JP2017076246A - Input device and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input device for the purpose of reducing an influence of wiring or an input device making a detection reaction of a detected part to a touch panel stronger than the wiring, and an information processing method.SOLUTION: An input device 600 is an input device for a touch panel that can detect a contact position or nearby position of a body or region having conductivity, and has two conductive layers 601, 603 opposed to each other directly or with an intermediate layer interposed. One conductive layer 601 has a plurality of conductive regions 602a-602d having planar thin-film layers or a three-dimensional swell parts arranged independently of one another, and the other conductive layer 603 has conductive regions 606a-606d opposed to the plurality of conductive regions 602a-602d constituting the one conductive layer 601 with the intermediate layer interposed, or a conduction part 604 for the plurality of conductive regions constituting the one conductive layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for inputting information to an electronic device having a so-called touch panel and an information processing method using the electronic device.

There are many electronic devices that detect the contact position of a finger with respect to a touch panel using a change in capacitance. As an input device for such an electronic apparatus, there is an input device described in Patent Document 1. This is a card that is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel, and is provided with a plurality of conductive regions that cause a change in capacitance with respect to the detection unit of the touch panel. When this card is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel, the touch panel detects the position of the conductive region mounted on the card and generates code information based on the arrangement of the conductive region.
When providing a conductive area that functions as a detected part that can be detected by a touch panel on the same plane, a wide area conductive area provided at a position different from the detected part by providing a narrow conductive part (wiring) Connect with. This is because, when the detected portion performs capacitive coupling with the touch panel, a sufficient charge for detection of the detected portion is moved from the conductive region having a large area.

Japanese Patent No. 5733845

However, when the detected part and the wiring are provided on the same plane, the wiring is a capacitive body that retains the capacitance as well as the detected part. Therefore, the detected part and the wiring are combined into one detected part. May be mistaken as
In view of such circumstances, the present invention is an input device intended to reduce the influence of wiring, or an input device intended to cause a detection reaction of a detected portion with respect to a touch panel to occur more strongly than wiring. It is an object to provide an information processing method.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
An input device for a touch panel capable of detecting a contact position or proximity position of an electrically conductive object or part by a change in capacitance,
It has two conductive layers facing each other directly or through an intermediate layer,
The one conductive layer has a plurality of conductive regions in which planar thin film layers or three-dimensional raised portions are arranged independently of each other,
The other conductive layer is connected to a plurality of conductive regions constituting the one conductive layer with respect to a conductive region opposing the intermediate layer or a plurality of conductive regions constituting the one conductive layer. It has a conduction part.

Further, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
An input device for a touch panel that can detect a contact position or a proximity position by a change in capacitance,
It has a plurality of layers in which a single sheet or a plurality of sheets are integrally stacked,
One of the sheets is provided with a conductive layer, and the sheet is provided with a three-dimensional portion raised toward the touch panel side.

The input device according to the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
A plurality of conductive small regions, a conductive large region having an area larger than the total area of the conductive small regions, and each conductive small region directly or through another conductive small region, A sheet provided with a first conductive layer consisting of a narrow conductive portion electrically connected;
On the bonding surface with the first conductive layer, the individual areas having the same area as the conductive small areas arranged opposite to the respective conductive small areas or an area larger than the conductive small areas are individually provided. It has the sheet | seat which provided the 2nd conductive layer which consists of an electroconductive small area, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
The individual conductive small regions constituting the second conductive layer are provided with a thick portion or a three-dimensional shape portion having a height difference in the thickness direction as the conductive small region provided in the first conductive layer. Features.

Further, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
A sheet-like input device formed in an outer shape that can be held in a hand,
It has a base material composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers formed by a sheet made of paper or synthetic resin,
A plurality of convex portions protruding from the back surface of the base material or a plurality of raised portions provided in the inner layer so as to protrude or protrude on the back surface side by pressing from the front surface.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A display portion indicating a place to be pressed or a route to be pressed is provided on the surface of the base material.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
The convex portion or the raised portion is formed of a conductive material or a material containing a conductive substance.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A conductive film is provided on the convex portion or the raised portion.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A conductive layer constituting one or a plurality of detected portions is provided at a position different from the position where the convex portion or the raised portion is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
An information processing method using a touch panel having an image display function and a contact position detection function,
Detect one or more pressed position coordinates on the touch panel surface,
The pressing information generated based on the detected pressing position coordinates or pressing position coordinates is compared with the previously stored pressing position coordinates or pressing information,
The present invention is characterized in that a predetermined process is executed based on the comparison result.

Further, the present invention is characterized by having the following configuration. That is,
An information processing method using a touch panel having an image display function and a contact position detection function,
Detecting position coordinates by pressing against the touch panel surface and / or position coordinates by touching or approaching the touch panel surface based on a change in capacitance;
It is characterized in that a predetermined process is executed based on the position coordinates by the pressing and / or contact or proximity.

In addition to the above configuration, the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
In the case of detecting a pressing position on the touch panel surface and / or a locus moved while pressing the touch panel surface,
It is characterized in that a predetermined process is executed by including, in the determination condition, the direction from the start point to the end point constituting the trajectory moved while pressing or the detection order of the pressed positions.

