Touch panel system and electronic device

Abstract

The invention provides a touch panel system capable of detecting pressing force with high precision. A touch panel system (1A) is provided with a touch panel (1) and a controller (5). The touch panel includes: an active matrix substrate (40); a color filter substrate (20); and a liquid crystal layer (30) located between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate, the active matrix substrate having a drive electrode (Tx) and a detection electrode (FRx) disposed on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer, and the color filter substrate having a conductor (212A) disposed on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer. The controller is configured to supply a drive signal to the drive electrode, acquire a signal value from the detection electrode, and detect a pressing force on the touch panel by the indicator on the basis of the signal value acquired from the detection electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a touch panel system and an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-199412 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), a touch panel for detecting touch position and pressing force is disclosed. The touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1 includes: a color filter; a plurality of first touch electrodes for sensing touch force; and a plurality of second touch electrodes and a plurality of third touch electrodes, which are separated from the plurality of first touch electrodes by a color filter and are used to sense touch position. In the touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1, an elastic dielectric layer is arranged on the plurality of first touch electrodes for sensing touch force. The touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1 uses a signal from the first touch electrode to sense touch force because the touch force of a finger or the like causes the elastic dielectric layer made of resin to deform, thereby causing the electrostatic capacitance between the finger or the like and the first touch electrode to change.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-199412 Summary of the invention

[0006] In the touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1, although the capacitance change caused by the displacement of the resin is detected, the capacitance change caused by the displacement is very small. Therefore, in the touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1, sometimes it is not possible to obtain a sufficient capacitance change. Moreover, in the touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1, the electrostatic capacitance also changes due to the change in the contact area of ​​the finger caused by pressing. Therefore, in the touch sensing display device of Patent Document 1, sometimes it is not possible to detect pressing with high accuracy. In a touch panel system and a display device having a touch panel system, high detection accuracy of pressing force is required.

[0007] According to a certain embodiment, a touch panel system has a touch panel and a controller, wherein the touch panel includes: an active matrix substrate; a color filter substrate; and a liquid crystal layer located between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate, wherein the active matrix substrate has a driving electrode and a detection electrode arranged on a surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer, and the color filter substrate has a conductor arranged on a surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer, and the controller is configured to provide a driving signal to the driving electrode and obtain a signal value from the detection electrode, and based on the signal value obtained from the detection electrode, detect the pressing of the touch panel by an indicator.

[0008] Further details will be described as embodiments described later. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of an electrode layer of the touch panel according to the first embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of part P.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA cross-section diagram.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 BB cross-section diagram.

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the detection principle in the touch panel system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of a method for detecting pressing force in a touch panel system.

[0016] Figure 8 It is a schematic plan view of an electrode layer of a touch panel according to a second embodiment.

[0017] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic enlarged view of part R of FIG.

[0018] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 Schematic diagram of the CC section.

[0019] Fig.11 It is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to a third embodiment.

[0020] Description of Reference Numerals

[0021] 1: touch panel; 1A: touch panel system; 5: controller; 10: active matrix substrate; 21: color filter; 30: liquid crystal layer; 100: electronic device; 211, 211B, 211G, 211R: color resist; 212: black matrix; 212A: black matrix electrode (conductor); F: indicator; FRx: pressure detection electrode (detection electrode, first detection electrode); Rx: position detection electrode (detection electrode); Tx: driving electrode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] [First embodiment]

[0023] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of the electronic device 100 according to the first embodiment. The electronic device 100 is, for example, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a smart watch, a vehicle-mounted information display, a personal computer, etc. The electronic device 100 includes a touch panel system 1A and a controller 50. The controller 50 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs processing required by the electronic device 100 based on a signal from the touch panel system 1A.

[0024] The touch panel system 1A includes a touch panel 1 and a controller 5 . Figure 2 1 is a schematic plan view of the electrode layer 17 including electrodes for performing position detection and pressure detection of the touch panel 1 . Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A schematic enlarged view of part P. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA cross-section diagram of Figure 5 yes Figure 3 BB cross-section diagram.

