JPH01103729A - Matrix switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the number of switching indications and to improve the transparency of a touch panel switch by making the number of displays in longitudinal and transverse directions larger than the number of first or second electrodes. CONSTITUTION:When an indication I of a display part D on a touch panel switch 1 is depressed, a transmission signal from a logic circuit 3 to a buffer memory 6 is bits '0011' in the order of electrodes b1-b4 if a clock signal is '0'. When the clock signal goes to '1', the transmission signal from a logic circuit 2 to a buffer memory 5 is bits '0011' in the order of electrodes a1-a4. The buffer memory 5 reads in transmission signals of logic circuits 2 and 3 as data in case of clock signal '0' and the buffer memory 6 reads in them as data in case of clock signal '1', and the display part which is depressed is discriminated by a processing circuit 8 and the discrimination signal is sent from an output port 9.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a matrix switch that can be used, for example, as a transparent touch panel switch for inputting commands according to the display content of images or information data.

(Prior Art) For example, a transparent touch panel switch is often disposed in front of a display to input commands according to the displayed content of images or information.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional matrix switch, in which 11 is a touch panel switch, 12 is a touch panel switch, and 12 is a touch panel switch.
is a discrimination circuit, 13 is an output port, aI + a21 a3
．． aa is the vertical electrode, b, , b2° b3. b4 is a horizontal electrode.

The electrode aB-84 and the electrodes b1 to b4 are each formed of a transparent conductive material on two transparent sheets, and are normally arranged so that the intersecting portions thereof are electrically non-conductive. A protrusion-like object or a ball-like object is arranged between the transparent sheets.

When the intersecting parts of electrodes a1 to a4 and electrodes b1 to b4 are pressed, the protrusion or ball shape deforms,
As the transparent sheets 1~ further expand, the intersecting portions become electrically conductive.

In this way, the electrically conductive crossing portion is determined by the determining circuit 12, and a determining signal is sent from the output port 13.

The discrimination circuit 12 is configured to treat it as a malfunction when two or more intersections of the electrodes 81 to a4 and the electrodes b1 to b4 are pressed at the same time.

Therefore, since the number of intersecting electrodes a1 to a4 and electrodes b1 to b4 is 16 here, this matrix switch cannot instruct switching of 16 or more.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, the conventional matrix switch cannot instruct switching for more than the number of crossing electrodes in the vertical direction and the electrodes in the horizontal direction, so the range of use of the matrix switch is limited. There was a problem that it was limited.

Furthermore, to increase the number of switching instructions, the number of electrodes must be increased, and if the matrix switch is a transparent touch panel switch, to increase the number of electrodes, the tap panel switch must be configured. The number of protrusions or ball-like objects placed between the two transparent sheets 1 must be increased.

These protruding or ball-shaped objects impede the transparency of the transparent touch panel switch, and therefore pose a problem when placed in front of a display device.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method in which a plurality of first and second electrodes are arranged facing each other in a matrix,
The intersection of the plurality of first and second electrodes is a matrix switch in which a switching action is performed, and the number of displays in the vertical or horizontal direction displayed in a matrix to display the switching input of the matrix switch is 1st
Provided is a matrix switch characterized in that the number of electrodes is larger than the number of electrodes or the number of second electrodes.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a matrix switch of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is a top view and FIG. 1B is a side view.

In both figures, 1 is a transparent touch panel switch, a,
, a2+ 83t 84 is a vertical transparent electrode, b, ,
b2. b3. b4 is a horizontal electrode, D is a transparent display part,
PI and P2 are transparent sheets, and E is a protrusion.

Electrodes a1 to a4 and electrodes b1 to b4 are transparent sheets P+
, , P2 are each made of a transparent conductive material, and two transparent sheets P1 . A protruding object E is arranged between P2. Instead of the protruding object E, a ball-like object may be used.

The touch panel switch 1 is placed on the front side of the display device, and the user can use the matrix switch while viewing the display device through the touch panel switch 1.

When a desired position on the display part is pressed, the protruding object E deforms, and the transparent sheet Pl further expands.
A desired portion where the electrodes a1 to a4 intersect with the electrodes b1 to b4 becomes electrically conductive.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram for driving the matrix switch of FIG. 1, and in this figure, the same components as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. 2 and 3 are logic circuits, 4 is an inverter, 5 and 6 are buffer memories, 7 is a 1/2 frequency dividing circuit,
8 is a discrimination circuit, 9 is an output port, and 10 is an input terminal for a clock signal.

The above logic circuit 2 is a gate circuit 2G+ to 2G4.2'
G+1 to 2G14 and inverter 211°2I2. The logic circuit 3 consists of gate circuits 3G+ to 3G.
4.3GII~3G14 and inverter 311.3I
Consists of 2.

Electrodes a1 to a4 are gate circuit 2G+ in logic circuit 2
~2G4, and the other ends of these gate circuits 2G+~2Ga are connected to the buffer memory 5, respectively.

Further, one ends of the gate circuits 2G+ to 2Ga are connected to the other ends of the gate circuits 2G11 to 2G14, respectively, whose negative ends are grounded.

