22. Simultaneously capture the output from. That is, the CPU 37 simultaneously reads the output voltage for each intersection P (six) of one input resistance film Ri and six output resistance films Ro (S02). Next, the comparator 34 compares the output voltage with the reference voltage for each of the above-described intersection points P (six), and digitally outputs the result to the CPU 37 (S03). Based on the digital output result from the comparator 34, the CPU 37 detects the presence or absence of output (output on / off) for each intersection P (S04).

  Next, the CPU 37 determines whether or not the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro have been read (S05). When the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro are not read (S06; No), the CPU 37 simultaneously reads the outputs of the next six output resistance films Ro (S07). Then, the above-described processing of S03 and S04 is performed for each of the intersections P (six) of the six output resistance films Ro and the input resistance films Ri, and the presence / absence of the output of each intersection P is detected.

  On the other hand, when reading of the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro is completed (S06; Yes), the CPU 37 determines whether or not the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is the last input resistance film Ri (S08). ). When the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is not the last input resistance film Ri (S09; No), the CPU 37 applies a voltage to the next input resistance film Ri (S10), and repeats the processing from S02 onward. .

  On the other hand, when the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is the last input resistance film Ri (S09; Yes), the CPU 37 ends the detection of the presence or absence of the output at the intersection P. That is, the presence / absence of output for all intersection points P on the touch panel device 10 is detected. Then, the CPU 37 takes in an output voltage in an analog manner for the intersection P detected as output on (with output), and acquires an output voltage value obtained by AD conversion of the output voltage (S11). And CPU37 compares this output voltage value with the voltage value at the time of a contact, and detects whether the intersection P is a contact state (S12). That is, when the output voltage value is compared with the calculated (or experimentally obtained) contact voltage value stored in advance, and the output voltage value is significantly larger than the contact voltage value, the intersection P is in the contact state. It is determined that That is, it determines with the said intersection P being a contact position (pressing position).

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, m (six lines) output resistance films Ro are simultaneously read (scanned) for a plurality of output resistance films Ro arranged to face the input resistance film Ri. Output voltages at m intersections P with the input resistance film Ri can be acquired simultaneously. Thereby, for example, compared with the case where all the intersection points P on the touch panel device 10 are scanned one by one, the time taken to scan the entire touch panel device 10 can be shortened (reduced to about 1 / m). As a result, the detection time of the contact position (pressing position) can be shortened. Further, by individually connecting the comparator 34 to each output resistance film Ro, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the latency when the m output resistance films Ro are simultaneously read.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a matrix type touch panel device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the structure of the matrix type touch panel device 10 of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (see FIG. 1), only different parts will be described here. Further, in the second embodiment, six voltage detections for contact detection are sequentially applied to the input resistance film Ri, and simultaneously from the six output resistance films Ro during the voltage application to the input resistance film Ri. A case where the output is read will be described as an example. That is, the number n of the input resistance films Ri to which the voltage is applied simultaneously described in the claims is assumed to be “n = 6”, and the number m of the output resistance films Ro that simultaneously read the output is assumed to be “m = 6”.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the touch panel device 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the touch panel device 10 includes an input combining unit 41 (voltage applying unit), an output combining unit 42, a first output switching unit 43, a voltage applying unit 44 (voltage applying unit), and a second. An output switching unit 45, a comparator 46, an AD converter 47, a control circuit 48, and a CPU 49 (output side reading means) are provided.

  The input combining unit 41 combines (binds) the six input terminals 12 into one input. That is, by applying a voltage (voltage for contact detection) via the input synthesis unit 41, it is possible to simultaneously apply voltages to the six input terminals 12 (six input resistance films Ri). The input combining unit 41 is provided with a plurality of input terminals 12 at one end (the number of input terminals at one end / 6) on one end side of the input resistance film Ri in order to aggregate the input terminals 12 provided at one end of each input resistance film Ri in units of six. The input combining units 41 are connected in parallel (in FIG. 5, a part of the input combining unit 41 is omitted for convenience). In FIG. 5, the thick input resistance film Ri indicates the input resistance film Ri to which a voltage is applied.