[0025] The touch panel 1 is a full in-cell touch panel, in which an electrostatic capacitive touch panel is assembled on a liquid crystal panel. Figure 4 As shown, the touch panel 1 includes: an active matrix substrate 10; a color filter substrate (hereinafter referred to as a CF substrate) 20; and a liquid crystal layer 30, which is arranged between the active matrix substrate 10 and the CF substrate 20. A pair of polarizing plates 40 are arranged outside the active matrix substrate 10 and the CF substrate 20. The thickness (cell gap) of the liquid crystal layer 30 is, for example, about 3 μm.

[0026] The CF substrate 20 includes a glass substrate 22, a color filter 21, and a black matrix 212. The color filter 21 and the black matrix 212 are arranged on the surface of the glass substrate 22 opposite to the liquid crystal layer 30. A polarizing plate 40 is arranged on the surface opposite to the glass substrate 22. A glass cover 41 is arranged on the polarizing plate 40, and the surface of the glass cover forms a touch surface 1T of the touch panel 1. The touch panel 1 receives an indicator F such as a finger or a touch pen on the touch surface 1T (see Figure 6 ) operation.

[0027] The color filter 21 has a plurality of different color resists arranged for each pixel. In the present embodiment, the color filter 21 includes red (R), green (G), and blue (B) color resists 211R, 211G, and 211B. The color resists 211R, 211G, and 211B are representatively referred to as color resists 211. The different colors of the resists may be three or more.

[0028] The black matrix 212 is arranged at the boundary of the color resist 211. In the present embodiment, the black matrix 212 is arranged between adjacent color resists 211. That is, each color resist 211 is separated by the black matrix 212. The black matrix 212 includes at least one black matrix electrode (conductor) 212A. The black matrix electrode 212A is formed by a material having conductivity and light shielding properties such as metal, and is connected to a reference potential. Therefore, the black matrix electrode 212A functions as a ground electrode and functions as a black matrix. The black matrix 212 can be partially composed of the black matrix electrode 212A, or it can be composed entirely of the black matrix electrode 212A.

[0029] Alternatively, the black matrix 212 may include a black matrix layer formed of a conventional black matrix material and black matrix electrodes 212A disposed on the black matrix layer.

[0030] The active matrix substrate 10 includes a glass substrate 11 and has a general structure of a liquid crystal panel for applying an electric field to a liquid crystal layer 30 and driving pixels. Specifically, the active matrix substrate 10 has a plurality of gate bus lines 12, a plurality of source bus lines 14, a plurality of switching elements (not shown), and a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown).

[0031] The plurality of gate bus lines 12 extend in the x-axis direction and are arranged in the y-axis direction.

[0032] The plurality of source bus lines 14 extend in the y-axis direction and are arranged in the x-axis direction. The insulating layer 13 is located between the gate bus line 12 and the source bus line 14 , and the insulating layer 15 is located between the pixel electrode and the source bus line 14 .

[0033] The insulating layer 16 is positioned to cover the pixel electrode, and the electrode layer 17 is located on the insulating layer 16. In this embodiment, the electrode layer 17 includes an electrode that is used to apply a voltage between the pixel electrode and the electrode, and to provide an electric field to the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 30, and to detect the position and pressure of the touch panel. More specifically, Figure 2 As shown, the electrode layer 17 includes a plurality of driving electrodes Tx, a plurality of position detection electrodes Rx, and a plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx. Figure 2In FIG. 8 , hatching is added to these electrodes. The driving electrodes Tx, the position detection electrodes Rx, and the pressure detection electrodes FRx are transparent electrodes such as ITO (Indium Tin Oxide).

[0034] The plurality of driving electrodes Tx extend in the x-axis direction and are arranged in the y-axis direction. The plurality of position detection electrodes Rx are arranged in a two-dimensional manner in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. More specifically, the rows of the plurality of position detection electrodes Rx arranged in the x-axis direction and one of the plurality of driving electrodes Tx are arranged alternately in the y-axis direction. Therefore, the driving electrode Tx is located between the position detection electrodes Rx adjacent to each other in the y-axis direction.

