Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device configured to give a push-in tactile feeling to a user during push operation.SOLUTION: A touch panel 1 serving as a display device roughly includes: a display unit 2 which displays an icon 23 with a function of a control target 8 assigned thereto, and receives a push operation; a detection unit 3 which detects a physical quantity related to displacement of the display unit 2 due to the push operation; and a control unit 5 which outputs, when it is determined that the push operation has been performed based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit 3, a control signal S4 to instruct execution of the function assigned to the icon 23, to the control target 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] As a conventional technique, a touch panel device is known that includes a detection information output means that outputs a distance detection value, which is a value corresponding to the distance between a touch panel unit and an operating finger, and the position of the operating finger as detection information, and an operation detection means that detects a push operation or a slide operation by referring to the detection information output from the detection information output means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The operation detection means of this touch panel device can detect push operations and slide operations by differentiating the detection sensitivity between push operations and slide operations based on the change in the distance detection value before and after the operating finger comes into contact with the touch panel section and the movement direction of the operating finger determined from the change in the position of the operating finger. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-242924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In conventional touch panel devices, the touch panel does not displace in response to a push operation, so the user does not get the tactile sensation of pressing down when performing a push operation, as is the case with physical switches.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device that can give a user a tactile sensation of being pressed when performing a push operation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a display device that includes a display unit that displays an image to which a function of a control object is assigned and that accepts push operations, a detection unit that detects a physical quantity related to the displacement of the display unit that accompanies the push operation, and a control unit that, when it determines that a push operation has been performed based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit, outputs a control signal to the control object that instructs it to execute the function assigned to the image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to give the user a tactile sensation of being pressed during a push operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a touch panel according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. [Figure 2] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a touch operation is performed on an icon displayed on a touch panel according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is an example of an image displayed by a function assigned to the icon on which a push operation is performed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state before a push operation on the touch panel according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after the push operation. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the touch panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state of a touch panel according to the second embodiment before a push operation, FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after a push operation, and FIG. 5(c) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the touch panel according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a touch panel according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state before a push operation of a touch panel having a pantograph mechanism unit according to the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after a push operation of a touch panel having a pantograph mechanism unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Summary of the embodiment) The display device according to the embodiment is generally configured to include a display unit that displays an image to which a function of a control object is assigned and accepts push operations, a detection unit that detects a physical quantity related to the displacement of the display unit accompanying the push operation, and a control unit that, when it determines that a push operation has been performed based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit, outputs a control signal to the control object instructing it to execute the function assigned to the image.

[0011] This display device displaces the display unit when pushed to instruct the controlled object to execute a function, so that the user can feel the sensation of being pressed when pushing, compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0012] [First embodiment] (Overview of Touch Panel 1) FIG. 1(a) is a diagram showing an example of a touch panel according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of a case where a touch operation is performed on an icon displayed on the touch panel according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2(b) is an example of an image displayed by a function assigned to the icon on which a push operation is performed. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state of the touch panel according to the first embodiment before a push operation is performed, and FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after the push operation. FIG. 2(b) shows a state in which a push operation is performed on the selection icon 24 in FIG. 2(a), and the function assigned to this selection icon 24 to display a map of the current location of the navigation device is executed.

[0013] In the drawings relating to the embodiments described below, the ratios and shapes of the figures may differ from the actual ratios and shapes. Also, in Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 5(c) and Fig. 7(c) described later, arrows indicate the flow of main signals and information.

[0014] As an example, the touch panel 1 as a display device of this embodiment is mounted on a vehicle, and the on-board devices of the vehicle are the control objects 8. Examples of the control objects 8 include a vehicle control device that controls the overall settings of the vehicle and the automatic driving function, an air conditioning device that adjusts the temperature inside the vehicle, a navigation device that displays a map of the current location and provides guidance to the destination, a seat device that controls the position and tilt of the seat, and a music and video playback device that plays music and videos. Note that the touch panel 1 can also operate, for example, a mobile terminal or the like connected by wire or wirelessly as the control object 8. An overview of the touch panel 1 will be described below.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the touch panel 1 is generally configured to include a display unit 2 that displays an icon 23 as an image to which a function of a control object 8 is assigned and that accepts push operations, a detection unit 3 that detects a physical quantity related to the displacement of the display unit 2 that accompanies the push operation, and a control unit 5 that, when it determines that a push operation has been performed based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit 3, outputs a control signal S4 to the control object 8 that instructs it to execute the function assigned to the icon 23.

