TWI550445B - Tactile display device - Google Patents

Description

Tactile display device

The present invention relates to a tactile display device, and more particularly to a tactile display device including a touch sensor.

In recent years, portable terminals such as mobile phones and game consoles, information devices such as electronic calculators and ticket vending machines, home appliances such as microwave ovens, televisions, and lighting appliances, and commercial devices. (Factory Automation (FA) machine), etc., an input device including a touch sensor such as a touch panel or a touch switch is widely used as an acceptor. An input device such as an operation unit or a switch that is input by the user.

Among such touch sensors, various methods such as a resistive film method, an electrostatic capacitance method, and an optical type are known. However, any type of touch sensor accepts a touch input of a finger or a stylus pen, and even if the touch sensor itself is touched, it does not physically shift like a push button switch.

Thus, since the touch sensor itself does not physically shift even if the touch sensor is touched, the operator's contact input, even if accepted, cannot obtain feedback on the input. Therefore, it is easy for the operator to repeatedly input such as multiple contacts to the same position, which puts pressure on the operator.

As a method of preventing such repeated input, for example, a method is known in which a sound is emitted after receiving a contact input, or a display form is changed, for example, an input button displayed on a display portion image corresponding to the input position is changed. The display color of the target is input, etc., so that the input operation can be confirmed by hearing or visual.

However, in the case of relying on the audible feedback method, it is difficult to confirm in a noisy environment, and when the machine is in a mute state such as a manner mode, the situation cannot be dealt with. Further, in the case of the visual feedback method, if the size of the input target displayed on the display unit is small, especially when the finger is input, the input target is hidden under the finger, and the change in the display form cannot be confirmed.

Moreover, there is also proposed a feedback method that does not depend on hearing or vision, and causes the touch sensor to vibrate if the touch sensor receives an input, so that the fingertip of the operator generates a tactile sensation (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 Patent Document 2).

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-288158

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-130055

However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the touch sensor is caused to vibrate only when the touch sensor receives an input. Therefore, in particular, when a button switch such as a push button switch (push button switch) is drawn on the upper portion of the touch sensor, the threshold value of the input of the touch sensor is low, The touch is displayed as soon as a finger or the like gently touches (touches) the touch sensor. As a result, an unintended operation (contact) before the operator pushes the erroneous operation, or the operator is given an uncomfortable feeling caused by an unintended action (contact) before the pressing. Here, the threshold value of the input of the contact of the touch sensor refers to a threshold value at which the touch sensor reacts, for example, the resistive film mode is a threshold value of the pressing force of the upper conductive film contacting the lower conductive film, and the static electricity The capacity mode is the detection threshold of the electronic signal that is in contact.

In order to solve such a problem, the applicant has developed a tactile display device that detects a pressing load caused by contact with a contact surface of a touch sensor. When the detected load reaches a specific threshold for displaying the tactile sensation, the contact surface of the touch sensor is vibrated to display a tactile sensation to a pressed object such as a finger.

According to the tactile display device, since the operator pushes the contact surface, the tactile sensation is displayed when the pressing load reaches a specific threshold value, so that erroneous operation caused by the unintentional contact or the like can be reliably prevented. The sense of incongruity allows the operator to recognize that the input has been accepted as a tactile sensation.

However, in the case where the operator pushes the contact surface, the force applied to the pressing load of the contact surface differs depending on the operator. Further, even if it is the same operator, there is a case where the pressing force of the contact surface is different depending on the position of the terminal or the position of the pressed contact surface. On the other hand, the present inventors have actively studied the relationship between the pressing load of the contact surface and the timing of the tactile display, and found the following findings. Fig. 9 is a view showing changes in the pressing load of the operator A, B, and C on the contact surface. As shown in FIG. 9, the operator A reaches the load reference X for displaying the tactile sensation 0.5 seconds after the start of pressing. On the other hand, for the operators B and C, the load reference X for displaying the tactile sensation is reached at 1.0 second and 2.0 seconds after the start of the pressing, respectively, so that the operator A is pressed from the start of the touch to the display of the tactile sensation. The time is extended. That is, the time from the start of pressing to the reception of the tactile sensation is different for each operator, and even the same operator receives the tactile sensation according to the difference in the pressing force of the pressing load. The time until the display is also changed. In particular, for example, in the case of the operator C shown in FIG. 9 , when the pressing force of the pressing load is weak, it takes time from the start of pressing to the display of the tactile sensation, and the time point of the tactile sensation is delayed, and there is damage. The problem of the operator's sense of operation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described needs, and an object thereof is to provide a tactile display device capable of displaying a tactile sensation to a user at a time point when the pressing force of the pressing load is weak, without damaging the operational feeling.