[0035] The position detection electrodes Rx arranged in the y-axis direction are connected to each other by wirings Wr arranged below the driving electrodes Tx via an insulating layer.

[0036] The plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx extend in the y-axis direction and are arranged in the x-axis direction. Figure 2 As shown, each pressure detection electrode FRx is arranged between a plurality of position detection electrodes Rx arranged in the x-axis direction, and is cut off at a position overlapping with the driving electrode Tx.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, in the present embodiment, the driving electrode Tx has two slits St1 and one slit St2 in the area intersecting with the press detection electrode FRx. The slits St1 are respectively arranged on a pair of sides located in the y-axis direction of the driving electrode Tx, and have openings on each side. On the other hand, the slit St2 is separated from the pair of sides and arranged near the center of the driving electrode Tx in the y-axis direction. The slits St1 and St2 are arranged in the y-axis direction and separated in the y-axis direction. Since the slits St1 and St2 are separated, the driving electrode Tx is continuous in the x-axis direction and can transmit the driving signal to the edge.

[0038] The pressure detection electrodes FRx are arranged in the slits St1 and St2. The pressure detection electrodes FRx in the slits St1 and St2 are connected to each other by wiring Wf arranged below the driving electrodes Tx between the slits St1 and St2 via an insulating layer.

[0039] Figure 3 The corresponding relationship between the pixels of the liquid crystal panel and the electrode layer 17 is also shown, and the color resists 211R, 211G, and 211B are represented by dotted lines. In the x-axis direction, the color resists of different colors are repeatedly arranged in the order of color resists 211R, 211G, and 211B, and the color resists of the same color are arranged in the y-axis direction.

[0040] The pressure detection electrode FRx has a width in the x-axis direction that is, for example, approximately the same as that of the pixel or each color resist.

[0041] A gap Ga is provided in the boundary region between the pressure detection electrode FRx and the driving electrode Tx. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the position of the black matrix electrode 212A is set to overlap with the gap Ga between the pressure detection electrode FRx and the driving electrode Tx in a plan view.

[0042] The driving electrode Tx and the detecting electrodes Rx and FRx are connected to the controller 5. The driving signal is supplied to the driving electrode Tx from the controller 5. The detecting signal is input to the controller 5 from the detecting electrodes Rx and FRx.

[0043] The electronic device 100 can be manufactured by a general manufacturing method using a manufacturing technology of a liquid crystal display device or an in-cell touch panel.

[0044] Figure 6 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the detection principle in the touch panel system 1A according to the first embodiment. Scene SC1 shows a state before a pointer F such as a finger contacts the touch surface 1T of the touch panel 1 (before contact). Scene SC2 shows a state in which the pointer F contacts the touch surface 1T of the touch panel 1 but is not pressed (before pressing). Scene SC3 shows a state in which pressing is performed while the pointer F is in contact (during pressing).

[0045] In the touch panel 1, the drive electrode Tx, the pressure detection electrode FRx, and the position detection electrode Rx are arranged relative to the black matrix electrode 212A with the liquid crystal layer 30 sandwiched therebetween. The black matrix electrode 212A is arranged at a position that overlaps with the gap Ga when viewed from above. Before the indicator contacts (scene SC1), a fringe capacitance Cf caused by a fringe electric field is formed near the area adjacent to the drive electrode Tx and the pressure detection electrode FRx. In addition, an electrostatic capacitance Cs is formed between the surface of the drive electrode Tx and the surface of the pressure detection electrode FRx. However, since the area of ​​the pressure detection electrode FRx is small, the electrostatic capacitance Cs is relatively small. The detection signal from the pressure detection electrode FRx is a signal value corresponding to the electrostatic capacitance Cs and the fringe capacitance cf.

[0046] After the pointer F contacts and before pressing (scenario SC2), the electrostatic capacitance Cs decreases due to the transfer of charges to the pointer F. On the other hand, the edge capacitance Cf does not change much. Therefore, the signal value of the detection signal from the press detection electrode FRx changes as the electrostatic capacitance Cs decreases.