[0016] 3(a) and 3(b), the detection unit 3 is disposed on the back side of the display unit 2 and detects a displacement amount L as a physical amount associated with a push operation. The control unit 5 has a predetermined displacement amount threshold value 50, and determines that a push operation has been performed on the display unit 2 when the detected displacement amount L is equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50.

[0017] The touch panel 1 also includes a touch sensor 4 as a position detection unit that detects the position on the display surface 20 of the display unit 2 where a push operation is performed.

[0018] Furthermore, the touch panel 1 is provided with an elastic member having an elastic force that returns the display unit 2 displaced by a push operation to the initial position 10. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the touch panel 1 of this embodiment is made up of coil springs 6 arranged at the four corners of the display unit 2, but is not limited to this and may be made of elastic rubber, resin, or the like.

[0019] (Configuration of display unit 2) Examples of the display unit 2 include a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a micro LED (Light-Emitting Diode) display, electronic paper, a rear projector, etc. The display unit 2 displays a display image 22 based on a display signal S1 output from the control unit 5.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 1(a), the display unit 2 displays a plurality of icons 23 to which functions are assigned according to the control target 8. Note that the selection icon 24 with diagonal lines shown in Fig. 2(a) indicates, as an example, an icon selected by a touch operation. As will be described later, the touch panel 1 does not instruct execution of the function of the selection icon 24 by a touch operation.

[0021] The icons 23 are, for example, images that can be used to play or stop music, display a map of the current location on the navigation device, or adjust the air volume or set temperature of an air conditioner.

[0022] (Configuration of detection unit 3) The detection unit 3 is a displacement sensor or proximity switch that detects the displacement amount L of the display unit 2. Examples of the displacement sensor include an optical displacement sensor, an image sensor type displacement sensor, a linear proximity sensor, an ultrasonic displacement sensor, and a contact type displacement sensor. Examples of the proximity switch include an inductive proximity switch, a capacitive proximity switch, an ultrasonic proximity switch, a photoelectric proximity switch, and a magnetic proximity switch.

[0023] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), the detection unit 3 is disposed on the placement surface 120 of the substrate 12. As shown in Figure 1(a), the detection unit 3 is disposed below the center of the display surface 20. Note that, as an example, the detection unit 3 is disposed on the substrate 12, but is not limited to this, and any member on which the detection unit 3 can be disposed may be used.

[0024] The detection unit 3 of this embodiment is, by way of example, an optical displacement sensor, but is not limited to this. The detection unit 3 has a light-emitting function of outputting detection light 30 and a light-receiving function of receiving reflected light 31 from the detection light 30 reflected by the rear surface 21 of the display unit 2. The detection unit 3 periodically calculates the amount of displacement L based on the time from when the detection light 30 is output to when the reflected light 31 is received, and outputs the calculated amount of displacement L to the control unit 5 as detection information S2.

[0025] As an example, the displacement amount L is a distance displaced from an initial position 10 of the display unit 2 before the touch operation and the push operation are performed, but is not limited to this.

[0026] (Configuration of Touch Sensor 4) The touch sensor 4 is, for example, a pressure-sensitive sensor, a capacitance sensor, an electromagnetic induction sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an infrared sensor, an infrared camera sensor, etc. The touch sensor 4 of the present embodiment is, for example, a capacitance sensor, but is not limited to this.

[0027] 1(a), an XY coordinate system is set with the upper left corner of the display surface 20 as the origin, and the touch sensor 4 detects the coordinates at which a push operation is performed. In this XY coordinate system, the X coordinate is positive from left to right on the paper surface of FIG. 1(a), and the Y coordinate is positive from top to bottom.

