JPH05127826A - Coordinate input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the coordinate input device which can simplify the configuration and can considerably improve convenience. CONSTITUTION:A panel member 26 of a coordinate input device 21 sets first and second input parts 24 and 25 on a pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23, and the first input part 24 enables only the input due to a member with comparatively large pressure per unit area using a pen-shaped piece which tip is made sharp. The second input part 25 enables the input even with pressure due to a member having comparatively small pressure per unit area not only with the above-mentioned pen-shaped member but also with fingers, etc.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device called a touch panel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an input device called a touch panel has been widely used in combination with, for example, a liquid crystal display device. This touch panel has an analog input system and a digital input system, which are shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, respectively. The analog input type coordinate input device of FIG. 12 has a pair of transparent film substrates 2 and 3 with I
Transparent conductive films 4 and 5 such as TO are formed on the entire surface, and electrodes 6, 7; 8 and 9 made of metal or the like are formed on both ends of the transparent conductive films 4 and 5 in directions orthogonal to each other. The electrodes 6 to 9 are individually connected to the power supply voltages V1 to V4 via the switches S1 to S4, respectively. Such film substrates 2 and 3 are attached to each other and fixed on a display device 10 such as a liquid crystal display device, and a coordinate input device 1 is configured.

In this coordinate input device 1, first, the switch S
1 and S2 are turned on, and switches S3 and S4 are turned off. As a result, a voltage (V1-V2) is applied between the electrodes 6 and 7. When the pressing position P of the film substrate 2 is pressed in this state, the inter-electrode voltage (V1-V2) at the pressing position P
The voltage internally divided by the resistance value of the transparent conductive film 4 is applied to the transparent conductive film 5, and the voltage is read from the electrodes 8 and 9 by turning on the switches S3 and S4. As a result, the coordinates of the pressing position P in the X direction are detected. Regarding the coordinate of the pressing position P in the Y direction, contrary to the above description, the switches S3 and S4 are turned on and the voltage (V3-V) is applied between the electrodes 8 and 9.
4) is applied, and the internal voltage of the transparent conductive film 5 at the pressing position P is read from the electrodes 6 and 7.

On the other hand, in the digital coordinate input device 11 shown in FIG. 13, a pair of film substrates 2 and 3 are prepared,
A strip-shaped transparent electrode 1 extending in the X direction is formed on the film substrate 2.
2 are arrayed in the Y direction. Each transparent electrode 12 is individually connected to a plurality of connection terminals 13 provided at the end of the film substrate 2. On the other film substrate 3, a plurality of transparent electrodes 14 extending in the Y direction are arranged in the X direction, and each transparent electrode 14 is individually connected to a plurality of connection terminals 15 provided at the end of the film substrate 3. It By stacking these film substrates 2 and 3, the transparent electrode 1
2 and 14 intersecting portions are arranged in a matrix, and these are fixed on the display device 10. Here, when the pressing position P is pressed, the respective transparent electrodes 12, 14 are time-divisionally scanned by a control device such as a microcomputer to which the connection terminals 13, 15 are connected, and the transparent electrodes 12, 14 corresponding to the pressing position P are scanned. Is detected, and the X and Y coordinates of the transparent electrodes 12 and 14 at the pressed position P as a unit are detected.

[0005]

In the coordinate input device 1, input is performed while pressing the film substrate 2 using a tapered pen member. At this time, for example, a hand holding the pen member is often placed on the film substrate 2, and in order to prevent an erroneous input from occurring due to such a pressing member having a low pressing pressure per unit area such as the hand, the film substrate 2 , 3 are made of an electrically insulating resin material or the like, and granular spacers are arranged at a predetermined height and at a relatively high density. The coordinate input device 1 as described above has a problem in that it cannot be input by a human finger or the like and usability is low.

