Patent Publication Number: US-2012032917-A1

Title: Touch panel, touch panel manufacturing method, and electronic apparatus

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a touch panel, a touch panel manufacturing method and an electronic apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A touch panel which detects touch operation to a touch screen arranged such a way that it covers a display area of a display device as input operation is generally known. 
     A touch panel of a capacitance type has a touch sensor whose capacitance is changed by touch operation. Generally, in a display screen of a display device, an image called an input icon is indicated in a position corresponding to a touch sensor. The input icon functions as an indicator which indicates an operation position. When a user performs touch operation to a part corresponding to the input icon in the touch screen, the touch panel detects the touch operation. That is, the touch panel detects touch operation based on a capacitance change of the touch sensor in the position corresponding to an input icon. Thus, it is general that a detection operation of touch operation by the touch sensor within the display area is performed in conjunction with indication of the input icon. 
     According to such touch panel, it becomes easy for the user to recognize a required operation intuitively. Therefore, comfortable operation feeling is gotten generally. 
     In patent document 1, there is disclosed a touch panel in which a touch sensor (it is described as “switch” in patent document 1) is arranged also in the outside of a display area for the purpose of effective use of a space. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-067134 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by the Invention 
     For example, when an image (an image of a content, for example) is indicated using most of a display area of an electronic apparatus having a touch panel, it will be difficult to reserve an enough display space for indication of an input icon corresponding to a touch sensor. Moreover, in this case, the input icon may disturb of indication of the image. 
     According to an indication setting (such as a size of a letter), a display position of the input icon (in particular, the input icon with a high frequency of use) may vary. Or, the display size of the input icon may become small, and, as a result, it may become difficult to perform touch operation. In these cases, even though the electronic apparatus with a touch panel has the touch panel usefully, it will be difficult to get comfortable operation feeling. 
     Thus, operability of the touch sensor in the display area tends to undergo influence (restrictions) of indication in the display area. The reason is that, as mentioned above, it is general to perform a detection operation of touch operation by the touch sensor in the display area in conjunction with indication of the input icon. 
     On the other hand, in the patent document 1, the electronic apparatus having the touch sensor also outside a display area is disclosed. However, the touch sensor outside the display area in the electronic apparatus described in the patent document 1 is formed by extending the touch sensor of the display area. Therefore, in the electronic apparatus described in the patent document 1, a combination of layouts or a combination of designs of touch sensors inside and outside the display area cannot be diversified. Therefore, there is a problem that product development of a various kinds of an electronic apparatus having a touch panel is difficult to perform. 
     In view of such problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel, a touch panel manufacturing method and an electronic apparatus of a structure capable of effectively using a space outside a display area and capable of diversifying a combination of layouts or a combination of designs of touch sensors inside and outside the display area. 
     Means for Solving the Problem 
     A touch panel of the present invention includes: a touch screen having one face to be touch-operated by a user; a sensor substrate arranged facing an other face of the touch screen; a plurality of touch sensors each having a capacitance changed by the touch operation; the touch screen including a transparent window part arranged in a manner overlapping with a display area and a periphery part located outside the transparent window part and arranged in a manner overlapping with an area outside the display area; the plurality of touch sensors including a first touch sensor arranged in a manner overlapping with the transparent window part, and a second touch sensor arranged in a manner overlapping with the periphery part; the first touch sensor being provided on a face of the sensor substrate in a side of the touch screen integrally with the sensor substrate; and the second touch sensor being formed in a substrate-like or sheet-like member besides the sensor substrate. 
     A touch panel manufacturing method of the present invention includes, in a manufacturing method of a touch panel having a touch screen: a first step of producing a sensor substrate side module via a step for providing a first touch sensor on one face of a sensor substrate in an integrated manner with the sensor substrate; a second step of producing a second touch sensor side module via a step for forming the second touch sensor in a substrate-like or sheet-like member besides the sensor substrate; and a third step for assembling the second touch sensor side module and the sensor substrate side module together in a manner the first touch sensor overlapping with a transparent window part of the touch screen and the second touch sensor overlapping with a periphery part of the touch screen. 
     An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes: a touch panel according to the present invention, and a display device; the transparent window part of the touch panel being arranged in a manner overlapping with a display area of the display device; and the periphery part of the touch panel being arranged in a manner overlapping with an area outside the display area. 
     ADVANTAGE OF INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, it becomes possible to use a space effectively and it is possible to diversify a combination of layouts or a combination of designs of touch sensors inside and outside a display area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
         FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and in which  FIG. 1A  is a diagram seen from the front of a touch screen and  FIG. 1B  is a diagram seen from the back of a sensor substrate. 
         FIG. 2  indicates a structure of an electronic apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and in which  FIG. 3A  is a diagram seen from the front of a touch screen and  FIG. 3B  is a diagram seen from the back of a sensor substrate. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a structure of major portions of a touch panel according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and in which  FIG. 4A  is a sectional view and  FIG. 4B  is a plan view seen from the back of a sensor substrate. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram describing a structure of a first touch sensor, and in which  FIG. 5A  is a plan view and  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view describing a joint structure of a case and a touch screen in an electronic apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram describing detection operation by a first touch sensor. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display of a liquid crystal display device of an electronic apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a structure of a touch panel according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and in which  FIG. 10A  is a plan view in which a touch screen is seen from the back and  FIG. 10B  is a sectional view. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view illustrating a structure of a touch panel according to a modified example of the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and in which  FIG. 12A  is a diagram seen from the back of a sensor substrate and  FIG. 12B  is a diagram in which a sensor substrate is seen from the front. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings. However, such embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Further, in all drawings, a same symbol is assigned to similar components, and description will be omitted appropriately. 
