INPUT DEVICE

• US 20090211818A1
• Filed: 02/05/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kondo, Takashi, Kishino, Shingo, Shiga, Sadakazu
• Application Number:
  US12/366,018
• Publication Number:
  US 20090211818A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 178/18.30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04166 Details of scanning methods, e.g. sampling time, grouping of sub areas or time sharing with display driving Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally G06F3/04184
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

Disclosed is an input device capable of decreasing the number of layers of a detecting portion to reduce manufacturing costs and easily deforming layers provided above a pressure sensitive detecting portion. A capacitance-type detecting portion that detects the contact position of a finger on the basis of a variation in capacitance is provided on a pressure sensitive detecting portion that includes a lower detection layer formed on a lower base sheet and an upper detection layer formed on an upper base sheet. A voltage is applied to the pressure sensitive detecting portion and the capacitance-type detecting portion such that the application times of the voltages do not overlap each other. Therefore, it is possible to prevent interference between the detection operations of the two detecting portions.

Claims

1. An input device comprising:

a pressure sensitive detecting portion that includes a lower detection layer and an upper detection layer facing each other with a gap therebetween, and detects a contact position between the lower detection layer and the upper detection layer on the basis of a variation in resistance value; and

a capacitance-type detecting portion that includes a plurality of X driving electrodes and a plurality of Y driving electrodes which face each other with an insulating layer interposed therebetween and extend in directions orthogonal to each other, and detects a position where an indicator approaches on the basis of a variation in the capacitance between the electrodes,

wherein the capacitance-type detecting portion is formed on the pressure sensitive detecting portion, and a flexible cover sheet is formed on the capacitance-type detecting portion,

the upper detection layer is formed of a flexible resin sheet,

the X driving electrodes, the Y driving electrodes, and the insulating layer are formed of flexible resin sheets, and

the upper detection layer and the X driving electrodes or the Y driving electrodes provided at a lower side are arranged in the vertical direction without a metal layer interposed therebetween.

2. The input device according to claim 1,

wherein an upper surface of a flexible resin sheet having the upper detection layer formed on a lower surface thereof is adhered to a lower surface of a resin sheet having the X driving electrodes, the Y driving electrode, and the insulating layer formed on an upper surface thereof.

3. The input device according to claim 1,

wherein the upper detection layer is formed on a lower surface of a common resin sheet, and the X driving electrodes, the Y driving electrodes, and the insulating layer are formed on an upper surface of the common resin sheet.

4. The input device according to claim 1,

wherein the cover sheet comprises a plurality of laminated resin sheets.

5. The input device according to claim 1,

wherein a pressure detection region in which the lower detection layer faces the upper detection layer is wider than an electrostatic detection region in which the X driving electrodes face the Y driving electrodes.

6. The input device according to claim 5,

wherein extending portions that extend from the electrostatic detection region to both sides are provided in the capacitance-type detecting portion,

the insulating layer continuously extends from the electrostatic detection region to the extending portions, and

air passages are formed in the insulating layer.

7. The input device according to claim 5,

wherein the surface of the cover sheet protrudes in the electrostatic detection region.

8. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control unit that applies no voltage to the lower detection layer and the upper detection layer when a voltage is applied to the X driving electrode or the Y driving electrode.

9. The input device according to claim 8,

wherein, when the contact between the lower detection layer and the upper detection layer is detected, the control unit stops applying a voltage to the X driving electrodes and the Y driving electrodes, and applies a voltage to the lower detection layer and the upper detection layer.