JP5373134B2 - Touch panel structure and position detection method selection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a touch panel structure and a position detection method selection method, and more particularly to a touch panel structure and a position detection method selection method that combine a capacitance method and a resistive film method.

About 90% of touch panels used in current portable information devices are mainly resistive film systems. However, it is assumed that many portable information devices such as smartphones in the future will increase the number of capacitance methods capable of detecting multi-touch. Here, multi-touch means to operate by simultaneously touching a plurality of points on the surface of the touch panel.
Patent Document 1 describes that a capacitive touch panel and a resistive touch panel are provided on the front and back of one substrate.
Patent Document 2 describes that a capacitive touch panel and a resistive touch panel are provided.

JP 2010-86510 A JP 2009-116850 A

  By the way, when a capacitive touch panel is employed in a portable information device, there is a problem that the touch panel cannot be used in the operation of the portable information device underwater. This is because no static electricity is generated in water. In other words, since the capacitance method measures the touched position by using the fact that the capacitance at the touched position changes due to static electricity when touched, it cannot be used in water where static electricity is not generated. The only input method that can be used underwater is a resistive film method that generates electrical continuity when pressed. For example, at present, most of the touch panels used in commercially available waterproof cameras occupy the resistive film type.

  Here, when a capacitive touch panel is used for the waterproof camera, it is not possible to operate underwater as described above, so it is necessary to use a resistive touch panel to realize touch panel operation underwater. There is. There are waterproof cases for using portable information devices underwater, but even if you use a waterproof case, you cannot operate the capacitive touch panel when using it underwater. Need to be operated. This is very inconvenient for users who are used to operating the touch panel.

On the other hand, it is unavoidable to change all smart phones sold by the capacitive method to the resistive film method. Further, there is a problem that the apparatus cannot be made compact simply by combining the capacitive type and the resistive film type. This problem cannot be solved by either of Patent Documents 1 and 2.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact touch panel structure and a position detection method selection method while being able to use the touch panel even in water. That is.

A touch panel structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes:
A first non-conductor (for example, the first non-conductor 50 in FIG. 2);
A first transparent conductive film (for example, the transparent conductive film 60 in FIG. 2);
A first electrode and a second electrode (for example, the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2 in FIG. 2) formed under the first non-conductor and arranged in parallel with each other;
Third to sixth electrodes (for example, electrodes 62 # 1 to 62 # 4 in FIG. 2) formed at the four corners of the first transparent conductive film;
A second transparent conductive film (for example, the transparent conductive film 80 in FIG. 2);
Microdots (for example, microdot 72 in FIG. 2) sandwiched between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film;
A second non-conductor (for example, the second non-conductor 81 in FIG. 2);
Seventh and eighth electrodes (for example, electrodes 82 # 1 and 82 in FIG. 2) formed on the second non-conductor and disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes and parallel to each other. # 2)
A first power supply (eg, power supply 54 in FIG. 2) that provides a voltage gradient between the first and second electrodes;
A second power source (eg, power source 86 in FIG. 2) that provides a voltage gradient between the seventh and eighth electrodes;
A first voltage sensor (for example, a voltmeter 56 in FIG. 2) that is electrically connected to the first electrode and measures a voltage;
A second voltage sensor (for example, a voltmeter 84 in FIG. 2) that is electrically connected to the seventh electrode and measures a voltage;
First to fourth current sensors (for example, a resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) and a voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1) in FIG. 2) electrically connected to the third to sixth electrodes, respectively. To 4)),
The first non-conductor, the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, the second transparent conductive film, and the second non-conductor are stacked in this order from the touch operation surface downward.
A configuration of a capacitive touch panel is realized by the first non-conductive body and the first transparent conductive film,
The first transparent conductive film, the microdots, and the second transparent conductive film form a resistive film type touch panel.
According to such a configuration, the touch position of the touch point can be detected by a resistive film method in water, and the touch position of the touch point can be detected by a capacitance method in a place other than under water.