On the other hand, in the coordinate input device 11 shown in FIG. 13, digital coordinate input is possible by using the transparent electrodes 12 and 14 extending in directions orthogonal to each other, but as described with reference to FIG. However, it is impossible to input such an analog analog coordinate that changes continuously, and there is a problem that usability is low.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned technical problems and to input data when the pressing pressure per unit area is relatively high or relatively low, and the usability is remarkably improved. To provide an improved coordinate input device.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a transparent resistor layer formed over the entire surface of a predetermined first region of a pair of electrically insulating transparent substrates, and a transparent resistor layer of each transparent resistor layer are mutually formed. A first input portion having a pair of electrodes formed at both ends in the direction intersecting with each other, and a plurality of strip-shaped strips extending in the direction intersecting each other in the second region different from the first region of each transparent substrate. A second input portion formed by forming a transparent electrode, protrusions are arranged at a predetermined interval on at least one transparent substrate of the first input portion, and at least one transparent substrate of the second input portion is In the coordinate input device, the protrusions are arranged at an interval larger than the interval in the first input section.

Further, according to the present invention, a transparent resistor layer formed over the entire surfaces of a pair of electrically insulating transparent substrates facing each other, and a transparent resistor layer in a direction intersecting with each other. An input panel including a pair of electrodes formed at both ends, a signal conversion unit for converting an analog signal from the electrodes into a digital signal based on an input threshold signal, and to the input panel. And a threshold value selecting means for outputting a threshold signal of a different level to the signal converting means in accordance with the input operation state of the coordinate input device.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the first input section and the second input section are formed on the pair of transparent substrates having electric insulation. First
When a voltage is applied between the electrodes on one of the transparent substrates, the input unit presses the transparent substrates to bring the transparent resistor layers of the respective transparent substrates into contact with each other. Are taken out from the electrode of the other transparent substrate. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the transparent substrate on the other side, the internal voltage of the transparent substrate on the other side corresponding to the pressing position is taken out from the electrode of the one side substrate.

In the second input section, coordinates are input as the position of the transparent electrode corresponding to the pressing position by scanning the band-shaped transparent electrode on each transparent substrate.

Here, the protrusions are arranged at a predetermined interval on the first input portion, and the protrusions are arranged on the transparent substrate of at least one of the second input portions at an interval larger than the interval at the first input portion. It Therefore, the input in the first input section is performed by pressing with a member having a relatively high pressing force per unit area using a relatively tapered member, and the pressing force per unit area such as a human finger is pressed in the second input section. Input is performed with a member having a relatively low value.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the first input section and the second input section as described above can be formed on a pair of transparent substrates, and the coordinate input apparatus can be formed by setting each input section as an independent structure. By comparison, the number of production steps and the number of parts can be reduced.

In the present invention, the signal converting means for converting an analog signal from the electrode of the input panel into a digital signal is connected to the input panel having the same structure as the first input section. To this signal converting means, an input operation state on the input panel, that is, an input by a member having a relatively high pressing force per unit area such as the tapered member, or a pressing force per unit area such as a human finger is relatively high. A threshold value signal is inputted from the threshold value selecting means which outputs a threshold signal having a different level depending on which of the input by the lower member is performed. Therefore, when inputting with the tapered member in a state where the pressing pressure per unit area is relatively high, a threshold signal for converting a relatively high level range of the analog signal into a digital signal is input. On the other hand, when inputting with a member having a relatively low pressing pressure per unit area, a threshold signal for converting a range including a level range lower than the level range of the analog signal into a digital signal is input.

Therefore, when the tapered member is gripped by hand for inputting, it is possible to prevent erroneous inputting by the hand placed on the panel member. Also, when inputting with human fingers, etc., it is possible to input with the same panel member as the panel member that input with the tapered member,
The need to prepare members corresponding to each input operation state is eliminated, and simplification of the configuration and simplification of the manufacturing process can be achieved at the same time.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a coordinate input device 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exploded perspective view of the coordinate input device 21. FIG. The coordinate input device 21 has, for example, a pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23 made of a synthetic resin material having electrical insulation. Panel member 2 including the transparent substrates 22 and 23
6, the first input section 24 and the second input section 25 are set, the panel member 26 is mounted on the surface of a display device 27 such as a liquid crystal display device, and the transparent substrates 22, 23 and the display device 27 will be described later. Thus, for example, it is connected to the control device 28 realized by a microcomputer or the like.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the transparent substrate 22, and FIG.
Is a sectional view taken along the section line X4-X4 of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the transparent substrate 23, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the section line X6-X6 of FIG. For example, the first input portion 24 on the transparent substrate 22 covers almost the entire surface by using ITO as an example.
A transparent electrode 29 made of (indium tin oxide) or the like is formed, and a pair of electrodes 30 and 31 made of metal or the like are formed at both ends in the left-right direction in FIG.

