JPH0462622A - Touch panel type switch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain the finer control of the speed of a zooming action, etc., by making the light enter through a single end face of a 1st transparent elastic matter as well as a touch panel where a 2nd elastic matter having a lower refractive index is laminated on both sides of the 1st elastic matter having a higher refractive index. CONSTITUTION:The light beams emitted from the light emitting elements 7 and 14 are made incident through a single end face of a 1st elastic matter 1 when a touch surface 20 of a 2nd elastic matter 3 is not pushed. The transmitted beams are outputted through the opposite side of the matter 1 and made incident on the light receiving elements 11 and 18 through the polarizing plates 12 and 19. When the surface 20 of the matter 3 is pushed, the matter 1 sinks at the pressed area and the transmitting areas are reduced for the beams sent from the 1st and 2nd light emitting sources 6 and 13. Thus the light beam reaching the 1st and 2nd photodetectors 10 and 17 are reduced and can be detected as the changes of the electric signals. Furthermore the quantity of the beams made incident on both photodetectors 10 and 17 can be varied with control of the pressing force of the surface 20. Then the electric signal can be optionally changed.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to a touch panel switch.

(Prior Art) A switch using a touch panel is installed on the surface of a display such as a CRT display or a liquid crystal display, and is used as an information input device.

Conventional touch panels, for example, have electrodes formed on the surface.
The structure is such that a lower insulating substrate with electrodes formed thereon and an upper insulating substrate with electrodes formed thereon are laminated with an adhesive through a spacer.

Then, by pressing the touch surface of the touch panel,
For example, a screen zoom operation, a page turning operation, and an operation of moving a part of the screen vertically and horizontally are performed.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional touch panel switch, only one signal can be transmitted by pressing one location on the touch surface. Therefore, there was a drawback that the speed of zooming operations, page turning operations, etc. could not be changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks and provide a touch panel switch that can more finely control the speed of zoom operation and the like.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 provides a touch panel in which a second elastic body with a low refractive index is laminated on both sides of a transparent first elastic body with a high refractive index. a first signal source that enters light from one end surface of the first elastic body and receives transmitted light;
The present invention provides a touch panel type switch comprising a signal source that enters light from the other end surface of an elastic body to intersect with the light and receives transmitted light.

Further, the invention of claim 2 provides a tubular high refractive index first tube.
The elastic bodies are arranged to cross each other L, and the surrounding area is surrounded by a second layer with a low refractive index.
The present invention provides a touch panel type switch that includes a touch panel covered with an elastic body and a signal source that makes light incident on the first elastic body and receives the transmitted light.

In the invention of claim 3, a tubular first elastic body having a high refractive index is covered with a second elastic body having a low refractive index, and the second elastic body is covered with a third elastic body having a high refractive index and a third elastic body having a low refractive index. a touch panel in which a fourth elastic body is laminated; a first signal source that makes light enter the first elastic body and receives the transmitted light; and a touch panel that makes light enter the third elastic body in a direction crossing the first elastic body; The second part receives the transmitted light.
The present invention provides a touch panel switch consisting of a signal source and a signal source.

The invention according to claim 4 provides a touch panel in which tubes in which a high refractive index elastic body is covered with a low refractive index elastic body are arranged to cross each other, and the tubes are covered with a transparent elastic body, and light is directed into the tubes. According to the invention of claim 1, when the touch surface of the second elastic body is pressed, a predetermined part of the first elastic body is depressed, and the transmission of light is blocked in that part, and the transmitted light is Decrease. A switching operation can be performed by detecting a change in the light weight of this transmitted light using a first signal source and a second signal source and converting it into an electrical signal.

The amount of light transmitted I can be changed depending on the strength with which the touch surface is pressed, and the corresponding type of electrical signal can be sent. Therefore, the speed of the zoom operation, etc. can be changed in an analog manner, allowing for more fine control.

According to the second aspect of the invention, when the touch surface of the second elastic body is pressed, a part of the first elastic body is pressed and the cross-sectional area becomes smaller, preventing light transmission and reducing transmitted light. Changes in the transmitted light are detected by a signal source, and converted into analog electrical signals depending on the strength of the pressure to perform a switching operation.

In the third aspect of the invention, when the touch surface is pressed, the third elastic body and the first elastic body are depressed at the pressed locations, the transmitted light changes, and this change is detected by the first signal source and the second signal source. It converts into an analog electrical signal and performs switching operations.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the touch surface is pressed, the tube is recessed at that location, reducing the amount of transmitted light.

Changes in this transmitted light are detected by a signal source and converted into analog electrical signals to perform switching operations.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on examples.

