Switch unit and exhibition device comprising the same

Abstract

To provide a switch unit which senses approach or contact of the finger of a user to a press button using a light projection element and a light reception element in an exhibition device comprising multiple press buttons, and whose configuration is simplified, and to provide the exhibition device comprising the same.SOLUTION: A display selection button 10 comprises a light projection part 21, a light guide plate 13, multiple light reception parts 22, and a control part 30. The light guide plate 13 comprises: an incidence plane 13a in which light radiated from the light projection part 21 enters; multiple prisms 13d which reflect the entered light to the finger side and are provided on positions corresponding to press buttons 10c; and an emission plane 13b for emitting the reflected light in a direction where the finger approaches. The multiple light reception parts 22 are provided on positions corresponding to the press buttons 10c and receive the light reflected on the finger. The light reception parts 22 has high detection sensitivity as a distance from the light projection part 21 increases so as to complement an amount of light which decreases according to a distance from the light projection part 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a switch unit that is provided in, for example, a vending machine or the like and that is operated when a user selects a product or the like, and to a display device equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in display devices such as vending machines, switch units that enable a user to select a product without contact have been adopted as switch units that are operated when the user selects and purchases a product. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a switch unit that includes multiple information display light sources for displaying various information required by a user, a sensor for detecting the proximity or contact of the user's fingers, and multiple illumination light sources for illuminating an exhibit item, with the multiple information display light sources and sensor on the user side and the multiple illumination light sources integrated on the other side opposite the user side. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-137602 A (Patent No. 5875364 A) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional switch unit has the following problems. That is, the switch unit disclosed in the above publication uses a proximity sensor to detect when a user's finger approaches or touches a push button. Here, a switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a user's finger by using a light emitting element and a light receiving element instead of a proximity sensor is also used.

[0005] In such a configuration, for example, in a vending machine, it is necessary to place a light emitting element and a light receiving element at the position of a push button that is pressed by a user's finger. The object of the present invention is to provide a switch unit that can simplify the configuration of a switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a user's finger or the like to a push button using a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and an exhibition device equipped with the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A switch unit according to a first invention detects a user's finger approaching or touching a push button operated by the user's finger, and includes a first light-projecting unit, a first light guide plate, a plurality of light-receiving units, and a detection unit. The first light-projecting unit emits light. The first light guide plate has an entrance surface on which the light irradiated from the first light-projecting unit is incident, a plurality of first prisms that reflect the light incident from the entrance surface toward the side where the finger approaches or touches the button and are provided at positions corresponding to the push button, and an exit surface that emits the light reflected by the first prisms toward the direction where the finger approaches or touches the button. The plurality of light-receiving units are provided at positions corresponding to the push button and receive light that is emitted from the exit surface and reflected by the finger approaching or touching the push button. The detection unit detects the approach or contact of the finger according to the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit. The plurality of light receiving sections have a detection sensitivity that increases as the distance from the first light projecting section increases so as to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the first light projecting section.

[0007] Here, for example, when a user's finger approaches or touches a position corresponding to a push button on a vending machine or the like, light irradiated from the first light-projecting unit and entering the light guide plate is reflected by the first prism in the direction in which the finger approaches, and the light reflected by the finger is received by the light-receiving unit to detect the operation of the push button. In addition, a plurality of light-receiving units are arranged with detection sensitivity that increases as the distance from the first light-projecting unit increases, so as to compensate for the amount of light that decreases as the distance from the first light-projecting unit to the first prism increases.

[0008] Here, this switch unit is provided in a display device such as a vending machine, for example, and is installed at a position corresponding to a push button that is selected and operated when purchasing a product. A plurality of light receiving units are provided for one first light projecting unit, and receive light that is reflected by the first prism of the first light guide plate and reflected by the surface of a finger that approaches or touches the push button to operate it. In order to compensate for the decrease in the amount of light as the distance from the first light projecting unit to the first prism (light receiving unit) increases, the light receiving unit located at a greater distance has a higher light detection sensitivity.

[0009] The first prism is formed inside the light guide plate, and reflects light incident from the entrance surface in a predetermined direction and causes the light to exit from the exit surface. In addition, the user's fingers detected by this switch unit do not necessarily have to be the user's fingers. For example, if the user attempts to operate the switch unit while holding an object, the object the user is holding (a smartphone, a glove or other possession, a stone, a twig, etc.) may be detected instead of a finger.

[0010] This allows the light guide plate including a first prism arranged at a position corresponding to the push button to be used to emit light from the first light-emitting unit from the position corresponding to the push button, and the reflected light generated when a finger or the like approaches or touches the button to be detected by a plurality of light-receiving units with different detection sensitivities, thereby making it possible to detect the approach of a finger to or touching the push button. Therefore, by receiving light emitted from a single first light-emitting unit at multiple light-receiving units via a light guide plate, it is possible to easily detect the proximity or contact of a finger or the like to a position corresponding to a push button with a simple configuration.

