JPH11224156A - Plane input type pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a plane input type pointing device which can hold a couple of detecting elements at a uniform interval and indicate coordinate data accurately corresponding to a finger pressure input position. SOLUTION: The pointing device 10 is equipped with sheet type 1st and 2nd detecting elements 16 and 22 having resistance layers 14 and 20 arranged on the top surfaces of insulating substrates 12 and 18 and a sheet type spacer 24 which is arranged between both the detecting elements 16 and 22 and holds the interval between the both. The spacer 24 has many rectangular through holes 26 and allows both the resistance layers 14 and 20 to short-circuit through a through hole 26 when the detecting elements 16 and 22 deform. The substrate 12 of the 1st detecting element 16, the substrate 18 of the 2nd detecting element 2, and the spacer 24 are punched integrally out of one sheet material. The electrode couple 32 of the 1st detecting element 32 and the electrode couple 34 of the 2nd detecting element 22 are electrically insulated by the spacer when the detecting elements 16 and 22 are put one over the other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coordinate input device used in a data processing device such as a personal computer, and more particularly to a coordinate input device in which a pair of conductive sheets are opposed to each other, and a short-circuit position is generated by pressing and deforming the conductive sheets. The present invention relates to a planar input type pointing device that detects two-dimensional coordinate data by detecting a position of the input device, and has high reliability in operation characteristics and can reduce manufacturing cost.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Among digital data processing apparatuses having a display and a keyboard, such as personal computers, particularly, in a portable small data processing apparatus called a notebook type, an operator inputs analog information by hand. For example, a housing-incorporated pointing device that designates two-dimensional coordinate data on a display has been widely used. Conventionally, as one type of the casing-incorporated pointing device, the finger pressure contact point is slid along the surface of a sheet-like detection element incorporated on the upper surface of the casing of the processing apparatus to move the acupressure point. A plane input type pointing device for inputting a direction and a moving distance is known.

A conventional flat input type pointing device generally includes a pair of sheet-like detection elements each having an electrically insulating substrate and a resistance layer provided on the substrate surface. These detection elements are superposed at intervals with the resistance layers facing each other. The interval between the two detection elements is ensured by a large number of dot spacers distributed on the surface of the resistance layer of one of the detection elements. The dot spacer suppresses at least the deformation of the detection element due to its own weight and maintains the interval between the two detection elements, while permitting a short circuit between the two resistance layers when any of the detection elements is deformed under the pressing force. .

[0004] Each detection element further comprises a pair of electrodes or electrode pairs respectively disposed along opposing edges of the resistive layer. In a pair of overlapping detection elements, each electrode pair is arranged at a position different from each other by 90 degrees. A predetermined voltage is alternately applied to both resistance layers between each pair of electrodes. In this state, when a desired position on the outer surface of the substrate of one of the detection elements is pressed with, for example, a finger, the two resistance layers are short-circuited to each other at the pressed part, and the resistance layer on the side to which no voltage is applied corresponds to the position of the pressed part. The partial pressure is measured. The two-dimensional coordinates of the pressed portion are specified by measuring the partial pressure alternately generated in the two resistance layers in this manner.

[0005] As a method of forming the above-mentioned dot spacers, screen printing or offset printing is generally used. However, a large number of dot spacers are formed at a desired height (generally several tens of μm).
m) is difficult to form, and in order to solve such a problem, a forming method using an ultraviolet curable resin as a spacer material has been proposed (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 60-2).
22918 and JP-A-1-295322). In this method, an ultraviolet-curing resin layer is applied to the surface of the resistance layer of the detection element, and a mask having a large number of dot-shaped transparent portions in an arbitrary dispersed arrangement is applied to the ultraviolet-curing resin layer, and ultraviolet light is irradiated from above. After curing the respective portions of the ultraviolet curable resin layer overlapping the dot-shaped transparent portions, the uncured portions are removed to form a number of dot spacers having a desired height.

