JP4915954B2 - Touch panel and touch panel device using the touch panel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel provided on the front surface of a display unit of an electronic device and a touch panel device using the touch panel.

  In recent years, various mobile electronic devices such as PDAs have been sold. There are devices that use a touch panel to operate devices and input data by providing a touch panel on the front surface of a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel. When a touch panel is used, the operation can be performed intuitively and there is an advantage that the operation of the device is simplified.

  The touch panel input includes a touch key input mode and a handwriting input mode. The touch key input mode is a mode in which predetermined information is input by touching a part of the touch panel corresponding to one or a plurality of icons (or keys, buttons) displayed on the display unit. The handwriting input mode is a mode in which information is input by handwriting on the touch panel with a finger or a predetermined pen, recognizing the handwritten characters and lines.

  In the touch key input mode, it is sufficient that the resolution is high enough to click an icon, and it is desirable that a plurality of icons can be input simultaneously. On the other hand, in the handwriting input mode, a resolution as high as possible is required, but it is not necessary to select a plurality of locations on the touch panel at the same time for input.

  Examples of the touch position detection method used for the touch panel include an analog resistance film method and a matrix resistance film method.

  The analog resistance film type touch panel has a resistance film on the opposing surfaces of a pair of transparent substrates arranged opposite to each other. The touch position is detected by utilizing the fact that the resistance film arranged oppositely is physically contacted by pressing a pen or a finger (Patent Document 1). In this method, touch input can be converted into a touch position with high analog resolution. However, when there are a plurality of touch inputs at the same time, it is difficult to obtain each position individually.

  The matrix resistance film type touch panel has a stripe-shaped resistance film (sensor bar) on the opposing surfaces of a pair of transparent substrates arranged opposite to each other, and a matrix shape is formed by the resistance films. The touch position is detected by utilizing the fact that the resistance films are physically in contact with each other by pressing a pen or a finger (Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3). Touch input using a finger or a pen can be converted into a touch position with a resolution corresponding to the number of striped resistive films. For example, 32 resistive films are required to obtain 32 resolution. If there are multiple inputs at the same time, each position can be obtained independently. However, since the resolution is determined by the number of resistance films, it is difficult to obtain a high resolution equivalent to an analog resistance film type touch panel.

  Some electronic devices use only the touch key input mode or the handwriting input mode, but there are many electronic devices that use both modes. Therefore, even if any of the above-described touch panels is used, there are advantages and disadvantages.

  There are also capacitive touch panels that detect a touch position by detecting a change in an electric field that occurs when a finger approaches a resistive film (Patent Documents 4 and 5). However, in principle, touching with a finger is not possible, and input with a pen is not possible, and it is not suitable for writing characters. For this reason, it is not suitable for a mobile electronic device that uses both the touch key input mode and the handwriting input mode.

Japanese Patent No. 2955149 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-045381 JP 2002-215314 A JP 2005-531201 A JP-T-2006-511879

  An object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel compatible with both a touch key input mode and a handwriting input mode, and a touch panel device using the touch panel.

  The touch panel of the present invention includes an upper transparent substrate, a lower transparent substrate disposed to face the upper transparent substrate, and a resistance film provided on surfaces of the upper transparent substrate and the lower transparent substrate facing each other. ,including. The touch panel is divided into a plurality of regions, and each of the plurality of regions has a stripe-shaped resistance film on each of the upper transparent substrate and the lower transparent substrate, and is matrixed by the resistance films of the upper transparent substrate and the lower transparent substrate. A first region in which a shape is formed; and a second region in which a resistance film is formed on the entire surface of the upper transparent substrate and the lower transparent substrate.

  In the present invention, two regions having different resistance films are provided on one touch panel. A region having a matrix-like resistance film capable of multi-point input overlapping in time and a region having a solid film-forming resistance film with high resolution.

  The touch panel device of the present invention is provided with one display unit on the rear surface of one touch panel described above. The touch panel and the display unit are in a one-to-one relationship, and processing performed in two areas of the touch panel corresponds to contents displayed in a part corresponding to the area.

  In the present invention, since two regions having different resistance films are provided, it is possible to perform input with high resolution while performing multipoint input by properly using each region. Optimal input is possible in touch key input mode and handwriting input mode.

  Since one touch panel is attached to one display unit, the manufacture of the touch panel device is not complicated. A touch panel can be attached to the display unit in the same manner as before.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. A touch panel device using the touch panel of the present invention is attached to various electronic devices and can be used for data input.

  First, a touch panel device using a touch panel will be described. A touch panel device 30 shown in FIG. 2 includes a display unit 32 provided on the rear surface of the touch panel 10, a display control unit 34 that displays predetermined contents on the display unit 32, and a touch panel that performs touch detection and coordinate detection on the touch panel 10. It includes a control unit 38 and a main control unit 40 that sends display content data to the display control unit 34 and performs processing using coordinate data obtained from the touch panel control unit 38.

