Patent Publication Number: US-2011069036-A1

Title: Display device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP 2009-216798 filed on Sep. 18, 2009, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an input device which inputs coordinates by touching a screen and a display device including the input device, and in particular, the invention is suitable for increasing coordinate detection accuracy in a display device having a capacitive touch panel. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Display devices including a device (hereinafter also referred to as a touch sensor or a touch panel) which inputs information by a touch operation (contacting and pressing operation; hereinafter simply referred to as touch) on a display screen using a user&#39;s finger, a pen, or the like are used for mobile electronic apparatuses such as PDAs or portable terminals, various household electrical appliances, and automated teller machines. As such a touch panel, a resistive film system which detects a change in the resistance value of a touched portion, a capacitive system which detects a capacitance change, an optical sensor system which detects a change in the amount of light, and the like have been known. 
     The capacitive system has the following advantages when compared to the resistive film system or the optical sensor system. For example, the resistive film system or the optical sensor system has a low transmittance ratio of around 80%, whereas the capacitive system has a high transmittance ratio of about 90%. Therefore, it has an advantage in not decreasing display quality. Moreover, the resistive film system has a risk of degrading or damaging a resistive film because a touch position is detected by a mechanical contact of the resistive film, whereas the capacitive system has no mechanical contact such as a contact of a detecting electrode with another electrode. Therefore, it has another advantage in terms of durability. 
     As a capacitive touch panel, for example, there is such a system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,860. In the disclosed system, detecting electrodes (X-electrodes) in the vertical direction and detecting electrodes (Y-electrodes) in the horizontal direction arranged in a vertical and horizontal, two-dimensional matrix are disposed, and the capacitance of each of the electrodes is detected by an input processing unit. When a conductor such as a finger contacts the surface of the touch panel, the capacitance of each of the electrodes increases. Therefore, the increase is detected by the input processing unit, and input coordinates are calculated based on a signal of the capacitance change detected in each of the electrodes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, since the capacitive touch panel detects input coordinates by detecting the capacitance change of each of the detecting electrodes as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,860, a material is used as input means on the premise that it has conductivity. Therefore, when a resin-made stylus or the like having no conductivity used in the resistive film system and the like is brought into contact with the capacitive touch panel, the capacitance change of the electrode hardly occurs, and therefore, a problem results in that input coordinates cannot be detected. 
     Moreover, in the use of the capacitive touch panel where a resin-made stylus or the like contacts simultaneously at two points, since two X-coordinates and two Y-coordinates are detected, four coordinates are conceivable as potential contact points, which makes it difficult to detect the simultaneously contacted two points. Further, when coping with input means with a small contact surface, there is a need for a method of detecting coordinates with good accuracy without increasing the number of electrodes. 
     The invention has been made for solving the problems in the related art, and it is an object of the invention to provide a technique which enables, in a display device including a capacitive coupling touch panel, reaction to touch with nonconductive input means, realization of highly accurate position detection with a small number of electrodes even with a small touch area, and detection of coordinates with good accuracy when contacted simultaneously at two points. 
     The above and other objects, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the description in the specification and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic configuration view of a display device including an input device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic plan view of electrodes of the display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrodes of the display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic circuit diagram of the electrodes of the display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic plan view showing detected intensities of the electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic plan view showing detected intensities of the electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic configuration view showing a method for manufacturing a sealing material of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic plan view showing a screen plate of the sealing material of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic plan view showing the sealing material of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic plan view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic plan view of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic plan view showing detected intensities of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic plan view showing detected intensities of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic plan view showing detected intensities of an electrode portion of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic circuit diagram showing a detection circuit of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic circuit diagram of the detection circuit of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 28  is a timing diagram showing operation of the detection circuit of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic view showing the operation of the detection circuit of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic view showing the operation of the detection circuit of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic plan view of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic plan view of the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 35  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 36  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 37  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 38  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 39  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 40  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 41  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 42  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 43  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 45  is a schematic plan view of an input device according to a modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 46  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 47  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 48  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 49  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 50  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 51  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the method for manufacturing the input device according to the modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 52  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an input device according to a modified example of the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 53  is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 54  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the liquid crystal display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 55  is a schematic plan view showing a liquid crystal display panel according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 56  is a schematic perspective view showing a front face panel according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 57  is a schematic plan view showing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 58  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 59  is a schematic plan view showing the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 60  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a liquid crystal display device including the input device according to the embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical outline of the invention disclosed herein will be briefly described below. 
