JP6913554B2 - Touch panel, touch input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a touch panel.

Electronic devices such as smartphones, tablet terminals, laptop computers, portable audio devices, digital cameras, game devices, and car navigation devices are provided with input devices for operating the electronic devices by touching them with fingers.

As a general switch as an input device, a push button type, a lever type, a seesaw type, a volume type and the like are known. When a switch using such a mechanical mechanism is used, the user can recognize whether or not the intended operation is correctly input by relying on the sensation of the fingertip.

However, when an electric device such as a touch panel is used as a switch, the user cannot recognize whether or not the intended operation is correctly input because there is no click feeling. In this case, the user touches the touch panel more strongly than necessary.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,336,260 U.S. Pat. No. 8,619,051 U.S. Pat. No. 8,773,356 U.S. Pat. No. 8,659,571 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-482333

In order to solve this problem, a technique has been proposed in which vibration is fed back when an input is detected. However, since an element that generates vibration and a drive circuit thereof are required, the cost is high. Further, since a voltage of several tens of volts is required to drive the vibrating element, it is not easy to design the touch panel.

The present invention has been made in such circumstances, and one of the exemplary purposes of that aspect is to provide a touch input device capable of returning feedback to a user without the use of vibration.

One aspect of the present invention relates to a touch panel. The touch panel has a first sheet having conductivity and a second sheet which has conductivity and is arranged with a gap between the first sheet and the touch panel so as to be electrically contactable with the first sheet when the user touches the touch panel. It includes a sheet and an embedded tactile member so that a tactile stimulus can be given to the user only after the user has performed a valid touch input.

In the present specification, the touch panel includes a simple touch-type switch panel having no coordinate detection function.

The tactile member is conductive and may be inserted between the first and second sheets.

In some embodiments, the touch panel may further include a third sheet provided above the second sheet. The tactile member may be inserted between the second sheet and the third sheet.

At least one of the first sheet and the second sheet may be a resistance film.

The touch panel may further include a plurality of spacers that are regularly arranged in a plane in the gap between the first sheet and the second sheet. The tactile member may be arranged between the plurality of spacers.

The tactile member may have a tapered upper portion. Further, the lower part may be tapered. The tactile member may be a rigid body.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a touch input device. The touch input device may include any of the touch panels described above.

It should be noted that an arbitrary combination of the above components or a conversion of the expression of the present invention between methods, devices and the like is also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

According to certain aspects of the invention, feedback can be returned to the user without the use of vibration.

It is a figure which shows the touch panel. It is sectional drawing of a part of the touch panel which concerns on 1st Example. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the touch panel. It is a figure explaining the tactile stimulus. It is sectional drawing of the touch panel which concerns on 2nd Example. 6 (a) and 6 (b) are diagrams for explaining the operation of the touch panel. It is a figure which shows an example of the electronic device which has a user interface. It is an assembly perspective view of an electronic device. 9 (a) to 9 (h) are views showing a modified example of the tactile member.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiment is not limited to the invention but is an example, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

In the present specification, the "state in which the member A is connected to the member B" means that the member A and the member B are physically directly connected, and that the member A and the member B are electrically connected to each other. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects performed by the combination thereof.

Similarly, "a state in which the member C is provided between the member A and the member B" means that the member A and the member C, or the member B and the member C are directly connected, and their electricity. It also includes the case of being indirectly connected via other members, which does not substantially affect the connection state, or does not impair the functions and effects produced by the combination thereof.

Further, the dimensions (thickness, length, width, etc.) of each member described in the drawings may be appropriately enlarged or reduced for ease of understanding. Furthermore, the dimensions of the plurality of members do not necessarily represent the magnitude relationship between them, and even if one member A is drawn thicker than another member B on the drawing, the member A is the member B. It can be thinner than.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a touch panel 200. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the entire touch panel 200.

The touch panel 200 is a resistance type touch panel. The touch panel 200 includes a first sheet 202, a second sheet 204, and at least one electrode. The basic structure of the touch panel 200 shown in FIG. 1 is the same as that of a general touch panel.

The first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 are conductive. Both the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 may be a resistance film, one may be a resistance film, and the other may be a metal conductor. The second sheet 204 is arranged so as to be separated from the first sheet 202 by a gap 206, and is supported so as to be in electrical contact with the first sheet 202 by being touched by the user.

Various types of the touch panel 200 are known from a 2-wire type to a 5-wire type, and the touch panel 200 is not particularly limited, but here, a 4-wire type is taken as an example. In the four-wire touch panel 200, a resistance film is used for both the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204.

The number of electrodes is defined according to the type of the touch panel 200. In the case of a four-wire panel, four electrodes, _XP , X _N , Y _P , and Y _N , are provided. The two electrodes _XP and X _N are provided along two opposite sides of the second sheet 204 parallel to the Y direction. The other two electrodes Y _P and Y _N are provided along two opposite sides of the first sheet 202 parallel to the X direction. Lead wires (not shown) are drawn from the four electrodes and connected to the controller of the touch panel.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the touch panel 200A according to the first embodiment. The touch panel 200A includes a plurality of spacers 208, a third sheet 210, and a tactile member 220A in addition to the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204.

