JPH1124838A - Input and output device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an input/output device of a simple constitution which excels in both operability and visibility by using a display panel consisting of an immobile material held between the electrodes as a display element layer and having no easy change of distance between both electrodes as a display means. SOLUTION: A display panel which consists of an immobile material held between the electrodes as a display element layer and has not an easy change of distance between both electrode is used as a display means. In such a constitution, the display of the display means never suffers a fatal effect from the pressure applied from the viewing side and accordingly no special component element is not needed for eliminating such an effect. As a result, an input/output device can simplify its constitution. Furthermore, a liquid crystal display screen 2 is put on a switch matrix substrate 1, for example. Thus, an input switch 7 can be pressed on the substrate 1 when the screen 2 is directly pressed since the screen 2 is made of a flexible sheet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (EL) panel widely used in OA equipment such as copiers, facsimile machines and printers, personal computers and word processors, and also in electronic equipment such as handy terminal equipment and portable information communication equipment. The present invention relates to an input / output device (user interface device) provided with the above.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an input / output device of this type, for example, an input / output device used for an OA device such as a copying machine or a facsimile or a control panel of an electronic device, the operation information of the device and the operation information are not included. There is known an information input display such as a liquid crystal display screen which displays a corresponding virtual operation button, and which can input control information such as a function selection or a copy number instruction to the device by pressing the virtual operation button. .

Techniques relating to such an input / output device include, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Sho 62-139025, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-124542, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-332602, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Sho 63-247819. Has already been proposed.

The operation panel switch according to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. Sho 62-139025 is an operation panel switch for performing a large number of displays, and a membrane switch having a plurality of transparent electrodes is arranged on the upper surface of a dot matrix liquid crystal display element. It is configured as follows.

In the switch mechanism using the liquid crystal display panel according to Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 3-124542, a switch mechanism for controlling various functions of an electronic device displays a group of symbols representing various functions of the electronic device. A liquid crystal display panel, a memory unit for storing a symbol group for a plurality of screens, a transparent pressure-sensitive sensor provided on the front surface of the liquid crystal panel and switched to a function corresponding to the displayed symbol group, An interface for switching the function of the pressure sensor and a backlight for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from the back are provided.

Further, the information processing apparatus according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-332602 includes a liquid crystal display for displaying various information, a pressure-sensitive touch panel stretched on the front of the liquid crystal display, and It is displayed, and at the time of display, a software keyboard that receives the coordinate position input on the display from the pressure-sensitive touch panel, and a key on the upper surface in accordance with the key arrangement of the software keyboard that is placed or removed on the front of the software keyboard. A button-shaped projection is provided, and a keyboard input auxiliary unit with a projection is provided on the surface of the projection, which displays characters corresponding to the key character arrangement of the software keyboard by printing or the like.

On the other hand, a touch panel input / output device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-247819 has a display device in which a display screen is formed as a group of a large number of character areas, and a matrix-like display provided on the screen. Wherein the size of one section area for detecting one coordinate is substantially equal to the section of the character area, and the display pitch of the character area of the display device and the size of the section area of the digital touch switch are different. In a touch panel input / output device having a digital touch switch having substantially the same detection pitch, a partition area of the digital touch switch is overlapped with a character area of the display apparatus by being shifted by a half pitch in each of the X direction and the Y direction. It is configured to be arranged.

FIG. 24 is an exploded view showing a specific structure of a control panel of a conventional copying machine among various techniques proposed as described above. In such a conventional structure,
The information input display includes a transmissive liquid crystal display screen 21 formed by laminating glass plates, and a touch panel 22 superposed on the display screen 21, and a panel panel having an opening 23. Reference numeral 24 covers the information input display. The touch panel 22 is formed by forming a matrix of a transparent conductive thin film of ITO or the like at a predetermined pitch (for example, 4 mm pitch) on two glass substrates, and then bonding these glass substrates with a slight gap. When an arbitrary position on the touch panel 22 is pressed,
The opposing conductive thin films are locally contacted by the pressing force to cause electrical continuity, and the CPU circuit 25 is configured to specify the pressed position on the touch panel 22 based on the level change of the output signal. . In the drawing, reference numeral 26 denotes a fluorescent lamp for illuminating the liquid crystal display screen 21 from behind, reference numeral 27 denotes a light diffusing plate for diffusing irradiation light of the fluorescent lamp 26 over the entire surface of the liquid crystal display screen 21, and reference numeral 28 denotes the fluorescent lamp. 26 is an inverter circuit for lighting 26.

In such a conventional information input display, a virtual operation button corresponding to a function used by the device is displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 21 so that the user can press the virtual operation button. Since the virtual operation button is pressed from above, whether or not the virtual operation button has been pressed can be checked from the relationship between the pressed position on the touch panel 22 and the display position of the virtual operation button. Therefore, in the conventional control panel having such an information input display, a plurality of functions can be assigned to one virtual operation button by changing the display contents of the liquid crystal display screen 21 for each used function. The number of physical operation buttons provided above could be significantly reduced.

[0010]

However, in the conventional information input display, since the touch panel is provided in front of the liquid crystal display screen, the contrast of the display screen is reduced, and the display contents are difficult to see. In consideration of the legibility of the displayed contents, the liquid crystal display screen has to be of a transmissive type and a backlight has to be provided on the back side as described above.

Further, since the touch panel or the liquid crystal display screen uses a glass plate as a substrate, when the user strongly presses the touch panel, for example, when the sensitivity of the touch panel is deteriorated, the pressing force is applied to the touch panel. There was also concern that the glass plate would crack.

On the other hand, if an operation button used frequently, such as a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, is displayed on the information input display as a virtual operation button, the appearance of the control panel becomes clearer, but the operability is adversely affected. There is. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 24, in the conventional control panel, operation buttons 29 such as numeric keys which are frequently used are provided separately from the information input display. A switch matrix substrate 31 on which the switches 30 are arranged is provided. Since the switch matrix substrate 31 is arranged side by side with the touch panel 22 described above, assembling the switch matrix substrate 31 makes it easy to assemble the control panel and can be expected to lower the manufacturing cost.

However, the switch matrix substrate 31 covered by the panel plate 24 may be any type of input switches 30 as long as the pressing force of the operation button 29 can be converted into an electric signal. However, there is a restriction that the above-mentioned touch panel 22 must be transparent, and there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases when both are integrated and manufactured.

In order to protect the liquid crystal panel from the pressing force, a study was made on a technique for combining the liquid crystal panel and the cushioning material, and as a result, the following JP-A-7-114010, JP-A-6-75210, and JP-A-6-75210 were disclosed. 6-7521
No. 3, JP-A-6-75701, JP-A-8-3
It has been found that a number of patent applications have already been filed as disclosed in JP-A-27975, JP-A-6-337411 and JP-A-7-209635.