In addition, it further includes a determination unit (for example, the control IC 12 in FIG. 1) for determining whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred based on the outputs of the first to fourth current sensors.
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has not occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors according to the resistive film method.
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. Is desirable. With this configuration, when the touch panel-equipped device is in the water and the judgment unit determines that the surface charge has not changed, the resistance film system is used, and the touch-panel-equipped device is not in the water. When it is determined that a change in surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel can be calculated according to the capacitance method. The user can use the touch panel operation.

Further, when the control signal that is input from the outside and indicates whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred indicates that the surface charge has not occurred, the determination unit, according to the resistive film method, Based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated,
When the control signal indicates that a change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. You may make it do. With this configuration, an appropriate one of the capacitive touch panel and the resistive touch panel can be operated according to the mode switch operation and the sensor detection result.

  In addition, the determination unit uses one of the first output group of the first to second voltage sensors and the second output group of the first to fourth current sensors to output one of the output groups with an early output timing. The position of the touch point of the touch panel may be calculated by any one of the applicable electrostatic capacity method and resistive film method. With this configuration, in a situation where both the capacitive touch panel and the resistive touch panel can be used, processing corresponding to the touch panel operation can be started quickly.

The position detection method selection method according to an aspect of the present invention is as follows.
A first non-conductor (for example, the first non-conductor 50 in FIG. 2);
A first transparent conductive film (for example, the transparent conductive film 60 in FIG. 2);
A first electrode and a second electrode (for example, the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2 in FIG. 2) formed under the first non-conductor and arranged in parallel with each other;
Third to sixth electrodes (for example, electrodes 62 # 1 to 62 # 4 in FIG. 2) formed at the four corners of the first transparent conductive film;
A second transparent conductive film (for example, the transparent conductive film 80 in FIG. 2);
Microdots (for example, microdot 72 in FIG. 2) sandwiched between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film;
A second non-conductor (for example, the second non-conductor 81 in FIG. 2);
Seventh and eighth electrodes (for example, electrodes 82 # 1 and 82 in FIG. 2) formed on the second non-conductor and disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes and parallel to each other. # 2)
A first power supply (eg, power supply 54 in FIG. 2) that provides a voltage gradient between the first and second electrodes;
A second power source (eg, power source 86 in FIG. 2) that provides a voltage gradient between the seventh and eighth electrodes;
A first voltage sensor (for example, a voltmeter 56 in FIG. 2) that is electrically connected to the first electrode and measures a voltage;
A second voltage sensor (for example, a voltmeter 84 in FIG. 2) that is electrically connected to the seventh electrode and measures a voltage;
First to fourth current sensors (for example, a resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) and a voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1) in FIG. 2) electrically connected to the third to sixth electrodes, respectively. To 4)),
The first non-conductor, the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, the second transparent conductive film, and the second non-conductor are stacked in this order from the touch operation surface downward.
A configuration of a capacitive touch panel is realized by the first non-conductive body and the first transparent conductive film,
About the touch panel structure which has realized the composition of the resistive touch panel by the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, and the second transparent conductive film,
A determination unit for determining whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred based on outputs of the first to fourth current sensors;
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has not occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors according to the resistive film method.
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. It is characterized by.

  According to this selection method, the touch point touch position can be detected by a resistive film method in water, and the touch point touch position can be detected by a capacitance method in a place other than under water. And when the device with the touch panel is in the water and the judgment unit determines that the surface charge has not changed, the resistance film system is used. When it is determined that a change in charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel can be calculated according to the capacitance method, and the user can determine whether the mobile information device is underwater or in a place other than underwater. Touch panel operation can be used.

In addition, when the control signal that is input from the outside and indicates whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred indicates that the surface charge has not occurred, the determination unit, according to the resistive film method, Based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated,
When the control signal indicates that a change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. You may make it do. According to this selection method, an appropriate one of the capacitive touch panel and the resistive touch panel can be operated according to the mode switch operation or the sensor detection result.

  The determination unit uses one of the first output group of the first to second voltage sensors and the second output group of the first to fourth current sensors, whichever output group has an early output timing. The position of the touch point of the touch panel may be calculated by any one of the applicable electrostatic capacity method and resistive film method. With this selection method, it is possible to start processing corresponding to the touch panel operation early in a situation where both the capacitive touch panel and the resistive touch panel can be used.

