Position detecting device including antenna function and display device

A position detecting device including an antenna function includes a plurality of electrodes including a plurality of shared electrodes separated by spaces, a position detection circuit configured to detect a position by energizing the plurality of electrodes and using electric fields generated between the plurality of electrodes, an antenna circuit configured to perform wireless communication by energizing the plurality of shared electrodes and using magnetic fields generated in the spaces, and a switch connected to at least the plurality of shared electrodes among the plurality of electrodes, the position detection circuit, and the antenna circuit, the switch being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit or the antenna circuit to the plurality of shared electrodes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a position detecting device including an antenna function, and a display device.

BACKGROUND ART

The display device described in PTL 1 below is a known example of a conventional display device used in a merchandise sales data processing device. The display device described in PTL 1 is a touch panel-type liquid crystal display device having an information input function based on a touch operation performed by a shopper, and includes a display screen. The display screen includes a liquid crystal display panel, a touch panel as an input indication unit provided on a front side of the liquid crystal display panel, and an antenna used for communication with an IC card as a wireless communication medium.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

Technical Problem

In the display device described in PTL 1, the antenna is bonded to a rear side of the touch panel, which is closer to the front side of the display device than the liquid crystal display panel. In other words, the antenna is created as a dedicated component and configured to be externally mounted to the touch panel. This configuration creates a problem in that the display device initially includes a large number of components. In addition, parasitic capacitance occurs between the antenna and the touch panel. This parasitic capacitance reduces antenna sensitivity and touch sensitivity, which is a problem.

SUMMARY

The disclosure has been made based on the circumstances described above, and an object of the disclosure is to reduce the number of components and suppress parasitic capacitance.

Solution to Problem

(1) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function, including a plurality of electrodes including a plurality of shared electrodes separated by spaces, a position detection circuit configured to detect a position by energizing the plurality of electrodes and using electric fields generated between the plurality of electrodes, an antenna circuit configured to perform wireless communication by energizing the plurality of shared electrodes and using magnetic fields generated in the spaces, and a switch connected to at least the plurality of shared electrodes among the plurality of electrodes, the position detection circuit, and the antenna circuit, the switch being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit or the antenna circuit to the plurality of shared electrodes.

(2) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (1), in which the plurality of electrodes include a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction, and a plurality of second electrodes disposed overlapping the plurality of first electrodes and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the plurality of shared electrodes include a plurality of first shared electrodes included in the plurality of first electrodes and separated by first spaces, and a plurality of second shared electrodes included in the plurality of second electrodes and separated by second spaces that at least partially overlap the first spaces, and the switch includes a first switch connected to at least the plurality of first shared electrodes among the plurality of first electrodes, the position detection circuit, and the antenna circuit, the first switch being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit or the antenna circuit to the plurality of first shared electrodes, and a second switch connected to at least the plurality of second shared electrodes among the plurality of second electrodes, the position detection circuit, and the antenna circuit, the second switch being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit or the antenna circuit to the plurality of second shared electrodes.

(3) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (1) or (2), in which the antenna circuit includes at least an external connection wiring line configured to connect two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes to an external antenna drive unit, a plurality of short-circuit wiring lines configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes and separated by the spaces, and a short-circuit changeover switch configured to switch short-circuiting between the two shared electrodes by using some of the short-circuit wiring lines included in the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, in which, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes is 2n, two external connection wiring lines and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines are connectable to one end side of each of the plurality of shared electrodes and n short-circuit wiring lines are connectable to another end side of each of the plurality of shared electrodes.

(4) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to any one of (1) to (3), in which the plurality of shared electrodes are arranged such that the plurality of electrodes are present in the spaces.

(5) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to any one of (1) to (4), in which the switch is arranged to be selectively connected to the plurality of shared electrodes among the plurality of electrodes.

(6) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to any one of (1) to (4), in which switch is arranged to be individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes.

(7) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (6), in which the antenna circuit includes at least an external connection wiring line configured to connect two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes to an external antenna drive unit, and a short-circuit wiring line configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes and separated by the spaces, and the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes a first substrate provided with at least the switch, and a second substrate mounted to the first substrate and provided with at least the external connection wiring line and the short-circuit wiring line, the external connection wiring line and the short-circuit wiring line being selectively connected to a particular switch depending on a mounting position at which the second substrate is mounted to the first substrate.

(8) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (7), in which the antenna circuit includes at least a plurality of the short-circuit wiring lines, and a short-circuit changeover switch that is individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes and connected to some of the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, the short-circuit changeover switch being configured to switch conduction/non-conduction between the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes a third substrate provided with the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines and not provided with the external connection wiring line, the third substrate being mounted to the first substrate on a side opposite to the second substrate, and, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes is 2n, two external connection wiring lines and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines are provided on the second substrate, and n short-circuit wiring lines are provided on the third substrate.

(9) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (6), in which the antenna circuit includes at least an external connection wiring line configured to connect two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes to an external antenna drive unit, a short-circuit wiring line configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes included in the plurality of shared electrodes and separated by the spaces, and a plurality of switch connection portions connected to a plurality of the switches individually connected to the plurality of electrodes, the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes a first substrate provided with at least the plurality of switches, and a second substrate provided with at least the external connection wiring line, the short-circuit wiring line, and the plurality of switch connection portions, the second substrate being mounted to the first substrate, and the external connection wiring line and the short-circuit wiring line are selectively connected to the plurality of switch connection portions.

(10) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (9), in which the antenna circuit includes a plurality of external connection wiring line switches connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions and the external connection wiring line, the plurality of external connection wiring line switches being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of switch connection portions to the external connection wiring line, and a plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions and the short-circuit wiring line, the plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of switch connection portions to the short-circuit wiring line, and the plurality of external connection wiring line switches and the plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches are provided on the second substrate.

(11) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (9) or (10), in which the antenna circuit includes at least a plurality of the short-circuit wiring lines, a short-circuit changeover switch individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes and connected to some of the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, the short-circuit changeover switch being configured to switch conduction/non-conduction between the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, and a plurality of second switch connection portions connected to a plurality of the short-circuit changeover switches, the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes a third substrate provided with the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines and not provided with the external connection wiring line, the third substrate being mounted to the first substrate on a side opposite to the second substrate, and, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes is 2n, two external connection wiring lines and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines are provided on the second substrate, n short-circuit wiring lines and the plurality of second switch connection portions are provided on the third substrate, and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines are selectively connected to the plurality of second switch connection portions.

(12) One embodiment of the disclosure is a position detecting device including an antenna function having the configuration according to (11), in which the antenna circuit includes a plurality of second short-circuit wiring line switches connected to the plurality of second switch connection portions and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, the plurality of second short-circuit wiring line switches being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of second switch connection portions to the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines, and the plurality of second short-circuit wiring line switches are provided on the third substrate.

(13) One embodiment of the disclosure is a display device including the position detecting device including an antenna function according to any one of (1) to (12), and a display panel layered on the position detecting device including an antenna function, the display panel including a display region in which an image is displayable, and a non-display region surrounding the display region, in which the plurality of electrodes are disposed at positions overlapping the display region.

Advantageous Effects of Disclosure

According to the disclosure, the number of components can be reduced and parasitic capacitance can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 8. The present embodiment describes an exemplary liquid crystal display device (display device)10having a position detection function and an antenna function (wireless communication function) in addition to an image display function. Note that an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are illustrated in a part of each drawing, and each axial direction is illustrated to be the direction illustrated in each drawing.

The liquid crystal display device10according to the present embodiment is to be used in various electronic devices such as point of sale (POS) terminals, information displays, and electronic blackboards. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device10includes a liquid crystal panel (display panel)11configured to display an image, a touch panel (position detecting device including antenna function)12arranged facing a front side with respect to the liquid crystal panel11, and a backlight device (illumination device) as an external light source disposed facing a rear side with respect to the liquid crystal panel11and configured to irradiate light toward the liquid crystal panel11. It is assumed that the liquid crystal panel11and the backlight device constituting the liquid crystal display device10have a display function and that the touch panel12has a position detection function and an antenna function. Note that the liquid crystal panel11and the backlight device have a known configuration. A display surface of the liquid crystal panel11is divided into a display region AA in which an image is displayed and a non-display region NAA in which an image is not displayed. The non-display region NAA has a frame shape that surrounds the display region AA. InFIG. 2, the display region AA is the region surrounded by a double dot chain line, and the region outside the display region AA is the non-display region NAA.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the touch panel12has a generally long rectangular shape, with the short side direction coinciding with the X-axis direction in the drawings and the long side direction coinciding with the Y-axis direction in the drawings. The touch panel12includes at least a plurality of electrodes13that form a touch panel pattern used for detecting the position of input by a user, and an electrode substrate (first substrate)14provided with the plurality of electrodes13. The touch panel pattern according to the present embodiment is a so-called projection-type capacitive pattern and employs mutual-capacitance detection as a detection type. The plurality of electrodes13are disposed at positions overlapping the display region AA of the liquid crystal panel11. Accordingly, a touch region (position detection region) in which an input position on the touch panel12can be detected is substantially identical to the display region AA of the liquid crystal panel11, and a non-touch region (non-position detection region) in which the input position cannot be detected is substantially identical to the non-display region NAA.