A liquid crystal display device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-114010 has a liquid crystal display portion having a liquid crystal display element,
A light transmitting portion disposed on the display side of the liquid crystal display portion and transmitting light; and a light transmitting portion interposed between the light transmitting portion and the liquid crystal display portion, wherein a refractive index of the light transmitting portion is higher than a refractive index of air. A buffer made of a material having a refractive index close to that of the transmitting portion and having a degree of flexibility capable of substantially absorbing the deformation of the light transmitting portion.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-75210,
JP-A-6-75213, JP-A-6-75701, and JP-A-8-327975 propose techniques relating to a liquid crystal display device and a method of manufacturing the same.

Of these, the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-75213
In the liquid crystal display device according to the publication, a tablet plate is provided on the liquid crystal display panel to enable handwriting input. In the liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display panel and the transparent protective plate on the viewing side thereof have a transparent adhesive having a buffering property. The adhesive layer is adhered with an adhesive resin, and the difference in the refractive index of the adhesive layer with respect to both objects to be adhered is 0.2 or less.

Further, the liquid crystal display device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-327975 is configured such that a tablet plate is closely attached to the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel via a transparent resin sheet having a buffer property and a weak adhesive property. Things.

Furthermore, the structure for preventing light scattering in the liquid crystal display device and the method of manufacturing the same according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-337411 are directed to a liquid crystal cell, a buffer layer formed on the surface side of the liquid crystal cell, and a liquid crystal. In a liquid crystal display device comprising a protective panel arranged in parallel with a cell with a constant thickness gap, the buffer layer is formed of a light scattering preventing material, and the buffer layer is formed on the liquid crystal cell and the protective panel. On the other hand, it is configured to be closely joined in a degassed state.

Furthermore, the structure for preventing light scattering in the liquid crystal display device and the method of manufacturing the same according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-209635 discloses a liquid crystal cell, a buffer layer formed on the surface side of the liquid crystal cell, In a liquid crystal display device comprising a protective panel arranged in parallel with a liquid crystal cell with a constant thickness gap therebetween, the buffer layer is formed of a light scattering preventing material, and the buffer layer is formed of the liquid crystal cell and the protective panel. The protective panel is hermetically bonded in a degassed state, and the protective panel is made of a synthetic resin having a hard layer at least on its surface.

However, in the case of these techniques, first,
If a cushioning material is sandwiched between the liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate, and the liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate are supported around, a layer of air exists between the liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate. Light entering from the upper part causes a total reflection in the gap between the liquid crystal display panel and the polarizing plate due to a difference in the refractive index between the polarizing plate and air, which causes a new problem that the liquid crystal display panel becomes difficult to see.

Further, in the case of the technologies according to the above proposals, the input switch is disposed on the upper portion of the liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, as described above, the input switch disposed on the upper portion allows the display screen to be displayed. Considering that the contrast is low and the display content is difficult to see, and considering the visibility of the display content, the problem still remains that the liquid crystal display screen must be transparent and a backlight must be provided on the back side. Will remain. In addition, since the touch panel or liquid crystal display screen uses a glass plate as a substrate, the visibility of the touch panel may deteriorate,
When a situation occurs in which the user strongly presses the touch panel, there still remains a problem that the glass plate may be broken by the pressing force even if the buffer layer is provided.

It is a first object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide an input / output device which is excellent in operability and visibility and has a simple structure. The second object is that even when a display panel having a display element layer containing a substantially fluid material between electrodes and which is easily affected by an external force such as pressing is fatally affected, operability and visibility are improved. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input / output device which is excellent in quality and which can perform input without fail without irrecoverable erroneous display. A third object is to provide an input / output device that is excellent in operability and visibility, and that can perform more reliable input. A fourth object is to provide an input / output device capable of achieving the second and third objects and satisfying a predetermined relationship, and having more excellent protection and input reliability for the display means.

[0024]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device comprising: a display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen; Detecting means provided below the display screen to detect a position on the display screen corresponding to the pressing by pressing from the viewing side of the display screen, wherein the displaying means is substantially between the electrodes as a display element layer. This is a display panel made of a non-fluid material, and in which the distance between the electrodes hardly changes due to the pressing.

In the first invention, the display means (display device) and the detection means (input device) are integrated with each other by providing the detection means below the flexible display screen. If the user presses the display screen with a finger or a pen in accordance with the display content (for example, a virtual button) from the viewing side of the display screen, the display screen is bent in accordance with the pressing force and the pressing force is transmitted to the detecting means, and the detecting means displays The position on the screen can be detected and input, and the operability is very good. For example, if the detection device is within the display area of the virtual button, the input operation of pressing the virtual button has been performed. Further, since the detection means is provided below the display screen, there is no obstacle such as a touch panel on the display screen, so that the visibility is very good. For this reason, a display means that conventionally uses a backlight or the like on the back side of the display screen for improving visibility is not necessarily required, so that the configuration of the display means is simplified and the display means can be inexpensive. Moreover, since the display means does not need to be transparent as in the case of the touch panel for the display screen, the material and the material are smaller than those of the touch panel for the display screen.
Since there are few restrictions on the manufacturing method, the input device can be made very cheaply, and therefore the input / output device can be made cheaply. Furthermore, the display element layer is formed by sandwiching a substantially non-fluid material between the electrodes, and the display panel in which the distance between the electrodes is difficult to change is used as the display means. Since the display of the means is not fatally affected, a special component for eliminating the influence is not required, and the configuration can be simplified.

As such a display panel, for example,
EL panel (for example, see JP-A-7-78690)
Also, there is a spherical rotating display panel. Here, as the spherical rotating display panel, for example, US Pat.
No. 3 discloses a twisting ball panel display, which can rotate a large number of minute spheres in which a hemispherical surface is coated with a light absorbing material (black) and the remaining hemispherical surface is coated with a light reflecting material. By sandwiching the support layer between light-transmissive electrode layers and the like, the spheres in the support layer are rotated by electrolysis or a magnetic field, thereby inverting black and white to display an image. Is what you do.

The detecting means may be of any type as long as it can sense the pressure transmitted through the display screen and detect the position on the display screen corresponding to the pressure. For example, there is a switch matrix substrate in which a plurality of input switches are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix at a predetermined pitch, but the number of switches (contact points) or detection points may be one or more depending on the purpose of input. . The position detection may be digital detection or analog detection.

Preferably, the detection means is a sheet-shaped pressure-sensitive detection means, and the display means is a sheet-shaped display panel laminated on the sheet-shaped detection means. As described above, the use of a sheet-shaped device can reduce the weight and improve the space efficiency, so that it can be applied to a portable electronic device. The device can be small and lightweight. As a sheet-shaped pressure-sensitive detection means,
An example of a simple structure is a membrane switch (for example, see Japanese Patent No. 25556711). As the sheet-shaped display panel, as in the various display panels described above,
There are sheets.