[0028] The touch sensor 4 has a plurality of intersecting detection electrodes, and periodically searches for and detects the position where the user's operating finger 9 touches based on the capacitance generated between the operating finger 9 and these detection electrodes. In other words, the touch sensor 4 is configured to detect a touch operation. The touch sensor 4 generates position information S3 relating to the position where the operation is detected and outputs it to the control unit 5.

[0029] (Configuration of control unit 5) The control unit 5 is a microcomputer that includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs calculations and processing on acquired data according to stored programs, and semiconductor memories such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory). The ROM stores, for example, programs for operating the control unit 5. The RAM is used, for example, as a storage area for temporarily storing calculation results and the like.

[0030] The control unit 5 has, for example, a displacement threshold value 50 and image position information 51. The displacement threshold value 50 is used to determine whether a push operation has been performed. The image position information 51 is, for example, information relating to the coordinates of an image such as an icon 23 that the control target 8 has displayed on the display unit 2, and is stored based on display image information S5 acquired from the control target 8.

[0031] The control unit 5 determines the icon 23 to be operated from the coordinates where the operating finger 9 is detected, and then compares the displacement amount L with the displacement amount threshold value 50 based on the detection information S2 acquired from the detection unit 3. If the displacement amount L is equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50, the control unit 5 determines that a push operation has been performed on the determined icon 23, and generates and outputs to the control object 8 a control signal S4 for executing a function assigned to the icon 23.

[0032] When the operating finger 9 is detected on the icon 23, the touch panel 1 only selects the icon 23, and a push operation determines the selection, that is, executes the function assigned to the selected icon 24.

[0033] The control unit 5 can change the switch sensitivity using, for example, a first operating pattern that is selected and determined by further pressing after the displacement amount L becomes equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50; a second operating pattern that is selected and determined as soon as the displacement amount L becomes equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50; and a third operating pattern that is selected and determined when the displacement amount L becomes equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50 and then becomes less than the displacement amount threshold value 50.

[0034] In the first operation pattern, the display unit 2 is put into a standby state when the displacement amount L becomes equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50, and the selection is confirmed when the display unit 2 is pressed further. In the second operation pattern, when the user presses the display unit 2, the function assigned to the selection icon 24 is executed. In the third operation pattern, the display unit 2 is put into a standby state when the displacement amount L becomes equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold value 50, and the selection is confirmed when the pressure on the display unit 2 is released and the displacement amount L becomes less than the displacement amount threshold value 50.

[0035] The first operation pattern is an operation pattern that emphasizes suppression of malfunctions. The second operation pattern is an operation pattern that emphasizes reaction speed. The control unit 5 is configured so that the user can change these switch sensitivities. This operation pattern is selected, for example, by pressing the icon 23 to which the operation pattern is assigned.

[0036] (Configuration of coil spring 6) As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), for example, the coil spring 6 is supported by a first support portion 60 provided on the rear surface 21 of the display unit 2 and a second support portion 61 provided on the placement surface 120 of the substrate 12. As shown in Figure 1(a), four first support portions 60 are provided on the rear surface 21 of the display unit 2. Four second support portions 61 are provided on the placement surface 120 of the substrate 12.

[0037] An example of the operation of the touch panel 1 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 shows an example of the second operation pattern, that is, an operation pattern that places importance on response speed.

[0038] (operation) When "Yes" in Step 1 is established, that is, when the touch sensor 4 detects a touch operation (Step 1: Yes), the control unit 5 of the touch panel 1 determines the selected selection icon 24 based on the position information S3 and the image position information 51 (Step 2).

[0039] The control unit 5 acquires the displacement amount L based on the detection information S2 acquired from the detection unit 3 (Step 3).

[0040] If the displacement amount L is greater than or equal to the displacement amount threshold value 50, the control unit 5 determines that a push operation has been performed on the selection icon 24 (Step 4: Yes), generates a control signal S4 that executes the function assigned to the selection icon 24, outputs it to the control object 8 (Step 5), and terminates the processing.

[0041] Here, in step 4, if the acquired displacement amount L is smaller than the displacement amount threshold 50 (Step 4: No) and the touch operation has ended (Step 6: Yes), the control unit 5 ends the selection of the selection icon 24 (Step 7) and ends the processing.