     The First Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 1A  is a plan view of the touch panel  100  seen from the front side of a touch screen  1 .  FIG. 1B  is a plan view of the touch panel  100  seen from the back of a sensor substrate  2 . 
     The touch panel  100  according to this exemplary embodiment includes a touch screen  1 , a sensor substrate  2  and a plurality of touch sensors (a first touch sensor  5  and second touch sensors  6 ). 
     Touch operation is performed to one face  7  of the touch screen  1  by a user. The sensor substrate  2  is arranged so that it faces other face  8  of the touch screen  1 . A capacitance of the touch sensors (the first touch sensor  5  and the second touch sensors  6 ) changes along with touch operation. 
     The touch screen  1  has a transparent window part  3  and a periphery part  4 . The transparent window part  3  is arranged so that it overlaps with a display area mentioned later. The periphery part  4  is arranged such that it is located outside the transparent window part  3  and overlaps with an area outside the display area (hereinafter, referred to as an outside area). A plurality of touch sensors include the first touch sensor  5  and the second touch sensors  6 . The first touch sensor  5  is arranged so that it overlaps with the transparent window part  3 . The first touch sensor  5  is provided on a face of the sensor substrate  2  in the touch screen  1  side in a manner being integral with the sensor substrate  2 . The second touch sensors  6  are arranged so that they overlap with the periphery part  4 . The second touch sensors  6  are formed onto a member of a substrate-like shape or a sheet-like shape (the touch screen  1 , for example) besides the sensor substrate  2 . 
     A touch panel manufacturing method according to this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     A method to produce the touch panel  100  according to this exemplary embodiment includes a first step, a second step and a third step. The first step is a step for producing a sensor substrate side module  20  via a step for providing the first touch sensor  5  on one face of the sensor substrate  2  in an integrated manner with the sensor substrate  2 . The second step is a step for producing a second touch sensor side module (a touch screen side module  30 , for example) via a step for forming the second touch sensors  6  onto the member of the substrate-like shape or the sheet-like shape (the touch screen  1 , for example) besides the sensor substrate  2 . The third step is a step for assembling the second touch sensor side module and the sensor substrate side module  20  together such that the first touch sensor  5  overlaps with the transparent window part  3  of the touch screen  1  and the second touch sensors  6  overlap with the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1 . 
     Next, an example of the respective steps will be described in detail. 
     The first step is a step for producing the sensor substrate side module  20  via a step for providing the first touch sensor  5  on one face of the sensor substrate  2  in a manner integrated with the sensor substrate  2 . In the first step, a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the first touch sensor  5  is different from each other are produced. 
     The second step is a step for producing a second touch sensor side module (the touch screen side module  30 , for example) via a step for forming the second touch sensors  6  onto the member of the substrate-like shape or the sheet-like shape (the touch screen  1 , for example) besides the sensor substrate  2 . In the second step, a plurality of kinds of the second touch sensor side module in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  6  is different from each other are produced. 
     The third step includes a step for selecting a combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the second touch sensor side module. Moreover, a step for assembling sensor substrate side module  20  and the second touch sensor side module together is also included. On this occasion, respective modules are assembled such that one face of the sensor substrate  2  of selected sensor substrate side module  20  faces the other face  8  of a touch screen, and the first touch sensor  5  overlaps with the transparent window part  3  of the touch screen  1 . 
     A structure of an electronic apparatus having the touch panel  100  according to this exemplary embodiment is shown in  FIG. 2 . An electronic apparatus  150  shown in  FIG. 2  includes the touch panel  100  according to this exemplary embodiment and a display device (a liquid crystal display device  50 , for example). The transparent window part  3  of the touch panel  100  is arranged so that it overlaps with the display area of the display device. The periphery part  4  of the touch panel  100  is arranged so that it overlaps with an area outside the display area (the outside area). 
     According to this exemplary embodiment, it becomes possible to use a space effectively and to diversify a combination of layouts or a combination of designs of the touch sensors inside and outside the display area. 
     The Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Next, a touch panel of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel  200  according to this exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 3A  is a plan view of the touch panel  200  seen from the front side of a touch screen  1 .  FIG. 3B  is a plan view of the touch panel  200  seen from the back of a sensor substrate  2 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a structure of major portions of the touch panel  200 .  FIG. 4A  is a sectional view and  FIG. 4B  is a plan view of the back of the sensor substrate  2 .  FIG. 5  is a diagram describing a structure of a first touch sensor  5  arranged so that it overlaps with a display area of a liquid crystal display device  50 .  FIG. 5A  is a plan view and  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view.  FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating a structure of an electronic apparatus  250  according to this exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view describing a joint structure of a case  21  and the touch screen  1  of the electronic apparatus  250 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram describing a detection operation by the first touch sensor  5 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of s screen display of the liquid crystal display device  50  of the electronic apparatus  250 . 