In the input / output device of the second invention (claim 2), the display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and the display means for displaying the pressing force from the viewing side of the display screen. Adjusting means for adjusting to a displayable pressure, and detecting means provided below the display screen to detect a position on the display screen corresponding to the pressing by a force adjusted by the adjusting means, wherein the display means And a display panel in which a substantially fluid material is interposed between electrodes as a display element layer. That is,
Since the adjusting means adjusts the pressing force from the viewing side to a pressure that can be displayed by the display means, the display screen is bent by the pressing force, so that the fluid material of the display element layer of the display panel changes irrecoverably. Thus, an appropriate pressure corresponding to the pressing can be transmitted to the detecting means without causing a fatal obstacle or influence on the display or the like and causing an erroneous display, and the input can be appropriately performed.

The adjusting means preferably includes buffer means for dispersing the local stress caused by the pressing and transmitting the dispersed stress to the detecting means. The buffering means functions to disperse the local pressure of the pressing force to absorb unnecessary external force and to transmit the pressure necessary for detection by the detecting means. Therefore, in a state where the input can be reliably performed, a fatal influence on a display panel such as a display element layer having a flowable material due to a local pressing force on the display screen of the display means can be removed, so that recovery such as an unrecoverable state can be performed. Erroneous display can be prevented.

Preferably, the detecting means has one or more detecting points (for example, contact points), and the adjusting means further concentrates the dispersed stress on the detecting points via the display element layer. Means. Since the stress is dispersed at the detection points by the concentration means, the input can be reliably performed even at a relatively low pressure without causing an erroneous display on the display means.

Preferably, the buffer means includes a buffer layer provided on the viewing side of the display element layer and a reinforcing layer for protecting the display element in a layer below the buffer layer. Therefore, the pressing force acting on the display element layer of the display panel can be absorbed by the buffer layer, irrecoverable erroneous display can be prevented, and the stress appropriately distributed to the detecting means can be applied to the detecting means. Can communicate. For this reason, protection against external force of the display means and reliability of input can be increased. Further, when the buffering means further includes a reinforcing layer, the stress can be dispersed over a wide range by the reinforcing layer, so that the display element can be reliably protected, and the display element cannot display an irrecoverable error. Can be more reliably prevented. This reinforcing layer can be omitted when the display element layer or the like has a structure having low elasticity, relatively rigidity, and low bending. The buffer layer is preferably made of a gel-like resin material or a rubber-like resin material. If such a material is used, sufficient buffering (protective) for the display means and reliable transmission to the detecting means can be obtained without lowering visibility.

The concentrating means is a projection provided on, within, or on the detection surface corresponding to a detection point (for example, a contact point) of the detection means. For example, as an example of this projection,
Full-text specification of Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 3-82528,
No. 3,233, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-48589, and the like. Since the converging means can be realized by the projection, the input / output device can be relatively easily configured. In the case of a projection or the like provided on the detection surface, it is preferable to use an elastic material in order to prevent the projection from affecting the display means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as a display element, in addition to a liquid crystal display element, in an electrophoretic display element, an electrochromic display element (ECD), or the like, the material between the electrodes is substantially fluid. The present invention is applicable to a structure having a structure that requires protection against external force such as pressing.

In the input / output device according to the third invention (claim 7), a display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and a display side provided below the display screen and on the viewing side of the display screen A detecting means for detecting a position on the display screen by pressing from the device, and a changing means for changing a range in which the detecting means receives a pressure by the pressing force. By this changing means, the range on the detection surface where the detecting means receives the pressure by the pressing force can be changed to a desired range, so that not only immediately below the pressing position but also around the pressing position depending on the input content and purpose. Pressure can be applied, or pressing force can be narrowed and concentrated, and input with even more certainty can be performed.

[0036] The changing means includes a first means for expanding a range of receiving the pressure by the pressing force, and a second means for reducing a range of receiving the pressure by the pressing force. That is, the range of receiving the pressure by the pressing force by the first means can be expanded, and the range of receiving the pressure by the pressing force by the second means can be reduced.

Preferably, the display means is a display panel including a display element layer, and the first means is a reinforcing layer provided below the display element layer for protecting the display element layer and expanding a range of receiving the pressure. The second means is a projection provided on the detection surface corresponding to a detection point (for example, a contact point) of the detection means, in the detection surface, or on the back surface, and for concentrating the pressing force. With this reinforcing layer, the display element can be surely protected by dispersing the stress in a larger range, and the range in which the detecting means receives pressure by the reinforcing layer can be expanded to a desired range. The pressing force from the viewing side is reliably transmitted to the detection means over a wide range,
For example, if two detection points are pressed when the two detection points are pressed, the intermediate point can also be detected, and the resolution of the detection means can be improved. In addition, the projection can concentrate the pressing force on the detection point and reliably input the pressure.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and a local stress caused by pressing from a viewing side of the display screen. Buffer means for dispersing and transmitting the dispersed stress, and detecting means provided below the display screen and detecting a position on the display screen corresponding to the pressing based on the stress transmitted from the buffer means. Changing means for changing a range in which the detecting means receives the pressure due to the stress. As a result, the effects of the second and third inventions are obtained.

Preferably, the display means is a display panel including a display element layer, the buffer means includes a buffer layer provided on the viewing side of the display element layer, and the changing means includes
The reinforcement layer protects the display element layer below the display element layer and expands the range for receiving the pressure, and the pressing force is concentrated on the detection surface corresponding to the detection point of the detection means, on the detection surface, or on the back surface. Including a protrusion to cause the buffer layer,
The magnitude relationship of the elastic modulus between the display element layer and the reinforcing layer is set so as to satisfy the relationship of reinforcing layer> display element layer> buffer layer. By satisfying such a relationship, a sufficient buffering property (protection property) for the display means and a reliable transmission property (input certainty) to the detection means with respect to pressing from the viewing side can be obtained.

In the first to fourth inventions, since the pressing force is indirectly transmitted to the detecting means via the display screen or the like of the display means, the confirmation that the position detecting state of the detecting means is further confirmed by the pressing. Preferably, means are provided. With this checking means, it is possible to check the position detection state for indirect input that is intuitively uncertain compared to direct input,
The input operation can be ensured, and the operability can be improved.

As the confirmation means, for example, a display control means for changing the display state of the display means when the position of the detection means is detected is preferable. By this display control means,
During position detection, highlighting such as reverse display of virtual buttons,
In addition to the display of the input trajectory, it is realized by simply displaying a display state such as switching of the display screen to the next screen. Alternatively, the confirmation means includes pressure return means for returning pressure to the viewing side of the display means when the position of the detection means can be detected in response to pressing. For example, the operability can be increased by improving the operational sensation of the pressing itself at the time of the input operation by the pressure return means such as an elastic member provided on the detection surface of the detection means, in the detection means, or behind the detection means.

[0042]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of a control panel of a copying machine to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a switch matrix board on which a plurality of input switches are arranged, reference numeral 2 denotes an information display screen superimposed on the switch matrix board 1, and reference numeral 3 denotes a numeric keypad and a liquid crystal display. It is a panel plate having a window 5 corresponding to the display screen 2.