It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of the input device which concerns on this Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing showing the structure of the input device which concerns on 1st Example. It is an external view of the input device which concerns on 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the internal structure of the input device which concerns on 2nd Example. It is an external view of the input device which concerns on 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the internal structure of the input device which concerns on 3rd Example. It is the external view showing the surface side of the input device which concerns on 4th Example. It is the external view showing the back surface side of the input device which concerns on 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the use condition of the input device which concerns on 4th Example. It is explanatory drawing showing the effect | action of the input device which concerns on 4th Example. It is the external view showing the surface side of the input device which concerns on 5th Example. It is the external view showing the back surface side of the input device which concerns on 5th Example. It is the external view showing the surface side of the input device which concerns on 6th Example. It is the external view showing the back surface side of the input device which concerns on 6th Example.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of an input device 500 according to this embodiment.
The input device 500 is formed in a card shape as an example, and is provided with two conductive layers (a first conductive layer 501 and a second conductive layer 503) on one side surface of a sheet body 510 serving as a base material. is there. The sheet body 510 is an insulator.
As an example, the input device 500 is formed with a thickness of about 0.5 mm, and the outer shape is a thin sheet having a substantially rectangular shape. The size is such that it can be held with a fingertip similar to that of a credit card or a playing card, and as an example, it is formed to have an outer shape of about 59 mm wide × 86 mm long. Although a detailed description is omitted, a printing layer displaying a pattern is provided on the front surface and the back surface of the input device 500. Further, it is configured as a single card by appropriately pasting other sheets.

The illustrated first conductive layer 501 includes conductive portions 502 (502a, 502b, 502c, 502d, and 502e) formed as three-dimensional raised portions that are independent from each other. The conductive portion 502 is formed by, for example, forming a three-dimensional form by expanding conductive foamed ink, or by forming a conductive film on a thick plate such as resin or paper. The The conductive portion 502 may be solid or hollow, and is provided as a protruding portion raised from one side surface of the sheet body 510.
Note that the input device 500 may be used as it is, or may overlap another sheet to hide the first conductive layer 501 and the second conductive layer 503.

The second conductive layer 503 includes a plurality of narrow wiring portions 504 and a wide-area conductive portion 505 having a larger area than other portions. The wiring portion 504 and the wide-area conductive portion 505 are formed in a thin film shape using conductive ink, metal foil, other conductive materials and methods, and are electrically connected to each other. The term “electrically connected” means that both are directly or capacitively coupled, and an electrical change that has occurred on one side is also exerted on the other.
In the input device 500, the second conductive layer 503 is provided on one side surface of the sheet body 510, and the first conductive layer 501 is overlaid thereon, whereby the first conductive layer 501 is formed from one side surface of the sheet body 510. Is formed. The sheet body 510 serving as a base material is formed of an insulating material such as paper or a synthetic resin sheet.

  The input device 500 can detect each position of the plurality of conductive portions 502 when the side surface provided with the first conductive layer 501 is brought into contact with the touch panel. Since the conductive portion 502 is raised from the side surface of the sheet body 510, the conductive portion 502 is closer to the touch panel than the wiring portion 504 of the thin conductive second conductive layer 503 that is not raised. Therefore, the position of the conductive portion 502 can be recognized in a state where the influence of the capacitance held by the wiring portion 504 is reduced when the conductive portion 502 is detected. As a result, the position of the arranged conductive portion 502 can be accurately detected.

The wide-area conductive portion 505 of the second conductive layer 503 is disposed at a position away from the touch panel when the input device 500 is used, and enables movement of electric charge between the conductive portion 502 and the touch panel. There is an effect of strengthening the reaction occurring in the detection section.
Although not shown, the first conductive layer 501 may be provided on one side surface of the sheet body 510 and the second conductive layer 503 may be provided on the other side surface. In this case, although the first conductive layer 501 and the second conductive layer 503 are insulated, the conductive layer facing the conductive portion 502 in a state where the sheet body 510 is interposed in the second conductive layer 503 as an intermediate layer. When a small area is provided, each other has an electrostatic effect. Due to this electrostatic influence, the bias of the electric charge is facilitated inside the conductive portion 502, and the reaction occurring in the detection portion of the touch panel is strengthened.

  The input device 500 according to the present embodiment is a three-dimensional part in which the conductive part 502 constituting the detected part for the touch panel is raised rather than a thin layer. In a single state in which the conductive portion 502 is arranged independently of other conductive portions, the reaction generated in the detection portion of the touch panel is weak. For this reason, it is desirable to perform direct or capacitive coupling with the wide-area conductive portion 505. For this purpose, a wiring portion 504 that connects the conductive portion 502 and the wide-area conductive portion 505 is necessary. However, since the wiring portion 504 also has a capacitance, when the wiring portion 504 is provided on the same surface as the conductive portion 502, a combination of the wiring portion 504 and the conductive portion 502 is detected by the touch panel. In this case, the detection position of the conductive portion 502 tends to be inaccurate. In this embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, a problem caused by the presence of the wiring portion 504 is obtained by providing a height difference between the conductive portion 502 to be detected and the wiring portion 504 that is not the detection target. It comes to reduce.

  The input device 500 according to the present embodiment intends to improve detection accuracy by providing a difference in height between the detected part and the wiring part and by varying the distance from the touch panel. . In the above example, when the first conductive layer 501 and the second conductive layer 503 are provided on one side surface of the sheet body 510, the side surface of the sheet body 510 in which both conductive layers are formed in advance as one conductive layer is used. It does not matter if it is provided. Further, the input device may be configured by superimposing one sheet or a plurality of sheets as a base material on the one conductive layer. The specific means for achieving such an effect is not limited to the above example, but all belong to the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the invention described in the claims. is there.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be further described.
[Example 1]
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram relating to another embodiment of the input device according to the present invention. The input device 600 shown in the figure is also formed in a card shape, and two conductive layers (a first conductive layer 601 and a second conductive layer 603) are provided on one side surface of a sheet body 610 serving as a base material. It is a thing. The illustrated first conductive layer 601 is composed of conductive portions 602 (602a, 602b, 602c, 602d) formed as three-dimensional raised portions independent of each other.
The conductive portion 602 is formed by, for example, forming a three-dimensional form by expanding a foamed ink having conductivity, or by forming a conductive film on a thick plate-like body such as resin or paper. The The conductive portion 602 may be solid or hollow, and is provided so as to protrude and protrude from the surface when provided on one side surface of the sheet body 610.
Note that the input device 600 may be used as it is, or the first conductive layer 601 and the second conductive layer 603 may be hidden by overlapping other sheets.