  The display unit 32 is a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. These panels have pixels arranged vertically and horizontally, and display is performed by applying a predetermined pulse voltage to the electrodes of the pixels. The display control unit 34 is a unit that applies a predetermined pulse voltage to the display unit 32 based on a signal from the main control unit 40 and causes the display unit 32 to perform display.

  The touch panel control unit 38 detects a touch on the touch panel 10 and detects an X coordinate and a Y coordinate. These detections are different between the first region and the second region, as will be described later. The touch panel control unit 38 sends the detected X coordinate and Y coordinate data to the main control unit 40.

  The main control unit 40 uses an IC chip called CPU or MPU. The main control unit 40 uses the coordinate data sent from the touch panel control unit 38 to perform various processes according to the display content of the display unit 32. For example, the touched button is specified among the plurality of buttons displayed on the display unit 32.

  Each of the control units 34, 38, and 40 described above is configured by software, hardware, or both that perform the operations described above. Various data are stored in the memory as necessary.

  A touch panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes an upper transparent substrate 12, a lower transparent substrate 14 disposed to face the upper transparent substrate 12 via an insulating spacer (not shown), and the upper transparent substrate 12 and the lower side. It includes resistance films 16a and 16b provided on the surfaces of the transparent substrate 14 facing each other. The upper transparent substrate 12 and the lower transparent substrate 14 use a PET film or the like. ITO or ZnO is used as the resistance films 16a and 16b. When the upper transparent substrate 12 is touched, both the resistive films 16a and 16b come into contact with each other.

  In the touch panel 10 of the present invention, the resistance films 16 a and 16 b are different between the first region 18 and the second region 20. The first region 18 has striped (a plurality of strip-shaped) resistive films 16 a on the upper transparent substrate 12 and the lower transparent substrate 14, respectively, and the resistance film 16 a of the upper transparent substrate 12 and the resistance of the lower transparent substrate 14. The long axis of the film 16a is orthogonal. In the second region 20, a single resistance film 16 b is formed on the entire surface of the upper transparent substrate 12 and the lower transparent substrate 14. In other words, in the present invention, the first region 18 is a matrix resistive touch panel, and the second region 20 is an analog resistive touch panel.

  One touch panel 10 has two regions 18 and 20 of a matrix resistive film type and an analog resistive film type. If it is the 1st field 18, it can respond to the multipoint input by pen 42 etc. in the same time (Drawing 3 (a)). Display corresponding to the touch key input mode is performed on the display unit 32 corresponding to the first region 18. In the second area 20, multipoint input that overlaps in time cannot be performed, but handwriting input that requires high resolution is possible (FIG. 3B). Display corresponding to the handwriting input mode is performed on the display portion 32 corresponding to the second region 20. In accordance with the signal from the main control unit 40 to the display control unit 34, display suitable for each region as described above is performed.

  When the touch panel control unit 38 selectively uses the areas 18 and 20 and suppresses the power consumption in the unused area, the power consumption of the entire apparatus can be reduced. The main control unit 40 sends an instruction signal for the areas 18 and 20 to be used to the touch panel control unit 38 in accordance with the display contents.

  The touch panel control unit 38 detects coordinates in the first area 18 in the same manner as a matrix resistive touch panel, and detects coordinates in the second area 20 in the same manner as an analog resistive touch panel. That is, in the first region 18, a voltage is applied to the electrodes 22 x and 22 y in the x direction or the y direction, and coordinates are obtained by detecting which electrode 22 x and 22 y are energized in the x direction and the y direction. In the second region 20, a potential gradient is generated in the resistive film 16 b by the x-direction electrode 24 x and the potential is detected by the y-direction electrode 24 y (24 a), and then the potential is detected by exchanging x and y. The potential value of is converted into coordinates.

  In addition, the touch panel control unit 38 may be configured to perform multipoint input simultaneously in the first area 18 and the second area 20 in the touch key input mode (FIG. 4). The second area 20 can only input one point at a time, but inputs one point at a time in each of the first area 18 and the second area 20. Alternatively, one point is input in the second region 20 and multipoint input is performed in the first region 18. In addition, if only one point is input in the touch key input mode, the area is not particular and the input may be obtained in both areas 18 and 20. These instructions for the areas 18 and 20 to be used are sent from the main control unit 40 to the touch panel control unit 38 in accordance with the display contents.