First, the information display screen 2 is a reflection type liquid crystal display screen, and is formed in a flexible sheet shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display screen 2 has an ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) 9 serving as an electrode.
After a ferroelectric liquid crystal 11 is applied to each of a pair of transparent resin sheets 10 and 10 on which is deposited, a liquid crystal sheet 12 is formed by adhering these to each other, and a predetermined drive voltage is applied to the electrodes 9. STN LCD driver IC1
3, the transparent resin sheets 10, 1 as shown in FIG.
0 by thermal compression bonding with an anisotropic conductive adhesive sheet 14 and TCP (Tape Carrier Package)
15 are formed. In order to enhance the contrast of the display screen, the liquid crystal sheet 12 is sandwiched between a pair of polarizing plates 16 made of resin, and an aluminum reflective film 17 having a thickness of 50 μm is provided on the surface facing the switch matrix substrate 1. Glued. Further, in order to prevent local stress from acting on the liquid crystal 11 encapsulated in the liquid crystal sheet 12, the upper surface of the liquid crystal display screen 2 is covered with a resin film 18 having a thickness of about 0.2 mm. It was used as a cushioning material.

On the other hand, the switch matrix substrate 1
Is a matrix in which a plurality of individually independent input switches 7 are arranged in a matrix on a membrane substrate 6, and each input switch 7 is formed by matrix-wiring a key electrode made of copper on the membrane substrate 6. ing. Further, a CPU circuit 8 for detecting electrical continuity at each input switch is provided on the membrane substrate 6. Further, in order to give an operational feeling when the input switch 7 is pressed, a dome-shaped leaf spring 7a is provided at a portion corresponding to the key electrode of each input switch 7 as shown in FIG. , An appropriate resistance is generated.

In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display screen 2 is superposed and arranged on the switch matrix substrate 1 having such a configuration. However, as described above, the liquid crystal display screen 2 is formed in a flexible sheet shape. The input switch 7 on the switch matrix substrate 1 can be pressed by directly pressing the liquid crystal display screen 2. Therefore, when the user presses the virtual operation button displayed on the liquid crystal display screen 2, the input switch 7 corresponding to the virtual operation button is pressed at the lower side of the screen 2, and the CPU circuit 8 is pressed. By specifying the switch 7, it is possible to determine whether or not the virtual operation button has been operated.

On the other hand, in this embodiment, the input switches 7 arranged on the switch matrix substrate 1 are located not only below the liquid crystal display screen 2 but also below the numeric keypad 4 provided on the panel plate 3. I have. That is, the input switch that generates electrical continuity by pressing the numeric keypad 4 and the input switch that generates electrical continuity by pressing the virtual operation button are arranged on one membrane substrate 6.

Therefore, in this embodiment, one switch matrix substrate 1 can perform both the input by the virtual operation buttons and the input by the ten keys 4, and the switch matrix substrate corresponding to the ten keys is provided separately from the touch panel. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional control panel that requires the above.

In the above embodiment, the input switches arranged on the switch matrix substrate 1 are membrane switches. However, any switch which can convert the pressing force of the virtual operation button by the user to ON / OFF of the electric signal can be used. Can be used as a switch. The arrangement of the switches is not limited to a matrix, but may be any arrangement, and the number of switches may be one or more.

Second Embodiment A second embodiment is an example in which the protection of the display device against external force and the certainty of the input of the input device are further strengthened as compared with the first embodiment. 4 and 5 are a plan view and a sectional view showing an input / output device capable of inputting information according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Input / output device 40 according to the second embodiment
As shown in FIG. 5, a liquid crystal display panel 41 on which various screens are displayed in accordance with the function of a device to which the input / output device 40 is applied, and a liquid crystal display panel 41
And a membrane switch 42 arranged at the lower part of the main body.

The liquid crystal display panel 41 is formed of a reflective liquid crystal display panel and is formed in a flexible sheet. The liquid crystal display panel 41 is configured by disposing a pair of polarizing plates 47, 47 on both front and back sides of the liquid crystal display unit 43, and the pair of polarizing plates 47, 47 is directly laminated on the liquid crystal display unit 43. It is not necessary that another layer or a plate-like member be interposed between the pair of polarizing plates 47, 47 and the liquid crystal display unit 43. As shown in FIG. 5, in the liquid crystal display panel 41, a liquid crystal display section 43 is made of a pair of PES (polyether sulfone) in which ITO electrodes 44 as transparent electrodes are linearly deposited at a predetermined pitch. A liquid crystal 46 is laminated between the sheets 45, 45. In addition, outside the pair of PES sheets 45, 45,
Polarizing plates 47, 47 are arranged. The pair of PES
ITO electrodes 44 deposited on sheets 45, 45, respectively
Are arranged linearly at a predetermined pitch so as to be orthogonal to each other, and the upper electrode 44 and the lower electrode 44 form a matrix. Further, a liquid crystal 46 laminated between the pair of PES sheets 45, 45 is provided.
For example, a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, other types of liquid crystal may be used.

The liquid crystal display section 43 of the liquid crystal display panel 41
For example, the basic configuration and operation are described in Patent No. 25
Although a configuration as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 12290/1992 or the like is used, more specifically, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
A structure configured as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 273531 can be used. The liquid crystal display section 43 of the liquid crystal display panel 41 includes, for example, a pair of PES sheets 45, 4 on which ITO electrodes 44, 44 serving as transparent electrodes are deposited.
5 is coated with a liquid crystal 46 made of a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal or the like to form a film, and after laminating a pair of PES sheets 45 facing each other, it is bent by passing between a plurality of rollers. It is manufactured by subjecting to an orientation treatment. Here, the liquid crystal display panel 41 using the liquid crystal 46 made of a ferroelectric polymer liquid crystal has a memory property, and therefore has a characteristic that the display screen can be held even when the voltage application is stopped. Have.

The front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41,
That is, on the viewing side, a buffer layer 48 made of a visibility improving sheet for preventing irregular reflection and the like and improving the visibility of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is provided between the PES sheet 45 and the polarizing plate 47 in a laminated state. Are located. As the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet, for example, a material made of a gel-like resin or a rubber-like resin is used. On the surface of the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet, a polarizing plate 47 is laminated to disclose the density of a display image based on a change in the optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal to which an electric field is applied. ing. At this time, if the refractive index of the buffer layer 48 interposed between the flexible liquid crystal display unit 43 and the polarizing plate 47 is significantly different from that of other members, external light is reflected, and the liquid crystal display The display quality of the panel 41 deteriorates. Therefore, as the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet, the refractive index of air is 1.0, whereas the refractive index of the synthetic resin forming the ferroelectric liquid crystal 46 and the polarizing plate 47 is 1 Since the refractive index of the transparent buffer layer 48 is around 1.4, it is optimal to use a resin having a refractive index of around 1.4.

