Electronic device

Abstract

This electronic device is provided with a display that has a rectangular shape in plan view, a surface panel that overlaps the display in plan view, and a pressure sensor that outputs a signal on the basis of deformation of the surface panel and that has a rectangular shape in plan view, wherein: the pressure sensor has, in plan view, a pressure sensor first side overlapping a first side of the display, a second side orthogonal to the pressure sensor first side and located on the negative side of the Y axis, and a third side orthogonal to the pressure sensor first side and located on the positive side of the Y axis; the display has, in plan view, a first region located on the negative side of the Y axis and farther away from the Y axis than is the second side of the pressure sensor, and a second region located on the positive side of the Y axis and farther away from the Y axis than is the third side of the pressure sensor; and the pressure sensor outputs signals of different polarities for a first pressure operation on the first region and a second pressure operation on the second region.

Description

electronic equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a display device in which a pressure sensor is arranged. The display device of Patent Document 1 includes a housing and a surface panel. The pressure sensor is located inside the housing. The pressure sensor is provided on the surface panel. The pressure sensor detects a pressing operation on the surface panel.

[0003] International Publication No. 2020 / 230486

[0004] In electronic devices equipped with a touch panel display, virtual buttons for receiving user operations are often located in a portion of the touch panel display (for example, near the bottom edge of the touch panel display). In order to accurately detect pressing operations on the virtual buttons, it is sufficient to distinguish between pressing operations on positions where the virtual buttons are located and pressing operations on positions where no virtual buttons are located.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device that can distinguish between a pressing operation on one part of a touch panel display and a pressing operation on another part.

[0006] An electronic device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a display that is rectangular in plan view; a surface panel that overlaps the display in plan view; a touch sensor that detects a user's touch operation on the surface panel; and a pressure sensor that is rectangular in plan view and outputs a signal based on deformation of the surface panel, wherein, when a direction parallel to a first edge of the display is defined as the Y-axis direction, the pressure sensor has: a first edge of the pressure sensor that overlaps the first edge of the display in plan view; a second edge that is perpendicular to the first edge of the pressure sensor and located on the negative side of the Y-axis; and a third edge that is perpendicular to the first edge of the pressure sensor and located on the positive side of the Y-axis; the display has: a first region that is located on the negative side of the Y-axis from the second side of the pressure sensor in plan view; and a second region that is located on the positive side of the Y-axis from the third side of the pressure sensor; and the pressure sensor outputs signals of different polarities for a first pressure operation on the first region and a second pressure operation on the second region.

[0007] According to an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to distinguish between a pressing operation on a portion of a touch panel display and a pressing operation on another portion.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of electronic device 1. FIG. 2 is a top view of electronic device 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a top view of housing 10, display 11, and pressure sensor 12. FIG. 5 is a side view of pressure sensor 12. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing electronic device 1a according to modified example 1. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing electronic device 1b according to modified example 2. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a position pressed by a user in an experiment using electronic device 1b. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing value Sg1 of the signal output by pressure sensor 12, and values ​​Sg2 and Sg3 of the signals output by pressure sensor 16 in the experiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing electronic device 1c according to modified example 3.

[0009] First Embodiment An electronic device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the electronic device 1. Fig. 2 is a top view of the electronic device 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, a pressure sensor 12 is shown in perspective with a dashed line.

[0010] The electronic device 1 is an electronic device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. As shown in Fig. 1 , the electronic device 1 includes a housing 10, a display 11, a pressure sensor 12, a touch sensor 14, and a surface panel 15. The direction in which the pressure sensor 12, the display 11, the touch sensor 14, and the surface panel 15 are arranged in this order is the positive direction of the Z axis. The direction opposite to the positive direction of the Z axis is the negative direction of the Z axis.

[0011] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the housing 10 has a frame shape in plan view. In plan view, the housing 10 has a rectangular shape having long and short sides. The length of the long side of the housing 10 is, for example, 130 mm to 300 mm. The length of the short side of the housing 10 is, for example, 60 mm to 160 mm. The housing 10 is made of a material such as resin or metal. The direction in which the short side of the housing 10 extends is the X-axis direction, and the direction in which the long side of the housing 10 extends is the Y-axis direction.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , the display 11 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. The display 11 has a plate shape including long sides HB1 and HB4 and short sides HB2 and HB3. Side HB1 is parallel to the Y-axis direction. Side HB1 corresponds to the first side of the display in the present invention. The display 11 includes a first main surface SF1 and a second main surface SF2. The first main surface SF1 and the second main surface SF2 are arranged in the positive direction of the Z-axis in this order.