     In the invention, for solving the above problems, a capacitive touch panel including a plurality of X-electrodes, a plurality of Y-electrodes, and a Z-electrode overlapping both the X-electrode and the Y-electrode is used. In the capacitive touch panel, the X-electrode and the Y-electrode intersect with each other via a first insulating layer; each of the X-electrode and the Y-electrode is formed such that pad portions and fine line portions are alternately arranged in its extending direction; and the pad portion of the X-electrode and the pad portion of the Y-electrode are arranged so as not to overlap each other as viewed in plan. 
     The Z-electrode is formed so as to overlap, via a second insulating layer, both the X-electrode and the Y-electrode neighboring to each other as viewed in plan. A spacer is disposed between the Z-electrode, and the X-electrode and the Y-electrode, and the Z-electrode is arranged with a constant gap relative to both the X-electrode and the Y-electrode. The Z-electrode is formed of a flexible conductive layer, and a transparent elastic layer is stacked on the Z-electrode. The Z-electrode and the transparent elastic layer elastically deform by touch, so that the gap between both the X-electrode and the Y-electrode and the Z-electrode changes. Therefore, the combined capacitance value between the X-electrode and the Y-electrode can be changed via the Z-electrode. 
     Further, in the vicinity of the spacer, the Z-electrode and the transparent elastic layer sag around the spacer by pressing, so that the gap between both the X-electrode and the Y-electrode and the Z-electrode changes. 
     The pad portion of the X-electrode extends to the vicinity of a fine line portion of an X-electrode neighboring to the relevant X-electrode. As viewed in plan, the relevant X-electrode has a shape in the pad portion such that an area is minimized in the vicinity of the fine line portion of the neighboring X-electrode and maximized in the vicinity of the fine line portion of the relevant X-electrode, and that the area of the relevant pad portion decreases from the vicinity of the fine line portion of the relevant X-electrode toward the vicinity of the fine line portion of the neighboring X-electrode. Thus, even when the electrode gap of the X-electrodes is wide compared to a contact surface in the touch operation, the touch coordinate position can be calculated based on the ratio of detected capacitive components of the X-electrodes neighboring to each other, which enables highly accurate position detection with a small number of electrodes. Moreover, one of the X-electrode and the Y-electrode are sequentially applied with a signal, and a change in the signal is detected in the other electrode, so that it is previously determined to which of the electrodes the signal has been applied, making it possible to improve detection accuracy when contacted simultaneously at two points in the capacitive touch panel. 
     A typical advantage obtained by the invention disclosed herein will be briefly described below. 
     According to the embodiment of the invention, in a display device including a capacitive coupling touch panel, it is possible to react to touch with nonconductive input means, to realize highly accurate position detection with a small number of electrodes even with a small touch area, and to detect coordinates with good accuracy even when contacted simultaneously at two points. 
     Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
     Throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, constituents having the same function are denoted by the same reference numeral and sign, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted. 
       FIG. 1  shows the configuration of an input device (touch panel) of the embodiment of the invention and a display device including the input device. In  FIG. 1 , reference numeral  400  denotes the touch panel of the embodiment. The touch panel  400  has X-electrodes XP and Y-electrodes YP both for capacitance detection. In this case for example, four X-electrodes (from XP 1  to XP 4 ) and four Y-electrodes (from YP 1  to YP 4 ) are illustrated, but the number of electrodes is not limited to this. 
     The touch panel  400  is disposed at the front of the display device  600 . Accordingly, when a user sees an image displayed on the display device  600 , the display image needs to transmit through the touch panel  400 . Therefore, the touch panel  400  has desirably high light transmittance ratio. 
     The X-electrodes and Y-electrodes of the touch panel  400  are connected to a capacitance detecting unit  102  with detecting wiring lines  201 . The capacitance detecting unit  102  is controlled by a detection control signal  202  output from a control operation unit  103 , detects the capacitance of each of the electrodes (X-electrodes and Y-electrodes) included in the touch panel, and outputs a capacitance detection signal  203  which changes depending on the capacitance value of each of the electrodes to the control operation unit  103 . 
     The control operation unit  103  calculates the signal component of each of the electrodes based on the capacitance detection signal  203  of each of the electrodes and obtains input coordinates by carrying out an operation based on the signal component of each of the electrodes. The control operation unit  103  transfers the input coordinates to a system control unit  104  using an I/F signal  204 . 
     When the input coordinates are transferred from the touch panel  400  by touch operation, the system control unit  104  generates a display image according to the touch operation and transfers the display image to a display control circuit  105  as a display control signal  205 . 
     The display control circuit  105  generates a display signal  206  according to the display image transferred by the display control signal  205  and displays the image on the display device  600 . 