  The second conductive layer 603 includes a plurality of narrow wiring portions 604 and a wide-area conductive portion 605 having a larger area than other portions. In addition, the wiring portion 604 is provided radially with the wide-area conductive portion 605 as the center, and a small region 606 (606a, 606b, 606c, 606d) is provided at the tip of each wiring portion 604. The small region 606 is arranged at a position facing the conductive portion 602 described above, and is formed to have substantially the same shape as the facing conductive portion 602 or slightly smaller than this.

The wiring portion 604, the small region 606, and the wide-area conductive portion 605 are formed in a thin film shape using conductive ink, metal foil, or other conductive material or method, and are electrically connected to each other. The term “electrically connected” means that both are directly or capacitively coupled, and an electrical change that has occurred on one side is also exerted on the other.
In the input device 600, the second conductive layer 603 is provided on one side surface of the sheet body 610, and the first conductive layer 601 is overlapped thereon, whereby the first conductive layer 601 is formed from one side surface of the sheet body 610. Is formed. The sheet body 610 serving as a base material is formed of an insulating material such as paper or a synthetic resin sheet.

  The input device 600 can detect each position of the plurality of conductive portions 602 when the side surface on which the first conductive layer 601 is provided is brought into contact with the touch panel. Since the conductive portion 602 is raised from the side surface of the sheet body 610, the conductive portion 602 is closer to the touch panel than the wiring portion 604 of the second conductive layer 603 that is not raised. Therefore, the position of the conductive portion 602 can be recognized in a state where the influence of the capacitance held by the wiring portion 604 is reduced when the conductive portion 602 is detected. As a result, the position of the disposed conductive portion 602 can be detected with high accuracy.

The wide-area conductive portion 605 of the second conductive layer 603 is provided at a position surrounded by the conductive portion 602 serving as a detected portion. This portion is a portion that causes capacitive coupling with the user when the user presses from the opposite surface of the sheet body 610, and is provided to exert the electrical action on the conductive portion 602. . When the opposite surface provided with the wide-area conductive portion 605 is pressed with a fingertip, the pressed portion bends and touches the touch panel or presses the surface of the touch panel.
In this case, the wide-area conductive unit 605 can also be detected by the touch panel similarly to the conductive unit 602. In addition, when the touch panel has a function of detecting a press, this press can be detected.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the first conductive layer 601 may be provided on one side surface of the sheet body 610 and the second conductive layer 603 may be provided on the other side surface. In this case, the first conductive layer 601 and the second conductive layer 603 are insulated, but electrostatically influence each other with the small region 606 of the second conductive layer 603. Due to this electrostatic influence, the bias of electric charge is facilitated inside the conductive portion 602, and the reaction occurring in the detection portion of the touch panel is strengthened.

  The input device 600 according to the present embodiment is a three-dimensional part in which a conductive part 602 constituting a detected part for the touch panel is raised rather than a thin layer. In a single state in which the conductive portion 602 is arranged independently of other conductive portions, the reaction generated in the detection portion of the touch panel is weak. For this reason, it is desirable to perform direct or capacitive coupling with the wide-area conductive portion 605. For this purpose, a wiring portion 604 that connects the conductive portion 602 and the wide-area conductive portion 605 is required. However, since the wiring portion 604 also has a capacitance, when the wiring portion 604 is provided on the same surface as the conductive portion 502, a combination of the wiring portion 604 and the conductive portion 602 is detected by the touch panel. In this case, the detection position of the conductive part 602 tends to be inaccurate. In this embodiment, in order to solve such a problem, by providing a height difference between the conductive portion 602 to be detected and the wiring portion 604 that is not the detection target, a problem caused by the presence of the wiring portion 604 is solved. It comes to reduce.

  The input device 600 according to the present embodiment intends to improve the detection accuracy by providing a difference in height between the detected part and the wiring part and changing the distance from the touch panel. . In the above example, in the case where the first conductive layer 601 and the second conductive layer 603 are provided on one side surface of the sheet body 610, the side surface of the sheet body 610 in which both conductive layers are formed in advance as one conductive layer is used. It does not matter if it is provided. Further, the input device may be configured by superimposing one sheet or a plurality of sheets as a base material on the one conductive layer.

  Note that in the case where the first conductive layer 601 and the second conductive layer 603 are provided, the conductive portion 602 of the first conductive layer 601 to be detected can be formed as a thin conductive layer. In this case, when the small region 606 facing the conductive portion 602 is provided in the second conductive layer 603, the covered portion raised from the second conductive layer 603 is directly or indirectly overlapped by the conductive portion 602 and the small region 606. A detection unit is formed. Such an aspect also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

Further, the means included in the input device 500 described above may be appropriately applied to the input device 600, and the means included in the input device 600 may be appropriately applied to the input device 500 described above.
Specific means for achieving the functions and effects described above are not limited to the above examples, but all belong to the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the invention described in the claims. Is.

[Example 2]
Next, an input device 400 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the input device 400. The card 400 is formed with a thickness of about 0.5 mm as an example, and the outer shape is a substantially rectangular thin sheet. The size is such that it can be held with a fingertip similar to that of a credit card or a playing card, and as an example, it is formed to have an outer shape of about 59 mm wide × 86 mm long. Although a detailed description is omitted, a printed layer displaying a pattern is provided on the front and back surfaces of 400. As an example, the input device 400 is configured as a single sheet body by bonding two sheets, a surface layer sheet 401 and a back layer sheet 402.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the front surface 401a and the bonding surface 401b of the surface layer sheet 401, and the front surface (back surface of the input device 400) 402a and the bonding surface 402b of the back layer sheet 402. The bonding surface 401b and the bonding surface 402b of both the sheets are flat surfaces that face each other in the inner layer of the input device 400. Note that an adhesive layer, or an intermediate layer for enhancing electrical effects may be provided between the bonding surface 401b and the bonding surface 402b, but these aspects are also included in this embodiment. Is.