In the second input portion 25 of the transparent electrode 22, the transparent electrodes 32 and 33, which are made of, for example, the above-mentioned ITO and extend in the horizontal direction in FIG. 3 in a band shape, are arranged in the vertical direction in FIG. 32 and 33 are individually connected to a plurality of connection terminals 35 formed at one end of the transparent substrate 22 via circuit wiring 34. The connection terminals 35 corresponding to the transparent electrodes 32, 33 are connected to the control device 28, and the electrodes 30,
The connection terminals 35 corresponding to 31 are switches S1 and S1, respectively.
It is connected to the electrode voltages V1 and V2 via S2, respectively, and is also connected to the control device 28 via an analog / digital converter 53.

On the other hand, in the first input portion 24 of the transparent substrate 23, a transparent electrode 36 made of ITO or the like is formed over substantially the entire surface, and the arrangement direction of the electrodes 30 and 31 in FIG. 3, that is, the left and right direction in FIG. Electrodes 37 and 38 made of a metal material or the like are formed at both ends in the vertical direction of FIG.

In the second input section 25 of the transparent substrate 23, an area corresponding to the installation area of the transparent electrodes 32 and 33 is shown in FIG.
Strip-shaped transparent electrodes 39, 40, 41, 42 extending in the vertical direction and arranged in the horizontal direction in FIG. 5 are formed. The electrode 3
7 to 42 are individually connected to a plurality of connection terminals 44 formed at one end of the transparent substrate 23 via a plurality of circuit wirings 43 on the transparent substrate 23. The connection terminals 44 corresponding to the transparent electrodes 39 to 42 are connected to the control device 28, and the connection terminals 44 corresponding to the electrodes 37 and 38 are the switches S3 and S.
4 and the power supply voltages V3 and V4, respectively, and the analog / digital converter 53 to the control device 28.

On the first input section 24 on the transparent substrate 23, and at least on the transparent electrode 36, spacers 45 made of an electrically insulating synthetic resin material and having a truncated cone shape and a height h1 are formed at intervals d1. To be done. Height h of spacer 45
As for 1 and the interval d1, since the input in the first input section 24 is performed by the tapered pen-shaped piece 50 as will be described later, the operator's hand holding the pen-shaped piece 50 puts the same on the first input section 24. Even if it is placed, it is selected such that the transparent electrodes 29 and 36 do not come into contact with each other by such a hand pressure.

On the other hand, on the second input portion 25 of the transparent substrate 23, spacers 46 having a height h2 smaller than the height h1 of the spacers 45 are arranged at a distance d2 larger than the distance d1 of the spacers 45. In this way, the second input unit 25
A plurality of pressing members 49 are arranged in a matrix.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the coordinate input device 21. When the control device 28 controls the display device 27, for example, when the display device 27 is a simple matrix type display device or an active matrix type display device, a display for performing scanning of electrodes and supply of a signal corresponding to display data is performed. Control is performed via the control unit 47. The control for reading the coordinate input by the input operation as described later on the panel member 26 is performed by opening / closing control of the switches S1 to S4 and the transparent electrodes 32, 33;
Reading control is performed via the reading control unit 48 that performs scanning of 9 to 40.

