JP3395580B2 - I / O device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel and an EL which are widely used in OA equipment such as copying machines, facsimiles and printers, personal computers and word processors, and electronic equipment such as handy terminal equipment and portable information communication equipment. The present invention relates to an input / output device (user interface device) including the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an input / output device of this type, for example, an input / output device used for an OA device such as a copying machine or a facsimile or a control panel of an electronic device, the operation information of the device and the operation information of the device are used. It is known that an information input display such as a liquid crystal display screen that displays corresponding virtual operation buttons is provided, and control information such as function selection and instruction of the number of copies can be input to the device by pressing the virtual operation button. .

Techniques relating to such an input / output device include, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-139025, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-124542, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-332602 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-247819. The one disclosed in the above has already been proposed.

The operation panel switch according to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-139025 is an operation panel switch for performing a large number of displays, and a membrane switch having a plurality of transparent electrodes is arranged on the upper surface of a dot matrix liquid crystal display element. It is configured as follows.

Further, in the switch mechanism using the liquid crystal display panel disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-124542, a symbol group representing various functions of the electronic device is displayed in the switch mechanism controlling various functions of the electronic device. A liquid crystal display panel, a memory section for storing a symbol group for a plurality of screens, a transparent pressure-sensitive sensor provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal panel and capable of switching to a function according to the displayed symbol group, An interface section for switching the function of the pressure-sensitive sensor and a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back surface are provided.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-332602 discloses a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, a pressure-sensitive touch panel stretched in front of the liquid crystal display, and the liquid crystal display as appropriate. Displayed and displayed, the software keyboard that receives the coordinate position input on the display from the pressure-sensitive touch panel and the key that is placed on or removed from the front surface of the software keyboard, and the keys on the top surface according to the key layout of the software keyboard. A button-like protrusion is provided, and a keyboard input assisting unit with a protrusion is provided on the surface of the protrusion, and a character corresponding to the key character arrangement of the software keyboard is displayed by printing or the like.

On the other hand, the touch panel input / output device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-247819 discloses a display device in which a display screen is formed as a set of a large number of character areas, and a matrix-like display provided so as to overlap the screen. The size of one division area for detecting one coordinate is approximately equal to the division of the character area, and the display pitch of the character area of the display device and the division area of the digital touch switch of In a touch panel input / output device having a digital touch switch whose detection pitches are substantially equal to each other, the partitioned region of the digital touch switch is overlapped with the character region of the display device by shifting by 1/2 pitch in each of the X direction and the Y direction. It is configured to be arranged.

FIG. 22 is an exploded view showing a concrete structure of a control panel of a conventional copying machine among the various technologies proposed above. In such a conventional structure,
The information input display is composed of a transmissive liquid crystal display screen 21 formed by laminating plate glass, and a touch panel 122 that is superposed on the display screen 121, and has a panel plate having an opening 123. 1
24 covers the information input display. Further, the touch panel 122 is formed by forming a matrix of a transparent conductive thin film such as ITO on two glass substrates at a predetermined pitch (for example, 4 mm pitch), and then bonding the glass substrates with a slight gap. When an arbitrary position on the touch panel 122 is pressed, the conductive thin films opposed to each other are locally brought into contact with each other due to the pressing force to cause electrical conduction, and the CPU circuit 125 is based on the level change of the output signal. Is touch panel 1
It is configured to specify the pressing position on 22.
In the figure, reference numeral 126 is the liquid crystal display screen 121.
Fluorescent lamp for illuminating from behind, reference numeral 127 is a fluorescent lamp 126
Is a light diffusing plate for diffusing the irradiation light of the entire surface of the liquid crystal display screen 121, and reference numeral 128 is an inverter circuit for lighting the fluorescent lamp 126.

In such a conventional information input display, a virtual operation button corresponding to a function used by the device is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 121, and the user can press the virtual operation button. Since the virtual operation button is pressed from above, it is possible to check whether or not the virtual operation button is pressed based on the relationship between the pressed position on the touch panel 122 and the display position of the virtual operation button. Therefore, in the conventional control panel having such an information input display, it is possible to assign a plurality of functions to one virtual operation button by changing the display content of the liquid crystal display screen 121 for each function used. The number of physical operation buttons provided above could be significantly reduced.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional information input display, since the touch panel is arranged in front of the liquid crystal display screen, there is a problem that the contrast of the display screen is lowered and it is difficult to see the display contents. In consideration of the visibility, the liquid crystal display screen has to be a transmissive type as described above and a backlight has to be provided on the back side thereof.