Each of the plurality of electrodes13is formed from a mesh metal film having a reticulate shape (mesh shape). The mesh metal film is formed by, for example, forming a solid metal film having light-blocking properties on the electrode substrate14and then etching the solid metal film to pattern a large fine mesh (mesh, openings). As a result, light transmittance of the touch panel12can be guaranteed to a certain extent because light passes through the mesh. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the plurality of electrodes13includes first electrodes13A that extend in the X-axis direction (first direction) and are formed as horizontal strips, and second electrodes13B that extend in the Y-axis direction (second direction) orthogonal to (intersecting) the X-axis direction and are formed as vertical strips. The length dimension of each first electrode13A is approximately the same as the short side dimension of the display region AA. A plurality of the first electrodes13A are disposed side by side at approximately equal intervals in the Y-axis direction. The length dimension of each second electrode13B is approximately the same as the long side dimension of the display region AA. A plurality of the second electrodes13B are disposed side by side at approximately equal intervals in the X-axis direction. The first electrode13A and the second electrode13B have the same width dimension, and the intervals between first electrodes13A and second electrodes13B are the same. One first electrode13A is arranged to overlap all of the second electrodes13B in the display region AA. Similarly, one second electrode13B is arranged to overlap all of the first electrodes13A in the display region AA. The first electrode13A constitutes a drive electrode (transmission electrode) that receives input of a touch signal (position detection signal) on the touch panel pattern. The second electrode13B constitutes a detection electrode (reception electrode). At the detection electrode, an electric field (electrostatic capacitance) is generated between the second electrode13B and the first electrode13A, which is the drive electrode to which the touch signal has been input. With this touch panel pattern, the presence of a touch operation (position input) can be detected based on a difference in electrostatic capacitance caused by the presence of an object (such as a user's finger) that blocks the electric field formed between the first electrode13A, which is the drive electrode, and the second electrode13B, which is the detection electrode. Further, the input position of this touch operation can be detected.

The electrode substrate14is made of a synthetic resin material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), has excellent light-transmitting properties and is substantially transparent. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode substrate14includes a first electrode substrate14A provided with a plurality of first electrodes13A, and a second electrode substrate14B provided with a plurality of the second electrodes13B.FIG. 3is a plan view of the first electrode substrate14A andFIG. 4is a plan view of the second electrode substrate14B. The planar shape and size of the first electrode substrate14A and the second electrode substrate14B are substantially the same as the planar shape and size of the touch panel12. The first electrode substrate14A is disposed overlapping a front side with respect to the second electrode substrate14B. Thus, the first electrode substrate14A, which is an insulator, is interposed between the first electrodes13A and the second electrodes13B that overlap each other to prevent short-circuiting between the electrodes13A and13B.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode substrate14includes a position detection circuit15used to detect a position by energizing the plurality of electrodes13, an antenna circuit16used to perform wireless communication by energizing some of the plurality of electrodes13(a shared electrode18described below), and a switch17used for selectively connecting either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16to some of the plurality of electrodes13. The position detection circuit15is connected to an external touch controller (position detection drive unit) TC via an external connection member mounted on the electrode substrate14. For example, a flexible substrate is used as the external connection member. The touch controller TC can supply pulses related to touch signals to the position detection circuit15via the external connection member at a low frequency of, for example, approximately 100 kHz. The position detection circuit15includes a first position detection circuit15A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second position detection circuit15B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. The antenna circuit16is connected to an external antenna controller (antenna drive unit, NFC controller) AC via an external connection member mounted to the electrode substrate14. The antenna controller AC can supply pulses related to antenna signals to the position detection circuit15via the external connection member at a high frequency of, for example, approximately 14 MHz (13.56 MHz, etc.). The antenna circuit16includes a first antenna circuit16A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second antenna circuit16B provided on the second electrode substrate14B.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the switch17is connected to some of the plurality of electrodes13, the position detection circuit15, and the antenna circuit16. In the present embodiment, the number of installed switches17is less than the number of installed electrodes13. In other words, the switch17is arranged to be selectively connected to the shared electrode18, which is made up of specific electrodes13included in the plurality of electrodes13. The shared electrode18is shared among the position detection circuit15and the antenna circuit16and is selectively energized by either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16depending on the switching state of the switch17. Among the plurality of electrodes13, electrodes13that are not shared (non-shared electrodes) are not connected to the switch17and are directly connected to the position detection circuit15. The switch17includes a first switch17A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second switch17B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. Note that the switch17may be either a mechanical switch or an electronic switch provided that the switch17can transmit each pulse supplied to the position detection circuit15and the antenna circuit16. Further, the switch17is connected to a switch controller such that the switching state of the switch17is mechanically or electronically controlled by the switch controller.

The shared electrode18included in the plurality of electrodes13and connected to the switch17will now be described in detail. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of the shared electrodes18are disposed with spaces SP between the shared electrodes18. In the present embodiment, the number of shared electrodes18is an even number. The plurality of shared electrodes18are connected to the antenna circuit16via a plurality of the switches17. When the plurality of shared electrodes18are energized, magnetic fields are generated in the spaces SP between the shared electrodes18based on the pulse output from the antenna controller AC. The magnetic fields generated in the spaces SP can be used to perform near field wireless communication such as Near Field Communication (NFC) between an external device and the touch panel12according to the present embodiment. Specific examples of the external device include an IC card and a smartphone including a device-side antenna. Near-field communication can be achieved when a user brings an external device such as an IC card or a smartphone close to the spaces SP between the shared electrodes18based on an image displayed in the display region AA of the liquid crystal panel11.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the shared electrode18includes first shared electrodes18A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and second shared electrodes18B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. The spaces SP between the plurality of shared electrodes18include first spaces SP1between the plurality of first shared electrodes18A and second spaces SP2between the plurality of second shared electrodes18B. Specifically, of the plurality of first electrodes13A, four first electrodes, namely, the sixth first electrode13A, the seventh first electrode13A, the tenth first electrode13A, and the eleventh first electrode13A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3are the first shared electrodes18A. The first space SP1is present between the seventh first electrode13A and the tenth first electrode13A from the upper edge inFIG. 3and is arranged overlapping two first electrodes13A (the eighth first electrode13A and the ninth first electrode13A). The first space SP1has a long, horizontal belt shape and a width dimension that is slightly larger than sum of the width dimensions of two first electrodes13A. Of the plurality of second electrodes13B, four second electrodes, namely, the second second electrode13B, the third second electrode13B, the sixth second electrode13B, and the seventh second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4are the second shared electrodes18B. The second space SP2is present between the third second electrode13B and the sixth second electrode13B from the left edge inFIG. 4and is arranged overlapping two second electrodes13B (the fourth second electrode13B and the fifth second electrode13B). The second space SP2has a long, vertical belt shape and a width dimension that is slightly larger than the sum of the width dimensions of two second electrodes13B. In addition, the first space SP1and the second space SP2are arranged so as to partially overlap each other. An overlapping space OSP between the first space SP1and the second space SP2has a substantially square shape in plan view. The dimension of one side of the overlapping space OSP is equal to the width dimension of the first space SP1and the second space SP2(seeFIG. 8). The number of installed first switches17A that are individually connected to the first shared electrodes18A is equal to the number of installed first shared electrodes18A (four). Similarly, the number of installed second switches17B that are individually connected to the second shared electrodes18B is equal to the number of installed second shared electrodes18B (four).