[0011] Furthermore, even when multiple light receiving units are arranged relative to the first light projecting unit, the detection sensitivity of the light receiving units is adjusted to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the first light projecting unit to each light receiving unit, i.e., so that a light receiving unit arranged at a large distance detects an amount of light equivalent to that of a light receiving unit arranged at a small distance. As a result, the configuration of the switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a user's finger or the like to a push button using a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion can be simplified while ensuring the detection accuracy of reflected light at multiple light-receiving portions.

[0012] A switch unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the first prisms are arranged so that their density per unit area increases as the distance from the first light-projecting portion increases. As a result, for example, in a configuration in which multiple light receiving units are arranged for one first light projecting unit, even if the amount of light reaching the first prism changes due to different distances from the first light projecting unit, the detection sensitivity of each light receiving unit can be changed and the amount of reflection at the first prism can be changed to make the amount of light received by a finger or the like that is close to or in contact with the push button approximately equal. As a result, in a configuration in which a plurality of light receiving sections are arranged for one first light projecting section, it is possible to suppress variation in detection accuracy of a finger or the like at each light receiving section.

[0013] A switch unit according to a third aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the first prism is positioned so that the area of ​​the reflective surface that reflects light increases as the distance from the first light-projecting section increases.

[0014] As a result, for example, in a configuration in which multiple light receiving units are arranged for one first light projecting unit, even if the amount of light reaching the first prism changes due to different distances from the first light projecting unit, the detection sensitivity of each light receiving unit can be changed and the area of ​​the reflective surface of the first prism can be changed to make the amount of light received by a finger or the like that is close to or in contact with the push button approximately equal. As a result, in a configuration in which a plurality of light receiving sections are arranged for one first light projecting section, it is possible to suppress variation in detection accuracy of a finger or the like at each light receiving section.

[0015] A switch unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the first light guide plate further has an end face disposed at an angle with respect to the entrance face and the exit face. Light incident from the first light projecting section through the entrance face is reflected by the end face and guided in the surface direction of the first light guide plate, and is reflected by the first prism and exits from the exit face. This makes it unnecessary to place the first light projecting unit on the side of the light guide plate by reflecting the light incident on the end face that is obliquely arranged with respect to the entrance face and exit face, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the layout of the first light projecting unit and the light receiving unit.

[0016] A switch unit according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a single substrate on which the first light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion are arranged. With this, since the light guide plate has an oblique end face that reflects light that has entered the inside toward the first prism, the first light projecting section and the light receiving section can be disposed on a common substrate.

[0017] The switch unit of a sixth aspect of the present invention is a switch unit of the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a second light guide plate having a plurality of second prisms that reflect light incident from the first light-projecting section to display a predetermined pattern. The second light guide plate may be a plate-like member common to the first light guide plate. As a result, by using a second light guide plate including a second prism that displays a pattern or the like in addition to the first light guide plate including the first prism used for detecting fingers, etc. as described above, it is possible to display advertisements such as "price reduction," "bargain," "recommended," etc. near the display object of a display device such as a vending machine.

[0018] The switch unit according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a second light projecting section that directs light into the second light guide plate and reflects the light at a plurality of second prisms. This makes it possible to display a pattern or the like by the second light projecting section which irradiates light onto the second light guide plate including the second prism.

[0019] A switch unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a seven-segment display unit that displays numbers. As a result, by using a 7-segment display unit that displays numbers in addition to the first light guide plate that includes the first prism used for detecting fingers, etc., as described above, it is possible to display prices, for example, near the display object in an exhibition device such as a vending machine.

[0020] A switch unit according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, further comprising a third light projecting portion that displays a desired number on the seven-segment display portion. This makes it possible to display numbers such as the price of the exhibited item by the third light-projecting unit which shines light onto the seven-segment display unit.

[0021] The switch unit according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the switch unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a lens portion that guides light irradiated from the first light-emitting portion to the incident surface of the first light guide plate. This allows the lens portion to collect the light irradiated from the first light-projecting portion and cause it to enter the incident surface of the first light guide plate, thereby efficiently guiding the light irradiated from the first light-projecting portion to the incident surface of the first light guide plate.

[0022] The exhibition device of the eleventh invention comprises a switch unit of the first or second invention, an exhibition section in which exhibition objects that can be selected and operated by the switch unit are arranged, and a plurality of push buttons provided for each of the exhibition objects arranged in the exhibition section.

[0023] This makes it possible to simplify the configuration of a switch unit in an exhibition device in which multiple push buttons are arranged, which uses a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element to detect the proximity of or contact with a push button by a user's finger or the like. Effect of the Invention

