JP3207761B2 - Display device with thin switch - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device with a thin switch, and more particularly to a display device with a thin switch capable of selecting and displaying image information drawn on a translucent image sheet by the thin switch.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, ATMs of banks
(Cash dispensers) and automatic ticket vending machines at stations, office automation equipment in offices, factory automation (FA) equipment in factories, medical equipment, home appliances, vending machines, etc. A display with a touch switch is used.

[0003] Touch switches are generally thin switches arranged on a display, and include:
In addition to the resistive film type, in which the electrodes are brought into contact with each other by pushing the switch part of a transparent thin plate with a built-in transparent electrode with a finger, etc. In addition, there is an ultrasonic type in which an ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic oscillation element is blocked by a finger or the like from entering the vibration receiving element.

In the case of a resistive touch switch, the pressing amount (stroke amount) of the switch portion is extremely small, and in the case of a photoelectric or ultrasonic touch switch, the pressing amount is zero. Therefore, in any case, it is difficult for a human finger to perceive the displacement amount of the switch portion. Therefore, the operator cannot obtain the operational feeling (stroke feeling) of operating the switch portion.

In order to solve such a problem of lack of stroke feeling, a display device with a thin switch as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-103648 has been proposed by the present applicant.

This display device with a thin switch has a display such as a CRT or an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and a thin switch disposed above the thin switch. A touch switch,
A push button for operating the touch switch is disposed above the push button. The push button includes a translucent push button, and a return unit for returning the push button to the original position by the attraction of the magnet.

In this case, when the push button is pushed in against the attractive force of the magnet, the push button rotates with a fixed stroke, and the corresponding switch portion of the touch switch is turned on.
N, the operator can perceive a certain amount of press-in, and can obtain a stroke feeling and a click feeling.

However, in the display device with a thin switch, when the display is composed of a CRT, the thickness of the entire device is increased, and the cost of the CRT itself is high because the CRT itself is expensive. On the other hand, when the display is composed of an LCD, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the entire device. However, when a color liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal, the problem of high cost similarly arises.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and has as its object to provide a thin switch-equipped display device in which the entire device can be made thinner and the cost can be greatly reduced. Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to automatically recognize a new image sheet inserted when an image sheet is replaced in such a thin display device with a switch.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device with a thin switch, comprising: a housing having an opening at an upper surface; a surface light source disposed at a bottom of the housing; A light-transmitting touch switch disposed in the opening, a plurality of light-transmitting push buttons for operating the touch switch, and the push buttons returning to their original positions by the attraction of a magnet. A liquid crystal shutter arranged between the surface light source and the thin switch, and driven based on an output signal from the thin switch; and A light-transmitting image sheet on which image information is drawn is provided so as to be removable between the thin switches.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the display device with a thin switch according to the first aspect, the image sheet is provided with an identification mark for identifying the image sheet, and the housing is provided with the identification mark. A reading means for reading the mark is provided.

In the first aspect of the invention, the liquid crystal shutter is closed before the operation, so that the light emitted from the surface light source is blocked by the liquid crystal shutter and does not reach the image sheet. On the other hand, light from the outside of the apparatus reaches the image sheet through the translucent touch switch and the push button. Therefore, when the image sheet is viewed from above through the thin switch, the entire image sheet appears dark. I have.

In this state, when the operator selects image information on the image sheet and presses a corresponding push button, the push button presses a corresponding switch portion of the touch switch to turn it on.

When the touch switch is turned on, the liquid crystal shutter corresponding to the turned on switch portion is driven to open. Then, the light emitted from the surface light source is irradiated from the opened portion of the liquid crystal shutter to the selected image information portion on the translucent image sheet. As a result, the selected image information on the image sheet is displayed in reverse video and looks bright.
As a result, the operator can confirm the image information selected by the operator.

In this case, since the image sheet is provided so as to be removable from the outside of the housing, various image information can be displayed by replacing the image sheet.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the CR
Since an inexpensive and simple image sheet is used instead of the T or LCD, the entire apparatus can be made thinner and the cost can be greatly reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the image sheet is inserted into the apparatus, the reading means reads the identification mark of the image sheet. Thus, the inserted image sheet is automatically recognized. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator to manually input information for specifying the inserted image sheet every time the image sheet is replaced.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [ First Embodiment ] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vertical cross section of a display device with a thin switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the thin switch portion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 1 with a thin switch has a housing 2 which is open upward. For example, an LED (light emitting diode) or E
A surface light source 3 composed of L (electroluminescence) or the like is arranged. The surface light source 3 may be a combination of a cathode ray tube and a reflector, or a light source in which fluorescent particles are diffused and arranged in a transparent resin cylinder.