     Next, the electrodes for capacitance detection disposed in the touch panel  400  of the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing the electrode pattern of the X-electrodes XP and Y-electrodes YP for capacitance detection and a Z-electrode ZP of the touch panel  400 . For example, the X-electrodes XP are connected to the capacitance detecting unit  102  with the detecting wiring lines  201 . On the other hand, a pulse signal at a predetermined timing with a predetermined voltage is applied to the Y-electrode YP with the detecting wiring lines  201  in a fixed period. The Z-electrode ZP is not electrically connected and in a floating state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the Y-electrode YP extends in the horizontal direction (X-direction in the drawing) of the touch panel  400 , and the plurality of Y-electrodes YP are arranged in the vertical direction (Y-direction in the drawing). At an intersecting portion of the Y-electrode YP and the X-electrode XP, the electrode width of each of the Y-electrode YP and the X-electrode XP is reduced for decreasing the intersection capacitance of the electrodes. This portion is called a fine line portion  327 . Accordingly, the Y-electrode YP has a shape such that the fine line portions  327  and electrode portions (hereinafter called pad portions or individual electrodes)  328 Y each interposed between the fine line portions  327  are alternately arranged in its extending direction. 
     The X-electrode XP is arranged between the Y-electrodes YP neighboring to each other. The X-electrode XP extends in the vertical direction of the touch panel  400 , and the plurality of X-electrodes XP are arranged in the horizontal direction. Similarly to the Y-electrode YP, the X-electrode XP has a shape such that the fine line portions  327  and pad portions  328 X are alternately arranged in its extending direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP has a diamond shape. For describing the shape of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP, it is assumed that the wiring position (or the fine line portion  327  of the X-electrode XP) for connecting the X-electrode XP to the detecting wiring line is the center of the X-electrode XP in the horizontal direction. The pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP has an electrode shape such that an area decreases as the pad portion approaches the center of another X-electrode XP neighboring thereto and that the area increases closer to the center of the relevant X-electrode XP. 
     Therefore, when considering the area of the X-electrode XP between two neighboring X-electrodes XP, for example, between the X-electrodes XP 1  and XP 2 , the electrode area (electrode width) of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP 1  is maximized in the vicinity of the center of the X-electrode XP 1 , and the electrode area (electrode width) of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP 2  is minimized. On the other hand, the electrode area (electrode width) of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP 1  is minimized in the vicinity of the center of the X-electrode XP 2 , and the electrode area (electrode width) of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP 2  is maximized. In this case, the shape of the pad portion  328 X between the two neighboring X-electrodes XP has a feature in that the shape is convex toward the neighboring X-electrode XP. 
     In  FIG. 2 , although the X-electrode XP is convex toward the right and left sides, the shape of the X-electrode XP is not limited to this. For example, the electrode shape on the left side of the pad portion  328 X of the X-electrode XP may be convex, and the electrode shape on the right side may be concave; the electrode shape on the right side of the X-electrode XP may be convex, and the electrode shape on the left side may be concave; and the electrode shape of the X-electrode XP may be convex on the right and left sides, and the electrode shape of the neighboring X-electrode XP may be concave. The Z-electrode ZP is arranged so as to overlap the Y-electrode YP and the X-electrode XP. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the Z-electrode ZP and spacers  800  are shown. The spacers  800  are formed for maintaining the gap between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP, and the Z-electrode ZP. The Z-electrode ZP and the spacer  800  will be described in detail later. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross sectional structure along the cutting line A-A′ of  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 2  and the cross-sectional view shown in  FIG. 3 , only layers necessary for describing touch panel operation are shown. 
     In a capacitive touch panel, a change in capacitance value generated between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP is detected, and conventionally, an XY-electrode substrate  405  on the lower side of the drawing suffices. In the embodiment, however, a Z-electrode substrate  412  on the upper side of the drawing is newly disposed for improving the detection accuracy in the touch panel  400 . 
     The electrodes of the XY-electrode substrate  405  of the touch panel  400  are formed on a first transparent substrate  5 . The X-electrodes XP are first formed at portions closer to the first transparent substrate  5 , and a first insulating film  16  for insulation between the X-electrode and the Y-electrode is next formed. Next, the Y-electrodes YP are formed. In this case, the order of the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode may be reversed. A second insulating film  19  is formed on the Y-electrodes YP so as to cover the Y-electrodes YP and the first insulating film  16 . 
     As described above, the spacers  800  are disposed between the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412  to maintain the gap between the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412 . At the vicinity of the peripheries of the substrates, a sealing material (not shown) is disposed in a frame shape to fix the XY-electrode substrate  405  with the Z-electrode substrate  412 . Moreover, a sensing insulating layer  120  is disposed between the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412 . 