Figures 1 (a) and (b) show an embodiment of the invention of claim 1. 1 is a transparent rectangular first elastic body with a high refractive index, and has a high creep property with a thickness of about 200 μm. Made of transparent elastomer or rubber. As the elastomer, those of the polystyrene type, polyolefin type, polyurethane type, polyester type, and vinyl chloride type are used.

Rubbers include natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber,
Ethylene propylene rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated butyl rubber, polysulfide rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, propylene oxide rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate rubber, etc. are used. . 2
and 3 are second elastic bodies with a low refractive index that are laminated on both sides of the first elastic body 1, and have approximately the same thickness as the first elastic body 1, and are made by changing the molecular weight and density of the same kind of material, or by adding fillers. It is mixed to lower the refractive index. 4 is a transparent substrate laminated on the surface of the second elastic body 2, and is made of a glass plate, an acrylic plate, a polycarbonate plate, etc. with a thickness of about 1 to 2 cm.

The touch panel 5 is composed of the first elastic body 1, the second elastic bodies 2 and 3, and the substrate 4. 6 is the first elastic body 1
A plurality of first light emitting sources that emit light in parallel to the end face of the light emitting element 7, a polarizing plate 8 arranged in front of the light emitting element 7, and a plurality of first light emitting sources arranged in front of the polarizing plate 8 in all directions. The eight light-emitting elements 7, each made up of a slit plate 9 forming a passage, use light-emitting diodes, lasers, or fluorescent lamps. Reference numeral 10 denotes a plurality of first light receivers arranged on the opposite end face of the first elastic body 1 facing the first light emitting source 6, including a light receiving element 11 and a polarized light receiver arranged in front of the light receiving element 11. It consists of a plate 12. The light receiving element 11 uses a COD one-dimensional image sensor, a photoconductor, a photodiode, a photovoltaic element, a phototransistor, an avalanche photodiode, etc. The first signal source is the first light emitting source 6 and the first light receiver. It consists of 10. Reference numeral 13 denotes a plurality of second light emitting sources that enter light in parallel from the other end face of the first elastic body 1 at right angles to the transmission direction of light from the first light emitting source 6, and the light emitting elements 14 and 2 A light emitting diode or the like is used as the six light emitting elements 14, which are composed of a polarizing plate 15 arranged on the front surface and slit plates 16 arranged on all sides on the front surface. Reference numeral 17 denotes a plurality of second light receivers arranged on the opposite side of the end face where light from the second light emitting source 13 enters the first elastic body 1, and includes a light receiving element 18 and a polarizing plate 19 arranged in front of the light receiving element 18. It consists of The light receiving element 18 uses a phototransistor or the like. The second signal source consists of the second light emitting source 13 and the second light receiver 17.

Describing the operation of the above embodiment, when the touch surface 20 of the second elastic body 3 is not pressed, the light emitting elements 7 and 14
The light emitted from the slit plate 9 passes through the polarizing plates 8 and 15.
and 16 to a predetermined spread, and the first elastic body 1
It enters from one end and passes through multiple lines in parallel. Then, this transmitted light exits from the opposite side of the first elastic body 1, passes through the polarizing plates 12 and 19, and enters the light receiving elements 11 and 18. Next, when the touch surface 20 of the second elastic body 3 is pressed, The first elastic body 1 at the suppressed portion is depressed, and the area through which the light from the first light source 6 and the second light source 13 is transmitted is reduced at that portion. Therefore, the amount of light reaching the first light receiver 10 and the second light receiver 17 is reduced, which can be detected as a change in the electrical signal. The light l incident on the first light receiver 10 and the second light receiver 17 can be changed depending on the strength of the pressing force on the touch surface 20.
Electrical signals can be changed arbitrarily.

Further, FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show an embodiment of the invention of claim 2. Reference numeral 21 is a tube-shaped tube having a square cross section with a side of about 200 μm and having a height of about 200 μm. These are a plurality of first elastic bodies having a refractive index, and are made of a transparent vinyl chloride thermoplastic elastomer or the like having high creep properties. Reference numeral 22 denotes a first elastic body having a high refractive index similar to that of the first elastic body 21, which is arranged in parallel at right angles to the upper part of the first elastic body 21.
It is made of the same material. 23 is the first elastic body 21 and 22
The second elastic body has a low refractive index and is made of polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer, etc., and has a thickness of 500 mm).
Shape into a sheet of about m. 24 is the second elastic body 2
This is a substrate such as an acrylic plate laminated on one side of the 3. The touch panel 25 includes the first elastic bodies 21 and 22, the second elastic body 23, and the substrate 24. 26 and 27 are light emitting sources arranged toward the ends of the first elastic bodies 21 and 22, and 628 and 29, which are light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes, are light emitting sources arranged toward the ends of the first elastic bodies 21 and 22. of bodies 21 and 22 (
(!!This is a light receiver that is placed towards the end and receives the light that has passed through them, and uses a phototransistor etc. The signal source is the light emitting sources 26 and 27 and the light receivers 28 and 29
Consisting of

Note that the cross section of the first elastic body may not be a square but may be a pentagonal shape, a triangular shape, or the like. Further, the upper and lower first elastic bodies may be woven with a second elastic body interposed therebetween.