[0047] When pressed (scenario SC3), the thickness H1 of the liquid crystal layer 30 decreases to the thickness H2 as it is pressed. Therefore, the black matrix electrode 212A connected to the reference potential is close to the boundary area between the drive electrode Tx and the press detection electrode FRx. As a result, the area where the fringe electric field is formed becomes narrower, and the fringe capacitance Cf is reduced. At this time, the change in the thickness of the liquid crystal layer 30 has little effect on the electrostatic capacitance Cs. Therefore, the signal value of the detection signal from the press detection electrode FRx mainly changes with the reduction of the fringe capacitance Cf.

[0048] Both the scene SC2 before pressing and the scene SC3 during pressing include the contact of the indicator F with the touch surface 1T, and the change of the electrostatic capacitance Cs is small. Therefore, when the difference change amount ΔD (= DB-DA) between the signal value DA of the detection signal from the pressing detection electrode FRx in the scene SC2 and the signal value DB of the detection signal from the pressing detection electrode FRx in the scene SC3 is calculated, the signal value caused by the electrostatic capacitance Cs is offset. Therefore, the difference change amount ΔD mainly reflects the edge capacitance Cf caused by the pressing force of the indicator F. That is, the controller 5 calculates the magnitude of the pressing (pressing force) based on the change amount of the signal value.

[0049] In addition, the width of the pressure detection electrode FRx in the x-axis direction is about the pixel size, and the electrode area is not large. Therefore, even if it is assumed that the contact area between the indicator and the touch panel changes due to the pressure, the change in the electrostatic capacitance Cs caused by the change in the contact area is relatively small. Therefore, the pressure detection electrode FRx is almost not affected by the change in the contact area between the indicator and the touch panel, and can detect the pressure of the indicator with good accuracy.

[0050] In addition, in the scene SC1 before contact, similarly, the driving electrode Tx and the black matrix electrode 212A, and the position detection electrode Rx and the black matrix electrode 212A are capacitively coupled. In the scene SC2 before pressing, since the charge moves to the indicator F, the electrostatic capacitance between the driving electrode Tx and the black matrix electrode 212A, and the electrostatic capacitance between the position detection electrode Rx and the black matrix electrode 212A are also reduced. Therefore, the signal value of the detection signal from the position detection electrode Rx includes a signal value corresponding to the change in electrostatic capacitance caused by the contact of the indicator F to the touch surface 1T. Thus, the touched position can be obtained based on the detection signal from the position detection electrode Rx.

[0051] At this time, since the pressure detection electrode FRx is arranged adjacent to the driving electrode Tx, the movement of charge to the indicator F contacting the touch surface 1T due to the capacitive coupling between the pressure detection electrode FRx and the driving electrode Tx can be suppressed more than the movement of charge to the indicator F due to the capacitive coupling between the position detection electrode Rx arranged at a position farther than the pressure detection electrode FRx and the driving electrode Tx. Therefore, by arranging the pressure detection electrode FRx adjacent to the driving electrode Tx, the influence of the contact of the indicator F on the signal value can be suppressed.

[0052] Figure 7 1A is a flowchart showing an example of a method for detecting a pressing force in the touch panel system 1A. The controller 5 obtains a signal value from a detection signal from the pressing detection electrode FRx (step S101). When the signal value is a predetermined value indicating contact with the touch surface 1T by the indicator F ("Yes" in step S103), the controller 5 stores the signal value obtained from the detection signal (step S105). The signal value stored here is equivalent to Figure 6 The signal value DA of the detection signal before pressing (scene SC2).

[0053] The controller 5 obtains a signal value from the detection signal from the pressure detection electrode FRx (step S107), and calculates the amount of change from the signal value DA (step S109). When the amount of change in the signal value is greater than a pre-stored threshold value indicating the amount of change in pressure ("Yes" in step S111), the controller 5 detects the pressure by the indicator F (step S113). The controller 5 calculates the pressing force using the amount of change (step S115).