When an operation button that is frequently used, such as a ten-key pad for inputting the number of copies, is displayed on the information input display as a virtual operation button, the appearance of the control panel is neat, but the operability is deteriorated. There is. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 22, in the conventional control panel, since the operation buttons 129 such as a numeric keypad which are frequently used are provided separately from the information input display, the switch matrix substrate 131 is provided.
And the touch panel 122 cannot be integrated,
Not only is the assembly of the control panel cumbersome, but the manufacturing cost is high.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have solved the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, have excellent visibility of operation information and virtual operation buttons displayed on the information input display, and can be manufactured at low cost. To provide I / O devices,
Those related to Japanese Patent Application No. 8-44405 and Japanese Patent Application No. 9-45428 have already been proposed.

These Japanese Patent Application Nos. 8-44405 and 9
The input / output device according to Japanese Patent Application No. 454428 basically has a display device that displays information on a flexible display screen and a display device that is provided below the display screen and is pressed by the viewing side of the display screen. The pressure-sensitive input device includes a detection unit that detects a position on the display screen.

[0014]

However, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application No. 8
In the case of the input / output device according to Japanese Patent Application No. -44405 or Japanese Patent Application No. 9-45428, a display device having a multi-layered structure and rigidity is located on the upper surface side of the pressure-sensitive input device. for that reason,
In order to turn on the pressure-sensitive input device through the display device, the center of the operating portion of the pressure-sensitive input device must be pressed from directly above. That is, the display device located on the upper surface side is
Although not integrally formed with the operating unit of the pressure-sensitive input device, even if the positional relationship between the virtual switch displayed on the display device and the operating unit of the lower pressure-sensitive input device is limited, the operating unit of the pressure-sensitive input device is limited. If a position slightly deviated from is pressed, the operating unit of the pressure-sensitive input device may not operate. As a result, even if the virtual switch of the pressure-sensitive input device displayed on the display device is pressed, there is a possibility that the pressing of the virtual switch may not be detected reliably and accurately.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to provide excellent visibility of operation information and virtual operation buttons displayed on the display means. At the same time, it can be manufactured at low cost, and when the virtual switch etc. displayed on the display means is pressed, the pressing of the virtual switch etc. can be detected reliably and accurately. To provide an output device.

[0016]

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is flexible and has a display means for displaying information on a display screen, and a plurality of display means provided below the display means. switch means, provided under the display means, one said switch means in response to the pressing position on the display screen
One-to-one corresponding projection and ON / OF of the switch means
The pressing position on the display screen based on the combination result of F
Position detecting means for detecting
Corresponding to a specific protrusion in the multiple switch means
Set a virtual switch in the area and
At least one switch between adjacent virtual switches.
Two or more protrusions are set to separate the pair from the virtual switch.
If it is determined that the corresponding area has been pressed, the virtual switch
The switch is configured to detect the ON state of the switch .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the projection that acts on the switch means in accordance with the pressing position on the display screen is provided, in the structure where the switch is pressed through the display means, the projection on the display screen is performed. Even if the pressed position is not directly above the switch means, the input operation can be reliably detected.

[0018]

According to the invention described in claim 1, two or more switch means are turned on depending on the pressing position on the display screen.
Even in the case of N, the position detection means can detect the pressed position on the display screen based on the combination result of ON / OFF of the switch means.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is flexible and has a display means for displaying information on a display screen, a plurality of switch means provided below the display means, and the display means. An input / output device that is provided below the display screen, and has a protrusion that acts on the switch means in accordance with a pressing position on the display screen, wherein the display means is a liquid crystal display panel,
The input / output device according to claim 1 , further comprising any one of twisting ball display panels, wherein the protrusion is formed in a convex state on the switch means side.
It is a place.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the display means is relatively weak against force so as to include any one of a liquid crystal display panel and a twisting ball display panel, the protrusion is switched. Since it is formed in a convex shape on the means side, it is possible to disperse the force that the display means receives from the protrusion when the display screen is pressed, and it is possible to reliably display the display means such as a liquid crystal display panel and prevent the liquid crystal orientation from breaking. Can be prevented.