     A structure of the touch panel  200  in this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the touch panel  200  includes the touch screen  1 , the sensor substrate  2  and a plurality of touch sensors (to be described later). Touch operation is performed to one face  7  of the touch screen  1  by a user. The sensor substrate  2  is arranged so that it faces the other face  8  of the touch screen  1 . Capacitances of the plurality of touch sensors change along with touch operation. 
     Further, the touch panel  200  includes a plurality of sensor wirings  10  ( FIG. 4 ), an anisotropic conductive adhesive film (hereinafter, ACF (ACF: Anisotropic Conductive Film))  12 , a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, FPC (FPC: Flexible Printed Circuits))  13  and a touch panel driver  14 . The plurality of sensor wirings  10  are connected to each of the touch sensor separately. Further, in  FIG. 4 , in order to avoid the diagram becoming complex, illustration of the FPC  13  is omitted, and also the ACF  12  is indicated just by its outline of a chain double-dashed line. 
     The touch screen  1  has a transparent window part  3  and a periphery part  4 . The transparent window part  3  is arranged so that it overlaps with a display area R 1  of the liquid crystal display device  50  ( FIG. 4A ) provided in the electronic apparatus  250  mentioned later. The periphery part  4  is arranged so that it overlaps with an area (hereinafter, an outside area R 2 ) outside the display area R 1  in the electronic apparatus  250 . The transparent window part  3  is configured transparently (so that visible light penetrates through). On the other hand, the periphery part  4  is configured to be opaque, for example (so that visible light does not penetrate through). The touch screen  1  is a tabular one made of a transparent material having an insulation property such as glass or transparent resin (acrylic resin, etc.), for example. To the periphery part  4  in the touch screen  1 , a coating which makes the touch screen  1  opaque is given, for example. Meanwhile, the periphery part  4  is formed like a frame which surrounds the periphery of the transparent window part  3 , for example. 
     The sensor substrate  2  is made of glass or a PET (Poly Ethylene Terephthalate) film, for example. 
     The touch sensor includes a first touch sensor  5  and second touch sensors  6 . The first touch sensor  5  is arranged so that it overlaps with the transparent window part  3  of the touch screen  1 . The second touch sensors  6  are arranged so that it overlaps with the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1 . 
     The first touch sensor  5  is provided on the face of the sensor substrate  2  in the touch screen  1  side in an manner integrated with the sensor substrate  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first touch sensor  5  includes a plurality of X axis touch sensors  15 , a plurality of Y axis touch sensors  16  and an insulating layer  17 , for example. The insulating layer  17  is arranged between the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16 . Meanwhile, in  FIG. 5A , in order to avoid the diagram becoming complex, illustration of the insulating layer  17  is omitted. 
     Here, it is supposed that one direction in a plane along the touch screen  1  is an X axial direction. Also, it is supposed that the direction orthogonal to the X axial direction in this plane is a Y axial direction. The X axis touch sensors  15  are ones for detecting an operation position in a X axial direction. As shown in  FIG. 5A , a plurality of X axis touch sensors  15  are arranged in line in the X axial direction such that they extend in the Y axial direction, respectively. On the other hand, the Y axis touch sensors  16  are ones for detecting an operation position in the Y axial direction. As shown in  FIG. 5A , a plurality of Y axis touch sensors  16  are arranged in line in the Y axial direction such that they extend in X axial direction, respectively. 
     Each of the X axis touch sensors  15  includes a plurality of sensor units  15   a  and connecting parts  15   b.  The sensor units  15   a  are formed like a rhombus, respectively, for example. The connecting parts  15   b  connect neighboring sensor units  15   a  with each other. Meanwhile, the sensor units  15   a  located at an end of the X axis touch sensors  15  are formed like a triangle, for example. Respective ends of the X axis touch sensors  15  are located in line. 
     Similarly, each of the Y axis touch sensors  16  is configured including a plurality of sensor units  16   a  and connecting parts  16   b.  The plurality of sensor units  16   a  are formed like a rhombus, respectively, for example. The connecting parts  16   b  connect neighboring sensor units  16   a  with each other. Meanwhile, the sensor units  16   a  located at an end of the X axis touch sensors  16  is formed like a triangle, for example. Respective ends of the X axis touch sensors  16  are located in line. Each of the sensor units  15   a  and each of the sensor units  16   a  are arranged so as not to overlap with each other. Each of the connecting parts  15   b  is arranged such that it intersects (specifically, be orthogonal) with one of the connecting parts  16   b  having a corresponding position with each other. 
     By using the first touch sensor  5  of such structure, it is possible to detect a position of touch operation, based on a combination of the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16  in which a capacitance changes along with the touch operation. 
     The sensor wirings  10  (sensor wirings  10   a ) are connected to each of the X axis touch sensors  15  separately. Similarly, the sensor wirings  10  (the sensor wirings  10   a ) are also connected to each of the Y axis touch sensors  16  separately. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second touch sensors  6  are formed in the other face  8  in the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1 . In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the second touch sensors  6  are made of a metallic film. Moreover, the sensor wirings  10  (sensor wirings  10   b ) are connected to each of the second touch sensors  6  separately. Specifically, the sensor wirings  10   b  are connected to each of the second touch sensors  6  via silver paste  19 , for example. 