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the antenna circuit16includes two external connection wiring lines19that connect two shared electrodes18of the plurality of shared electrodes18to the external antenna controller AC, short-circuit wiring lines20configured to short-circuit two shared electrodes18of the plurality of shared electrodes18that are separated by the spaces SP, and short-circuit changeover switches21that switch between short-circuiting two shared electrodes18using some of a plurality of the short-circuit wiring lines20. The two external connection wiring lines19are disposed on the same side with respect to the two shared electrodes18to be connected. In contrast, three short-circuit wiring lines20are disposed in a dispersed manner on one end sides and another end sides of three pairs of two shared electrodes18that are to be connected and sandwich the space SP. Of the three short-circuit wiring lines20, one short-circuit wiring line20is disposed on the same side of the shared electrode18as the two external connection wiring lines19and is connected to the shared electrode18via the switch17. Of the three short-circuit wiring lines20, two short-circuit wiring lines20are disposed on sides the shared electrodes18opposite to the two external connection wiring lines19and are directly connected to the shared electrode18without the switch17. The short-circuit changeover switches21are provided connected to each of the two short-circuit wiring lines20that are directly connected to the shared electrodes18. When the switching state of the short-circuit changeover switch21is “OFF,” the short-circuit wiring line20is non-conductive. Thus, the two shared electrodes18connected to the short-circuit wiring line20are not short-circuited. On the other hand, when the switching state of the short-circuit switch21is “ON,” the short-circuit wiring line20is conductive, and hence the two shared electrodes18connected to the short-circuit wiring line20are short-circuited. The external connection wiring lines19include a first external connection wiring line19A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second external connection wiring line19B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. The short-circuit wiring lines20include a first short-circuit wiring line20A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second short-circuit wiring line20B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. The short-circuit changeover switches21include a first short-circuit changeover switch21A provided on the first electrode substrate14A and a second short-circuit changeover switch21B provided on the second electrode substrate14B. Note that the short-circuit changeover switch21may be either a mechanical switch or an electronic switch provided that the short-circuit changeover switch21can transmit the pulses provided to the antenna circuit16. The short-circuit changeover switch21is connected to the switch controller described above such that the switching state of the short-circuit changeover switch21is mechanically or electronically controlled by the switch controller.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 3, two first external connection wiring lines19A are connected via the first switch17A to left side end portions (one end sides) inFIG. 3of the first shared electrodes18A to be connected. Three first short-circuit wiring lines20A include one first short-circuit wiring line20A connected, via the first switch17A, to left side end portions inFIG. 3of the two first shared electrodes18A to be connected, and two first short-circuit wiring lines20A directly connected to right side end portions (other end sides) inFIG. 3of the two first shared electrodes18A to be connected. Two first external connection wiring lines19A include one first external connection wiring line19A connected, via the first switch17A, to the first shared electrode18A that is the sixth first electrode18A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3among the plurality of first electrodes13A, and one first external connection wiring line19A connected, via the first switch17A, to the first shared electrode18A that is the tenth first electrode13A from the upper edge inFIG. 3among the plurality of first electrodes13A. Of the three first short-circuit wiring lines20A, the first short-circuit wiring line20A disposed on the same side (left side inFIG. 3) as the first external connection wiring lines19A in the X-axis direction is connected to, via the first switch17A, the first shared electrode18A that is the seventh first electrode13A counting from the top edge inFIG. 3and the first shared electrode18A that is the eleventh first electrode13A from the top edge inFIG. 3. Of the three first short-circuit wiring lines20A, the two first short-circuit wiring lines20A disposed on a side (right side inFIG. 3) opposite to the first external connection wiring lines19A in the X-axis direction include a first short-circuit wiring line20A directly connected to the first shared electrode18A that is the sixth first electrode13A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3and is connected to the first external connection wiring line19A, and the first shared electrode18A that is the eleventh first electrode13A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3, and a first short-circuit wiring line20A directly connected to the first shared electrode18A that is the seventh first electrode13A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3and the first shared electrode18A that is the tenth first electrode13A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 3and is connected to the first external connection wiring line19A. The two first short-circuit wiring lines20A directly connected to the first shared electrodes18A to be connected are each partway provided with the first short-circuit changeover switch21A.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the two second external connection wiring lines19B are connected, via the second switch17B, to lower side end portions (one end sides) inFIG. 4of the second shared electrodes18B to be connected. Three second short-circuit wiring lines20B include one second short-circuit wiring line20B connected, via the second switch17B, to lower side end portions inFIG. 4of the two second shared electrodes18B to be connected, and two second short-circuit wiring lines20B directly connected to upper side end portions (other end sides) inFIG. 4of the two second shared electrodes18B to be connected. Two second external connection wiring lines19B include a second external connection wiring line19B connected, via the second switch17B, to the second shared electrode18B that is the second second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4, and a second external connection wiring line19B connected, via the second switch17B, to the second shared electrode18B that is the sixth second electrode13B from the left edge inFIG. 4. Of the three second short-circuit wiring lines20B, the second short-circuit wiring line20B disposed on the same side (lower side inFIG. 4) as the second external connection wiring lines19B in the Y-axis direction is connected, via the second switch17B, to the second shared electrode18B that is the third second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4and the second shared electrode18B that is the seventh second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4. Of the three second short-circuit wiring lines20B, two second short-circuit wiring lines20B disposed on a side (upper side inFIG. 4) opposite to the second external connection wiring lines19B in the Y-axis direction include a second short-circuit wiring line20B directly connected to a second shared electrode18B that is the second second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4and is connected to the second external connection wiring line19B and a second shared electrode18B that is the seventh second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4, and a second short-circuit wiring line20B directly connected to a second shared electrode18B that is the third second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4and a second shared electrode18B that is the sixth second electrode13B counting from the left edge inFIG. 4and is connected to the second external connection wiring line19B.

The two second short-circuit wiring lines20B directly connected to the second shared electrodes18B to be connected are each partway provided with the second short-circuit changeover switch21B.

The present embodiment has the structure described above, and the actions thereof will now be described. With the liquid crystal display device10according to the present embodiment, the input position of a touch operation performed by a user on the touch panel12can be detected while an image is displayed in the display region AA of the liquid crystal panel11, and near field wireless communication can be performed with an external device that the user has moved close to the touch panel12. In order to achieve such a position detection function and an antenna function, the touch panel12is supplied with time-divided pulses from the external touch controller TC and the antenna controller AC.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the touch panel12is driven in a time-divided manner so as to alternate between two periods. These two periods are a position detection period PP in which a pulse is supplied from the touch controller TC to achieve the position detection function, and an antenna period AP in which a pulse is supplied from the antenna controller AC to achieve the antenna function. As illustrated inFIGS. 3 to 5, in the position detection period PP, the other end side of the switch17, which has one end side connected to the shared electrode18, is connected to the position detection circuit15, and the short-circuit changeover switch21enters an OFF state. As a result, in the position detection period PP, the pulses output from the touch controller TC are supplied to each electrode13, excluding the shared electrodes18, via the position detection circuit15, and to the shared electrodes18via the position detection circuit15and the switch17. As a result, pulses are supplied to all of the electrodes13to achieve the position detection function. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 to 8, in the antenna period AP, the other end side of the switch17, which has one end side connected to the shared electrode18, is connected to the antenna circuit16, and the short-circuit changeover switch21enters an ON state. As a result, in the antenna period AP, the pulses output from the antenna controller AC are supplied to the shared electrodes18via the external connection wiring lines19and the short-circuit wiring lines20constituting the antenna circuit16, as well as the switches17and the short-circuit changeover switches21. Note that inFIGS. 6 to 8, the electrodes13to be energized are illustrated with shading.

The energized state of each electrode13during the antenna period AP and the operating state of each switch17,21will be described in detail for each of the two electrode substrates14A,14B. First, as illustrated inFIG. 6, in the first electrode substrate14A, the other end side of each first switch17A is connected to the first antenna circuit16A, and each of the first short-circuit changeover switches21A is turned ON. In this state, two first shared electrodes18A among the four first shared electrodes18A are connected to the first external connection wiring lines19A via the first switches17A, and hence the two first shared electrodes18A are supplied with the pulses output from the antenna controller AC. In addition, because the three first short-circuit wiring lines20A connected to the four first shared electrodes18A are made conductive by each of the first short-circuit switches21A, the pulses output from the antenna controller AC are supplied to the four first shared electrodes18A and the three first short-circuit wiring lines20A via the first external connection wiring lines19A. At this time, the pulses have a spiral transmission path which causes magnetic fields to be generated in the first spaces SP1present between the four first shared electrodes18A.

Next, as illustrated inFIG. 7, in the second electrode substrate14B, the other end side of each second switch17B is connected to the second antenna circuit16B, and each of the second short-circuit changeover switches21B is turned ON. In this state, two second shared electrodes18B among the four second shared electrodes18B are connected to the second external connection wiring lines19B via the second switches17B, and hence the two second shared electrodes18B are supplied with the pulses output from the antenna controller AC. In addition, because the three second short-circuit wiring lines20B connected to the four second shared electrodes18B are made conductive by each second short-circuit changeover switch21B, the pulses output from the antenna controller AC are supplied to the four second shared electrodes18B and the three second short-circuit wiring lines20B via the second external connection wiring lines19B. At this time, the pulses have a spiral transmission paths which causes magnetic fields to be generated in the second spaces SP2present between the four second shared electrodes18B.

As illustrated inFIG. 8, energizing the first shared electrodes18A provided on the first electrode substrate14A by the first antenna circuit16A and energizing the second shared electrodes18B provided on the second electrode substrate14B by the second antenna circuit16B generate magnetic fields in the first spaces SP1and the second spaces SP2. Then, if the pulses output from the antenna controller AC to the first antenna circuit16A and the second antenna circuit16B are synchronized such that the magnetic fields generated in the first spaces SP1and the second spaces SP2have the same orientation, the magnetic fields generated in the first spaces SP1and the second spaces SP2exhibit a strong interaction in the overlapping space OSP. As a result, a stronger magnetic field is generated in the overlapping space OSP than in a non-overlapping space, and this strong magnetic field can be used to stably perform near field wireless communication with an external device. Thus, excellent antenna performance can be obtained.

As described above, the touch panel (position detecting device including antenna function)12according to the present embodiment includes the plurality of electrodes13including the plurality of shared electrodes18separated by the spaces SP, the position detection circuit15configured to detect a position by energizing the plurality of electrodes13and using electric fields generated between the plurality of electrodes13, the antenna circuit16configured to perform wireless communication by energizing the plurality of shared electrodes18and using magnetic fields generated in the spaces SP, and a switch17connected to at least the plurality of shared electrodes18among the plurality of electrodes13, the position detection circuit15, and the antenna circuit16, the switch being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16to the plurality of shared electrodes18.