Still further, the invention according to claim 3 is a display device that has flexibility and displays information on a display screen,
A plurality of switch means provided below the display means, a projection corresponding to the switch means and provided below the display means, and a position on the display screen of the display means corresponding to the position of the projection. characterized by comprising a display control means for displaying an image representing an operation button to claim 1
The input / output device described in 1.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image representing the operation button is displayed at the position on the display screen of the display unit according to the position of the protrusion corresponding to the switch unit provided below the display unit. Therefore, the predetermined position on the display screen corresponding to the position of the protrusion can be set as the pressing position of the input operation, and the input operation can be detected more reliably.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of the input / output device according to the present invention. This input / output device has flexibility,
A liquid crystal display panel 1 as a display means for displaying information on a display screen, a membrane switch 2 as a plurality of switch means provided below the liquid crystal display panel 1,
The position detection circuit 3 for detecting the coordinate position from the pressed position of the membrane switch 2 and which virtual switch on the liquid crystal display panel 1 has been pressed from the position detected by the position detection circuit 3 are determined. And a control panel control circuit 4 for displaying a new image on the liquid crystal display panel 1 according to the result of the determination.

The position detection circuit 3 and the control panel control circuit 4 are serially connected as a connection cable 5 by RS422 which is a serial transfer system. Further, the position detection circuit 3 includes an 8-bit CPU, for example, an M3806 series CPU 6 manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, and the control panel control circuit 4 includes 16 CPUs.
A bit CPU, for example, a 68000-series CPU 7 manufactured by Motorola, Inc. is provided and controls each.

CPU 7 of control panel control circuit 4
3, controls the entire control panel including the liquid crystal display panel 1, and performs liquid crystal display such as virtual switches on the liquid crystal display panel 1, and the CPU 6 of the position detection circuit 3 causes the membrane switch 2 to operate. Whether or not the button has been pressed and, if it has been pressed, its position is detected. The CP of the control panel control circuit 4
The U7 receives information on the pressed position of the membrane switch 2 from the CPU 6 of the position detection circuit 3 via the connection cable 5, displays the information according to the pressed position of the membrane switch 2, and displays the pressed virtual switch. The command is issued to execute the job according to the function of.

The liquid crystal display panel 1 is a reflection type liquid crystal display panel, and is formed in a flexible sheet shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display panel 1 is configured by arranging a pair of polarizing plates 12, 12 on both front and back sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, and the pair of polarizing plates 12,
The layer 12 does not have to be directly laminated on the liquid crystal display unit 11, and another layer or a plate member may be interposed between the pair of polarizing plates 12 and 12 and the liquid crystal display unit 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display unit 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 includes, for example, PES (polyether) having a thickness of 0.1 mm on both sides of a ferroelectric liquid crystal 13 having a thickness of 2.5 μm. A sheet in which sheets 14 made of sulfone) are stacked and arranged is used. These PES sheets 14 have, for example, a width of 0.2.
ITO (Indium Tin) which is a transparent electrode of 7 mm
Oxide) electrodes 15 are linearly formed with a pitch of 0.3 mm by means such as vapor deposition, and P on both front and back surfaces is formed.
The ES sheet 14 is laminated on both sides of the ferroelectric liquid crystal 13 so that the ITO electrodes 15 formed on the PES sheet 14 are orthogonal to each other and form a matrix. As the liquid crystal 13 laminated between the pair of PES sheets 14 and 14, for example, a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal is used, but the liquid crystal 13 is not limited to this and is not limited to the ferroelectric polymer. Of course, other types of liquid crystal may be used.

The liquid crystal display section 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 has, for example, a basic configuration and operation as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 251.
Although the one configured as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2290 and the like is used, more specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-61061 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-2 filed by Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
It is possible to use the one configured as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 73531. The liquid crystal display unit 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 includes, for example, an ITO electrode 1 which is a transparent electrode.
Liquid crystal 1 made of a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal or the like is provided on one or both of the pair of PES sheets 14 and 14 on which 5 and 15 are vapor-deposited.
3 is applied to form a film, and a pair of opposing PES sheets 1
It is manufactured by laminating Nos. 4 and 14 and then performing an orientation treatment by bending by passing between a plurality of rollers. Here, since the liquid crystal display panel 1 using the liquid crystal 13 made of a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal has a memory property,
It has a characteristic that the display screen can be held even when the voltage application is stopped.

