WO2011049117A1

WO2011049117A1 - Coordinate input device

Info

Publication number: WO2011049117A1
Application number: PCT/JP2010/068458
Authority: WO
Inventors: 洋介国司; 佑輔小林; 厚子田中
Original assignee: 信越ポリマー株式会社
Priority date: 2009-10-20
Filing date: 2010-10-20
Publication date: 2011-04-28
Also published as: JP2011090403A

Abstract

Disclosed is a coordinate input device that uses an established interface and inexpensive conductive rubber contact points, and has a quadrilateral coordinate output. The coordinate input device comprises a first substrate (10), a primary surface whereof has an orthogonal x-y coordinate system set thereupon, wherein the first substrate (10) further comprises a first contact point (110), in a first quadrant, further comprising a first common electrode (111), a first y-axis electrode (112), and a first x-axis electrode (113), a second contact point (120), in a second quadrant, further comprising a second common electrode (121), a second y-axis electrode (122), and a second x-axis electrode (123), a third contact point (130), in a third quadrant, further comprising a third common electrode (131), a third y-axis electrode (132), and a third x-axis electrode (133), and a fourth contact point (140), in a fourth quadrant, further comprising a fourth common electrode (141), a fourth y-axis electrode (142), and a fourth x-axis electrode (143); and a second substrate (20), further comprising a first facing electrode (151), a second facing electrode (152), a third facing electrode (153), and a fourth facing electrode (154) upon a primary surface thereof that faces the first substrate; wherein the first through fourth facing electrodes (151-155) are formed from elastic bodies, the surface areas whereof that come into contact with the first substrate (10) are variable.

Description

Coordinate input device

The present invention relates to a coordinate input device used for a portable terminal or the like.

Conventionally, as a coordinate input device in a portable terminal such as a telephone or various game machines, a so-called multi-directional key is provided which has a plurality of contact points in the east, west, south, and north directions and detects an input vector by turning the contacts on and off. 1) is known. This method is easy to detect, but has a problem that the detection accuracy of the vector direction depends on the number of contacts, and the size is difficult to detect.

Instead of these on-off contacts, coordinate input devices (Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3) are known that combine a fixed contact with a movable contact made of pressure-sensitive conductive rubber and detect an input vector in an analog manner. In these methods, an expensive pressure-sensitive conductive rubber must be used, and after determining the conduction resistance of each contact, an input vector must be calculated from the coordinate data of the contact on the substrate.

Also, a detection method (Patent Document 4) for measuring the resistance ratio of two pressure-sensitive resistance elements has been proposed, but a dedicated detection circuit must also be prepared, and other on- In addition to an off-type input device, a pressure-sensitive resistance element must be formed by screen printing, which takes time and effort to manage this load-resistance characteristic.

In any of the methods, the coordinates obtained are in the same circular shape as the contact arrangement unless any correction is made. In particular, when there is only one contact point in the east, west, north, and south directions, the east, west, north, and south are the vertices. Since it is a rhombus, some correction was required to match the rectangular display screen.

On the other hand, touch panels for detecting the position touched on the display screen by an LCD or CRT are provided. As a touch panel, a resistive film type is often used, and interface devices for this resistive film type are in circulation.

JP 2005-115725 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-309095 JP 2003-83819 A Japanese Patent No. 3275116

The present invention can use an existing interface, uses an inexpensive conductive rubber contact, and easily outputs a rectangular coordinate similar to a display screen used for a portable device or the like depending on the configuration of the contact. An object is to provide a coordinate input device that can be obtained.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, an XY orthogonal coordinate system is set on the main surface, and the first common electrode on the origin side, the first Y side electrode on the Y positive direction side, and the X in the first quadrant A first contact having a first X side electrode on the positive direction side, a second common electrode on the origin side in the second quadrant, a second Y side electrode on the Y positive direction side, and a second X side electrode on the X negative direction side , A third contact having a third common electrode on the origin side in the third quadrant, a third Y side electrode on the Y negative direction side and a third X side electrode on the X negative direction side, and a fourth common electrode on the origin side in the fourth quadrant, A fourth contact having a fourth Y-side electrode on the negative Y side and a fourth X-side electrode on the positive X side; the first common electrode, the second common electrode, the third common electrode, and the fourth common Electrodes are connected to each other, and the first X side electrode, the second X side electrode, the third X side electrode, A first substrate on which the first 4X side electrode, the first 1Y side electrode and the second 4Y side electrode and said second 2Y side electrode and the second 3Y side electrode is connected,
A main surface facing the first substrate, a first counter electrode facing the first contact, a second counter electrode facing the second contact, a third counter electrode facing the third contact, the fourth A second substrate having a fourth counter electrode opposed to the contact and being displaceable with respect to the first substrate, wherein the first to fourth counter electrodes are each in contact with the first substrate. Or an elastic body that electrically conducts the fourth contact and has a variable area in contact with the first substrate.