As a material suitable for this, for example, the visibility improving sheet made by Nitto Denko Corporation has a refractive index of 1.46. Therefore, the buffer layer 48 is made of, for example, Nitto having an adhesiveness of 400 μm in thickness. A visibility improving sheet made by Denko Corporation is used.
1 and the polarizing plate 47 are interposed in a state of being adhered and held by the adhesiveness. As the visibility improving sheet used as the buffer layer 48, for example, a sheet made of a gel resin such as an acrylic polymer or a rubber resin such as a silicone resin polymer is used.

On the back side of the liquid crystal display section 43,
The polarizing plates 47 are stacked and arranged without any member interposed therebetween, and the polarizing plates 47 on the back side are arranged to be orthogonal to the polarizing plates 47 arranged on the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41. I have. Further, below the polarizing plate 47 disposed on the back surface side of the liquid crystal display panel 41, a reflecting plate 49 for reflecting light incident from the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is laminated. As the reflection plate 49, for example, aluminum foil or the like is used. Further, a reinforcement against the pressing force of the liquid crystal display panel 41 and a membrane switch 4 described later are provided below the reflection plate 49.
The reinforcing plates 50 for improving the resolution of No. 2 are stacked and arranged. As the reinforcing plate 50, for example, an acrylic plate or a plastic plate is used.

Further, on the back side of the reinforcing plate 50, a membrane switch 42 as a coordinate detecting means for detecting coordinates of a position pressed by a finger, a pen or the like from the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is arranged. ing. As shown in FIG. 6, the membrane switch 42 includes a pair of switch sheets 52, 52 each having an electrode pattern 51 formed in a matrix at a predetermined pitch in the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. And a spacer sheet 55 in which a region 54 corresponding to the switch portion 53 of the electrode pattern 51 is cut out in a circular or rectangular shape. When the switch sheets 52, 52 in a region pressed by a finger or the like bend, the membrane switch 42 is brought into contact with the switch unit 53 formed with the pair of switch sheets 52, 52, so that the membrane switch 42 is in the pressed position. A device that detects coordinates is used (Japanese Patent No. 2556711).

However, the membrane switch 42 is not limited to this, but is disclosed in
No. 5,668, JP-A-8-258147, JP-A-8-241647, or Japanese Patent No. 25306.
Various types disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 51 and the like can be used, and the type is not limited.

As the membrane switch 42, a resistive layer formed in the same shape is interposed between a pair of rectangularly formed conductive substrates, so that the longitudinal and horizontal directions of the conductive substrate are different. By providing a grid electrode for detection at the end in the direction, when a part of the conductive substrate is pressed,
Since the resistance value between the detection grid electrodes provided at the end portions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction changes, the resistance value between the detection grid electrodes located in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is detected, and the finger value is detected. For example, an analog type configured to detect the coordinates of the position pressed by the user may be used. Such an analog type may be used, and the present invention is not limited to this type, and any type may be used as long as the position on the display screen can be detected by sensing the pressure in response to pressing from the viewing side of the display screen. In addition,
In the case of a sheet-like detection means such as a membrane switch, a base that does not deform by receiving a pressure is connected to an input / output device (that is,
A mounting base on which an input / output device is mounted, which is provided below the detection means) or serves as a base that is not deformed by being pressed.
Alternatively, a mounting table on which the input / output device is mounted is required.

FIG. 4 shows the input / output device 4 configured as described above.
0 shows wiring to the control board.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 41 denotes a liquid crystal display panel. Below the liquid crystal display panel 41, membrane switches 42 are arranged in a stacked state. The wiring of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is
The STN liquid crystal driver IC 56 for applying a predetermined driving voltage to the O electrode 44 via the flexible substrate 55
P (Tape Carrier Package) 57 and the electrode 4 of the transparent resin sheet 45 of the liquid crystal display panel 41
4 are connected by thermocompression bonding using an anisotropic conductive adhesive sheet 58. The TCP 57 is connected to a printed circuit board 59.

FIG. 7 shows the input / output device 4 configured as described above.
It is a block diagram which shows the control circuit of 0.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 60 denotes a CPU for controlling the input / output device 40. The membrane switches 42 formed in a matrix of the input / output device 40 are arranged in one direction in the X or Y direction. The electrode patterns 51 arranged at a predetermined pitch along the direction are scanned by the scan output output from the CPU 60 via the buffer circuit 61, and the electrode patterns 51 arranged at a predetermined pitch along the other The output signal is input to the CPU 60 via the driver circuit 62 and the CPU 60
Is configured to detect the coordinates of a position pressed by a finger or the like from the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 41.

Further, the CPU 60 displays a display screen based on the input information on the liquid crystal display section 43 of the liquid crystal display panel 41. That is, the CPU 60 determines, based on the configuration data of the screen to be displayed (hereinafter, referred to as frame data).
The drawing processing on the liquid crystal display unit 43 is performed via the driver circuit 63. As frame data for displaying a screen on the liquid crystal display unit 43, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a display indicating a region such as a virtual button displayed on the frame, and an object such as an icon image Display information (for drawing) 65 and detection area information 66 for specifying a range of a touch area in which an input is performed by pressing a predetermined area are included. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the display information (for drawing) 65 of the object includes, as shown in FIG. 8, a pointer 67 for specifying the display of the coordinates and the brightness of the button object information, and the coordinates and the brightness of the icon image object information. An object table that functions as a pointer 68 for designating a display is provided.

In the above configuration, the input / output device according to this embodiment is excellent in the visibility of the operation information and the virtual operation buttons displayed on the information input display as described below. There is no fear of breakage during operation, and it is possible to manufacture at low cost. Further, in the input / output device according to this embodiment, by arranging the liquid crystal display panel above the switch element or the like as described below, the liquid crystal display panel can be easily viewed, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel can be visually recognized. Even when the liquid crystal display panel is configured to have excellent performance, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid crystal display panel from being broken when the liquid crystal display panel is pressed, and to reliably operate the switching element and the like.

That is, in the input / output device 40 according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a buffer layer 48 made of a visibility improving sheet is disposed above a flexible liquid crystal display panel 41. As the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet, for example, a material made of a gel-like resin or a rubber-like resin is used. Therefore, the pressing force F applied from above the polarizing plate 47 located on the surface of the input / output device 40 is generated from the gel-like resin or rubber-like resin disposed below the polarizing plate 47 as shown in FIG. The buffer layer 48 made of gel-like resin or rubber-like resin is transmitted to the buffer layer 48 made of gel-like resin or rubber-like resin, so that the buffer layer 48 made of gel-like resin or rubber-like resin absorbs the pressing force F. Accordingly, the buffer layer 48 absorbs the pressing force F applied from the surface of the input / output device 40, and acts on the liquid crystal display unit 43 in a state where the pressing force F applied from the surface of the input / output device 40 is weakened. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the liquid crystal 46 from being broken in alignment.

