JPH06348397A - Ultrasonic electronic notebook - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the ultrasonic electronic notebook for inputting the information by coming into with the plate surface of a substrate provided with an ultrasonic transmitting/receiving means and a display screen with an input pen, and displaying the information. CONSTITUTION:When a linear chirp signal is inputted from interdigital electrodes TX and TY, an electric signal of a frequency varied roughly in accordance with electrode periodic length of the interdigital electrodes TX and TY is converted to an elastic surface wave and propagated along a piezoelectric substrate 7, and an elastic surface wave of wavelength being roughly equal to electrode periodic length of interdigital electrodes RX and RY is converted to a delay electric signal, and outputted from the interdigital electrodes RX and RY. When a propagation path of the elastic surface wave on the piezoelectric substrate 7 is brought into contact with a pen point of an input pen, the elastic surface wave corresponding to a contact position is attenuated, and in accordance therewith, the delay electric signal is also attenuated. The contact position can be detected from a frequency of the delay electric signal attenuated in such a way. On a display screen, information is displayed in a shape corresponding to its contact position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention inputs information by touching one translucent plate surface provided with ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means with an input pen, and prepares the other plate surface of the plate surface. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic electronic notebook that displays information on a displayed screen.

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional electronic notebook, a keyboard similar to that of a personal computer is mainly used as an input means, but the keyboard is also required to be small in size for the purpose of a notebook. Since the conventional electronic notebook is a small keyboard, the input operation is troublesome and time-consuming, and there are many mistakes in the operation, and the keyboard portion as the input means and the display portion as the display means are independent, so it is an electronic notebook. There was a limit to the size of. Moreover, the complicated keyboard operation has been a major obstacle especially for beginners. In this way, the conventional electronic organizer is generally large because the keyboard part and the display part are independent, and the keyboard operation is complicated and troublesome, so it takes a long time for the input operation and there are many mistakes in the operation. . Transparent electrode type and optical touch panels are mainly used for pen input computers that can input characters, symbols, and other information by directly writing on the panel. These touch panels have problems that workability, durability, sensitivity, etc. remain, they are easily affected by the surrounding environment such as light, and malfunction, and it is difficult to display high-density information on the panel. In addition to a pen input computer, an electronic notebook and the like can be realized by applying a touch panel. The touch panel is required to detect a touch on the panel by a human finger, an object, or the like with quick responsiveness, and it is desired that the touch position be specified with high resolution. In addition to the above, the conventional touch panel mainly includes a resistance film type and an ultrasonic type. The resistance film method changes the resistance value of the transparent conductive film by touching the transparent conductive film (resistive film), and it has low power consumption, but in terms of response time, sensitivity, durability, etc. I have a problem. An example of an ultrasonic touch panel is a surface acoustic wave touch panel using a reflective array. This utilizes the fact that the surface acoustic wave is attenuated when it comes into contact with a panel in which the surface acoustic wave is excited in advance by using a wedge-shaped transducer, and has the advantage of being excellent in environmental resistance. On the other hand, the fabrication of the reflection array requires a high level of technology, and the work precision of the wedge-shaped transducer influences the function of the touch panel, and it has a difficulty in driving at a low voltage. Thus, the conventional touch panel has problems in response time, resolution, durability, workability, workability, mass productivity, and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to have excellent workability, durability and mass productivity, low power consumption and low voltage drive, and a high response with a short response time by touching a panel. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic notebook which can input density information and can display information on the panel, which is small, lightweight and thin, convenient to carry, and easy to operate on the panel.

An ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 1 has a substantially transparent substrate and one plate surface F of the substrate.
1, at least two ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means X and Y, a display screen of a display device provided on the other plate surface F2 of the substrate and displayed in at least one color, and the plate surface. Means for exciting a surface acoustic wave on F1; means for specifying a position on the plate surface F1 contacted by the pen tip of the input pen as an input position based on a position signal representing a position on the plate surface F1; An ultrasonic electronic notebook including means for processing information corresponding to an input position, wherein the information processing means stores information and means for detecting information corresponding to the specified input position as input information. And a means for displaying the information detected by the input information detecting means on the display screen for a predetermined time, wherein each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means has N sets of interdigital transducers P _i (i = 1, 2, ..., and N), the interdigital electrode P _i
N comb-shaped electrodes Q _i (i = 1,
2, ......, N) and made from the interdigital electrode P _i and Q _i are the respective interdigital periodicity continuously changed along the direction parallel to the center line of the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i And the interdigital transducer P _i is connected to the surface acoustic wave excitation means, and the surface acoustic wave excitation means continuously changes substantially corresponding to the electrode period length of the interdigital transducer P _i. Upon receiving an electric signal of a frequency, a surface acoustic wave is excited on the plate surface F1, and the interdigital transducer Q _i is located at a position corresponding to the surface acoustic wave excited on the plate surface F1 by the interdigital transducer P _i. A signal is output and the interdigital transducer P _i
And Q _i are arranged in a one-to-one pair with the directional axes of the transmission and reception of the surface acoustic wave being common, and are arranged from the interdigital transducer P _i in the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving means X to the blind. the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave composed of plate surface F1 D _i between reaching the Jo electrode _{Q i (i = 1,2, ......} , N) and, said channel D _i in the ultrasonic transmitter means Y Are orthogonal to each other, and the output ends of the interdigital transducers Q _i are electrically connected to each other at a connection point M, and the surface acoustic wave excitation means has an output end that receives the input of the interdigital transducer P _i . N switches S _i (i = 1, 1) respectively connected to the ends
2, ..., N) and switch control means for sequentially electrically connecting and disconnecting the switches S _i at a predetermined cycle, the input position specifying means of the position signals appearing at the connection point M. The position signal that changes in size is specified by specifying the propagation path D _i including the input position based on the position of the switch S _i connected when the position signal that changes in size is detected. Of the frequency components of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means for detecting the frequency components attenuated among the frequency components, and specifying the input position on the plate surface F1 based on the respective attenuation frequency components of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. It is characterized in that the input position and the attenuation frequency component have a substantially linear relationship. Claim 2
In the ultrasonic electronic notebook according to item 1, the information storage means stores in advance a table in which the position on the plate surface F1 is an address and the information associated with the address is data, and the input information detection means is the The input position specified by the input position specifying means is input as the address, and the data read from the address is used as the input information. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 3, wherein the information storage unit stores patterns such as characters and symbols in advance, and the input information detection unit moves the input position specified by the input position specifying unit. It is characterized in that the locus formed by (1) and the pattern read from the information storage means are compared by a pattern matching method, and the pattern represented by the locus is used as the input information. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 4 is characterized in that the input information detecting unit uses the input position specified by the input position specifying unit as the input information. An ultrasonic electronic notebook according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that the substrate is made of substantially transparent piezoelectric ceramic, and a direction of a polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic is parallel to a thickness direction of the piezoelectric ceramic. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 6, wherein the substrate has a two-layer structure in which a substantially transparent non-piezoelectric plate is provided with a substantially transparent piezoelectric thin plate, and the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are the piezoelectric thin plates. It is characterized by being provided above. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 7, wherein the substrate is a substantially transparent non-piezoelectric plate, and each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means has a piezoelectric thin plate A provided with the interdigital transducer P _i. And an ultrasonic device R in which the comb-shaped electrode Q _i is provided on the piezoelectric thin plate B, the piezoelectric thin plates A and B are provided on the plate surface F1, and the thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate A is the above. The electrode period length of the interdigital electrode P _i is equal to or less than the electrode period length, the thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate B is equal to or less than the electrode period length of the interdigital electrode Q _i , and the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i.
Electrode period length is substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave in the first-order mode or the second or higher modes,
The phase velocities of the surface acoustic waves in the modes above and below are substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the surface acoustic waves excited in the single non-piezoelectric plate. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 8, wherein the piezoelectric thin plate A or B is fixed to the non-piezoelectric plate on the plate surface on which the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are provided. And

The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to the present invention has one plate surface F of the substrate.
1 is provided with ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, and the other plate surface F2 of the substrate
Since it has a simple structure with a display screen, the device can be made smaller and lighter and thinner. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means is N sets of interdigital electrodes P _i (i = 1, 2, ..., N).
When, N sets of interdigital electrodes Q _i corresponding to the interdigital electrodes P _i
(I = 1, 2, ..., N). Interdigital transducer P
_{The i} and Q _i form a structure in which the respective electrode period lengths continuously change along a direction parallel to the center line of the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i . At this time, the center line of the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i is a line that bisects the interdigital electrode in each interdigital electrode in line symmetry. The surface acoustic wave exciting means connected to interdigital electrodes P _i, interdigital electrodes P _i the electrical signal having a frequency which varies substantially corresponding to continuous to the electrode period length of,
For example, a linear chirp signal whose frequency changes linearly with time is output from the surface acoustic wave exciting means by the interdigital electrodes P _i.
