JPH10289061A - Display device having touch panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display device having a touch panel which obtains a stroke feeling, using a touch panel and also does not make operation mistakes by performing a tracing operation and erroneously touching. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a touch panel holding mechanism which pushes and holds a touch panel 4 with a prescribed stroke, a pushing detection switch 32 which detects the pushing of the panel 4 and a locking mechanism 20 which blocks the pushing of the panel. Further, it is provided with a switch use area setting circuit 34 which sets a switch use area 4a that is used as a switch in the panel 4, a coincidence detection circuit 36 which detects the overlapping of the area 4a that is set by the circuit 34 and an operation position that is detected by an operation position detection circuit 6 and a gate circuit 40 which usually blocks the pass of an operation position signal PS that is given from the circuit 6, releases the blocking with an output signal AS that calculates AND of a coincidence detection signal CS outputted from the circuit 36 and a pushing detection signal S8 outputted from the switch 32 and passes the signal PS.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a display device with a touch panel used for, for example, FA (factory automation) equipment, vending machines, automatic ticket vending machines, information equipment, home electric appliances, medical operation equipment, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 schematically shows a conventional example of this type of display device with a touch panel.

This display device with a touch panel has a structure in which a touch panel 4 is arranged and fixed on the upper surface of a display panel 2 having an information display function or in the vicinity thereof.

[0004] A typical example of the display panel 2 is a liquid crystal display.

[0005] The touch panel 4 has M
It has a large number (M × N) of switch units arranged in a matrix of rows × N examples (M and N are integers equal to or greater than 1; the same applies hereinafter). Each switch section can be operated with almost no pushing stroke, that is, touching or lightly pushing.
The touch panel 4 has two types of n (n = n = n = n) indicating the position on the X axis for two-dimensionally representing the operated position.
, N) and the position component signal Y of m (m = 1,..., M) representing the position on the Y axis.
Output S. The touch panel 4 is transparent or translucent to transmit light from the lower display panel 2. A typical example of the touch panel 4 is a resistive touch panel.

[0006] Position component signals XS and YS from the touch panel 4 are input to an operation position detection circuit 6. The operation position detection circuit 6 determines the coordinates (X _n , Y Y) of the operation position on the touch panel 4 based on both operation position components XS and YS.
_m ) is detected, and an operation position signal PS representing the operation position is detected.
Is output. Therefore, the operated position of the touch panel 4 can be known from the operation position signal PS.

[0007]

The touch panel 4 constituting the above-mentioned display device with a touch panel has the advantages that it can be made extremely thin and has a high degree of freedom in setting an area actually used as a switch. Although there is
As described above, since the pressing stroke of the switch unit is almost 0, even if the switch unit is pressed, the touch (that is, the stroke feeling) of pressing is not obtained.

Further, since the switch portion of the touch panel 4 can be operated by pressing the switch portion with a stroke of almost 0, that is, just touching the touch panel, the touch panel 4 can be used to erroneously touch the surface of the touch panel 4 or check the display contents of the display panel 2. There is a case where the switch unit of the touch panel 4 is operated by mistake just by tracing the surface of the touch panel 4.

The above-mentioned problem also exists in the case where the touch panel 4 is of a type other than the resistive type, such as an ultrasonic type, a photoelectric type, or a capacitive type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a display device with a touch panel that can provide a stroke feeling while using a touch panel and that does not cause an erroneous operation due to a tracing operation or an erroneous touch.

[0011]

A display device with a touch panel according to the present invention includes a touch panel holding mechanism for holding the touch panel so that the touch panel can be pressed with a predetermined stroke, and a push detection signal by detecting that the touch panel is pressed. A push detection switch to output, a switch use area setting means for setting a switch use area used as a switch on the touch panel, a switch use area set by the switch use area setting means, and an operation detected by the operation position detection means. Compare with the position,
A coincidence detecting means for outputting a coincidence detection signal when the former and the latter overlap, and always preventing the touch panel from being pushed in, and in response to a coincidence detection signal output from the coincidence detection means, performing the inhibition. A lock mechanism for releasing, and always blocking passage of an operation position signal given from the operation position detection means, and releasing the blocking when the push detection signal is given from the push detection switch to release the operation position. Gate means for passing a signal and outputting the signal.