[0006]

In the flat input type pointing device described in each of the above publications, the dot spacers are formed by exposing the ultraviolet curing resin layer adhered to the resistance layer of the detection element to ultraviolet light. A dot spacer having a desired height suitable for detecting the dot can be obtained. However, in such a spacer forming method, since a large number of dot spacers are individually formed on the resistance layer, there is a problem that the height of the formed dot spacers is likely to vary. Similar problems occur when dot spacers are formed by screen printing or offset printing. When a flat input type pointing device is formed with a large number of dot spacers having variations in height, there is a problem that the resistive layers are short-circuited at unintended parts other than the acupressure position, making it difficult to give an accurate input instruction. Therefore, there is a problem that high reliability cannot be obtained.

Further, a pair of electrodes in each detection element is
A portion of a conductive strip that is patterned on the substrate surface, and between a pair of overlapping sensing elements, each conductive strip may have a portion that overlaps due to the pattern. In this case, an electrically insulating resist film is applied to the conductive strip including the electrodes, so that a short circuit between the conductive strips of both detection elements can be reliably prevented. However, in this case, a step of forming a resist film is required, which not only complicates the manufacturing process of the planar input type pointing device, but also causes the conductive strips to be separated from each other when the resist film has a defect such as a pinhole. There is a concern that the electrical insulation of the steel may decrease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a flat input type pointing device having a spacer capable of holding a pair of detecting elements arranged opposite to each other at a uniform and desired interval, and capable of indicating coordinate data accurately corresponding to the acupressure input position. Is to provide. Another object of the present invention is to simplify the step of forming a spacer and to simplify the step of electrically insulating and coating a conductive strip patterned on the substrate surface of each detecting element. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flat input type pointing device capable of reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining a high level.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 comprises an electrically insulating substrate and a resistive layer provided on the surface of the substrate. Is provided with a pair of sheet-like detecting elements arranged opposite to each other, and a spacer that separates the detecting elements from each other and allows a short circuit between the two resistive layers when the substrate is deformed. In the planar input type pointing device that indicates the coordinate data, the spacer is formed of an electrically insulating plate having a large number of through holes, is sandwiched between a pair of detection elements, and has both resistances through the through holes. Provided is a pointing device which is characterized in that a short circuit between layers is allowed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device of the first aspect, the substrates of the pair of detection elements are connected to each other, and the substrate of one of the detection elements and the spacer are connected to each other. Provided is a planar input type pointing device in which a pair of a detection element and a spacer are stacked by being bent at a connection portion thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pointing device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the spacer is formed of the same material as the substrate of the detection element.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the pointing device according to the third aspect, wherein the substrate and the spacer of the pair of detection elements are integrally formed by punching out from one sheet material. Provide an input type pointing device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the pointing device according to the fourth aspect, an adhesive layer is disposed on an outer edge region of one surface of the blank punched from the sheet material, and the adhesive layer includes: Provided is a planar input type pointing device in which a substrate and a spacer of a pair of detection elements are bonded to each other.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar components are denoted by common reference numerals. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a flat input type pointing device 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as a pointing device 10) according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state. FIG. 2 is an assembled state of the pointing device 10 of FIG. FIG.

The pointing device 10 includes an electrically insulating substrate 12 and a resistance layer 1 provided on the surface of the substrate 12.
And a sheet-like second detection element 22 having an electrically insulating substrate 18 and a resistance layer 20 provided on the surface of the substrate 18. The substrate 12 and the resistance layer 14 of the first detection element 16 and the second
The substrate 18 and the resistance layer 20 of the detection element 22 have substantially the same rectangular planar shape as each other. The detection elements 16 and 22 are provided between the substrates 12 and 18 and the resistance layer 14.
The resistance layers 14, 20 are opposed to each other in a state where they are aligned with each other in a position and an outer shape, and are superposed at intervals.