The plurality of spacers 208 have an insulating property and are regularly arranged in a plane in the gap 206 between the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204. The spacer 208 functions to support the second sheet 204 apart from the first sheet 202. The third sheet 210 is a protective sheet and is provided on the upper layer of the second sheet 204.

The tactile member 220A is embedded so that the tactile stimulus can be given to the user only after the user performs a valid touch input. The tactile member 220A is not an active device such as a vibrating element. The tactile member 220A can be embedded in arbitrary coordinates of the touch panel, but preferably, it is preferably embedded in an area to be used as a button (switch).

In the first embodiment, the tactile member 220A is inserted between the second sheet 204 and the third sheet 210. The shape and material of the tactile member 220A are not particularly limited, but a spherical rigid body can be used, for example. Further, the tactile member 220A is preferably smaller than the size of the fingertip, and may have a diameter of, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm.

The above is the structure of the touch panel 200A. Subsequently, the operation of the touch panel 200A will be described. 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the touch panel 200A. FIG. 3A shows a state in which no effective touch by the user has occurred. The state in which no effective touch is generated is a state in which the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 are in non-contact or weak contact, in other words, the contact resistance between the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204. R _Z is higher than a predetermined threshold value.

In the state of FIG. 3A, the pressure with which the finger F presses the third sheet 210 is small. Therefore, the third sheet 210 is not deformed to the extent that the shape of the tactile member 220A is exposed, and the tactile member 220A does not give a tactile stimulus to the user's finger F.

FIG. 3B shows a state in which a valid touch by the user has occurred. When an effective touch occurs, the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 come into contact with each other, and the contact resistance R _{Z of} the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 becomes smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

In the state of FIG. 3B, the pressure of the finger F holding down the third seat 210 is strong. Therefore, the third sheet 210 is deformed to the extent that the shape of the tactile member 220A is exposed, and the finger F can perceive the shape (existence) of the tactile member 220A at the fingertip. That is, the tactile member 220A can give a tactile stimulus to the finger F.

The tactile stimulus in the touch panel 200 according to the present embodiment can be explained by an analogy with the example of FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a tactile stimulus. A metal ball 902 is placed on the desk 900, and the sponge sheet 904 covers the metal ball 902. When the sponge sheet 904 is pressed downward with the palm P, the presence of the metal sphere 902 cannot be perceived when the pressure is low, but the presence of the metal sphere 902 can be perceived when the pressure is increased to some extent. It becomes. In the touch panel 200, feedback can be returned to the user by using the same phenomenon in a small area of the fingertip, not in a wide area such as the palm P.

According to this embodiment, since the vibrating element and the drive circuit thereof are not required, the cost can be significantly reduced. Further, the stimulus given to the fingertip can be adjusted based on the size and shape of the tactile member 220.

(Second Example)
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel 200B according to the second embodiment. In the touch panel 200B, the tactile member 220B has conductivity and is inserted between the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204. The tactile member 220B is provided between the plurality of spacers 208.

The above is the structure of the touch panel 200B. Subsequently, the operation of the touch panel 200B will be described. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the touch panel 200B. FIG. 6A shows a state in which no effective touch by the user has occurred. The state in which no effective touch is generated is a state in which the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 are in electrical non-contact or weak contact, in other words, the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204. The contact resistance R _{Z of} is higher than a predetermined threshold value.

In the state of FIG. 6A, the pressure with which the finger F presses the third sheet 210 is small. Therefore, the third sheet 210 and the second sheet 204 are not deformed to the extent that the shape of the tactile member 220B is exposed, and the tactile member 220B does not give a tactile stimulus to the user's finger F.

FIG. 6B shows a state in which a valid touch by the user has occurred. When an effective touch is generated, the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 are electrically contacted via the tactile member 220B, and the contact resistance R _{Z of} the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. It becomes smaller.

In the state of FIG. 6B, the pressure of the finger F to hold down the third sheet 210 and the second sheet 204 is strong. Therefore, the third sheet 210 and the second sheet 204 are deformed to the extent that the shape of the tactile member 220B is exposed, and the finger F can perceive the shape (existence) of the tactile member 220B at the fingertip. That is, the tactile member 220B can give a tactile stimulus to the finger F.

Next, the use of the touch panel 200 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an electronic device 100 provided with a user interface (touch type input device). The electronic device 100 includes a display unit 102, switches 104, and 106. The display unit 102 is a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and presents character information and graphic information to the user. The switches 104 and 106 are touch-type input means. The number and layout of switches are not particularly limited.

FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of the electronic device 100. The electronic device 100 has a laminated structure including a display panel 110, a touch panel 120, and a decorative film 130.

The decorative film 130 is a cover, and the area 132 corresponding to the display unit 102 is transparent. Further, the portions of the decorative film 130 corresponding to the switches 104 and 106 are marked with marks 134 and 136 indicating that the area is a button.