By adopting the structure for inputting to the electrode, a surface acoustic wave having a wavelength substantially equal to the electrode period length from the part of the interdigital electrode P _{i corresponding} to the electrode period length is crossed on the plate surface F1 of the substrate. It is possible to continuously excite according to. At this time, as the electrode crossing width is larger, the surface acoustic wave can be excited over a wider range. The ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention can efficiently excite surface acoustic waves on the plate surface F1 with low power consumption and low voltage. By adopting the structure in which the interdigital electrodes Q _i are used for output and the directivity axes of the transmission and reception of the surface acoustic waves are common to the interdigital electrodes P _i , each is excited on the plate surface F1. The surface acoustic wave of can be efficiently output as an electric signal from the interdigital transducer Q _i . At this time, the interdigital electrodes Q _{i in} the portion where the electric signal having a frequency substantially corresponding to the wavelength of each surface acoustic wave has an electrode cycle length substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave.
Is continuously output from. The electric signal continuously output from the interdigital transducer Q _i functions as a position signal indicating the position on the plate surface F1. With the pen tip of the input pen, a portion of the propagation path D _i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) of the surface acoustic wave formed by the plate surface F1 between the interdigital electrode P _i and the interdigital electrode Q _i is formed. Upon contact, the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the contact position among the surface acoustic waves excited on the plate surface F1 is attenuated or extinguished. Therefore, the position signal output to the interdigital transducer Q _i in the portion corresponding to the contact position is also attenuated or disappeared. In this way, the contact position can be specified as the information input position based on the position signal. A comb-shaped electrode Q for the input position touched by the pen tip of the input pen.
The position can be specified by adopting the structure of detecting from the component that attenuates among the frequency components in the position signal output to _i . At this time, it is desirable that the frequency band output to the interdigital transducer Q _i is flatter. The flatter the band, the higher the detection sensitivity of the attenuation frequency component, the easier the signal processing, and the simpler the circuit configuration. An example of the interdigital electrode having a flat frequency band structure is a hyperbolic interdigital electrode. Thus, the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention has a short response time and good sensitivity. Note that the pen tip of the input pen needs to be a substance that is softer than the substrate and that easily absorbs ultrasonic waves. A person's finger or the like also has that characteristic, and can function as an electronic notebook. At least two ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means are provided on the plate surface F1.
One provided a structure was adopted, moreover by employing the channel D _i of the surface acoustic wave in one ultrasonic transmitter means, a structure for mutually orthogonal and channel D _i in another ultrasonic transmitter means The contact position of the pen tip of the input pen on the plate surface F1 can be specified more delicately. This is to find the crossing portions of mutually orthogonal propagation paths D _i based on the attenuated frequency components of the frequency components of the position signal output from each interdigital transducer Q _i in each ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, This is because the copy can be specified as the input position. It is also possible to increase the number of ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, increase or decrease the number of ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means or adjust the size of the interdigital transducers P _i and Q _{i in accordance with} the size of the substrate. It is possible to take measures such as playing. In this way, it is possible to finely specify the contact position by the pen tip of the input pen without being influenced by the size of the substrate. By electrically connecting the respective output ends of the interdigital transducers Q _i to each other at the connection point M, it is determined that the pen tip comes into contact with a part of the propagation path D _i of the surface acoustic wave on the plate surface F1. It can be detected from the magnitude of the position signal appearing at. In addition, N switches S _i (i = 1, 2 ,,) whose output ends are connected to the input ends of the interdigital transducer P _i , respectively.
.., N) and by adopting a structure in which the switches S _i are sequentially electrically interrupted at a predetermined cycle, electric signals can be sequentially input to the interdigital electrodes P _i . Therefore, the propagation path D _i including the input position is
Of the position signals appearing at the connection point M, the switch S connected when the position signal of which the magnitude changes is detected.
It can be specified from the position of _i . For example, when a part of the propagation path D ₁ of the propagation path D _i is brought into contact with the pen tip of the input pen, the electric signal is output to the connection point M only when the electric signal is input to the interdigital transducer P _1. The position signal decays or disappears. In this way, of the propagation paths D _i , the propagation path D ₁
It becomes clear that the input position is included in. further,
The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to the present invention adopts a structure in which a linear chirp signal is input to the interdigital transducer P _i , and the input position is detected from the varying component of the frequency components of the position signal output to the interdigital transducer Q _i. Since such a structure is adopted, it becomes possible to specify the input position included in the propagation path D _i more delicately. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to the present invention employs a structure including a display screen of a display device for displaying in at least one color on the other plate surface F2 of the substrate. Further, the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention includes information processing means, the information processing means stores information, means for detecting information corresponding to the specified input position as input information, and input information detecting means. And means for keeping the information detected in step 3 on the display screen for a predetermined time. However, the above information is the information to be entered,
Alternatively, the information is already stored and is output on the display screen based on the input position. Further, a transparent structure is adopted as the substrate. That is, a structure in which the display and the keyboard are integrated is adopted. Moreover, the transparency of the display screen seen through the plate surface F1 is excellent. Therefore, for example, when characters are drawn on the plate surface F1 with a material that is softer than the substrate and easily absorbs ultrasonic waves,
The character can be displayed on the display screen through the substrate. By directly writing characters, symbols, and other information on the plate surface F1 in this manner, not only can those information be input, but they can also be displayed as an image on the display screen. Further, it is also possible to output the previously stored information to the display screen by touching a predetermined portion of the plate surface F1. In this way, the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention promotes further downsizing, weight reduction and thinning of the device, has a clear screen, and can be easily operated by a beginner. The ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention adopts a structure in which the position on the plate surface F1 is an address and the table in which the information associated with the position is data is stored in advance as the information storage means. Is entered as. Therefore, the stored data can be read from that address. Further, by adopting a structure in which patterns such as characters and symbols are stored in advance as the information storage means, when the locus formed by the movement of the input position is input, the locus and the pattern are compared. The information indicated by the locus is recognized, and the pattern is used as the input information. Therefore, information such as characters drawn on the plate surface F1 can be accurately input. By adopting a piezoelectric ceramic as the substrate and adopting a structure in which the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic and the thickness direction are parallel, it is possible to efficiently excite the surface acoustic wave in the piezoelectric ceramic. Further, by utilizing the in-plane isotropy of the piezoelectric ceramic plate surface, the propagation path D _{i of the} surface acoustic wave in one ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the propagation path D in another ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. _When the structure in which _i is orthogonal to each other is adopted, the levels of the electric signals output to the one interdigital electrode Q _i and the other interdigital electrode Q _i can be made substantially the same. Therefore, not only can the circuit structure be simplified and the device can be made smaller and lighter, but the output signals can be made uniform at all times, so that the signal processing is accurate and the sensitivity is improved. Furthermore, the resolution is also increased. In order to propagate the surface acoustic wave to the plate surface of the piezoelectric ceramic, it is desirable that the thickness of the piezoelectric ceramic is three times or more the electrode period length of the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i . When the thickness of the piezoelectric ceramic is smaller than the electrode period length and is thin, the Lamb wave propagates, but if there is a mode that can function as an electronic notebook, the Lamb wave can also be used. By using a translucent piezoelectric ceramic such as La-doped zircon / lead titanate (PLZT) porcelain as the substrate, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be seen from the plate surface F1. PLZT is promising as a substrate because it is transparent and has excellent workability and durability. As the substrate, a piezoelectric single crystal such as LiNbO ₃ , LiTaO ₃ or the like can be considered in addition to the piezoelectric ceramic. These single crystals are transparent and have piezoelectricity. However, since it has anisotropy as a crystal, it may be necessary to devise it at the design stage including the electromechanical coupling coefficient, and an extra electronic circuit may be required. By using a two-layer structure substrate in which a non-piezoelectric plate and a piezoelectric thin plate are bonded as a substrate, and by adopting a structure in which the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are provided on the piezoelectric thin plate,
Surface acoustic waves can be efficiently excited on the piezoelectric thin plate. As the piezoelectric thin plate, in addition to piezoelectric ceramic, LiNbO
A piezoelectric single crystal such as ₃ , LiTaO ₃ is considered. Further, PVDF and other polymer piezoelectric films are also promising. By adopting a structure in which both the non-piezoelectric plate and the piezoelectric thin plate have a light-transmitting property, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be seen from the plate surface F1.