In order to improve the visibility of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by preventing diffused reflection between the PES sheet 14 and the polarizing plate 12 on the front surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1, that is, the viewing side. The visibility improving sheets 16 are arranged in a laminated state. As the visibility improving sheet 16,
For example, a resin made of gel or rubber is used. On the surface of the visibility improving sheet 16,
In order to clarify the shade of the display image based on the change of the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal 13 to which the electric field is applied, the polarizing plates 12 are laminated and arranged as described above. At that time, if the visibility improving sheet 16 interposed between the flexible liquid crystal display unit 11 and the polarizing plate 12 has a large difference in refractive index from other members, it causes reflection of external light, The display quality of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is degraded. Therefore, in the visibility improving sheet 16, the refractive index of air is 1.0, while the refractive index of the synthetic resin material forming the ferroelectric liquid crystal 13 and the polarizing plate 12 is around 1.4. Therefore, it is optimal to use the transparent resin for improving visibility of the gel-like resin or rubber-like resin having a refractive index of around 1.4.

A suitable material for this is, for example, a visibility improving sheet manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation having a refractive index of 1.46.
A visibility improving sheet manufactured by Nitto Denko Co., Ltd. having an adhesiveness of 00 μm is used, and the visibility improving sheet 16 is bonded between the PES sheet 14 of the liquid crystal display unit 11 and the polarizing plate 12 due to its adhesiveness. It is intervened while being held. The visibility improving sheet 16 is made of, for example, a gel resin such as an acrylic polymer or a rubber resin such as a silicone resin polymer.

On the back side of the liquid crystal display section 11,
The polarizing plate 12 is laminated as it is without interposing any member, and the polarizing plate 12 on the rear surface side is arranged so as to be orthogonal to the polarizing plate 12 arranged on the front surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. There is. Further, the liquid crystal display panel 1
Below the polarizing plate 12 arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal display panel 1, a reflection plate 17 for reflecting light incident from the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is provided.
Are stacked. As the reflection plate 17, for example, an aluminum foil having a thickness of 0.1 to 0.2 mm adhered to the back surface of the polarizing plate 12 is used. Furthermore, a reinforcing plate 18 for reinforcing the pressing force of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and improving the resolution of the membrane switch 2 to be described later is laminated and arranged below the reflection plate 17.
As the reinforcing plate 18, for example, an acrylic plate having a thickness of 0.4 mm is used, but other materials such as synthetic resin may of course be used.

Further, on the back surface side of the reinforcing plate 18, there are arranged the membrane switches 2 as a plurality of switch means for detecting the position pressed by the finger or the pen from the front surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1. There is. As the membrane switch 2, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrode patterns 21 each having a circular switch portion 23 formed in a matrix form have a predetermined pitch (for example, 9 A pair of switch sheets 22, 22 having a size of 0.6 mm) and a pair of these switch sheets 2
A spacer sheet 25 arranged between the two and 22 and having a region 24 corresponding to the switch portion 23 of the electrode pattern 21 cut out in a circular shape or a rectangular shape is used.
In the membrane switch 2, the switch sheets 22 and 22 in a region pressed by a finger or the like are bent, and the switch portions 23 formed with the pair of switch sheets 22 and 22 are brought into contact with each other, whereby The coordinates are detected (Japanese Patent No. 2556711). In addition, in FIG. 4, 26 and 27 are switch sheets 22 and 22.
The connector parts for energizing the electrode patterns 21 arranged in FIG.

However, the membrane switch 2 is not limited to this, and is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-315.
No. 668, JP-A-8-258147, JP-A-8-241647, or Japanese Patent No. 253065.
Various materials disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 can be used, and the kind thereof is not limited.

In addition, as the membrane switch 2, in addition, a resistive layer formed in the same shape is interposed between a pair of conductive substrates formed in a rectangular shape, and the conductive substrate is arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions. By providing the detection grid electrode at the end of the direction, when a part of the conductive substrate is pressed,
Since the resistance value between the detection grid electrodes provided at the ends in the vertical and horizontal directions changes, the resistance value between the detection grid electrodes located in the vertical and horizontal directions is detected to An analog type configured to detect the coordinates of the pressed position may be used. Such an analog type may be used, and the present invention is not limited to this, and any type may be used as long as it can detect the position on the display screen by sensing the pressure according to the pressure from the viewing side of the display screen.