The input terminal 10 is connected to the gates of the gate circuits 2G+ to 2G4 through the inverters 4 and 2I+ in series, and the input terminal 10 is connected to the gates of the gate circuits 2G+ to 2G4 through the inverter 2I2.
It is connected to the gates of gate circuits 2G11 to 2G14, respectively.

On the other hand, the electrodes b1 to b4 are connected to one end of each of gate circuits 3G+ to 3G4 in the logic circuit 3, and the other ends of these gate circuits 3G+ to 3Ga are connected to the buffer memory 6, respectively.

Furthermore, one end of the gate circuits 3G+ to 3Ga is connected to the other ends of the gate circuits 3G11 to 3G14 whose negative ends are grounded, respectively.

The input terminal 10 is connected to the gates of the gate circuits 3G11 to 3G14 through the inverters 4 and 3I2 in series, and further connected to the gates of the gate circuits 3G+ to 3Ga through the inverter 31+.

Clear and clock terminals of buffer memories 5 and 6 are both connected to input terminal 10, and buffer memories 5 and 6 are also connected to input terminal 10.
Each output terminal is connected to a processing circuit 8, and this processing circuit 8 is connected to an input terminal 10 via a 1/2 frequency dividing circuit 7.

FIG. 3 shows time charts, and the operation of the matrix switch of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

For example, if you press display I on the display part of the touch panel switch 1 shown in FIG. 1(A), electrode a1 and electrode b+, electrode a1 and electrode b2, electrode a2 and electrode b1, etc. The four intersections of electrode a2 and electrode b2 are electrically connected.

At this time, the input terminal 10 is supplied with the clock signal shown in FIG.
The gate circuits 2G11 to 2G14 are o and n. Similarly, gate circuits 3G1 to 3G4 in the logic circuit 3 are turned on.
, gate circuits 3G11 to 3G14 are turned off.

Therefore, display I of touch panel switch 1 is pressed,
When the clock signal is O, electrodes a1 and a2 are grounded via gate circuits 2G++ and 2G+2, respectively, so that both electrodes b1 and b2 are O.

From the above, it is clear that the buffer memory 6 is smaller than the logic circuit 3.
The sending signal to the electrodes becomes 0011 when expressed in bits in order from electrodes b1 to b4.

Next, in the above state, when the clock signal is inverted to 1,
Gate circuit 2G+~2G4.2G11~2 (214,3
G1-3G4 and 3G11-3G14 are on, o
The ff relationship is reversed.

Therefore, the electrodes b1 and b2 are connected to the gate circuit 3GI, respectively.
+, 3G+2, so electrodes a1 and a2
and are both O.

From the above, from the logic circuit 2, the buffer memory 5
The signal sent to the electrodes is 0011 when expressed in bits in order from electrodes a1 to a4.

The output signals of the logic circuits 2 and 3 are read by the buffer memory 5.6 when the clock signal supplied to the buffer memories 5, 6 is O, but the clock signal to the buffer memory 6 is read by the inverter 4. As shown in FIG. 3A, the buffer memory 5 reads data alternately when the clock signal is O, and the buffer memory 6 reads data when the clock signal is 1.

This data read by the buffer memory 5.6 is used by the processing circuit 8 to determine which display part of the touch panel switch 1 has been pressed, and the determination result is sent to the frequency dividing circuit 7 shown in FIG. 3(B). Figure 3 (
As shown in C), electrodes a1 to a4 and electrodes b1 to b
At the same time, a discrimination signal for 4 and 4 is sent out from the output port 9.

In this example, the number of electrodes in the vertical and horizontal directions was four each, but the number of electrodes is not limited to this.Although a transparent touch panel switch was used, it is also possible to use a matrix switch in which multiple switches open and close at the same time. Of course, the present invention is applicable.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the present invention, since it is possible to issue more switching instructions than the number of intersections of the vertical and horizontal electrodes of the matrix switch, it is possible to increase the number of switching instructions with one matrix switch by changing the display section. There are features that can be used.

Additionally, if the matrix switch is a transparent touch panel switch, the number of protrusions or ball-shaped objects placed between the two transparent sheets that make up the touch panel switch can be reduced, improving the transparency of the touch panel switch. It has the advantage of being easy to manufacture, as well as being easy to manufacture.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the matrix switch of the present invention, FIG. 1(A) is a top view, FIG. 1(B) is a side view,
FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram for driving the matrix switch shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 shows a time chart, and FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of a conventional matrix switch. 1...Transparent touch panel switch, 2.3...Logic circuit, 2G+~2G4.2G++~2G14.3
G1~3Ga, 3G++~3G14...gate circuit,
4.2I+, 2I2.3I+, 3I2... Inverter, 5.6... Buffer memory, 7... 1/2 frequency divider circuit, 8... Discrimination circuit, 9... Output port, 10・
...Clock signal input terminal, a1-a4...vertical transparent electrode (first electrode), b1-b4...horizontal electrode (second electrode), D...display section , E... Projection-like object, PI, P2... Transparent sheet.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A matrix switch in which a plurality of first and second electrodes are arranged facing each other in a matrix, and the intersections of the plurality of first and second electrodes perform a switching action; A matrix switch characterized in that the number of vertical or horizontal displays displayed in a matrix for displaying switching inputs is greater than the number of the first electrodes or the second electrodes. (2) The matrix switch according to claim 1, wherein the matrix switch is a transparent touch panel switch.