[0013] The display 11 is disposed within the housing 10 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The outer edge of the display 11 is fixed to a frame-shaped portion of the housing 10. The display 11 is an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. As shown in Figure 2, the display 11 displays, for example, a virtual button Bt (such as a call button) that accepts user operations. As an example, the virtual button Bt is displayed at the end of the display 11 in the negative direction of the Y axis.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the surface panel 15 has a plate shape with short sides extending in the X-axis direction and long sides extending in the Y-axis direction. The surface panel 15 is located on the positive side of the Z-axis relative to the display 11. In a plan view, the surface panel 15 overlaps the display 11. As shown in Figure 3, the surface panel 15 is disposed within the housing 10. The outer edge of the surface panel 15 is fixed to a frame-shaped portion of the housing 10. A user touches or presses the surface panel 15 using their finger or a pen-shaped tool. Such a surface panel 15 is made of, for example, glass.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the touch sensor 14 has a plate shape with short sides extending in the X-axis direction and long sides extending in the Y-axis direction. The main surface of the touch sensor 14 located on the positive side of the Z-axis is in contact with the main surface of the surface panel 15 located on the negative side of the Z-axis. The touch sensor 14 detects a user's touch operation on the surface panel 15. The touch sensor 14 is, for example, a capacitance-type sensor. The capacitance-type touch sensor 14 includes a substrate and two electrodes provided on the substrate. The capacitance-type touch sensor 14 detects a user's touch operation on the surface panel 15 based on a change in capacitance between the two electrodes. The substrate and the two electrodes are made of a transparent material. The substrate is made of, for example, acrylic resin. The two electrodes are made of, for example, indium tin oxide, zinc oxide, or the like. This allows the user to see an image displayed on the display 11 through the touch sensor 14.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing 10, the display 11, and the pressure sensor 12. In FIG. 4, the pressure sensor 12 is shown in perspective with a dashed line. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the pressure sensor 12 is a flexible sheet-like member and is rectangular in plan view. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressure sensor 12 has a rectangular shape including sides HA1 and HA4, which are short sides extending in the Y-axis direction, and sides HA2 and HA3, which are long sides extending in the X-axis direction. Side HA1 is located on the positive side of the X-axis relative to side HA4. Side HA1 corresponds to the first side of the pressure sensor in the present invention. Sides HA2 and HA3 are orthogonal to sides HA1 and HA4. Side HA2 is located on the negative side of the Y-axis, and side HA3 is located on the positive side of the Y-axis. Side HA2 corresponds to the second side of the pressure sensor in the present invention. Side HA3 corresponds to the third side of the pressure sensor in the present invention. In a plan view, the size of the pressure sensor 12 is smaller than the size of the display 11. The pressure sensor 12 corresponds to the first pressure sensor of the present invention. Note that the pressure sensor 12 does not necessarily have to have a rectangular shape, and may have a square shape.

[0017] The pressure sensor 12 is disposed at the end of the first main surface SF1 in the positive direction of the X axis. In plan view, the end of the pressure sensor 12 overlaps the end of the display 11. Specifically, in plan view, the side HA1 of the pressure sensor 12 overlaps the side HB1 of the display 11. The pressure sensor 12 is fixed to the display 11 by, for example, a sticky adhesive. The adhesive is, for example, a transparent double-sided tape. Of course, the adhesive does not necessarily have to be double-sided tape. The fixing location is not limited to the display 11. For example, the pressure sensor 12 may be fixed to the surface panel 15 via the touch sensor 14.

[0018] Note that the side HA1 does not necessarily overlap the side HB1 of the display 11 in a planar view. For example, the side HA4 of the pressure sensor 12 may overlap the side HB4 of the display 11 in a planar view.

[0019] 5 is a side view of the pressure sensor 12. As shown in FIG. 5, the pressure sensor 12 includes a piezoelectric film 120, a first electrode 121, and a second electrode 122.