A touch display device for achieving the first aspect of the present invention includes: a touch sensor that detects a touch input; a load detecting portion that detects a pressing load on a contact surface of the touch sensor; and a touch display portion And causing the control unit to vibrate; and the control unit adjusts a reference for displaying the tactile sensation, and when the pressing load detected by the load detecting unit satisfies the reference, controls driving of the tactile display unit to press the dwelling The pressed object of the contact surface displays a tactile sensation.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the tactile display device of the first aspect, the control unit adjusts a load reference as a display tactile sensation of the reference, and when the pressing load satisfies the load reference, The driving of the tactile display portion is controlled to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the touch display device of the first aspect, the control unit adjusts a time reference of a display tactile sensation as the reference, and when the pressing load has a slope greater than or equal to a specific value When the time reference is continued, the driving of the tactile display unit is controlled to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target that presses the contact surface.

Further, a touch display device that achieves the fourth aspect of the object includes: a touch sensor that detects a touch input; a piezoelectric element that is mounted on the touch sensor; and a control unit that adjusts a display touch a reference for detecting a pressing load on a contact surface of the touch sensor according to an output signal of the piezoelectric element, and controlling the piezoelectric element when the detected pressing load satisfies the reference Drive to display a tactile sensation to a pressed object that presses the contact surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the touch display device of the fourth aspect, the control unit adjusts a load reference as a display tactile sensation of the reference, and when the pressing load satisfies the load reference, The driving of the piezoelectric element is controlled to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the tactile display device of the fourth aspect, the control unit adjusts a time reference of a display tactile sensation as the reference, and the pressing load has a slope greater than or equal to a specific value When the time reference is continued, the driving of the piezoelectric element is controlled to display a tactile sensation to the pressing object that presses the contact surface.

According to the touch display device of the present invention, since the reference for displaying the tactile sensation is adjusted according to the pressing load of the pressing target of the user's finger or the like, even if the application force of the pressing load of the user is weak, the operation can be performed without breaking the operation. The point in time of the impression is displayed to the user.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <RTIgt;

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the touch display device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a touch display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The touch display device includes a touch sensor 11, a load detecting unit 12, a tactile display unit 13, a display unit 14, a storage unit 15, and a control unit 16 that controls the overall operation.

The touch sensor 11 detects that a contact input of a contact object such as a finger to the contact surface of the touch sensor 11 is formed by a known touch sensor such as a resistive film method, an electrostatic capacitance method, or an optical type. The two-dimensional position information of the contact position (the pressing position of the pressing target such as a finger) is output, and the touch sensor 11 is disposed on the display unit 14. The load detecting unit 12 detects a pressing load of a pressing target such as a finger on the contact surface of the touch sensor 11, and uses, for example, a strain gage sensor or a piezoelectric element or the like that linearly reacts to the load. Composition. The touch display unit 13 vibrates the touch sensor 11, for example, using a piezoelectric element.

The display unit 14 displays an input object such as an input button such as a push button switch (push button switch), and is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic electroluminescence (EL) display panel. The contact input to the input target displayed on the display unit 14 is detected by the control unit 16 based on the position information output from the touch sensor 11. The memory unit 15 stores various kinds of information such as drive signal information of the tactile display unit 13, and is configured by, for example, using volatile or non-volatile memory. The control unit 16 is configured by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), and adjusts the reference for displaying the tactile sensation based on the pressing load information from the load detecting unit 12, and is stored in accordance with the memory unit 15 when the reference is satisfied. The driving signal information is used to control the driving of the tactile display unit 13.