According to the above configuration, when the switch operation area on the touch panel is touched or operated, a coincidence detection signal is output from the coincidence detection means. When the coincidence detection signal is given, the lock mechanism releases the lock (blocking), so that the touch panel can be pushed.

When the touch panel is pressed in this state, the touch panel can be pressed with a predetermined stroke, so that a stroke feeling can be obtained. At the same time, a push detection signal is output from the push detection switch. When this push-in detection signal is given, the gate means releases the block, and passes and outputs the operation position signal given from the operation position detection means.

As described above, when the switch use area on the touch panel is operated, the touch panel can be depressed. When the touch panel is further depressed in this state, an operation position signal is output from the gate means. Simply touching or performing a tracing operation does not output an operation position signal from the gate means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a tracing operation or an erroneous touch.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an example of a mechanical portion of a display device with a touch panel according to the present invention. The left half is omitted because it is symmetrical with the right half (FIG. 4 is also shown). Similar). FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an electric circuit of the display device with a touch panel according to the present invention. Parts that are the same as or correspond to those in the conventional example of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and differences from the conventional example will be mainly described below.

First, the mechanism will be described. Referring mainly to FIG. 1, this display device with a touch panel, in this example, houses the display panel 2 as described above in a case 8 and places the display panel 2 near its upper part. The touch panel 4 as described above is arranged.

The display panel 2 only needs to have an information display function. The display panel 2 has a backlight, etc., whether the information to be displayed is fixed information, variable information, self-luminous or not. Or not. For example, the display panel 2 is typically a liquid crystal display, but may also be an EL (electroluminescent) display,
It may be a plasma display, a thin CRT, an LED array, a combination of a nameplate or liquid crystal shutter for displaying information and a luminous body or reflector for illuminating the shutter, or a mere paper or plate on which information is described. Among them, the liquid crystal display is relatively inexpensive, and can easily cope with setting and changing the number, size, arrangement, and the like of the switch use area 4a (see FIG. 2) of the touch panel 4.

If the display panel 2 is extremely thin, such as paper or a sheet, it may be mounted on the back of the touch panel 4 and the display panel 2 may be moved up and down together with the touch panel 4. .

It is preferable that the display panel 2 displays the contents selected by operating the switch use area 4a in the vicinity of the lower part of each switch use area 4a of the touch panel 4. The selection and operation of the switch use area 4a can be facilitated.

The touch panel 4 is, for example, of a resistive film type, and is formed by forming transparent electrodes arranged in a matrix of M rows × N columns on a transparent substrate. Department. From the touch panel 4, as described above, the position component signals XS and Y as described above for representing the operated position in two dimensions.
S is output.

The touch panel 4 is, in addition to the resistive type, a photoelectric touch panel for detecting the operation position by intermittently or attenuating the light emitted from the light emitting element into the light receiving element with a finger or the like, An ultrasonic touch panel that detects the operating position by intermittently or attenuating the ultrasonic waves emitted from the oscillating element into the receiving element with a finger or the like, and an electrostatic touch panel that detects the position touched by a finger or the like due to a change in capacitance. A capacitive touch panel or the like may be used.

The touch panel 4 is held by a touch panel holding mechanism 10 which enables the touch panel 4 to be pushed with a predetermined stroke as shown by an arrow A in FIG.
In this example, the touch panel holding mechanism 10 includes a transparent or translucent touch panel supporting plate 12 that supports the touch panel 4, a plurality of columns 14 that support the touch panel supporting panel 12 movably up and down, and winding around each column 14. A spring (for example, a compression coil spring) 16 that elastically pushes up the touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 is provided. A gap 18 is provided between the touch panel support plate 12 and the display panel 2 to secure a pressing stroke of the touch panel 4. If the stroke of pressing the touch panel 4 is, for example, 0.5 mm to 1 mm or more, a sufficient stroke feeling can be obtained. The elastic force of the spring 16 is set such that the touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 can be returned. Therefore, it is easy to push the touch panel 4 or the like against the elastic force of the spring 16.