[0020] The piezoelectric film 120 has a sheet shape with long and short sides. As shown in Fig. 5, the piezoelectric film 120 includes a first film principal surface UF1 and a second film principal surface UF2. The second film principal surface UF2 is located on the positive side of the Z axis relative to the first film principal surface UF1.

[0021] The piezoelectric film 120 is, for example, a film formed from a chiral polymer. Examples of chiral polymers include polylactic acid (PLA), particularly poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) or poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA). PLA, a chiral polymer, has a helical main chain structure. The piezoelectric film 120 has a piezoelectric constant of d14. The piezoelectric film 120 exhibits piezoelectricity due to uniaxial stretching, which orients the molecules. As shown in FIG. 4 , the stretching direction OD1 of the piezoelectric film 120 forms an angle of 0 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction. For example, the angle between the stretching direction OD1 and the X-axis direction may be approximately 0 degrees ±10 degrees or approximately 180 degrees ±10 degrees. The stretching direction OD1 is perpendicular to the side HB1 of the display 11. The piezoelectric film 120 is polarized according to the amount of deformation of the piezoelectric film 120. The direction of polarization when the piezoelectric film 120 is stretched in a direction at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the stretching direction OD1 is opposite to the direction of polarization when the piezoelectric film 120 is stretched in a direction perpendicular to the 45 degrees relative to the stretching direction OD1 (at an angle of -45 degrees).

[0022] The first electrode 121 is, for example, a signal electrode. As shown in Fig. 5, the first electrode 121 is disposed on the first film main surface UF1. The first electrode 121 is fixed to the first film main surface UF1 with an adhesive (not shown). The first electrode 121 covers substantially the entire first film main surface UF1.

[0023] The second electrode 122 is, for example, a reference electrode. As shown in Fig. 5, the second electrode 122 is disposed on the second film main surface UF2. The second electrode 122 is fixed to the second film main surface UF2 with an adhesive (not shown). The second electrode 122 covers substantially the entire second film main surface UF2.

[0024] It is not necessary that the first electrode 121 is the signal electrode and the second electrode 122 is the reference electrode. The first electrode 121 may be the reference electrode and the second electrode 122 may be the signal electrode.

[0025] The pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal based on the deformation of the surface panel 15. Specifically, the surface panel 15 is deformed so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis when pressed by the user. The deformation of the surface panel 15 also deforms the pressure sensor 12. The pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal corresponding to the deformation of the pressure sensor 12.

[0026] The polarity of the signal output by the pressure sensor 12 varies depending on the position where the surface panel 15 is pressed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the display 11 has, in a plan view, a first region Ar1 located on the negative side of the Y axis relative to side HA2 (the second side of the pressure sensor) and a second region Ar2 located on the positive side of the Y axis relative to side HA3 (the third side of the pressure sensor). When a line SL1 is defined that is perpendicular to side HB1 (the first side of the display) and overlaps with side HA2 (the second side of the pressure sensor) in a plan view, the first region Ar1 is located on the negative side of the Y axis relative to line SL1 in a plan view. When a line SL2 is defined that is perpendicular to side HB1 and overlaps with side HA3 (the third side of the pressure sensor) in a plan view, the second region Ar2 is located on the positive side of the Y axis relative to line SL2. The line SL1 corresponds to the first line in the present invention. The straight line SL2 corresponds to the second straight line in the present invention.

[0027] The size of the first area Ar1 is determined by the size and position of the virtual button Bt. In this embodiment, the virtual button Bt is disposed biased toward the lower side of the display 11 in a plan view. Therefore, the size of the first area Ar1 is smaller than the size of the second area Ar2.

[0028] The pressure sensor 12 outputs signals of different polarities depending on whether the first region Ar1 or the second region Ar2 is pressed. For example, when a user presses the vicinity of the end of the surface panel 15 in the negative direction of the Y axis, i.e., the virtual button Bt, the vicinity of the end of the surface panel 15 in the negative direction of the Y axis deforms so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis. At this time, the pressure sensor 12 deforms in a plan view so as to intersect with the extension direction OD1 from the position of the virtual button Bt, i.e., to extend in the upper right and lower left directions in FIG. 2 . In this case, the pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal having a positive polarity relative to the reference potential.