[0024] According to the switch unit of the present invention, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a user's finger or the like to a push button by using a light emitting element and a light receiving element. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall view showing the configuration of a vending machine equipped with a display selection button according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the overall configuration of a display selection button mounted on the vending machine of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the display selection button in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view showing various light sources arranged on a substrate included in the display selection button of FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 3A is a side view showing the configuration of the light projecting unit and its surroundings in the display selection button of FIG. 2, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the LED and its surroundings in the display selection button of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the display selection buttons in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of detecting the approach of a finger using a light guide plate, a light projecting section, and a light receiving section in the display selection button of FIG. 2; [Figure 8] 3 is a front view showing a plurality of display patterns of the display selection button of FIG. 2; [Figure 9] 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a case where the character string "PUSH" is displayed among the display patterns in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view showing a pattern for displaying a design and a pattern for detecting a finger, which are processed on a light guide plate according to the display pattern in part C of FIG. 9 . [Figure 11] 8A is an enlarged plan view of part A in FIG. 7, showing the principle of detecting the approach of a finger using a light guide plate, a light projecting unit, and a light receiving unit included in a display selection button according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged plan view of part B in FIG. [Figure 12] 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of detecting the approach of a finger using a light guide plate, a light projecting section, and a light receiving section in a display selection button according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] 12A is an enlarged plan view of a portion A in FIG. 12, and FIG. 12B is an enlarged plan view of a portion B in FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the principle of detecting the approach of a finger using a light guide plate, a light projecting section, and a light receiving section in a display selection button according to still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] A display selection button (switch unit) 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a vending machine (display device) 1 equipped with the same will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 10. In the present embodiment, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation from becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art can fully understand the present invention, and they are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0027] (1) Configuration of Vending Machine 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the vending machine (display device) 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing section 1a having an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape, a three-tiered product display section (display section) 3 provided on the front side of the housing section 1a, a plurality of display selection buttons (switch units) 10, a coin insertion slot 4, a product removal slot 5, and a change return slot 6.

[0028] The products (display objects) 2 are, for example, samples of drinking water or the like, and as shown in Fig. 1, 12 of them are arranged on each shelf of the product display section 3. The user can purchase the product 2 by selecting the desired product 2 via the display selection button 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the product display section (exhibition section) 3 is provided in three stages in the upper half of the entire surface of the housing section 1a, and displays products (exhibition objects) 2.

[0029] 1, the display selection button (switch unit) 10 is provided at a position corresponding to each product 2 displayed in the product display section 3, and is operated when a user purchases the selected product 2. The display selection button 10 determines that the button has been operated by detecting that the fingertip of the user purchasing the product 2 has come close to or into contact with the display selection button 10. Furthermore, the display selection button 10 also functions as a display device that displays the price, advertisements, etc. of the product 2, in addition to functioning as the switch unit described above.

[0030] Here, the user's fingers detected by the display selection button 10 do not necessarily have to be the user's fingers. For example, if the user attempts to operate the switch unit while holding an object, the object the user is holding (a smartphone, a glove or other possession, a stone, a twig, etc.) may be detected instead of a finger. The detailed configuration of the display selection button 10 will be described later.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the coin insertion slot 4 is provided on the right side of the lower front surface of the housing 1a, and the money (bills or coins) for purchasing the product 2 is inserted therein. As shown in FIG. 1, the product removal opening 5 is provided at the lower front surface of the housing 1a, and a product 2 selected by a display selection button 10 is removed through the product removal opening 5. 1, the change return slot 6 is provided on the right side of the lower front of the housing unit 1a, and returns change when purchasing a product 2. In other words, if the amount of money inserted into the coin insertion slot 4 is more than the amount of the product 2 corresponding to the pressed display selection button 10, the difference between the inserted amount and the amount of the product 2 is returned to the change return slot 6.

[0032] Furthermore, the vending machine 1 is equipped inside the housing section 1a with a storage section (not shown) for storing products of the same type as the products 2 displayed in the product display section 3, a transport mechanism (not shown) for transporting the products from the storage section to the product removal opening 5, and a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the entire vending machine 1. The control circuit is connected to a sensor that recognizes the coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 4, and if the value of the inserted coins is equal to or greater than the value of the product 2 corresponding to the display selection button 10 pressed by the user among the display selection buttons 10, the control circuit controls the transport mechanism to transport the product 2 from the storage facility to the product removal slot 5.

[0033] (2) Configuration of display selection button 10 As shown in FIG. 2, the display selection button 10 according to this embodiment has first and second display areas 10a, 10b for displaying various items corresponding to two products, and a push button 10c that is operated when the user purchases the product 2 selected by the user. The first display area 10a is an area for switchingly displaying an arbitrary three-digit number, a desired design, etc., and is provided in the left half of the display selection button 10 as shown in FIG.

[0034] The second display area 10b, like the first display area 10a, is an area that alternately displays any three-digit number, a desired design, etc., and is provided in the right half of the display selection button 10, as shown in FIG. 2. The numbers and designs displayed in the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b may be the same, or different numbers and designs may be displayed, or they may be displayed in a switching manner in sequence.

[0035] This allows not only the price of the product 2 displayed in the vending machine 1 to be displayed, but also the design, etc., to be displayed, thereby more effectively drawing the user's attention. 2, the push button 10c is provided at the bottom of each of the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b, and is the portion that is approached or touched by the finger of a user who wishes to purchase the product 2. A light receiving unit 22, which will be described later, is provided on the back side of the push button 10c.

[0036] In the display selection button 10 of this embodiment, a change in the amount of light received by the light receiving section 22 is detected to detect that the user's finger has approached or is in contact with the position of the push button 10c. As shown in FIG. 3, the display selection button 10 includes a cover 11, a gray smoke plate 12, a light guide plate (first light guide plate, second light guide plate) 13, a printed sheet (7-segment display section) 14, a partition case 15, Fresnel lenses 16a, 16b, and a substrate 17.