The touch panel support plate 12 is provided to reinforce the touch panel 4. When a portion corresponding to the touch panel 4 is hollowed out to have a frame shape, it may be formed of an opaque member. If the touch panel 4 itself has such a strength that it is not deformed by the pressing operation, the touch panel support plate 12 may not be provided.

A push detection switch 32 for detecting that the touch panel 4 has been pressed and outputting a press detection signal SS (see FIG. 2) is provided in the case 8. This push-in detection switch 32 may be provided singly, or may be provided at a plurality of positions on the periphery of the touch panel 4. In this example, the push detection switch 32 is pressed by an operation piece 30 provided on the lower surface of the end of the touch panel support plate 12 to be turned on, and the push detection signal S
Output S. The push detection switch 30 is
It may be a contact type such as a contact switch or a non-contact type such as a photoelectric switch.

In the case 8, a lock mechanism 20 for preventing the touch panel 4 from being pushed down at all times and releasing the inhibition in response to a coincidence detection signal CS outputted from a coincidence detection circuit 36 described later. Is provided. This lock mechanism 20 may be one, but in order to lock the touch panel 4 with good balance, the touch panel 4
Are preferably provided at a plurality of locations on the peripheral edge of the rim.

In this example, each lock mechanism 20 elastically moves the plunger 24 and the like in the direction opposite to the arrow B by pulling the plunger 24 to which the support 28 is coupled as shown by the arrow B. (For example, a compression coil spring) 26. The support 28 is
In this example, only the lower surface of the touch panel support plate 12 is brought into contact. The elastic force of the spring 26 is so strong that it is difficult to push the touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 etc. against the elastic force with the normal pressing force of the operator. However, by driving (exciting) the solenoid body 22, the plunger 24 and the like can be pulled in against the elastic force of the spring 26. In this example, the solenoid body 22 is driven by the coincidence detection signal C
This is performed by the drive circuit 29 (see FIG. 2) that amplifies S.

Next, an electric circuit will be described. Referring mainly to FIG. 2, this display device with a touch panel is provided with a switch use area setting circuit in addition to the operation position detecting circuit 6 described above. 34, a coincidence detection circuit 36, an AND circuit 38, a gate circuit 40, and the like.

The operation position detection circuit 6 detects the operation position (X _n , Y _m ) of the touch panel 4 based on the position component signals XS and YS given from the touch panel 4 as in the case of the conventional example. An operation position signal PS representing the operation position is output. When the position component signals XS and YS output from the touch panel 4 are analog signals, the signals are converted into digital signals through an A / D converter (not shown) and then input to the operation position detection circuit 6. Is also good.

The switch use area setting circuit 34 sets one or more switch use areas 4a actually used as switches on the touch panel 4. That is, as described above, the touch panel 4 has a large number of switch units arranged in a matrix on its surface, but not all of them are usually used as switches. Use as The area to be used as the switch use area 4a is set by the switch use area setting circuit 34. This switch use area 4a
Is an area for selecting a destination, a fee, and the like, for example, in the case of a ticket vending machine.

The coincidence detection circuit 36 compares the switch use area 4a set by the switch use area setting circuit 34 with the operation position detected by the operation position detection circuit 6, and when the two overlap, that is, the set switch When the used area 4a and the detected operation position partially or entirely coincide with each other, a coincidence detection signal CS is output. To put it simply, if any one of the switch use areas 4a used as switches on the touch panel 4 is operated with a finger or the like, the match detection circuit 36 outputs the match detection signal CS.

The coincidence detection signal CS output from the coincidence detection circuit 36 is, in this example, a drive circuit 2 for amplifying it.
9 to the solenoid body 22 of the lock mechanism 20 described above. However, when the coincidence detection signal CS has enough power to drive the solenoid main body 22, the drive circuit 29 is unnecessary.

The coincidence detection signal CS is further supplied to an AND circuit 38 in this example. This AND circuit 38
The coincidence detection signal CS and the push detection switch 32
(AND) with the push-in detection signal SS given by
D), and outputs an output signal AS having a logical value "1" when both signals are given.