According to the present invention, an existing interface can be used, an inexpensive conductive rubber contact is used, and, depending on the configuration of the contact, rectangular coordinate output similar to that of a display screen used for a portable device or the like can be easily performed. Can get to.

It is a figure which shows an example of the contact arrangement | positioning of the coordinate input device of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 1st contact 110. FIG. It is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the counter electrode provided in the 2nd board | substrate facing a 1st board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the resistance characteristic with respect to the press load of conductive rubber. It is a figure which shows the relationship between a contact and a counter electrode. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of a first contact 110. It is sectional drawing of the coordinate input device of this Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the coordinate input device of another aspect. It is a figure which shows the detection circuit diagram of the coordinate input device of this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the detection circuit diagram of the coordinate input device of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the contact arrange | positioned on the 1st board | substrate. It is a figure which shows the figure obtained when it traces so that a circle may be drawn, pressing a pressing member strongly. It is a figure which shows the figure obtained when it traces so that a circle may be drawn, pushing a pressing member weakly. It is a figure which shows the figure obtained when it arrange | positions so that a pressing member may draw a circle, arrange | positioning a comb-tooth-shaped contact in a regular tetragon | quadrangle.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the constituent members are different from the actual ones. Therefore, specific dimensions should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios are included between the drawings.

Further, the following embodiments exemplify apparatuses and methods for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention include the material, shape, structure, The layout is not specified as follows. Various modifications can be made to the embodiment of the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of contact arrangement of the coordinate input device according to the first embodiment.

In the coordinate input device, an XY orthogonal coordinate system is set in the main surface of the flat insulating first substrate 10. In the present embodiment, the XY coordinate system is set in the clockwise direction opposite to the normal direction for convenience, but the present invention is not limited to this.

In the first substrate, a first contact 110 is formed in the first quadrant (X positive, Y positive). The first contact 110 has a first common electrode 111 on the origin side, a first Y side electrode 112 on the Y positive direction side, and a first X side electrode 113 on the X positive direction side.

A second contact 120 is formed in the second quadrant (X negative, Y positive). The second contact 120 has a second common electrode 121 on the origin side, a second Y side electrode 122 on the Y positive direction side, and a second X side electrode 123 on the X negative direction side.

A third contact 130 is formed in the third quadrant (X negative, Y negative). The third contact 130 has a third common electrode 131 on the origin side, a third Y side electrode 132 on the Y negative direction side, and a third X side electrode 133 on the X negative direction side.

In the fourth quadrant (X positive, Y negative), a fourth contact is formed. The fourth contact 140 has a fourth common electrode 141 on the origin side, a fourth Y side electrode 142 on the Y negative direction side, and a fourth X side electrode 143 on the X positive direction side.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the first contact 110.

The first contact 110 is formed in a comb-like shape, and includes a first common electrode 111 on the origin side, and a first Y-side electrode 112 and a first X-side electrode 113 arranged so as to be opposed to the first common electrode 111. Yes. Such a comb-shaped electrode has good pressure-sensitive characteristics by accurately detecting the area of the counter electrode described later.

The other second to

fourth contacts

120, 130, 140 have the same configuration. Note that the contacts 110 to 140 of the present embodiment are not limited to the comb-teeth shape, and may be configured as other shapes such as electrodes extending in parallel.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the arrangement of the first to

fourth contacts

110, 120, 130, and 140 constitutes a rectangular apex such as a rectangle. The first to

fourth contacts

110, 120, 130, and 140 are located on a circumference equidistant from the origin O. The first to

fourth contacts

110, 120, 130, and 140 are not limited to the circumference, and may be located on the circumference of the ellipse.