By the way, the input / output device according to this embodiment is provided below the display means, and is provided with a projection that acts on the switch means in accordance with the pressing position on the display screen. .

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the input / output device includes a reinforcing plate 18 located below the liquid crystal display panel 1.
A protrusion 30 that acts on the membrane switch 2 in accordance with the pressed position on the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is provided on the back surface of the. The protrusions 30 are formed on the back surface of the reinforcing plate 18 at the same pitch as the pitch of the switch portions 23 of the membrane switch 2 located below the liquid crystal display panel 1. The protrusion 30 is made of, for example, an epoxy resin, and has a shape such that the diameter of the bottom surface is 6 to 7, for example.
It is formed in a hemispherical shape with a height of about 0.2 mm to about 0.4 mm. The protrusions 30 are arranged such that the apex of hemisphere has a vertical and horizontal pitch of 9.6 mm and is 20 × 8 in the horizontal and vertical directions, and is convex downward. Further, the protrusion 30 is formed by, for example, continuously forming and curing by a dispenser that protrudes the resin in the cylinder by the pressure of air. The position of the protrusion 30 is
For example, as shown in FIG.
The liquid crystal display panel 1 is arranged between the vertical and horizontal 16th and 17th display pixels and has a one-to-one correspondence with the switch portion 23 of the membrane switch 2.

The protrusions 30 are not limited to those made of hard resin such as epoxy resin, but may be made of soft synthetic resin such as silicone rubber.

As described above, the membrane switches 2 arranged in a matrix are arranged below the protrusions 30 so that the apexes of the protrusions 30 are located at the center of the switch portion 23. FIG. 4 shows the membrane switch 2 in which the switch portions 23 are arranged in a matrix as described above. In the figure, the number of switch units 23 is set to 20 × 8. As shown in FIG. 1, below the membrane switch 2, a plate of a plastic molded product made of, for example, ABS resin and having a thickness of 5 mm is arranged as the support plate 19.

Further, the input / output device according to this embodiment corresponds to the position detecting means for detecting the pressing position on the display screen based on the ON / OFF combination result of the switch means, and the position of the protrusion. Display control means for displaying an image representing an operation button is provided at a position on the display screen of the display means.

FIG. 6 shows the positional relationship between the display area of the liquid crystal display panel 1, the positions of the protrusions 30, and the minimum switch unit. The minimum switch unit 31 is set in a square shape having a length 1.5 times the arrangement pitch of the protrusions 30 along the vertical and horizontal directions. The virtual switch displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 1 uses the minimum switch unit 31 as a basic unit. That is, the virtual switch displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 1 is formed by combining the minimum switches of the basic unit. in this way,
The CPU 7 of the control panel control circuit 4 displays virtual switches on the liquid crystal display panel 1 with the minimum switch unit 31 as a basic unit, and the CPU 6 of the position detection circuit 3
It is adapted to detect whether or not the corresponding position of the membrane switch 2 is pushed.

FIG. 7 shows the wiring to the control board of the input / output device configured as described above.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal display panel. Below the liquid crystal display panel 1, membrane switches 2 are arranged in a laminated state. The wiring of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is the ITO electrode 15 of the liquid crystal display panel 1.
A driver IC 56 for STN liquid crystal that applies a predetermined drive voltage to the TCP (Tap
e Carrier Package) 57, the electrodes 15 of the transparent resin sheet 14 of the liquid crystal display panel 1 are thermocompression bonded by the anisotropic conductive adhesive sheet 58. The TCP 57 is connected to the printed board 59.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control circuit of the input / output device configured as described above.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 60 denotes a CPU for controlling the input / output device, and the membrane switches 2 formed in the matrix of the input / output device are X-shaped.
Of the electrode patterns 21 arranged at a predetermined pitch along the direction Y or the direction Y from the CPU 6 to the buffer circuit 6
The output signal from the electrode pattern 21 that is scanned by the scan output that is output via 1 and is arranged at a predetermined pitch along the other direction is input to the CPU 6 via the driver circuit 62, and the CPU 6 displays liquid crystal. It is configured to detect the coordinates of the position pressed by the finger or the like from the viewing side of the display panel 1.