According to such a configuration, when the plurality of electrodes13are energized by the position detection circuit15, electric fields are generated between the electrodes13, and those electric fields are used to detect a position. The plurality of electrodes13include the plurality of shared electrodes18with the spaces SP between the shared electrodes18. When the plurality of shared electrodes18are energized by the antenna circuit16, magnetic fields are generated in the spaces SP. These magnetic fields are used to perform wireless communication. In this manner, the shared electrodes18included in the plurality of electrodes13are shared by the position detection circuit15and the antenna circuit16. Further, the switch17is connected to at least the plurality of shared electrodes18, the position detection circuit15, and the antenna circuit16. With this switch17, either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16can be selectively connected to the plurality of shared electrodes18. Therefore, compared to a conventional configuration where an antenna created as a dedicated component is externally mounted to a touch panel, the number of components can be reduced because dedicated antenna components are unnecessary. In addition, while the antenna circuit16is connected to the plurality of shared electrodes18by the switch17and the antenna function is active, the position detection circuit15is not connected to the plurality of shared electrodes18and the position detection function is not active. Thus, parasitic capacitance such as that in the prior art is avoided. As a result, both position detection sensitivity and antenna sensitivity are good.

In addition, the plurality of electrodes13include the plurality of first electrodes13A extending in a first direction and the plurality of second electrodes13B disposed overlapping the plurality of first electrodes13A and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the plurality of shared electrodes18include the plurality of first shared electrodes18A included in the plurality of first electrodes13A and separated by first spaces SP1, and the plurality of second shared electrodes18B included in the plurality of second electrodes13B and separated by second spaces SP2that at least partially overlap the first spaces SP1, and the switch17includes the first switch17A connected to at least the plurality of first shared electrodes18A among the plurality of first electrodes13A, the position detection circuit15, and the antenna circuit16, the first switch17A being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16to the plurality of first shared electrodes18A, and the second switch17B connected to at least the plurality of second shared electrodes18B among the plurality of second electrodes13B, the position detection circuit15, and the antenna circuit16, the second switch17B being configured to selectively connect either the position detection circuit15or the antenna circuit16to the plurality of second shared electrodes18B. When the first switch17A selectively connects the position detection circuit15to the plurality of first shared electrodes18A and the second switch17B selectively connects the position detection circuit15to the plurality of second shared electrodes18B, electric fields are generated at each of the plurality of first electrodes13A and second electrodes13B. These electric fields are used to detect positions in a first direction and a second direction, respectively. On the other hand, when the first switch17A selectively connects the antenna circuit16to the plurality of first shared electrodes18A and the second switch17B selectively connects the antenna circuit16to the plurality of second shared electrodes18B, at least the plurality of first shared electrodes18A and at least the plurality of second shared electrodes18B are energized by the antenna circuit16. In this state, magnetic fields are generated in the first spaces SP1between the plurality of first shared electrodes18A and the second spaces SP2between the plurality of second shared electrodes18. At this time, the magnetic fields generated by interaction are strengthened in the overlapping space OSP where the first space SP1and the second space SP2overlap. Thus, particularly good antenna sensitivity is obtained. Moreover, because each of the first shared electrodes18A and second shared electrodes18B are connected to the antenna circuit16to achieve the antenna function, compared to a conventional case where a single electrode13achieves the antenna function, resistance can be reduced and thus antenna sensitivity can be improved.

Further, the antenna circuit16includes at least the external connection wiring line19configured to connect two shared electrodes18included in the plurality of shared electrodes18to the external antenna controller (antenna drive unit) AC, the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines20configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes18included in the plurality of shared electrodes18and separated by the spaces SP, and the short-circuit changeover switch21configured to switch short-circuiting between the two shared electrodes18by using some of the short-circuit wiring lines20included in the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines20, in which, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes18is 2n, two external connection wiring lines19and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines20are connectable to one end side of each of the plurality of shared electrodes18and n short-circuit wiring lines20are connectable to another end side of each of the plurality of shared electrodes18. With this configuration, the external connection wiring lines19constituting the antenna circuit16connect two shared electrodes18to the external antenna controller AC via the switch17, and the two shared electrodes18having the spaces SP therebetween are short-circuited by the short-circuit wiring lines20constituting the antenna circuit16via the switch17and the short-circuit changeover switch21. Specifically, in each of 2n, that is, an even number of shared electrodes18, two external connection wiring lines19and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines20can be connected to one end sides and n short-circuit wiring lines20can be connected to other end sides. Accordingly, when the antenna circuit16and the plurality of shared electrodes18are energized by the external antenna controller AC, magnetic fields are generated in the spaces SP between the plurality of shared electrodes18. Further, because the two external connection wiring lines19are arranged in an aggregated manner on the same one end side with respect to the shared electrodes18, it is possible to avoid a case where the two external connection wiring lines19are distributed on one end side and the other end side of the shared electrode18, as in the case where the number of shared electrodes18is an odd number. Note that n is a natural number.

In addition, the plurality of shared electrodes18are arranged such that the electrodes13are present in the spaces SP. With this configuration, compared to a case where the electrode13is not present in the space SP between the plurality of shared electrodes18, the space SP is widened by the amount of the space occupied by the electrode13. As a result, a sufficient space SP where the magnetic field occurs can be ensured.

In addition, the switch17is arranged to be selectively connected to the plurality of shared electrodes18among the plurality of electrodes13. With this configuration, compared to a case where the switches are disposed to be individually connected to the plurality of electrodes13, the number of installed switches17can be reduced.

Further, the liquid crystal display device (display device)10according to the present embodiment includes the touch panel12described above, the liquid crystal panel (display panel)11layered on the touch panel12and including the display region AA in which an image is displayable and a non-display region NAA surrounding the display region, in which the plurality of electrodes13are disposed at positions overlapping the display region AA. With a liquid crystal display device10having such a configuration, the plurality of electrodes13arranged at positions overlapping the display region AA of the liquid crystal panel11are energized by the position detection circuit15to achieve the position detection function, and the plurality of shared electrodes18included in the plurality of electrodes13are energized by the antenna circuit16to achieve the antenna function. The user can input a position based on the image displayed in the display region AA and operate the external device for wireless communication. Thus, the liquid crystal display device10has excellent convenience.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 9toFIG. 16. The second embodiment deals with a configuration where an electrode113serving as a shared electrode118can be changed. Note that redundant descriptions of structures, actions, and effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, an electrode substrate114according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of switches117in a manner where the switches117are individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes113. Similarly, the electrode substrate114is provided with a plurality of short-circuit changeover switches121in a manner where the short-circuit changeover switches121are individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes113. The number of switches117and the number of short-circuit changeover switches121installed on the electrode substrate114are the same as the number of installed electrodes113. The switches117and the short-circuit changeover switches121are arranged on the electrode substrate114at positions that sandwich the electrodes113from both sides in the extension direction of the electrodes113. That is, each switch117is connected to one end side of each electrode113and each short-circuit changeover switch121is connected to another end side of each electrode113. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 9, on a first electrode substrate114A, a first switch117A is connected to the left side end portion inFIG. 9of a first electrode113A and a first short-circuit changeover switch121A is connected to a right side end portion inFIG. 9of the first electrode113A. In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 10, on a second electrode substrate114B, a second switch117B is connected to the lower side end portion inFIG. 10of a second electrode113B and a second short-circuit switch121B is connected to the upper side end portion inFIG. 10of the second electrode113B.

Further, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, the touch panel112according to the present embodiment includes an external connection flexible substrate (second substrate)22including external connection wiring lines119and short-circuit wiring lines120constituting an antenna circuit116, and a short-circuit flexible substrate (third substrate)23including the short-circuit wiring lines120and not the external connection wiring lines119. The external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23are mounted to the electrode substrate114. Note that inFIGS. 9 to 16, the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23are illustrated as shaded. Specifically, the external connection flexible substrate22is mounted to a side portion of the electrode substrate114on which the switch117is installed in the extension direction of the electrode113. The external connection flexible substrate22is provided with two external connection wiring lines119connected to the shared electrode118via the switch117, and one short-circuit wiring line120connected to the shared electrode118via the switch117. The length dimension of the external connection flexible substrate22is smaller than the length dimension of the side of the electrode substrate114on which the external connection flexible substrate22is mounted. The short-circuit flexible substrate23is mounted to a side of the electrode substrate114on which the short-circuit changeover switches121are installed in the extension direction of the electrode113. In other words, the short-circuit flexible substrate23is mounted to a side of the electrode substrate114opposite to the side on which the external connection flexible substrate22is mounted. The short-circuit flexible substrate23is provided with two short-circuit wiring lines120connected to the shared electrodes118via the short-circuit changeover switch121. The short-circuit flexible substrate23has a length dimension that is smaller than a length dimension of the side of the electrode substrate114on which the short-circuit flexible substrate23is mounted.