  As described above, the present invention uses the second area 20 when in the handwriting input mode and mainly uses the first area 18 when in the touch key input mode. 20 is used. As described above, by appropriately using the areas 18 and 20, optimal input can be performed in the touch key input mode and the handwriting input mode. In addition, since both of the regions 18 and 20 use the resistive film system, unlike the electrostatic capacity system, they can be used with a pen and can be easily applied to mobile electronic devices.

  When a matrix resistive touch panel and an analog resistive touch panel are attached to the front of one display unit 32, the connecting part of both touch panels may be conspicuous, and the screen of the display unit 32 is recognized discontinuously. Will be. In addition, when two touch panels are attached to the front surface of one display unit 32, the touch panel fixing method may need to be changed from the conventional case, and the design of the housing of the electronic device needs to be changed. In the present invention, since one touch panel 10 is provided on one display unit 32, such inconvenience does not occur.

  A typical analog resistive film type touch panel is provided with strip-shaped electrodes formed by substantially uniformly screen-printing and drying a conductive paste on both ends of a resistive film in the x and y directions. Since the electrode does not transmit light and is opaque, it is necessary not to impair the appearance of the touch panel and to prevent the display from being obstructed. Since an electrode of a general analog resistive film type touch panel is located at the end of the resistive film, it can be hidden by the casing of the electronic device. However, in the present invention, since the touch panel 10 is divided into the plurality of regions 18 and 20, only one of the electrodes in the second region 20 must be provided at the boundary with the first region 18. In this description, it is the electrode 24a of FIG. 1C, and since this electrode 24a is in the center of the touch panel 10, it cannot be hidden by the casing of the electronic device.

  Therefore, in the present invention, in the electrode of the resistive film 16b in the second region 18, a strip-like electrode 24a provided in a portion in contact with the first region 18 is formed into a geometric pattern using the metal thin wire 26 (FIG. 5A )). Light is transmitted between the thin metal wires 26 so that the display performed on the display unit 32 can be visually recognized, making it difficult to understand the presence of the electrode 24a.

  As an example of the electrode 24a, the width | variety of the metal fine wire 26 is about 20-30 micrometers, and the space | interval of the metal fine wire 26 has a mesh shape of about 300 micrometers. Since the width of the thin metal wires 26 is sufficiently narrow and the interval is sufficiently wide with respect to the width, light can be transmitted between the thin metal wires 26. The electrode 24a can obscure the presence of the electrode as compared with the electrode of a general analog resistive film type touch panel. Therefore, the electrode 24a is unlikely to impair the appearance of the touch panel 10, and is unlikely to interfere with the display performed on the display unit 32. In addition, although mesh shape was mentioned as an example of the said geometrical pattern, if the resistance value per unit length becomes substantially uniform in any part of the electrode 24a, the pattern is not limited. For example, the resistance value per unit length can be made substantially uniform by repeating the same pattern.

  The fine metal wire 26 is formed by screen-printing a conductive paste containing fine metal particles, a binder resin, and a solvent on the surface of the resistance film 16b and drying it. As the metal fine particles, metals such as silver, gold, platinum and palladium are used. As the binder resin, acrylic resin, butyral resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, acetal resin, phenol resin, urea resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, epoxy resin, alkyd resin, nitrocellulose resin, natural resin and the like are used. Solvents: aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone; ethers of glycols such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether; ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate and ethylene glycol monomethyl Organic solvents such as ether ethers of glycols such as ether acetate and terpineol are used.

  In an analog resistance film type touch panel, in order to reduce a voltage drop inside the electrode, it is necessary to set the resistance value between terminals of the electrode to a resistance value of about 1/100 or less of the sheet resistance value of the resistance film. . In general, since the sheet resistance of the resistance film is about 200 to 1000Ω / □, the inter-terminal resistance value of the electrode is preferably 10Ω or less. The inter-terminal resistance value of the electrode can be arbitrarily designed depending on the material constituting the electrode and the shape such as length, width, thickness, mesh, and the like. In the present invention, the sheet resistance value of the mesh-like electrode 24a is about 0.5Ω / □, and the length of the strip-like electrode 24a is 10 cm and the width is 0.5 cm, so that the inter-terminal resistance value is reduced. It was about 10Ω. Although the electrode 24a is not strictly a sheet, the resistance value per unit area is defined as a sheet resistance. As shown in FIG. 5B, the sheet resistance is measured by measuring a resistance between terminals by cutting a mesh electrode printed for testing separately into a 1 cm square, forming terminals 44 with silver at both ends. Looking for.

  As described above, in the present invention, the internal structure of the electrode 24a located at the center of the touch panel 10 is meshed, so that the appearance of the touch panel 10 is not impaired and the function as an electrode is secured. .

  The striped resistive film 16a in the first region 18 only needs to have electrodes 22x and 22y at one end of each resistive film 16a. Therefore, the electrodes 22x and 22y are provided on the side hidden in the casing.

