Touch panel

• US 5,438,168 A
• Filed: 03/17/1993
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gunze Electronics USA Corporation (Gunze Limited)
• Original Assignee: Graphic Technology Incorporated (Avery Dennison Corporation), Gunze Limited
• Inventors: Wolfe, Andrew, Barrett, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/034,836
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18, 178/19, 178/20, 345/156, 345/173, 345/174
• US Class Current: 178/18.05
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A touch panel of the present invention consists of a rectangular resistance member on which a potential gradient formation area is formed, a plurality of thin film active elements constructed in accordance with a side of the potential gradient formation area. Each of the thin film active elements has a couple of potential gradient formation current terminals. One of them is connected to the side of the potential gradient formation area while the other one is connected to the gradient formation current terminal included in another thin film active element at the same side as well as connected to a terminal for an external unit.

Claims

1. A touch panel, comprising:

a substrate;

a rectangular resistance member, constructed on the substrate, which includes a potential gradient formation area; and

a plurality of thin film active elements constructed at a predetermined location of the substrate in accordance with a side of the potential gradient formation area,

wherein each of the thin film active elements has a couple of potential gradient formation current terminals, comprised of one being connected to the side of the potential gradient formation area and the other one being connected to the gradient formation current terminal included in another thin film active element at the same side while being connected to a terminal for an external unit, and

wherein a strip-like insulating member is formed at a periphery of the resistance member, and each thin film active element is formed on the insulating member.