The operation position signal PS output from the operation position detection circuit 6 is not output to the outside as it is as in the prior art, but is passed through a gate circuit 40 which determines whether the operation position signal PS passes or not. Is output to That is, the gate circuit 40 always blocks the passage of the operation position signal PS given from the operation position detection circuit 6,
When the output signal AS is given from the AND circuit 38, the block is released and the operation position signal PS is passed and output. More specifically, the gate circuit 40 is a kind of AND circuit, and when the operation position signal PS from the operation position detection circuit 6 and the output signal AS from the AND circuit 38 are both supplied, the operation position signal PS And output.

The operation position detection circuit 6, switch use area setting circuit 34, coincidence detection circuit 36, AND circuit 38, and gate circuit 40 may be collectively constituted by a microcomputer.

An operation example of the display device with a touch panel will be described. When an operator operates the touch panel 4 by touching the touch panel 4 or the like, regardless of whether the position is the switch use area 4a or the other area 4b. The position component signals XS and YS corresponding to the operation position are output, the operation position is detected (analyzed) by the operation position detection circuit 6, and the operation position signal PS representing the operation position is output from the operation position detection circuit 6. Is done. However, in this state, the operation position signal PS is blocked by the gate circuit 40 and is not yet output to the outside. Further, even when the area 4b other than the switch use area 4a is operated, the pressing of the touch panel 4 is prevented by the lock mechanism 20.
Can not be pushed.

Switch use area 4a on touch panel 4
Is operated for the first time, a coincidence detection signal CS is output from the coincidence detection circuit 36 by the above-described operation, and in response to the coincidence detection signal CS, the solenoid body 22 in the lock mechanism 20 operates, and the lock mechanism 20 stops its operation. Release the state (locked state). As a result, the touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 are held only by the weak elastic force of the spring 16 of the touch panel holding mechanism 10, and when the touch panel 4 is further pressed in this state, the touch panel 4 is pressed with a predetermined stroke. Because of this, it is possible to obtain a stroke feeling of being pushed. Therefore, the operational feeling as a switch becomes very good. At the same time, the push-in detection switch 32 is turned on, and then the push-in detection signal SS is output.

In this case, the coincidence detection signal CS is already supplied from the coincidence detection circuit 36 to the AND circuit 38, and the push-in detection switch SS is supplied with the push-in detection signal SS. Is output and supplied to the gate circuit 40.
The gate circuit 40 has already been supplied with the operation position signal PS from the operation position detection circuit 6, and further receives the output signal AS, so that the gate circuit 40 passes and outputs the operation position signal PS. The operation position signal PS output in this manner is transmitted to the switch use area 4a on the touch panel 4.
Indicates the position of the operated switch use area 4a.

How to use the operation position signal PS output from the gate circuit 40 is arbitrary. For example, it may be used for performing a process according to the contents of the operated switch use area 4a (issuing a ticket in the case of a ticket vending machine) or according to the contents of the operated switch use area 4a. The displayed contents may be displayed on the display panel 2 (in the case of a ticket vending machine, for example, a destination list or a fee list is displayed).

When the hand is released from the touch panel 4, the output of the position component signals XS and YS is stopped, the output of the coincidence detection signal CS and the output of the operation position signal PS are stopped, and the excitation of the solenoid body 22 of the lock mechanism 20 is excited. Is stopped, the spring 16 of the touch panel holding mechanism 10 is stopped.
In this example, the elastic force of the spring 26 of the lock mechanism 20 also contributes to the return of the touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 in addition to the elastic force described above. By both these elastic forces,
The touch panel 4 and the touch panel support plate 12 quickly return to their original positions.

In a state where the touch panel 4 is pressed down, the operator moves his / her finger on the area 4 other than the switch use area 4a.
A circuit that does not release the excitation of the solenoid main body 22 of the lock mechanism 20 when moved to the position b may be added. By doing so, the touch panel 4 can be used during the tracing operation.
Is not accidentally released and the touch panel 4 comes up, so that it is possible to prevent the operator from feeling uncomfortable.

As described above, in the display device with a touch panel, the touch panel 4 can be pushed when the switch operation area 4a on the touch panel 4 is touched or operated, and when the touch panel 4 is further pushed in that state, the gate circuit is opened. Since the operation position signal PS is output from the outside to the outside, the operation position signal PS is not output from the gate circuit 40 simply by touching the touch panel 4 by mistake or performing a tracing operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a tracing operation or an erroneous touch. Therefore, for example, erroneous operation does not occur even if a person with visual impairment or a person with low vision performs a tracing operation or the like.