As described above, the flexible liquid crystal display unit 4
By applying a pressing force F from above the polarizing plate 47 located on the side of the visibility improving sheet 48 on the liquid crystal display 3, a force acts on the liquid crystal display 43 through the buffer layer 48.
The pressing force F applied from the liquid crystal display panel 41 is dispersed / absorbed by the buffer layer 48 as shown in FIG.
Is not locally concentrated, and is transmitted to the liquid crystal 46 gently around the position where the pressing force F is applied. Therefore, the pressing force F applied from above the polarizing plate 47 is dispersed / absorbed by the buffer layer 48 and is buffered, and only causes the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 to cause a gentle deformation.

Further, a flexible liquid crystal display panel 4
A reinforcing plate 50 is disposed below the polarizing plate 47 and the reflecting plate 49 located at the lower part of the first plate 1. The reinforcing plate 50 disposed below the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41
This is useful for protecting the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 and improving the input reliability and resolution of the membrane switch 42 located below the liquid crystal display panel 41.

On the other hand, in the case where the buffer layer 48 is not provided on the surface side of the liquid crystal display section 43 and only the liquid crystal display section 43 is provided, as shown in FIG. The liquid crystal 46 is directly added to the display unit 43, and the internal alignment of the liquid crystal 46 is broken. On the other hand, the liquid crystal display unit 4
In the case where the buffer layer 48 is provided on the front surface side of 3, the buffer layer 48 absorbs the pressing force F from above, as shown in FIG. For this reason, the liquid crystal display unit 4
The local stress applied to 3 changes into a stress distribution having a large curvature as a whole. Further, by arranging the reinforcing plate 50 under the liquid crystal display unit 43, the one in which the local stress is changed to a stress distribution with a large curvature due to the presence of the buffer layer 48 is arranged under the liquid crystal display unit 43. By doing so, it is possible to return to a state closer to a plane, and to minimize the misalignment in the liquid crystal 46, which is the cause of the liquid crystal 46 being broken.

To further explain, as shown in FIG.
When the reinforcing plate 50 is not disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 41, that is, when a space or a soft material is disposed below the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41, the pressing force F acting on the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 is applied. As shown in FIG. 11, the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 is largely bent, the partial displacement of the liquid crystal 46 is increased, and the alignment of the liquid crystal 46 is likely to be broken. On the other hand, when the reinforcing plate 50 is disposed below the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41, as shown in FIG. 12, the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 is entirely bent due to the strength of the reinforcing plate 50, and Accordingly, the amount of displacement of the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 is suppressed to a small value as shown in FIG. 13, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the alignment of the liquid crystal 46 from being broken.

Also, from the viewpoint of the resolution of the membrane switch 42 disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 41, it is desirable to dispose the reinforcing plate 50 below the liquid crystal display panel 41.

That is, the membrane switch 42 disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 41 often has a circular switch shape, and the density of the switch portion is often low, so that the resolution of the switch may not satisfy the specifications. There is. When the reinforcing plate 50 is not disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 41, as shown in FIG. 14, when the space between the switches is pressed, the switch sheet 52 of the membrane switch 42 locally bends, and the upper and lower membranes of the pressed position are pressed. Although the distance between the switch sheets 52 approaches, the upper and lower switch units 5
3 does not touch, and there is no conduction response, so there is no resolution at this position.

On the other hand, when the reinforcing plate 50 is disposed below the liquid crystal display panel 42, as shown in FIG.
0 is greatly bent, so that the membrane switch 42
The number of pressed portions between the sheets 52 increases, and the upper and lower switch sheets 52 on both sides of the pressed portion surely come into contact with each other, and there is a switch conduction reaction. As described above, by providing the reinforcing plate 50, the switch portions 53 provided on the sheets 52, 52 of the membrane switch 42 surely come into contact with each other, so that the reinforcing plate 50 can be arranged below the liquid crystal display panel 41. This is also desirable in improving the input reliability and resolution of the membrane switch 42.

Third Embodiment FIG. 16 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. The position of the reinforcing plate is different from that of the second embodiment.

That is, in the third embodiment, the reinforcing plate 50 is arranged between the PES sheet 45 on the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 and the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet. A membrane switch 4 is provided directly below the reflection plate 49 located below the liquid crystal display panel 41.
2 are arranged.

The reinforcing plate 47 located below the buffer layer 48
As is apparent from FIG. 17, since the purpose is to direct the pressure applied to the buffer layer 48 in the opposite direction, the buffer layer 4
8, even if the reinforcing plate 50 is positioned under the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 in the meantime, the reinforcing plate 50 is positioned immediately below the buffer layer 48 and the flexible liquid crystal display panel 41 is positioned thereunder. The same effect is exhibited even if it is performed.

As described above, when the reinforcing plate 50 is disposed between the PES sheet 45 on the upper side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 and the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet, the deformation of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is prevented. It can be effectively prevented.

Other structures and operations are the same as those of the second embodiment.
Therefore, the description is omitted.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 18 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. When there are a plurality of contact points of the membrane switch, the pressed position is detected by calculation.

That is, in Embodiment 4, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the buffer layer 48 is disposed on the flexible liquid crystal display 43 and the reinforcing layer 50 is disposed below the liquid crystal display 43, or the buffer layer 48 is disposed on the flexible liquid crystal display 43. When the position between adjacent switch units is pressed, for example, in the case where the and the reinforcing layer 50 are arranged, two adjacent switch units are simultaneously turned on.
The PU is configured to detect that a position has been pressed between two adjacent switch units.

With this configuration, it is possible to detect a position that is a half of the pitch of the switch section in the membrane switch 42. According to the above calculation method, the resolution of the membrane switch 42 is twice the switch density. Can be set to

[0081]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 5 shows an input / output device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the same parts as those in the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The liquid crystal display section 43 of the liquid crystal display panel 41 in the input / output device 40 has, for example, a thickness of 2.5
A PES sheet 45 having a thickness of 0.1 mm is laminated on both sides of a ferroelectric liquid crystal 46 (including the ITO electrode 44) of μm. These PES sheets 45
Has, for example, a linear ITO electrode 4 having a width of 0.27 mm.
5 are formed at a pitch of 0.3 mm. The visibility improving sheet 48 disposed on the front side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is, for example, a thickness 40 made by Nitto Denko Corporation.
A 0 μm visibility improving sheet is used. Further, the polarizing plate 47 disposed on both front and back sides of the liquid crystal display unit 43 of the liquid crystal display panel 41 has, for example, a thickness of 0.4 mm.
Is used.

The reflection plate 49 disposed under the polarizing plate 47 on the back side has a thickness of, for example, 0.1 to 0.1.
What adhere | attached the aluminum foil of 0.2 mm to the back surface of the polarizing plate 47 is used. Further, as the reinforcing plate 50 disposed below the reflecting plate 49, for example, a thickness of 0.4
mm acrylic plate is used.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 16 also shows Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same parts as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and described. As in the fourth embodiment, the position of the reinforcing plate is different from that of the first embodiment.