     Next, in the Z-electrode substrate  412 , from the upper side of the drawing, a transparent elastic layer  114  formed of an acrylic resin is disposed on a second transparent substrate  12 , and further, a supporting layer  113  formed of an acrylic adhesive and the Z-electrode ZP are disposed. The rigidity of the transparent elastic layer  114  is lower than that of the second transparent substrate  12 . The materials constituting the transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113  are not limited to the above-described materials. 
     It suffices that the sensing insulating layer  120  between the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412  be a transparent insulating material whose thickness changes when pressed by a touch operation. For example, the sensing insulating layer  120  may be formed using an elastic insulating material or the like. For the sensing insulating layer  120 , a gas whose volume changes by pressure, such as air, is preferably used. In a case of using a gas, the spacers  800  need to be arranged between the Z-electrode ZP, and the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP for maintaining the thickness of the sensing insulating layer  120  constant during no contact. 
     As the Z-electrode ZP for example, an organic conductive material such as a polythiophene-based organic conductive material, sulfonated polyanine, or polypyrrole, or a synthetic resin containing conductive fine particles (for example, ITO fine particles) dispersed therein can be used. Similarly, a flexible synthetic resin or the like can be used for the transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113 . 
     In the embodiment, since the spacers  800  are disposed between the Z-electrode ZP, and the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP, the numerous spacers  800  are scattered within a display screen. Forming the spacer  800  with a transparent or light-colored material causes light condensing or light scattering at the spacer  800  and in the vicinity thereof, thereby leading to a secondary problem of decreasing display quality. 
     In the embodiment, therefore, a black material or a deep colored material in the blue color family (with an optical density (OD value) of at least 2 or more, preferably 3 or more) is used as the material of the spacer  800 , so that the secondary problem is solved. The optical density (OD value) is a value obtained by the formula: CD=log( 1 /T) where T(%) is the transmittance ratio. 
     As the spacer  800  for example, a pigment-dispersed acrylic resin is used, and in addition, an acrylic resin such as a color resist film is used. In a case of using a conductive material as the material of the spacer  800 , an insulating (resistance increasing) process must be applied by coating or the like. 
     Next, a capacitance change at the time of touch operation in the touch panel  400  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a capacitance Cxz and a capacitance Cyz are formed between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP via the Z-electrode ZP. For example, when a signal is supplied from the X-electrode XP; the Y-electrode YP is connected to the ground potential; and the Z-electrode ZP is brought into the floating state, the connection state between the capacitance Cxz and the capacitance Cyz can be represented by a circuit diagram shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the circuit shown in  FIG. 4 , a combined capacitance Cxy of the capacitance Cxz and the capacitance Cyz is expressed as: Cxy=Cxz×Cyz/(Cxz+Cyz). When the distance between the X-electrode XP and the Z-electrode ZP is changed by touch, and similarly, the distance between the Y-electrode YP and the Z-electrode ZP is changed, the value of the combined capacitance Cxy is also changed. 
     Hereinafter, assuming that a change in the thicknesses of the first insulating film  16  and the second insulating film  19  by touch can be ignored, the distance of the Z-electrode ZP relative to the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP, which changes the value of the capacitance Cxy, is denoted by a gap Dxyz. The distance between the X-electrode XP and the Z-electrode ZP and the distance between the Y-electrode YP and the Z-electrode ZP are actually different from the gap Dxyz. However, since it is conceivable that the capacitance Cxy changes according to a change in the thickness of the sensing insulating layer  120 , the description will be made using the gap Dxyz for simplicity. Although the gap Dxyz is the thickness of the sensing insulating layer  120 , it can be expressed as the distance between the Z-electrode ZP and the second insulating film  19 . 
     Next,  FIG. 5  shows a state where touch is made with a nonconductive pen  850  or the like. When the nonconductive pen  850  is used, a capacitance change caused by the contact of the nonconductive pen  850  with the touch panel  400  is very tiny because no current flows through the nonconductive pen  850 . Therefore, when the nonconductive pen  850  is used, detecting a capacitance change is difficult in a conventional capacitive touch panel. 
     Therefore, the Z-electrode ZP is used for detecting touch with the nonconductive pen  850 . However, in a case where the spacer  800  and the Z-electrode ZP are hard, and the spacer  800  and the Z-electrode ZP do not deform even when pressed with the pen  850 , the Z-electrode ZP is pushed back by the spacer  800 , so that the gap Dxyz changes only slightly. Therefore, the change in the combined capacitance Cxy is also tiny, which makes it difficult to detect a capacitance change. 