     Each of the sensor wirings  10  (the sensor wirings  10   a  and the sensor wirings  10   b ) is formed onto a face  11  of the sensor substrate  2  in the side of the touch screen  1 . 
     These sensor wirings  10  (the sensor wirings  10   a  and the sensor wirings  10   b ) are connected to the FPC  13  via the ACF  12 . In the FPC  13 , the touch panel driver  14  is provided, for example. 
     The touch panel driver  14  inputs a drive signal to each of the X axis touch sensors  15 , each of the Y axis touch sensors  16  and each of the second touch sensors  6  via wirings (not illustrated) in the FPC  13 , wirings (not illustrated) in the ACF  12  and the sensor wirings  10 , respectively. That is, the touch panel driver  14  functions as a drive signal input unit which inputs a drive signal to each touch sensor via each of the sensor wirings  10 . As a drive signal, an AC signal or other pulse signals can be used, for example. 
     Here, in the touch screen  1 , when touch operation of a part corresponding to each touch sensor is performed, a change occurs in the capacitance of the touch sensor corresponding to the part. The touch panel driver  14  monitors a change in the capacitance in each of the X axis touch sensors  15 , each of the Y axis touch sensors  16  and each of the second touch sensors  6 , for example. Then, the touch panel driver  14  determines a position of the touch operation based on the changes in the capacitances of these touch sensors. 
     In the case of this exemplary embodiment, detection of touch operation to a part (a part which overlaps with the display area R 1 ) in the display area R 1  in the touch screen  1 , that is, to the transparent window part  3 , and a positional determination of the touch operation are performed based on a combination of the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16  in which a capacitance has been changed. 
     Here, outline of a detection operation of touch operation to the transparent window part  3  and of a positional determination operation will be described. For example, it is supposed that touch operation has been made to a part A shown in  FIG. 8 . In this case, among the X axis touch sensors  15 , while relatively large capacitance change occurs in an X axis touch sensor  151 , slight capacitance change occurs in an X axis touch sensor  152 . The touch panel driver  14  can recognize an operation position in the X axial direction based on these capacitance changes. That is, it is possible to recognize that the operation position in the X axial direction is between the X axis touch sensor  151  and the X axis touch sensor  152 , and it is a position closer to the X axis touch sensor  151  than the X axis touch sensor  152 . Similarly, the touch panel driver  14  can recognize that the operation position in the Y axial direction is between a Y axis touch sensor  161  and a Y axis touch sensor  162 . In this way, the touch panel driver  14  can perform detection and position determination of touch operation to the part A. Meanwhile, in practice, by performing data processing of a higher degree than the operation described here, for example, it is possible to determine a more detailed operation position (coordinate). 
     On the other hand, detection of touch operation to a part outside the display area R 1  in the touch screen  1  (a part which overlaps with the outside area R 2 ), that is, the periphery part  4  and its positional determination are performed by determining which of the second touch sensors  6  has a capacitance that has been changed. 
     Thus, the touch panel driver  14  also functions as a touch operation determination unit which determines a position of touch operation based on a change in a capacitance in a touch sensor, for example. 
     Here, in order to reduce the power consumption of the touch panel  200 , a period to input a drive signal to each touch sensor may be reduced. 
     Specifically, when a predetermined time passes since touch operation has not been detected any more, for example, the touch panel driver  14  stops input of a drive signal to the first touch sensor  5  (the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16 ) in the display area R 1 . Then, a drive signal is inputted to only the second touch sensors  6  of the outside area R 2 . In this state, when touch operation to the second touch sensors  6  of the outside area R 2  is detected, the touch panel driver  14  resumes input of a drive signal to each of the touch sensors  15  and  16  in the display area R 1 . By such an operation, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the touch panel  200 . 
     As above, the touch panel driver  14  functions as an in-use state determination unit which determines whether the touch panel  200  is in the in-use state or not based on presence or absence of touch operation. Also, the touch panel driver  14  also functions as a drive signal input suspension unit that suspends, when being determined that the touch panel  200  is not in the in-use state by the in-use state determination unit, input of a drive signal to the first touch sensor  5 . Moreover, when being determined that the touch panel  200  is in the in-use state by the in-use state determination unit in the state that input of a drive signal to the first touch sensor  5  is being suspended, the touch panel driver  14  also functions as a drive signal input resumption unit that makes input of a drive signal to the first touch sensor  5  be resumed. 
     In the state that a drive signal is inputted only to the second touch sensors  6  of the outside area R 2 , the touch panel driver  14  may make this drive signal be turned on/off intermittently (every several milliseconds, for example). That is, an input period (several milliseconds, for example) of a drive signal to the second touch sensors  6  and an input suspension period (several milliseconds, for example) of a drive signal to the second touch sensors  6  may be repeated. By thus doing, it is possible to further reduce the power consumption. 
     Thus, the touch panel driver  14  also functions as a drive signal input mode switch unit which changes, when being determined that the touch panel  200  is not in the in-use state by the in-use state determination unit, an input mode of a drive signal to the second touch sensors  6 . As a result, a period for inputting a drive signal to the second touch sensors  6  and a period for not inputting it are repeated. Meanwhile, when an input suspension period is about several milliseconds, although a user may feel a slight delay in the response speed of touch operation, the second touch sensors  6  can be used without a trouble. 