As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, the external connection flexible substrate22includes a first external connection flexible substrate22A mounted to the first electrode substrate114A and a second external connection flexible substrate22B mounted to the second electrode substrate114B. The short-circuit flexible substrate23includes a first short-circuit flexible substrate23A mounted to the first electrode substrate114A and a second short-circuit flexible substrate23B mounted to the second electrode substrate114B. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the first external connection flexible substrate22A is mounted to the left side portion inFIG. 9of the first electrode substrate114A and the first short-circuit flexible substrate23A is mounted to the right side portion inFIG. 9of the first electrode substrate114A. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the second external connection flexible substrate22B is mounted to the lower side portion inFIG. 10of the second electrode substrate114B and the second short-circuit flexible substrate23B is mounted to the upper side portion inFIG. 10of the second electrode substrate114B.

When the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23having the configuration described above are mounted to the electrode substrate114, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, the external connection wiring line119and the short-circuit wiring line120are connected to the switch117and the short-circuit changeover switch121located at the mounting positions of the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23. At this time, the electrodes113connected to the external connection wiring lines119and the short-circuit wiring lines120via the switches117and the short-circuit changeover switches121are the shared electrodes118. When the touch panel112is set to the antenna period AP in this state, as illustrated inFIGS. 11 to 13, other end sides of the switches117, which have one end sides connected to the shared electrodes118, are connected to the antenna circuit116and the short-circuit changeover switches121, which have one end sides connected to the shared electrodes118, turn ON. Accordingly, pulses output from the antenna controller AC are supplied to the shared electrodes118via the external connection wiring lines119and the short-circuit wiring lines120constituting the antenna circuit116and the switches117and the short-circuit changeover switches121. Note that inFIGS. 11 to 13, the electrodes113to be energized are illustrated as shaded. Then, magnetic fields are generated in the first spaces SP1present between the four first shared electrodes118A and magnetic fields are generated in the second spaces SP2present between the four second shared electrodes118B. The magnetic fields generated in the first spaces SP1and in the second spaces SP2exhibit a strong interaction in the overlapping space OSP to generate a stronger magnetic field in the overlapping space OSP than in a non-overlapping space. This strong magnetic field can be used to stably perform near field wireless communication with an external device. Note that the transmission circuits and the like of the pulses output from the antenna controller AC to each of the shared electrodes118A,118B are as described above in the first embodiment. Further, in the position detection period PP, as described above in the first embodiment, all of the switches117are connected to the position detection circuit115and all of the short-circuit changeover switches121enter the OFF state. Thus, the pulses output from the touch controller TC are supplied to all of the electrodes113.

Incidentally, in the touch panel112according to the present embodiment, the mounting positions of the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23on the electrode substrate114can be changed from the positions illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10. When the mounting positions of the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23on the electrode substrate114are changed, the switches117and the short-circuit changeover switches121connected to the external connection wiring lines119and the short-circuit wiring lines120are changed and which electrodes113of the plurality of electrodes113are the shared electrodes118also changes.

Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 14, the mounting positions of the first external connection flexible substrate22A and the first short-circuit flexible substrate23A on the first electrode substrate114A can be changed to near the upper edge inFIG. 14. In this case, the first first electrode113A, the second first electrode113A, the fifth first electrode113A, and the sixth first electrode113A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 14are each the first shared electrode118A. As illustrated inFIG. 16, the first space SP1in which the magnetic field is generated during the antenna period AP is arranged to overlap the third first electrode113A and the fourth first electrode113A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 16. In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the mounting positions of the second external connection flexible substrate22B and the second short-circuit flexible substrate23B on the second electrode substrate114B can be changed to near the right edge inFIG. 15. In this case, the sixth second electrode113B, the seventh second electrode113B, the tenth second electrode113B, and the eleventh second electrode113B counting from the left edge inFIG. 15are each the second shared electrode118B. As illustrated inFIG. 16, the second space SP2in which the magnetic field is generated during the antenna period AP is arranged to overlap the eighth second electrode113B and the ninth second electrode113B counting from the left edge inFIG. 16. Further, the overlapping space OSP in which the first space SP1and the second space SP2overlap and in which a particularly strong magnetic field is generated changes from the position illustrated inFIG. 13to an upper right position. By adjusting the mounting positions of the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23on the electrode substrate114in this way, the position at which the antenna function is achieved on the plate surface of the touch panel112can be changed as appropriate. Note that the specific mounting positions of the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23on the electrode substrate114can be changed to positions other than those illustrated inFIGS. 14 to 16as appropriate.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the switches117are arranged to be individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes113. With this configuration, the switches117can be used to set particular electrodes113of the plurality of electrodes113as the shared electrodes118to achieve the antenna function. As a result, the positions of the spaces SP in which magnetic fields are generated by the shared electrodes118can be changed.

Further, the antenna circuit116includes at least an external connection wiring line119configured to connect two shared electrodes118included in the plurality of shared electrodes118to the external antenna controller AC, and a short-circuit wiring line120configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes118included in the plurality of shared electrodes118and separated by the spaces SP, the position detecting device including an antenna function further including the electrode substrate (first substrate)114provided with at least the switch117, and the external connection flexible substrate (second substrate)22provided with at least the external connection wiring line119and the short-circuit wiring line120, the external connection flexible substrate22being mounted to the electrode substrate114, and the external connection wiring line119and the short-circuit wiring line120being selectively connected to a particular switch117depending on the mounting position at which the external connection flexible substrate22is mounted to the electrode substrate114. With this configuration, the external connection flexible substrate22provided with at least the external connection wiring lines119and the short-circuit wiring lines120is mounted to the electrode substrate114provided with at least the switches117. The external connection wiring lines119constituting the antenna circuit116connect the two shared electrodes118to the external antenna controller AC, and the short-circuit wiring lines120constituting the antenna circuit116cause the two shared electrodes118separated by the spaces SP to short-circuit. Accordingly, when the antenna circuit116and the plurality of shared electrodes118are energized by the external antenna controller AC, magnetic fields are generated in the spaces SP present between the plurality of shared electrodes118. Further, the external connection wiring lines119and the short-circuit wiring lines120are selectively connected to a particular switch117depending on the mounting position of the external connection flexible substrate22on the electrode substrate114. Thus, by selecting the mounting position of the external connection flexible substrate22on the electrode substrate114, a particular electrode113of the plurality of electrodes113can be set as the shared electrodes118to achieve the antenna function. As a result, convenience is excellent.