The effect of the embodiment described above is as follows. Second elastic body 23
When the touch surface 30 is not pressed, the light from the light emitting sources 26 and 27 directly passes through the first elastic bodies 21 and 22 and enters the light receivers 28 and 29.

When the touch surface 30 is pressed, the first elastic bodies 21 and 22 are crushed and flattened depending on the degree of the pressing force, so that their cross-sectional area decreases. Therefore, the amount of transmitted light is reduced, and the amount of light entering the receivers 28 and 29 is reduced. The intensity of the light entering the optical receivers 28 and 29 can be changed depending on the magnitude of the pressing force, and analog switching operation can be performed.

FIGS. 3(A) and 3(D) show an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a first elastic body having a square cross section and a duplex shape with a high refractive index, and is made of a transparent elastomer or rubber having high creep properties, and a plurality of the elastic bodies are arranged in parallel. 32 is a second elastic body formed into a rectangular shape with a low refractive index that covers the first elastic body 31;
Using the same material as 1 with different molecular caps and density 63
3 is a third elastic body with a high refractive index laminated on one side of the second elastic body 32 (1, -), and is made of the same material as the first elastic body 31, such as elastomer. A fourth elastic body 34 having a low refractive index is laminated on one side of the third elastic body 33, and is made of the same material as the second elastic body 32, such as an elastomer. 35 is
This is a substrate laminated on the opposite side of the second elastic body 32, and is made of an acrylic plate or the like. The touch panel 36 includes the first elastic body 31, the second elastic body 32, the third elastic body 33, and the fourth elastic body 34. Reference numeral 37 denotes a first light emitting source which is arranged in plurality toward the end of the first elastic body 31 and enters light into it, and is composed of light emitting elements such as two light emitting diodes. Reference numeral 38 designates a plurality of first light receivers arranged at the other end of the first elastic body 31 for receiving the light transmitted through the first elastic body 31, and uses a light receiving element such as a phototransistor.

The first signal source consists of the first light emitting source 37 and the first light receiver 38. 39 is arranged toward the end of the third elastic body 33,
A plurality of second light emitting sources that cross the first elastic body 31 at right angles and transmit light, and include a light emitting element 40 such as a light emitting diode, and a polarizing plate 42 disposed in front of the light emitting element 41.
Slit plates 43 arranged on all sides in front of this polarizing plate 42
It consists of

Reference numeral 44 denotes a plurality of second light receivers disposed at the end of the third elastic body 33 opposite to the second light emitting source 39, and includes a light receiving element 45 such as a 5F1-1 transistor, and a light receiving element 45 of this light receiving element 45. It consists of a polarizing plate 46 placed on the front side.

The second signal source consists of the second light emitting source 39 and the second light receiver 44.

Note that the first elastic body 31 may have a circular or triangular cross section.

The operation of the above embodiment will be described. When the touch surface 47 of the fourth elastic body 34 is not pressed, the light from the first light emitting source 37 passes through the first elastic body 31 (1-) and reaches the first light receiver 38 as it is.
The light from the second light emitting source 39 is transmitted in parallel to the third elastic body 33 in a plurality of bundles 1 to 1 and directly enters the second light receiver 44 . When the touch surface 47 is pressed, the third elastic body 33 and the first elastic body 31 are depressed. Therefore, the cross-sectional area of the first elastic body 31 becomes smaller in the depressed portion, and the transmitted light is reduced17.
The light incident on the first light receiver 38 decreases. Further, the transmitted light passing through the third elastic body 33 also decreases in the depressed portion, and the light incident on the second light receiver 44 decreases.

The electric power of the light entering the first light receiver 38 and the second light receiver 44 can be freely changed by adjusting the force with which the touch surface 47 is pressed, and switching operation can be performed in an analog manner.

FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) show an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4.

48 is a tube in which a high refractive index elastic material with a diameter of about 50 m is coated with a low refractive index elastic material to a thickness of about 50 μm, and a plurality of tubes are arranged in parallel at a distance at the bottom, and the ends are tied together. There is. 49 is a duplex with the same structure, and tube 4
Place multiple pieces in parallel on the top of 8, intersecting at right angles to this.
The elastic body that binds the ends is made of elastomer, etc., and the refractive index is changed by changing the molecular charge, density, etc. Reference numeral 50 denotes a seal-shaped transparent elastic body made of elastomer, silicone rubber, or the like and having a thickness of approximately 500 JJ. Both ends of the tubes 48 and 49 are drawn out from the end face of the elastic body 50.