     When touch operation is detected, the touch panel driver  14  outputs a result of the detection (information to the effect that the detection has been made, and information indicating a detection position). In the case of this exemplary embodiment, the touch panel driver  14  outputs a detection result to a control unit  40  mentioned later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the electronic apparatus  250  according to this exemplary embodiment includes the touch panel  200  according to this exemplary embodiment, a control unit  40  and the liquid crystal display device  50  as a suitable example of a display device. Besides, the electronic apparatus  250  may include a camera  60 , a communication unit  70 , a memory unit  80  and a speaker  90 , for example. The camera  60  performs an image-taking operation. The communication unit  70  performs communication (a telephone call, web communication and sending and receiving an e-mail, etc.) with the outside of the electronic apparatus  250 . The memory unit  80  stores various kinds of data and application programs. The speaker  90  performs a sound making operation. 
     The control unit  40  performs operation control of the touch panel  200 , the liquid crystal display device  50 , the camera  60 , the memory unit  80  and the speaker  90 . 
     The touch panel driver  14  of the touch panel  200  outputs a drive signal to each touch sensor under the control of the control unit  40 . Moreover, a detection result of touch operation is inputted from the touch panel driver  14  to the control unit  40 . The operation control which the control unit  40  performs includes operation control according to this detection result. 
     The liquid crystal display device  50  performs various display operations in the display area R 1  of the liquid crystal display device  50  under control of the control unit  40 . Here, indication which the liquid crystal display device  50  performs includes indication of input icons  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  as shown in  FIG. 9 , for example. When a user performs touch operation to a part corresponding to these input icons  31 - 34  in the touch screen  1 , the capacitances of the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16  in the position corresponding to each of the input icons  31 - 34  changes. 
     Further, input indicators  41  and  42  are formed on the front face of the touch screen  1  as shown in  FIG. 9 , for example. In the touch screen  1 , the above-mentioned second touch sensors  6  are formed respectively in the back of these input indicators  41  and  42 . When the user performs touch operation of the parts corresponding to these input indicators  41  and  42  in the touch screen  1 , the capacitances of the second touch sensors  6  in the positions corresponding to each of the input indicators  41  and  42  changes. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, the second touch sensors  6  corresponds to operation with a high frequency of use such as “HOME”, “RETURN” and the like. When operation of “RETURN” is performed, an operation screen to be indicated on the display area R 1  returns to the previous screen. When operation of “HOME” is performed, the operation screen returns to the initial screen (the screen shown in  FIG. 9 , for example). 
     Here, by the sensor substrate  2 , the first touch sensor  5  (the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16 ) and each of the sensor wirings  10  (the sensor wirings  10   a  and the sensor wirings  10   b ), the sensor substrate side module  20  is constituted. By the touch screen  1  and the second touch sensors  6 , the touch screen side module  30  is constituted. As shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 7 , these sensor substrate side module  20  and touch screen side module  30  are bonded together via adhesive material  18  or resin (not illustrated). 
     As shown in  FIG. 7A  or  FIG. 7B , the electronic apparatus  250  may further include a case  21 . In the structure of  FIG. 7A , the touch, screen  1  (then, the touch screen side module  30 ) is bonded to the case  21  via adhesive material  22 , for example. The sensor substrate side module  20  is made hang in the air via the touch screen side module  30 . 
     On the other hand, in the structure of the  FIG. 7B , both of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  are bonded to the case  21 . Meanwhile, the face  8  in the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1  can be bonded with the case  21  via the adhesive material  22 . Therefore, an adhesion portion between the touch screen  1  and the case  21  can also be made function as a touch sensor  6  by making it such structure. 
     Next, a touch panel manufacturing method according to this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     First, the first step that produces the sensor substrate side module  20  and the second step that produces the touch screen side module  30  are performed respectively. 
     In the first step, the sensor wirings  10  are formed onto the face  11  of the sensor substrate  2  in the touch screen  1  side. The first touch sensor  5  is provided in this face  11 . The sensor substrate side module  20  is produced via these steps. Meanwhile, in the first step, a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the first touch sensor  5  is different from each other are produced. A layout of the first touch sensor  5  means the number of and arrangement of the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16 , for example. A design of the first touch sensor  5  means the shape of the X axis touch sensors  15  and the Y axis touch sensors  16  (the shape of the sensor units  15   a  and  16   a,  and the shape of the connecting parts  15   b  and  16   b ), for example. 
     In the second step, the input indicators  41  and  42  are formed in the one face  7  of the touch screen  1  in the periphery part  4 . Also, the second touch sensors  6  are formed in the other face  8  in the periphery part  4 . The touch screen side module  30  is produced through these steps. Meanwhile, in the second step, a plurality of kinds of touch screen side module  30  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  6  is different from each other are produced. A layout of the second touch sensors  6  means the number and the arrangement of the second touch sensors  6 , for example. A design of the second touch sensors  6  means a shape of the second touch sensors  6  and a shape of the input indicators  41  and  42 , for example. 
     Next, the third step is performed. In the third step, first, a combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and touch screen side module  30  is selected. That is, any one among a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  produced in the first step is selected, and any one among a plurality of kinds of the touch screen side module  30  produced in the second step is selected. The sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  are assembled together such that the face  11  faces the face  8  and the first touch sensor  5  overlaps with the transparent window part  3  of the touch screen. Meanwhile, the face  11  is one face of the sensor substrate  2  of the selected sensor substrate side module  20 . The face  8  is the other face of the touch screen  1  of the selected touch screen side module  30 . 