In the display device with a touch panel, not only a stroke feeling can be obtained as described above, but also if the touch panel 4 is pressed at the same time as touching the switch use area 4a without performing a tracing operation, an instant of pressing is obtained. Since the lock of the lock mechanism 20 is released and the force required for pushing is suddenly reduced, a click feeling can also be obtained. Therefore, also for this reason, the operational feeling as a switch becomes very good.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the operation position signal PS output from the operation position detection circuit 6 is directly output to the outside without passing through the gate circuit 40 separately from the signal passing through the gate circuit 40. You may do it. Since the directly output operation position signal PS is also output at the time of the drag operation of the touch panel 4, by using this, the information of the operation position at the time of the drag operation can be expressed by voice, the screen of the display panel 2, or the like. Will be possible. For example, when a tracing operation is performed on the switch use area 4a of the touch panel 4, information (a destination, a fee, etc. in the case of a ticket vending machine) corresponding to the contents of the switch use area 4a is expressed by voice, a screen, or the like. Can be. Further, when the area 4b other than the switch use area 4a of the touch panel 4 is traced, it can be expressed by voice or a screen that the operation unit is not the switch use area 4a. In this way, it is very convenient for people who are blind or deaf.

As in the example shown in FIG. 3, the push-in detection signal SS output from the push-in detection switch 32 is directly supplied to the gate circuit 40 without providing the AND circuit 38, and the gate circuit 40 is supplied by the push-in detection signal SS.
May be canceled so that the operation position signal PS is output from the gate circuit 40. Even in such a case, since the push detection signal SS is used for the gate of the operation position signal PS, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a tracing operation or the like by substantially the same operation as in the example of FIG. . In addition, since the AND circuit 38 becomes unnecessary, the circuit configuration is simplified.

However, in the example of FIG. 3, the coincidence detection signal CS
Is not in the AND condition for releasing the gate of the gate circuit 40, the switch use area 4a of the touch panel 4 is not
When the area 4b other than the area 4b is forcibly pushed, the push detection switch 32 outputs the push detection signal SS, the gate in the gate circuit 40 is released, and the operation position signal PS is output to the outside. That is, the operation position signal PS in an area other than the switch use area 4a is also output to the outside. Even in such a case, it is possible to cause a subsequent processing circuit to determine whether the operation position signal PS is from the switch use area 4a or from the other area 4b. This is because the operation position signal PS indicates the operation position. On the other hand, if the AND circuit 38 is provided as in the example of FIG. 2, the operation position signal PS is output from the gate circuit 40 only when the switch use area 4a of the touch panel 4 is pressed, so that the later Signal processing and its circuitry are simplified.

As described above, a click sensation can be produced in the example of FIG. 1 as well, but a click sensation generating mechanism 42 may be further provided as in the examples shown in FIGS. Referring mainly to FIG. 5, the click feeling generating mechanism 42 includes a ball 46 housed in the recess 44 of the operation piece 30 described above, a spring (for example, a compression coil spring) 48 for elastically pushing the ball 46, A projection 50 is provided on the side wall 8a of the case 8 facing the operation piece 30. The ball 46 is always located immediately above the projection 50. In order to push down the touch panel 4 as shown by arrow C, a relatively large force is initially required for the ball 46 to get over the projection 50, but once the ball 46 gets over the projection 50, the resistance suddenly decreases and It suddenly becomes lighter, so that a clear click feeling can be obtained. However, the click feeling generating mechanism 42 may have a structure other than the above structure.

The lock mechanism 20 may operate in the horizontal direction as in the example shown in FIG. The lock mechanism 20 of this example includes an engagement hole 54 provided on a side surface of the operation piece 30 described above, an engagement protrusion 52 inserted into and engaged with the engagement hole 54,
A solenoid main body 22, a plunger 24 and a spring 26 as described above for moving the engagement projection 52 back and forth in the lateral direction as shown by the arrow D are provided. In a state in which the solenoid body 22 is not excited, the engagement protrusion 52 is pushed into the engagement hole 54 by the elastic force of the spring 26 and both are engaged, thereby preventing (pressing) the touch panel 4 from being pushed. ing. When the solenoid body 22 is excited, the engagement protrusion 52 is pulled out of the engagement hole 54, the two are disengaged, and the lock is released.