  The surface 401a of the surface layer sheet 401 is provided with a display unit 404 that indicates a pressed position by a fingertip, although any pattern may be used. The display unit 404 is formed of a printing layer using a normal printing ink, preferably a printing layer using a conductive ink, or a metal foil layer formed by attaching a metal foil. The example shown represents a simple circle, but it could be an animated character's face, a star or other design. The display portion 404 is provided at a position corresponding to the arrangement of conductive regions provided on the bonding surface 401b described below.

  A first conductive layer 405 formed of conductive ink or metal foil is provided on the bonding surface 401b. As an example, the first conductive layer 405 includes a central region (conductive large region) 406 disposed at a position corresponding to the back side of the display unit 404 described above, and four conductive small regions disposed around the central region 406. A region 407 (407a, 407b, 407c, 407d) is included.

The central region 406 is formed as a circular region having a diameter of about 20 mm. The central region 406 is disposed directly behind the display unit 404 described above. The central region 406 is preferably electrically connected to the display portion 404. Even if not directly connected, if the fingertip touches the display portion 404, an electrostatic action with the human body can be exerted on the central region 406, so a direct connection is not necessarily required.
The shape of the central region (conductive large region) 406 is not limited to a circle, but the area is configured to be larger than the total area of a plurality of conductive small regions 407 provided on the same plane. . This is because, when the display unit 404 is pressed by the fingertip, the electrostatic action exerted by the fingertip on the touch panel is replaced with the central region 406. In this case, the detection position on the touch panel performed based on the electrostatic action is approximately the center of the central region 406.

  In addition, when an intermediate layer is provided between the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402 and the distance is increased, the conductive large region 406 is directly or capacitively coupled to the conductive small region 407, which will be described later. In contrast, a charge necessary to be detected by the touch panel is supplied. As described above, when the large conductive region 406 is disposed at a position away from the touch panel, the large conductive region 406 functions as a charge accumulation unit that supplies charges to the small conductive region to be detected. The position away from the touch panel is a position that is separated from the touch panel in a direction perpendicular to the touch panel to such an extent that the electrical influence can be ignored, or a position that does not face the touch panel and does not have an electrical influence.

The size of the conductive small region 407 is formed to be a circle having a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm or a size that fits in a rectangular region having a length and width that are about the diameter. The outer shape of the conductive small region 407 is formed in a shape that does not greatly exceed the conductive small region 410 described later when opposed. If the conductive small area 410 is exceeded, the size of the conductive small area 407 and the conductive small area 410 will be detected by the touch panel, and the position of the conductive small area 410 may not be accurately detected. Because there is.
In this embodiment, the conductive large region 406 is used as a central region, and the conductive small region 407 is arranged around it. However, the conductive large region 406 is provided near one end of the card (not shown), A small characteristic region 407 may be provided on the other end side of the card. When the conductive large area 406 is provided near one end of the card, the input device 400 can be used without the conductive large area 406 facing the touch panel.

Further, the central region 406 and each of the four small conductive regions 407a, 407b, 407c, and 407d are connected by a conductive portion 408 having a thin line width. The conductive portion 408 is a part that electrically connects the central region 406 and each conductive small region 407, and is provided in order to exert an electrical action acting on the central region 406 also on the conductive small region 407. is there. Note that unlike the conductive small region 407, it is not preferable that the conductive portion 408 be detected by the touch panel. Therefore, it is preferable that the conductive portion 408 be formed as thin as possible so as not to lose the electrical action. For this reason, in this embodiment, a central region 406 is provided at a position that is approximately the center of a plurality of conductive small regions 407 that are arranged, and the conductive small regions 407 that are disposed around the central region 406 are electrically connected. They are connected by the unit 408.
In the case where an intermediate layer is provided between the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402 and the distance is increased, a first conductive layer without the conductive small region 407 is provided, and the first conductive layer and the conductive small region are provided. 410 may be directly coupled. In this case, the first conductive layer is provided only by the conductive large region 406 and the conductive portion 408 that have little influence on the touch panel, and the conductive portion 408 and the conductive small region 410 are connected.

On the bonding surface 402b of the back layer sheet 402, the same size as the conductive small regions 407 or a slightly larger area at the positions facing the four conductive small regions 407a, 407b, 407c, 407d described above. The circular conductive small region 410 (410a, 410b, 410c, 410d) having the above conductivity is provided. The conductive small region 410 may be not only circular but also rectangular or polygonal. Note that the conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 are basically formed in the same size and the same shape, but need not necessarily have the same size and the same shape. In this case, however, the conductive small region 410 is formed to be slightly larger than the conductive small region 407 in consideration of the positional deviation that occurs at the time of bonding.
As described above, when the intermediate layer is provided between the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402 and the distance is increased, the conductive small region 407 is not necessarily required. Based on this, the size and shape of the conductive small region 410 are determined.

  Each conductive small region 407 of the surface layer sheet 401 and each conductive small region 410 of the back layer sheet 402 are bonded to each other by directly bonding or bonding the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402. Proximity through. When both are in direct contact, both regions are electrically connected. In addition, when they are brought close to each other through the adhesive layer, the two conductive regions face each other at a short distance, so that one electrode (small region) is formed in the same manner as the two opposed electrodes constituting the capacitor. The applied electrical action is exerted on the other electrode (small region).

  The contact conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 together constitute a detected portion that is detected by the touch panel. The conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 are in a state in which two conductive layers overlap each other. When the back layer sheet 402 of the input device 400 is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel, the conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 have a polarity that capacitively couples with the touch panel. The charge moves to the conductive small region 410, and the charge of the opposite polarity moves to the conductive small region 407. This is a state in which the action when the fingertip is brought into contact with the touch panel is simulated by the conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410.