Next, the circuit configuration of the first substrate 10 will be described.

The first common electrode 111 of the first contact 110, the second common electrode 121 of the second contact 120, the third common electrode 131 of the third contact 130, and the fourth common electrode 141 of the fourth contact 140 are connected to each other. .

The first X-side electrode 113 of the first contact 110 and the second X-side electrode 123 of the second contact 120 are connected to the third X-side electrode 133 of the third contact 130 and the fourth X-side electrode 143 of the fourth contact 140, respectively. ing.

The first Y-side electrode 112 of the first contact 110 and the fourth Y-side electrode 142 of the fourth contact 140 are connected to the second Y-side electrode 122 of the second contact 120 and the third Y-side electrode 132 of the third contact 130, respectively. ing.

The first X-side electrode 113 and the second X-side electrode 123 are connected to the first to fourth

common electrodes

111, 121, 131, 141 via the first dummy resistor 161 and are connected to the power line via the first switch 165. Connected to.

The third X side electrode 133 and the fourth X side electrode 143 are connected to the first to fourth

common electrodes

111, 121, 131, 141 via the second dummy resistor 162, and are connected to the ground line via the third switch 166. To the differential amplifier 167.

The fourth Y-side electrode 142 and the first Y-side electrode 112 are connected to the first to fourth

common electrodes

111, 121, 131, 141 via the third dummy resistor 163 and are connected to the power line via the second switch 168. Connected to.

The second Y-side electrode 122 and the third Y-side electrode 132 are connected to the first to fourth

common electrodes

111, 121, 131, 141 via the fourth dummy resistor 164 and are connected to the ground line via the fourth switch 169. To the differential amplifier 170.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the counter electrodes provided on the second substrate facing the first substrate.

The second substrate 20 is disposed at a predetermined distance so as to be displaceable facing the first substrate 10. On the flat insulating main surface of the second substrate 20, a first counter electrode 151 facing the first contact 110 of the first substrate 10, a second counter electrode 152 facing the second contact 120, and a third contact A third counter electrode 153 that faces 130 and a fourth counter electrode 154 that faces the fourth contact point 140 are provided.

These counter electrodes 151 to 154 are formed in a substantially spherical shape by so-called conductive rubber in which carbon rubber, silver base, or other conductive particles are blended with, for example, silicon rubber. As this conductive rubber, in addition to what is called a pressure-sensitive conductive grade, an inexpensive conductive rubber used for a general on-off switch can be used.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing resistance characteristics against the pressing load of the conductive rubber.

Curve a in the figure shows the characteristics of the pressure-sensitive conductive grade conductive rubber. Such conductive rubber, resistance decreases as the pressing load increases, asymptotically approaches a constant stable resistance R _ON. Curve b in the figure shows the characteristics of the conductive rubber used for the on-off switch. Such conductive rubber, a stable resistance R _ON of steep resistance when the pressing load increases are reduced.

The rubber hardness is preferably 35 to 80 degrees as specified in JIS K6253 type A, and should be set to 40 degrees or more from the operational feeling, 75 degrees or less from the durability, and 45 to 70 degrees from the total balance. Is more preferable.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the contact and the counter electrode.

The second substrate 20 is supported at a predetermined distance so as to be displaceable with respect to the first substrate 10. In the second substrate 20, the first counter electrode 151 is opposed to the first common electrode 111, the first Y-side electrode 112, and the first X-side electrode 113 constituting the first contact 110 formed on the first substrate 10. Is formed.

When the second substrate 20 is pressed, the first counter electrode 151 is pressed against the first contact 110 according to the pressing load, and between the first common electrode 111 and the first Y-side electrode 112, the first common electrode 111 and the first electrode The 1X side electrode 113 is electrically connected. The area where the Y-direction first counter electrode 151 made of conductive rubber contacts the Y-direction first contact 11 increases according to the pressing force due to the elastic force of the rubber.

Accordingly, the electrodes are brought into conduction when the pressing force reaches a predetermined value of the stable resistance _RON , and thereafter, the resistance value decreases according to the pressing force or remains at that value when the predetermined value is reached.