An ultrasonic device including a non-piezoelectric plate as a substrate, and ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means in which a piezoelectric thin plate A is provided with interdigital electrodes P _i , and an ultrasonic device T in which piezoelectric thin plate B is provided with interdigital electrodes Q _i. By adopting the structure composed of R and R, it is possible to excite a surface acoustic wave of a first-order mode or a second-order mode or more on the plate surface F1 of the substrate in a portion in contact with the ultrasonic device T. At this time, by adopting a structure in which the phase velocity of this surface acoustic wave is substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the surface acoustic wave in the substrate alone, the interdigital transducer P _i.
It is possible not only to increase the degree of conversion of the electrical energy applied from the surface acoustic waves into surface acoustic waves, but also to eliminate the reflection and the like caused by the mismatch of the acoustic impedance at the interface between the piezoelectric thin plate A and the substrate. . In this way, surface acoustic waves can be efficiently excited on the plate surface F1 of the substrate with low power consumption and without applying a high voltage. Moreover, since the area of the plate surface F1 can be made relatively large, a wide range of applications are possible. The piezoelectric thin plates A and B are provided on the plate surface F1. By adopting a structure in which the substrate made of a non-piezoelectric material has a light-transmitting property, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be displayed on the plate surface F1.
Can be seen from above. The thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate A in the ultrasonic device T is set to be equal to or less than the electrode period length of the interdigital electrode P _i , and the thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate B in the ultrasonic device R is set to be equal to or less than the electrode period length of the interdigital electrode Q _i. By adopting a structure in which the electrode period length of the electrodes P _i and Q _i is substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave in the first-order mode or in the second-order or higher modes, the electric energy applied from the interdigital transducer is the surface acoustic wave. It is possible to increase the degree of conversion to the above, and it is possible to eliminate reflection and the like caused by mismatch of acoustic impedance at the interface between the piezoelectric thin plate and the non-piezoelectric substrate. The smaller the electrode period length of the interdigital transducer, that is, the ratio (d / λ) of the thickness d of the piezoelectric thin plate to the wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave, the greater the effect. By adopting a structure in which piezoelectric ceramics are used as the piezoelectric thin plates A and B, and the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramics and the thickness direction are parallel to each other, the first mode or 2 It is possible to excite surface acoustic waves of the following modes and higher. P as piezoelectric thin plates A and B
By adopting VDF or other polymer piezoelectric film, the first-order mode or 2
It is possible to excite surface acoustic waves of the following modes and higher.
By adopting a structure in which the interdigital electrodes P _i are provided at the interface between the substrate made of a non-piezoelectric material and the piezoelectric thin plate A, and the interdigital electrodes Q _i are provided at the interface between the substrate made of a non-piezoelectric material and the piezoelectric thin plate B. , Electrical energy applied to the interdigital transducer P _i can be efficiently converted into a surface acoustic wave, and the surface acoustic wave can be efficiently converted into an electric signal in the interdigital electrode Q _i . The ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention touches the plate surface F1 with the tip of a dedicated input pen to instruct processing, recognize handwritten characters, input characters such as kana-kanji conversion, draw figures and pictures, and insert and insert lines. -Even beginners can easily perform operations such as deleting. An optional external keyboard can also be connected, allowing keyboard input. It can also support communication functions and can be connected to printers, external CRTs, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an ultrasonic electronic notebook according to the present invention.
It is a perspective view shown. In this embodiment, the touch panel unit 1, information
Processing unit 2 (illustrated in FIG. 1 because it is installed inside the main unit)
Power switch 3, disk insertion chamber
4, an input pen storage chamber 5 and a cover 6. Input pen
An input pen is stored in the storage room 5. When using
The cover 6 is lifted as shown in the figure. power
When the switch 3 is turned on, the touch panel unit 1
The procedure will be displayed step by step.
Touching the designated part of the touch panel part 1 with the input pen
You can enter information or enter information that has already been saved.
It can be displayed on the touch panel unit 1. in this way
Then, touch the touch panel unit 1 to
Indication, handwriting recognition, character input such as Kana-Kanji conversion,
Operations such as drawing of figures and pictures, line feed, insertion, deletion, etc.
It can be easily performed by beginners without al. Input pen
Characters, symbols, and other information on the touch panel 1
When the information is written, the information is sent to the information processing unit 2 and processed.
It is processed and displayed on the touch panel unit 1.
If you want to save that information to a disc,
Do this by inserting the disc into the insertion chamber 4.
U The ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention is small, lightweight and thin.
Needless to say that it is convenient to carry around,
It's built-in, so it's especially useful for writing when traveling abroad.
Is. Built-in relative management system of time and information
Because it is rare, schedule management can be done easily.
It You can easily register and manage your address book and telephone numbers. Well
It is also possible to connect an optional external keyboard
You can also use the keyboard. It can also support communication functions,
A printer, external CRT, etc. can also be connected. Figure 2
It is a top view which shows the 1st Example of the chi panel part 1. FIG. Real
The example is a piezoelectric substrate 7, a display screen 8 (not shown in FIG. 2).
I), interdigital electrodes TX, TY, RX and RY
It The piezoelectric substrate 7 has a length of 50 mm, a width of 50 mm, and a thickness of 5 m.
m piezoelectric ceramic. Of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic
The direction is parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric ceramic. The above
Each interdigital electrode is made of aluminum thin film and has a hyperbolic shape.
And is provided on one plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 7.
It The display screen 8 is provided on the other plate surface of the piezoelectric substrate 7.
Has been. The interdigital electrodes TX and TY are for input
Therefore, the interdigital electrodes RX and RY are not used for output.
Has been. Electrode distance between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX
Separation and interelectrode distance between the interdigital electrodes TY and RY
Are both 36.4 mm. In addition, the touch panel of FIG.
When the tool unit 1 is attached to the ultrasonic electronic notebook shown in FIG.
The chi-panel part 1 has a plate surface on which each interdigital electrode is provided.
It is mounted so that it faces outward, and each of the
Only the area surrounded by the striped electrodes is exposed to the outside
It is attached in a shape. FIG. 3 shows the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
It is a top view which shows the interdigital transducer TX in. Comb-shaped
The electrodes TY, RX and RY are similar to the interdigital electrodes TX.
It is shaped and has similar characteristics. Interdigital transducer T
X, TY, RX and RY have an electrode cycle length of 260 μm
390 μm with 26.5 pairs of electrode fingers and electrode crossing width of 2
It is 3.4 mm. 4 is a disconnection of the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the relationship between the interdigital transducers TX and RX.
is doing. The relationship between the interdigital electrodes TY and RY is also
This is the same as the relationship between the strip electrodes TX and RX. FIG. 5 is FIG.
Instead of the interdigital electrodes TX, TY, RX and RY
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example of a comb-shaped electrode used.
It This interdigital electrode is divided into 6 parts
However, the interdigital electrodes having such a divided shape are used.
By this, the interdigital electrodes TX, TY, RX and
The same effect as when using RY was observed. Also, FIG.
And the electrode fingers shown in Fig. 5 are hyperbolic.
If the electrode cycle length does not change,
Even if the finger is straight, it performs the same function. Figure 2
When driving the touch panel unit 1 of the
TY has a linear chirp signal whose frequency changes with time.
Signal is applied, the electrode period of the interdigital electrodes TX and TY
The frequency corresponding to the long length (260 μm to 390 μm)
Only the electric signals that it has are converted into surface acoustic waves and the piezoelectric substrate
7 is continuously propagated. Elasticity propagating through the piezoelectric substrate 7
Electrode circumference of the interdigital electrodes RX and RY of the surface wave
Only surface acoustic waves with a wavelength approximately equal to the period length are delayed electrical signals
Is converted into the interdigital transducers and output from the interdigital electrodes RX and RY.
It That is, the electrode circumferences of the interdigital electrodes TX and TY.
From the part showing the period length to the frequency almost corresponding to the electrode period length
An electric signal having a number is converted into a surface acoustic wave and the piezoelectric substrate
7, the electrode period of each of the interdigital electrodes RX and RY
Surface acoustic wave with wavelength almost equal to length is converted into delayed electric signal
Then, the electrode cycle lengths of the interdigital electrodes RX and RY are set to
It is output from the part shown. At this time, the interdigital transducer TX
Of surface acoustic wave between ID and RX and interdigital transducer TY
And the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave between RY and RY are orthogonal to each other.
It In the interdigital transducer RX, each electrode cycle length
A delayed electrical signal having a frequency component according to
In addition, in the interdigital transducer RY, each electrode cycle is also
A delayed electrical signal with frequency components depending on the length is received
It Set the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave on the piezoelectric substrate 7 to the pen of the input pen.