  The output synthesizer 42 synthesizes (binds) the outputs from the six output resistance films Ro into one, and aggregates the output terminals 22 provided at one end of each output resistance film Ro in units of six. Accordingly, a plurality of output resistance films Ro (the number of output resistance films at one end / 6) are provided on one end side of the output resistance film Ro (in FIG. 5, a part of the output resistance film is omitted for convenience). Each output combining unit 42 is connected to a first output switching unit 43 described later. When the output voltage is taken in by the first output switching unit 43, the output synthesis unit 42 synthesizes the output voltages from the six output resistance films Ro (actually, the total of the output voltages at 36 intersection points P). And output.

  The first output switching unit 43 is configured by a switching element such as an IC, and is connected to the plurality of output combining units 42. Then, by switching the output line L from each output combining unit 42 from the non-ground state to the ground state (switching the connection to the output resistor Rpd), the output voltage from the output terminal 22 combined by each output combining unit 42 is changed. Capture digitally. That is, the first output switching unit 43 simultaneously takes in the output voltages from the six output resistance films Ro (the sum of the output voltages for 36 intersections P) (see FIG. 6). In FIG. 5, the bold output resistance film Ro indicates that the output resistance film Ro is applied with a voltage. In FIG. 6, all terminals (not shown) other than the terminals shown in the figure (six input terminals 12 to which voltage is applied and six output terminals 22 used for measurement) are not grounded. It has become.

  Then, the first output switching unit 43 digitally outputs the captured output voltage to the control circuit 48. The control circuit 48 outputs the output result to the CPU 49, and the CPU 49 detects the presence or absence of output based on the output result. In this case, the CPU 49 detects the presence or absence of the output voltage for a range (hereinafter referred to as “detection range 50”) composed of 36 intersections P from which the output voltage is to be captured.

  Then, with the voltage for contact detection applied to the six input resistance films Ri at the same time, the output lines L to the output combining units 42 are sequentially grounded by the first output switching unit 43. The output resistance film Ro is sequentially scanned for six output resistors. Thereafter, a voltage is simultaneously applied to the next six input resistance films Ri, and an output scan is similarly performed on the output resistance film Ro. By repeating this, the entire touch panel device 10 is scanned and the output voltage for each detection range 50 is captured.

  Two voltage application units 44 are provided in correspondence with the input terminals 12 provided at both ends of each input resistance film Ri. Each voltage application unit 44 is configured by a switching element such as an IC, and applies a voltage for contact detection to each of the plurality of input resistance films Ri one by one.

  Two second output switching units 45 are provided in correspondence with the output terminals 22 provided at both ends of each output resistance film Ro. Each second output switching unit 45 is configured by a switching element such as an IC, and the connection of the output terminal 22 from the non-grounded state to the grounded output resistor Rpd is switched for the plurality of output resistance films Ro, whereby the output terminal 22 The output voltage is taken in from. When each input resistance film Ri and each output resistance film Ro are in contact with each other at each intersection P, a voltage is output from the output resistance film Ro.

  The voltage application unit 44 and the second output switching unit 45 are used when taking in the output voltage of each intersection P included in the detection range 50 described above. In this case, after the output resistance film Ro is sequentially scanned one by one in the state where the voltage for contact detection is applied to one input resistance film Ri in the detection range 50 (contact range) where the output is detected. Then, a voltage is applied to the adjacent input resistance film Ri, and similarly, an output scan (hereinafter also referred to as “detailed digital scan”) is performed on the output resistance film Ro. By repeating this, the output voltage is digitally captured for all the intersection points P within the detection range 50.

  The comparator 46 compares the output voltage of each output resistance film Ro with a reference voltage and outputs the result to the control circuit 48 digitally. And the control circuit 48 outputs the output result to CPU49, and CPU49 detects the output about each intersection P based on the output result. Here, the intersection P included in the detection range 50 where the output is detected is used to compare the output voltage at each intersection P with the reference voltage and output the result to the control circuit 48.