[0029] On the other hand, when the user presses the center portion of the surface panel 15, the center portion of the surface panel 15 deforms so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis. That is, the portion corresponding to the second region Ar2 deforms so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis. At this time, the pressure sensor 12 deforms so as to extend from the center portion in a direction intersecting the extension direction OD1, i.e., in the upper left and lower right directions in FIG. 2 . In this case, the pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal having a negative polarity with respect to the reference potential.

[0030] When the pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal having a positive polarity with respect to the reference potential, the electronic device 1 detects that a pressure operation has been performed on the first area Ar1. On the other hand, when the pressure sensor 12 outputs a signal having a negative polarity with respect to the reference potential, the electronic device 1 detects that a pressure operation has been performed on the second area Ar2. In other words, the electronic device 1 can distinguish between a pressure operation on the first area Ar1 and a pressure operation on the second area Ar2.

[0031] Generally, the polarity of the signal changes depending on whether the positive side of the pressure sensor 12 in the X-axis direction or the negative side of the pressure sensor 12 in the X-axis direction is pressed. However, in the present invention, the pressure sensor 12 is positioned so that the side HA1 of the pressure sensor 12 overlaps with the side HB1 of the display 11. Therefore, the area on the positive side of the pressure sensor 12 in the X-axis direction is not pressed. As a result, the signal polarity does not change depending on the pressure position in the X-axis direction. In other words, the present invention allows the signal polarity of the pressure sensor 12 to depend only on the pressure position in the Y-axis direction.

[0032] The virtual button Bt is arranged as a fixed icon (so-called dock icon) located near the bottom edge of the display 11. The electronic device 1 of this embodiment can detect a pressing operation on the virtual button Bt arranged as such a dock icon by the pressure sensor 12 arranged only on a part of the surface panel 15 in a plan view.

[0033] If a single large pressure sensor were arranged to overlap the entire surface panel in a plan view, the entire surface of the electronic device would become thick. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 12 is arranged in a portion of the display 11, so the entire surface of the electronic device 1 does not become thick. Therefore, the electronic device 1 according to the present application can distinguish between a pressure operation on the portion where the virtual button Bt is located and a pressure operation on other portions, while minimizing the area occupied by the pressure sensor 12 and suppressing the thickness of the electronic device 1.

[0034] Furthermore, if a single large pressure sensor is placed so as to overlap the entire surface panel in a plan view, when touch operations are detected at multiple locations on the surface panel, it is impossible to distinguish which location the pressure operation is being performed at. On the other hand, the electronic device 1 according to the present application can distinguish which location the pressure operation is being performed at even when touch operations are detected at both the portion where the virtual button Bt is located and another portion other than that portion (e.g., the center position of the display 11). As a result, the electronic device 1 according to the present application can detect only the pressure operation on the virtual button Bt.

[0035] [Modification 1] Hereinafter, an electronic device 1a according to Modification 1 of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the electronic device 1a according to Modification 1.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6 , in the electronic device 1a, the side HA1 of the pressure sensor 12 overlaps with the side HB2, which is the short side of the display 11. In this modification, the lines SL1 and SL2 extend in the Y-axis direction. The display 11 has a first region Ar1a located on the negative side of the X-axis from the line SL1, and a second region Ar2a located on the positive side of the X-axis from the line SL2. Unlike the first region Ar1, the first region Ar1a is located near the side HB4, which is the long side. Unlike the second region Ar2, the second region Ar2a is located near the center of the display 11 and near the side HB1, which is the long side. The electronic device 1a achieves the same effects as the electronic device 1.

[0037] [Modification 2] Hereinafter, an electronic device 1b according to Modification 2 of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the electronic device 1b according to Modification 2.

[0038] 7, the electronic device 1b differs from the electronic device 1 in that it further includes a pressure sensor 16 and an arithmetic circuit 17. The pressure sensor 16 corresponds to the second pressure sensor of the present invention.

[0039] The pressure sensor 16 includes short sides HC1 and HC4 and long sides HC2 and HC3. Side HC1 is located on the negative side of the X-axis from side HC4. Side HC2 is located on the negative side of the Y-axis from side HC3. Side HC4 of the pressure sensor 16 faces side HA4 of the pressure sensor 12. Side HC1 overlaps with side HB4 in a plan view. Side HC2 overlaps with line SL1 in a plan view. Side HC3 overlaps with line SL2 in a plan view. The extension direction OD2 of the pressure sensor 16 forms an angle of 0 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction. The extension direction OD2 of the pressure sensor 16 is perpendicular to side HB1.