Further, the antenna circuit116includes at least a plurality of the short-circuit wiring lines120, and a short-circuit changeover switch121that is individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes113and connected to some of the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines120, the short-circuit changeover switch121being configured to switch conduction/non-conduction between the plurality of electrodes113and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines120, the position detecting device including an antenna function further including a short-circuit flexible substrate (third substrate)23provided with the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines120and not provided with the external connection wiring line119, the short-circuit flexible substrate23being mounted to the electrode substrate114on a side opposite to the external connection flexible substrate22, in which, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes118is 2n, two external connection wiring lines119and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines120are provided on the external connection flexible substrate22, and n short-circuit wiring lines120are provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate23. With this configuration, when the external connection flexible substrate22is mounted to the electrode substrate114, the two external connection wiring lines119and the (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines120provided on the external connection flexible substrate22are selectively connected to 2n, that is, an even number of shared electrodes118via the switches117. On the other hand, when the short-circuit flexible substrate23is mounted to the electrode substrate114on the side opposite to the external connection flexible substrate22, the n short-circuit wiring lines120provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate23are selectively connected to an even number of the shared electrodes118via the short-circuit changeover switches121. The short-circuit flexible substrate23is provided with the short-circuit wiring lines120but not provided with the external connection wiring lines119. The external connection wiring lines119are provided exclusively on the external connection flexible substrate22. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a case where two external connection wiring lines119are distributed between the external connection flexible substrate22and the short-circuit flexible substrate23as in a case where the number of shared electrodes118is an odd number. Note that n is a natural number.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 17 to 25. In the third embodiment, the configuration of an external connection flexible substrate222and a short-circuit flexible substrate223are changed from that in the second embodiment described above. Note that redundant descriptions of structures, actions, and effects similar to those of the second embodiment described above will be omitted. Further, illustrations of the position detection circuit and the touch controller are incorporated in the drawings described above in the first and second embodiments.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, the external connection flexible substrate222according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of switch connection portions24that constitute an antenna circuit216. When the external connection flexible substrate222is mounted to an electrode substrate214, the plurality of switch connection portions24are individually connected to each of a plurality of switches217that are individually connected to a plurality of electrodes213on the electrode substrate214. The number of installed switch connection portions24is the same as the number of installed switches217. Accordingly, the length dimension of the external connection flexible substrate222is similar to the length dimension of the side of the electrode substrate214on which the external connection flexible substrate222is mounted. Thus, the external connection flexible substrate222according to the present embodiment differs from the second embodiment described above in that the mounting position of the external connection flexible substrate222on the electrode substrate214is fixed. The switch connection portion24includes a first switch connection portion24A provided on a first external connection flexible substrate222A mounted to a first electrode substrate214A, and a second switch connection portion24B provided on a second external connection flexible substrate222B mounted to a second electrode substrate214B. Note that in the present embodiment, when differentiating between two external connection wiring lines219connected to the antenna controller AC, an external connection wiring line219disposed near a short-circuit wiring line220(switch connection portion24) in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “α” to the reference symbol to indicate “one external connection wiring line”, and an external connection wiring line219disposed far from the short-circuit wiring line220(switch connection portion24) in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “β” to the reference symbol to indicate “another external connection wiring line”. These symbols are not used when collectively referring to the two external connection wiring lines219.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, on the external connection flexible substrate222, the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220are selectively connected to the plurality of switch connection portions24. Specifically, the antenna circuit216includes a plurality of external connection wiring line switches25connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions24and the external connection wiring lines219, and a plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions24and the short-circuit wiring lines220. The plurality of external connection wiring line switches25includes one external connection wiring line switch25α connected to one external connection wiring line219α, and a plurality of other external connection wiring line switches25β connected to another external connection wiring line219β. A plurality of the one external connection wiring line switches25α are individually connected to the plurality of switch connection portions24. The number of installed external connection wiring line switches25α is the same as the number of installed switch connection portions24. The one external connection wiring line switch25α can selectively connect any of the plurality of switch connection portions24to the one external connection wiring line219α. A plurality of the other external connection wiring line switches25β are individually connected to the plurality of one external connection wiring line switches25α. The number of installed other external connection wiring line switches25β is the same as the number of installed one external connection wiring line switches25α. The other external connection wiring line switch25β can selectively connect any of the plurality of one external connection wiring lines25α to the other external connection wiring line219β. The other external connection wiring lines219β are connected to the switch connection portions24via the external connection wiring line switches25α,25β. The plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26are individually connected to the plurality of switch connection portions24. The number of installed short-circuit wiring switches26is the same as the number of installed switch connection portions24. The plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26can selectively connect any of the plurality of switch connection portions24to the short-circuit wiring line220. Accordingly, by adjusting the switching states of the switches217, the external connection wiring line switches25, and the short-circuit wiring line switches26during the antenna period AP, particular electrodes213of the plurality of electrodes213can be set as shared electrodes218connected to the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220as desired. Note that the external connection wiring line switch25and the short-circuit wiring line switch26may be either a mechanical switch or an electronic switch provided that the external connection wiring line switch25and the short-circuit wiring line switch26can transmit pulses provided to the antenna circuit216. The external connection wiring line switch25and the short-circuit wiring line switch26are connected to a switch controller such that the switch controller mechanically or electronically controls the switching states of the external connection wiring line switch25and the short-circuit wiring line switch26. The external connection wiring line switch25and the short-circuit wiring line switch26include a first external connection wiring line switch25A and a first short-circuit wiring line switch26A provided on the first external connection flexible substrate222A, and a second external connection wiring line switch25B and a second short-circuit wiring line switch26B provided on the second external connection flexible substrate222B.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, the short-circuit flexible substrate223according to the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions (second switch connection portions)27that constitute the antenna circuit216. When the short-circuit flexible substrate223is mounted to the electrode substrate214, the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27are individually connected to each of the plurality of short-circuit changeover switches221that are individually connected to the plurality of electrodes213on the electrode substrate214. The number of installed short-circuit switch connection portions27is the same as the number of installed short-circuit changeover switches221. Accordingly, the length dimension of the short-circuit flexible substrate223is equivalent to the length dimension of the side of the electrode substrate214on which the short-circuit flexible substrate223is mounted. Thus, the short-circuit flexible substrate223according to the present embodiment differs from the second embodiment described above in that the mounting position of the short-circuit flexible substrate223on the electrode substrate214is fixed. The short-circuit switch connection portion27includes a first short-circuit switch connection portion27A provided on the first external connection flexible substrate222A mounted to the first electrode substrate214A, and a second short-circuit switch connection portion27B provided on the second external connection flexible substrate222B mounted to the second electrode substrate214B.

As illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, on the short-circuit flexible substrate223, two short-circuit wiring lines220are selectively connected to the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27. Specifically, the antenna circuit216includes a plurality of short-circuit switches (second short-circuit wiring line switches)28connected to each of the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27and the short-circuit wiring lines220. The plurality of short-circuit switches28are individually connected to the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27. The number of installed short-circuit switches28is the same as twice (n times) the number of installed short-circuit switch connection portions27, which is consistent with the number of short-circuit wiring lines220provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate223. The plurality of short-circuit switches28can selectively connect any of the plurality of short-circuit connection portions27to each of two short-circuit wiring lines220. Accordingly, by adjusting the switching states of the short-circuit changeover switches221and the short-circuit changeover switches28during the antenna period AP, particular electrodes213of the plurality of electrodes213can be set as the shared electrodes218connected to the short-circuit wiring lines220as desired. Note that the short-circuit switch28may be either a mechanical switch or an electronic switch provided that the short-circuit switch28can transmit the pulses provided to the antenna circuit216. The short-circuit switch28is connected to a switch controller such that the switching state of the short-circuit switch28is mechanically or electronically controlled by the switch controller. The short-circuit switch28includes a first short-circuit switch28A provided on the first short-circuit flexible substrate223A and a second short-circuit switch28B provided on the second short-circuit flexible substrate223B.

When the external connection flexible substrate222and the short-circuit flexible substrate223having the configuration described above are mounted to the electrode substrate214, as illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, the plurality of switch connection portions24and short-circuit switch connection portions27are individually connected to the plurality of switches217and short-circuit changeover switches221. At this time, by adjusting the switching states of each of the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25, short-circuit wiring line switches26and short-circuit switches28, the switch connection portions24and the short-circuit switch connection portions27connected to the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220can be set as desired. When the switching states of the external connection wiring line switches25, the short-circuit wiring line switches26, and the short-circuit switches28are as illustrated inFIGS. 17 and 18, the same electrodes213as described above in the first embodiment are the shared electrodes218. When the touch panel212is set to the antenna period AP in this state, as illustrated inFIGS. 19 to 21, the other end sides of the switches217, which have one end sides connected to the shared electrodes218, are connected to the antenna circuit216, and the short-circuit changeover switches221, which have one end sides connected to the shared electrodes218, turn ON. As a result, the pulses output from the antenna controller AC are supplied to the shared electrodes218via the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220constituting the antenna circuit216, and the switches25,26,28,217,221. Note that inFIGS. 19 to 21, the electrodes213to be energized are illustrated as shaded. Then, magnetic fields are generated in the first spaces SP1present between four first shared electrodes218A, and magnetic fields are generated in the second spaces SP2between four second shared electrodes218B. The magnetic fields generated in the first spaces SP1and the second spaces SP2exhibit a strong interaction in the overlapping space OSP to generate a stronger magnetic field in the overlapping space OSP than in a non-overlapping space. This strong magnetic field can be used to stably perform near field wireless communication with an external device.

Incidentally, in the touch panel212according to the present embodiment, even after the external connection flexible substrate222and the short-circuit flexible substrate223are mounted to the electrode substrate214, which electrodes213of the plurality of electrodes213are to be used as the shared electrodes218can be changed as desired. To change the shared electrode218, switching states of each of the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25, short-circuit wiring line switches26and short-circuit switches28are adjusted, and the switch connection portions24and the short-circuit switch connection portions27connected to the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220may be changed. When performing this change, as illustrated inFIG. 22, a changeover signal is input to a switch controller that controls the switching state of each switch25,26,28,217,221. When the changeover signal is input, the switch controller changes the pattern determining which external connection wiring line switch25, short-circuit wiring line switch26and short-circuit switch28of the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25, short-circuit wiring line switches26and short-circuit switches28is to be connected to the external connection wiring line219and the short-circuit wiring line220. This changeover signal is preferably input during the position detection period PP immediately before the antenna period AP, which is subject to change. Note thatFIG. 22illustrates a simplified waveform of the changeover signal input to the switch controller.

Specifically, when the changeover signal is input to the switch controller, as illustrated inFIG. 23, on the first electrode substrate214A, four first switch connection portions24A and four first short-circuit switch connection portions27A connected to four first switches217A and four first short-circuit changeover switches221A, respectively, are connected to the first external connection wiring line219A and the first short-circuit wiring line220A via the first external connection wiring line switch25A, the first short-circuit wiring line switch26A and the first short-circuit switch28A. The four first switches217A and the four first short-circuit changeover switches221A are to be connected to the fourth first electrode213A, the fifth first electrode213A, the tenth first electrode213A, and the eleventh first electrode213A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 23. Thus, the four first electrodes213A described above are the first shared electrodes218A. As illustrated inFIG. 25, the first space SP1in which the magnetic field is generated during the antenna period AP is arranged to overlap the sixth first electrode213A, the seventh first electrode213A, the eight first electrode213A, and the ninth first electrode213A counting from the upper edge inFIG. 25. In other words, the width dimension of the first space SP1is increased to approximately twice that inFIG. 21.