FIG. 8 is a process drawing for explaining the manufacturing process of the panel member 26. In step a1, the transparent substrate 22,
A transparent conductor layer made of, for example, ITO is formed over the entire surface of 23. In step a2, the transparent electrodes 29 and 36 in the first input section and the transparent electrode 3 in the second input section are formed on this transparent conductor layer by using a normal photoprocess.
2, 33; 39-42 are patterned. Process a3
Then, a metal layer of, for example, aluminum is formed on the transparent substrates 22 and 23 at this stage, and in step a4, the electrodes 30 and 31; Each circuit wiring 34, 4
3. Pattern the connection terminals 35 and 44.

In step a5, an electrically insulating synthetic resin material is formed on the transparent substrates 22 and 23 at this manufacturing stage by a thick film technique such as screen printing. In step a6, the spacers 45 and 46 are formed in the shape and arrangement interval described with reference to FIG. 6 by using a photo process, particularly an etching technique. At this time, since the heights of the spacers 45 and 46 are different between the first input section 24 and the second input section 25, the insulating layers having the thicknesses h1 and h2 are printed on the first input section 24 and the second input section 25, respectively. Then, the spacers 45 and 46 having the above-mentioned arrangement intervals d1 and d2 are formed. In step a7, the transparent substrate 22 and the spacers 45 and 46 are
The transparent substrate 23 on which is formed is bonded to form a panel member 26.

In this embodiment, the first input section 24 and the second input section 24
The above-described division of the pressing pressure that can be input in the input section 26 is defined by the heights and arrangement intervals of the spacers 45 and 46, and as described above, the transparent substrates 22 and 23.
The pattern of the mask used for the photo process is formed by changing the thickness of the insulating layer formed by printing on the spacer 4
5 and 46 may be selected so as to have the arrangement intervals d1 and d2, respectively.

The operation of the coordinate input device 21 of this embodiment will be described below. As shown in FIG. 1, the input to the second input unit 25 can be made by a member such as a human finger 51 having a relatively low pressing pressure per unit area. Therefore, an input using the pen-shaped piece 50 is also possible. is there. Control device 28
Makes it possible to input a signal from one of the transparent electrodes 32 and 33, and alternately performs scanning in which the other is in a high impedance state. In a state where a signal from either one of the transparent electrodes 32 and 33 can be input, the control device 28 sequentially supplies pulses to the transparent electrodes 39 to 42 shown in FIG. The same scanning is also performed for. As a result, when the operator presses one of the pressing areas 49 with the finger 51, the transparent electrodes 39 to
A signal from any one of 42 is converted into a digital signal via one of the transparent electrodes 32 and 33 corresponding to the pressed position and input to the control device 28. The control device 28 controls the pressing positions as the operation positions of the transparent electrodes 39 to 42; 32, 33, that is, the coordinates (x, y) (x = 1) of the pressing region 49 of 2 rows and 4 columns as an example of being arranged in a matrix. ~ 4, y = 1)
The input coordinates can be detected as.

The input of the first input section 24 is performed by the first input section 24.
Since the shape and the array density of the spacers 45 in the above are high density as described above, the input by the member such as the finger 51 having a relatively low pressing pressure per unit area is prevented, and only the input by the tapered pen-shaped piece 50 is prevented. Is acceptable. Control device 28
Scans the first input section 24 as follows. Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 below. The switches S1 and S2 are turned on, the switches S3 and S4 are turned off, and a voltage (V1-V2) is applied between the electrodes 30 and 31. At this time, the transparent electrode 29
Is set to a voltage distribution from the potential V1 to the potential V2 over the distance x0 between the electrodes 30 and 31.

At the next timing, the controller 28 turns off the switches S1 and S2 and turns on the switches S3 and S4.
As a result, a voltage (V3-V4) is applied between the electrodes 37 and 38, and the transparent electrode 36 has a distance y between the electrodes 37 and 38.
The voltage distribution from 0 to V4 is measured over 0. The operator presses the pressing position P with the pen-shaped piece 50 while alternately repeating such scanning. During the period in which the voltage (V4-V2) is applied between the electrodes 30 and 31, the potential Vx at the pressing position P is the electrode 3 at the pressing position P.
It is determined by the following formula 1 based on the distances x1 and x2 from 0 and 31.