  According to the touch panel structure of the present invention, the touch point touch position is calculated by the resistive film method in water, and the touch point touch position is calculated by the capacitive method in places other than underwater. If the structure is employed in a portable information device, an operation using a touch panel can be performed even in water.

It is a figure which shows the function structure of the hybrid type touchscreen which employ | adopted the touchscreen structure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the laminated structure of the touchscreen structure in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the laminated structure of the touchscreen structure in FIG. It is a figure which shows the principle which calculates a touch point in a resistive touch panel. It is a figure which shows the structure of the hybrid type touchscreen which employ | adopted the touchscreen structure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to in the following description, the same parts as those in the other drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portable information device including a hybrid touch panel employing a touch panel structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The hybrid touch panel adopting the touch panel structure according to the first embodiment detects the position of the touch point by a resistive film method in water, and accurately detects the position of the touch point by a capacitance method in a place other than the water. It is different from the prior art that the touch panel structure is designed to detect. Here, “underwater” includes not only water but also places where static electricity is not generated due to high humidity such as in a shower room.
By adopting this hybrid type touch panel for portable information devices, the position of the touch point is calculated by the capacitive method with good operability outside the water such as on land. Is calculated so that the operation by the touch panel can be realized even in water.

(Configuration of portable information device)
Referring to FIG. 1, the portable information device 2 includes a hybrid touch panel 4, a noise filter 10, a control IC 12, an IF driver 15, and a host device 18.
The hybrid touch panel 4 includes a capacitive touch panel 6 and a resistive film touch panel 8.
The noise filter 10 has a function of cutting noise of a signal output from the hybrid touch panel 4.
The control IC 12 includes an A / D converter 14 that converts an analog signal into a digital signal with respect to a signal whose noise is cut by the noise filter 10. The function of this control IC 12 will be described later.

The IF driver 15 manages an interface (IF) between the control IC 12 and the host device 18. The IF driver 15 transmits the touch point position signal received from the control IC 12 to the host device 18.
The host device 18 is a main body device of the portable information device, and executes various application programs based on the position information of the touch point. The host device 18 includes a driver 16. The driver 16 manages an interface between the IF driver 15 and the host device 18.

(Structure of hybrid touch panel)
FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of the hybrid touch panel 4. The hybrid touch panel 4 includes a capacitive touch panel 6 and a resistive film touch panel 8.
The hybrid touch panel 4 includes a first non-conductor 50, a transparent conductive film 60, insulating portions 70 # 1 and 70 # 2, micro dots 72, a transparent conductive film 80, and a second non-conductor 81.

  In this example, the first non-conductor 50 has a rectangular planar shape, and a first electrode 52 # 1 and a second electrode 52 # 2 are provided in parallel to each other along opposite sides of the lower surface thereof. Since the power supply 54 is connected to the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2, a voltage gradient is generated between the two electrodes. A voltmeter 56 that functions as a voltage sensor that measures a voltage value is connected to the electrode 52 # 1.

  A transparent conductive film 60 having a rectangular planar shape is provided below the first non-conductor 50. The transparent conductive film 60 is electrically connected to the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2. In this example, the transparent conductive film 60 has a rectangular planar shape, and rectangular electrodes 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) are provided at four corners thereof. The first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2 and the electrode 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) are provided at positions where they are not in electrical contact.

  A resistor 64 # 1 and a voltmeter 66 # 1 are connected in series to the electrode 62 # 1. Similarly, a resistor 64 # i (i = 2 to 4) (not shown) and a voltmeter 66 # i (i = 2 to 4) (not shown) are connected in series to the electrode 62 # i (i = 2 to 4). It is connected to the. The voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) has one end connected to the resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) and the other end connected to the ground. If the resistance value of the resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) is known, the fingertip is obtained by dividing the voltage value measured by each voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) by the resistance value. A current flowing from the touch point P due to F or the like to the ground via the electrode 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) can be detected. That is, the series connection of the resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) and the voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) is grounded from the touch point P through the electrode 62 # i (i = 1 to 4). It functions as a current sensor that detects a current flowing toward the.