[0054] In the touch panel 1 involved in the present embodiment, by configuring the driving electrode Tx and the pressure detection electrode FRx and the conductor (black matrix electrode 212A) with the liquid crystal layer 30 sandwiched therebetween, the distance from the driving electrode Tx and the pressure detection electrode FRx to the black matrix electrode 212A can be made sufficiently smaller than the distance H3 from the driving electrode Tx and the pressure detection electrode FRx to the touch surface 1T. Therefore, the change amount of the signal value of the detection signal from the pressure detection electrode FRx caused by the contact of the indicator F to the touch surface 1T can be made sufficiently smaller than the change amount caused by the pressing force of the indicator F. Thus, the influence of the contact of the indicator F to the touch surface 1T on the detection signal can be suppressed. Therefore, in the touch panel system 1A involved in the embodiment, the pressing force can be obtained efficiently based on the change amount ΔD (= DB-DA) of the signal value DA of the detection signal of the scene SC2 before pressing and the signal value DB of the detection signal of the scene SC3 during pressing. In addition, while the pressing force can be obtained based on the detection signal from the pressure detection electrode FRx, the touched position can be obtained based on the detection signal from the position detection electrode Rx.

[0055] In addition, according to the touch panel 1 of the present embodiment, the area of ​​the pressure detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the position detection electrode. Figure 2 In the case where a driving signal is applied through the driving electrode Tx in the middle of the y-axis direction, the area Af of the pressure detection electrode FRx is smaller than the area Ar of the adjacent position detection electrode Rx. In other words, the area Ar of the position detection electrode Rx is larger than the area Af of the pressure detection electrode FRx. This is caused, for example, by the fact that the width of the pressure detection electrode FRx in the x-axis direction is smaller than the width of the position detection electrode Rx. Therefore, due to the large area, the position detection electrode Rx can detect the contact of the indicator with good accuracy. On the other hand, due to the small area, the pressure detection electrode can suppress the capacitance change caused by the change in the contact area of ​​the indicator, and can detect the pressure performed by the indicator with good accuracy.

[0056] [Second embodiment]

[0057] Figure 8 It is a schematic plan view of the electrode layer 17 of the touch panel 1 according to the second embodiment.

[0058] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A schematic enlarged view of part R of FIG. Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 In the touch panel 1 according to the second embodiment, a plurality of position detection electrodes Rx and pressure detection electrodes FRx are formed on the same wiring layer.

[0059] In the touch panel 1 of this embodiment, the plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' are arranged at different heights from the position detection electrodes Rx and the drive electrodes Tx. In other words, the plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' are formed of a metal layer different from the metal layer forming the position detection electrodes Rx and the drive electrodes Tx, which is different from the first embodiment.

[0060] The driving electrode Tx is provided with a plurality of slits St' extending in the y-axis direction. The intervals between the plurality of slits St' are equal to the pixel spacing in the x-axis direction, for example, and the plurality of slits St' overlap with the black matrix electrode 212A when viewed from above. The plurality of slits St' do not reach a pair of sides of the driving electrode Tx arranged in the y-axis direction, and are isolated openings. Therefore, the driving electrode Tx is not cut off in the x-axis direction and is continuous.

[0061] The slit St' is preferably not provided at a position overlapping with the wiring Wr connecting the position detection electrode Rx in a plan view. This is because, when the slit St' is provided at this position, fringe capacitance is formed between the wiring Wr and the driving electrode Tx, and the change in fringe capacitance caused by the pressure may affect the position detection signal.

[0062] The plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' are located below the insulating layer 16 and extend in the y-axis direction. That is, the insulating layer 16 is located between the plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' and the position detection electrodes Rx and the driving electrodes Tx. The plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' are at a different height level from the position detection electrodes Rx and the driving electrodes Tx.

[0063] Each pressure detection electrode FRx′ is positioned so as to overlap with the slit St′ and the black matrix electrode 212 in a plan view.

[0064] The width of the pressure detection electrode FRx′ in the x-axis direction may be smaller than the pixel pitch in the x-axis direction, and may be, for example, equal to or smaller than the width of the black matrix electrode 212 in the x-axis direction.

[0065] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , two or more of the plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx′ arranged in the x-axis direction are connected by a wiring Wb. Figure 8 In the illustrated example, six pressure detection electrodes FRx' are connected by wirings Wb.