The drive signal information of the tactile sense display unit 13 stored in the memory unit 15 includes various kinds of information such as the frequency of the contact surface vibration and the number of vibration cycles for each tactile sensation displayed by the user. The control unit 16 controls the driving of the tactile display unit 13 based on the driving signal information of the storage unit 15, and can display a tactile sensation of “咕噜” or a tactile sensation of “咕咕” to a pressing target such as a finger. Or feel the touch of "kazi" and other touches. Here, when the touch display unit 13 is configured using a piezoelectric element, the control unit 16 displays a soft touch feeling of “咕噜” or “咕咕”, and is about 200 Hz to 500 Hz. The triangular wave signal or the sine wave signal is applied as a drive signal to the piezoelectric element in two to three cycles. In addition, when the hard touch is perceived as "card", the control unit 16 applies a rectangular wave signal of about 200 Hz to 500 Hz as a drive signal to the piezoelectric element in two to three cycles.

In addition, in order to control the driving of the tactile sensation display unit 13, the control unit 16 can further improve the operational feeling of the user, and can display a click sensation that is perceived as “唧” for the pressing target of a finger or the like. When the control unit 16 displays a click feeling that is "唧" such as pressing a hard button switch, a sine wave signal or a rectangular wave signal of about 100 Hz to 200 Hz as a drive signal is applied for one cycle. In the case of a click feeling that is perceived as "唧", even in the input of the input target of the software displayed on the display unit 14, the user can obtain a tactile sensation like pressing a button switch of the hardware, thereby The sense of operation felt by the user is improved. In addition, the "咕噜" described in this manual )", "咕咕" )", "Kazi ( )", "唧" ") is an exemplary example of a driving signal for actually displaying a tactile sensation expressed by Japanese.

The control unit 16 can adjust the load reference of the display tactile sensation as a reference for displaying the tactile sensation. That is, the control unit 16 can control the timing at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the load threshold for the pressing load from the load detecting unit 12. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of adjustment of a load reference of a tactile sensation. The control unit 16 adjusts the load standards (X1, X2, and X3) for displaying the tactile sensation to the operators A, B, and C according to the pressing force of the pressing load. In this case, the operator A who has a strong pressing force applies a high load reference X1, and the operator B whose medium pressing force is applied is set to a medium load reference X2, and the pressing force is weak. Operator C sets the weak load reference X3. The operator A reaches the load reference X1 for displaying the tactile sensation 0.5 seconds after the start of the pressing, and thus the display of the tactile sensation can be received at this time. Further, the operators B and C respectively reach the load standards X2 and X3 for displaying the tactile sensation in 0.7 seconds and 0.9 seconds after the start of the pressing, and thus the tactile sensation can be received at this time. By adjusting the load reference for displaying the tactile sensation according to the pressing force of the pressing load, the common load reference (X) is used as compared with, for example, FIG. 9 , even when the pressing force of the pressing load is weak. It only takes time from the start of pressing to the display of the tactile sensation, so that the operator's operational feeling is not impaired.

Further, the control unit 16 can adjust the time reference of the display tactile sensation as a reference for displaying the tactile sensation. That is, the control unit 16 can control the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the time required from the start of pressing to the display of the tactile sensation. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of adjustment of a time base of a tactile sensation. The control unit 16 adjusts the time base (0.8 seconds) for displaying the tactile sensation to the operators B and C according to the pressing force of the pressing load. In this case, the operator A who has a strong pressing force application force reaches the load reference X for displaying the tactile sensation at the time point of 0.5 seconds in the time reference, and thus the display of the tactile sensation can be received at this time point. On the other hand, the operator C whose pressing force is applied to the middle of the operator B and the pressing force is weak, and the load reference X for displaying the tactile sensation has not yet reached the time reference. However, since the control unit 16 controls the driving of the tactile display unit 13 to display the tactile sensation to the operators B and C at the time point of the time reference of 0.8 seconds, the operators B and C can receive the touch at the time point. The display of the sense. In this way, by adjusting the time reference for displaying the tactile sensation according to the pressing force of the pressing load, it is possible to use only the common load reference (X) as in FIG. 9, for example, even when the pressing force of the pressing load is weak. It only takes time from the start of pressing to the display of the tactile sensation, so that the operator's operational feeling is not impaired.