  In addition, even when the contact conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 are brought close to each other without direct conduction, a detection target portion that is detected by the touch panel is formed. The conductive small region 407 and the conductive small region 410 are in a state where two conductive layers overlap each other. Then, when the back layer sheet 402 of the input device 400 is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel, the polar charge that capacitively couples with the touch panel is attracted to the touch panel side in the conductive small region 410 and capacitive coupling is performed. The electric charge moves to the opposite side (contact conductive small region 407 side) in the conductive small region 410. At the same time, when the human body contacts or approaches the central region 406, the charge in the contact conductive small region 407 acts so as to attract the charge of the opposite polarity in the conductive small region 410. As a result, the polar charge that capacitively couples with the touch panel is drawn closer to the touch panel side in the conductive small region 410 to perform capacitive coupling, and is more clearly detected by the touch panel.

  In the above example, the case where the conductive small region 410 is formed as a thin film-shaped conductive layer has been mainly described. However, when an intermediate layer is provided between the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402 to increase the distance, The conductive small region 410 is three-dimensionally configured according to the thickness of the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer is a layer generated between the surface layer sheet 401 and the back layer sheet 402. Various layers such as a hollow space, a layer filled with an adhesive or a resin, a third sheet formed of paper or a resin sheet are provided. It is formed in such a manner. An example in which the third sheet is provided will be described in the next embodiment.

When the conductive small region 410 is three-dimensionally configured, the touch panel response is improved as compared with a case where the conductive small region 410 is formed by a simple thin layer. That is, detection failure and the like are reduced.
One specific means for three-dimensionally configuring the conductive small area 410 is to swell the conductive small area 410 so as to have a thickness with a conductive ink or the like to which a foaming agent is added. The thickness should be 0.5 mm to 1 mm so that the thickness can be felt at first glance, and if possible, the thickness should be about 1 mm. When the thickness is provided in this manner, the electric charge attracted to the touch panel side in the conductive small region 410 and the electric charge repelled are performed, and the reaction of the touch panel is improved.
Of course, the method of configuring the conductive small region 410 in a three-dimensional manner is not limited to this example, and other means may be used as long as the response of the touch panel is improved. Such an embodiment also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

In addition, the input device described above is described as an example that is formed in a card shape as an optimal example. However, the present invention is not limited to a thin plate like a card, but is formed as a thick plate or block using all or part of the technical means constituting the present invention. However, there is no problem. Furthermore, it can also comprise so that a site | part which contacts a touchscreen may be formed in a roller shape, and information may be input by rolling on a touchscreen.
In addition, the input method using the input device may not only input information using a single input device, but also may use a combination of input devices such as arranging or overlapping a plurality of input devices. There is nothing.

[Example 3]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The card 300 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is also an input device that is used while being in contact with the surface of a touch panel such as a smartphone. The surface of the card 300 is provided with a display unit 304 representing a position for touching or pressing the fingertip with the fingertip, and the smartphone K can recognize predetermined information by touching or pressing the display unit 304. It is comprised as follows. For example, the card 300 is formed as a single card by superimposing and bonding three sheets of a surface layer sheet 301, an intermediate layer sheet 302, and a back layer sheet 303.

The surface layer sheet 301 is formed as an insulating sheet such as synthetic resin or paper. As described above, the display unit 304 is provided on the surface 301a of the surface layer sheet 301 so as to be visible by printing or other methods. Note that the display unit 304 is provided for the purpose of causing the user to perform an operation accurately, but is not an essential configuration for configuring information to be recognized by the touch card. Therefore, a mode in which the display unit 304 is not provided is also possible.
6 is a perspective view showing the back side of the surface layer sheet 301. On the back surface 301b, a central region 307 formed as a circular region having a diameter of about 1 to 2 cm disposed in a portion directly behind the display unit 304 on the front surface, and a circular region having a diameter of about 0.6 to 1 cm disposed around the central region 307 The four peripheral regions 308 (308a, 308b, 308c, 308d) formed as The central region 307 and each peripheral region 308 are conductive regions formed on the back surface 301b as a printing layer made of metal foil or conductive ink. The central region 307 and each peripheral region 308 are electrically connected by a thin conductive portion. The central region 307 and each peripheral region 308 are formed as circular or rectangular regions, and are formed to have a size that can constitute an input unit for a capacitance detection type touch panel.

The intermediate layer sheet 302 is formed as an insulating sheet such as synthetic resin or paper. The intermediate layer sheet 302 has through-holes 305 (305a, 305b, 305c, 305d) that are slightly larger than the outer periphery of each peripheral region at positions facing the above-described four peripheral regions 308a, 308b, 308c, 308d. Is drilled.
6 is a perspective view showing the intermediate layer sheet 302 and the back layer sheet 303 individually. The back layer sheet 303 is formed as an insulating sheet such as synthetic resin or paper. The back layer sheet 303 is provided with circular convex portions 306 (306a, 306b, 306c, 306d) accommodated in the through holes 305 (305a, 305b, 305c, 305d) of the intermediate layer sheet 302. The convex portion 306 is formed as a solid or sponge-like convex portion made of a conductive material. The height of the convex part 306 is the same as or slightly larger than the thickness of the intermediate layer sheet 302.

When the surface layer sheet 301, the intermediate layer sheet 302, and the back layer sheet 303 are bonded, the convex portions 306 of the back layer sheet 303 are in contact with the peripheral region 308 of the surface layer sheet 301 or through a thin adhesive layer inside the card 300. Proximity. The card 300 formed in this way is affected by a human touching the card 300 and an electrostatic capacity detection type touch panel, and the movement of electric charges occurs inside.
When a fingertip touches the display unit 304 provided on the front surface 301a of the surface layer sheet 301, the distribution of electric charges in each peripheral region 308 varies via the central region 307 on the back surface 301b. Under this influence, the charge distribution also fluctuates in the convex portion 306 that is in contact with or close to the edge region 308. Further, when each convex portion 306 comes into contact with or comes close to the capacitance-sensitive touch panel, each convex portion 306 whose charge distribution has changed due to the influence of the fingertip changes the capacitance in the detection portion of the touch panel. That is, it is detected by the touch panel in the same manner as the fingertip is touching at the place where each convex portion 306 is arranged.