If you touch it with the tip, the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the contact position will disappear.
Frequency that corresponds to the contact position
The delayed electrical signal with the component disappears or decays. However
However, the pen tip of the input pen is softer than the piezoelectric substrate 7
It is made of a substance that easily absorbs waves. The contact position is like this
Can be detected from the frequency of the delayed electrical signal
Is ready. That is, the interdigital electrodes RX and
Of the delayed electrical signal appearing in
The contact position can be clarified by reading the frequency
It The ultrasonic electronic of FIG. 1 including the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
Display screen by command from computer when driving notebook
Information corresponding to the contact position appears in 8
There is. The information on the display screen 8 is viewed via the piezoelectric substrate 7.
It is designed to be used. In this way, the piezoelectric substrate 7
When the surface acoustic wave propagating in the
Surface acoustic waves propagating in the path are attenuated or disappear,
Accordingly, information corresponding to the contact position appears on the display screen 8.
Be done. In addition, information on the shape corresponding to the contact position
In the meantime, the system that keeps it displayed on the display screen 8 is installed.
ing. In this way, for example, characters are printed on the piezoelectric substrate.
When drawn on 7, display the characters on the display screen 8.
You can FIG. 6 is between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX or T
Shows the relationship between insertion loss and frequency between Y and RY.
FIG. However, in order from the top
And softer than the piezoelectric substrate 7 and easier to absorb ultrasonic waves
Characteristics when contacting the low frequency side in the quality, centered on the substance
Characteristics when contacting near the frequency, high frequency with the above substances
The characteristics when the sides are in contact are shown. Contact at insertion loss
The difference between the case with and without contact is the ultrasonic
This is a sufficient change for signal processing of the child notebook. this
In this way, the amplitude corresponding to the contact position on the piezoelectric substrate 7
By reading the frequency of the minimum dip,
The touch position can be detected. Figure 7 shows the relationship between contact position and frequency
FIG. However, when contacting the piezoelectric substrate 7,
A contact pen made of rubber having a tip of 2 mm in diameter was used.
The contact pen also has a spring to keep the contact pressure constant.
It is fixed to the fixed object via. On the other hand, the piezoelectric substrate 7
It is fixed on a movable stage. This stage
A minimum of 2 μm is moved by the stepping motor. Piezoelectric group
Read the frequency of the dip corresponding to the contact position on the plate 7
In this case, the contact pen is brought into contact with the piezoelectric substrate 7 to move the stage.
While moving, set the dip frequency at that time to the network.
It was measured by a peak analyzer. Figure 7 shows the contact pen is elastic
As a result of moving perpendicular to the propagation direction of surface waves,
That is, between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX on the piezoelectric substrate 7,
Is perpendicular to the propagation direction of the surface acoustic wave between TY and RY.
The result of drawing a straight line is shown. Good contact position and frequency
It can be seen that there is a good linear relationship. The error of the contact position is
Within 2 mm of the tip diameter, maintaining good linearity
ing. The resolution limit is determined by the wavelength order, and the pen tip
If the frequency is moved below the wavelength, the frequency shows a constant value.
You The minimum resolution of the ultrasonic electronic notebook in Fig. 1 is 0.54 mm.
Is. In this way, the contact position and frequency are
It was confirmed that there is a linear relationship and the resolution is high. Figure
8 is the number 9 input to the piezoelectric substrate 7 using a contact pen
It is a characteristic view which shows the contact position in a case. However, the contact position is
Frequency of dip corresponding to interdigital electrode RX or RY
It is detected based on the number and the characteristics of FIG. 7. This
The result is that the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention is sufficiently compatible with character input.
Indicates that it is possible. FIG. 9 shows the second part of the touch panel unit 1.
It is a top view showing an example of. In this embodiment, the piezoelectric substrate 9,
Display screen 10 (not shown in Figure 9), interdigital
Poles TX1, TX2, TX3, TY1, TY2, TY3
RX1, RX2, RX3, RY1, RY2 and RY3
Consists of. The piezoelectric substrate 9 has a length of 104 mm and a width of 104 m
It is made of a piezoelectric ceramic having a thickness of m and a thickness of 5 mm. Piezoelectric ceramic
The direction of the polarization axis is parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric ceramic
Is. Each of the interdigital electrodes is the interdigital electrode T of FIG.
Made of the same material as X, TY, RX and RY, and similar
One side of the piezoelectric substrate 9 having the same shape and performing the same function.
Is provided on the plate surface of. The display screen 10 is of the piezoelectric substrate 9.
It is provided on the other plate surface. Interdigital transducer TX
1, TX2, TX3, TY1, TY2 and TY3 are input
For the purpose of force, the interdigital electrodes RX1, RX2, RX3, R
Y1, RY2 and RY3 are used for output
It Arrangement of the interdigital electrodes for input and output (
Between the interdigital electrodes TX1 and RX1, TX2 and R
Between X2, between TX3 and RX3, between TY1 and RY1
Between TY2 and RY2 and between TY3 and RY3
2) is between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX in FIG. 2 or TY.
Is the same as the arrangement relationship seen between RY and RY. Each input
Distance between the interdigital electrodes for output and output (the interdigital)
Between electrodes TX1 and RX1, between TX2 and RX2, T
Between X3 and RX3, between TY1 and RY1, and TY2
9 between RY2 and TY3 and RY3)
It is 0 mm. Between the interdigital electrodes TX1 and RX1, T
Elasticity between X2 and RX2 and between TX3 and RX3
The surface wave propagation paths (X-direction propagation paths) are parallel to each other.
It Between the interdigital electrodes TY1 and RY1, TY2 and RY
2 and the transmission of surface acoustic waves between TY3 and RY3.
The carrying paths (propagation paths in the Y direction) are parallel to each other. In the X direction
The propagation path and the propagation path in the Y direction are orthogonal to each other. Na
By the way, the touch panel unit 1 of FIG. 9 becomes the ultrasonic electronic notebook of FIG.
When mounted, the touch panel unit 1 has each interdigital electrode.
It is attached with the plate side of the one provided facing outward,
Of the area surrounded by each interdigital electrode on the plate surface
It is mounted in such a way that only the outside is exposed. Figure 10
It is a block diagram when driving the touch panel part 1 of 9.
When the touch panel unit 1 of FIG. 9 is driven,
The generated linear chirp signal is passed through the switch
From each input interdigital transducer TX1, TX2, TX3, T
Applied to Y1, TY2 and TY3. At this time,
Striped electrodes TX1 and TY1 (hereinafter referred to as T1 group),
TX2 and TY2 (hereinafter referred to as T2 group), TX3 and
TY3 (hereinafter referred to as T3 group) are connected to each other.
Therefore, the linear chirp signal is T1, T2 and
It is sequentially applied to the interdigital electrodes of the T3 group. T1
A linear chirp signal is applied to the interdigital electrodes of the group.
Then, the electrode period length of the T1 group interdigital transducer is almost
Only electrical signals with correspondingly changing frequencies are elastic
It is converted into a surface wave and continuously propagates through the piezoelectric substrate 9. Piezoelectric
The interdigital transducer R of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the substrate 9
X1 and RY1 (hereinafter referred to as R1 group) indicate the electric power
Only surface acoustic waves with a wavelength approximately equal to the pole period length are delayed electrical
Converted to a signal and output from the R1 group interdigital transducer
To be done. That is, each electrode of the interdigital transducer of the T1 group.
Corresponds to the electrode period length from the part showing the pole period length
Electric signal with frequency is converted into surface acoustic wave and piezoelectric
Each electrode of the interdigital electrode of the R1 group that propagates through the substrate 9
A surface acoustic wave with a wavelength almost equal to the period length is converted into a delayed electrical signal.
Converted, each electrode period length of R1 group interdigital transducer
Is output from the part indicating. T2 group interdigital
When a linear chirp signal is applied to the poles, the T2 group
Frequency that changes corresponding to the electrode cycle length of the interdigital transducer
Only electric signals with a number are converted to surface acoustic waves and piezoelectric
It propagates continuously through the substrate 9. Propagating through the piezoelectric substrate 9
Of the surface acoustic waves, the interdigital electrodes RX2 and RY2 (hereinafter
(Hereinafter referred to as R2 group) is almost equal to the electrode cycle length
Only the surface acoustic wave of the wavelength is converted into the delayed electric signal and R2
It is output from the interdigital electrodes of the group. T3 group
When a linear chirp signal is applied to the interdigital transducer,
Corresponding to the electrode cycle length of three groups of interdigital electrodes
Only electrical signals with varying frequencies are transformed into surface acoustic waves.