Further, the control unit 16 can control not only the display of the tactile sensation depending on whether or not the pressing is continued until the time reference, but also the slope of the pressing load (a manner of changing). For example, the control unit 16 can determine whether the pressing is not only "long pressing (input to hold the pressing load fixed)" but also "pressing in" by determining whether the pressing load continues to the time reference with a slope greater than or equal to the specific value. Press the load to increase the input) action. In other words, the control unit 16 appropriately controls the "press-in" operation in consideration of the slope of the pressing load, and controls the display to display the tactile sensation only for the "pressing in" operation.

Further, the control unit 16 may adjust both the load reference and the time reference based on the pressing load. Further, the control unit 16 is not limited to the above-described load reference and time reference for the object to be used as a reference for displaying the tactile sensation, and may be an arbitrary reference for the determination that can be used for the tactile sensation display.

4A and 4B are schematic views showing an example of a mounting structure of a portion including the touch sensor 11 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a main portion, and Fig. 4B is a plan view of a main portion. The display unit 14 is housed and held in the casing 21. The touch sensor 11 is held on the display unit 14 via an insulator 22 including an elastic member. In the present embodiment, the touch sensor 11 and the display unit 14 are formed in a rectangular shape that is vertically long in plan view, and the touch sensor 11 is held on the display unit 14 via the insulator 22, which is The insulator 22 is disposed at four corners of the display area A of the display portion 14 shown by the phantom line in Fig. 4B.

Further, on the casing 21, an upper cover 23 is provided to cover the surface area of the touch sensor 11 away from the display area of the display unit 14, and the top cover 23 and the touch sensor are provided. An insulator 24 including an elastic member is disposed between the 11 layers.

Further, in the touch sensor 11 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the surface member having the contact surface 11a is made of, for example, a transparent film or glass, and the back surface member is made of glass or acrylic acid resin. The touch sensor 11 uses a sensor in which the pressing portion is subjected to a small amount of deflection (strain) corresponding to the pressing force or a small amount of deflection of the structure itself if the contact surface 11a is pressed.

On the surface of the touch sensor 11, in the vicinity of each side covered by the top cover 23, a load (pressing force) applied to the touch sensor 11 is detected by adhesion or the like, respectively. A load sensor 31 composed of a strain gauge sensor or a piezoelectric element. Further, on the back surface of the touch sensor 11, a piezoelectric element 32 for vibrating the touch sensor 11 is provided by adhesion or the like in the vicinity of opposite sides. That is, in the tactile display device shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the load detecting portion 12 shown in FIG. 1 is configured using four load sensors 31, and the tactile display portion 13 uses two piezoelectric elements 32. Composition. Further, the touch display unit 13 vibrates the touch sensor 11 to vibrate the contact surface 11a, thereby displaying a tactile sensation to the contact object on the contact surface 11a. In addition, the illustration of the frame 21, the top cover 23, and the insulator 24 shown in FIG. 4A is omitted in FIG. 4B.

In the touch display device of the present embodiment, the touch sensor 11 detects a contact operation with respect to the contact surface 11a. Further, the control unit 16 adjusts the reference (for example, the load reference or the time reference) for displaying the tactile sensation based on the pressing load detected by the load detecting unit 12. Further, when the criterion for displaying the tactile sensation is satisfied, the control unit 16 controls the driving of the tactile sensation display unit 13 to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target that presses the contact surface 11a.