  The detection of the convex part 306 in the touch panel is more reliable as the distance between the end of the convex part 306 closer to the touch panel side and the end of the far part is longer. This is presumably because the charge attracted to the touch panel side and the repelling charge are polarized inside, and the inhibition by the repelling charge hardly occurs. Further, the polarization inside the convex portion 306 further proceeds under the influence of the peripheral region 308 that is in contact with or close to the opposite side of the touch panel, and has an effect that detection on the touch panel is easily performed.

[Example 4]
As described above, an input device that performs various inputs to the touch panel can be configured using capacitive coupling with an object that contacts the surface of the touch panel. On the other hand, in addition to the above-described method using capacitive coupling, there is a terminal device that detects deformation of the touch panel surface due to pressing and uses the pressing as an operation input. In such a terminal device, it is possible to determine whether the operation on the touch panel is an input using only capacitance or an input accompanied by pressing. That is, although the same touch panel is used, operation input by two methods having different properties is possible.

  The input device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to input information by touching the surface after placing the card on the touch panel or simultaneously. At this time, not only the surface of the card but also the touch panel can be pressed. When both the input using capacitance and the input using pressing are used, a lot of unique information can be configured by the combination, but there is no system using such an input method yet. In addition to detecting the pressing position, a system that uses a combination of a movement path when moving the pressing position while pressing, the order of pressing and moving, a pressing method, and the like as an input device and an input method for the touch panel. There is no. In the embodiments described below, an input method and an input device that can positively use the touch detection function of the touch panel are provided.

  FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the card 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the front side, and FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the card 1 as viewed from the back side. The card 1 is formed with a thickness of about 0.5 mm as an example, and the outer shape is a substantially rectangular thin sheet. The size is such that it can be held with a fingertip similar to that of a credit card or a playing card, and as an example, it is formed to have an outer shape of about 59 mm wide × 86 mm long. The card 1 has a printed layer formed on the front or back side or one side with a paper or synthetic resin sheet as a base material. Moreover, a base material is comprised by several layers as needed. The base material is formed as an insulator except for a portion formed as a conductive portion.

  As an example, a straight line with an arrow is drawn on the surface of the card 1 by printing. This arrow line is a display unit 2 that indicates a start point of pressing or contact by the fingertip, a moving path for moving the fingertip while pressing or contacting, and an end point of pressing or contact. The line indicating the movement path is circular, zigzag, or protrudes or rises on the back side according to the shape or arrangement of the protrusions or ridges described below. Display contents according to the arrangement are provided. On the back surface of the card 1, convex portions 3 (3 a to 3 e) are provided that are raised in a shape such as a circle or a bar that slightly protrudes from the back surface. The convex portion 3 is provided on the back surface of the display portion 2 provided on the front surface or on the back surface at a position along the path indicated as the display portion 2.

  In the case of a multi-touch type electronic device that can detect a pressed position on a touch panel, a combination of pressed positions can be used as unique information. The card 1 can be used as an input device for such an electronic device. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to use the card 1. The back surface of the card 1 provided with the convex portion 3 is brought into contact with the surface of the touch panel of the smartphone K which is an example of the electronic device, and the display portion 2 on the surface of the card 1 is traced with the fingertip U in the contacted state. At this time, when moved while pressing, the convex portion 3 sequentially presses the surface of the touch panel along the pressing by the fingertip U. The circular dot-shaped protrusions 3a and 3c perform the same action as touching (pressing) with a fingertip, and the linear protrusions 3b and 3d or the “<”-shaped protrusions 3e have the same shape. It is possible to make an input as if the touch panel is swiped along the screen (sliding with the finger touching the screen).

In addition, there is an electronic device having a function capable of distinguishing and recognizing a light touch that the touch panel is called as a tap that does not press strongly and a touch that is pressed deeply with a little force. As an input device for such electronic equipment, a device that can reproduce the difference between light contact and pressing with a little force by adjusting the protrusion amount, rigidity, contact area, etc. of the convex part is input and this is input It can be added as an element of information.
Further, when the card 1 is used, the convex portion 3 is formed of a conductive material, the pressing by the fingertip is detected only at the start position of the arrow display, and thereafter the capacitance of the convex portion 3 is detected regardless of the pressing. The recognition system may be configured as described above. That is, the detection of the pressed position and the detection of the position using the capacitance may be combined and used as unique identification information.
Moreover, in the card | curd 1, you may comprise so that the convex part 3 may form a convex part 3 with the raw material which has electroconductivity, and the convex part 3 may contact or adjoin a touch panel by pressing further. In this case, the capacitance of the touch panel surface may be sequentially changed by moving the pressing position of the display unit 2, and this may be recognized as identifiable information.
Thus, combining detection by pressing and detection by electrostatic capacitance in various forms falls within the technical scope of the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

  When the card 1 is used by the method shown in FIG. 9, the same detection as that shown in FIG. 10 can be performed on the touch panel as an example. That is, first, the coordinates (x1, y1) are tapped by the convex portion 3a. Next, after the wipe from the coordinates (x2, y2) to the coordinates (x3, y4) is performed by the convex portion 3b, the coordinates (x4, y4) are tapped by the convex portion 3c. Further, swipe is performed from the coordinate (x5, y5) to the coordinate (x5, y6) by the convex portion 3d, and before the swipe input by the convex portion 3d ends at the coordinate (x5, y6), the convex portion 3e A swipe input from the coordinate (x7, y7) to the coordinate (x8, y8) and the coordinate (x7, y9) is performed. Picture

  The card | curd 1 is comprised with the thin sheet | seat as an example. For this reason, when a part of the surface is pressed, the sheet bends, and the pressing force acting on the part centering on the pressing position extends to the vicinity. At this time, if there is a part (protrusion part) in contact with the touch panel prior to another part in the vicinity, the part presses the touch panel. When the pressing position moves, the range covered by the pressing force also moves sequentially, and the pressing position with respect to the touch panel moves while pressing and releasing the other ridges in the vicinity of the moving path. In this way, input with respect to the touch panel is performed as identifiable information, with the action of defining the order in which the movement path presses the touch panel.