     Next,  FIG. 6  shows a case where the spacer  800  is not disposed for avoiding the restriction by the spacer  800 . In this case, since pushing back is not caused by the spacer  800 , the amount of change in the gap Dxyz is dominated by a member having high rigidity. Since the second transparent substrate  12  is generally high in rigidity, the position of the Z-electrode ZP is changed according to the amount of bending of the second transparent substrate  12  pressed by the nonconductive pen  850 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6  in this case, however, when two points close to each other are pressed, a problem results in that it is difficult to separately detect the two points. As described above, the change caused by pressing with the pen  850  is similar to the change in the second transparent substrate  12  having high rigidity. Therefore, when the distance between two points pressed simultaneously is short relative to the distance from the point at which the second transparent substrate  12  is fixed (the position of the sealing material), it is difficult to detect the amount of change between the two points because the amount of bending with the fixed point as a fulcrum point is large compared to the amount of bending between the two points. 
       FIG. 7  shows the detected intensities of the capacitance Cxy when two points close to each other are pressed. In  FIG. 7 , the detected intensities are shown by lines CT 1  to CT 3  each of which is obtained by connecting points having the same detected intensity. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lines CT 1  to CT 3  are each continuous between the two points, and it is difficult to separately detect the two points based on the capacitance change. 
     Next,  FIG. 8  shows a case where the Z-electrode ZP is formed of an elastically deformable, flexible material such as an organic conductive film. The transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113  stacked on the Z-electrode ZP are also formed of a flexible material. The second transparent substrate  12  is bent when touched with the nonconductive pen  850 , and along with the bending, the Z-electrode ZP moves so as to narrow the gap Dxyz. 
     When the Z-electrode ZP abuts on the spacer  800 , the Z-electrode ZP elastically deforms because the Z-electrode ZP is softer than the spacer  800 . Therefore, the displacement of the Z-electrode ZP is not limited by the spacer  800 , and the gap Dxyz is narrowed to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected. Further, since both the transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113  are also formed of a flexible material, the spacer  800  is brought into such a state that it is buried into the Z-electrode ZP, which easily narrows the gap Dxyz. 
     The state where the Z-electrode ZP elastically deforms in this case means that not only the Z-electrode ZP but also the transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113  both stacked thereon deform to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected. That is, it means the state where any of the thicknesses of the Z-electrode ZP, the transparent elastic layer  114 , and the supporting layer  113  which are pushed back by the spacer  800  when touched is reduced by pressing. 
       FIG. 9  shows a case where the spacers  800  are granular spacers  802 . The granular spacers  802  are formed by appropriately dispersing polymer beads, glass beads, or the like having a uniform grain diameter and by fixing them on the second insulating film  19 . 
     Also in a case of the granular spacer  802  shown in  FIG. 9 , since all the Z-electrode ZP, the transparent elastic layer  114 , and the supporting layer  113  are softer than the granular spacer  802 , the Z-electrode ZP elastically deforms. Therefore, also in a case of the granular spacer  802 , the gap Dxyz is narrowed to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected. Moreover, since both the transparent elastic layer  114  and the supporting layer  113  are formed of a flexible material, the granular spacer  802  is also brought into such a state that it is buried into the Z-electrode ZP. 
       FIG. 10  shows a case where the Z-electrode ZP is formed of a transparent elastic film having conductivity. In  FIG. 10 , the Z-electrode ZP is formed of a flexible layer with a similar thickness to the transparent elastic layer  114  described above, which makes the Z-electrode ZP sufficiently deformable by pressing. That is, since the transparent elastic layer  114  cannot be compressed over its thickness, the thickness needs to be sufficiently great relative to the amount of displacement by touch. 
       FIG. 11  shows a case where input means is a finger  860  or the like. Also in a case of touching with the finger  860 , the Z-electrode ZP elastically deforms, and the gap Dxyz is narrowed to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected. 
       FIG. 12  shows a case where the pen  850  touches just above the spacer  800 . The second transparent substrate  12  is bent by the touch, and along with the bending, the Z-electrode ZP abuts on the spacer  800 . Also in this case, since all the Z-electrode ZP, the transparent elastic layer  114 , and the supporting layer  113  are sufficiently softer than the spacer  800 , the Z-electrode ZP deforms such that the spacer  800  is buried into the Z-electrode ZP. That is, although the Z-electrode ZP on a line connecting the spacer  800  with the pen  850  is compressed by the spacer  800 , the Z-electrode ZP around the spacer  800  deforms so as to enclose the spacer  800 . Accordingly, the gap Dxyz around the spacer  800  is also narrowed to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected. In this manner, highly accurate position detection is possible even in the vicinity of the spacer  800  compared to the related art. 