[0030]

## EQU1 ## Vx = x2 (V1-V2) / x0 This potential Vx is the transparent electrode 36 with which the transparent electrode 29 is in contact.
And read by the controller 28 via the electrodes 37, 38.

On the other hand, during the period when the switches S3 and S4 are conducted during the pressing, the electrodes 37 and 38 at the pressing position P are provided.
Based on the distances y1 and y2 from the
Is defined by the following equation 2.

[0032]

## EQU00002 ## Vy = y2 (V3-V4) / y0 This potential Vy is the transparent electrode 29 with which the transparent electrode 36 is in contact.
And read by the controller 28 via the electrodes 30, 31. When the control device 28 reads the electric potentials Vx and Vy, the coordinates (x
1, y1) can be obtained.

[0033]

## EQU3 ## x1 = x0 (1-Vx / (V1-V2))

[0034]

## EQU00004 ## y1 = y0 (1-Vy / (V3-V4)) As described above, in the present embodiment, the pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23 is used.
The first input unit 24 and the second input unit 25 are set on the
In the input unit 24, only a member having a relatively high pressing pressure per unit area such as the tapered pen-shaped piece 50 can be input, and an input by a member having a relatively low pressing pressure per unit area such as a human finger is prevented. ing. Therefore, when the operator holds the pen-shaped piece 50 and tries to make an input to the first input section 24, the hand holding the pen-shaped piece 50 may be placed on the first input section 24 and erroneous input may occur. To be prevented.

A second input section 25 is further provided adjacent to the second input section 25, and the second input section 25 is selected to have a structure that enables input with the finger or the like. Therefore, naturally, the input with the pen-shaped piece 50 is also possible. That is, in the present embodiment, the first input unit 24 and the second input unit 2 having different input operation states as described above.
5 was constructed on a single panel member 26. Therefore, when a plurality of members having different input operation states are required, it is possible to eliminate the need for preparing the first input section and the second input section having independent configurations, and it is possible to reduce the size and simplify the configuration. ..

The connection between the first input section 24, the second input section 25, and the control device 28 is such that the transparent substrates 22,
The connection terminals 35, 45 are provided at a single location predetermined for each 23.
As described above, the first input unit 24 as described above is included.
Further, as compared with the case where the second input unit 25 has a separate structure including an independent substrate, the structure required for connection is significantly simplified.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the spacers 45 and 46. FIG. 9 (1) shows spacers 45 and 46 of this embodiment, and the peripheral edge portion 52 of the upper end surface, which is formed in a substantially truncated cone shape and is in contact with the transparent electrode 29 of the transparent substrate 22, is the transparent electrode due to the contact. It is formed in a rounded shape so as not to damage 29. A modification of the spacers 45 and 46 shown in FIG. 9 (2) has a pyramidal shape. Even in such a case, the peripheral edge portions 52a of the upper end surfaces of the spacers 45 and 46 are still formed in a rounded shape.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the coordinate input device 21a of the second embodiment of the present invention. The coordinate input device 21a according to the present embodiment is the panel member 2 having the configuration described with reference to FIGS.
6, the first input unit 24, the display device 27, the control device 28 and the analog / digital converter 53 are provided with the same configuration,
Corresponding parts will be designated by the same reference numerals and will be described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the coordinate input device 21a of this embodiment is the panel member 2 of the above embodiment.
6 is provided with a panel member 54 having the same configuration as the first input section 24, and the controller 28 performs the same processing as the scanning and coordinate reading processing for the first input section 24 described in the above embodiment. ..

That is, the analog output voltages Vx and Vy are obtained from the panel member 54, input to the analog / digital converter 53, converted into a digital signal, and read by the controller 28. In the present embodiment, a switching means 55 including a switch or the like is connected to the control device 28, and a high level or low level switching signal Sc is supplied to the control device 2.
Enter in 8.