Although the relationship between the first contact 110 and the first electrode 151 is shown here, the second to

fourth contacts

120, 130, and 140 are the same as the corresponding second to fourth counter electrodes 152 to 154. Have a relationship.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an equivalent circuit of the first contact 110.

The circuit between the first common electrode 111 and the first Y-side electrode 112 and between the first common electrode 111 and the first X-side electrode 113 is equivalent to a circuit in which a switch and a resistor are connected in series. Therefore, the entire first contact has a configuration in which a circuit in which these switches and resistors are connected in series is parallel. This configuration is the same for the other second to

third contacts

120, 130, and 140.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the coordinate input device of the present embodiment.

In this figure, the first substrate 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a straight line passing through the first contact 110 and the third contact 130, and the second substrate 20 shown in FIG. 3 is replaced with the first counter electrode 151 and the third counter electrode 153. This corresponds to a cross section cut by a straight line passing through.

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the coordinate input device in a state where the pressing operation is not performed. The second substrate 20 is supported at a predetermined distance from the first substrate 10 by a dome-shaped elastic support member 31 so that the second substrate 20 can be displaced with respect to the first substrate 10.

The first substrate 10 includes a first common electrode 111 of the first contact 110, a first Y-side electrode 112 and a first X-side electrode 113, a third common electrode 131 of a third contact 130, a third Y-side electrode 132 and a third X-side. An electrode 133 is formed. On the second substrate 20, a first counter electrode 151 is formed facing the first contact 110, and a third counter electrode 153 is formed facing the third contact 130.

In the elastic support member 31, a pressing member 32 that can be operated with a finger or the like to apply a pressing force to the second substrate 20 is provided on the opposite surface on which the second substrate 20 is disposed.

In such a state where the electrode is not pressed, the counter electrode is held in a state of being separated from the opposite electrode, or is in contact with the electrode with at least a slight pressing force, so that the electrodes are insulated or sufficiently high Indicates the resistance value.

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the coordinate input device in a state where the pressing operation is performed.

When a pressing force is applied to the pressing member 32 by the finger 100 or the like, the elastic support member 31 is elastically deformed and buckles as necessary to generate a click feeling.

Here, the first contact 110 is in contact with the first common electrode 111, the first Y-side electrode 112, and the first X-side electrode 113, and between the first common electrode 111 and the first Y-side electrode 112, and between the first common electrode 111 and the first X-side electrode. The resistance between the side electrodes 113 decreases rapidly as the pressing force increases, and eventually becomes a constant stable resistance _RON .

In FIG. 3, the first contact 110 and the third contact 130 are illustrated, but this is the same for the other contacts.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a coordinate input device according to another aspect.

In another aspect, a first central contact 19 (third contact) and a central counter electrode 25 are formed in the central portions of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, respectively. The first center contact 19 is composed of a first center electrode 19a and a second center electrode 19b. The contact and the counter electrodes 19 and 25 provided in the central portion can be provided to detect the start of coordinate input operation.

Note that the contact and the counter electrode for detecting such an input operation are not limited to the central portion of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, but may be provided on the outer peripheral portion.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detection circuit diagram of the coordinate input device according to the present embodiment.

The detection circuit includes a Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 and an X-direction coordinate detection unit 50.

In the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40, the first equivalent circuit 41 formed by the first X-side electrode 113 and the first common electrode 111 of the first contact 110, the second X-side electrode 123 and the second common electrode 121 of the second contact are provided. The second equivalent circuit 42 and the first dummy resistor 45 (161) are connected in parallel, one end 61 thereof is connected to the power supply level via the first switch 47 (165), and the other is connected to the Y-direction common potential line 49. It is said that.

Here, in this circuit diagram, the reference numerals of the corresponding components in the circuit of the first substrate 10 shown in FIG. 1 are shown in parentheses to clarify the correspondence.

Further, the third equivalent circuit 43 formed by the third X-side electrode 133 and the third common electrode 131 of the third contact 130, and the fourth equivalent circuit formed by the fourth X-side electrode 143 and the fourth common electrode 141 of the fourth contact 140. 44 and the second dummy resistor 46 (162) are connected in parallel, one is the Y-direction common potential line 49, and the other end 62 is connected to the power supply level via the second switch 48 (166).