When the same card 1 is used so that the start point of the pressing start position and the end point of the contact are reversed, the order of input to the electronic device is different. In particular, since the direction is reversed in swipe input, even when the same card 1 is used, it is possible to input different information to the electronic device. Furthermore, even if the same card 1 is used, if the same operation is performed by changing the orientation of the card 1 by 180 degrees, it can be acquired as different information in the electronic device.
In addition, it can comprise so that the electrostatic capacitance of the extent which a touch panel can detect a protruding part can be hold | maintained. In this case, the raised portion is formed using a conductive material, and the raised portion can be detected by the touch panel by direct or indirect conduction between the raised portion and the raised portion and the human body or other capacitance holding portion. To be configured. Indirect conduction refers to proximity that mainly changes the capacitance of the raised portion.
At this time, an internal wiring that directly or indirectly connects the raised portion and the human body is appropriately provided, and the internal wiring is considered in terms of width, length, position, etc. so as not to be detected with respect to the touch panel. Provided in an embodiment.

The input of information that can be regarded as an input operation on the touch panel as shown in FIG. 9 can be handled as one piece of information, such as the input position, input contents such as pressing and swipe, and the input order.
In a simple example, the input content that can be handled as one piece of information described above is stored in advance in an application program installed in an electronic device or a server on the Internet as information that can be collated (verified information). Then, the program is configured to perform comparison between the contents of the input to the touch panel and the information to be collated, and to execute predetermined processing that is predetermined according to the degree of coincidence, mismatch, or approximation. The predetermined process includes a variety of uses such as connecting to a site on the Internet designated in advance, displaying a moving image or an image, and using it as a game element, an encryption key, or the like.

  An input device configured only with a conventional conductive region can perform a pseudo multi-touch operation on a touch panel. However, because it is planar, it has a specification that allows the entire system to be recognized at the same time, so that the swipe operation cannot be performed in a pseudo manner. In the case of the card according to the present embodiment, a swipe operation can be included in the input information. Information that can be input by swiping is a start point, an end point, and an intermediate trajectory, and the number of combinations that can be identified as unique information is so large that an accurate number cannot be calculated. That is, as compared with the conventional input device using the electrostatic principle that uses fixed coordinates set at equal intervals, a much larger number of unique codes can be mounted.

[Example 5]
11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams of another card 100 configured as an input device. The card 100 has two display portions 102a and 102b provided on the surface of the base material as linear arrows indicating the place and path to be pressed. The card 100 has a plurality of raised portions 103a... 103d and raised portions 104a... 104e provided on the back side at positions directly behind the respective display portions 102a and 102b. Further, on both sides of the group of raised portions 103a... 103d and the group of raised portions 104a... 104e arranged linearly along 102a and 102b, linear ridges along the direction of arrangement of each group of raised portions. 105a, 105b and 105c are provided. In the present embodiment, the ridge 105b is a common ridge for both groups that divide the group of raised portions 103a, 103d and the group of raised portions 104a, 104e.

  The ridges 105a, 105b, and 105c are preferably as wide as possible with respect to the touch panel. This is to prevent stress from being dispersed and regarded as input even when the pressing force applied to the display units 102a and 102b reaches the ridges 105a, 105b, and 105c. That is, the pressing force applied along the display portion 102a presses only the raised portion 103, and the pressing force applied along the display portion 102b presses only the raised portion 104. Therefore, if the stress concentrates only on the raised portion and the stress acting on other parts can be dispersed and not regarded as input, the area in contact with the touch panel instead of the ridges 105a, 105b, 105c. An information-free portion formed widely may be provided.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, two pieces of information including a group of raised portions 103a to 103d and 104a to 104e are mounted on one card 100 as an input device. Whether these two pieces of information are handled as integrated information or individual information may be different depending on the specifications of the application program to be installed. In addition, the display part which shows the place and path | route which should be pressed naturally is not restricted to the said example, Three or more may be sufficient. Further, the direction indicated by the arrow is not limited to the direction along the longitudinal direction of the card, but may be a short direction along the short side direction (lateral direction).

[Example 6]
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a card 200 formed as still another example of the input device.
The card 200 is provided with a circular arrow display 201 indicating a place and a route to be pressed on the surface of the base material. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of raised portions 202 are provided on the back surface along the display position of the display unit 201. When the card 200 is pressed with the fingertip U along the arrow display 201 on the front surface, the card 200 can perform the pressing according to the arrangement of the raised portions 202 provided on the back surface.
In the case of a multi-touch type electronic device that can detect a plurality of presses on the touch panel substantially simultaneously, there is usually an upper limit (5 to 10 in many models) that can be detected at the same time. However, when pressing with the fingertip U along the direction indicated by the arrow display 201, it is possible to set the number of raised portions 202 regarded as input at the same time as pressing to a number not exceeding the upper limit of the multi-touch method. Easy. The simultaneous input that does not exceed the upper limit is continuously performed by moving the pressing position of the fingertip U, so that the number of raised portions exceeding the upper limit of the number that can be detected at the same time is finally detected. It can be recognized as information.
Further, when the pressing position is moved in the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow display, the order in which the raised portions 202 are detected can be changed. If this detection order is used as a condition for identifying the card 200, even if the arrangement of the raised portions 202 is the same, it can be used as different information. Thus, for example, when the display unit 201 is pressed along the clockwise direction, the number set is called, and when the display unit 201 is pressed along the counterclockwise direction, the set mail address is read and an e-mail is read. It is possible to use such as creating.