[0066] According to this embodiment, since the plurality of pressure detection electrodes FRx' are bundled, the amount of change in the signal value of the detection signal due to the capacitance change caused by the pressure increases, so that the pressure of the pointer and the magnitude of the pressure can be detected and measured with higher accuracy.

[0067] In addition, since the width of the press detection electrode FRx' in the x-axis direction can be reduced and the press detection electrode FRx' is arranged below the driving electrode Tx, the press detection electrode FRx' is not easily affected by the capacitance change caused by the contact of the indicator or the change of the contact area. Therefore, the press detection electrode FR' can efficiently detect the press.

[0068] In addition, in the present embodiment, the six pressure detection electrodes FRx' are connected by the wiring Wb, but the number of connections may be other than 6. In addition, the pressure detection electrode FRx' is located below the black matrix electrode 212 between the color resists of the color filter, but the number of the pressure detection electrodes FRx' may be reduced. For example, the pressure detection electrode FRx' may be configured for every 3 pixels in the x-axis direction. In this case, the black matrix electrode 212 between the color filters where the pressure detection electrode FRx' is not configured may also be a non-conductive black matrix.

[0069] [Third Embodiment]

[0070] Fig.11 : is a schematic cross-sectional view of a touch panel 1 according to the third embodiment. The touch panel 1 according to the third embodiment has a transparent electrode 213 such as ITO. The transparent electrode 213 is arranged continuously with the black matrix electrode 212A. The transparent electrode 213 is located on the color resist 211 of the color filter 21. The width of the transparent electrode 213 in the x-axis direction is greater than the width of the black matrix electrode 212A in the first direction. The width of the transparent electrode 213 in the x-axis direction is preferably greater than the width of the color resist 211 in the first direction.

[0071] In addition, the transparent electrode 213 preferably overlaps at least a portion of the pressure detection electrode FRx in a plan view, and more preferably overlaps the entire pressure detection electrode FRx in a plan view.

[0072] According to the present embodiment, since the transparent electrode 213 connected to the black matrix electrode 212A overlaps at least a portion of the press detection electrode FRx when viewed from above, the transparent electrode 213 functions as a shield, and can suppress the capacitance change caused by the contact of the indicator to the touch surface at the press detection electrode FRx. On the other hand, as in the first embodiment, since the distance between the drive electrode Tx and the press detection electrode FRx and the black matrix electrode 212A and the transparent electrode 213 changes due to the pressing of the indicator, the press detection electrode FRx can detect the change in edge capacitance. Therefore, the influence of the capacitance change caused by the contact of the indicator or the change in the contact area can be suppressed, and the press detection electrode FRx can detect the press with good accuracy.

[0073] This embodiment can be particularly effectively used for a touch panel 1 having a large pixel size. When the pixel size is large, the width of the press detection electrode FRx in the x-axis direction also becomes larger (for example, 50 μm or more), so the area of ​​the press detection electrode FRx becomes larger, and the influence of the capacitance change caused by the contact of the indicator to the touch surface becomes larger. However, in this case, in this embodiment, the transparent electrode 213 can effectively suppress this influence.

[0074] [Other methods]

[0075] The touch panel system and electronic device disclosed in the present invention can be subjected to various changes, not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the shape of the driving electrode, the position detection electrode, and the pressure detection electrode is an example, and these electrodes may also have other shapes. In addition, in the present embodiment, the relative electrode (common electrode) used to apply an electric field to the liquid crystal layer is provided on the active matrix substrate, and serves as the driving electrode, the position detection electrode, and the pressure detection electrode. However, the relative electrode may also be provided on the color filter substrate. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the driving electrode, the position detection electrode, and the pressure detection electrode on the active matrix substrate.

[0076] The touch panel system and electronic device of the present disclosure can also be described as follows. The touch panel system involved in the first configuration of the present disclosure comprises:

[0077] touch panel; and

[0078] Controller,

[0079] The touch panel comprises:

[0080] Active matrix substrate;

[0081] a color filter substrate; and

[0082] a liquid crystal layer, which is located between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate,

[0083] The active matrix substrate has drive electrodes and detection electrodes arranged on a surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer.