A liquid crystal shutter 4 is provided near the surface light source 3.
Are arranged. The liquid crystal shutter 4 is driven to open and close based on an output signal from a thin switch described later. Above the liquid crystal shutter 4, a translucent image sheet (an inscription sheet) 5 on which image information such as characters and figures is drawn is arranged. The storage sheet 5 is provided so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the housing 2 from outside the housing 2.

When the display device 1 with a thin switch is installed in, for example, a fast food store, the image information drawn on the storage sheet 5 may include a photograph of each menu of the store. When the display device 1 with a thin switch is used as an operation panel for home electronics, it is conceivable to put a design to be operated (for example, a picture of an air conditioner or a bathtub).

A thin switch 10 is provided in the upper opening of the housing 2.
Are arranged. As shown in FIG. 2, the thin switch 10 includes a light-transmitting touch switch 11 and a plurality of push buttons 12 disposed on the touch switch 11 for operating the touch switch. I have.

The touch switch 11 is, for example, a resistive type, but may be a photoelectric type or an ultrasonic type. Although not shown, the touch switch 11 is provided with a plurality of switch portions that are turned on by being pressed from above, and each of the push buttons 12 is arranged corresponding to each of these switch portions. I have. Further, between the adjacent push buttons 12, 12, a column 13 is provided.

On one end of the lower surface of the push button 12, a projection 12a projecting downward and extending in the direction perpendicular to the paper is formed. The projection 12a serves as a fulcrum of rotation of the push button 12 when the push button 12 is operated. On the other end of the lower surface of the push button 12, a hemispherical projection 12b is formed. The projections 12b are used to press a corresponding switch portion of the touch switch 11 to turn on when the push button 12 is operated.

A permanent magnet 15 is fitted on one end of the upper surface of the push button 12. On the other hand, a magnetic plate 16 such as an iron plate is attached to the upper portion of the support 13 so as to project to both sides of the support 13. Due to the attractive force between the permanent magnet 15 and the magnetic plate 16, the push button 12
A return force for returning to the original position (solid line position in FIG. 2) during non-operation is constantly applied. That is, the permanent magnet 1
The return means 17 is composed of the magnetic plate 5 and the magnetic plate 16. Note that a permanent magnet may be used instead of the magnetic plate 16. On the other end of the upper surface of the push button 12,
A protrusion 12c serving as a mark of the push button 12 is formed.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. When power is supplied to the display device 1 with the thin switch, the surface light source 3 is turned on, and the light emitted from the surface light source 3 is applied to the upper liquid crystal shutter 4. However, in the initial state, since the liquid crystal shutter 4 is closed, the light emitted from the surface light source 3 is blocked by the liquid crystal shutter 4 and does not reach the storage sheet 5.

On the other hand, light from outside of the device reaches the storage sheet 5 via the translucent touch switch 11 and the push button 12, so that the thin switch 10
Looking at the storage sheet 5 from above through
The whole looks dark.

From this state, the operator selects image information on the storage sheet 5 and presses the corresponding push button 12. Then, the push button 12 is rotated downward (see the dashed line in FIG. 2), and the protrusion 12b at the tip is
Is pressed to turn on the corresponding switch portion.

When the touch switch 11 is turned on, this O
The liquid crystal shutter 4 corresponding to the N switch portion is driven to open. Then, the light emitted from the surface light source 3 is irradiated from the opened portion of the liquid crystal shutter 4 to the selected image information portion on the translucent inscription sheet 5. This allows
The selected image information on the memorizing sheet 5 is highlighted and looks bright. As a result, the operator can check the image information selected by the operator.

For example, when the display device 1 with the thin switch is installed in a fast food store, the storage sheet 5
The customer selects an item to be ordered from the menu of photos displayed in the item (1), and presses the push button 12 corresponding to the selected item. Then, the item selected in the memorizing sheet 5 is displayed bright and highlighted.

On the other hand, the switch output output from the push button 12 is transmitted to the display panel on the kitchen side to display the ordered product, and is also transmitted to the cash register to calculate the purchase price. Will be.