Hereinafter, the tactile sensation display operation of the touch display device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5.

First, when the control unit 16 detects that the finger or the like has touched the contact surface 11a based on the signal from the touch sensor 11, the control unit 16 starts to acquire the pressing load from the load detecting unit 12 (step 102). Then, the control unit 16 adjusts the reference of the display tactile sensation such as the load reference or the time reference based on the pressing load (step S103), and when the criterion is satisfied (YES in step S104), based on the slave memory unit The obtained drive signal is used to drive the tactile display unit 13 so that the tactile display unit 13 displays a tactile sensation to the user (step S105). When the control unit 16 has adjusted the load reference in step S103, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the pressed load input from the load detecting unit 12 satisfies the adjusted load reference in step S104. When the control unit 16 has adjusted the time reference in step S103, the control unit 16 determines whether the pressing load input from the load detecting unit 12 satisfies the preset value (unadjusted) of the display tactile sensation in step S104. The load reference (for example, 1.0 N) or whether the pressing load continues to the adjusted time base with a slope greater than or equal to a specific value is determined. In addition, the adjustment of the reference may be made according to an increased slope of the pressing load. For example, when the slope is large, it is preferably adjusted to a reference whose time point is later than the preset value, and when the slope is small, it is preferably adjusted to a reference whose time point is earlier than the preset value.

According to the touch display device of the present embodiment, when the user presses the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11, the control unit 16 adjusts the reference for displaying the tactile sensation according to the pressing load, and if the reference is satisfied, the control is performed. The touch object is displayed on the pressed object. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Further, the control unit 16 can adjust the load reference as the reference tactile sensation, and control when the pressing load satisfies the load reference to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target. That is, the control unit 16 can control the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the load threshold value for the pressing load from the load detecting unit 12. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Further, the control unit 16 can adjust the time reference of the display tactile sensation as the reference, and control when the pressing load continues to the time reference with a slope equal to or greater than the specific value to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target. That is, the control unit 16 can control the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the time required to start pressing until the tactile sensation is displayed. Further, the control unit 16 appropriately determines the "press-in" operation in consideration of the slope of the pressing load, and controls the display to display the tactile sensation only for the "press-in" operation. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Further, the control unit 16 can control the driving of the tactile display unit 13 so that the tactile sensation displayed to the operator becomes a click tactile sensation. Thereby, even in the input of the input target of the software displayed on the display unit 14, the user can obtain a tactile sensation such as pressing a hard button switch, and thus the user's feeling of operation can be further improved.

(Second embodiment)

Fig. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a touch display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the touch display device, the load detecting unit 12 and the tactile display unit 13 of the touch display device of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are replaced by the piezoelectric element 17. The touch sensor 11, the display unit 14, the memory unit 15, and the control unit 16 have the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the description of the touch sensor 11 , the display unit 14 , the memory unit 15 , and the control unit 16 in the first embodiment, the load detecting unit 12 and the touch sensing unit 13 describe the load detecting unit. The 12" and "tactile display portion 13" are appropriately replaced with "piezoelectric element 17".

The piezoelectric element 17 is mounted on the touch sensor 11. The piezoelectric element 17 is controlled by the control unit 16 in a load detection mode for detecting a pressing load on the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11 by the piezoelectric positive effect, and by using a piezoelectric inverse effect. The operation is performed in any of the tactile display modes in which the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11 vibrates. Further, in the load detection mode, an output signal corresponding to the pressing load of the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11 is supplied to the control unit 16. Further, in the touch display mode, the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11 is vibrated according to the drive signal supplied from the control unit 16, and the specific touch corresponding to the drive signal is displayed on the pressed object pressing the contact surface. sense.