  A transparent conductive film 80 having a rectangular planar shape is provided below the transparent conductive film 60. Between the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80, insulating portions 70 # 1 and 70 # 2 and micro dots 72 are provided. Since the insulating portions 70 # 1 and 70 # 2 and the microdots 72 are provided between the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80, the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film can be used when the touch panel is not operated. The insulation state with the film 80 is maintained.

Insulating portions 70 # 1 and 70 # 2 which are insulators are provided in parallel to each other below the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2. A plurality of microdots 72 are provided between the insulating portion 70 # 1 and the insulating portion 70 # 2.
A second non-conductor 81 having a rectangular planar shape is provided below the transparent conductive film 80. The second non-conductor 81 is provided with an electrode 82 # 1 and an electrode 82 # 2 that are perpendicular to the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2 and parallel to each other along opposite sides. It has been. Since a power source 86 is connected to the electrodes 82 # 1 and 82 # 2, a voltage gradient is generated between both electrodes. A voltmeter 84 that functions as a voltage sensor that measures a voltage value is connected to the electrode 82 # 2.

The power supplies 54 and 86 and the voltmeters 56 and 84 are provided at positions that do not affect the operation of the touch panel. The voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) and the resistor 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) are also provided at positions that do not affect the operation of the touch panel.
As described above, the voltmeter 56 is electrically connected to the electrode 52 # 1. When the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80 are in electrical contact by a touch operation, a voltage value (electrode 52 # 1 and ground) provided by the power source 86 connected between the electrodes 82 # 1 and 82 # 2 Is measured by the voltmeter 56, and the Y coordinate of the touch point P is specified.

On the other hand, the voltmeter 84 is electrically connected to the electrode 82 # 2. When the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80 are brought into electrical contact by a touch operation, a voltage value (electrode 82 # 2 and ground) provided by the power source 54 connected between the electrodes 52 # 1 and 52 # 2 Is measured by the voltmeter 84, and the X coordinate of the touch point P is specified.
In this example, the longitudinal direction of the first electrode 52 # 1 and the second electrode 52 # 2 is the Y-axis direction, and the longitudinal direction of the electrode 82 # 1 and the electrode 82 # 2 is the X-axis direction.

Further, a cross-sectional structure of the touch panel of this example will be described with reference to FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section cut along a longitudinal direction of electrode 82 # 1 in FIG. 2 along a plane perpendicular to the touch panel surface and viewed from the direction of arrow YA in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, in the touch panel of this example, an electrode 82 # 1 is formed on the second non-conductor 81, and a transparent conductive film 80 is provided thereon. The second non-conductor 81 is made of, for example, transparent glass, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like.

Further, a transparent conductive film 60 is provided above the transparent conductive film 80. The first transparent conductive film 60 has conductivity, for example, indium, tin oxide (ITO), antimony, tin oxide (ATO), zinc oxide (ZO), zinc oxide doped with aluminum (AZO), and the like. It is composed of
Insulating part 70 # 1, insulating part 70 # 2, and microdot 72 are provided between transparent conductive film 80 and transparent conductive film 60. The insulating part 70 # i (i = 1, 2) and the microdot 72 are made of, for example, transparent glass, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like.

On the transparent conductive film 60, an electrode 62 # 1 and an electrode 62 # 4 are formed. The electrode 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) is made of copper, platinum or the like.
A first non-conductor 50 is provided above the transparent conductive film 60. The first non-conductor 50 has insulating properties and is made of, for example, transparent glass, polyethylene terephthalate, or the like. The first nonconductor 50 is formed above the first transparent conductive film 60.

  Here, the capacitive touch panel 6 includes a first non-conductor 50, a first transparent conductive film 60, electrodes 62 # i (i = 1 to 4), resistors 64 # i (i = 1 to 4), and voltage. 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) in total. In addition, the resistive touch panel 8 includes an electrode 52 # i (i = 1, 2), a power source 54, a voltmeter 56, a first transparent conductive film 60, and an insulating portion 70 # provided on the first nonconductor 50. i (i = 1, 2), microdot 72, second transparent conductive film 80, second non-conductor 81, electrode 82 # i (i = 1, 2) and voltmeter 84.