[0042] Furthermore, in step 6, if the touch operation is continuing (Step 6: No), the control unit 5 proceeds to step 4.

[0043] (Effects of the first embodiment) The touch panel 1 according to the present embodiment can give the user a tactile sensation of being pressed when performing a push operation. Specifically, the touch panel 1 displaces the display unit 2 when a push operation is performed on the display unit 2, so that the user can get a tactile sensation of being pressed like a physical switch when performing a push operation, compared to when there is no displacement.

[0044] The touch panel 1 can execute multiple functions of the control target 8 by pushing multiple icons 23, so that the user can feel the operation of a physical switch while being able to execute multiple functions.

[0045] The touch panel 1 allows the user to select between a first operation pattern that emphasizes suppressing malfunctions and a second operation pattern that emphasizes response speed, thereby improving operability by allowing the operation pattern to be more suitable for the user than when this configuration is not adopted.

[0046] [Second embodiment] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a push operation is detected by a change in density of an elastic body.

[0047] Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state of a touch panel according to a second embodiment before a push operation, Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after a push operation, and Fig. 5(c) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. In Figs. 5(a) and 5(b), the density of the elastic body 7 is indicated by the spacing between the diagonal lines, as an example. In the following embodiments, parts having the same functions and configurations as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and their description will be omitted.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5( a) and 5(b), the touch panel 1 of this embodiment includes a substrate 12 as a placement member on which a detection unit 3 is disposed, and an elastic body 7 that is disposed between the substrate 12 and the display unit 2, transmits light 320, and deforms in response to a push operation. The detection unit 3 includes a light-emitting unit 32 that outputs light 320 and a light-receiving unit 33 that receives the light 320 via the elastic body 7. The control unit 5 has a predetermined threshold value 52 for the amount of received light, and determines that a push operation has been performed on the display unit 2 when the amount of received light 330, which is a physical quantity received by the light-receiving unit 33, is equal to or less than the threshold value 52. The control unit 5 may also determine that a push operation has been performed when the amount of received light 330 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 52 and then exceeds the threshold value 52. Furthermore, the control unit 5 may determine that a push operation has been performed on the display unit 2 when the amount of received light 330 exceeds the threshold value 52 for the amount of received light after the amount of received light 330 becomes equal to or less than the threshold value 52 for the amount of received light.

[0049] The arrangement member in this embodiment is, for example, a substrate 12, but is not limited to this and may be any member on which the detection unit 3 can be arranged.

[0050] (Configuration of detection unit 3) As described above, the detection unit 3 is configured to include the light-emitting unit 32 and the light-receiving unit 33. The light-emitting unit 32 is a light-emitting element that outputs light 320 toward the light-receiving unit 33. One example of the light-emitting element is, but is not limited to, an LED. The light-receiving unit 33 is a light-receiving element that receives the light 320 output from the light-emitting unit 32. One example of the light-receiving element is, but is not limited to, a photodiode.

[0051] The light emitting unit 32 receives the light emitting control signal S 2a The control unit 5 periodically outputs the light 320 based on the light emission control signal S 2a Output.

[0052] The light receiving unit 33 outputs received light information S based on the amount of received light 320. 2b and outputs it to the control unit 5.

[0053] (Configuration of elastic body 7) The elastic body 7 is made of a resin that transmits light 320 and is easily elastically deformed. The elastic body 7 is made of, for example, silicone or urethane foam. The elastic body 7 in this embodiment is made of, for example, urethane foam, but is not limited to, this.

[0054] 5(a) and 5(b), the elastic body 7 is arranged in contact with the mounting surface 120 of the substrate 12 and the back surface 21 of the display unit 2. When the user performs a push operation on the display unit 2, the coil spring 6 is compressed and the elastic body 7 is also compressed. In addition, as an example, the elastic body 7 is arranged so as to cover the detection unit 3, but is not limited to this, and may be arranged between the light-emitting unit 32 and the light-receiving unit 33.