     That is, in the third step, the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  are bonded together by the adhesive material  18 . Moreover, the sensor wirings  10   b  and the second touch sensors  6  are connected mutually via silver paste  19 . 
     Further, the ACF  12  is connected to each of the sensor wirings  10 , and the FPC  13  is connected to this ACF  12 . As a result, the touch panel driver  14  provided in the FPC  13  can be connected to each touch sensor (each of the X axis touch sensors  15 , each of the Y axis touch sensors  16  and each of the second touch sensors  6 ) via the FPC  13 , the ACF  12  and each of the sensor wirings  10 . 
     In this way, it is possible to produce the touch panel  200 . 
     As above, the touch screen  1  of the touch panel  200  in this exemplary embodiment has the transparent window part  3  and the periphery part  4 . The transparent window part  3  is arranged so that it overlaps with the display area R 1  of the electronic apparatus  250  in which the touch panel  200  is provided. The periphery part  4  is arranged so that it is located outside the transparent window part  3  and overlaps with an area (the outside area R 2 ) outside the display area R 1 . Also, a plurality of touch sensors include the first touch sensor  5  and the second touch sensors  6 . The first touch sensor  5  is arranged so that it overlaps with the transparent window part  3 . The second touch sensors  6  are arranged so that they overlap with the periphery part  4 . 
     By having a structure described above, in the display area R 1 , the first touch sensor  5  can detect touch operation as input operation. Also, in the outside of the display area R 1 , the second touch sensors  6  can detect touch operation as input operation. Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively use space of the electronic apparatus  250  in which the touch panel  200  is provided. 
     A metallic film as the second touch sensors  6  is formed onto the face  8  that is the back of the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1 . Therefore, the adhesion portion of the touch screen  1  and the case  21  can also be made function as the touch sensors  6 . 
     While the first touch sensor  5  is provided in a manner being integral with the sensor substrate  2 , the second touch sensors  6  are formed in the touch screen  1 . Therefore, after producing the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  separately, the touch panel  200  can be produced through a step for assembling the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  together. Meanwhile, the sensor substrate side module  20  includes the sensor substrate  2  and the first touch sensor  5 . The touch screen side module  30  includes the touch screen  1  and the second touch sensors  6 . 
     By taking such structure, while producing a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the first touch sensor  5  is different from each other, a plurality of kinds of the touch screen side module  30  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  6  is different from each other can be produced. A combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen side module  30  can be selected arbitrarily. Therefore, it is possible to diversify a combination of a layout of or a combination of a design of touch sensors inside and outside the display area R 1 . As a result, it becomes easy to perform product development of a various kinds of the electronic apparatus  250  having the touch panel  200 . 
     The Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a structure of a touch panel  300  according to the third exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 10A  is a plan view of a touch screen side module  30  seen from the back of a touch screen  1 .  FIG. 10B  is a sectional view of the touch panel  300 . 
     The touch panel  300  according to this exemplary embodiment has a second touch sensor  51  made of a printed area containing metal, instead of the second touch sensors  6  made of a metallic film. That is, in the face  8  of the touch screen  1 , the second touch sensor  51  made of a conductive printed area containing metal is formed around the transparent window part  3  (in other words, in the periphery part  4 ), for example. The layout and the design of the second touch sensor  51  are arbitrary. In  FIG. 10 , an example in which the second touch sensor  51  is formed on almost all over the surface of the periphery part  4  is illustrated. Accordingly, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, although illustration is omitted, one input indicator should be formed instead of the input indicators  41  and  42 . On this occasion, this input indicator should be formed onto the face  7  of the touch screen such that it circles round the transparent window part  3 . 
     An insulating layer  52  is formed between the second touch sensor  51  and the first touch sensor  5 . Moreover, the second touch sensor  51  is connected with sensor wirings  10  (sensor wirings  10   b ) via silver paste  19 . Meanwhile, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, each of sensor wirings  10   a  (not illustrated in  FIG. 10 ) is connected to X axis touch sensors  15  and Y axis touch sensors  16  of which a first touch sensor  5  is composed. 
     Next, a touch panel manufacturing method in this exemplary embodiment will be described. In this exemplary embodiment, it is different from the second exemplary embodiment in a point that the second touch sensor  51  and an input indicator (not illustrated) are formed instead of the second touch sensors  6  and the input indicators  41  and  42 . Also, it is different from the second exemplary embodiment in a point that the insulating layer  52  is formed between the second touch sensor  51  and the first touch sensor  5 . Other steps are the same as those of the above-mentioned second exemplary embodiment. 
     Also in this exemplary embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the above-mentioned first and second exemplary embodiments. 
     Meanwhile, a printed area of which the second touch sensor  51  is composed may have decorativeness (it is colored, for example). In this case, this printed area may be able to be seen through from the front side (the face  7  side) of the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1  via the periphery part  4 . By adopting such structure, the second touch sensor  51  can be used also as a decoration member. Therefore, it is possible to improve the decorativeness of the touch panel  300 , and eventually an electronic apparatus having this touch panel  300 . 