It is exchanged and propagates continuously through the piezoelectric substrate 9. Piezoelectric substrate 9
Of the propagating surface acoustic waves, the interdigital transducer RX3 and
And RY3 (hereinafter referred to as R3 group) electrode cycle length
Only surface acoustic waves with a wavelength approximately equal to
It is converted and output from the interdigital transducer of the R3 group.
In this way, the T1, T2 and T3 group
Delayed by alternately inputting electrical signals to the striped electrodes
The electrical signals are interdigitated in the R1, R2 and R3 groups.
It can be output alternately to the poles. Interdigital electrode RX
1, RX2 and RX3 (hereinafter referred to as RX group)
The connection not only simplifies the circuit configuration,
The delayed electrical signals of the interdigital electrodes of the RX group are overlapped.
It is received in the form. Interdigital electrodes RY1, RY2 and
And RY3 (hereinafter referred to as RY group)
Not only the circuit structure is simplified, but also the RY group
The delayed electric signals of the interdigital transducers are received in the form of overlapping.
Be done. Therefore, an electric signal is applied to the interdigital transducer of the T1 group.
Elastic surface propagating through the piezoelectric substrate 9 when is input
The wave propagation path is softer than the piezoelectric substrate 9 and absorbs ultrasonic waves.
When contacted with an easy substance, the interdigital electrode of R1 group
The surface acoustic wave corresponding to the contact position disappears or decreases only
Since it decays, it has a frequency component corresponding to the contact position.
The delayed electrical signal disappears or is attenuated. Of T2 group
When an electric signal is input to the interdigital transducer, the piezoelectric
Contact the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the plate 9 with the substance
Then, the contact position is limited only to the interdigital electrode of the R2 group.
Since the corresponding surface acoustic wave disappears or attenuates,
The delayed electrical signal with the frequency component corresponding to the touch position disappears.
Disappear or decay. Electricity for the T3 group interdigital transducer
Elasticity that propagates through the piezoelectric substrate 9 when a signal is input
When the surface wave propagation path is contacted with the substance, R3 group
Surface Waves Corresponding to Contact Positions Only on the Interdigital Electrodes
Disappears or decays, and the circumference corresponding to the contact position is
The delayed electrical signal having the wave number component disappears or attenuates.
The contact position is the delayed electrical energy that disappears or decays in this way.
It can be detected from the frequency of the signal. Sanawa
Presently used in the interdigital electrodes of RX group and RY group.
Lost or attenuated delayed electrical signal
Reading the frequency of the signal and at that time the electrical signal
The interdigital electrodes that have been input (T1, T2 or T3 group
By checking the interdigital transducers in the loop)
The contact position can be clarified. Touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
When the ultrasonic electronic notebook of FIG.
Corresponding to the contact position on the display screen 10 by the command from
Information is coming out. The display screen 10
Information can be viewed via the piezoelectric substrate 9.
It Thus, the surface acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric substrate 9 is
When the propagating path is touched, the elasticity propagating in the propagating path
The surface wave is attenuated or disappears, and accordingly the display screen 10
The information corresponding to the contact position appears on. Also, the contact position
Information on the display screen 10 for a predetermined time.
It has a built-in system to let you know. in this way
Then, for example, when characters are drawn on the piezoelectric substrate 9,
Can be displayed on the display screen 10. Figure 11
[FIG. 6] is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of the touch panel unit 1.
It This embodiment is the piezoelectric substrate 7 in the first embodiment of FIG.
A two-layer structure substrate composed of a piezoelectric thin plate 11 and a non-piezoelectric plate 12
It was replaced with a board. In FIG. 11, the interdigital transducer T
The relationship between X and RX is shown. Interdigital transducer TY
And RY also have a relationship between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX.
Is the same as. The piezoelectric thin plate 11 is a TDK with a thickness of 230 μm.
Made of 101A material (product name). The thickness of the non-piezoelectric plate 12
It is made of 1.9 mm Pyrex glass. Piezoelectric thin plate 11
Is a non-piezoelectric plate 1 made of epoxy resin with a thickness of about 20 μm.
It is fixed on 2. On the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
However, the same as when driving the touch panel unit 1 in FIG.
Various driving methods are adopted. Interdigital electrodes TX and TY
By applying a linear chirp signal to the piezoelectric thin plate 11
A surface acoustic wave is excited at. Propagating through the piezoelectric thin plate 11
Surface acoustic waves are replaced by delayed electrical signals again
It is output from the electrodes RX and RY. Touch pad of FIG.
By using the flannel portion 1, elasticity on the piezoelectric thin plate 11
Contact position when contacting the surface wave propagation path with a contact pen,
Or clarify the position of the spot when exposed to laser light
Can be specified. The touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
When the ultrasonic electronic notebook shown in FIG.
Information corresponding to the contact position on the display screen 8
Is appearing. Information of display screen 8
Is a two-layer structure substrate composed of a piezoelectric thin plate 11 and a non-piezoelectric plate 12
Are being viewed. In this way, the piezoelectric thin
When the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the plate 11 is touched,
Of surface acoustic waves propagating in the propagation path of
Accordingly, the information corresponding to the contact position is displayed on the display screen 8.
The news appears. In addition, information on the shape corresponding to the contact position is stored.
The system that keeps it displayed on the display screen 8 for a fixed time is assembled.
It is embedded. In this way, for example
When drawn on the thin electric plate 11, the characters are displayed on the display screen 8.
Can be issued. FIG. 12 shows a bullet propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 12.
It is a characteristic diagram showing the velocity dispersion curve of the surface acoustic wave, elastic surface
The product of the wave number k of the wave and the thickness d of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 (kd)
Is the ratio of d to the wavelength λ of the surface acoustic wave (d / λ)
It is a figure which shows the phase velocity of each mode to do. However, piezoelectric thin
The plate 11 is the one that contacts the non-piezoelectric plate 12 of the piezoelectric thin plate 11.
Even if the plate surface (glass side plate surface) is in an electrically open state
The plate surface (air-side plate surface) that contacts one of the air is electrical
And the glass side plate surface of the piezoelectric thin plate 11
And the air side plate surface are both electrically short-circuited.
It In this embodiment, a metal thin film is formed on the plate surface of the piezoelectric thin plate 11.
The surface of the plate is electrically short-circuited by coating
ing. In this figure, "short" indicates a short-circuit state,
“Open” indicates an open state. For surface acoustic waves
Has multiple modes. Zero-order mode is the basic Rayleigh wave
And the zero-order mode is the level of the non-piezoelectric plate 3 when the kd value is zero.
As the Kd value increases as it coincides with the Illy wave velocity
Are converged to the Rayleigh wave velocity of the piezoelectric thin plate 11. 1
The cutoff frequency exists in the modes above and below, and the kd value
Converges to the shear wave velocity of the non-piezoelectric plate 12 when
is doing. In this figure, the circles indicate measured values. Figure 13
The velocity dispersion curve of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 12 is shown.
FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram for each mode for kd value or d / λ value.
It is a figure which shows the phase velocity of C. However, the piezoelectric thin plate 11 is
The glass side plate surface and the air side plate surface of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 are both electrically
And the glass side plate of the piezoelectric thin plate 11
Surface is electrically shorted and the air side plate surface is electrically open.
The one in the released state was used. Kd value is zero in zero-order mode
At that time, it agrees with the Rayleigh wave velocity of the non-piezoelectric plate 12,
Rayleigh wave of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 increases as the kd value increases.
It converges on speed. Cut-off in modes above 1st
Non-piezoelectric when frequency is present and kd value is at its minimum
It converges on the transverse wave velocity of the plate 12. The circles in this figure
The measured value is shown. FIG. 14 shows two different electrodes of the piezoelectric thin plate 11.
Effective electricity calculated from phase velocity difference under atmospheric boundary conditions
Mechanical coupling coefficient k ² FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between kd value and
It However, the piezoelectric thin plate 11 is a glass side plate of the piezoelectric thin plate 11.
Surface is electrically short-circuited and the interdigital electrode is on the air side plate surface
The one provided with (IDT) is used. kd value is almost
When the value is around 2.7 or more, k of zero-order mode ² Is in higher order mode
It shows a large value in comparison. FIG. 15 shows different piezoelectric thin plate 11.
The actual calculated from the phase velocity difference under the two electrical boundary conditions.
Effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² Showing the relationship between the value and kd value
It is a figure. However, the piezoelectric thin plate 11 is
The side plate surface is electrically opened, and the air side plate surface is combed.
The one provided with electrodes is used. K of zero-order mode ² Is high
It has a larger value than the next mode. 12-15
The zero-order surface acoustic wave propagating through the piezoelectric thin plate 11
The speed of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 alone as the kd value increases.