  In addition to forming the electrode 24a in a mesh shape with the fine metal wires 26, a rectangular hole 48a or a circular hole 48b may be provided in the band-shaped metal 46 as shown in FIG. Light is transmitted through the holes 48a and 48b. By adjusting the ratio between the metal 46 and the holes 48a and 48b, an effect close to that of a mesh electrode can be obtained. The shape of the holes 48a and 48b is not limited, but it is preferable to provide holes of the same shape uniformly.

  Depending on the vision of the user, the electrode 24a may be a concern. Therefore, it is possible to display the black line on the portion of the display unit 32 corresponding to the electrode 24a as much as possible, thereby making the electrode 24a less visible depending on the display content.

  The sizes of the first area 18 and the second area 20 may be determined in accordance with display contents. In FIG. 1, both the regions 18 and 20 are squares having the same size, but there are cases where the sizes are different as shown in FIG. The direction in which the region is divided is not limited to the y direction in FIG. 1 and may be divided in the x direction.

  In the present invention, the number of the first regions 18 and the second regions 20 is not limited to one each. There may be a plurality of first regions 18 and second regions 20 (FIG. 7B). Moreover, the number of the 1st area | region 18 and the 2nd area | region 20 is not limited to the same number, A different number may be sufficient. In any case, in the electrode of the second region 20, the portion of the electrode 24 a that is in contact with the first region 18 is an electrode having a geometric pattern formed by the fine metal wires 26.

  The electrode 24 a formed by the metal thin wire 26 is not limited to the portion in contact with the first region 18, and other electrodes may be used as the electrode of the metal thin wire 26. For example, in FIG. 1, the electrode 24 x provided at the end in the x direction of the upper transparent substrate 12 and the electrode 24 y provided at the lower end in the y direction of the lower transparent substrate 14. The electrodes 22x and 22y in the first region 18 may also be electrodes of the fine metal wires 26.

  The resistive film 16b in the second region 20 is square and single. The resistance film 16b may be divided into a plurality of rectangular resistance films. The portion of the electrode that is not hidden in the housing of the electronic device is the electrode 24a having a shape that transmits the light shown in FIGS. In the case of division, if the resistance film to be used is determined in accordance with the display contents and power is not consumed for the other resistance films, it is possible to save power in the entire apparatus. A resistive film to be used in the second region 20 can be selected. In this regard, the use of the first area 18 and the second area 20 is the same as the selective use of the display contents. Also, the first area 18 may be divided into a plurality of rectangular areas, and use may be selected for each area.

  In addition, the present invention can be carried out in a mode in which various improvements, modifications, and changes are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The x direction and y direction used in the description may be interchanged as appropriate.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the touchscreen of this invention, (a) is a side view, (b) is a figure of an upper side transparent substrate, (c) is a figure of a lower side transparent substrate. It is a block diagram of a touch panel device using a touch panel. It is a figure which shows the difference in the touch detection for every area | region of a touchscreen, (a) is a figure which shows multipoint input, (b) is a figure which shows handwritten input. It is a figure which shows a mode that multipoint input is performed using a 1st area | region and a 2nd area | region. It is a figure which shows a mesh-like electrode, (a) shows a part of mesh-like electrode, (b) is a figure which shows the measurement of the sheet resistance of a mesh-like electrode. It is a figure which shows the electrode provided in the boundary with the 1st area | region of a 2nd area | region, (a) is a figure which provided the square hole, (b) is the figure which provided the circular hole. It is a figure which shows the other example of this invention, (a) is a figure from which an area differs for every area | region, (b) is the figure which provided multiple 1st area | regions and 2nd area | regions.

Explanation of symbols

10: Touch panel 12: Upper transparent substrate 14: Lower transparent substrate 16a, 16b: Resistive film 18: First region 20: Second region 22x, 22y, 24a, 24x, 24y: Electrode 26: Metal thin wire

Claims (3)

An upper transparent substrate;
A lower transparent substrate disposed opposite to the upper transparent substrate;
A resistance film provided on surfaces of the upper transparent substrate and the lower transparent substrate facing each other;
In touch panels including
One touch panel is divided into a first region having a matrix resistive film method and a second region having an analog resistive film method ,
A touch panel in which a plurality of electrodes are formed on the resistive film in the second region, and at least one electrode has a repeated pattern formed between a conductor portion and a light transmission portion . Wherein the electrode of the resistive film of the second region, wherein the electrode provided in the first region and the adjacent portion, the metal portion and the touch panel according to claim 1 is an electrode repetitive pattern is formed by the light transmitting portion. The touch panel according to claim 1 or 2 ,
One display unit provided on the rear surface of the touch panel;
Touch panel device including

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