     Next,  FIG. 13  shows a case where the spacer  800  is positioned between two points which are touched simultaneously. In this case, although the second transparent substrate  12  is bend by the touch, the gap Dxyz does not change at the position of the spacer  800  because the gap is maintained by the spacer  800 . In the vicinity of the spacer  800 , on the other hand, the Z-electrode ZP is displaced with the spacer  800  as a fulcrum point, so that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy every two points can be detected. 
       FIG. 14  shows the amount of change (detected intensity) in the capacitance Cxy when two points close to each other are pressed, and the spacer  800  is present therebetween. In  FIG. 14 , the lines CT 1  and CT 2  each showing the same capacitance value are disconnected between the two points, so that the two points cannot be separately detected based on the capacitance change. 
     Since, in addition to the presence of the spacer  800 , all the Z-electrode ZP, the transparent elastic layer  114 , and the supporting layer  113  are formed of a flexible material, it is also possible to cope with the problem caused by the spacer  800  maintaining the gap Dxyz. That is, the force of restricting the displacement of the second transparent substrate  12  with the spacer  800  is absorbed at the position of the spacer  800  because the thicknesses of the Z-electrode ZP, the transparent elastic layer  114 , and the supporting layer  113  are compressed. Therefore, also the fact that the gap Dxyz in the vicinity of the spacer  800  can deform to such an extent that the amount of change in the capacitance Cxy can be detected enables the detection that the two points are pressed. 
     Even when the spacer  800  is not present on the line connecting the two points, the spacer  800  is present between the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412 , so that the spacer  800  serves as a fulcrum point, which enables the detection that the two points are pressed. 
     Next,  FIGS. 15 and 16  show a method for manufacturing the Z-electrode substrate  412 .  FIG. 15  shows a method for forming the transparent elastic layer  114  on the second transparent substrate  12 . First, the second transparent substrate  12  is prepared. Next, the transparent elastic layer  114  having a sheet shape is attached from one end of the second transparent substrate  12  while pressing with a roller  870 . By attaching a flexible, sheet-like material, a uniform layer can be formed by a simple apparatus and method. 
     In  FIG. 16 , the supporting layer  113  separately prepared and having an elastic conductive film  20  formed thereon is attached from one end of the second transparent substrate  12  having the transparent elastic layer  114  attached thereon while pressing with the roller  870 . The elastic conductive film  20  is used as the Z-electrode ZP described above. 
     When a large-sized substrate is prepared for the second transparent substrate  12  so that a plurality of touch panels can be obtained, and similarly, a large-sized, sheet-like transparent elastic layer  114 , the supporting layer  113 , and the elastic conductive film  20  are attached, a great number of touch panels can be manufactured at one time. If the elastic conductive film  20  can be attached to the transparent elastic layer  114  without using the supporting layer  113 , or the supporting layer  113  can be removed easily after attaching the elastic conductive film  20 , the supporting layer  113  does not necessarily need to be left in the touch panel  400 . 
       FIG. 17  shows a manufacturing method for forming the spacer  800  and a sealing material  810 . The spacer  800  and the sealing material  810  can be formed by screen printing. For screen printing, a screen plate  820  shown in  FIG. 18  is used. Holes are formed through the screen plate  820  in shapes of the spacer  800  (not shown in  FIG. 18 ) and the sealing material  810 . Tension is applied to the screen plate  820  using a plate frame  826 , and the material substance of the spacer  800  and the sealing material  810  is squeezed through the holes using a squeegee  824 , whereby the spacer  800  and the sealing material  810  are transferred onto the XY-electrode substrate  405 . 
     It is also possible to only form the spacer  800  on the XY-electrode substrate  405  and use a pressure-sensitive adhesive double-coated tape or the like for the sealing material  810 . It is also possible to form the spacer  800  on the XY-electrode substrate  405  side and form the sealing material  810  on the Z-electrode substrate  412  side. 
       FIG. 19  shows a state where the sealing materials  810  are formed on the XY-electrode substrate  405 .  FIG. 19  illustrates a case of simultaneously manufacturing the plurality of touch panels  400 . It is assumed that the spacers  800  are also formed although not shown. After transferring the spacers  800  and the sealing materials  810 , the spacers  800  are irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or heated to cure the spacers  800  to an extent. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the XY-electrode substrate  405  having the spacers  800  and the sealing materials  810  formed thereon and the Z-electrode substrate  412  are overlapped, and the entire surface is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation or heated to fix both substrates with each other with the sealing materials  810 . The spacers  800  are first cured for preventing the spacers  800  from crushing due to the Z-electrode substrate  412  when the XY-electrode substrate  405  and the Z-electrode substrate  412  are overlapped. After fixing both substrates with each other, the touch panels  400  are cut into individual ones. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 21 , the signal component of each of the electrodes when the position of a contact point is changed in the horizontal direction in a case of a small contact surface like the pen  850  will be described. 