  Two AD converters 47 are provided by providing the output terminals 22 at both ends of each output resistance film Ro. Each AD converter 47 AD-converts the output voltage (analog output voltage at each intersection P) from each output resistance film Ro taken in an analog manner to obtain an output voltage value, and outputs this to the CPU 49. Then, the CPU 49 compares the acquired output voltage value with the calculated (or experimentally obtained) contact voltage value for each intersection point P, and determines whether or not the intersection point P is in a contact state. Determine whether.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a series of processes for detecting a contact position (pressed position) on the touch panel device 10 will be described. First, the CPU 49 applies a voltage simultaneously to the first (first) to sixth input resistance films Ri by the input combining unit 41 (S21). Next, the CPU 49 digitally takes in the outputs from the first (first) to the sixth output resistance film Ro simultaneously by the output combining unit 42 and the first output switching unit 43 (S22, first reading means). ). That is, the CPU 49 reads the output voltage of the detection range 50 including the intersection points P (36 pieces) of the six input resistance films Ri and the six output resistance films Ro. Then, the CPU 49 detects the presence / absence (output on / off) of the output of the read detection range 50 (S23).

  Next, the CPU 49 determines whether or not the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro have been read (S24). When the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro have not been read (S25; No), the CPU 49 simultaneously reads the outputs of the next six output resistance films Ro by the output combining section 42 and the first output switching section 43. (S26). Then, the presence / absence of output is detected in the detection range 50 formed by the intersections P (36) of the six output resistance films Ro and the six input resistance films Ri (S23).

  On the other hand, when reading of outputs from all the output resistance films Ro is completed (S25; Yes), the CPU 49 determines whether or not a voltage is applied to the last input resistance film Ri (S27). When no voltage is applied to the last input resistance film Ri (S28; No), the CPU 49 simultaneously applies voltages to the next six input resistance films Ri by the input synthesis unit 41 (S29), and the above S22 The subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the voltage is applied to the last input resistance film Ri (S28; Yes), the CPU 49 determines that the output scan of the entire touch panel device 10 is completed (S30). Next, the CPU 49 performs a detailed digital scan for each of the intersection points P (36) in the detection range 50 with respect to the detection range 50 detected as output ON (output is present) (see second reading means, dotted line portion shown in the figure). ). Specifically, first, the CPU 49 applies a contact detection voltage to the first input resistance film Ri in the detection range 50 where the output is detected (S31). Next, the CPU 49 changes the output terminal 22 of the first output resistance film Ro within the detection range 50 from the non-ground state to the ground state (connected to the output resistor Rpd), and digitally outputs the output from the output terminal 22. Capture (S32). Next, the comparator 46 compares the output voltage with the reference voltage at the intersection point P, and digitally outputs the result to the CPU 49 (S33). The CPU 49 detects the presence / absence of output (output on / off) for the intersection point P based on the digital output result from the comparator 46 (S34).

  Next, the CPU 49 determines whether or not the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro within the detection range 50 have been read (S35). When the outputs from all the output resistance films Ro within the detection range 50 are not read (S36; No), the CPU 49 reads the output of the next output resistance film Ro (S37). And about the intersection P of this output resistance film Ro and the input resistance film Ri, the process of above-mentioned S33 and S34 is performed, and the presence or absence of the output of the said intersection P is detected.