Here, the first and

second contacts

110 and 120 and the third and fourth contacts 130 are measured by measuring the potential of the Y-direction common potential line 49 with the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 turned on. , 140 can be detected. Alternatively, when any one of the first and

second contacts

110 and 120 and the third and

fourth contacts

130 and 140 is in the off state, the resistance ratio of the

corresponding dummy resistors

45 and 46 and the on-state contact is set. Can be detected.

In the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50, the fifth equivalent circuit 51 formed by the fourth Y-side electrode 142 and the fourth common electrode 141 of the fourth contact 140, the first Y-side electrode 112 and the first common electrode 111 of the first contact are provided. The sixth equivalent circuit 52 and the third dummy resistor 55 (163) are connected in parallel, one end 63 thereof is connected to the power supply level via the third switch 57 (168), and the other is connected to the X-direction common potential line 59. It is said that.

The fourth equivalent circuit 53 formed by the second Y-side electrode 122 and the second common electrode 121 of the second contact 130, and the eighth equivalent circuit formed by the third Y-side electrode 132 and the third common electrode 131 of the third contact 130. 54 and a fourth dummy resistor 56 (164) are connected in parallel, one of which is an X-direction common potential line 59, and the other end 62 is connected to the power supply level via a second switch 58 (169).

Here, the fourth and

first contacts

140 and 110 and the second and third contacts 120 are measured by measuring the potential of the X-direction common potential line 59 with the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58 turned on. , 130 can be detected. Alternatively, when any one of the fourth and

first contacts

140 and 110 and the second and

third contacts

120 and 130 is in an OFF state, the resistance ratio of a pair of the

corresponding dummy resistors

55 and 56 and the ON contact is detected. can do.

The

dummy resistor

45,46,55,56 shall be 1-30 times the value of the ballast resistor _{R ON.} This smaller and power consumption is increased, it becomes difficult to capture the transient change in resistance of up to stabilize the resistance R _ON from a large and an insulating state. Furthermore, in order to obtain a practical output range, it is more preferably 2 to 6 times. Usually, inexpensive on - the conductive rubber for off for _{R ON} is approximately 0.3 ~ 1 k [Omega, set around a 1 ~ 3.3k.

The Y-direction common potential line 49 of the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X-direction common potential line 59 of the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 are connected via the fifth switch 39. As described above, when the Y direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X direction coordinate detection unit 50 detect the XY coordinates independently, the fifth switch 39 is turned off.

In the coordinate input device according to the present embodiment, the fifth switch 39 is turned on to connect the Y-direction common potential line 49 of the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X-direction common potential line 59 of the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50. The existing resistive touch panel interface can be diverted.

That is, the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 is, for example, a Y-side resistance film, the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 is an X-side resistance film, and the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 connected to the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40, the X direction By alternately turning on and off the combination of the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58 to which the coordinate detection unit 50 is connected, and switching between the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50, a so-called constant voltage driving system is used. As with the resistive touch panel, input coordinates can be easily obtained.

Specifically, by turning on the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 and turning off the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58, the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 is turned on and the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 is turned off. Thus, the Y-direction common potential line 49 and the X-direction common potential line 59 have potentials related to the coordinates in the Y direction. On the other hand, by turning off the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 and turning on the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58, the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 is turned off and the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 is turned on. In the Y-direction common potential line 49 and the X-direction common potential line 59, potentials relating to coordinates in the X direction are obtained. The potentials of the Y-direction common potential line 49 and the X-direction common potential line 59 can be input to the interface of the resistive touch panel.

When diverting an existing resistive touch panel interface, in the measurement in the Y direction, the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 are turned on, the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58 are turned off, and the Y direction coordinate detection unit 40 is turned on. The potential difference of the Y-side resistance film is measured at one end 61 or the other end 62 of the Y-side. In the measurement in the X direction, the first switch 47 and the second switch 48 are turned off, the third switch 57 and the fourth switch 58 are turned on. Measure the potential difference. For example, such measurement can be performed by supplying the output of the other end 62 of the Y direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the other end 64 of the X direction coordinate detection unit 50 to the A / D converter 67.