[0084] The color filter substrate has a conductor disposed on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer.

[0085] The controller is configured as follows:

[0086] Provide a driving signal to the driving electrode and obtain a signal value from the detection electrode,

[0087] Based on the signal value obtained from the detection electrode, a press of the touch panel by a pointer is detected.

[0088] According to the first configuration, since the conductor is located on the color filter substrate, when the touch panel is pressed by a pointer, the distances between the driving electrodes and the detecting electrodes and the conductor change, and the pressing can be detected efficiently.

[0089] A second configuration may be that, in the first configuration, the controller is configured to further calculate the magnitude of the pressing force based on an amount of change in the signal value.

[0090] A third configuration may be that, in the first configuration, the detection electrode includes a position detection electrode and a pressure detection electrode disposed adjacent to the drive electrode, the position of the conductor is set to overlap with a boundary region between the drive electrode and the pressure detection electrode when viewed from above, and the controller detects the pressure based on a signal value obtained from the pressure detection electrode. According to this configuration, since the pressure detection electrode can detect a change in edge capacitance with the drive electrode, the pressure can be detected efficiently.

[0091] A fourth configuration may be that, in the third configuration, the controller further detects the position touched by the indicator based on signal values ​​obtained from the position detection electrodes.

[0092] A fifth configuration may be that, in the third configuration, an area of ​​the pressure detection electrode is smaller than an area of ​​the position detection electrode.

[0093] The sixth configuration may be that, in the third configuration, the color filter substrate further includes: a color filter, which is arranged on the surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer and has a plurality of anti-etching agents of different colors; and a black matrix, which is arranged at the boundary of the plurality of anti-etching agents, and the conductor constitutes at least a part of the black matrix.

[0094] A seventh configuration may be that, in the sixth configuration, the color filter substrate further includes a transparent electrode connected to the conductor and arranged on the color filter, and the transparent electrode overlaps with at least a portion of the pressure detection electrode when viewed from above.

[0095] An eighth configuration may be that, in the first configuration, the conductor is connected to a reference potential.

[0096] An electronic device according to a ninth configuration includes the touch panel system described in any one of the first to eighth configurations.

Claims

1. A touch panel system, characterized in that: have: touch panel; and Controller, The touch panel comprises: Active matrix substrate; a color filter substrate; and a liquid crystal layer, which is located between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate, The active matrix substrate has drive electrodes and detection electrodes arranged on a surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer. The color filter substrate has a conductor disposed on a surface facing the liquid crystal layer. The controller is configured to provide a driving signal to the driving electrode and obtain a signal value from the detection electrode. Based on the signal value obtained from the detection electrode, a press of the touch panel by a pointer is detected.

2. The touch panel system according to claim 1, wherein: The controller is configured to further calculate the magnitude of the pressing force based on the amount of change in the signal value.

3. The touch panel system according to claim 1, wherein: The detection electrodes include position detection electrodes and pressure detection electrodes arranged adjacent to the drive electrodes. The conductor is positioned so as to overlap with a boundary region between the drive electrode and the pressure detection electrode in a plan view. The controller detects the press based on a signal value obtained from the press detection electrode.

4. The touch panel system according to claim 3, wherein: The controller also detects a position touched by the indicator based on signal values ​​respectively obtained from the position detection electrodes.

5. The touch panel system according to claim 3, wherein: An area of ​​the pressure detection electrode is smaller than an area of ​​the position detection electrode.

6. The touch panel system according to claim 3, wherein: The color filter substrate further comprises: a color filter disposed on a surface opposite to the liquid crystal layer and having a plurality of resists of different colors; and a black matrix arranged at the boundary of the plurality of resists, The conductor constitutes at least a portion of the black matrix.

7. The touch panel system according to claim 6, wherein: The color filter substrate further includes a transparent electrode, which is connected to the conductor and is disposed on the color filter. The transparent electrode overlaps at least a portion of the pressure detection electrode in a plan view.

8. The touch panel system according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical conductor is connected to a reference potential.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: A touch panel system comprising any one of claims 1 to 8.

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