Of the display panel 110, the portion 112 corresponding to the display unit 102 may be an effective area, and the other area may be an invalid area 114 in which an image is not displayed. The size of the display panel 110 may be reduced to a range corresponding to the display unit 102.

The touch panel 120 is a so-called resistance type panel, and can detect a user's touch. Of the touch panel 120, the portion 122 corresponding to the display unit 102 is used as a normal touch panel, and is used for coordinate detection, gesture input, and the like. Further, in the touch panel 120, the areas 124 and 126 that overlap with the two switches 104 and 106 are used as switches.

The touch panel 120 corresponds to the touch panel 200 according to the embodiment. The above-mentioned tactile member 220 is embedded in the areas 124 and 126 used as switches in the touch panel 120.

The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an example, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible for each of these components and combinations of each processing process, and that such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. be. Hereinafter, such a modification will be described.

(First modification)
9 (a) to 9 (h) are views showing a modified example of the tactile member 220. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9A is an octahedron. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9B is a decahedron, which is a combination of two quadrangular pyramids. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9C is an ellipsoid. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9D is a quadrangular pyramid. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9 (e) is obtained by cutting off the lower half of the ellipsoid of FIG. 9 (c). The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9 (f) is a quadrangular pyramid. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9 (g) is a quadrangular prism. The tactile member 220 of FIG. 9 (f) is an inverted quadrangular pyramid. In addition, a triangular pyramid, a hexagonal frustum, or an octagonal frustum may be used.

From a certain point of view, the tactile member 220 preferably has a tapered upper portion. The tactile member 220 of FIGS. 9 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) satisfies this condition. This makes it easier to stimulate the user's finger F.

In the case of the first embodiment, the tactile member 220 preferably has a tapered lower portion. In the case of the tactile member 220A of FIG. 2, since the lower portion of the tactile member 220A is tapered, the second sheet 204 and the first sheet 202 are likely to come into contact with each other. 9 (a), (b), (c) and (h) satisfy this condition.

In the case of the second embodiment, it is preferable that the lower portion of the tactile member 220 is not tapered and the bottom surface is flat. 9 (d), (e), (f), and (g) satisfy this condition.

(Second modification)
The base touch panel 200 is not limited to the four-wire type, and may be a two-wire type, a three-wire type, or a five-wire type. If it is desired to be able to detect coordinates in both the X direction and the Y direction, both the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 need to be resistance films, but if the coordinate detection in only one direction is sufficient, the first sheet 202 Only one of the sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 may be used as a resistance film, and the other may be used as a metal sheet. Alternatively, when it is used as only one switch (button) completely, the coordinate detection function is unnecessary, so that both the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 may be made of a metal film.

(Third modification example)
The materials of the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 may be selected according to the use and format of the touch panel 200. When the four-wire touch panel 200 is attached to the upper surface of the display panel, the first sheet 202 and the second sheet 204 are required to be transparent, but when they are not placed on the display panel, the transparency is required. Is not required, and conductive rubber, other resistors, and metal films can be used.

(Fourth modification)
The tactile member 220 does not necessarily have to be a rigid body, and the material thereof is not limited as long as it can stimulate the fingertips, and may have flexibility.

(Fifth modification)
The application of the touch panel 200 is not limited to the electronic device as shown in FIG. 7, and may be used as an operation panel of a vehicle such as an automobile or a motorcycle, or may be used as an operation panel of an industrial machine or an OA device.

Although the present invention has been described using specific terms based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely indicate the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments are defined in the claims. Many modifications and arrangement changes are permitted without departing from the ideas of the present invention.

100 ... Electronic equipment, 102 ... Display unit, 104, 106 ... Switch, 110 ... Display panel, 120 ... Touch panel, 122, 124 ... Area, 130 ... Decorative film, 200 ... Touch panel, 202 ... First sheet, 204 ... First 2 sheets, 206 ... gap, 208 ... spacer, 210 ... 3rd sheet, 220 ... tactile member, F ... finger.

Claims (8)

The first sheet with conductivity and
2.
A third sheet provided on the upper side of the second sheet and flat in a non-contact state,
A rigid tactile member having a size of 1 mm to 5 mm, which is embedded in a layer below the third sheet so that the user can be given a tactile stimulus only after performing a valid touch input.
Bei to give a,
When the user performs an effective touch input, the third sheet is deformed to the extent that the shape of the tactile member is exposed, so that the user can perceive the presence of the tactile member with a fingertip. Touch panel to do. The touch panel according to claim 1, wherein the tactile member has conductivity and is inserted between the first sheet and the second sheet. Before SL haptic member includes a touch panel according to claim 1, characterized in that inserted between said second sheet of the third sheet. The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the first sheet and the second sheet is a resistance film. The gap between the first sheet and the second sheet is further provided with a plurality of spacers that are regularly arranged in a plane.
The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the tactile member is arranged between the plurality of spacers. The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the tactile member has a tapered upper portion. The touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the tactile member has a tapered lower portion. A touch-type input device including the touch panel according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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