Converges to the velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating in the
K near ² It can be seen that indicates the maximum value. Figure 14
15 and FIG. 15, the air-side plate surface of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 has a comb shape.
An electrode is provided to electrically short-circuit or open the glass side plate surface
The electrical energy applied to the interdigital electrodes in the
The degree to which energy is converted into surface acoustic waves increases.
I understand. Zero-order mode table in the region where kd value exceeds 2.
The phase velocity of a surface wave has a very small velocity dispersion and is
Rayleigh with a single piezoelectric thin plate 11 having a sufficient thickness
It almost agrees with the surface wave velocity. This is
Without using a thick piezoelectric plate, thin piezoelectric plate and glass etc.
Desired characteristics can be achieved by layered structure with non-piezoelectric material
It is shown that. With the fourth embodiment of the touch panel unit 1
Then, the piezoelectric substrate 9 shown in FIG.
The touch panel unit 1 replaced with the two-layer structure substrate 14
Can be provided. However, the piezoelectric thin plate 13 has a thickness of 23
Made of 0 μm TDK 101A material (product name), non-piezoelectric
The plate 14 is made of Pyrex glass having a thickness of 1.9 mm.
The piezoelectric thin plate 13 is made of epoxy resin having a thickness of about 20 μm.
And is fixed on the non-piezoelectric plate 14. Touch like this
A configuration diagram when driving the panel unit 1 is shown in FIG.
Similar to the configuration diagram, when the touch panel unit 1 is driven,
Touch the propagation path of the surface acoustic wave on the thin electric plate 13 with a contact pen.
Contact position when touched, or when touched by laser light
The position of the pot can be clearly specified. Figure 16
It is a top view showing a 5th example of touch panel part 1.
In this embodiment, the piezoelectric thin plate 15, the non-piezoelectric plate 16 and the display screen 17 are used.
(Not shown in FIG. 16), interdigital electrodes TX, T
It consists of Y, RX and RY. The non-piezoelectric plate 16 has a length of 50
mm, width 50 mm, thickness 1.9 mm Pyrex glass
It consists of The piezoelectric thin plate 15 is made of TDK with a thickness of 230 μm 1.
It is made of 01A material (product name) and surrounds the surface acoustic wave propagation region.
Epoxy with a thickness of about 20 μm on the non-piezoelectric plate 16
It is fixed with a resin. Note that the
When the panel unit 1 is attached to the ultrasonic electronic notebook shown in FIG.
If the touch panel unit 1 is provided with each interdigital electrode
Is mounted so that the plate surface of the
Only the area surrounded by each interdigital electrode is exposed to the outside.
It is mounted so that it can be taken out. 17 is the touch of FIG.
It is a cross-sectional view of the panel unit 1. In FIG. 17, the interdigital transducer T
The relationship between X and RX is shown. Interdigital transducer TY
And RY also have a relationship between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX.
Is the same as. Each interdigital electrode is formed on the piezoelectric thin plate 15.
It is provided on the plate surface that is in contact with the non-piezoelectric plate 16. Figure 1
The touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
The same driving method as that for driving the unit 1 is adopted. You
Applying a linear chirp signal to the drooping electrodes TX and TY
As a result, the surface acoustic waves excited on the piezoelectric thin plate 15 are not
It is propagated to the piezoelectric plate 16. Propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 16
The surface acoustic wave is replaced by the delayed electric signal again, and the interdigital electric wave is generated.
Output from poles RX and RY. Touch panel of Figure 16
The elastic surface on the non-piezoelectric plate 16 is
The contact position when the surface wave propagation path is touched with a touch pen, or
Clarify the position of the spot when exposed to laser light
Can be specified. 16 is equipped with the touch panel unit 1
When driving the ultrasonic electronic notebook shown in Fig. 1, from the computer
Information corresponding to the contact position on the display screen 17
Is appearing. The information on the display screen 17
The information is to be viewed via the non-piezoelectric plate 16.
In this way, the surface acoustic wave propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 16
When a propagation path is touched, an elastic table propagating through that propagation path
The surface wave is attenuated or disappears, and accordingly the display screen 17
The information corresponding to the contact position appears. Also, the contact position
Information in the form corresponding to is displayed on the display screen 17 for a predetermined time
It has a built-in system. Like this
If, for example, characters are drawn on the non-piezoelectric plate 16, the
The character of can be displayed on the display screen 17. Non-piezoelectric
The velocity dispersion curve of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the plate 16 is shown in FIG.
And of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 12 shown in FIG.
It is similar to the velocity dispersion curve. Bullet propagating through the non-piezoelectric plate 16
Among the modes of surface acoustic waves, the zero-order mode has a kd value of zero.
Is equal to the Rayleigh wave velocity of the non-piezoelectric plate 16, and kd
Rayleigh wave velocity of the piezoelectric thin plate 15 increases as the value increases.
Has converged to. Cutoff frequency in modes above 1st
A non-piezoelectric plate 1 when there are numbers and kd values are the minimum of each.
It converges to a shear wave velocity of 6. FIG. 18 shows the piezoelectric thin plate 15.
Calculated from the phase velocity difference under two different electrical boundary conditions
Effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² And the relationship between kd value
FIG. However, the piezoelectric thin plate 15 is
An interdigital electrode is provided on the glass side plate surface of the
The one that is short-circuited is used. K in higher modes
² Indicates a larger value than the zero-order mode. Especially the primary mode
In k, when kd = 1.8, k ² = 17.7% maximum
It shows a large price. FIG. 19 shows two different piezoelectric thin plates 15.
Effectiveness Calculated From Phase Velocity Difference Under Electrical Boundary Condition
Electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² Is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the
is there. However, the piezoelectric thin plate 15 is the glass side of the piezoelectric thin plate 15.
An interdigital electrode is provided on the plate surface and the air side plate surface is electrically open.
I am using a state. K in higher modes ² Is the zero-order
It shows a larger value than the code. Figures 12, 13, 18 and
19 to 19, the non-piezoelectric plate 16 of the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.
The velocity of surface acoustic waves in the first and higher modes propagating in the
When the velocity of the surface acoustic wave propagating through the electric plate 16 alone is equal to
k ² It can be seen that indicates the maximum value. 18 and 19
Therefore, the interdigital electrode is provided on the glass side plate surface of the piezoelectric thin plate 15.
In the structure where the air side plate surface is electrically short-circuited,
The electric energy applied to the drooping electrode is a surface acoustic wave.
It can be seen that the degree of conversion to becomes large. Touchpad
When a surface acoustic wave is excited on the non-piezoelectric plate 16 of the channel section 1,
At the interface between the piezoelectric thin plate 15 and the non-piezoelectric plate 16, the acoustic impedance
It is necessary to consider reflections etc. caused by mismatch of
is there. A touch panel is a means of minimizing the reflection coefficient.
Velocity of the surface wave of the non-piezoelectric plate 16 alone
Design the touch panel unit 1 so that the speed is the same.
Of the thickness d of the piezoelectric thin plate 15 with respect to the wavelength λ of the surface wave.
Set the touch panel unit 1 so that the ratio (d / λ) becomes small.
Designing etc. is mentioned. When d value is constant
Is more effective in the second-order mode than the third-order mode and the first-order mode than the second-order mode.
is there. As a sixth embodiment of the touch panel unit 1, FIG.
The piezoelectric substrate 9 shown in FIG.
An electric thin plate 17 is provided in the same arrangement as the piezoelectric thin plate 15 of FIG.
It is possible to provide the touch panel unit 1. However, pressure
The electro-thin plate 17 is made of TDK's 101A material (made by TDK) having a thickness of 230 μm.
Product name), and the non-piezoelectric plate 18 is a 1.9 mm thick pyre.
Composed of glass. The piezoelectric thin plate 17 has a thickness of about 20 μm.
Fixed on the non-piezoelectric plate 18 with an epoxy resin
It Configuration for driving such touch panel unit 1
The diagram is similar to the configuration diagram shown in FIG.
Propagation of surface acoustic waves on the non-piezoelectric plate 18 during driving of the channel section 1.
Contact position when contacting the road with a contact pen, or laser
-It is possible to clearly specify the position of the spot when illuminated.