[0037] 3, the cover 11 is a box-shaped member that constitutes the front side of the display selection button 10, and its rear side is covered by a substrate 17. The cover 11 has openings at positions corresponding to the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b so that the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b are exposed on the front side. The gray smoke plate 12 is a light-transmitting plate-like member that is fitted in a position corresponding to the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b, and is provided to make the seven segments in the non-display state less visible from the surface. The gray smoke plate 12 is disposed between the cover 11 and the light guide plate 13, as shown in FIG.

[0038] The light guide plate (first light guide plate, second light guide plate) 13 is made of a light-transmitting material such as acrylic resin or glass, and diffuses light emitted from a light source (light projector 21, etc.) described later inside and emits it in a desired direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide plate 13 is disposed between the gray smoke plate 12 and the print sheet 14. In the display selection button 10 of this embodiment, the light guide plate 13 emits light from a position corresponding to the push button 10c to detect the proximity or contact of a finger, and also emits light to display a pattern when viewed from the front side.

[0039] The detailed configuration of the light guide plate 13 will be described later. Printed sheet (7-segment display section) 14 is pre-formed with 7-segment sections for displaying any number, a ¥ mark section, etc., and displays the desired number by transmitting light irradiated from a light source described below. Printed sheet 14 has an opening at a position corresponding to light receiving section 22, and is disposed between light guide plate 13 and partition case 15 as shown in FIG.

[0040] Partition case 15 is a member that prevents light interference by separating each of the seven segments of printed sheet 14 with partition plates, and has an opening at a position corresponding to light receiving unit 22. Partition case 15 is disposed between printed sheet 14 and substrate 17, as shown in FIG. The Fresnel lenses (lens portions) 16a and 16b are provided along the left and bottom sides, respectively, of a substantially rectangular substrate 17 in order to irradiate light emitted from a light source described later onto the incident surface 13a (see FIG. 5(a), etc.) of the light guide plate 13.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, Fresnel lens 16a has a shape in which three semicircular plate lenses are connected in the radial direction, and irradiates light emitted from light projector 21 and LED (Light Emitting Diode) 23 onto the rear surface (incident surface 13a) of light guide plate 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the Fresnel lens 16b is a substantially rectangular plate-like lens, and directs the light emitted from the LEDs 24 to the rear surface of the light guide plate 13 (the incident surface 13a).

[0042] The substrate 17 is a plate-like member that constitutes the back side of the display selection button 10, and has a plurality of light sources (light projecting portion 21, LEDs 23, 24, 25) provided on its upper surface. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the display selection button 10 has a light-projecting section (first light-projecting section) 21, a light-receiving section 22, LEDs (second light-projecting section) 23, 24, an LED (third light-projecting section) 25, and a control section (detection section) 30 (see FIG. 6) on the upper surface of the substrate 17.

[0043] 4, light-projecting unit (first light-projecting unit) 21 is disposed along the lower part on the left side of substrate 17. Light-projecting unit 21 irradiates infrared light (wavelength range 625 to 780 nm) onto incident surface 13a of light guide plate 13 via Fresnel lens 16a in order to detect that the finger of a user who intends to purchase product 2 has come close to or touched push button 10c. 4, light receiving unit 22 is provided on the upper surface of substrate 17 at approximately the same height as light projecting unit 21. Light receiving unit 22 receives infrared light that is irradiated from light projecting unit 21, diffused inside light guide plate 13, emitted to the outside from a position corresponding to push button 10c, and reflected by the surface of the user's finger or the like, and detects that the user's finger has come into proximity to or touched push button 10c.

[0044] At this time, the light reflected from the surface of the finger reaches the light receiving section 22 through the light-transmitting gray smoke plate 12 , the light guide plate 13 , the print sheet 14 and the opening of the partition case 15 . In addition, in light receiving section 22, in order to detect only the infrared light irradiated from light projecting section 21, the detection wavelength of light is set so as not to detect visible light irradiated from other light sources (LEDs 23, 24, 25).

[0045] Furthermore, the light receiving sections 22 are set to different detection sensitivities depending on the distance from the light projecting section 21. The principle of detecting the approach of a user's finger using a plurality of light receiving sections 22 with different detection sensitivities will be described in detail later. The LEDs (second light projecting units) 23 and 24 are provided as light sources for displaying a desired pattern by the light guide plate 13. The LEDs 23 and 24 irradiate visible light (wavelength range of 450 to 625 nm) to the incident surface 13a of the light guide plate 13 via the Fresnel lenses 16a and 16b.

[0046] More specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, two LEDs 23 are provided along the left side of the substrate 17. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the LEDs 23 emit light to the rear surface (incident surface 13a) of the light guide plate 13 via a Fresnel lens 16a. 4, eight LEDs 24 in total are provided along the bottom side of the substrate 17, four for each of the first and second display areas 10a and 10b. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the LEDs 24 emit light to the rear surface (incident surface 13a) of the light guide plate 13 via a Fresnel lens 16b.

