Input device for injection molding machine

• US 6,720,952 B1
• Filed: 10/09/1997
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissei Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Hakoda, Takashi, Takizawa, Michiaki, Usui, Kazuo, Nishizawa, Chiharu
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/947,470
• Time in Patent Office: 2,378 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/174, 345/178, 345/168
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 45/1774 Display units or mountings therefor; Switch cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus

Abstract

An input device for an injection molding machine is constructed with an input touch panel fitted over a display screen. The input touch panel is formed greater than the display screen. A panel extension portion of the input touch panel is located outside of the display screen. At least one key portion having at least one specific key is displayed on the panel extension portion. By this arrangement, no separate switch panel, such as a membrane sheet switch, is necessary and all inputs can be made by touch operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a molding machine; and

an input device for inputting data into said molding machine, said input device including;

an electronic display screen defined within a first area;

a support plate arranged adjacent to said electronic display screen;

indicia, indicating functions of a plurality of input keys, printed on said support plate; and

a touch input panel having a sensing region responsive to a touch of a human finger, said sensing region being defined within a second area, said second area overlaying said first area and being larger than said first area, and a portion of said second area which does not overlay said first area being defined as a panel extension portion and overlaying said indicia printed on said support plate.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said molding machine is an injection molding machine.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first area of said display screen includes input keys for operating parameters of said injection molding machine.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of input keys includes a ten-key numeric input.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of input keys includes a cursor movement input.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of input keys includes a plurality of function keys.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of input keys includes a ten-key numeric input, a cursor movement input, and a plurality of function keys.