You can

According to the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention, it continuously changes substantially corresponding to the electrode cycle length of the interdigital transducer P _i (i = 1, 2, ..., N). electrical signal having a frequency, for example by frequency over time to adopt a structure for inputting the linear chirp signal which varies linearly in the interdigital electrodes P _i, the interdigital electrodes P _i of the portion corresponding to the respective interdigital periodicity A surface acoustic wave having a wavelength substantially equal to the electrode period length can be continuously excited on the plate surface F1 of the substrate according to the electrode crossing width. Moreover, surface acoustic waves can be efficiently excited with low power consumption and without applying a high voltage. Interdigital transducer Q _i (i =
1, 2, ..., N) are used for output, and a structure is adopted in which the directional axes for transmitting and receiving the surface acoustic wave are common to the interdigital transducer P _i , so that the plate surface F1 is excited. Each of the generated surface acoustic waves can be efficiently output as an electric signal from the interdigital transducer Q _i . At this time, electric signals having frequencies substantially corresponding to the wavelengths of the respective surface acoustic waves are continuously output from the interdigital electrodes Q _{i in} the portion having the electrode cycle length substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic waves. The electric signal continuously output from the interdigital transducer Q _i functions as a position signal indicating the position on the plate surface F1. Surface acoustic wave propagation path D _i (i = 1, 2, ..., N)
When a part of the surface of the plate is touched by the pen tip of the input pen, the surface acoustic wave corresponding to the contact position among the surface acoustic waves excited on the plate surface F1 is attenuated or disappears. Therefore, the position signal output to the interdigital transducer Q _i in the portion corresponding to the contact position is also attenuated or disappeared. In this way, the contact position can be specified as the information input position based on the position signal. That is, the position can be specified by adopting a structure in which the input position by the input pen is detected from the attenuating component of the frequency component in the position signal output to the interdigital transducer Q _i . At this time, as the frequency band output to the interdigital transducer Q _i is flatter, the detection sensitivity of the attenuation frequency component is improved, the signal processing is facilitated, and the circuit configuration is simplified. An example of the interdigital electrode having a flat frequency band structure is a hyperbolic interdigital electrode. Thus, the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention has a short response time and good sensitivity. Provided at least two ultrasonic transmitter means to the plate surface F1, and the channel D _i of the surface acoustic wave in one ultrasonic transmitter means, thereby mutually orthogonal and channel D _i in another ultrasonic transmitter means By adopting the structure, the pen tip of the input pen or the contact position of the spot of the laser beam on the plate surface F1 can be specified more delicately. This is to find the crossing portions of mutually orthogonal propagation paths D _i based on the attenuated frequency components of the frequency components of the position signal output from each interdigital transducer Q _i in each ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means, This is because the copy can be specified as the input position. In addition, the size of the substrate can be increased by increasing or decreasing the number of ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means or adjusting the size of the interdigital transducers P _i and Q _{i according to} the size of the substrate. It is possible to finely specify the contact position without being affected by. The N switches S _i (i = 1, 2) in which the output ends of the interdigital electrodes Q _i are electrically connected to each other at a connection point M, and the output ends are connected to the input ends of the interdigital electrode P _i , respectively. , ……, N)
And an electric signal can be sequentially input to the interdigital transducer P _i by adopting a structure in which the switches S _i are electrically interrupted in a predetermined cycle. The propagation path D _i can be specified from the position of the switch S _i connected when the position signal of which the magnitude changes among the position signals appearing at the connection point M is detected. For example, when a part of the propagation path D ₁ of the propagation path D _i is brought into contact with the pen tip of the input pen, the electric signal is output to the connection point M only when the electric signal is input to the interdigital transducer P _1. The position signal decays or disappears.
In this way, it becomes clear that the input position is included in the propagation path D ₁ of the propagation paths D _i . Further, a structure for inputting a linear chirp signal to the interdigital transducer P _i is adopted, and a structure for detecting the input position from a component that attenuates among the frequency components in the position signal output to the interdigital electrode Q _i is adopted. Therefore, it is possible to specify the input position included in the propagation path D _i more delicately. The ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention includes information processing means,
Means for storing information as information processing means, means for detecting information corresponding to the specified input position as input information, and information detected by the input information detecting means is displayed on the display screen for a predetermined time. And a structure including a display screen of a display device that is displayed in at least one color on the other plate surface F2 of the substrate. However, the above information is the information to be entered,
Alternatively, the information is already stored and is output on the display screen based on the input position. Further, a translucent structure is adopted as the substrate. That is, a structure in which the display and the keyboard are integrated is adopted.
Moreover, the transparency of the display screen seen through the plate surface F1 is excellent. Therefore, when characters are drawn on the plate surface F1,
The character can be displayed on the display screen through the substrate. By directly writing characters, symbols, and other information on the plate surface F1 in this manner, not only can those information be input, but they can also be displayed as an image on the display screen. Further, it is also possible to output the previously stored information to the display screen by touching a predetermined portion of the plate surface F1. In this way, the ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention promotes further downsizing, weight reduction and thinning of the device, has a clear screen, and can be easily operated by a beginner. The input position is input as an address by adopting a structure in which a table in which the position on the plate surface F1 is an address and the information associated with the position is data is stored in advance as the information storage means. Therefore, the stored data can be read from that address. Further, by adopting a structure in which patterns such as characters and symbols are stored in advance as the information storage means,
When the locus formed by the movement of the input position is input, the locus and the pattern are compared, the information indicated by the locus is recognized, and the pattern is used as the input information. Therefore, information such as characters drawn on the plate surface F1 can be accurately input. By adopting a piezoelectric ceramic as the substrate and adopting a structure in which the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic and the thickness direction are parallel, it is possible to efficiently excite the surface acoustic wave in the piezoelectric ceramic. Further, by utilizing the in-plane isotropy of the piezoelectric ceramic plate surface, the propagation path D _{i of the} surface acoustic wave in one ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means and the propagation path D in another ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. _When the structure in which _i is orthogonal to each other is adopted, the levels of the electric signals output to the one interdigital electrode Q _i and the other interdigital electrode Q _i can be made substantially the same. Therefore, not only can the circuit structure be simplified and the device can be made smaller and lighter, but the output signals can be made uniform at all times, so that the signal processing is accurate and the sensitivity is improved. Furthermore, the resolution is also increased.
La-added zircon / lead titanate (PLZT) as substrate
By adopting a translucent piezoelectric ceramic such as a porcelain, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be seen from the plate surface F1. As the substrate, a piezoelectric single crystal such as LiNbO ₃ , LiTaO ₃ or the like can be considered in addition to the piezoelectric ceramic. These single crystals are transparent and have piezoelectricity. However, since it has anisotropy as a crystal, it may be necessary to devise it at the design stage including the electromechanical coupling coefficient, and an extra electronic circuit may be required. A two-layer structure substrate in which a non-piezoelectric plate and a piezoelectric thin plate are adhered to each other is used as the substrate, and a structure in which the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are provided on the piezoelectric thin plate is adopted. Can be excited. As the piezoelectric thin plate, a piezoelectric single crystal such as LiNbO ₃ , LiTaO ₃ or the like can be considered in addition to the piezoelectric ceramic. Further, PVDF and other polymer piezoelectric films are also promising. By adopting a structure in which both the non-piezoelectric plate and the piezoelectric thin plate have a light-transmitting property, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be seen from the plate surface F1. An ultrasonic device including a non-piezoelectric plate as a substrate, and ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means in which a piezoelectric thin plate A is provided with interdigital electrodes P _i , and an ultrasonic device T in which piezoelectric thin plate B is provided with interdigital electrodes Q _i. By adopting the structure composed of R and R, it is possible to excite a surface acoustic wave of a first-order mode or a second-order mode or more on the plate surface F1 of the substrate in a portion in contact with the ultrasonic device T. At this time, by adopting a structure in which the phase velocity of this surface acoustic wave is substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the surface acoustic wave in the substrate alone, the electric energy applied from the interdigital transducer P _i is converted into the surface acoustic wave. It is possible not only to increase the degree of vibration, but also to remove reflection and the like caused by mismatch of acoustic impedance at the interface between the piezoelectric thin plate A and the substrate. In this way, surface acoustic waves can be efficiently excited on the plate surface F1 with low power consumption and without applying a high voltage. Moreover, since the area of the plate surface F1 can be made relatively large, a wide range of applications are possible. The piezoelectric thin plates A and B are provided on the plate surface F1. By adopting a translucent structure as the substrate, characters, symbols and other information appearing on the display screen can be seen from the plate surface F1. The thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate A in the ultrasonic device T is set to be equal to or less than the electrode period length of the interdigital electrode P _i , and the thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate B in the ultrasonic device R is set to be equal to or less than the electrode period length of the interdigital electrode Q _i. By adopting a structure in which the electrode period length of the electrodes P _i and Q _i is substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave in the first-order mode or in the second-order or higher modes, the electric energy applied from the interdigital transducer is the surface acoustic wave. It is possible to increase the degree of conversion into a large amount and to eliminate reflection and the like caused by mismatch of acoustic impedance at the interface between the piezoelectric thin plate and the substrate. Piezoelectric thin plates A and B
By adopting a piezoelectric ceramic as the element and adopting a structure in which the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic is parallel to the thickness direction, the surface acoustic wave of the first-order mode or the second-order mode or more is efficiently excited on the substrate. can do. Also,
By adopting a polymer piezoelectric film such as PVDF as the piezoelectric thin plates A and B, it is possible to efficiently excite the first-order mode or the second-order or higher-order mode surface acoustic waves on the substrate. Provided interdigital electrodes P _i at the interface between the substrate and the piezoelectric thin A, by adopting a structure in which the IDT Q _i at the interface between the substrate and the piezoelectric sheet B, electricity applied to the interdigital electrodes P _i Energy is efficiently converted into surface acoustic waves, and the surface acoustic waves are efficiently interleaved electrode Q.