The touch panel 51 is made up of the tubes 48 and 49 and the elastic body 50. 52 is a substrate such as an acrylic plate laminated on one side of the elastic body 50. Reference numerals 53 and 54 are light emitting sources that input light from one end of the duplexes 48 and 49, and are composed of light emitting diodes or the like. Reference numerals 55 and 56 denote light receivers that receive light that passes through the duplexes 48 and 49 and exits from the other end, and is composed of a CCD image sensor or the like. The signal sources are the light emitting sources 53 and 54 and the light receivers 55 and 5.
Consists of 6.

Note that the tubes may have a rectangular cross section, or may be arranged by being woven together.

The operation of the above embodiment is as follows.0 When the touch surface 57 of the elastic body 50 is not pressed, the light incident from one end of the tubes 48 and 49 remains at ft! 1@ and enters the light receivers 55 and 56.

When the touch surface 57 is pressed, the tubes 48 and 4
A part of it is depressed, and the cross-sectional area decreases in that depressed area.

Therefore, the amount of transmitted light is reduced, and the amount of light incident on the light receivers 55 and 56 is reduced. By adjusting the force with which the touch surface 57 is pressed, the transmitted light can be freely changed, and switching operations can be performed in an analog manner.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, the amount of light passing through the elastic body can be freely changed by adjusting the force with which the touch surface is pressed, and switching operation can be performed in an analog manner. Analyzer 1 allows you to adjust the speed of the zoom operation etc.
This provides a touch panel switch that can be precisely controlled on a 7-track basis.

Further, according to the invention of claim 2, the path of light passing through the tube-shaped first elastic body can be freely changed by adjusting the force with which the touch surface is pressed, and analog switching operation is possible, and zoom operation is possible. This provides a touch panel switch that allows fine control of speed, etc.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the lid of the light passing through the tube-shaped first elastic body and the third elastic body can be freely changed by adjusting the force with which the touch surface is pressed, and switching operation can be performed in an analog manner, and zoom operation can be performed. This provides a touch panel switch that allows fine control of speed, etc.

Also, according to the invention of claim 4, the amount of light passing through the tube can be freely changed by adjusting the force with which the touch surface is pressed, and analog switching operations are possible, making it possible to finely control the zoom operation, etc. In addition to being controllable, by bundling both ends of the tube, a light emitting source and a light receiver can be mounted, making it possible to obtain a compact and economical touch panel switch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1(a) and (b) are a plan view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 1, and FIGS. 2(a) and (0) are a plan view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention of claim 2. Figure 3 (a) and (
B) shows a plan view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3, and FIGS. 4A and 4B show a plan view and a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention according to claim 4. 1.21.22.31...first elastic body, 2.3.23
．． 32... second elastic body, 5.25, 36.51...
Touch panel, 6.37... First light emitting source, 10.38... First light receiver, 1.3.39... Second light emitting source, 17.44... Second light receiver, 26. 27,53.54...Light emission source, 28.29,5
5.56... Light receiver, 33... Third elastic body 234.
...Fourth elastic body, 48°49...tube, 50...elastic body.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A touch panel in which a second elastic body with a low refractive index is laminated on both sides of a transparent first elastic body with a high refractive index, and a first signal that enters light from one end surface of the first elastic body and receives transmitted light. and a second signal source that enters light from the other end surface of the first elastic body to intersect with the light and receives transmitted light. (2) A touch panel in which tube-shaped first elastic bodies with a high refractive index are arranged to cross each other and the periphery is covered with a second elastic body with a low refractive index, and light is incident on the first elastic body and transmitted through the touch panel. A touch panel switch consisting of a signal source that receives light. (3) A tubular first elastic body with a high refractive index is covered with a second elastic body with a low refractive index, and a third elastic body with a high refractive index is coated on the second elastic body.
a touch panel in which an elastic body and a fourth elastic body with a low refractive index are laminated; a first signal source that makes light incident on the first elastic body and receives the transmitted light; A touch panel type switch that includes a second signal source that enters light in a direction in which the light is transmitted and receives the transmitted light. (4) Tubes made of an elastic material with a high refractive index covered with an elastic material with a low refractive index are arranged to cross each other, and the tubes are covered with a transparent elastic material to form a touch panel, and light is incident on the tube and transmitted through the touch panel. A touch panel switch consisting of a signal source that receives light.