The fifth switch 39 can be omitted if it is not necessary to detect the start of the input operation on the coordinate input device side. The fifth switch 39 can also be constituted by the first central contact 19 and the central counter electrode 29 shown in FIG.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a detection circuit diagram of the coordinate input device according to the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the fifth switch 39 connecting the Y direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X direction coordinate detection unit 50 is turned on, and one end 61 of the Y direction coordinate detection unit 40 is fixed via the first detection resistor 72. The current source 71 is connected, and the other end 62 is directly connected to the constant current source 71. Further, one end 63 of the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 is connected to the ground level via the second detection resistor 73, and the other end 64 is directly connected to the ground level.

The potential difference between the one end 61 and the other end 62 of the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 is detected as the Y output by detecting the potential difference between both ends of the first detection resistor 72 by the first differential amplifier 74. Further, the potential difference between the one end 63 and the other end 64 of the X direction coordinate detection unit 50 is detected as the X difference by detecting the potential difference between both ends of the second detection resistor 73 by the second differential amplifier 75.

According to the second embodiment, there is no need to switch between the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 and the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50. Therefore, since there is little noise associated with switching and the operating frequency is low, when a contact rubber with non-linear current / voltage characteristics is used, such as an inexpensive conductive rubber used for general on-off switches However, stable input coordinates can be obtained.

Such other embodiments have the same configuration as that obtained by diverting an existing interface for a resistive touch panel. The interface in this case corresponds to, for example, a constant current power source, first and

second detection resistors

72 and 73, and first and second

differential amplifiers

74 and 75.

Next, the operation of the coordinate input device of this embodiment will be described.

When the input operation is not performed, the first to

fourth contacts

110, 120, 130, and 140 in the Y direction on the first substrate 10 are all off.

When the pressing member 32 shown in FIG. 7 is pressed and a pressing force is applied to a portion corresponding to the first contact 110 and the second contact 120 in the positive region of the Y axis in FIG. 1, the second substrate 20 is displaced. The first counter electrode 151 and the second counter electrode 152 shown in FIG. 3 are in contact with the first contact 110 and the second contact 120, respectively. Thereby, the first contact 110 and the second contact are respectively conducted, the resistance decreases as the area in contact with the first contact 110 and second contact 120 is increased in accordance with the pressing force, and eventually fixed ballast resistance R _ON Become.

In this state, when the pressing position is moved in the clockwise direction with respect to the origin O, the resistance of the first contact 110 is increased, and the resistance is decreased due to the contact of the third contact 130 that is eventually turned off. When the pressing position is further moved in the clockwise direction, the second contact 120 is eventually turned off, and the second contact 120 and the third contact 130 are simultaneously turned on.

In addition, although operation | movement was demonstrated about the 1st-3rd contact 110,120,130 here, operation | movement about another 4th contact is also the same.

The plot of the output voltage of the coordinate input device in the XY plane, the resistance of each

contact

110, 120, 130 and 140 presses an annular pressing member 32 with a large force such that _{R ON,} the origin O in FIG. 1 When an operation such as tracing a circle around was performed, a roughly rectangular figure was drawn. On the other hand, the resistance of each

contact

110, 120, 130 and 140 may have performed an operation Similarly tracing the pressing member 32 with a small force that does not lead to the _{R ON,} the voltage is substantially circular figure is drawn.

As shown in FIG. 11, comb-shaped contacts 11 to 18 having a diameter of 3 mm are arranged in a square shape on a circumference of 10 mm in the first substrate 10. On the second substrate 20 facing the first substrate 10, a counter electrode having a curvature of 2.4 mm was formed of conductive silicon rubber 87C40P (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Polymer: rubber hardness 45 degrees). The annular pressing member 32 (see FIG. 6) was made of acrylic having a thickness of 0.9 mm. Ballast resistance _{R ON} of the

contacts

110, 120, 130 and 140 was 600Ω when load 500 gf.

The detection circuit shown in FIG. 9 is used, 3.3 kΩ is used as the first to

fourth dummy resistors

45, 46, 55, 56, the fifth switch 39 is turned on, and the Y-direction coordinate detection unit 40 is common in the Y direction. The potential line 48 and the X-direction common potential line 58 of the X-direction coordinate detection unit 50 are connected.