7A and 7B are schematic views showing a schematic configuration example of a mounting structure of the touch sensor 11, the piezoelectric element 17, and the display unit 14 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of a main portion, and Fig. 7B is a plan view of a main portion. . On the back surface of the touch sensor 11, in the vicinity of one side or a plurality of sides covered by the top cover 23, piezoelectric elements 17 are respectively mounted in the vicinity of the three sides. The piezoelectric element 17 detects a pressing load on the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11, and is used to vibrate the touch sensor 11 to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface 11a. The outputs of the three piezoelectric elements 17 are supplied in parallel to the control unit 16. In addition, FIG. 7B omits illustration of the frame 21, the top cover 23, and the insulator 24 shown in FIG. 7A.

In the touch display device of the present embodiment, the touch sensor 11 detects a contact operation with respect to the contact surface 11a. Further, the control unit 16 adjusts the reference (for example, the load reference or the time reference) for displaying the tactile sensation based on the pressing load detected by the piezoelectric element 17. Further, when the criterion for displaying the tactile sensation is satisfied, the control unit 16 controls the driving of the piezoelectric element 17 to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target that presses the contact surface 11a.

Hereinafter, the tactile sensation display operation of the notification information of the tactile sensation display device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8.

First, the control unit 16 sets the three piezoelectric elements 17 in the load detection mode, and monitors the output signals of the three piezoelectric elements 17 (step S201). Then, when the control unit 16 detects that the finger or the like has contacted the contact surface 11a based on the signal from the touch sensor 11, the control unit 16 starts to take the pressing load from the three piezoelectric elements 17 (step S203). Then, the control unit 16 adjusts the reference of the display tactile sensation such as the load reference or the time reference based on the acquired pressing load (step S204), and when the criterion is satisfied (YES in step S205), three are The piezoelectric element 17 is switched from the load detection mode to the tactile display mode (step S206). Then, the control unit 16 drives the tactile display unit 13 by the drive signal acquired from the storage unit 15 to display a tactile sensation to the user (step S207). Thereafter, the control unit 16 restores the three piezoelectric elements 17 to the load detection mode (step S208), and calculates the pressing load on the touch sensor 11. When the control unit 16 has adjusted the load reference in step S204, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the pressing load input from the three piezoelectric elements 17 satisfies the adjusted load reference in step S205. Further, when the control unit 16 has adjusted the time reference in step S204, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the pressing load input from the three piezoelectric elements 17 satisfies the preset value of the display tactile sensation (unadjusted) in step S205. The load reference (for example, 1.0 N) or whether the pressing load continues to the adjusted time base with a slope greater than or equal to a specific value is determined. Additionally, the adjustment of the reference may be based on an increased slope of the pressing load. For example, when the slope is large, it is preferably adjusted to a reference whose time point is later than the preset value, and when the slope is small, it is preferably adjusted to a reference whose time point is earlier than the preset value.

According to the touch display device of the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 17 can be shared as a load sensor that detects a pressing load on the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11, and an actuator that vibrates the contact surface 11a ( Actuator), which reduces the number of parts to achieve cost reduction. Moreover, since the number of parts can be reduced, the installation space of the parts can be reduced, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

Further, according to the touch display device of the present embodiment, when the user presses the contact surface 11a of the touch sensor 11 in accordance with the pressing load of the reference for displaying the tactile sensation, the control unit 16 adjusts the tactile sensation according to the pressing load. The reference, when the reference is satisfied, is controlled to display a tactile sensation to the pressed object. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Further, the control unit 16 adjusts the load reference as the reference tactile sensation, and can control to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target when the pressing load satisfies the load reference. That is, the control portion 16 can control the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the load threshold value for the pressing load from the piezoelectric element 17. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Further, the control unit 16 adjusts the time reference of the display touch as the reference, and controls the touch load to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target when the pressing load continues to the time reference with a slope equal to or greater than the specific value. That is, the control unit 16 can control the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed by adjusting the time required to start pressing until the tactile sensation is displayed. Further, the control unit 16 appropriately determines the "press-in" operation in consideration of the slope of the pressing load, and controls the display to display the tactile sensation only for the "press-in" operation. Thereby, even when the application force of the pressing load is weak, the operator can be made to feel tactile without destroying the operational feeling.