(Noise filter)
The noise filter 10 cuts the noise of the signal S2a output from the voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) in the capacitive touch panel 6 and outputs it to the A / D converter 14 in the control IC 12. . Further, the noise filter 10 cuts noise of the signal S2b output from the voltmeters 56 and 84 in the resistive touch panel 8 and outputs the noise to the A / D converter 14 in the control IC 12.
In addition, the noise filter 10 is comprised by the low-pass filter etc., for example.

(Control IC)
The control IC 12 has the following functions.
(1) The control IC 12 determines whether or not surface charges are generated from the signal S2a output from the A / D converter 14 and from which noise has been cut. The case where the surface charge is not generated means a case where the surface charge is not changed, the level of the signal S2a is not changed, and the measurement value is a specific constant value.
(2) As described above, when it is determined that the surface charge is not generated, the control IC 12 touches the A / D converter 14 based on the above-described resistive film method from the signal converted into a digital signal. Calculate the position of the point.

(3) As described above, when it is determined that surface charge is generated, the control IC 12 uses the A / D converter 14 to convert the signal into a digital signal based on the electrostatic capacity method. Calculate the position of the touch point. The electrostatic capacity type includes a surface type and a projection type. In this embodiment, the position of the touch point is calculated by the surface type. Of course, it is good even if it is a projection type.
(4) The control IC 12 outputs the position of the touch point as a signal S10 to the IF driver 15.

(Principle of detecting the position of the touch point by the resistive film method)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the principle of detecting the position of the touch point by the resistive film method. As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the first nonconductor 50 is touched with a fingertip F or the like, and the first nonconductor 50 and the transparent conductive film 60 are deformed downward in FIG. When the transparent conductive film 60 is deformed downward in the drawing, the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80 are in electrical contact with each other through the gap between the microdots 72 below the fingertip F.

A signal that is a measurement value of the voltmeter 84 provided corresponding to the electrode 52 # i (i = 1, 2) arranged in parallel along the side of the first non-conductor 50 is transmitted by the noise filter 10. After the noise is cut, it is converted into a digital signal. Based on the converted digital signal, the Y coordinate of the touch point is calculated.
In addition, a signal that is a measurement value of the voltmeter 56 provided corresponding to the electrode 82 #i (i = 1, 2) arranged in parallel on the second non-conductor 81 is generated by the noise filter 10. After being cut, it is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 14. Based on the converted digital signal, the control IC 12 calculates the X coordinate of the touch point.

(Principle of detecting the position of the touch point by the capacitance method)
In FIG. 2, the surface of the first non-conductor 50 is touched with a fingertip or the like in a state where a uniform electric field is generated on the entire surface of the first non-conductor 50. Since the currents i1 to i4 change in inverse proportion to the distance from the touch point to the electrodes 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) disposed at the four corners of the transparent conductive film 60, the changes in the currents i1 to i4 Is detected by a resistor and a voltmeter 64 # i (i = 1 to 4). A signal that is a measurement value of a voltmeter 64 # i (i = 1 to 4) provided in correspondence with each of the electrodes 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) is, after noise is cut by the noise filter 10, The digital signal is converted by the A / D converter 14. Based on the converted digital signal, the control IC 12 calculates the position of the touch point.

(Touch panel operation)
The operation of the touch panel of this example will be described below with reference to FIG.
The capacitive touch panel 6 outputs a voltage value detected by the voltmeter 66 # i (i = 1 to 4) as a signal S2a. The resistive touch panel 8 outputs the voltage value output from the voltmeters 56 and 84 as the signal S2b.
The noise filter 10 cuts the noise of the signals S2a and S2b and outputs the signal S6 to the A / D converter 14 as a signal S6. The A / D converter 14 samples at a predetermined sampling period based on the signal S6 output from the noise filter 10 and performs analog / digital conversion.

The control IC 12 is a signal that is output from the capacitive touch panel 6 based on the analog / digital converted digital signal, the noise is cut by the noise filter 10, and converted to a digital signal by the A / D converter 14. If the signal S2a is not valid, the position of the touch point is calculated from the digital signal digitally converted by the A / D converter 14 based on the above-described resistive film method.
On the other hand, if the signal S2a is valid, the control IC 12 determines the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point from the signal digitally converted by the A / D converter 14 based on the capacitance method described above. Is calculated.