That is, the panel member 54 of the present embodiment has only the first input section 24 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the first input section 24 and the second input section 25 as in the above-mentioned embodiment.
Does not constitute an input section corresponding to different input means such as the pen-shaped piece 50 and the finger 51. In this example,
The panel member 54 includes a pair of transparent substrates 22 and 23, transparent electrodes 29 and 36, electrodes 30, 31; 37 and 38, and the spacer between the transparent substrates 22 and 23 is the second input unit 25 of the above-described embodiment. The height and the spacing of the spacers 46 are determined. As a result, the panel member 54 can also perform input by pressing with a finger.

Here, as an example, the transparent electrodes 29 and 36 made of ITO or the like provided on the panel member 54 exhibit a change in the output voltage level shown in FIG. 11 in response to a pressing operation.
In FIG. 11, it is assumed that the panel member 54 starts to be pressed at time t1, the pressing force gradually increases, reaches the maximum pressing force at time t2, and continues for the following time. At this time, the ITO
The film or the like shows a change in which the output level gradually increases as the pressing force increases as shown by the curves at times t1 to t2.
Therefore, a plurality of, or two threshold values V in this embodiment are provided between the minimum output level Vd and the maximum output level Vu of the output signal.
By setting t1 and Vt2, it is possible to switch whether or not the output signal due to the relatively weak pressing pressure is used as the coordinate input signal.

In the block diagram of FIG. 10, if the switching signal Sc from the switching means 55 is at a high level, then FIG.
The reference signal Vt1 on the high level side in 1 is selected,
A case where the reference signal Vt2 on the low level side in FIG. 11 is selected when the switching signal Sc is at the low level will be described.

The signal lines 56 and 57 connected to the controller 28 are connected to the gates of the transistors 58 and 59, respectively. The sources of the transistors 58 and 59 are connected to the common power supply voltage V01, and the transistors 58 and 59 are connected.
The drain of 59 is connected to a common resistor R3 via resistors R1 and R2, respectively. The other end of the resistor R3 is
It is connected to a power supply voltage V02 different from the power supply voltage V01. The potential between the resistors R2 and R3 is taken out and supplied to the analog / digital converter 53 as the reference voltage Es. Here, it is assumed that the resistance of the resistor R1 is lower than that of the resistor R2.

The controller 28 supplies high level and low level signals to the signal lines 56 and 57, respectively. As a result, the transistor 58 is turned on and the transistor 59 is turned off. Therefore, the reference voltage Vt1 defined by the following equation 5 is output from the connection point 60 to the analog / digital converter 53.

[0045]

Vt1 = R3 (V01-V02) / (R1 + R3) On the other hand, when the control device 28 outputs a low level signal and a high level signal to the signal lines 56 and 57, respectively, the transistor 58 is cut off and the transistor 59 is turned on. It As a result, the reference voltage Vt2 represented by the following equation 6 is output from the connection point 60 to the analog / digital converter 53.

[0046]

Vt2 = R3 (V01-V02) / (R2 + R3) As described above, the resistance value of the resistor R1 is set to be smaller than the resistance value of the resistor R2, and the reference voltage Vt1 is higher than the reference voltage Vt2. Becomes

In this way, the reference signals Vt1 and Vt2 having different levels are selectively input to the analog / digital converter 53 by the switching signal Sc from the switching means 55, and the pen-shaped piece 50 or the like per unit area of the panel member 54. It is possible to input only the pressing operation of the member with relatively high pressing pressure, and the operating state in which the input cannot be realized by pressing with the member with relatively low pressing pressure per unit area such as fingers and the operating state in which input with finger pressing is possible You can switch between and.

That is, in this embodiment, the same effects as the effects described in the above-described embodiments can be achieved, and in addition, a single configuration similar to the first input section 24 in the first embodiment is used. The input state equivalent to the input of the first input unit 24 and the second input unit 25 in the above-described embodiment can be achieved, the configuration can be further simplified, and the usability can be significantly improved. it can.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first input section and the second input section are formed on the pair of transparent substrates having electric insulation. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes on one transparent substrate side, the first input unit presses the transparent substrates to bring the transparent resistor layers of the respective transparent substrates into contact with each other. The divided voltage is taken out from the electrode of the transparent substrate on the other side. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes of the transparent substrate on the other side, the internal voltage of the transparent substrate on the other side corresponding to the pressing position is taken out from the electrode of the one side substrate.