That is, in the input / output device 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 16, for example, a reinforcing plate 50 made of an acrylic plate having a thickness of 0.4 mm is provided on the upper side of the liquid crystal display panel 41. It is arranged between the PES sheet 45 and the buffer layer 48 made of the visibility improving sheet.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Third Embodiment FIG. 22 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. In order to improve the resolution, a sheet 80 having projections provided at regular intervals is interposed between the liquid crystal display panel 41 and the membrane switch 42.

That is, in the input / output device according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
And a visibility improving sheet 48 having a thickness of 0.4 mm, a reinforcing plate 50 made of an acrylic plate having a thickness of 0.4 mm, a polarizing plate 47 made of polyester having a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a polarizing plate 47 having a thickness of 0.1 mm. A PES sheet 45, a 2.5 μm-thick gel-like ferroelectric liquid crystal 46 (including the ITO electrode 44),
0.1mm thick PES sheet 45 and 0.1mm thick
Are sequentially laminated with a polarizing plate 47 made of polyester,
The liquid crystal display panel 41 is configured. Then, on the lower side of the liquid crystal display panel 41, at a pitch of 9.6 mm and a height of 0.1 mm.
A sheet 80 having a projection 81 of 4 mm is interposed. Note that the pitch of the projections 81 of the sheet 80 is set so as to match the interval between the switch portions 53 of the membrane switch 41.

As described above, by interposing the sheet 80 having the projections 81 erected at regular intervals below the liquid crystal display panel 41, the pressing force applied from the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is concentrated. Since it acts on the switch 41, the resolution of the membrane switch 41 can be improved.

The other structure and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 23 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Similarly to the above, in order to improve the resolution of the membrane switch, the liquid crystal display panel 4
The liquid crystal display panel 41 is different from that of the third embodiment in that a sheet 80 having protrusions provided upright at regular intervals is interposed between the liquid crystal display panel 41 and the membrane switch 42.

That is, as shown in FIG. 22, the input / output device according to the third embodiment has a thickness of 0.1 mm from the viewing side.
Polarizing plate 47 made of polyester and a thickness of 0.4 mm
, A reinforcing plate 50 made of an acrylic plate having a thickness of 0.4 mm, a PES sheet 45 having a thickness of 0.1 mm, and a gel-like ferroelectric liquid crystal 46 having a thickness of 2.5 μm.
(Including the ITO electrode 44) and PES having a thickness of 0.1 mm
The liquid crystal display panel 41 is formed by sequentially laminating a sheet 45 and a polarizing plate 47 made of polyester having a thickness of 0.1 mm. Then, below the liquid crystal display panel 41,
A sheet 80 having a projection 81 having a pitch of 9.6 mm and a height of 0.4 mm is interposed. Note that the pitch of the projections 81 of the sheet 80 is set so as to match the interval between the switch portions 53 of the membrane switch 41.

As described above, by interposing the sheet 80 having the projections 81 erected at regular intervals below the liquid crystal display panel 41, the pressing force applied from the viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 41 is concentrated on the membrane. Since it acts on the switch 41, the resolution of the membrane switch can be improved.

The other configuration and operation are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0096]

[Experimental example]

Experimental Example 1 Next, as shown in FIG. 19 (b), the present inventors used the same material as the material shown in Example 1 to form a polarizing plate 47 and a buffer made of a gel resin from the front side. A prototype of the input / output device 40 in which the layer 48, the liquid crystal display unit 43, the polarizing plate 47, and the membrane switch (not shown) are sequentially laminated and arranged, and the thickness of the spacer of the membrane switch 42 is set to 0.
When switching between 04 mm and 0.1 mm and variously changing the magnitude of the pressing force F for pressing the surface of the input / output device 40, it is confirmed how the manner of operation of the pressing force F changes. An experiment was performed.

FIG. 20B shows the experimental result of Experimental Example 1.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE 2 Next, the present inventors used the same material as that shown in Example 1 and, in order from the front side, as shown in FIG. 50, a polarizing plate 47,
A prototype of the input / output device 40 in which the liquid crystal display unit 43, the polarizing plate 47, and the membrane switch (not shown) are sequentially laminated and arranged, and the magnitude of the pressing force F for pressing the surface of the input / output device 40 is determined. An experiment was conducted to confirm how the manner of operation of the pressing force F changes when various changes are made.

FIG. 20C shows the experimental result of Experimental Example 1.

Experimental Example 3 Next, the present inventors used the same material as that shown in Example 1 to sequentially form a reinforcing plate made of an acrylic plate as shown in FIG. 50, a polarizing plate 47,
A prototype of the input / output device 40 in which the liquid crystal display unit 43, the polarizing plate 47, and the membrane switch (not shown) are sequentially laminated and arranged, and the magnitude of the pressing force F for pressing the surface of the input / output device 40 is determined. An experiment was conducted to confirm how the manner of operation of the pressing force F changes when various changes are made.

FIG. 20D shows the experimental result of Experimental Example 3 described above.

Experimental Example 4 Further, as shown in FIG. 19E, the present inventors made a polarizing plate 47 and a reinforcing plate 50 from the surface side using the same material as that of the first embodiment. A prototype of an input / output device 40 in which an acrylic plate, a liquid crystal display unit 43, a polarizing plate 47, and a membrane switch (not shown) are sequentially laminated and arranged, and a method of applying a pressing force and the like are similarly confirmed. An experiment was performed.

FIG. 20E shows the experimental result of Experimental Example 4.

Experimental Example 5 Further, as shown in FIG. 19 (f), the present inventors made use of the same material as that of the first embodiment and A buffer layer 48 made of a material harder than the buffer layer 48, the liquid crystal display 43, a polarizing plate 47,
An input / output device 40 in which membrane switches (not shown) were sequentially stacked and arranged was prototyped, and an experiment was performed to confirm how the pressing force works in the same manner.

FIG. 20F shows the experimental result of Experimental Example 5 described above.

[0106]

[Comparative example]

Comparative Example 1 Further, as shown in FIG. 19A, the present inventors used the same material as the material shown in Example 1 to form a polarizing plate 47, a liquid crystal display unit 43, An input / output device 40 in which a plate 47 and a membrane switch (not shown) are sequentially laminated and arranged was prototyped, and an experiment for confirming the manner of operation of a pressing force and the like was similarly performed.

FIGS. 20A and 21A show the experimental results of Comparative Example 1. FIG.

FIGS. 20 (a) to 20 (f) and FIGS.
As can be seen from (f), in the input / output devices 40 of Experimental Examples 2 and 4, the reactivity of the membrane switch 42 is slightly poor, but there is no significant difference. Comparative Example 1
However, the membrane switch 42 has good reactivity, but the liquid crystal display 43 was broken by the pressing force.