The control IC 12 outputs the calculated touch point position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) to the IF driver 15 as a signal S10.
The IF driver 15 outputs the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point to the IF driver 16. The IF driver 16 outputs the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point to the host device 18. The host device 18 executes various application programs based on the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point.

  According to the first embodiment described above, when a charge is generated on the panel surface by touching the panel surface, the position of the touch point is detected by a capacitance method. On the other hand, when there is no change in charge on the panel surface, the position of the touch point is detected not by the capacitance method but by the resistance film method. Since it operates in this way, the portable information device can be used even in water. In addition, since the capacitive touch panel 6 and the resistive touch panel 8 share the transparent conductive film 60, the entire device can be made compact. Furthermore, since the structure sharing the transparent conductive film 60 is adopted, the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the capacitive touch panel 6 and the resistive touch panel 8 are simply combined.

  In the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not a change in charge has occurred on the panel surface. If no change in charge has occurred, the position of the touch point on the touch panel is calculated by the resistive film method. I have to. Here, since the charge on the surface changes before the fingertip or the like touches the touch panel, the detection timing by the output group from the electrode 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) for detecting the change in the charge on the surface is It is earlier than the detection timing by the output group from the voltmeter 56 and the voltmeter 84 due to the contact between the transparent conductive film 60 and the transparent conductive film 80. For this reason, among the two output groups, that is, the first output group from the electrodes 62 # i (i = 1 to 4) and the second output group from the voltmeters 56 and 84, an output group with an early output timing is selected. The position of the touch point may be detected by the capacitance method or the resistance film method, and the processing by the output group having a slow output may be canceled.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portable information device including a hybrid touch panel that employs a touch panel structure according to the second embodiment. 5, components that are substantially the same as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted as appropriate. In the second embodiment, the control IC 12 ′ is different from the control IC 12 of the first embodiment in that the control IC 12 ′ is notified from the outside as a control signal S8 whether or not electric charges are generated on the surface of the touch panel. This is what I did.

  When the control signal S8 indicates that the portable information device is being used in water (that is, indicates that no surface charge is generated), the control IC 12 ' Calculate the position of the touch point on the touch panel. On the other hand, when the control signal S8 indicates that the portable information device is used outside the water, such as on land, the position of the touch point on the touch panel is calculated according to the capacitance method.

The control signal S8 may be configured to be generated by a user operating an external switch such as a mode switching switch, or may be configured to be generated by a detection result of a pressure sensor or the like (not shown). .
The control IC 12 ′ outputs the calculated touch point position to the IF driver 15. The IF driver 15 outputs the touch point position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) to the driver 16. The IF driver 16 outputs the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point to the host device 18. The host device 18 executes various application programs based on the position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the touch point.

(Summary)
As described above, the touch panel structure according to the present invention incorporates a capacitive touch panel and a resistive film type touch panel. The position can be detected. Since the electric charge is generated on the panel surface other than underwater, the position of the touch point can be calculated by a capacitance method with high detection accuracy.

  The scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated and described exemplary embodiments, but includes all embodiments that provide the same effects as those intended by the present invention. Furthermore, the scope of the invention is not limited to the combinations of features of the invention defined by the claims, but can be defined by any desired combination of particular features among all the disclosed features.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used as a touch panel structure and a position detection method selection method for mobile information devices such as mobile phones.