[0040] When the first region Ar1 deforms so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis, the pressure sensor 16 deforms so as to expand in the upper left and lower right directions in Fig. 7. In this case, the pressure sensor 16 outputs a signal having a negative polarity with respect to the reference potential. When the second region Ar2 deforms so as to protrude in the negative direction of the Z axis, the pressure sensor 16 deforms so as to expand in the upper right and lower left directions in Fig. 7. In this case, the pressure sensor 16 outputs a signal having a positive polarity with respect to the reference potential.

[0041] In the present application, the side HC4 and the side HA4 facing each other means that the side HC4 is symmetrical with respect to the side HA4 in a plan view, and the Y coordinate of the side HC4 coincides with the Y coordinate of the side HA4.

[0042] Note that if side HC4 is parallel to side HA4, electronic device 1b achieves the effect of Modification 2. The Y coordinate of pressure sensor 12 may be slightly offset from the Y coordinate of pressure sensor 16. In this case, first region Ar1 is located on the negative side of the Y axis relative to the side of pressure sensors 12 and 16 that is located furthest along the negative side of the Y axis, and second region Ar2 is located on the positive side of the Y axis relative to the side of pressure sensors 12 and 16 that is located furthest along the positive side of the Y axis. For example, when pressure sensor 12 is slightly offset from pressure sensor 16c on the negative side of the Y axis, first region Ar1 is located on the negative side of side HA2 of pressure sensor 12 (the side of pressure sensors 12 and 16 that is located furthest along the negative side of the Y axis), and second region Ar2 is located on the positive side of side HC3 of pressure sensor 12 (the side of pressure sensors 12 and 16 that is located furthest along the positive side of the Y axis).

[0043] The other configurations of the pressure sensor 16 are the same as those of the pressure sensor 12, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] The arithmetic circuit 17 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). As shown in FIG. 7 , the arithmetic circuit 17 is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 12 and the pressure sensor 16. The arithmetic circuit 17 receives a signal (hereinafter, a first signal) from the pressure sensor 12 and a signal (hereinafter, a second signal) from the pressure sensor 16. The arithmetic circuit 17 inverts the polarity of the second signal. Specifically, when a pressure operation is performed on the first area Ar1, the second signal has a negative polarity with respect to a reference potential. Because the arithmetic circuit 17 inverts the polarity of the second signal, the second signal has a positive polarity with respect to the reference potential. As a result, when a pressure operation is performed on the first area Ar1, the polarity of the first signal and the polarity of the second signal become the same.

[0045] The arithmetic circuit 17 adds the value of the first signal and the value of the second signal after inverting the polarity. Based on the value obtained by the addition, the arithmetic circuit 17 determines whether the pressing operation was performed on the first area Ar1 or the second area Ar2. Because the value obtained by the addition is greater than the value of the first signal alone, the arithmetic circuit 17 can more easily distinguish between the pressing operation on the first area Ar1 and the pressing operation on the second area Ar2.

[0046] [Experiment Using Electronic Device 1b] An experiment using electronic device 1b will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the positions pressed by the user in an experiment using electronic device 1b. Fig. 8 shows the pressure sensors 12 and 16 in a perspective view.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8 , in the experiment, a user pressed 20 locations on the surface panel 15, areas A1 to A20. Areas A6, A7, A9, and A10 overlap the pressure sensor 12 or pressure sensor 16 in a planar view. Area A8 is located between the pressure sensor 12 and pressure sensor 16 in a planar view. Areas A6 to A10 are arranged in the order of areas A6 to A10 in the positive direction of the X axis. Areas A1 to A5 are located on the negative side of the Y axis from areas A6 to A10. Areas A1 to A5 are located within the first area Ar1 in a planar view. Areas A1 to A5 are arranged in the order of areas A1 to A5 in the positive direction of the X axis. Areas A11 to A15 are located on the positive side of the Y axis from areas A6 to A10. Areas A11 to A15 are located within the second area Ar2 in a planar view. The regions A11 to A15 are lined up in the order of regions A11 to A15 in the positive direction of the X axis. The regions A16 to A20 are located near the center of the front panel 15 in the Y axis direction. The regions A16 to A20 are located on the positive side of the Y axis from the regions A11 to A15. The regions A16 to A20 are located within the second region Ar2 in a plan view. The regions A16 to A20 are lined up in the order of regions A16 to A20 in the positive direction of the X axis.