Between the first detecting element 16 and the second detecting element 22, a sheet-like spacer 24 for keeping a space therebetween is arranged. The spacer 24 is formed of an electrically insulating plate having a large number of rectangular through holes 26, and includes first and second spacers.
While at least the deformation of the detection elements 16 and 22 due to its own weight is suppressed to maintain the distance between the two detection elements 16 and 22, when one of the detection elements 16 and 22 is deformed under the pressing force, the detection element 16 or 22 is inserted through the through hole 26. A short circuit between the resistance layers 14 and 20 of the two detection elements 16 and 22 is allowed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the substrate 12 of the first detection element 16, the substrate 18 of the second detection element 22,
4 are integrally formed from one sheet material through a punching process of a press machine. As a result, the first detection element 1
6 and the substrate 18 of the second detection element 22 are integrally connected to each other via a connection portion 28 formed at a substantially central position of the first short sides 12a and 18a by a punching process. In addition, the substrate 12 and the spacer 24 of the first detection element 16 are connected to the connecting portion 30 formed substantially at the center of the first long sides 12b and 24b by the punching process.
Are integrally connected to each other.

With respect to the substrate 12 of the first detecting element 16 and the substrate 18 of the second detecting element 22 thus integrally formed, the resistance layers 14 and 20 are respectively formed on the same surface of the sheet material.
Is provided. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer 24 is bent and overlapped on the resistance layer 14 of the first detection element 16 at the connection part 30, and then the second detection element 22 is bent on the spacer 24 at the connection part 28. By overlapping
The pointing device 10 is manufactured.

The first detecting element 16 further includes a pair of electrodes 32, that is, an electrode pair 32, each of which is electrically connected to the resistive layer 14 and disposed on an edge region along the opposite short side 14a of the resistive layer 14. . Similarly, the second detection element 22 further includes a resistive layer 2 on an edge region along the opposing long side 20 b of the resistive layer 20.
There is provided a pair of electrodes 34, that is, an electrode pair 34, each of which is electrically connected to zero. Therefore, these detecting elements 1
When the electrodes 6 and 22 are overlapped, each electrode pair 32, 3
4 are arranged at positions different from each other by 90 degrees.

Each of the electrode pairs 32 of the first detection element 16 and the electrode pair 34 of the second detection element 22 is composed of a portion of a conductive strip patterned on the surfaces of the substrates 12, 18 and the resistance layers 14, 20. . The other portion 36 of the conductive strip acting as a lead from each electrode 32 of the first detecting element 16 is laid on the outer edge region of the substrate 12 according to the pattern shown in FIG.
Are collectively arranged on a connector portion 38 integrally extending from the connector portion 38.
Similarly, another portion 40 of the conductive strip, which acts as a lead from each electrode 34 of the second sensing element 22, is connected to the outer peripheral region of the substrate 18 via the connecting portion 28 according to the pattern shown in FIG. 12 and are collectively arranged on a connector portion 38 provided on the substrate 12.

When the two detecting elements 16 and 22 are overlapped with each other, each conductive strip having the above-mentioned pattern has a portion arranged so as to overlap with each other (see FIG. 2). In the pointing device 10, a sheet-like spacer 24 for maintaining the interval between the two detection elements 16, 22 is also interposed between the overlapping conductive strips, thereby ensuring electrical insulation between the conductive strips. .

In the outer edge regions of the first detection element 16 and the second detection element 22, an adhesive layer 42 is disposed on one surface of the blank punched from the above-described sheet material. FIG.
The adhesive layer 42 is laminated on the conductive strip portion of each of the detection elements 16 and 22 as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows the components of the pointing device 10 in an enlarged manner in the thickness direction. In actuality, the adhesive layer 42 is formed of the substrates 12 and 18 other than the conductive strips and the resistance layer 14,
It should be understood that they are also located in the outer edge region of the twenty.
The first detecting element 16 and the spacer 24 and the strip 24 and the second detecting element 22 are fixed to each other by the adhesive layer 42 arranged in this manner.

