Coordinate-detecting device and coordinate input pad for use in coordinate-detecting device

• US 6,369,806 B1
• Filed: 04/13/1999
• Issued: 04/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
• Inventors: Nishino, Takeshi, Endo, Michiko, Ootani, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): LESPERANCE, JEAN E
• Application Number:
  US09/290,186
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 178/18.05, 178/18.01, 178/18.03, 178/18.04, 178/19.01, 178/19.02, 345/173, 345/174, 345/176, 345/177
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/04 magnetic

Abstract

A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, the device including: a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, the sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad; a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and a control part for generating a coordinate data from the voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part. The upper sheet and the lower sheet oppose each other at the predetermined gap by a repulsive force between magnetic poles with the same polarity.

Claims

1. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at said predetermined gap by a repulsive force between magnetic poles with the same polarity.

2. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a magnetic printed layer provided on one of the surfaces of said resin film, and is further laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said magnetic printed layer being provided by uniformly screen-printing paste dispersed with a hard magnetic material, and

said magnetic printed layers are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

3. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a resistive film provided on one of the surfaces of said resin film, and is further laminated with electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said resistive film being provided by uniformly printing resistive film-print paste dispersed with a hard magnetic material, and

said resistive films are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

4. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a hard magnetic thin film provided on one of the surfaces of said resin film, and is further laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said resistive film being provided by vapor deposition, and

said hard magnetic thin films are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

5. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a film laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said film being provided with particles of a hard magnetic material mixed therein, and

said sheets are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

6. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said upper sheet includes a resin film and a magnetic printed layer provided on one of the surfaces of said resin film, the other surface of said resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said magnetic printed layer being provided by uniformly screen-printing paste dispersed with a hard magnetic material;

said lower sheet includes a magnetic printed layer provided on a printed board, said magnetic printed layer being laminated with a resin film, a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said magnetic printed layer being provided by uniformly screen-printing paste dispersed with a hard magnetic material, and

said magnetic printed layers are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

7. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said upper sheet includes a film laminated with a resin film, a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said film being provided with particles of a hard magnetic material mixed therein;

said lower sheet is laminated with a resin film, a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, said lower sheet being provided on a printed board, and

said film provided on the upper sheet and said printed board are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

8. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a plurality of printed film magnets provided on one of the surf aces of said resin film, the printed film magnets or the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, and

said plurality of printed film magnets are magnetized in a thickness direction and are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

9. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a plurality of printed film magnets provided on one of the surfaces of said resin film, the plurality of printed film magnets or the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, and

said plurality of printed film magnets are magnetized in a transverse direction and are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

10. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a printed film magnet provided at a central position of one of the surfaces of said resin film, the printed film magnet or the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, and

said printed film magnet is magnetized in a thickness direction and is positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

11. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a plurality of printed film magnets provided at a central position of one of the surfaces of said resin film, the plurality of printed film magnets or the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, and

said plurality of printed film magnets are magnetized in a transverse direction and are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

12. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said upper sheet includes a resin film and a printed film magnet provided at a central position of one of the surfaces of said resin film, the printed film magnet or on the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns,

said lower sheet includes a resin film laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns,

said coordinate-detecting device further comprises a permanent magnet mounted on a printed board at a central position of an operating area, and

said printed film magnet is magnetized in a thickness direction and is positioned with respect to said permanent magnet such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

13. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein said upper sheet includes a resin film and a printed film magnet provided at a central position of one of the surfaces of said resin film, the printed film magnet or the other surface of the resin film being further laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns,

said lower sheet includes a resin film laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns,

said coordinate-detecting device further comprises a coil pattern, which can serve as a magnet, provided on a printed board at a central position of an operating area, and

said printed film magnet is magnetized in a thickness direction and is positioned with respect to said coil pattern such that magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

14. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 1,

wherein each of said upper and lower sheets includes a resin film and a coil pattern, which can serve as a magnet, provided at a central position of one of the surfaces of said resin film, the coil pattern or the other surface of the resin film being laminated with a resistive film, electrode patterns and wiring patterns, and

said coil patterns are positioned such that said magnetic poles with the same polarity oppose each other.

15. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at said predetermined gap by a tension in the upper sheet.

16. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 15,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet are joined together via spacers provided at peripheral parts of the sheets, in order to produce said tension in the upper sheet.

17. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 15,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet are joined together with the upper sheet being attached to an attachment housing, in order to produce said tension in the upper sheet.

18. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 15,

wherein said upper sheet is attached on guide pins provided upright on a mounting board on which said lower sheet is provided, in order to produce said tension in the upper sheet.

19. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 15,

wherein, peripheral parts of the upper sheet are attached to an attachment housing via elastic members, in order to produce said tension in the upper sheet.

20. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at said predetermined gap by a central part of the upper sheet being bent upwards.

21. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein a protective sheet is provided on an upper surface of said upper sheet with the upper sheet being tensed, and

said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards as a result of a contraction of the upper sheet.

22. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein a double-sided adhesive tape is provided on a lower surface of a protective sheet with the double-sided adhesive tape being tensed,

the central part of the protective sheet is bent upwards as a result of a contraction of the double-sided adhesive tape, and

the double-sided adhesive tape having the protective film is provided on an upper surface of the upper sheet, such that said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

23. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein the upper sheet is molded such that said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

24. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein a protective sheet is molded such that a central part of the protective sheet is bent upwards, and

the protective sheet is provided on an upper surface of the upper sheet such that said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

25. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein the upper sheet is configured as a multilayer sheet having a plurality of layers of different coefficients of thermal expansion such that, at operating temperature, said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

26. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein the upper sheet is configured as a multilayer sheet having a plurality of layers of different coefficients of thermal contraction such that, at operating temperature, said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

27. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein a protective sheet having a different coefficient of thermal expansion from that of the upper sheet is provided on the upper sheet such that, at operating temperature, said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

28. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 20,

wherein a protective sheet having a plurality of layers of different coefficients of thermal contraction is provided on the upper sheet such that, at operating temperature, said central part of the upper sheet is bent upwards.

29. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at said predetermined gap by a central part of the lower sheet being bent downwards.

30. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 29,

wherein the lower sheet is molded such that said central part of the lower sheet is bent downwards.

31. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 29,

wherein a lower surface of the lower sheet is provided on a mounting board, which is bent downwards at a central part, such that said central part of the lower sheet is bent downwards.

32. The coordinate-detecting device as claimed in claim 29,

wherein the lower sheet is provided on a mounting board via a frame-like adhesive film provided on a lower surface of the lower sheet, such that said central part of the lower sheet is bent downwards.

33. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein a cavity formed between said upper sheet and said lower sheet opposing each other at said predetermined gap, and

said lower sheet is provided on a mounting board, communicating holes being provided through the lower sheet and the mounting board for establishing a communication between the cavity and external air, said communication being established depending on a state of pressure on said coordinate input pad.

34. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said device comprising:

a coordinate input pad having an upper sheet and a lower sheet opposing each other at a predetermined gap, said sheets being in electrical contact when there is a touch on the coordinate input pad;

a voltage-detecting part for alternately detecting voltage values representing an X-coordinate and a Y-coordinate of a contact point; and

a control part for generating coordinate data from said voltage values detected at the voltage-detecting part,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at said predetermined gap by said upper and lower sheets being joined together via a frame-like adhesive film of a thick-film type, a sealed cavity being formed between the upper and lower sheets.

35. A coordinate input pad used in a coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said coordinate input pad comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at a predetermined gap by a repulsive force between magnetic poles with the same polarity.

36. A coordinate input pad used in a coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said coordinate input pad comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet are joined together via spacers provided at peripheral parts of the sheets, in order to produce a tension in the upper sheet.

37. A coordinate input pad used in a coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said coordinate input pad comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at a predetermined gap by a central part of the upper sheet being bent upwards.

38. A coordinate input pad used in a coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, said coordinate input pad comprising an upper sheet and a lower sheet,

wherein said upper sheet and said lower sheet oppose each other at a predetermined gap by a central part of the lower sheet being bent downwards.

39. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, comprising:

an input pad having a first sheet and a second sheet separated by a gap, said sheets being in contact when there is a touch on the input pad,

wherein said first sheet and said second sheet oppose each other at said gap by a repulsive force between magnetic poles with a same polarity.

40. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, comprising:

an input pad having a first sheet and a second sheet separated by a gap, said sheets being in contact when there is a touch on the input pad,

wherein said first sheet and said second sheet oppose each other at said gap by a tension in said first sheet.

41. A coordinate-detecting device of a voltage-detecting type, comprising:

an input pad having a first sheet and a second sheet separated by a gap, said sheets being in contact when there is a touch on the input pad,

wherein said first sheet and said second sheet oppose each other at said gap by a central part of said first sheet being bent upwards.