In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 24, on the second electrode substrate214B, four second switch connection portions24B and four second short-circuit switch connection portions27B connected to four second switches217B and four second short-circuit changeover switches221B, respectively, are connected to the second external connection wiring line219B and the second short-circuit wiring line220B via the second external connection wiring line switch25B, the second short-circuit wiring line switch26B, and the second short-circuit switch28B. The four second switches217B and the four second short-circuit changeover switches221B are to be connected to the second second electrode213B, the third second electrode213B, the eighth second electrode213B, and the ninth second electrode213B counting from the left edge inFIG. 24. Thus, the four second electrodes213B described above are the second shared electrodes218B. As illustrated inFIG. 25, the second space SP2in which the magnetic field is generated during the antenna period AP is disposed to overlap the fourth second electrode213B, the fifth second electrode213B, the sixth second electrode213B, and the seventh second electrode213B counting from the left edge inFIG. 25. In other words, the width dimension of the second space SP2is increased to approximately twice that inFIG. 21.

Further, as illustrated inFIG. 25, the range of the overlapping space OSP in which the first space SP1and the second space SP2overlap and a particularly strong magnetic field is generated is expanded to two times that inFIG. 21in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. As a result, the range in which the magnetic field generated in the overlapping space OSP is enhanced expands. This increases the range in which near field wireless communication is stably performed and improves design flexibility of software used to perform signal processing in accordance with near field wireless communication. In this manner, the position at which the antenna function is achieved and the range in which the antenna function is achieved on the plate surface of the touch panel212can be changed as appropriate by changing the pattern that determines which external connection wiring line switch25, short-circuit wiring line switch26and short-circuit switch28among the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25, short-circuit wiring line switches26and short-circuit switches28is to be connected to the external connection wiring line219and the short-circuit wiring line220. Note that the specific combinations of the patterns described above can be changed as appropriate to patterns other than those illustrated inFIGS. 23 to 25.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the antenna circuit216includes at least the external connection wiring line219configured to connect two shared electrodes218included in the plurality of shared electrodes218to the external antenna controller AC, the short-circuit wiring line220configured to short-circuit the two shared electrodes218included in the plurality of shared electrodes218and separated by the spaces SP, and the plurality of switch connection portions24connected to a plurality of the switches217individually connected to the plurality of electrodes213, the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes the electrode substrate214provided with at least the plurality of switches217, and the external connection flexible substrate222provided with at least the external connection wiring line219, the short-circuit wiring line220, and the plurality of switch connection portions24, the external connection flexible substrate222being mounted to the electrode substrate214, and the external connection wiring line219and the short-circuit wiring line220are selectively connected to the plurality of switch connection portions24. As described above, the external connection flexible substrate222provided with at least the external connection wiring lines219, the short-circuit wiring lines220, and the plurality of switch connection portions24is mounted to the electrode substrate214provided with at least the switches217. The external connection wiring lines219constituting the antenna circuit216connect two shared electrodes218to the external antenna controller AC, and the short-circuit wiring lines220constituting the antenna circuit216cause the two shared electrodes218separated by the space SP to short-circuit. Thus, when the antenna circuit216and the plurality of shared electrodes218are energized by the external antenna controller AC, magnetic fields are generated in the spaces SP present between the plurality of shared electrodes218. In a state where the external connection flexible substrate222is mounted to the electrode substrate214, the plurality of switch connection portions24are connected to the plurality of switches217individually connected to the plurality of electrodes213. In the external connection flexible substrate222, the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220are selectively connected to the plurality of switch connection portions24. Thus, a particular electrode213of the plurality of electrodes213can be set as the shared electrode218to perform the antenna function as appropriate. With this configuration, the location of the space SP in which the magnetic field is generated by the shared electrodes218can be changed even after the external connection flexible substrate222is mounted to the electrode substrate214.

Further, the antenna circuit216includes the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions24and the external connection wiring line219, the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of switch connection portions24to the external connection wiring line219, and a plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26connected to each of the plurality of switch connection portions24and the short-circuit wiring line220, the plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of switch connection portions24to the short-circuit wiring line220, and the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25and the plurality of short-circuit wiring line switches26are provided on the external connection flexible substrate222. With this configuration, the external connection wiring lines219and the short-circuit wiring lines220in the external connection flexible substrate222are selectively connected to any of the plurality of switch connection portions24by the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25and the short-circuit wiring line switches26. Thus, by controlling the switching states of the plurality of external connection wiring line switches25and the short-circuit wiring line switches26, a particular electrode213of the plurality of electrodes213can be set as the shared electrode218to perform the antenna function as appropriate. This makes it possible to easily change the location of the space SP in which the magnetic field is generated by the shared electrodes218.

Further, the antenna circuit216includes at least the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220, the short-circuit changeover switch221individually connected to all of the plurality of electrodes213and connected to some of the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220, the short-circuit changeover switch221configured to switch conduction/non-conduction between the plurality of electrodes213and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220, and the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions (second switch connection portions)27connected to a plurality of the short-circuit changeover switches221, the position detecting device including an antenna function further includes a short-circuit flexible substrate223provided with the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220and not provided with the external connection wiring line219, the short-circuit flexible substrate223being mounted to the electrode substrate214on a side opposite to the external connection flexible substrate222, and, when the number of the plurality of shared electrodes218is 2n, two external connection wiring lines219and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines220are provided on the external connection flexible substrate222, n short-circuit wiring lines220and the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27are provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate223, and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220are selectively connected to the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27. When the external connection flexible substrate222is mounted to the electrode substrate214, the two external connection wiring lines219and (n−1) short-circuit wiring lines220provided on the external connection flexible substrate222are selectively connected to 2n, that is, an even number of shared electrodes218via the switches217and the switch connection portions24. On the other hand, when the short-circuit flexible substrate223is mounted to the electrode substrate214on a side opposite to the external connection flexible substrate222, n short-circuit wiring lines220provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate223are selectively connected to an even number of shared electrodes218via the short-circuit changeover switches221and the short-circuit switch connection portions27. The short-circuit flexible substrate223is provided with the short-circuit wiring lines220but not provided with the external connection wiring lines219. The external connection wiring lines219are provided exclusively on the external connection flexible substrate222. Thus, it is possible to avoid a case where two external connection wiring lines219are distributed between the external connection flexible substrate222and the short-circuit flexible substrate223as when the number of shared electrodes218is an odd number. Note that n is a natural number.

Further, the antenna circuit216includes the plurality of short-circuit switches (second short-circuit wiring line switches)28connected to the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27and the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220, the plurality of short-circuit switches28being configured to selectively connect one of the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27to the plurality of short-circuit wiring lines220, and the plurality of short-circuit switches28are provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate223. With this configuration, the short-circuit wiring lines220in the short-circuit flexible substrate223are selectively connected to any of the plurality of short-circuit switch connection portions27by the plurality of short-circuit switches28. Thus, by controlling the switching states of the plurality of short-circuit switches28, a particular electrode213of the plurality of electrodes213can be set as the shared electrode218to achieve the antenna function as appropriate. This makes it possible to easily change the location of the shared electrodes218and the spaces SP in which the magnetic fields are generated.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 26 or 27. The fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that only a first electrode substrate314A is provided with the antenna function. Note that redundant descriptions of structures, actions, and effects similar to those of the first embodiment described above will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIG. 26, the first electrode substrate314A according to the present embodiment is provided with a first switch317A, a first external connection wiring line319A, a first short-circuit wiring line320A, and a first short-circuit changeover switch321A that are similar to those described above in the first embodiment. Thus, a plurality of first electrodes313A provided on the first electrode substrate314A include a plurality of first shared electrodes318A separated by the first spaces SP1in which a magnetic field can be generated. The first space SP1according to the present embodiment has a width dimension that overlaps three first electrodes313A. In contrast, as illustrated inFIG. 27, a second electrode substrate314B is provided with a plurality of second electrodes313B but not provided with the second switches17B, the second external connection wiring lines19B, the second short-circuit wiring lines20B and the second short-circuit changeover switches21B (seeFIG. 4) described above in the first embodiment. Thus, the plurality of second electrodes313B only have a position detection function and not an antenna function. Even with such a configuration, the magnetic field generated in the first space SP1can be used to perform near field wireless communication with an external device. Note that in the present embodiment, the width dimension of the first space SP1is increased further than in first embodiment described above, which generates a stronger magnetic field. This is preferable from the perspective of obtaining high antenna performance.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference toFIG. 28 or 29. The fifth embodiment is different from the third embodiment described above in terms of the configurations of flexible substrates422,423. Note that redundant descriptions of structures, actions, and effects similar to those of the third embodiment described above will be omitted.

As illustrated inFIGS. 28 and 29, two short-circuit wiring lines420are provided on the external connection flexible substrate422according to the present embodiment. The two short-circuit wiring lines420are arranged to be sandwiched between a switch connection portion424and an external connection wiring line419. A short-circuit wiring line switch426is added to the external connection flexible substrate422when the short-circuit wiring lines420are added as described above. Note that in the present embodiment, when differentiating between two short-circuit wiring lines420disposed on the external connection flexible substrate422, a short-circuit wiring line420disposed near the switch connection portion424in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “α” to the reference symbol to indicate a “first column short-circuit wiring line”, and a short-circuit wiring line420disposed far from the switch connection portion424) in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “β” to the reference symbol to indicate a “second column short-circuit wiring line”. These symbols are not used when collectively referring to the two short-circuit wiring lines420.