The pointing device 10 having the above configuration is used by being incorporated in a housing of a small data processing device such as a personal computer, similarly to a conventionally known flat input type pointing device. At this time, the outer surface of one of the substrates 12 and 18 of the first detection element 16 and the second detection element 22 is disposed so as to be exposed near the keyboard of the processing apparatus housing. Resistance layer 1 of both detection elements 16 and 22
The electrode pairs 4 and 20 are connected to the respective electrode pairs 32 and 34 via conductive strips connected to the power supply circuit at the connector section 38.
A predetermined voltage is alternately applied during the period. In this state, when a desired position on the outer surfaces of the substrates 12 and 18 of one of the detection elements 16 and 22 is pressed with, for example, a finger, the resistance layers 14 and 2 are pressed at the pressed portions.
0 are short-circuited to each other via the through hole 26 of the spacer 24, and the partial pressure corresponding to the pressed portion, that is, the short-circuit position is measured on the resistance layers 14 and 20 on the side where no voltage is applied. By measuring the partial pressures alternately generated in the resistance layers 14 and 20 in this manner, the two-dimensional coordinates of the pressed portion are specified. Therefore, the operator can input the moving direction and the moving distance of the acupressure point as analog information by sliding the finger along the exposed outer surface of the detecting element of the pointing device 10. The data processing device converts this analog information into a coordinate data signal in the orthogonal two-axis coordinate system, and moves a character or cursor on the display in a desired direction by a desired distance.

In order to improve the operability of the pointing device 10, the substrates 12, 18 of one of the detection elements 16, 22 exposed from the processing apparatus housing (FIG. 2).
Then, it is preferable to attach an electrically insulating protective film 46 via an adhesive layer 44 to the outer surface of the substrate 18) of the second detection element 22 in order to prevent physical damage.
Further, the other detection element 1 housed in the processing apparatus housing.
6 and 22 (the first detection element 16 in FIG. 2).
The pointing device 10 is provided on the outer surface of the substrate 12).
It is preferable to attach an electrically insulating reinforcing plate 50 via an adhesive layer 48 in order to improve the mechanical strength.
Further, although not shown, it is preferable to similarly attach an electrically insulating reinforcing plate to the outer surface of the connector portion 38 extending from the substrate 12 via an adhesive layer.

An example of a manufacturing process of the pointing device 10 having the above configuration will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. First, in step P1, a large number of rectangular planar resistive layers are provided at predetermined positions on the surface of an electrically insulating film-like sheet material by, for example, screen printing. Here, polyethylene terephthalate can be suitably used as the sheet material. As the resistance layer, a carbon paste can be suitably used. It is desirable to anneal the sheet material made of polyethylene terephthalate in advance to prevent shrinkage. Next, in step P2, the resistance layer provided on the sheet material is dried.

In step P3, conductive strips including electrodes are provided at predetermined positions on the surface of the sheet material and the resistance layer in a predetermined pattern by, for example, screen printing. Here, the conductive strip is Ag-C (silver carbon mixture)
Can be suitably used. Next, in step P4, the conductive strip is dried. In step P5, a sheet material,
At a predetermined position on the surface of the resistive layer and the conductive strip, an adhesive layer is provided by, for example, screen printing, and Step P6
To dry the adhesive layer. Next, in Step P7, release paper is attached to substantially the entire surface of the sheet material via the adhesive layer.

In step P8, an electrically insulating protective film is attached to the back surface (the surface opposite to the resistance layer) of each portion of the sheet material corresponding to the substrate of the second detection element via an adhesive layer. Further, an electrically insulating reinforcing plate is attached to the back surface of each portion of the sheet material corresponding to the connector portion extending from the substrate of the first detection element via an adhesive layer. Here, an acrylic plate with a grain can be preferably used as the protective film.

In step P9, guide holes for positioning the first and second detection elements and spacers corresponding to one pointing device with respect to the press machine are formed in the outer peripheral area of the sheet material. Next, in Step P10, the sheet material positioned using the guide holes is punched together with the release paper by a press machine, and one of the pointing devices including the first and second detection elements and the spacers integrally connected to each other is provided. Form a blank. At this time, it is desirable that a large number of through holes be punched and formed in each portion of the sheet material corresponding to the spacer simultaneously with the punching of the outer shape of the first and second detection elements and the spacer.