Further, the CPU 7 displays a display screen based on the input information on the liquid crystal display section 11 of the liquid crystal display panel 1. That is, the CPU 7 is configured to perform drawing processing on the liquid crystal display unit 43 via the driver circuit 63 based on the configuration data of the screen to be displayed (hereinafter referred to as frame data). The frame data for displaying the screen on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a display showing an area such as a virtual button displayed on the frame, and further an object image such as an icon image. Display information (for drawing) 65 and detection area information 66 that specifies the range of the touch area to be input by pressing a predetermined area are included. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the display information (for drawing) 65 of the object includes a pointer 67 for designating display of coordinates and light / dark on the button object information, and coordinates and light / dark on the icon image object information. It has an object table that functions as a pointer 68 for designating a display.

FIG. 10 shows the liquid crystal display section 1 of the liquid crystal display panel 1.
2 is an example of an image including a virtual switch displayed in FIG.

An image including virtual switches displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 1 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), in addition to displaying the message "Ready to copy", four screens, "Basic copy", "Advanced copy", "Special copy", and "Edit" are selectable. The letters "Basic copy", "Application copy", "Specialized copy", and "Edit" are virtual switches 80. Then, by pressing these virtual switches, "basic copy"
In that case, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is possible to adjust the copy density, the image quality, and select the double-sided copy.
For copy density, upper and lower triangular marks are used, and for image quality adjustment, photographic image quality and automatic area are virtual switches 80. If it is an “applied copy”, FIG.
As shown in, it is possible to select page continuous shooting or 2-up.

With the above configuration, the input / output device according to this embodiment is excellent in the visibility of the operation information and the virtual operation buttons displayed on the display means and operates when the display means is operated as follows. It is possible to manufacture at low cost without concern about damage to the virtual switch, and when pressing the virtual switch etc. displayed on the display means, the pressing of the virtual switch etc. can be detected reliably and accurately. It is possible to do.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the input / output device according to this embodiment is provided below the flexible liquid crystal display panel 1, and the membrane switch 2 is provided in accordance with the pressing position on the liquid crystal display panel 1. Protrusion 30 that acts on
Is provided. Therefore, when the virtual switch displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 41 is pressed with a finger or the like, the pressing force acts on the membrane switch 2 as follows.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the input / output device according to the above-described embodiment when pressure is applied from the display surface side.
As shown in FIG. 11, even if a portion of the membrane switch 2 that is not directly above the switch portion 23 is pushed, the pushing force is intensively transmitted to the switch portion 23 of the membrane switch 2 through the protrusions 30, so that the pressed portion It is possible to reliably turn on the switch unit 23 near the.

Further, the projection 30 is formed on the liquid crystal display panel 1.
Since it is arranged on the back surface side of the liquid crystal display panel so as to be convex toward the membrane switch 2 side, the pressing force applied from the front surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 can be increased by a large area of the projection 30 located on the liquid crystal display panel 1 side. Can be received and dispersed,
It is possible to reliably prevent erroneous display of the liquid crystal display panel 1 and breakage of the liquid crystal orientation.

Second Embodiment FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The protrusion 30 is provided not on the back surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 but on the switch sheet 22 of the membrane switch 2 in a convex state upward.

In the case of such a configuration, since the convex side of the tip of the protrusion 30 comes to the liquid crystal display panel 1 side,
Compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, when the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1 is pressed with a finger or the like, stress is likely to be concentrated on the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the embodiment shown in FIG. Is desirable. However, by increasing the curvature of the protrusion 30, it is possible to suppress the concentration of stress on the liquid crystal display panel 1, and by changing the material of the protrusion 30 to a soft one, the switch can be operated with a small pressing force. It is also possible to configure as in the second embodiment.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Third Embodiment FIG. 13 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The protrusion 30 formed in a convex shape on the switch side is provided not on the back surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 1 but on the support plate 19 arranged below the membrane switch 2.
It is configured to be provided above.

With this structure, the protrusion 30 can be integrally formed with the support plate 19 by resin molding or the like, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Fourth Embodiment FIGS. 14 to 21 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the above-mentioned embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and explained. In 4, the display means is flexible and displays information on the display screen, a plurality of switch means provided below the display means, and a plurality of switch means corresponding to the switch means. It is configured to include a protrusion provided and display control means for displaying an image representing an operation button at a position on the display screen of the display means corresponding to the position of the protrusion.