[0109]

As described above in detail, in the first invention, the display device and the input device are integrated by providing the detection means below the flexible display screen.
By pressing from the viewing side of the display screen with a finger or a pen according to the display content (for example, virtual button) on the display screen,
The display screen is bent in response to the pressing force, and the pressing force is transmitted to the detecting means. If the detecting means is within the display area of the virtual button, the input operation of pressing the virtual button is performed. Further, since the input device detecting means is provided below the display screen, there is no obstacle such as a touch panel on the display screen, so that the visibility is very good and a backlight or the like is required. Therefore, the configuration of the display means is simplified, and the display means can be inexpensive. Moreover, since the detecting means does not need to be transparent as in a touch panel for a display screen, there are fewer restrictions on materials and manufacturing methods as compared to a touch panel for a display screen, so that an input device can be made very cheaply. Therefore, the input / output device can be made cheaply. Furthermore, since the display element layer is formed by sandwiching a substantially non-fluid material between the electrodes, and the display panel in which the distance between the electrodes is hard to change is used as the display means, the display panel is not pressed against the viewer side. Since the display on the display means is not fatally affected, a special component for eliminating the influence is not required, and the configuration can be simplified. In addition, if the display screen and the detection means below the display screen are of a sheet type, they can be reduced in weight and space efficiency, so that they can be applied to portable electronic devices.
If the input / output device using the present invention is applied to various electronic devices, the electronic devices can be reduced in size and weight.

In the second invention, since the adjusting means adjusts the pressing force from the viewing side to a pressure which can be displayed by the display means, the display screen is bent by the pressing force, which is fatal to the display by the display means. An appropriate pressure corresponding to the pressing can be transmitted to the detecting means without causing an erroneous display due to any trouble or influence, and the input can be performed appropriately and reliably.

In the third aspect, the range on the detection surface where the detecting means receives the pressure by the pressing force can be changed to a desired range by the changing means, so that the pressing position can be changed according to the input contents and purpose. It is possible to apply pressure not only immediately below, but also around it, or to concentrate the pressure by narrowing the pressing force, so that the input can be made more reliable.

In the fourth invention, the effects of the second and third inventions are obtained, and the relationship of the reinforcing layer> the display element layer> the buffer layer is satisfied, so that the display means can be pressed against the display means by the viewer. Sufficient buffering (protection) and reliable transmission to the detection means (input certainty) are obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an input / output device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the input / output device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part showing an example of the input / output device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a membrane switch.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit.

FIG. 8 is a table showing an example of frame data for displaying an image on a liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a deformed state of the membrane switch.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a deformed state of the membrane switch.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a deformed state of the liquid crystal display panel.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIGS. 19A to 19F are schematic diagrams showing an experimental example and a comparative example, respectively.

FIG. 20 is a table showing the results of performing a pressure-sensitive test on the samples shown in FIGS. 19 (a) to (f).

FIG. 21 is a table showing the results of performing a pressure-sensitive test on the samples shown in FIGS. 19 (a) to (f).

FIG. 22 is a sectional view showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a sectional view showing an input / output device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional control panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 switch matrix board 2 information display screen 3
... panel board, 4 ... numeric keypad, 7 ... input switch

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Tsunemasa Mita 2274 Hongo, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Kazuyoshi Ito 2274 Hongo, Hongo, Ebina-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture (72) Inventor Juichi Minomoto 2274 Hongo, Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and a position on the display screen provided below the display screen and corresponding to the pressing by pressing from the viewing side of the display screen. An input / output device comprising: a detection unit that detects a distance between the electrodes with respect to the pressing, wherein the display unit includes a substantially non-fluid material interposed between the electrodes as a display element layer. An input / output device characterized by being a display panel that is hard to change. 2. Display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen; adjusting means for adjusting a pressing force from a viewing side of the display screen to a pressure which can be displayed by the display means; And a detecting means for detecting a position on the display screen corresponding to the pressing by the force adjusted by the adjusting means provided below, wherein the display means has substantially fluidity between the electrodes as a display element layer. An input / output device comprising a display panel sandwiching a material. 3. The input / output device according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting means includes buffer means for dispersing local stress due to said pressing and transmitting said dispersed stress to said detecting means. I / O device. 4. The input / output device according to claim 3, wherein said detecting means has one or more detecting points, and said adjusting means further detects said distributed stress via said display element layer. An input / output device comprising a concentrating means for concentrating on an input / output device. 5. The input / output device according to claim 2, wherein said buffer means is provided on a buffer layer provided on the viewing side of said display element layer and on a layer below said buffer layer to protect the display element. An input / output device comprising at least the reinforcing layer. 6. The input / output device according to claim 4, wherein said concentrating means has a detection surface corresponding to a detection point of said detection means.
An input / output device, wherein the input / output device is a projection provided on a detection surface or on a back surface. 7. A display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and a position on the display screen provided below the display screen and corresponding to the pressing by pressing from the viewing side of the display screen. An input / output device comprising: a detecting unit that detects the pressure; and a changing unit that changes a range in which the detecting unit receives the pressure by the pressing force. 8. The input / output device according to claim 7, wherein said changing means expands a range of receiving the pressure by said pressing force, and a second means for reducing a range of receiving the pressure of said pressing force. And an input / output device. 9. The input / output device according to claim 8, wherein said display means is a display panel including a display element layer, and said first means protects said display element layer below said display element layer and A reinforcing layer for expanding the range of receiving the pressure, wherein the second means is a projection provided on the detection surface corresponding to the detection point of the detection means, in the detection surface, or on the back surface to concentrate the pressing force. An input / output device characterized by the following. 10. A display means for displaying information on a flexible display screen, and a buffer means for dispersing local stress due to pressing from the viewing side of the display screen and transmitting the dispersed stress. Detecting means provided below the display screen for detecting a position on the display screen corresponding to the pressing based on the stress transmitted from the buffer means; and changing a range in which the detecting means receives pressure due to the stress. An input / output device comprising: 11. The input / output device according to claim 10, wherein said display means is a display panel including a display element layer, said buffer means includes a buffer layer provided on a viewing side of said display element layer, and A means for protecting the display element layer below the display element layer and extending the pressure receiving range, and a reinforcing layer provided on the detection surface corresponding to the detection point of the detection means, in the detection surface, or on the back surface, Including a projection for concentrating pressure, the buffer layer, the display element layer,
An input / output device, wherein the magnitude relationship of the elastic coefficient with the reinforcing layer is set so as to satisfy the relationship of reinforcing layer> display element layer> buffer layer. 12. The input / output device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 7, and 10, further comprising a confirmation unit for confirming a position detection state of said detection unit by said pressing. An input / output device characterized by the above-mentioned. 13. The input / output device according to claim 12, wherein said confirmation means includes a display control means for changing a display state of said display means when a position of said detection means is detected. . 14. The input / output device according to claim 12, wherein said confirmation means returns pressure to the viewing side of said display means when said pressure can be detected by said detection means in response to said pressing. An input / output device characterized by including means.