The short-circuit wiring line switch426includes a first column short-circuit wiring line switch426α connected to a first column short-circuit wiring line420α and a second column short-circuit wiring line switch426β connected to a second column short-circuit wiring line420β. The first column short-circuit wiring line switch426α is connected to the switch connection portion424and the first column short-circuit wiring line420α. The number of installed first column short-circuit wiring line switches426α is the same as the number of installed switch connection portions424. On the other hand, the two second column short-circuit wiring line switches426β are connected to the first column short-circuit wiring line switch426α and the second column short-circuit wiring line420β. The number of installed second column short-circuit wiring line switches426β is the same as the number of installed first column short-circuit wiring lines426α.

In contrast, three short-circuit wiring lines420are provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate423. A short-circuit switch428is also added to the short-circuit flexible substrate423when the short-circuit wiring lines420are added as described above. Note that in the present embodiment, when differentiating between three short-circuit wiring lines420disposed on the short-circuit flexible substrate423, the short-circuit wiring line420disposed closest to the short-circuit switch connection portion427in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “α” to the reference symbol to indicate a “first column short-circuit wiring line”, a second short-circuit wiring line420counting from the side of the short-circuit switch connection portion427in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “β” to the reference symbol to indicate a “second column short-circuit wiring line”, and the short-circuit wiring line420disposed farthest from the short-circuit switch connection portion427in each drawing is denoted by adding the character “γ” to the reference symbol to indicate a “third column short-circuit wiring line”. These symbols are not used when collectively referring to the three short-circuit wiring lines420.

The short-circuit switch428includes a first column short-circuit switch428α connected to the first column short-circuit wiring line420α, a second column short-circuit switch428β connected to the second column short-circuit wiring line420β, and a third column short-circuit switch428-γ connected to a third column short-circuit wiring line420γ. The first column short-circuit switch428α is connected to the short-circuit switch connection portion427and the first column short-circuit wiring line420α. The number of installed first column short-circuit switches428α is the same as the number of installed short-circuit switch connection portions427. In contrast, the second column short-circuit switch428β is connected to the first column short-circuit switch428α and the second column short-circuit wiring line420β. The number of installed second column short-circuit switches428β is the same as the number of installed first column short-circuit switches428α. Similarly, the third column short-circuit switch428γ is connected to the second column short-circuit switch428β and the third column short-circuit wiring line420γ. The number of installed third column short-circuit switches428γ is the same as the number of installed second column short-circuit switches428β.

According to the configuration described above, the position at which the antenna function is achieved and the range in which the antenna function is achieved on the plate surface of the touch panel412can be changed as appropriate, and the number of shared electrodes418connected to the antenna circuit416can be changed by changing the pattern that determines which external connection wiring line switch425, short-circuit wiring line switch426and short-circuit switch428among the plurality of external connection wiring line switches425, short-circuit wiring line switches426and short-circuit switches428is to be connected to the external connection wiring lines419and the short-circuit wiring lines420. That is, as illustrated inFIGS. 28 and 29, four shared electrodes418are generated in each electrode substrate414when only one of the two short-circuit wiring lines420provided on the external connection flexible substrate422is connected to the antenna circuit416via the short-circuit wiring line switch426and two of the three short-circuit wiring lines420provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate423are connected to the antenna circuit416via the short-circuit switch428. In contrast, six shared electrodes418are generated in each electrode substrate414when both the short-circuit wiring lines420provided on the external connection flexible substrate422are connected to the antenna circuit416via the short-circuit wiring line switch426and all three short-circuit lines420provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate423are connected to the antenna circuit416via the short-circuit switch428. By changing the number of shared electrodes418in this way, the strength of the magnetic fields generated in the spaces SP can be adjusted.

Other Embodiments

The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated by the drawings, and embodiments such as those described below are also included within the technical scope of the disclosure.

(1) The electrode among the plurality of electrodes to be set as the shared electrode can be changed as appropriate to an electrode other than that illustrated in each of the embodiments described above.

(2) Each of the embodiments described above deals with an exemplary case where the number of shared electrodes is 4 or 6 (n=2), but the specific number of shared electrodes may be changed as appropriate. Even in this case, the number of shared electrodes (2n) is preferably set to an even number in terms of installing the external connection wiring lines on one flexible substrate (external connection flexible substrate), but this number may be different. That is, the number of shared electrodes may be an odd number (2n+1) greater than or equal to 3. As the number of shared electrodes is changed, the number of short-circuit wires may be changed accordingly.

(3) In Item (2) above, when the number of shared electrodes is an odd number of 3 or more, a configuration is adopted where “When the number of shared electrodes is 2n+1, one external connection wiring line and n short-circuit wiring lines are selectively connected to one end sides of the shared electrodes, and one external connection wiring line and n short-circuit wiring lines are selectively connected to other end sides of the shared electrodes.” In this case, the two external connection wiring lines may be connected to two electrodes (shared electrodes) that are continuously aligned and have little space therebetween, but this need not always be the case.

(4) The specific number of electrodes that overlap the spaces can be changed as appropriate to a number other than that described above in the embodiments. The space may overlap one electrode or may overlap five or more electrodes. Further, the space may be arranged so as to not overlap an electrode.

(5) The first to third embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where the number of first electrodes overlapping a first space and the number of second electrodes overlapping a second space are the same, but the number of first electrodes overlapping the first space and the number of second electrodes overlapping the second space may be different.

(6) The first to third embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where the number of first shared electrodes and the number of second shared electrodes are the same, but the number of first shared electrodes and the number of second shared electrodes may be different.

(7) The embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where the switch is provided on the electrode substrate, but the switch may be provided on an external circuit board (including an external connection flexible substrate or a short-circuit flexible substrate) that is directly or indirectly mounted to the electrode substrate.

(8) The specific planar shape of the pixel electrode can be changed as appropriate to a shape other than that described above in the embodiments. For example, the electrode may be square, rhombic, triangular, circular, or oval.

(9) The embodiments described above deal with an exemplary configuration where the first electrode substrate is layered on the front side of the second electrode substrate, but the layering order may be reversed.

(10) The embodiments described above deal with an exemplary configuration where the outer shape of the touch panel is a long rectangular shape, but the specific outer shape of the touch panel may be changed as appropriate. For example, the outer shape of the touch panel may be rectangular, square, circular, or oval.

(11) In each of the embodiments described above, the electrode is formed by using a mesh metal film formed on the plate surface of an electrode substrate, but the electrode may also be formed by using a transparent electrode film formed on the plate surface of the electrode substrate, for example.

(12) In addition to (11) above, the touch panel may be manufactured by using an imprint technique. Specifically, an imprint layer in a pre-cured state is formed first, a groove is formed on the front face of the imprint layer by pressing a mold against the imprint layer, and then the imprint layer is cured. The formation range of the groove is the same as the formation range of the electrode. Then, an electrode can be formed on the imprint layer provided that the groove is filled with conductive ink having electrical conductivity by using a squeegee or the like.

(13) The first embodiment described above deals with an exemplary case where the short-circuit changeover switch is provided partway along the short-circuit wiring line, but the short-circuit changeover switch may be provided so as to be interposed between the shared electrode and the short-circuit wiring line.

(14) The second and third embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where only the switches and the short-circuit changeover switches connected to the shared electrodes are connected to the antenna circuit during the antenna period. However, all of the switches and short-circuit changeover switches may be switched to be connected to the antenna circuit during the antenna period.

(15) The embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where the detection type of the touch panel pattern in the touch panel is a mutual-capacitance type, but the detection type of the touch panel pattern may be a self-capacitance type.

(16) The embodiments described above deal with an exemplary case where the touch panel is an out-cell panel installed separately from the liquid crystal panel, but the touch panel may be an in-cell panel in which electrodes (touch panel pattern) provided in the touch panel are included in the liquid crystal panel.

(17) The embodiments described above describe an exemplary transmissive liquid crystal display device including a backlight device that is an external light source, but the embodiment may be a reflective liquid crystal display device that performs display by using external light and, in this case, the backlight device may be omitted. Further, a semi-transparent liquid crystal display device may be used.

(18) The embodiments described above illustrate a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel as a display panel, but the embodiment may be an organic EL display device including an organic EL display panel as a display panel. The specific type of the display panel can be changed as appropriate to another type of display panel.

(19) The third and fifth embodiments described above deal with a case where one or two short-circuit wiring lines are provided on the external connection flexible substrate, and two or three short-circuit wiring lines are provided on the short-circuit flexible substrate, respectively. However, it is also possible to provide three or more short-circuit wiring lines in the external connection flexible substrate and provide four or more short-circuit wiring lines on the short-circuit flexible substrate. With this configuration, the range of adjustment related to the number of shared electrodes connected to the antenna circuit can be increased, and the range of adjustment related to the strength of the magnetic field generated in the space can be increased.