  On the other hand, when reading of the output from all the output resistance films Ro within the detection range 50 is completed (S36; Yes), the CPU 49 determines that the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is the last input resistance within the detection range 50. It is determined whether the film Ri or not (S38). When the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is not the last input resistance film Ri in the detection range 50 (S39; No), the CPU 49 applies a voltage to the next input resistance film Ri (S40), and the above S32 The subsequent processing is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the input resistance film Ri to which the voltage is applied is the last input resistance film Ri in the detection range 50 (S39; Yes), the CPU 49 ends the detection of the presence or absence of the output at the intersection P. That is, the presence / absence of output for all intersection points P in the detection range 50 is detected. Then, the CPU 49 obtains an output voltage value obtained by analog-capturing the output voltage at the intersection P detected as output ON (with output) in S34 and AD-converting the output voltage (S41). Then, the CPU 49 compares the output voltage value with the contact voltage value, and detects whether or not the intersection P is in a contact state (S42). That is, when the output voltage value is compared with the calculated (or experimentally obtained) contact voltage value stored in advance, and the output voltage value is significantly larger than the contact voltage value, the intersection P is in the contact state. It is determined that That is, it determines with the said intersection P being a contact position (pressing position).

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, a voltage is simultaneously applied to n input resistance films Ri, and m output resistance films Ro can be simultaneously read (scanned) in this state. That is, it is possible to simultaneously acquire the output voltage for the intersection point P of the n input resistance films Ri and the m output resistance films Ro, that is, n × m intersection points P. Thereby, compared with the case where all the intersections P on the touch panel device 10 are scanned one by one, the time required for scanning the entire touch panel device 10 can be shortened to about 1 / (n × m). it can.

  First, the presence / absence of output (output on / off) is detected for the detection range 50 consisting of n × m intersections P, and the detection range 50 (contact range) detected as output on (with output) is detected. By performing detailed digital scanning again for each intersection point P, the intersection points P that may be output can be narrowed down. In general, it takes more time to read the output of the intersection point P in an analog manner than to read it digitally. Therefore, the more intersection points P to be subjected to analog reading, the more the contact position (pressing position) is detected. It takes longer time to complete. That is, this is one cause that hinders the speed of detection of the contact position in the touch panel device 10. For this reason, with respect to n × m intersection points P in the detection range 50 detected as output ON, the output voltage is digitally read again to further narrow the intersection points P, and the number of intersection points P to be subjected to analog reading. By reducing, the time required for analog reading can be shortened, and as a result, the detection time of the contact position can be shortened.

  Note that the second embodiment can be applied not only when only one intersection point P on the touch panel device 10 is contacted but also when a plurality of points are contacted simultaneously. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when four points (intersection points P1 to P4) are pressed so as to straddle four adjacent detection ranges 50 (50a to 50d), the intersection points P1 to P4 are detected only by analog reading. In actuality, 36 × 4 = 144 (the number of intersection points P of one detection range 50 × the number of detection ranges 50) needs to be analog-read. The time required for this is about 23.04 ms (time for reading one intersection P × number of intersections P = 0.16 ms × 144).

  In such a case, by applying the second embodiment, before the analog reading, a detailed digital scan is performed on the above four detection ranges 50a to 50d, and four intersection points P that may be output are obtained. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of intersection points P that are analog reading targets. In this case, the time required for the detailed digital scan is about 5.76 ms (time for reading one intersection P × the number of intersections P = 0.04 ms × 144), and the four intersections narrowed down by the detailed digital scan. The time for analog reading of P is about 0.64 ms (time for reading one intersection point P × number of intersection points P = 0.16 ms × 4), and it takes about 6.4 ms in total. That is, compared with the case of only analog reading, the time taken to detect the four intersections P1 to P4 can be shortened to about ¼, and as a result, the detection time of the contact position can be shortened.

  As described above, the matrix-type touch panel device 10 according to the present embodiment can detect the contact position in a short time, and therefore, DJ equipment (player, mixer, etc.), electronic musical instrument, MIDI that requires intuitive and quick operation are required. It can also be applied to controllers. In various fields where the touch panel device 10 is already used (game machine, touch panel computer, PDA, mobile phone, bank ATM, etc.), the convenience can be improved. Furthermore, even when a plurality of points are touched at the same time, the delay of detection time can be suppressed, so that a device operated by a person can be used even in a field where use of the touch panel device 10 has been avoided because a plurality of points cannot be operated simultaneously. It can be applied as an operation panel.