[0055] When the elastic body 7 is compressed, its density increases, and the transmittance of light 320 changes. In other words, when a push operation is performed on the display unit 2, the amount of light 320 received by the light receiving unit 33 after passing through the elastic body 7 becomes smaller than the amount of light received before the push operation. When the amount of received light 330 is equal to or less than the light reception threshold value 52, the control unit 5 determines that a push operation has been performed on the display unit 2.

[0056] The received light amount threshold 52 is determined based on the amount of received light at the push position 11, for example.

[0057] An example of the operation of touch panel 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0058] (operation) When "Yes" in Step 10 is established, that is, when the touch sensor 4 detects a touch operation (Step 10: Yes), the control unit 5 of the touch panel 1 determines the selected icon 24 based on the position information S3 and the image position information 51 (Step 11).

[0059] The control unit 5 receives the received light information S 2b The amount of received light 330 is obtained based on the above (Step 12).

[0060] If the amount of received light 330 is less than or equal to the light receiving amount threshold 52, the control unit 5 determines that a push operation has been performed on the selection icon 24 (Step 13: Yes), generates a control signal S4 that executes the function assigned to the selection icon 24, outputs it to the control object 8 (Step 14), and terminates the processing.

[0061] Here, in step 13, if the acquired amount of received light 330 is greater than the light receiving amount threshold 52 (Step 13: No) and the touch operation has ended (Step 15: Yes), the control unit 5 ends the selection of the selection icon 24 (Step 16) and ends the processing.

[0062] Furthermore, in step 15, if the touch operation is continuing (Step 15: No), the control unit 5 proceeds to step 13.

[0063] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the touch panel 1 of the present embodiment, the display unit 2 is supported not only by the coil spring 6 but also by the elastic body 7, which makes it easier to stroke the display unit 2 uniformly compared to a case where this configuration is not adopted. Therefore, the touch panel 1 strokes the display unit 2 uniformly, which makes it possible to suppress variations in the operational feel depending on the location where the push operation is performed.

[0064] The touch panel 1 is provided with a coil spring 6, so even if the elastic force of the elastic body 7 decreases due to repeated use, the display unit 2 can be returned from the push position 11 to the initial position 10 compared to when this configuration is not adopted.

[0065] [Third embodiment] The third embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that it has a plurality of detection pairs each consisting of a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion.

[0066] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a touch panel according to the third embodiment, and FIG. 7(b) is an example of a block diagram of the touch panel. In FIG. 7(a), an XY coordinate system is set with the upper left corner of the paper as the origin, with the X coordinate being positive from left to right and the Y coordinate being positive from top to bottom. The X coordinate detection pairs 34 are arranged, for example, according to the X1 coordinate to the X5 coordinate. The Y coordinate detection pairs 34 are arranged, for example, according to the Y1 coordinate to the Y3 coordinate. The detection unit 3 detects the position of the operating finger 9 within the ranges of the X1 coordinate to the X5 coordinate and the Y1 coordinate to the Y3 coordinate.

[0067] 7(a) and 7(b), the detection unit 3 has a plurality of detection pairs 34 of a light-emitting unit 32 and a light-receiving unit 33. The detection pairs 34 are arranged so that the light-emitting unit 32 and the light-receiving unit 33 face each other in a first direction, and are also arranged so that the light-emitting unit 32 and the light-receiving unit 33 face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction. The control unit 5 determines the position on the display unit 2 where the push operation was performed based on the amount of received light 330 detected by the plurality of light-receiving units 33 and a received light amount threshold 52.

[0068] The first direction is, for example, the X-axis direction. The second direction is, for example, the Y-axis direction. The X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are perpendicular to each other, but are not limited to this. The elastic body 7 is provided so as to cover the detection pair 34, but is not limited to this, and may be disposed between the light-emitting unit 32 and the light-receiving unit 33.

[0069] In the touch panel 1 of the present embodiment, the detection unit 3 can detect the operation position on the display surface 20 and the push operation, so the display unit 2 does not need to include a touch sensor. In other words, the touch panel 1 can be combined with a display unit that does not have a touch sensor.

