Flat Capacitive Input Surface With Backlit Multi-Touch Layering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input apparatuses with light transmissive touch panels require costly structures to enable multi-point simultaneous input, and portable information display and input devices with backlights are expensive due to the need for liquid crystal panels.
Innovation Solution
An input apparatus with a layered structure comprising an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor, a character and symbol printed film, and a surface light emitting layer, or a half mirror, where the touch sensor is positioned below the light emitting layer, allowing for multi-point simultaneous input without the need for a light transmissive touch panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light transmissive touch panel is used to enable multi-point simultaneous input, then the input functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is segmented into multiple independent sensing regions, each capable of detecting touch input separately. This allows the panel to detect multiple touch points simultaneously without requiring a complex light transmissive structure, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining multi-point input capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a light transmissive touch panel that requires complex optical layers, the invention uses a simplified touch sensing structure that copies the essential function of detecting finger contact. This simplified structure achieves multi-point detection without the costly light transmissive materials and processing.
2Device complexity
If a flat display panel with backlight is used instead of a light transmissive touch panel, then the structural complexity is reduced, but the cost increases due to expensive liquid crystal panels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function needed - a flat surface for touch input - and removes unnecessary expensive components like liquid crystal display layers. By taking out only what is needed (a flat panel with touch sensing capability), the structural complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost is lowered while still enabling multi-point simultaneous input.
3Illumination intensity
If a light transmissive touch panel structure is used, then light display functionality is achieved, but the usability for multi-point input requires special deliberation and increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the light display function with the touch sensing function into a single integrated structure. The flat panel serves both as the display surface and the touch sensing surface, eliminating the need for separate light transmissive touch panel layers. This integration simplifies the structure and enables multi-point input usability without requiring special complex arrangements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables multi-point simultaneous input at a lower cost by eliminating the requirement for a light transmissive touch panel and using a more affordable electrostatic capacity type touch sensor, while maintaining a flat and easily cleanable input surface.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor (14)
Implementation Method 2
a surface light emitting layer (15) configured to illuminate the character and symbol printed film (16)
Implementation Method 3
a half mirror (17) on which characters or symbols are printed
Data Source
AI summary
An input apparatus including a layered body is provided. The layered body includes an electrostatic capacity type touch sensor, a character and symbol printed film, on which characters or symbols are printed, and a surface light emitting layer configured to illuminate the character and symbol printed film. The character and symbol printed film is arranged on an upper surface side of the surface light emitting layer, the touch sensor is arranged on a lower surface side of the surface light emitting layer, and an input operation surface that is positioned at an uppermost surface is flat.