In the second input section, coordinates are input as the position of the transparent electrode corresponding to the pressing position by scanning the band-shaped transparent electrode on each transparent substrate.

Here, the projections are arranged in the first input part at a predetermined interval, and the projections are arranged in the transparent substrate of at least one of the second input parts at intervals larger than the intervals in the first input part. It Therefore, the input in the first input section is performed by pressing with a member having a relatively high pressing force per unit area using a relatively tapered member, and the pressing force per unit area such as a human finger is pressed in the second input section. Input is performed with a member having a relatively low value.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the first input section and the second input section as described above can be formed on the pair of transparent substrates, and the coordinate input device can be formed by making each input section independent. By comparison, the number of production steps and the number of parts can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, a signal converting means for converting an analog signal from an electrode of the input panel into a digital signal is connected to the input panel having the same structure as the first input section. To this signal converting means, an input operation state on the input panel, that is, an input by a member having a relatively high pressing force per unit area such as the tapered member, or a pressing force per unit area such as a human finger is relatively high. A threshold value signal is inputted from the threshold value selecting means which outputs a threshold signal having a different level depending on which of the input by the lower member is performed. Therefore, when inputting with the tapered member in a state where the pressing pressure per unit area is relatively high, a threshold signal for converting a relatively high level range of the analog signal into a digital signal is input. On the other hand, when inputting with a member having a relatively low pressing pressure per unit area, a threshold signal for converting a range including a level range lower than the level range of the analog signal into a digital signal is input.

Therefore, when the tapered member is gripped by hand for inputting, it is possible to prevent erroneous inputting by the hand placed on the panel member. Also, when inputting with human fingers, etc., it is possible to input with the same panel member as the panel member that input with the tapered member,
The need to prepare members corresponding to each input operation state is eliminated, and simplification of the configuration and simplification of the manufacturing process can be achieved at the same time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a coordinate input device 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a coordinate input device 21.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of a configuration related to a transparent substrate 22.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line X4-X4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a system diagram of a configuration related to the transparent substrate 23.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line X6-X6 in FIG.

7 is a block diagram of a coordinate input device 21. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a process drawing for explaining the manufacturing process of the panel member 26.

9 is a perspective view of spacers 45 and 46. FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a coordinate input device 21a according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing the pressing force of the transparent electrodes 29 and 36 and the change in output level.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a first conventional example.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a second conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

21,21a Coordinate input device 22,23 Transparent substrate 24 First input part 25 Second input part 26,54 Panel member 28 Control device 29,32,33,36,39,40,41,42 Transparent electrode 35,44 Connection Terminals 45, 46 Spacer 53 Analog / digital converter

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transparent resistor layer formed over the entire surface of a predetermined first region of a pair of electrically insulating transparent substrates, and both ends of the transparent resistor layers in a direction intersecting with each other. A first input part having a pair of electrodes formed respectively, and a plurality of strip-shaped transparent electrodes extending in mutually intersecting directions formed in a second region different from the first region of each transparent substrate. Projections are arranged at a predetermined interval on at least one transparent substrate of the first input unit, and at least one transparent substrate of the second input unit is more than the interval in the first input unit. A coordinate input device in which protrusions are arranged at large intervals. 2. A transparent resistor layer formed over the entire surfaces of a pair of electrically insulating transparent substrates facing each other, and at both ends of each transparent resistor layer in a direction intersecting with each other. An input panel including a pair of electrodes formed respectively, a signal conversion unit that converts an analog signal from the electrodes into a digital signal based on an input threshold signal, and an input operation to the input panel. A coordinate input device, comprising: threshold selecting means for outputting threshold signals of different levels to the signal converting means according to the state.