[0048]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the touch panel is unlocked when the switch is used by touching the switch use area on the touch panel. When the touch panel is further pressed in this state, the touch panel can be pressed with a predetermined stroke. , A stroke feeling can be obtained. Therefore, the operational feeling as a switch becomes very good.

Further, if the touch panel is pressed at the same time as touching the switch use area without performing the tracing operation, the lock mechanism is unlocked at the moment of the pressing, and the force required for the pressing is suddenly reduced, so that the clicking feeling can be reduced. Obtainable. Therefore, also for this reason, the operational feeling as a switch becomes very good.

Further, the operation position signal is blocked by the gate means only when the switch use area on the touch panel is operated, and is not output to the outside. In this state, when the touch panel is further depressed, the operation position signal is output from the gate means. Since the signal is output to the outside, the operation position signal is not output from the gate means simply by erroneously touching the touch panel or performing a tracing operation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation due to a tracing operation or an erroneous touch.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the block in the gate means is released by the logical product of the coincidence detection signal output from the coincidence detection means and the push-in detection signal output from the push-in detection switch. So
When an area other than the switch use area of the touch panel is pressed, the operation position signal is not output from the gate circuit,
Since the operation position signal is output from the gate circuit only when the switch use area of the touch panel is depressed, subsequent signal processing and the circuit are simplified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a click feeling generating mechanism for generating a click feeling when the touch panel is pressed is further provided, so that a clearer click feeling can be obtained. Therefore, the operational feeling as a switch is further improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the operation position signal output from the operation position detecting means is output to the outside without passing through the gate means, separately from the signal passing through the gate means. Therefore, by using the operation position signal output without passing through the gate means, the information on the operation position at the time of the tracing operation can be expressed by voice, the screen of the display panel, or the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a mechanical unit of a display device with a touch panel according to the present invention, and a left half is omitted because it is symmetrical with a right half.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of an electric circuit of the display device with a touch panel according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing another example of an electric circuit of the display device with a touch panel according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the mechanism of the display device with a touch panel according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view around a click feeling generating mechanism in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of the lock mechanism.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional display device with a touch panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Display panel 4 Touch panel 4a Switch use area 6 Operation position detection circuit 10 Touch panel holding mechanism 20 Lock mechanism 32 Push detection switch 34 Switch use area setting circuit 36 Match detection circuit 38 AND circuit 40 Gate circuit 42 Click feeling generation mechanism

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A display panel having an information display function, and a transparent or translucent touch panel disposed above and near the display panel and outputting one or more types of position component signals for indicating an operated position. And an operation position detecting means for detecting an operation position of the touch panel based on a position component signal from the touch panel and outputting an operation position signal representing the operation position. A touch panel holding mechanism that holds the touch panel so that the touch panel can be pushed, a push detection switch that detects that the touch panel is pushed, and outputs a push detection signal, and a switch that sets a switch use area to be used as a switch on the touch panel Area setting means and switch use area setting means By comparing the switch use area set in the above with the operation position detected by the operation position detection means,
A coincidence detecting means for outputting a coincidence detection signal when the former and the latter overlap, and always preventing the touch panel from being pushed in, and in response to a coincidence detection signal output from the coincidence detection means, performing the inhibition. A lock mechanism for releasing, and always blocking passage of an operation position signal given from the operation position detection means, and releasing the blocking when the push detection signal is given from the push detection switch to release the operation position. A display device with a touch panel, comprising: gate means for passing and outputting a signal. 2. The blocking means according to claim 1, wherein said blocking is released by a logical product of a coincidence detection signal output from said coincidence detection means and a press detection signal output from said press detection switch. The display device with a touch panel according to the above. 3. The display device with a touch panel according to claim 1, further comprising a click feeling generating mechanism for generating a click feeling when the touch panel is pressed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation position detection signal output from the operation position detection means is output to the outside without passing through the gate means, separately from the signal passing through the gate means. 4. The display device with a touch panel according to 2 or 3.