Moreover, the control unit 16 can control the driving of the piezoelectric element 17 so that the tactile sensation displayed to the operator becomes a click sensation. Thereby, even in the input of the input target of the software displayed on the display unit 14, the user can obtain a tactile sensation such as pressing a hard button switch, and thus the user's feeling of operation can be further improved.

While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments of the embodiments, Therefore, it should be noted that such variations or modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions and the like included in each component or the like can be rearranged in a theoretically non-contradictory manner, and a plurality of components can be combined into one or divided into a plurality of components.

For example, after the load detecting unit 12 or the piezoelectric element 17 starts the detection of the pressing load, the feeling of pressing is stimulated until the reference of the adjusted display tactile sensation is satisfied. If the reference is satisfied, the tactile display portion 13 or the piezoelectric element 17 is driven with a specific driving signal to vibrate the contact surface 11a to stimulate the tactile sensation. Thereby, the click sensation is displayed to the operator so that the operator recognizes that the input operation has ended. Therefore, even if a button switch such as a push button switch (push button switch) is drawn on the upper portion of the touch sensor 11, the operator can obtain the same true click touch feeling as in the case of operating the button switch. And the operator can perform an input operation on the touch sensor 11, so that it does not feel uncoordinated. Moreover, the operator can perform an input operation in conjunction with the "pressing" the consciousness of the touch sensor 11, thereby preventing erroneous input caused by the individual pressing.

Further, the criterion of the pressing load for displaying the tactile sensation can be appropriately set, for example, according to the load characteristic when the push button switch to be displayed is pressed. For example, the reference may be set to be the same as the load that the touch sensor 11 responds to the contact input (the reaction of the touch input of the touch sensor 11 is set to be the same as the time of displaying the touch), or may be set. The load is higher than the load that responds to the touch input by the touch sensor 11 (the time point at which the tactile sensation is displayed is set later than the response of the touch input of the touch sensor 11). For example, when the touch sensitive display device of the present embodiment is applied to a portable terminal, it is preferably set to a load that the touch sensor 11 responds to the contact input (the time point at which the touch is displayed is set to be more touched. The contact input of the sensor 11 is reacted later). Moreover, it is also possible to freely set (adjust) for the user, for example, the pressing load is set to be heavier (later) for an older user, and the pressing load is set lighter (earlier) for a younger user.

Further, for example, the number of the tactile display unit 13, the load detecting unit 12, and the piezoelectric element 17 is not limited to the number described in the embodiment, and may be any number. For example, the piezoelectric element 17 is not limited to three, and may be set to any number. Moreover, the configuration of the piezoelectric element 17 can also be set as a monomorph, a unimorph, a bimorph according to the area or vibration amplitude of the touch sensor 11. A well-known structure such as a laminate type.

Moreover, the present invention can also be effectively applied to a touch display device in which the touch sensor 11 functions as a touch switch that performs an on/off operation. In addition, the tactile display device of the present invention can display the tactile sensation in sequence on different references (loads) in the middle of pressing the touch sensor 11, and display two stages of switches (after pressing, further pressing) Into the touch of a multi-stage switch. Thereby, for example, in the case of a shutter button applied to a camera, the touch of the focus lock (by 1 segment) and the shutter (by 2 segments) can be displayed. Further, when combined with the display unit 14, the display of the menu level screen or the like can be changed into a plurality of types depending on the number of segments to be pressed. In addition, in the case of displaying the tactile sensation of the multi-stage switch in this way, it is also possible to change at each stage. The drive signal that causes the contact surface to vibrate, thereby exhibiting different tactile sensations at various stages.

Further, the touch display device of the present invention drives the tactile sense display unit 13 or the piezoelectric element 17 when the pressing load detected by the output of the load detecting unit 12 or the piezoelectric element 17 satisfies the pressing reference for displaying the tactile sensation. Here, when the pressing load detected by the output of the load detecting unit 12 or the piezoelectric element 17 satisfies the pressing reference for displaying the tactile sensation, it may be said that the detected pressing load has reached the reference value for displaying the tactile sensation, and may be When the detected pressing load exceeds the reference value for displaying the tactile sensation, it may mean that the reference value for displaying the tactile sensation is detected based on the output of the load detecting unit or the piezoelectric element.