[0070] 7(a) shows, with diagonal lines, a contact area 90 where the operating finger 9 is in contact with the display surface 20. If the contact area 90 is the area where the operating finger 9 is in contact with the display surface 20 when the user performs a push operation, the density of the elastic body 7 below this contact area 90 becomes higher than the density in other places, and the amount of light received 330 of the light receiving unit 33 decreases.

[0071] Therefore, the light receiving unit 33 at the X4 coordinate and the light receiving unit 33 at the Y3 coordinate mainly receive a smaller amount of light 330 than the other light receiving units 33. The control unit 5 receives the light receiving information S 2b and compares the amount of received light 330 for each light receiving unit 33 with the light receiving amount threshold 52. As an example, if a push operation is performed at the position shown in FIG. 7(a) and the amount of received light 330 is not equal to or greater than the light receiving amount threshold 52 for any light receiving unit 33 other than the light receiving unit 33 at the X4 coordinate and the light receiving unit 33 at the Y3 coordinate, the control unit 5 determines that a push operation has been performed at the coordinates (X4, Y3). Note that, as an example, the control unit 5 calculates the coordinates where the push operation is detected by using a weighted average.

[0072] (Effects of the third embodiment) The touch panel 1 of this embodiment can detect the coordinates of the display surface 20 where a touch operation is performed and a push operation even though the display unit 2 does not have a touch sensor, so manufacturing costs are reduced compared to when a configuration is provided for detecting a touch sensor and a push operation.

[0073] [Fourth embodiment] The fourth embodiment differs from the other embodiments in that it includes a pantograph mechanism that assists the displacement of the display unit. Note that the fourth embodiment may be a combination of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0074] Fig. 8(a) is a diagram showing an example of a state before a push operation of a touch panel having a pantograph mechanism according to the fourth embodiment, and Fig. 8(b) is a diagram showing an example of a state after a push operation of a touch panel having a pantograph mechanism. In Fig. 8(a) and Fig. 8(b), the density of the elastic body 7 is shown by the spacing between the diagonal lines, as an example.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 8, the touch panel 1 includes a pantograph mechanism 15 that suppresses tilted displacement of the display unit 2.

[0076] The pantograph mechanism 15 is provided below two opposing sides of the display unit 2. That is, Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show one of the pantograph mechanism 15. These pantograph mechanism 15 have the same configuration.

[0077] The pantograph mechanism 15 is configured to include a first shaft 151 and a second shaft 152. The first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 are integrated by a connecting pin 150. The first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 rotate around the connecting pin 150.

[0078] The first shaft 151 has a tip pin 151a inserted into a guide hole 160 of the support part 16 of the display unit 2. This guide hole 160 is an elongated hole. The tip pin 151a can move along the guide hole 160. Furthermore, the first shaft 151 has a tip pin 151b inserted into a guide hole 170 of the support part 17 of the substrate 12. This guide hole 170 is an elongated hole. The tip pin 151b can move along the guide hole 170.

[0079] The second shaft 152 has a tip pin 152a inserted into a guide hole 180 of the support part 18 of the display unit 2. This guide hole 180 is an elongated hole. The tip pin 152a can move along the guide hole 180. The second shaft 152 has a tip pin 152b inserted into a guide hole 190 of the support part 19 of the substrate 12. This guide hole 190 is an elongated hole. The tip pin 152b can move along the guide hole 190.

[0080] 8(a) and 8(b), the support parts 16 and 19 move closer to each other in response to a push operation, and the support parts 18 and 17 move closer to each other in response to a push operation.

[0081] When the user performs a push operation, the display unit 2 is displaced from the initial position 10 to the push position 11. At this time, the pantograph mechanism 15 has the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 rotate in opposite directions around the connecting pin 150. When displacing from the initial position 10 to the push position 11, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the first shaft 151 rotates clockwise and the second shaft 152 rotates counterclockwise.

[0082] Furthermore, when the push operation is completed, the display unit 2 is displaced from the push position 11 to the initial position 10 by the elastic force of the coil spring 6 and the elastic body 7. At this time, the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 of the pantograph mechanism unit 15 rotate around the connecting pin 150 in the direction opposite to that during the push operation. When displacing from the push position 11 to the initial position 10, the first shaft 151 rotates counterclockwise and the second shaft 152 rotates clockwise, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b).