4 Hybrid touch panel 6 Capacitive touch panel 8 Resistive touch panel 10 Noise filter 12, 12 'Control IC
14 A / D converter 15 IF driver 16 driver 18 Host device 50 1st non-conductor 52 # 1 1st electrode 52 # 2 2nd electrode 54, 86 Power supply 62 # 1-62 # 4 Electrode 64 # 1-64 # 4 Resistance 56, 66 # 1 to 66 # 4, 84 Voltmeter 70 # 1, 70 # 2 Insulating part 72 Microdot 60, 80 Transparent conductive film 81 Second non-conductor 82 # 1, 82 # 2 Electrode

Claims (7)

A first nonconductor;
A first transparent conductive film;
First and second electrodes formed under the first non-conductor and disposed parallel to each other;
Third to sixth electrodes formed at four corners of the first transparent conductive film;
A second transparent conductive film;
Microdots sandwiched between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film;
A second non-conductor;
Seventh and eighth electrodes formed on the second non-conductor and disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes and parallel to each other;
A first power supply for providing a voltage gradient between the first and second electrodes;
A second power supply for providing a voltage gradient between the seventh and eighth electrodes;
A first voltage sensor electrically connected to the first electrode and measuring a voltage;
A second voltage sensor electrically connected to the seventh electrode and measuring a voltage;
Comprising first to fourth current sensors electrically connected to the third to sixth electrodes, respectively.
The first non-conductor, the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, the second transparent conductive film, and the second non-conductor are stacked in this order from the touch operation surface downward.
A configuration of a capacitive touch panel is realized by the first non-conductive body and the first transparent conductive film,
A structure of a resistive film type touch panel is realized by the first transparent conductive film, the microdots, and the second transparent conductive film. The touch panel structure according to claim 1,
A judgment unit for judging whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred based on the outputs of the first to fourth current sensors;
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has not occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors according to the resistive film method.
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. Touch panel structure characterized by The touch panel structure according to claim 2,
The determination unit
When the control signal input from the outside and indicating whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred indicates that the surface charge has not occurred, the first and second voltage sensors according to a resistive film system Calculate the touch position of the touch panel based on the measured value of
When the control signal indicates that a change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. The touch panel structure characterized by doing. The touch panel structure according to claim 2,
The determination unit
Among the first output group of the first to second voltage sensors and the second output group of the first to fourth current sensors, the corresponding electrostatic capacity method using one of the output groups with early output timing. And a position of a touch point of the touch panel is calculated by any one of a resistance film method and a touch panel structure. A first nonconductor;
A first transparent conductive film;
First and second electrodes formed under the first non-conductor and disposed parallel to each other;
Third to sixth electrodes formed at four corners of the first transparent conductive film;
A second transparent conductive film;
Microdots sandwiched between the first transparent conductive film and the second transparent conductive film;
A second non-conductor;
Seventh and eighth electrodes formed on the second non-conductor and disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first and second electrodes and parallel to each other;
A first power supply for providing a voltage gradient between the first and second electrodes;
A second power supply for providing a voltage gradient between the seventh and eighth electrodes;
A first voltage sensor electrically connected to the first electrode and measuring a voltage;
A second voltage sensor electrically connected to the seventh electrode and measuring a voltage;
Comprising first to fourth current sensors electrically connected to the third to sixth electrodes, respectively.
The first non-conductor, the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, the second transparent conductive film, and the second non-conductor are stacked in this order from the touch operation surface downward.
A configuration of a capacitive touch panel is realized by the first non-conductive body and the first transparent conductive film,
About the touch panel structure which has realized the composition of the resistive touch panel by the first transparent conductive film, the microdot, and the second transparent conductive film,
A determination unit for determining whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred based on outputs of the first to fourth current sensors;
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has not occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first and second voltage sensors according to the resistive film method.
When the determination unit determines that the change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. Position detection method selection method characterized by In the position detection method selection method according to claim 5,
The determination unit
When the control signal input from the outside and indicating whether or not a change in surface charge has occurred indicates that the surface charge has not occurred, the first and second voltage sensors according to a resistive film system Calculate the touch position of the touch panel based on the measured value of
When the control signal indicates that a change in the surface charge has occurred, the touch position of the touch panel is calculated based on the measurement values of the first to fourth current sensors according to a capacitance method. A position detection method selection method characterized by: In the position detection method selection method according to claim 5,
The determination unit
Among the first output group of the first to second voltage sensors and the second output group of the first to fourth current sensors, the corresponding electrostatic capacity method using one of the output groups with early output timing. And a position detection method selection method, wherein the position of the touch point of the touch panel is calculated by any one of a resistance film method and a resistance film method.

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