That is, in the input / output device according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14A, the protrusions 30 are arranged at positions directly above the switch portion 23 of the membrane switch 2. And one protrusion 3
One virtual switch 80 is set only in the area corresponding to 0, and no other virtual switch is set around it. Then, the CPU 6 of the position detection circuit 3 for detecting the pressed position of the membrane switch 2 operates as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), when it is determined that the area 90 corresponding to the nine protrusions 30 around the virtual switch 80 is pressed, the virtual switch 80 is set to be detected as pressed. There is.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, the CPU 6 of the input / output device outputs the output of the switch unit 23 in which the X coordinate of the membrane switch 2 is m-3 and m-2 and the Y coordinate is m. When it is detected that it has become “1”,
As shown in (a), it is determined that an intermediate position 91 of the protrusion 30 having an X coordinate of m−3 and a Y coordinate of m and the protrusion 30 having an X coordinate of m−2 and a Y coordinate of m are pressed, Since this position 91 is not included in the predetermined area 90, it is not detected that the virtual switch 80 set to the position where the X coordinate is m and the Y coordinate is turned on.

Next, in the input / output device, as shown in FIG. 15 (b), the output of the switch unit 23 having the X-coordinates of the membrane switch 2 of m-2 and m-1 and the Y-coordinate of m is ". 1 "
When it is detected, as shown in FIG. 15A, the projection 30 having an X coordinate of m−2 and a Y coordinate of m, and
Position 91 in the middle of the protrusion 30 with coordinates m−1 and Y coordinate m
It is determined that is pressed, and this position 91 is set in the predetermined area 90.
Therefore, it is detected that the virtual switch 80 set to the position where the X coordinate is m and the Y coordinate is m is turned on.

On the other hand, in the input / output device shown in FIG. 16A, the protrusions 30 are arranged at positions directly above the switch portion 23 of the membrane switch 2, and two protrusions are formed in the X direction. 1 in X direction, separated by 30
A plurality of virtual switches 80 are provided at positions separated by one protrusion 30.
Are set close to each other. The CPU of the position detection circuit 3 for detecting the pressed position of the membrane switch 2
16 is set to detect that the virtual switch 80 is pressed only when it is determined that the area 90 corresponding to one virtual switch 80 is pressed, as shown in FIG.

Then, the input / output device shown in FIG.
As shown in, the X coordinate of the membrane switch 2 is m-2.
16A, when it is detected that the output of the switch unit 23 having the Y coordinate of m is “1”,
As shown in, the projection 30 having an X coordinate of m-2 and a Y coordinate of m
Then, it is determined that the intermediate position 91 of the protrusion 30 having the X coordinate of m−1 and the Y coordinate of m has been pressed. Since this position 91 is not included in the predetermined area 90, the X coordinate is the m, Y coordinate. Does not detect that the virtual switch 80 set to the m position is turned on.

Next, in the input / output device, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the output of the switch unit 23 having the X-coordinates of the membrane switch 2 of m-1 and m and the Y-coordinate of m is "1". When it is detected, as shown in FIG. 17A, the protrusion 30 having the X coordinate m−1 and the Y coordinate m and the protrusion 30 having the X coordinate m and the Y coordinate m are detected. It is determined that the intermediate position 91 is pressed, and this position 91 is included in the predetermined area 90, so that it is detected that the virtual switch 80 set at the position where the X coordinate is m and the Y coordinate is turned on. It has become

However, the input / output device shown in FIG.
As shown in, the X coordinate of the membrane switch 2 is m,
When it is detected that the output of the switch unit 23 having the Y coordinates of m + 2, m + 1, and m is “1”, the state shown in FIG.
As shown in, the projection 30 with an X coordinate of m and a Y coordinate of m + 2
And an intermediate position 9 of the protrusion 30 having an X coordinate of m and a Y coordinate of m.
It is determined that the position 91 of the protrusion 30 having the X coordinate of m and the Y coordinate of m + 1, which is 1, is pressed, and this position 91 is not included in the predetermined region 90. Therefore, the X coordinate is m and the Y coordinate is It does not detect that the virtual switch 80 set to the m position is turned on.