Also, in this case, since the storage sheet 5 is provided so as to be removable from the outside of the housing 2 and into the housing 2, various image information can be transferred by replacing the storage sheet 5. It can be displayed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, not the CRT or LCD but the inexpensive and simple structure of the storage sheet 5 is used, so that the entire apparatus can be made thinner and the cost can be greatly reduced. .

[ Second Embodiment ] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of a thin switch-equipped display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows an example of an identification mark attached to the inscription sheet. FIG. In FIG. 3, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

The display device 1 'with a thin switch according to the second embodiment is different from the display device 1 with a thin switch according to the first embodiment in that each end 5a of the inscription sheet 5 has An identification mark for identifying the memorized sheet is provided, and a reading means 20 for reading the identification mark is provided in the housing 2.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an identification mark attached to the end 5a of the storage sheet 5. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG.
Are formed at four places at a predetermined interval, and (b)
In the example, rectangular notches 23 are similarly formed at four locations. In the example of FIG. 3C, a rectangular hole 24 is formed at one location. Each of these identification marks 21 indicates the sheet number “01000” of the storage sheet 5. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 5b denotes a portion where image information is displayed.

The reading means 20 comprises, for example, a plurality of transmission type photoelectric switches. The transmitting and receiving units 20a and 20b of the transmission type photoelectric switch are arranged above and below the end 5a of the inserted storage sheet 5 in the housing 2, respectively. The reading means 20 includes holes 22, 24.
Alternatively, a mechanical detection switch such as a limit switch for detecting the notch 23 may be employed.

In this embodiment, the storage sheet 5 is
When inserted into the inside, the transmission type photoelectric switch which is the reading means 20 is attached to the identification mark 2 attached to the end 5 a of the storage sheet 5.
A code signal corresponding to 1 is output. Thereby, the inserted storage sheet 5 is automatically recognized.
As a result, it is not necessary for the operator to manually input information for specifying the inserted storage sheet 5 every time the storage sheet 5 is replaced.

In the second embodiment, an example is shown in which the identification mark 21 attached to the inscription sheet 5 is formed from the holes 22, 24 or the notch 23.
The application of the present invention is not limited to this.

The end 5a of the inscription sheet 5 may be formed of a transparent sheet, and the entire end 5a may be colored black except for the portions corresponding to the holes 22, 24 and the notch 23.

Alternatively, the entire end 5a of the inscription sheet 5 may be colored black, and the portions corresponding to the holes 22, 24 and the notch 23 may be colored white. In this case, since the light is reflected at the portions corresponding to the holes 22, 24 and the notch 23, the identification mark is read by the reflection type photoelectric switch.

The identification mark 21 may be a black and white barcode-like code printed or photographed.

[0043]

As described above, according to the display device with the thin switch according to the first aspect of the present invention, the entire device can be reduced in thickness.
This has the effect of greatly reducing costs. According to the display device with the thin switch according to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the replaced image sheet can be automatically recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional configuration diagram of a display device with a thin switch according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic configuration diagram of a thin switch portion in the display device with a thin switch (FIG. 1) (a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional schematic configuration diagram of a display device with a thin switch according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an identification mark attached to a storage sheet in the display device with a thin switch (FIG. 3).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1 'Display device with thin switch 2 Housing 2a Bottom 2b Opening 3 Surface light source 4 Liquid crystal shutter 5 Inscription sheet (image sheet) 10 Thin switch 11 Touch switch 12 Push button 15 Permanent magnet 16 Magnetic plate 17 Return means 20 Reading means 21 Identification mark

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-65121 (JP, A) JP-A-1-199224 (JP, A) Jpn. (JP, U) (58) Field of investigation (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023 G02F 1/1333 G09F 9/00 G09F 3/03

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A housing having an opening on an upper surface, a surface light source disposed on a bottom of the housing, a translucent touch switch disposed on an opening of the housing, and the touch switch A thin switch comprising: a plurality of light-transmitting push buttons for operating the button; and return means for returning each of the push buttons to an original position by the attraction of a magnet. A liquid crystal shutter disposed between the switches and driven based on an output signal from the thin switch; and a liquid crystal shutter provided between the liquid crystal shutter and the thin switch so as to be removable from the outside of the housing, and image information is drawn. And a translucent image sheet. 2. The image sheet is provided with an identification mark for identifying the image sheet, and the housing is provided with reading means for reading the identification mark. The display device with a thin switch according to claim 1.