[0047] The LEDs (third light-projecting units) 25 are provided on the upper surface of the substrate 17 at positions corresponding to the seven-segment numbers formed on the printed sheet 14. That is, a total of 21 LEDs 25 (7 segments×3 digits) are provided, one for each of the seven segments of the printed sheet 14. The LEDs 25 irradiate visible light toward the segments corresponding to the numbers to be displayed on the display selection buttons 10.

[0048] The control unit (detection unit) 30 is connected to the board 17 via the connector 18 shown in Fig. 5(b). The control unit 30 is connected to the light projecting unit 21, the light receiving unit 22, and the LEDs 23, 24, and 25 as shown in Fig. 6, and detects the proximity of or contact of the user's finger with the push button 10c corresponding to the product 2 to be purchased based on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 22. Furthermore, the control unit 30 can switch the numbers, designs, etc. displayed on the display selection button 10 by controlling the timing of turning on / off the light projecting unit 21 and the LEDs 23, 24, and 25, etc. In addition, the control unit 30 may set a threshold value for detecting the proximity or contact of a user's finger to the push button 10c, and when the amount of received light exceeds the threshold value, it may determine that the proximity of a finger, etc. has been detected.

[0049] (3) Light guide plate 13 The light guide plate 13 internally diffuses and reflects the light irradiated from the light projector 21 described above, and emits it in the direction in which the user's finger approaches from the position corresponding to the push button 10c. The light guide plate 13 also internally diffuses and reflects the light irradiated from the LEDs 23 and 24, causing a desired pattern or the like to be displayed on the surface of the push button 10c.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7, the light guide plate 13 has an incident surface 13a into which light is incident from a light-projecting section (first light-projecting section) 21, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) (second light-projecting section) 23, and an LED (second light-projecting section) 24 described below, a plurality of prisms (first prism) 13d and prisms (second prism) 13e that reflect the light incident from the incident surface 13a in a desired direction, an exit surface 13b that emits the light reflected by the prisms 13d, 13e to the outside, and an inclined surface 13c provided at an end portion.

[0051] For ease of explanation, Fresnel lens 16a and the like disposed between light projector 21 and light guide plate 13 are omitted in Fig. 7. Also, in Fig. 7, the light emitted from light projector 21 and reflected by prism 13d is indicated by a dashed arrow. And the reflected light reflected by a finger and received by light receiver 22 is indicated by a solid arrow. As shown in FIG. 7, incident surface 13a is the back surface side opposite to the front surface side where a finger approaches, and light emitted from light projecting unit 21 is incident thereon.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the emission surface 13b is the front surface side to which a finger approaches, and emits light that is irradiated from the light projector 21 and diffused and reflected inside the light guide plate 13. As shown in FIG. 7, inclined surface (end surface) 13c is an end surface (side surface) of light guide plate 13 that connects incident surface 13a and exit surface 13b, and reflects light incident from incident surface 13a toward the surface of light guide plate 13.

[0053] This allows light projecting section 21 to be disposed on the rear surface (incident surface 13a) side of light guide plate 13, and therefore light projecting section 21 and light receiving section 22 can be disposed on the same substrate 17. 7, prism (first prism) 13d is provided at a position (push button 10c) where the finger of a user who wants to purchase product 2 approaches, and reflects light reflected at inclined surface 13c in the direction in which the finger approaches. When a finger approaches (prism 13d (part A) on the left side in the figure), the light reflected at prism 13d is reflected by the surface of the finger and returns toward exit surface 13b of light guide plate 13.

[0054] Thereby, when the light receiving section 22 receives the reflected light, it is possible to easily detect that the user's finger is in proximity or in contact with the light receiving section 22. That is, the light reflected by the prism 13d is irradiated upward as it is when the finger is not approaching (the prism 13d (part B) on the right side in the figure). Therefore, in this case, the light receiving unit 22 does not detect the reflected light from the finger or the like.

[0055] As a result, when the light receiving unit 22 receives reflected light from the surface of a finger or the like, it can determine that a finger or the like is in proximity, and when no reflected light is received, it can determine that a finger or the like is not in proximity. As a result, the operation of the push button 10c of the display selection button 10 can be detected in a non-contact manner.

[0056] Here, the light receiving sections 22 disposed at positions corresponding to part A (left side) and part B (right side) in FIG. 7 will be described. In the display selection button 10 of this embodiment, in order to detect the amount of light reflected from the finger at approximately the same level in the light receiving unit 22 arranged at a position corresponding to part A which is close to the light projecting unit 21 and the light receiving unit 22 arranged at a position corresponding to part B which is farther away from the light projecting unit 21 than part A, different detection sensitivities are set so as to complement the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light projecting unit 21.

[0057] Specifically, the light receiving unit 22 arranged at a position corresponding to the portion A, which is closer to the light projecting unit 21, is set to have higher detection sensitivity than the light receiving unit 22 arranged at a position corresponding to the portion B, which is farther away from the light projecting unit 21 than the portion A. That is, compared to prism 13d in part A, which is positioned at a distance L from light-projecting unit 21, prism 13d in part B, which is positioned at a distance of twice that from light-projecting unit 21, 2L, the amount of light irradiated from light-projecting unit 21 is attenuated.