Then, the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 10 was applied, the first detection resistor 72 and the second detection resistor 73 were each set to 20Ω, and the 1 mA constant current source 71 was used. A potential difference between both ends of the first detection resistor 72 and the second detection resistor 73 is detected by a first differential amplifier 74 and a second differential amplifier 75 having an internal resistance of 1 kΩ and a differential gain of 200 times, and Y output and X output, respectively. It was.

While pressing the surface of the annular pressing member 32 with a thumb strongly, a circle was drawn and the output of the interface was displayed on the XY plane. As a result, a substantially rectangular figure as shown in FIG. 12 was observed.

On the other hand, while gently pressing the surface of the annular pressing member 32 with a little finger, a circle was drawn and the output of the interface was displayed on the XY plane. As a result, a substantially circumferential figure as shown in FIG. 13 was observed.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the comb-shaped contacts were arranged in a regular square, and the other input was performed in the same manner as the coordinate input device.

While pressing the surface of the annular pressing member 32 with a thumb strongly, a circle was drawn and the output of the interface was displayed on the XY plane. As a result, a rhombus-shaped figure different in the direction of each side from the XY direction as shown in FIG. 14 was drawn. Further, it was observed that the waveform was disturbed when switching the contacts in the XY directions, but coordinate data could be obtained.

[Other embodiments]
As described above, the present invention has been described according to the embodiment. However, it should be understood that the descriptions and drawings constituting a part of this disclosure are illustrative and do not limit the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operational techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Thus, the present invention includes various embodiments that are not described herein.

The present invention can be used for coordinate input in various electronic devices such as portable terminals.

20 2nd board | substrate 110 1st contact 120 2nd contact 130 3rd contact 140 4th contact 151 151 1st counter electrode 152 2nd counter electrode 153 1st counter electrode 154 2nd counter electrode

Claims

An XY orthogonal coordinate system is set on the main surface, and a first contact having a first common electrode on the origin side, a first Y side electrode on the Y positive direction side, and a first X side electrode on the X positive direction side in the first quadrant, Second contact having a second common electrode on the origin side in the quadrant, a second Y side electrode on the Y positive direction side, and a second X side electrode on the X negative direction side, a third common electrode on the origin side in the third quadrant, the Y negative direction Side third Y-side electrode and third negative side X-side third X-side electrode, and fourth quadrant electrode in the fourth quadrant, fourth negative-side electrode on the negative Y-side and fourth positive-side electrode on the positive X-side. A fourth contact having a 4X side electrode, wherein the first common electrode, the second common electrode, the third common electrode, and the fourth common electrode are connected to each other, and the first X side electrode and the second X side An electrode, the third X-side electrode, the fourth X-side electrode, the first Y-side electrode, and the first A first substrate Y side electrode and said second 2Y side electrode and the second 3Y side electrode is connected,
A main surface facing the first substrate, a first counter electrode facing the first contact, a second counter electrode facing the second contact, a third counter electrode facing the third contact, the fourth A second substrate having a fourth counter electrode facing the contact and being displaceable with respect to the first substrate;
The first to fourth counter electrodes are made of an elastic body that electrically contacts the first to fourth contacts, respectively, and can change the area of contact with the first substrate when contacting the first substrate. Characteristic coordinate input device.
The first Y-side electrode, the second Y-side electrode, the third Y-side electrode, the fourth Y-side electrode, and the first to fourth common electrodes are connected via a dummy resistor. Item 2. The coordinate input device according to Item 1.
The first X-side electrode, the second X-side electrode, the third X-side electrode, the fourth X-side electrode, and the first to fourth common electrodes are connected via a dummy resistor. Item 2. The coordinate input device according to Item 1.
4. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, further comprising other contacts in addition to the first to fourth contacts.
5. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein the first to fourth counter electrodes are made of conductive rubber.
The coordinate input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first to fourth counter electrodes form a quadrangle.
The coordinate input device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the first to fourth contacts is on a circumference or an ellipse.
The coordinate input device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an elastic support member that supports the second substrate so as to be displaceable with respect to the first substrate.
9. The coordinate input device according to claim 1, wherein each electrode of the first to fourth contacts has a comb shape.