     The capacitance change of the capacitance Cxy described with reference to  FIG. 4  depends on the area of the portion where the gap Dxyz is narrowed. The area of the portion where the gap Dxyz is narrowed is called a detecting area. In  FIG. 21 , detecting areas are indicated by circles XA, XB, and XC for the description. When an overlapping area of a detecting area with the X-electrode XP or the Y-electrode YP is large, the signal component is large. In contrast, when the overlapping area is small, the signal component is small. 
       FIG. 21  shows a state where the position of a contact point is changed on the X-electrode between the two neighboring X-electrodes XP 2  and XP 3 . XA is located in the vicinity of the center of the X-electrode XP 2 ; XB is located in the vicinity of the middle between the X-electrodes XP 2  and XP 3 ; and XC is located in the vicinity of the center of the X-electrode XP 3 . In  FIG. 21 , the Z-electrode ZP and the spacers  800  are not illustrated for simplifying the drawing. 
     At the position of the detecting area XA, an overlapping portion of the detecting area XA with the X-electrode XP 2  is large, and the detecting area XA has little overlap with the X-electrode XP 3 . Therefore, the signal component of the X-electrode XP 2  is large, and the signal component of the X-electrode XP 3  is small. 
     At the position of the detecting area XB, an overlapping area of the X-electrode XP 2  with the detecting area XB and an overlapping area of the X-electrode XP 3  with the detecting area XB are substantially equal to each other. Therefore, the signal component calculated is substantially equal between the X-electrodes XP 2  and XP 3 . 
     At the position of the detecting area XC, an overlapping portion of the detecting area XC with the X-electrode XP 3  is large, and the detecting area XC has little overlap with the X-electrode XP 2 . Therefore, the signal component of the X-electrode XP 3  is large, and the signal component of the X-electrode XP 2  is small. 
     The control operation unit  103  performs a centroid calculation using the signal component of each of the electrodes to calculate input coordinates contacted by the pen  850  through a touch operation. 
     When a nearly equal signal component is obtained in the X-electrodes XP 2  and XP 3  like in the detecting area XB, since the position of the center of gravity is in the middle between the X-electrodes XP 2  and XP 3 , the input coordinates can be calculated. On the other hand, when the signal component of one X-electrode is very large like in the detecting areas XA and XC, since the position of the center of gravity is in the vicinity of the X-electrode whose large signal component is detected, the input coordinates can be calculated similarly. 
     As described above, the electrode shape of the X-electrode is formed in such a shape that becomes narrow toward a neighboring electrode, whereby a centroid calculation is possible even when the electrode gap of the X-electrode is wide compared to the detecting area, and the position can be detected with high accuracy. Accordingly, by enlarging the electrode gap of the X-electrode compared to the detecting area, the number of electrodes can be reduced more than in conventional electrode patterns. Even when the electrode shape of the X-electrode has a discrete shape with the Y-electrode interposed between the X-electrodes, the Z-electrode ZP which is electrically floating is arranged so as to stride over the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP neighboring to each other, whereby input coordinates in the X-direction can be detected with good accuracy on the entire surface of the touch panel. 
       FIG. 22  shows a case of changing the shape of the X-electrode XP. The Y-electrode YP has the same shape in  FIGS. 2 ,  21 , and  22 . While the shape of the X-electrode XP is a convex shape toward both right and left sides in  FIG. 21 , it is a convex shape toward one neighboring X-electrode XP 1  and is a concave shape toward the other neighboring X-electrode XP 3  as shown by the X-electrode XP 2  in  FIG. 22 . 
     All in  FIGS. 2 ,  21 , and  22 , the X-electrode XP has the same feature in that the area decreases as the electrode approaches the center of the neighboring X-electrode XP, and that the area increases closer to the center of the relevant X-electrode XP. Therefore, it can be expected that even the X-electrode XP shown in  FIG. 22  provides the same effect as that of  FIG. 21 . The shape of the X-electrode is not limited to the shapes of  FIGS. 21 and 22  so long as the area decreases as the electrode approaches the center of the neighboring X-electrode XP, and the area increases closer to the center of the relevant X-electrode XP. 
     Next, a change in detecting area relative to the resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP will be described. In  FIGS. 23 to 25 , it is assumed that the Z-electrode ZP is formed to overlap both the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP (so-called a solid electrode). 
       FIG. 23  shows the detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is low;  FIG. 24  shows the detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is appropriate and the detecting area is proper; and  FIG. 25  shows the detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is high. 