[0058] For this reason, when the same prism 13d is arranged in parts A and B, which are different distances from the light-projecting unit 21, the amount of light emitted from part B, which is farther away from the light-projecting unit 21, is reduced, and the amount of reflected light emitted from part B is also reduced to about half. Therefore, in the display selection button 10 of this embodiment, in order to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light-projecting unit 21, the light-receiving unit 22 is positioned so that the detection sensitivity increases as the distance from the light-projecting unit 21 increases.

[0059] As a result, the light-receiving unit 22 is set so that the detection sensitivity of the reflected light on the finger of the light emitted through prism 13d in part B, which is far away from the light-emitting unit 21, is doubled. Therefore, even if the amount of light reflected in part B is about half that in part A, it is possible to ensure detection accuracy in part B that is approximately the same as that of the reflected light of the light emitted through prism 13d in part A.

[0060] The prisms 13d in the A portion and the B portion all have the same shape. As shown in FIG. 7, prism 13e (second prism) is positioned at a position where it does not reflect the light irradiated from light-projecting unit 21, and reflects the light irradiated from LEDs 23 and 24 described above to display a desired pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, prism 13e uses light emitted from LEDs 23 and 24 to display symbols (a bar-shaped portion, a downward arrow, and letters such as PUSH and PRICE DOWN) in second display area 10b on the right side of the figure.

[0061] The “￥100” displayed in the first display area 10a on the left side of FIG. 8 indicates the price of the product 2, and can be changed to any price by lighting up the “￥” mark included in the printing sheet 14 described above and the LEDs 25 corresponding to the seven segments. In addition, in the display selection button 10 of this embodiment, the numbers and designs displayed in the first display area 10a and the second display area 10b shown in FIG. 8 can be switched depending on which light source (LEDs 23, 24, 25) the control unit 30 turns on.

[0062] For example, the case where "PUSH" is displayed in the first display area 10a of the display selection button 10 shown in FIG. 9 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the light guide plate 13 is divided into 16 areas, and a pattern for displaying a design 13f, a pattern for displaying a design 13g, and a pattern for detecting a finger 13h are alternately formed in each area.

[0063] The pattern display processing pattern 13f has a prism 13e as shown in Fig. 7. The pattern display processing pattern 13f is formed in the first and third prisms from the left on the top row and the first and third prisms from the left on the second row from the bottom as shown in Fig. 10. The pattern display processing pattern 13f reflects visible light irradiated from the LED 24 arranged on the lower side as shown in Fig. 10, and emits the visible light in the direction of the surface of the display selection button 10.

[0064] Thus, by lighting the LED 24, the character portion of "PUSH" can be displayed by the lighting color of the LED 24. The pattern display processing pattern 13g has a prism 13e shown in Fig. 7 formed therein. The pattern display processing pattern 13g is formed in the second and fourth prisms from the left in the top row, the first and third prisms from the left in the third row from the bottom, the second and fourth prisms from the left in the second row from the bottom, and the first and third prisms from the left in the bottom row, as shown in Fig. 10. The pattern display processing pattern 13g reflects visible light irradiated from the LED 23 arranged along the left side shown in Fig. 10, and emits the visible light toward the surface of the display selection button 10.

[0065] This allows the ellipse around "PUSH" to be displayed by lighting the LED 23 in the lighting color. The finger detection process pattern 13h has a prism 13d as shown in Fig. 7 formed therein. The finger detection process pattern 13h is formed in the second and fourth prisms from the left in the third row from the bottom and in the second and fourth prisms from the left in the bottom row as shown in Fig. 10. The finger detection process pattern 13h reflects the infrared light irradiated from the light projector 21 and guides the infrared light in the direction in which a finger approaches. As a result, infrared light irradiated from light-projecting unit 21 is emitted in the direction in which the finger is approaching, and whether or not an operation is being performed by a finger can be determined depending on whether or not the reflected light is received by light-receiving unit 22.

[0066] <Main features> As shown in FIG. 7, the display selection button 10 of this embodiment is a switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a push button 10c operated by a user's finger, and includes a light projector 21, a light guide plate 13, a plurality of light receivers 22, and a control unit 30. The light projector 21 emits light. The light guide plate 13 has an entrance surface 13a on which the light projected from the light projector 21 is incident, a plurality of prisms 13d that reflect the light incident from the entrance surface 13a toward the side where the finger approaches or touches the button, and an exit surface 13b that emits the light reflected by the prisms 13d in the direction where the finger approaches or touches the button. The plurality of light receivers 22 are provided at positions corresponding to the push button 10c, and receive the light emitted from the exit surface 13b and reflected by the finger approaching or touching the push button 10c. The control unit 30 detects the proximity or contact of the finger according to the amount of light received by the light receiver 22. The light receiving sections 22 have a detection sensitivity that increases as the distance from the light projecting section 21 increases, so as to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light projecting section 21.