  Furthermore, if the pressing start and pressing end positions are set as appropriate, even if the arrangement of the raised portions 202 is the same, it can be used as further different information. For example, when the display unit 201 is pressed from the 0 o'clock position 203a to the 6 o'clock 203c position, the 3 o'clock position 203b to the 9 o'clock 203d position is pressed, and the 6 o'clock 203c position to the 3 o'clock 203b position is pressed. It is a card having the same raised portion 202 as in the case of pressing to a position, and the information recognized by the touch panel can be changed. In this way, even a single card can be used in substantially the same way as holding a plurality of information.

Further, the following card configuration is possible. The number of raised portions mounted on the card 200 is set to a number equal to or less than the number that can be detected simultaneously. When applied to a general smartphone at present, 2 to 4 or 5 to 9 is ideal. And the display part 204 which shows a press position is provided in the surface side near the center of the cyclic | annular area | region which has arrange | positioned the protuberance part, and the touch part detects the protuberance part arrange | positioned in the cyclic | annular area | region simultaneously by the press of the said press position 204 Apply a pressing force. That is, it is possible to provide two types of usage, that is, a method of pressing the display unit 201 that displays an arrow, and a method of pressing a central point.
In addition, the display part 201 which shows the position to trace, and the display part 204 which shows a press position are not necessarily required when the user knows how to use. The card 200 only needs to be able to input information such as pressing and contact to the touch panel by tracing or pressing a certain area of the card surface.

In addition, a thin film-like conductive region constituted by a metal foil, conductive ink, or other means can be provided at the central pressing position. In addition to the case where the conductive region is exposed from the back surface, the conductive region may be provided invisible in the middle layer of the card. When the touch panel is a touch panel that detects an input based on a change in capacitance, the conductive region is a unit that artificially performs the same input as a fingertip touches. The area of the conductive region is configured to have an area that can be recognized by the touch panel. In the case where the touch panel cannot be recognized alone by forming the area of the conductive region small, it is configured to perform direct coupling with the human body or capacitive coupling by the capacitor effect.
Further, in the case of this embodiment, the pressure applied to the portion where the conductive region is provided is transmitted to other raised portions while the card is bent, so that a space where the card can be bent is required. . Therefore, the touch panel is made to detect a change in capacitance without providing a raised portion at the site where the conductive region is provided.

  The various embodiments described above can be implemented in various combinations. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

  The present invention can be used for an input device and an information processing method.

1 card
2 display section
3 Convex
100 cards
102a, 102b Display unit
103a ・ ・ 103d Convex part
104a ・ ・ 104e Convex part
105a, 105b, 105c
600 input devices
601 First conductive layer
602 (602a, 602b, 602c, 602d) Conductive part
603 Second conductive layer
604 Wiring part
605 Wide-area conductive part
606 (606a, 606b, 606c, 606d) Small area
610 Sheet body

Claims (12)

An input device for a touch panel capable of detecting a contact position or proximity position of an electrically conductive object or part by a change in capacitance,
It has two conductive layers facing each other directly or through an intermediate layer,
The one conductive layer has a plurality of conductive regions in which planar thin film layers or three-dimensional raised portions are arranged independently of each other,
The other conductive layer is connected to a plurality of conductive regions constituting the one conductive layer with respect to a conductive region opposing the intermediate layer or a plurality of conductive regions constituting the one conductive layer. An input device having a conduction part. An input device for a touch panel that can detect a contact position or a proximity position by a change in capacitance,
It has a plurality of layers in which a single sheet or a plurality of sheets are integrally stacked,
An input device, wherein a conductive layer is provided on one of the sheets, and a three-dimensional portion that is raised toward the touch panel is provided on the sheet. A plurality of conductive small regions, a conductive large region having an area larger than the total area of the conductive small regions, and each conductive small region directly or through another conductive small region, A sheet provided with a first conductive layer consisting of a narrow conductive portion electrically connected;
On the bonding surface with the first conductive layer, the individual areas having the same area as the conductive small areas arranged opposite to the respective conductive small areas or an area larger than the conductive small areas are individually provided. An input device comprising a sheet provided with a second conductive layer made of a conductive small region.   The individual conductive small regions constituting the second conductive layer are provided with a thick portion or a three-dimensional shape portion having a height difference in the thickness direction as the conductive small region provided in the first conductive layer. The input device according to claim 3. A sheet-like input device formed in an outer shape that can be held in a hand,
It has a base material composed of a single layer or a plurality of layers formed by a sheet made of paper or synthetic resin,
An input device comprising: a plurality of convex portions protruding from the back surface of the base material; or a plurality of raised portions provided on the inner layer so as to protrude or protrude on the back surface side by pressing from the front surface.   The input device according to claim 5, wherein a display portion indicating a place to be pressed or a route to be pressed is provided on the surface of the base material.   The input device according to claim 5, wherein the convex portion or the raised portion is formed of a conductive material or a material containing a conductive substance.   The input device according to claim 5, wherein a conductive film is provided on the convex portion or the raised portion.   The input device according to claim 5, wherein a conductive layer constituting one or a plurality of detected portions is provided at a position different from a position where the convex portion or the raised portion is provided. . An information processing method using a touch panel having an image display function and a contact position detection function,
Detect one or more pressed position coordinates on the touch panel surface,
The pressing information generated based on the detected pressing position coordinates or pressing position coordinates is compared with the previously stored pressing position coordinates or pressing information,
An information processing method configured to execute a predetermined process based on the comparison result. An information processing method using a touch panel having an image display function and a contact position detection function,
Detecting position coordinates by pressing against the touch panel surface and / or position coordinates by touching or approaching the touch panel surface based on a change in capacitance;
An information processing method configured to execute a predetermined process based on the position coordinates by the pressing and / or contact or proximity. In the case of detecting a pressing position on the touch panel surface and / or a locus moved while pressing the touch panel surface,
13. The detection process according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a predetermined process is executed by including in a determination condition a direction from a start point to an end point constituting a trajectory moved while pressing or a detection position of pressing positions. The information processing method described.