[0083] Even if the push operation is performed at a position away from the center of the display surface 20, the first shaft 151 and the second shaft 152 arranged below the opposing sides of the display surface 20 rotate in unison, thereby suppressing tilting displacement of the display unit 2.

[0084] In FIG. 8, support portion 17 and support portion 19 are provided on substrate 12, but this is not limited to this, and support portion 17 and support portion 19 may also be provided on a case (not shown) that houses touch panel 1.

[0085] (Effects of the Fourth Embodiment) In the touch panel 1 of this embodiment, even if a push operation is performed on the edge of the display surface 20, the pantograph mechanism 15 can suppress tilting and displacement. In other words, by including the pantograph mechanism 15 in addition to the coil spring 6 and the elastic body 7, the touch panel 1 can stroke the display unit 2 more uniformly, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the push operation compared to a case where this configuration is not adopted. Furthermore, the touch panel 1 can further suppress variations in the operation feel depending on the location where the push operation is performed.

[0086] According to at least one of the above-described embodiments, the touch panel 1 can give the user a tactile sensation of pressing when performing a push operation.

[0087] The touch panel 1 according to the above-described embodiments and modifications may be partially realized by a computer-executed program, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), etc., depending on the application.

[0088] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, etc. may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in these embodiments are necessarily essential to solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, these embodiments are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] 1...touch panel, 2...display unit, 3...detection unit, 4...touch sensor, 5...control unit, 6...coil spring, 7...elastic body, 8...control object, 9...operating finger, 10...initial position, 11...push position, 12...board, 15...pantograph mechanism unit, 16-19...support unit, 20...display surface, 21...back surface, 22...display image, 23...icon, 24...selection icon, 30...detection light, 31...reflected light, 32...light-emitting unit, 33...light receiving unit, 34...detection pair, 50...displacement amount threshold, 51...image position information, 52...light receiving amount threshold, 60...first support unit, 61...second support unit, 90...contact area, 120...arrangement surface, 150...connecting pin, 151...first shaft, 151a, 151b...tip pin, 152...second shaft, 152a, 152b...tip pin, 160-190...guide hole, 320...light, 330...light receiving amount

Claims

1. a display unit that displays an image to which a control target function is assigned and that accepts a push operation; a detection unit that detects a physical quantity related to a displacement of the display unit caused by the push operation; a control unit that outputs a control signal to the control target when it is determined that the push operation has been performed based on the physical quantity detected by the detection unit; and A display device comprising:

2. the detection unit is disposed on the back side of the display unit and detects a displacement amount as the physical quantity associated with the push operation; the control unit has a predetermined displacement amount threshold, and determines that the push operation has been performed on the display unit when the detected displacement amount is equal to or greater than the displacement amount threshold. The display device according to claim 1 .

3. a placement member in which the detection unit is placed; an elastic body that is disposed between the arrangement member and the display unit, that transmits light, and that deforms in response to the push operation; Equipped with the detection unit has a light emitting unit that outputs the light and a light receiving unit that receives the light via the elastic body, the control unit has a predetermined threshold value for the amount of received light, and determines that the push operation has been performed on the display unit when the amount of received light as the physical quantity received by the light receiving unit is equal to or less than the threshold value. The display device according to claim 1 .

4. the detection unit has a plurality of detection pairs of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, the detection pair is arranged so that the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit face each other in a first direction, and is also arranged so that the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit face each other in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the control unit determines the position on the display unit where the push operation is performed based on the amounts of received light detected by the plurality of light receiving units and the light receiving amount threshold value. The display device according to claim 3 .

5. an elastic member having an elastic force that returns the display unit displaced by the push operation to its initial position; The display device according to claim 1 .

6. a position detection unit that detects the position on the display surface of the display unit where the push operation is performed, The display device according to claim 5 .

7. A pantograph mechanism is provided to suppress tilting of the display unit. The display device according to claim 6.

Images