  In the first embodiment, the configuration (the comparator 34 and the MPX circuit 35) for simultaneously reading the output from the six output resistance films Ro is connected to only one of the output terminals 22, but these configurations are The output voltage may be selectively read by connecting to both ends of the output terminal 22. In the second embodiment, the configuration (input composition unit 41) for sequentially applying the voltage for detecting the contact to the input resistance film Ri six by six is connected to only one of the input terminals 12. A configuration may be connected to both ends of the input terminal 12 to selectively apply a voltage. Also in the second embodiment, a configuration for simultaneously reading outputs from the six output resistance films Ro (the output combining unit 42 and the first output switching unit 43) is connected to both ends of the output terminal 22 to selectively Alternatively, the output voltage may be read.

  Further, each means of the matrix type touch panel device 10 shown in the above embodiment can be provided as a program. It is also possible to provide the program stored in a storage medium (not shown). As the recording medium, a CD-ROM, a flash ROM, a memory card (compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, etc.), a compact disk, a magneto-optical disk, a digital versatile disk, a flexible disk, and the like can be used.

  Further, the configuration and processing steps of the matrix-type touch panel device 10 can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention, regardless of the above-described embodiment.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the matrix-type touchscreen apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the matrix-type touchscreen apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode of an output terminal at the time of the output taking-in of the output resistive film of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which detects the contact position in the matrix type touch panel apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the circuit structure of the matrix-type touchscreen apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode of an output line at the time of output taking-in of the output resistive film of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which detects the contact position in the matrix type touch panel apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which detects the contact position in the matrix type touch panel apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that 4 points | pieces were pressed simultaneously so that four adjacent detection ranges might be straddled.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Touch panel 11 ... 1st board | substrate 12 ... Input terminal 13 ... Conductive shield film 21 ... 2nd board | substrate 22 ... Output terminal 31, 44 ... Voltage application means 33, 47 ... AD converter 34, 46 ... Comparator 37, 49 ... CPU 41 ... Input composition unit 50 ... Detection range Ri ... Input resistance film Ro ... Output resistance film P ... Intersection

Claims (7)

N input resistance films formed on the first substrate (where N ≧ 2 is an integer) and a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, the N input resistance films being formed M output resistance films intersecting in a matrix with a gap therebetween (where M ≧ 2 is an integer), and the input resistance at each intersection of each input resistance film and each output resistance film Matrix type that detects whether the first substrate is pressed relative to the second substrate at each intersection by determining whether or not the film and the output resistance film are in contact with each other In the touch panel device,
Voltage application means for applying a voltage for contact detection to each input resistance film;
Output side reading means for reading the output from each output resistance film,
The output side reading means simultaneously reads outputs from m output resistance films out of M output resistance films (where 2 ≦ m ≦ M), the matrix type touch panel device .   2. The voltage applying unit applies a voltage simultaneously to n (where 2 ≦ n ≦ N) input resistance films among N input resistance films. Matrix type touch panel device.   The matrix type touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein a comparator is individually connected to each output resistance film. The output side reading means includes
First reading means for simultaneously digitally reading outputs from the m output resistance films when a voltage is applied to the n input resistance films;
Second reading means for digitally reading the output from the output resistance film for each intersection with respect to a contact range consisting of n × m intersections determined to be in contact from the reading result of the first reading means. When,
3. The matrix type touch panel device according to claim 2, further comprising: a third reading unit that analogally reads an output of an intersection determined to be in a contact state from a reading result of the second reading unit. Each of the N input resistance films has a pair of input terminals at both ends, and each of the M output resistance films has a pair of output terminals at both ends,
The voltage applying means selectively applies a voltage from the pair of input terminals to each input resistance film,
2. The matrix type touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein the output side reading unit selectively reads outputs from the output resistance films from the pair of output terminals.   2. The matrix type touch panel device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second substrates is covered with a conductive shield member.   A program for causing a computer to function as each means in the matrix type touch panel device according to claim 1.

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