[0048] 9 is a diagram showing the value Sg1 of the signal output by the pressure sensor 12 in the experiment, and the values ​​Sg2 and Sg3 of the signal output by the pressure sensor 16. In Fig. 9, the value Sg3 is the sum of the value Sg1 and the value of the signal output by the pressure sensor 16 with the polarity reversed.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 9, when areas A1 to A5 located within the first area Ar1 are pressed, the value Sg1 is positive and the value Sg2 is negative. Therefore, when areas A1 to A5 are pressed, the value Sg3 is positive. On the other hand, when areas A11 to A15 located within the second area Ar2 are pressed, the value Sg1 is negative and the value Sg2 is positive. Therefore, when areas A11 to A15 are pressed, the value Sg3 is negative. Furthermore, when areas A16 to A20 located within the second area Ar2 are pressed, the value Sg1 is negative and the value Sg2 is positive. Therefore, when areas A16 to A20 are pressed, the value Sg3 is negative.

[0050] As described above, when the first area Ar1 is pressed and when the second area Ar2 is pressed, the polarities of the signals output by the pressure sensors 12 and 16 are different. In other words, the electronic device 1b can distinguish between operations on the first area Ar1 and operations on the second area Ar2.

[0051] When the areas A6 to A10 are pressed, the deformation amounts of the pressure sensors 12 and 16 are very small, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the magnitudes of the values ​​Sg1, Sg2, and Sg3 are very small.

[0052] [Modification 3] Hereinafter, an electronic device 1c according to Modification 3 of the electronic device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the electronic device 1c according to Modification 3.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 10, electronic device 1c differs from electronic device 1b in that it includes a detection circuit 18 instead of arithmetic circuit 17 and a pressure sensor 16c different from pressure sensor 16.

[0054] The detection circuit 18 is, for example, a circuit including a charge amplifier and an amplification circuit. The charge amplifier converts the electric charges generated by the pressure sensors 12 and 16c into voltage. The amplification circuit amplifies the output of the charge amplifier.

[0055] The extension direction OD2c of the pressure sensor 16c is different from the extension direction OD2 of the pressure sensor 16 and forms an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction. The extension direction OD2c is parallel to the side HB1 of the display 11. When the first area Ar1 is pressed, the polarity of the signal output by the pressure sensor 16c is the same as the polarity of the signal output by the pressure sensor 12. Specifically, when the first area Ar1 is pressed, the pressure sensor 16c outputs a signal having a positive polarity with respect to the reference potential. Furthermore, when the second area Ar2 is pressed, the polarity of the signal output by the pressure sensor 16c is the same as the polarity of the signal output by the pressure sensor 12. Specifically, when the second area Ar2 is pressed, the pressure sensor 16c outputs a signal having a negative polarity with respect to the reference potential.

[0056] As described above, the polarity of the signals output by pressure sensor 12 and pressure sensor 16c is the same regardless of the position of pressure on surface panel 15. Therefore, electronic device 1c can detect the position of the pressure operation on display 11 based on the signal obtained by combining the signal output by pressure sensor 12 and the signal output by pressure sensor 16c, without further including a circuit for inverting the signal of pressure sensor 16c. In other words, electronic device 1c can use a common circuit for detecting the signal of pressure sensor 16c and the signal of pressure sensor 12.

[0057] [Other Embodiments] The description of the present embodiment should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention includes the scope equivalent to the claims.

[0058] The electronic device according to the present invention is not limited to the electronic devices 1, 1a to 1c, and can be modified within the scope of the gist thereof. The configurations of the electronic devices 1, 1a to 1c may be combined arbitrarily.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment and modified examples, the pressing operation on the virtual button Bt has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the pressing operation on the virtual button Bt, and the same effect can be achieved with respect to detecting pressing operations on a specific area and other areas.