In Step P11, after the release paper is removed,
The spacer is bent at the connection portion so as to cover the resistance layer of the first detection device and overlaps with the first detection device, and then the second detection device is bent at the connection portion so as to cover the spacer and is overlapped with the spacer and adhered. The first and second detection elements and the spacer are fixed to each other via the agent layer. Finally, in Step P12, a reinforcing plate, preferably made of an acrylic plate, is attached to the back surface of the substrate of the first detecting element. Thus, the pointing device 10 shown in FIG. 2 is manufactured.

According to the pointing device 10 having the above-described structure, in order to maintain the distance between the first detection element 16 and the second detection element 22, the spacer formed from the same sheet material as the two detection elements 16, 22 is used. Since 24 is used, the interval between the two detecting elements 16 and 22 can be kept uniform as long as the thickness of the sheet material is uniform.
In addition, since this interval can be easily adjusted by selecting the thickness of the sheet material, that is, the thickness of the spacer 24, a desired interval suitable for detecting the acupressure position can be easily and reliably set. Therefore, pointing device 1
In the case of 0, it is possible to indicate coordinate data that exactly corresponds to the acupressure input position.

Further, according to the pointing device 10, the use of the sheet-shaped spacer 24 eliminates the dot spacer and the insulating resist film in the conventional flat input type pointing device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cost of the material and the forming process of the dot spacer and the insulating resist film, and
Further, the spacer 24 is connected to the first and second detection elements 16 and 22.
By simultaneously forming them, the manufacturing process can be simplified. In addition, since the spacers 24 punched from the sheet material have no defects such as pinholes that may occur in the insulating resist film, the electrical insulation between the conductive strips of the first and second detection elements 16 and 22 is highly maintained. can do.

[0032]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a spacer capable of holding a pair of detecting elements arranged opposite to each other at a uniform and desired interval is provided so as to accurately correspond to the acupressure input position. A plane input type pointing device capable of designating coordinate data is provided. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the step of forming the spacer can be simplified, and the step of electrically insulating and coating the conductive strip including the electrode patterned on the substrate surface of each detection element can be simplified,
Thus, it is possible to effectively reduce the manufacturing cost while maintaining the operation reliability of the flat input type pointing device at a high level.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a pointing device according to an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded state.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the pointing device of FIG. 1 at the time of assembly; the right half corresponds to line AA in FIG. 1;
FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to line BB of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of the pointing device of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pointing device 12, 18 ... Substrate 14, 20 ... Resistive layer 16 ... 1st detection element 22 ... 2nd detection element 24 ... Spacer 26 ... Through-hole 28, 30 ... Connection part 32, 34 ... Electrode 38 ... Connector part 42 … Adhesive layer

Claims (5)

[Claims] An electric insulating substrate and a resistive layer provided on the surface of the substrate are provided, respectively. A pair of sheet-like detecting elements in which the resistive layers are arranged to face each other, and the detecting elements are mutually connected. A planar input pointing device that includes a spacer that is separated from the substrate and that allows a short circuit between the two resistance layers when the substrate is deformed, and that indicates coordinate data corresponding to the position of the short circuit between the two resistance layers. A flat input type pointing device comprising an electrically insulating plate having a hole, sandwiched between the pair of detection elements, and allowing a short circuit between the two resistance layers through the through hole. 2. The substrate of the pair of detection elements is connected to each other, the substrate of one of the detection elements and the spacer are connected to each other, and the pair of detection elements and the spacer are connected to each other. The planar input type pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the planar input type pointing device is stacked by being bent at a connecting portion of (1). 3. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed of the same material as the substrate of the detection element. 4. The flat input pointing device according to claim 3, wherein the substrate and the spacer of the pair of detection elements are formed integrally by punching out one sheet material. 5. An adhesive layer is disposed on an outer edge region of one surface of a blank punched from the sheet material, and the adhesive layer bonds the substrate and the spacer of the pair of detection elements to each other. The pointing device according to claim 4, wherein the pointing device is used.