It can be converted into an electrical signal at _i . In this way, the ultrasonic electronic notebook according to the present invention can be used to input the plate surface Z1 with the input pen.
By touching, you can easily perform processing instructions, recognition of handwritten characters, character input such as kana-kanji conversion, drawing of figures and pictures, and line feed / insertion / deletion even without a manual. In addition, it is small, lightweight and thin, so it is convenient to carry, and it has a built-in dictionary function, which is especially useful for writing when traveling abroad. Schedule management can also be facilitated by incorporating a relative time and information management system. You can easily register and manage your address book and telephone numbers.
An optional external keyboard can also be connected, allowing keyboard input. It also supports communication functions, and can be connected to a printer, external CRT, etc.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an ultrasonic electronic notebook of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a first embodiment of the touch panel unit 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a comb-shaped electrode TX in the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the interdigital electrodes TX, TY, RX and R of FIG.
The top view which shows one Example of the interdigital transducer used instead of Y.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship of insertion loss with respect to frequency between the interdigital electrodes TX and RX or between TY and RY.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a contact position and a frequency.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a contact position when the numeral 9 is input to the piezoelectric substrate 7 using a contact pen.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a second embodiment of the touch panel unit 1.

10 is a configuration diagram when driving the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the touch panel unit 1.

FIG. 12 is a characteristic diagram showing a velocity dispersion curve of a surface acoustic wave propagating through a non-piezoelectric plate 12.

FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing a velocity dispersion curve of a surface acoustic wave propagating through a non-piezoelectric plate 12.

FIG. 14 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² and the kd value calculated from the phase velocity difference of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 under two different electrical boundary conditions.

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² and the kd value calculated from the phase velocity difference of the piezoelectric thin plate 11 under two different electrical boundary conditions.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a fifth embodiment of the touch panel unit 1.

17 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel unit 1 of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² and the kd value calculated from the phase velocity difference of the piezoelectric thin plate 15 under two different electrical boundary conditions.

FIG. 19 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k ² and the kd value calculated from the phase velocity difference of the piezoelectric thin plate 15 under two different electrical boundary conditions.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Touch Panel Section 2 Information Processing Section 3 Power Switch 4 Disc Insertion Room 5 Input Pen Storage Room 6 Cover 7 Piezoelectric Substrate 8 Display Screen 9 Piezoelectric Substrate 10 Display Screen 11 Piezoelectric Thin Plate 12 Non-Piezoelectric Plate 13 Piezoelectric Thin Plate 14 Non-Piezoelectric Plate 15 Piezoelectric Thin Plate 16 non-piezoelectric plate 17 display screen 18 non-piezoelectric plate TX, TY, RX, RY interdigital electrode TX1, TX2, TX3 interdigital electrode TY1, TY2, TY3 interdigital electrode RX1, RX2, RX3 interdigital electrode RY1, RY2, RY3 Interdigital electrode

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A substantially transparent substrate and at least two ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means X provided on one plate surface F1 of the substrate.
And Y, a display screen of a display device which is provided on the other plate surface F2 of the substrate and is displayed in at least one color, a means for exciting a surface acoustic wave on the plate surface F1, and the plate surface. And a means for specifying a position on F1 touched by the pen tip of the input pen as an input position based on a position signal representing a position on the plate surface F1 and a means for processing information corresponding to the input position. A sound wave electronic notebook, wherein the information processing means stores information, means for detecting information corresponding to the specified input position as input information, and the information detected by the input information detecting means. Means for keeping the display screen displayed for a predetermined time, each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means having N sets of interdigital transducers P _i (i).
= 1, 2, ..., N) and N sets of interdigital electrodes Q _i (i = 1, 2, ...) Corresponding to the interdigital electrodes P _i , respectively.
, N), and the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are the interdigital electrodes P _i.
And Q _i have a structure in which the electrode period lengths thereof continuously change along a direction parallel to the center line, and the interdigital transducer P _i is connected to the surface acoustic wave exciting means, From the excitation means, the interdigital transducer P _i
Receiving an electric signal of a frequency that continuously changes substantially corresponding to the electrode period length of the electrode, excites a surface acoustic wave on the plate surface F1, and the interdigital electrode Q _i is formed by the interdigital electrode P _i. The position signal corresponding to the surface acoustic wave excited by F1 is output, and the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i have a one-to-one correspondence with the directional axis of the transmission and reception of the surface acoustic wave in common. The interdigital transducers P _i in the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means X.
Propagation path D _i (i = 1, 2, ..., N) of the surface acoustic wave composed of the plate surface F1 from the to the comb-shaped electrode Q _i
And the propagation path D _i in the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means Y are orthogonal to each other, and the respective output ends of the interdigital transducer Q _i are electrically connected to each other at a connection point M, and the elasticity is The output end of the surface wave excitation means is the interdigital electrode P.
_i N pieces connected respectively to the input terminals of the switches S _i (i
, 1, 2, ..., N) and switch control means for sequentially electrically connecting and disconnecting the switches S _i at a predetermined cycle, and the input position specifying means includes the position appearing at the connection point M. The propagation path D _i including the input position is specified based on the position of the switch S _i connected when the position signal whose magnitude changes in the signal is detected,
The frequency component of the position signal whose magnitude changes is investigated, the attenuated frequency component of the frequency component is sensed, and on the plate surface F1 based on the respective attenuated frequency components of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means. An ultrasonic electronic notebook, comprising means for specifying the input position, wherein the input position and the attenuation frequency component have a substantially linear relationship. 2. The information storage means stores in advance a table in which a position on the plate surface F1 is an address and information associated with the address is data, and the input information detecting means is the input position specifying means. By inputting the input position specified by
The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 1, wherein the data read from the address is used as the input information. 3. The information storage means stores in advance patterns such as characters and symbols, and the input information detection means includes a locus formed by the movement of the input position specified by the input position specifying means and the The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 1, wherein the pattern read out from the information storage means is compared by a pattern matching method, and the pattern represented by the locus is used as the input information. 4. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 1, wherein the input information detecting means uses the input position specified by the input position specifying means as the input information. 5. The substrate is made of a substantially transparent piezoelectric ceramic, and the direction of the polarization axis of the piezoelectric ceramic is parallel to the thickness direction of the piezoelectric ceramic. Ultrasonic electronic notebook as described in. 6. The substrate has a two-layer structure in which a substantially transparent non-piezoelectric plate is provided with a substantially transparent piezoelectric thin plate, and the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are provided on the piezoelectric thin plate. The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4. 7. An ultrasonic device T in which the substrate is a substantially transparent non-piezoelectric plate, and each of the ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving means has a piezoelectric thin plate A provided with the interdigital electrodes P _i , and a piezoelectric thin plate B is provided with the ultrasonic device T. comprising providing the interdigital electrodes Q _i consists of a ultrasound device R, the piezoelectric sheet a and B are provided on the plate surface F1, a thickness of the piezoelectric sheet a electrode of the interdigital electrode P _i A period length or less, a thickness of the piezoelectric thin plate B is less than or equal to an electrode period length of the interdigital electrode Q _i , and the electrode period lengths of the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are in a primary mode or a secondary mode or more. Is substantially equal to the wavelength of the surface acoustic wave of the mode, and the phase velocity of the surface acoustic wave of the first-order mode or the second or higher modes is substantially equal to the propagation velocity of the surface acoustic wave excited in the single non-piezoelectric plate. Claim 1, characterized in that
The ultrasonic electronic notebook according to 2, 3, or 4. 8. The piezoelectric thin plate A or B is fixed to the non-piezoelectric plate by the plate surface on which the interdigital electrodes P _i and Q _i are provided. Ultrasonic electronic notebook.