     Modification of the Third Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 11  is a sectional view illustrating a structure of a touch screen side module  30  of a touch panel according to a modification of the third exemplary embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , on a face  8  of a touch screen  1  of this modification, a clear metal layer  55  of an electrical conductivity is formed (formed by coating, for example) onto all over an area surrounding a transparent window part  3  (a periphery part  4 ). In this clear metal layer  55 , an opening  55   a  is formed in a position corresponding to a second touch sensor  62 . Moreover, an insulating layer  56  is formed on this clear metal layer  55 . Further, a printed area  61  containing metal is formed on the insulating layer  56 . In the printed area  61 , a part corresponding to the opening  55   a  functions as a second touch sensor  62 . Meanwhile, sensor wirings  10   b  (not illustrated) are connected to this second touch sensor  62 . 
     In a face  7  of the touch screen  1 , when an operator touch a part except for the part corresponding to the opening  55   a  using a finger, it does not have an influence on the capacitance of the second touch sensor  62  because capacity coupling with the clear metal layer  55  is caused. On the other hand, in the face  7  of the touch screen  1 , when touch operation is made to a part corresponding to the opening  55   a,  the capacitance of the second touch sensor  62  changes. Therefore, the touch operation can be detected. 
     Also by this modification, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the third exemplary embodiment. 
     The Fourth Exemplary Embodiment 
       FIG. 12  is a plan view illustrating a structure of a touch panel  400  according to the fourth exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 12A  is a diagram in which the touch panel  400  is seen from the back of a sensor substrate  2 .  FIG. 12B  is a diagram in which the sensor substrate  2  of the touch panel  400  is seen from the front side. Meanwhile, a structure of electronic apparatus  250  is the same as that of the second exemplary embodiment. 
     In the case of this exemplary embodiment, second touch sensors  63  are formed onto a face of an ACF  12  in a touch screen  1  side, for example. These second touch sensors  63  are made of a metallic film, for example. 
     The ACF  12  has an area expansion part  12   a,  the area of which has been expanded in order to form the second touch sensors  63 , for example. The second touch sensors  63  are formed onto this area expansion part  12   a.    
     Meanwhile, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, a touch panel driver  14  is provided in the ACF  12 , for example. 
     Moreover, the ACF  12  has sensor wirings  10   b  that connect each of the second touch sensors  63  and the touch panel driver  14  mutually. 
     Here, the ACF  12 , the second touch sensors  63  and the touch panel driver  14  constitute an anisotropic conductive adhesive film module (ACF module)  310 . Only the FPC  13  constitutes a flexible printed circuit board module (FPC module)  320 , for example. 
     Next, a touch panel manufacturing method in the case of this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     First, the first step that produces a sensor substrate side module  20  and the second step that produces an ACF module  310  and a FPC module  320  are performed respectively. 
     In the first step, sensor wirings  10  are formed onto the face  11  of the sensor substrate  2  in the touch screen  1  side just like each of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. The sensor substrate side module  20  is produced via a step for providing the first touch sensor  5  on this face  11 . Moreover, a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of a first touch sensor  5  is different from each other are produced. 
     In the second step, in the case of this exemplary embodiment, the second touch sensors  63  made of a metallic film are formed onto a face of the ACF  12  having the area expansion part  12   a  in the touch screen  1  side. Then, the ACF module  310  is produced via a step for providing the touch panel driver  14  in this ACF  12 . Here, in the second step, a plurality of kinds of the ACF module  310  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  63  is different from each other are produced. A layout of the second touch sensors  63  means the number and arrangement of the second touch sensors  63 , for example. A design of the second touch sensors  63  means a shape of the second touch sensors  63  and a shape of the input indicators  41  and  42 , for example. Meanwhile, according to this exemplary embodiment, the FPC module  320  is constituted by only the FPC  13 , for example. Therefore, when the FPC  13  is produced, there is no need in particular for a step for producing the FPC module  320 . 
     Next, the third step is performed. In the third step, first, a combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the ACF module  310  is selected. That is, any one among a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  produced in the first step is selected, and any one among a plurality of kinds of the ACF module  310  produced in the second step is selected. Then, the sensor substrate side module  20 , the ACF module  310 , the FPC module  320  and the touch screen  1  are assembled together. On this occasion, each module and the touch screen  1  are assembled such that the face  11  faces the face  8 , the first touch sensor  5  overlaps with the transparent window part  3  of the touch screen  1 , and the second touch sensors  63  overlaps with the periphery part  4  of the touch screen  1 . Meanwhile, the face  11  is one face of the sensor substrate  2  of the selected sensor substrate side module  20 . The face  8  is a face of the touch screen  1  opposite of the face  7 . 
     Meanwhile, the sensor substrate side module  20  and the touch screen  1  are bonded together by adhesive material  18 . Moreover, the ACF  12  is connected to each of the sensor wirings  10   a , and, further, the FPC  13  is connected to this ACF  12 . 
     In this way, the touch panel  400  can be produced. 
     According to the fourth exemplary embodiment mentioned above, the touch screen  1  of the touch panel  400  has the transparent window part  3  and the periphery part  4 . The transparent window part  3  is arranged so that it overlaps with the display area R 1  of the electronic apparatus  250  including the touch panel  400 . The periphery part  4  is arranged so that it is located outside the transparent window part  3  and overlaps with an area (the outside area R 2 ) outside the display area R 1 . Also, a plurality of touch sensors includes the first touch sensor  5  and the second touch sensors  63 . The first touch sensor  5  is arranged so that it overlaps with the transparent window part  3 . The second touch sensors  63  is arranged so that it overlaps with the periphery part  4 . 