[0067] As a result, by using a light guide plate 13 including a prism 13d arranged at a position corresponding to the push button 10c, light irradiated from the light-projecting unit 21 is emitted from the position corresponding to the push button 10c, and the reflected light generated when a finger or the like approaches or touches the push button 10c is detected by the light-receiving unit 22, it is possible to detect the proximity of a finger to or touching the push button 10c. Therefore, by receiving light emitted from one light-projecting unit 21 at multiple light-receiving units 22 via the light guide plate 13, the proximity or contact of a finger or the like to the position corresponding to the push button 10c can be easily detected with a simple configuration.

[0068] Furthermore, even when multiple light receiving units 22 are arranged relative to the light projecting unit 21, the detection sensitivity of the light receiving units 22 is adjusted to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light projecting unit 21 to each light receiving unit 22, i.e., so that a light receiving unit 22 arranged at a greater distance detects an amount of light equivalent to that of a light receiving unit 22 arranged at a smaller distance. As a result, the detection accuracy of reflected light at the multiple light receiving sections 22 can be ensured, while the configuration of the switch unit that detects the proximity or contact of a user's finger or the like to a push button using the light projecting section and the light receiving section can be simplified.

[0069] [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention. (A) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a plurality of light receiving units 22 whose detection sensitivity increases as the distance from the light projecting unit 21 increases are used to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light projecting unit 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0070] For example, in order to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light-projecting unit 21, a configuration in which the prisms 13d in part B shown in Figure 7 are arranged so that their density per unit area is greater than that of the prisms 13d in part A may be combined with the configuration of the above embodiment. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), prisms 13d are arranged such that the density per unit area increases as the distance from light projector 21 increases.

[0071] In this way, by changing the detection sensitivity of the light receiving unit 22 and also changing the arrangement density of the prisms 13d according to the distance from the light projecting unit 21, it is possible to more effectively compensate for the amount of light that is attenuated due to the distance from the light receiving unit 22, thereby enabling highly accurate finger detection. As yet another example, as shown in FIG. 12, in order to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from the light-projecting unit 21, a configuration of light guide plate 113 in which prism 13d in part B is arranged so that the area of ​​the reflective surface is approximately twice that of prism 13d in part A may be combined with the configuration of the above embodiment.

[0072] At this time, as shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), prism 113db having a larger reflecting surface than prism 113da is arranged so that the area of ​​the reflecting surface increases as the distance from light projector 21 increases. Even in this case, the area of ​​the reflecting surface of prism 113db in part B, which is far from light-projecting unit 21, is about twice as large as that in part A, so that the amount of light reflected in part B can be increased. Therefore, the amount of reflected light emitted from part B also increases, so that the proximity or contact of a finger can be detected with high accuracy regardless of the distance from light-projecting unit 21.

[0073] In addition, of the prisms 113da and 113db shown in Figures 13(a) and 13(b), the prisms 113da arranged in part A all have the same shape and size, and the prisms 113db arranged in part B all may also have the same shape and size. In other words, it is sufficient that the prism 113da arranged in part A and the prism 113db arranged in part B have different reflective areas, and multiple prisms 113da, 113db arranged in the same area (A or B) may have the same shape and the same size of the reflective surface.

[0074] (B) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which light projecting unit 21 is incident on light guide plate 13 from incident surface 13a on the rear side thereof and reflected by inclined surface 13c, so that light projecting unit 21 and light receiving unit 22 are disposed on the upper surface of common substrate 17, thereby diffusing light in the surface direction of light guide plate 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a configuration may be used in which light is incident from a light projecting section 221 arranged on an end face side of a light guide plate 213 and the light is diffused in the surface direction of the light guide plate 213. In this case, it is not necessary to form the end faces of the light guide plate at an angle as in the above embodiment.

[0075] (C) In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a common light guide plate 13 is used as the first light guide plate for detecting the proximity or contact of a finger and the second light guide plate for displaying a pattern or the like. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0076] For example, a first light guide plate for detecting the proximity or contact of a finger and a second light guide plate for displaying a pattern or the like may be used as separate light guide plates. However, as in the above embodiment, by using a single light guide plate 13 to detect the proximity or contact of a finger and to display a pattern or the like, the display selection button 10 can be made thinner.

[0077] (D) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a finger approaching the push button 10c is detected in the display selection button 10, and a desired number, design, etc. is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which only a finger approaching a push button is detected, without displaying a pattern or the like.

[0078] (E) In the above-described other embodiment (A), an example has been described in which the density per unit area or the area of ​​the reflecting surface is changed as prism 13d that reflects light so as to compensate for the amount of light that decreases depending on the distance from light projector 21. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in order to compensate for the decrease in the amount of light depending on the distance from the light projector, a prism whose reflectance changes depending on the distance from the light projector may be used.

[0079] (F) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the print sheet 14 including seven segments was used to display the numbers displayed on the display selection button 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of a printed sheet, a liquid crystal display panel or a light guide plate may be used as a means for displaying numbers.

[0080] (G) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the proximity or contact of a user's finger with one light-projecting unit 21 and two light-receiving units 22 is detected in the display selection buttons 10 corresponding to two products 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, three or more light receiving sections may be arranged for one light projecting section, and each light receiving section may detect the proximity or contact of a user's finger.