While the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, the present invention is not intended to limit the invention, and the present invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of protection is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application.

11‧‧‧Touch sensor

11a‧‧‧Contact surface

12‧‧‧Load Detection Department

13‧‧‧Tactile display

14‧‧‧Display Department

15‧‧‧Memory Department

16‧‧‧Control Department

17‧‧‧Piezoelectric components

21‧‧‧ frame

22‧‧‧Insulator

23‧‧‧Top cover

24‧‧‧Insulator

31‧‧‧Load sensor

32‧‧‧Piezoelectric components

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a touch display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of adjustment of a load reference of a tactile sensation.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of adjustment of a time base of a tactile sensation.

4A and 4B are schematic views showing an example of a mounting structure of a portion including the touch sensor shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the tactile sensation display operation of the touch display device of the first embodiment.

Figure 6 is a view showing the function of a touch display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Block diagram.

7A and 7B are schematic views showing an example of a mounting structure of a portion including the touch sensor shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the tactile sensation display operation of the touch display device of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of changes in the pressing load of each operator.

11‧‧‧Touch sensor

12‧‧‧Load Detection Department

13‧‧‧Tactile display

14‧‧‧Display Department

15‧‧‧Memory Department

16‧‧‧Control Department

Claims (6)

A touch sensing device includes: a touch sensor that detects a touch input; a load detecting unit that detects a pressing load on a contact surface of the touch sensor; and a tactile display portion that vibrates the contact surface; And a control unit that adjusts a reference for displaying a tactile sensation according to an applied force of a pressing load of the tactile display device, and controls the tactile sense display unit when the pressing load detected by the load detecting unit satisfies the reference Drive to display a tactile sensation to a pressed object that presses the contact surface. The touch display device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts a load reference as a display touch of the reference; and when the pressed load satisfies the load reference, The driving of the tactile display portion is controlled to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface. A touch sensing device includes: a touch sensor that detects a touch input; a load detecting unit that detects a pressing load on a contact surface of the touch sensor; and a tactile display portion that vibrates the contact surface; And a control unit that adjusts a reference for displaying the tactile sensation, and controls the tactile sense display unit when the pressing load detected by the load detecting unit satisfies the criterion Driving to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface, wherein the control portion adjusts a time reference of a display tactile sensation as the reference; when the pressing load is greater than or equal to a specific value When the slope continues until the time reference, the driving of the tactile display unit is controlled to display a tactile sensation to the pressing target that presses the contact surface. A touch display device comprising: a touch sensor for detecting a touch input; a piezoelectric element mounted on the touch sensor; and a control portion according to an applied force of a pressing load on the touch display device Adjusting a reference for displaying a tactile sensation, when a pressing load on a contact surface of the touch sensor according to an output signal of the piezoelectric element satisfies the reference, controlling driving of the piezoelectric element to press The pressed object that lives on the contact surface displays a tactile sensation. The touch display device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit adjusts a load reference as a display touch of the reference; and when the pressed load satisfies the load reference, The driving of the piezoelectric element is controlled to display a tactile sensation to a pressing object that presses the contact surface. A touch sensing display device comprising: a touch sensor for detecting a contact input; a piezoelectric element mounted on the touch sensor; and a control portion for adjusting a reference for displaying a tactile sensation according to the piezoelectric element The output signal and the pressing load on the contact surface of the touch sensor satisfy the reference, and then control the driving of the piezoelectric element to display a tactile sensation to the pressing object pressing the contact surface, wherein The control unit adjusts a time reference of the display tactile sensation as the reference; and controls the driving of the piezoelectric element when the pressing load continues to the time reference with a slope greater than or equal to a specific value, The tactile sensation is displayed on the pressing object that presses the contact surface.