     By a structure described above, in the display area R 1 , it is possible to detect touch operation as input operation by the first touch sensor  5 . On the other hand, outside the display area R 1 , it is possible to detect touch operation as input operation by the second touch sensors  63 . Therefore, it becomes possible to effectively use space of the electronic apparatus  250  to which the touch panel  400  is provided. 
     While the first touch sensor  5  is provided integrally with the sensor substrate  2 , the second touch sensors  63  are formed onto the ACF  12 . 
     Therefore, after producing the sensor substrate side module  20  and the ACF module  310  separately, the touch panel  400  can be produced via a step for assembling the produced sensor substrate side module  20  and the ACF module  310  together. The sensor substrate side module  20  includes the sensor substrate  2  and the first touch sensor  5 . The ACF module  310  includes the ACF  12  and the second touch sensors  63 . 
     For this reason, while producing a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the first touch sensor  5  is different from each other, a plurality of kinds of the ACF module  310  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  63  is different from each other can be produced. Also, a combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the ACF module  310  can be selected arbitrary. Therefore, it is possible to diversify a combination of a layout of or a combination of a design of the touch sensors inside and outside the display area R 1 . As a result, it becomes easy to perform product development of the various kinds of the electronic apparatus  250  having the touch panel  400 . 
     Further, although, according to the fourth exemplary embodiment, an example in which the second touch sensors  63  is formed onto the ACF  12  has been described, it is not limited to this. That is, the second touch sensors  63  may be formed onto the FPC  13  (for example, it may be formed onto an area expansion part formed in the FPC  13 ). Or, the second touch sensors  63  may be formed in both of the ACF  12  and the FPC  13  respectively. When the second touch sensors  63  are formed in the FPC  13  (or, also into the FPC  13 ), it is possible to diversify a combination of a layout or a combination of a design of the touch sensors inside and outside the display area R 1 . 
     That is, while producing a plurality of kinds of the sensor substrate side module  20  in which at least one of a layout and a design of the first touch sensor  5  is different from each other, a plurality of kinds of the FPC module  320  (and the ACF module  310 ) in which at least one of a layout and a design of the second touch sensors  63  is different from each other are produced. A combination of the sensor substrate side module  20  and the FPC module  320  (and the ACF module  310 ) is selected arbitrary. As a result, it is possible to diversify a combination of a layout or a combination of a design of the touch sensors inside and outside the display area R 1 . Therefore, it becomes easy to perform product development of the various kinds of the electronic apparatus  250  having the touch panel  400 . 
     According to each of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments, although an example in which the touch panel driver  14  performs a determination operation of the touch sensor to which a change in the capacitance has been caused has been described, it is not limited to this. That is, the control unit  40  may perform such determination operation. In this case, the touch panel driver  14  may output a detection result of a change in the capacitance in each touch sensor to the control unit  40 . The control unit  40  may perform a determination operation of the touch sensor (and a combination of touch sensors) to which a capacitance has been caused based on a detection result inputted from the touch panel driver  14 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments. Various modifications which a person skilled in the art can understand can be made to the composition and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. 
     This application claims priority based on Japanese application Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-109922 filed on Apr. 28, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 
     
         
           1  Touch screen 
           2  Sensor substrate 
           3  Transparent window part 
           4  Periphery part 
           5  First touch sensor 
           6  Second touch sensor 
           7  Face 
           8  Face 
           10  Sensor wiring 
           10   a  Sensor wiring (first sensor wiring) 
           10   b  Sensor wiring (second sensor wiring) 
           11  Face 
           12  Anisotropic conductive adhesive film (ACF) 
           12   a  Area expansion part 
           13  Flexible printed circuit board (FPC) 
           14  Touch panel driver 
           15  X axis touch sensor 
           15   a  Sensor unit 
           15   b  Connecting part 
           16  Y axis touch sensor 
           16   a  Sensor unit 
           16   b  Connecting part 
           17  Insulating layer 
           18  Adhesive material 
           19  Silver paste 
           20  Sensor substrate side module 
           21  Case 
           22  Adhesive material 
           30  Touch screen side module 
           31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34  Input icon 
           40  Control unit 
           41 ,  42  Input indicator 
           50  Liquid crystal display device 
           51  Second touch sensor 
           52  Insulating layer 
           55  Clear metal layer 
           55   a  Opening 
           56  Insulating layer 
           60  Camera 
           61  Printed area 
           62  Second touch sensor 
           63  Second touch sensor 
           70  Communication unit 
           80  Memory unit 
           90  Speaker 
           100  Touch panel 
           150  Electronic apparatus 
           151  X axis touch sensor 
           152  X axis touch sensor 
           161  Y axis touch sensor 
           162  Y axis touch sensor 
           200  Touch panel 
           250  Electronic apparatus 
           300  Touch panel 
           310  ACF module (anisotropic conductive adhesive film module) 
           320  FPC module (flexible printed circuit board module) 
           400  Touch panel 
         A Part 
         R 1  Display area 
         R 2  Outside area