[0081] (H) In the above embodiment, a vending machine 1 that sells products 2 such as beverages has been described as an example of a display device equipped with the switch unit (display selection button 10) of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the switch unit of the present invention may be mounted on other exhibition devices in which an exhibition object is removed by non-contact operation of a push button.

[0082] <Additional Notes> A switch unit according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to any one of the first to third aspects of the present invention, the first light guide plate further has an end surface disposed obliquely with respect to the incident surface and the exit surface, Light incident from the first light-emitting portion via the entrance surface is reflected at the end surface and guided in the planar direction of the first light guide plate, and is reflected at the first prism and exits from the exit surface.

[0083] A switch unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects of the present invention, The display device further includes a second light guide plate having a plurality of second prisms that reflect the light incident from the first light projecting portion to display a predetermined pattern.

[0084] A switch unit according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, It also has a 7-segment display that shows numbers.

[0085] A switch unit according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is a switch unit according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, The optical element further includes a lens portion that guides the light emitted from the first light projecting portion to the incident surface of the first light guide plate.

[0086] An exhibition device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention comprises a switch unit according to any one of the first to tenth aspects of the present invention; an exhibition section in which an exhibition object to be selected and operated by the switch unit is arranged; A plurality of push buttons provided for each of the exhibit objects arranged in the exhibit section; It is equipped with: [Industrial Applicability]

[0087] The switch unit of the present invention has the effect of simplifying the configuration of a switch unit that uses a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element to detect the proximity of or contact with a push button by a user's finger, etc., in an exhibition device having a plurality of push buttons, and is therefore widely applicable to various types of switch units that are operated without contact. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Vending machine (exhibition device) 1a Housing 2. Products (exhibits) 3 Product display department (display department) 4 Money slot 5 Product removal port 6 Change return slot 10 Display selection button (switch unit) 10a First display area 10b Second display area 10c Push Button 11 Cover 12 Gray Smoke Board 13 Light guide plate (first light guide plate, second light guide plate) 13a Incidence plane 13b Output surface 13c Inclined surface (end surface) 13d Prism (First Prism) 13e Prism (Second Prism) 13f Pattern display processing pattern 13g Pattern display processing pattern 13h Finger detection pattern 14 Print sheet (7-segment display) 15 Divided Case 16a, 16b Fresnel lens (lens part) 17 Substrate 18 Connectors 21 Light-emitting unit (first light-emitting unit) 22 Light receiving part 23 LED (second light projection section) 24 LED (second light projection section) 25 LED (third light projection section) 30 Control section (detection section) 113 Light guide plate (1st light guide plate, 2nd light guide plate) 113da Prism (First Prism) 113db Prism (1st prism) 213 Light guide plate (1st light guide plate, 2nd light guide plate) 221 Light-emitting unit (first light-emitting unit)

Claims

1. A switch unit that detects a finger approaching or touching a push button operated by a user's finger, a first light projecting unit that projects light; a first light guide plate having an incident surface on which light irradiated from the first light projecting unit is incident, a plurality of first prisms that reflect the light incident from the incident surface toward a side where the finger approaches or touches the first prism and are provided at positions corresponding to the push buttons, and an exit surface that emits the light reflected by the first prisms in a direction where the finger approaches or touches the first prism; a plurality of light receiving sections provided at positions corresponding to the push buttons and configured to receive light emitted from the light emitting surface and reflected by the finger approaching or touching the push button; a detection unit that detects the proximity or contact of the finger depending on the amount of light received by the light receiving unit; Equipped with The light receiving units have a detection sensitivity that increases as the distance from the first light projecting unit increases so as to compensate for the amount of light of the light that decreases depending on the distance from the first light projecting unit. Switch unit.

2. The first prisms are arranged such that their density per unit area increases as the distance from the first light projecting unit increases. The switch unit according to claim 1 .

3. The first prism is disposed such that an area of ​​a reflecting surface that reflects the light increases as the distance from the first light projecting unit increases. The switch unit according to claim 1 .

4. the first light guide plate further has an end surface disposed obliquely with respect to the incident surface and the exit surface, The light incident from the first light projecting unit through the entrance surface is reflected by the end surface and guided in a surface direction of the first light guide plate, and is reflected by the first prism and exits from the exit surface.

3. The switch unit according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Further comprising a single substrate on which the first light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged. The switch unit according to claim 4.

6. The display further includes a second light guide plate having a plurality of second prisms that reflect the light incident from the first light projecting unit to display a predetermined pattern.

3. The switch unit according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The light guide plate further includes a second light projecting unit that projects light into the second light guide plate and reflects the light at a plurality of the second prisms. The switch unit according to claim 6.

8. Further comprising a seven-segment display for displaying numbers.

3. The switch unit according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The seven-segment display unit further includes a third light-emitting unit that emits light to display a desired number on the seven-segment display unit. The switch unit according to claim 8.

10. The light guide plate further includes a lens portion that guides the light emitted from the first light projecting portion to the incident surface of the first light guide plate.

3. The switch unit according to claim 1 or 2.

11. A switch unit according to claim 1 or 2, an exhibition section in which an exhibition object to be selected and operated by the switch unit is arranged; A plurality of the push buttons provided for each of the exhibit objects arranged in the exhibit section; An exhibition device equipped with

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