[0060] The present invention has the following structure:

[0061] (1) An electronic device comprising: a display that is rectangular in plan view; a surface panel that overlaps the display in plan view; a touch sensor that detects a touch operation by a user on the surface panel; and a pressure sensor that is rectangular in plan view and outputs a signal based on deformation of the surface panel, wherein, when a direction parallel to a first edge of the display is defined as a Y-axis direction, the pressure sensor has: a first edge of the pressure sensor that overlaps the first edge of the display in plan view; a second edge that is perpendicular to the first edge of the pressure sensor and located on the negative side of the Y-axis; and a third edge that is perpendicular to the first edge of the pressure sensor and located on the positive side of the Y-axis; the display has: a first region that is located on the negative side of the Y-axis from the second edge of the pressure sensor and a second region that is located on the positive side of the Y-axis from the third side of the pressure sensor in plan view; and the pressure sensor outputs signals of different polarities for a first pressure operation on the first region and a second pressure operation on the second region.

[0062] (2) The electronic device according to (1), wherein, when a first line is defined that is perpendicular to the first edge of the display and overlaps the second edge of the pressure sensor in a planar view, and a second line is defined that is perpendicular to the first edge of the display and overlaps the third edge of the pressure sensor, the first region is located on the negative side of the Y axis from the first line in a planar view, and the second region is located on the positive side of the Y axis from the second line in a planar view.

[0063] (3) The electronic device according to (1) or (2), wherein the first side of the pressure sensor is a short side of the pressure sensor, and the second side and the third side of the pressure sensor are long sides of the pressure sensor.

[0064] (4) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the first side of the display is a long side of the display.

[0065] (5) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric film.

[0066] (6) The electronic device according to (5), wherein the stretching direction of the piezoelectric film is perpendicular to the first side of the display.

[0067] (7) The electronic device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the pressure sensor includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, and a short side of the first pressure sensor faces a short side of the second pressure sensor.

[0068] (8) The electronic device according to (7), wherein each of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric film, an extension direction of the piezoelectric film of the first pressure sensor is perpendicular to the first side of the display, and an extension direction of the piezoelectric film of the second pressure sensor is parallel to the first side of the display.

[0069] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c: Electronic device 10: Housing 11: Display 12, 16, 16c: Pressure sensor 120: Piezoelectric film 121: First electrode 122: Second electrode 14: Touch sensor 15: Surface panel 17: Arithmetic circuit 18: Detection circuit A1 to A20: Areas Ar1, Ar1a: First area Ar2, Ar2a: Second area HA1 to HA4, HB1 to HB4, HC1 to HC4: Sides OD1, OD2, OD2c: Extension direction SF1: First main surface SF2: Second main surface UF1: First film main surface UF2: Second film main surface SL1, SL2: Straight line Bt: Virtual button

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising: a display that is rectangular in a planar view; a surface panel that overlaps the display in a planar view; a touch sensor that detects a touch operation by a user on the surface panel; and a pressure sensor that is rectangular in a planar view and outputs a signal based on deformation of the surface panel, wherein when a direction parallel to a first side of the display is defined as a Y-axis direction, the pressure sensor has a first side of the pressure sensor that overlaps with the first side of the display in a planar view, a second side that is perpendicular to the first side of the pressure sensor and located on the negative side of the Y-axis, and a third side that is perpendicular to the first side of the pressure sensor and located on the positive side of the Y-axis, the display has a first region that is parallel to the second side of the Y-axis and located on the positive side of the Y-axis, and the pressure sensor outputs signals of different polarity for a first pressure operation on the first region and a second pressure operation on the second region.

2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein, when a first line is defined that is perpendicular to the first side of the display and overlaps with the second side of the pressure sensor in a planar view, and a second line is defined that is perpendicular to the first side of the display and overlaps with the third side of the pressure sensor, the first area is located on the negative side of the Y axis from the first line in a planar view, and the second area is located on the positive side of the Y axis from the second line in a planar view.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side of the pressure sensor is a short side of the pressure sensor, and the second side and the third side of the pressure sensor are long sides of the pressure sensor.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first side of the display is a long side of the display.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric film.

6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the stretching direction of the piezoelectric film is perpendicular to the first side of the display.

7. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pressure sensor includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor, and a short side of the first pressure sensor faces a short side of the second pressure sensor.

8. The electronic device described in claim 7, wherein each of the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor includes a piezoelectric film, an extension direction of the piezoelectric film of the first pressure sensor is perpendicular to the first side of the display, and an extension direction of the piezoelectric film of the second pressure sensor is parallel to the first side of the display.

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