In these embodiments, the switch is turned on.
The coordinate point of the pressed position is obtained based on the combination result of / OFF, but if the switch included in the predetermined area 90 is not turned on in the other adjacent predetermined area, the virtual switch 80 is turned on. May be detected.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 21,
When one virtual switch 80 is set corresponding to the two switch units 23 of the membrane switch 2, or when one virtual switch 80 is set corresponding to the three or nine switch units 23 of the membrane switch 2. Even when the setting is made, the CPU 6 of the position detection circuit 3 for detecting the pressed position of the membrane switch 2 can detect the position in the same manner, thereby reliably preventing erroneous detection.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

Although the membrane switch is used as the switch in the above embodiments, it may be a T-type switch (tact switch) or a conductive rubber switch, and a switch using piezoelectric, electrostatic or magnetic resistance. May be

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiments, the ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal is used as the display means. However, the display means may be a liquid crystal panel of another type, a twisting ball display panel, an EL panel or the like. It may be.

[0072]

According to the invention described in claim 1, since the present invention is provided with the projection which acts on the switch means in accordance with the pressing position on the display screen, the structure is pressed through the display means. Even if the pressed position on the display screen is not directly above the switch means, the input operation can be reliably detected.

According to the invention of claim 1 , two or more switch means are turned on depending on the pressing position on the display screen.
Even in the case of N, the position detection means can detect the pressed position on the display screen based on the combination result of ON / OFF of the switch means.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2 ,
In particular, even if the display means is relatively weak against a force such as a liquid crystal display panel or a twisting ball display panel, the protrusion is formed on the switch means side so that the display screen is pressed. It is possible to disperse the force that the display means receives from the protrusions when it is applied, and it is possible to reliably prevent erroneous display of the display means such as a liquid crystal display panel and breakage of the alignment of the liquid crystal.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3 , an image representing the operation button is displayed at a position on the display screen of the display means corresponding to the position of the protrusion corresponding to the switch means provided below the display means. Since it is displayed, a predetermined position on the display screen corresponding to the position of the protrusion can be set as the pressing position of the input operation, and the input operation can be detected more reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part showing an embodiment of an input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an embodiment of an input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of an embodiment of the input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a membrane switch.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a membrane switch.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an arrangement of protrusions.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an embodiment of an input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control circuit.

FIG. 9 is a chart showing an example of frame data for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display panel.

10 (a) and 10 (b) are plan views showing a display screen of a liquid crystal display panel, respectively.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing Embodiment 2 of the input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing Embodiment 3 of the input / output device according to the present invention.

14 (a) and 14 (b) are a plan view and an operation explanatory view of a main part showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

15 (a) and 15 (b) are a plan view and an operation explanatory view of a main part showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

16 (a) and 16 (b) are a principal part plan view and an operation explanatory view showing the fourth embodiment of the input / output device according to the present invention.

17 (a) and 17 (b) are a plan view and an operation explanatory view of a main part showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

18 (a) and 18 (b) are a plan view and an operation explanatory view of a main part showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a main part plan view showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a plan view of relevant parts showing an input / output device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a main part plan view showing an embodiment 4 of the input / output device according to the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional control panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 2 ... Membrane switch, 30 ...
Protrusion.

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-63-132323 (JP, A) JP-A-4-117515 (JP, A) JP-A-7-261935 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-62-28249 (JP , U) Actual development Sho 58-94215 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/00 601-680 G06F 3/03 G06F 3/033-3/037 G02F 1/1333

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A display unit which is flexible and displays information on a display screen, a plurality of switch units provided below the display unit, and a display unit provided below the display unit. one said switch means in response to the pressing position on the screen
One-to-one corresponding projection and ON / OF of the switch means
Position detecting means for detecting a pressed position on the display screen based on a combination result of F, and the position detecting means
Corresponding to a specific protrusion in the multiple switch means
Set a virtual switch in the area and
At least one switch between adjacent virtual switches.
Two or more protrusions are set to separate the pair from the virtual switch.
If it is determined that the corresponding area has been pressed, the virtual switch
An input / output device characterized by detecting the ON state of the switch . 2. A flexible display means for displaying information on a display screen, a plurality of switch means provided below the display means, and a display means provided below the display means. An input / output device comprising a projection that acts on the switch means according to a pressing position on the screen, wherein the display means includes any one of a liquid crystal display panel and a twisting ball display panel, and the projection is A contracting means formed in a convex shape on the switch means side.
The input / output device according to claim 1 . 3. A flexible display means for displaying information on a display screen, a plurality of switch means provided under the display means, and a plurality of switch means corresponding to the switch means. a protrusion provided below, according to claim 1, characterized in that a display control means for displaying an image representing an operation button to the position on the display screen of the display means corresponding to the position of the projection I / O device.