     Detected intensities DI 1  to DI 3  shown in  FIG. 23  show detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is 1.0×10 3  Ω/□. The detected intensities are in the relationship of DI 1 &gt;DI 2 &gt;DI 3 . 
     Both the areas of the detected intensities DI 1  and DI 2  are increased, and further, the detected intensity D 13  extends beyond the neighboring Y-electrode YP 1 . Therefore, it is difficult to detect the position with high accuracy. 
     Next,  FIG. 24  shows the detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is 1.0×10 5  Ω/□. The area of the detected intensity DI 3  or higher which is effective as a detecting area overlaps the neighboring electrodes. Therefore, the position can be detected with high accuracy. 
     Next,  FIG. 25  shows the detected intensities when the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP is 1.0×10 7  Ω/□. Ranges showing the detected intensities DI 1  and DI 2  are lost, and the area of the detected intensity DI 3  or higher which is effective as a detecting area does not sufficiently overlap the neighboring electrodes. Therefore, it is difficult to detect the position with high accuracy. 
     It is considered that when an ITO film for forming the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP is formed with a sheet resistance value of around 1.0×10 3  Ω/□, since the distance between the Z-electrode ZP, and the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP which the Z-electrode ZP overlaps is short compared to the drawn distance of the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP, the detecting area is widened with a sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP at a similar level. 
     When the sheet resistance value of the Z-electrode ZP exceeds 1.0×10 7  Ω/□, the Z-electrode ZP does not sufficiently function as a conductive member for a detection circuit, whereby an effective detected intensity is extremely decreased. 
     Next, a detecting method will be described.  FIG. 26  is a schematic block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the capacitance detecting unit  102 ; and  FIG. 27  shows a schematic configuration of a signal readout unit  310 . The capacitance detecting unit  102  includes a signal input unit  311  which inputs a signal to the Y-electrode YP, the signal readout unit  310  which reads out a signal from the X-electrode XP, and a memory unit  312 . 
     In  FIG. 26 , the circuit configuration with only one pair of the X-electrode XP 1  and the Y-electrode YP 1  is illustrated. However, it is assumed that a signal readout unit  310 - n  and a signal input unit  311 - n  having the same configuration are respectively connected to each of the X-electrodes XP and each of the Y-electrodes YP formed on the touch panel  400 . 
     The signal input unit  311  applies a signal  309  like a waveform in the drawing to the Y-electrode YP by switching between an applied voltage Vap and a reference potential Vref through switches  307  and  308 , thereby applying voltage. The signal readout unit  310  includes an integrator circuit  320  formed of an operational amplifier  300 , an integral capacitor  301 , and a reset switch  305 , a sample-and-hold circuit  330  formed of a sample switch  303  and a hold capacitor  302 , a voltage buffer  304 , and an analog-digital converter  306 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the capacitance detecting unit  102  will be schematically described. In the initial state of the capacitance detecting unit  102 , it is assumed that the integral capacitor  301  is not charged. The switch  307  is first brought into the on state from the initial state, so that voltage is applied to the Y-electrode YP 1  by the signal input unit  311 . Thus, a coupling capacitance  250  (corresponding to the combined capacitance Cxyz described above) between the X-electrode and the Y-electrode is charged until the Y-electrode YP 1  reaches the applied voltage Vap. 
     At this time, the potential of the X-electrode XP 1  is fixed to the ground potential at all times by the negative feedback effect of the operational amplifier  300 . Accordingly, the charged current flows through the integral capacitor  301  into an output terminal  321  of the operational amplifier  300 . 
     When the voltage of the output terminal  321  of the integrator circuit  320  due to this operation is denoted by Vo; the capacitance of the coupling capacitance  250  is denoted by Cdv; and the capacitance of the integral capacitor  301  is denoted by Cr, the voltage is expressed by the formula: Vo=−Vap(Cdv/Cr), and it depends on the magnitude Cdv of the coupling capacitance  250  between the X-electrode and the Y-electrode. 
     After the output voltage Vo of the integrator circuit  320  is determined by the operation, the output voltage Vo is held by the sample-and-hold circuit  330 . In the sample-and-hold circuit  330 , the sample switch  303  is first brought into the on state and then into the off state after elapsing a predetermined time, so that the output voltage Vo is held in the hold capacitor  302 . The voltage Vo held in the hold capacitor  302  is input to the analog-digital converter  306  through the voltage buffer  304  and converted into digital data. Although the hold voltage of the sample-and-hold circuit  330  is input to the analog-digital converter  306  through the voltage buffer  304 , the voltage buffer  304  may be configured to have a voltage amplification factor. 
     Also for the other X-electrodes than the X-electrode XP 1 , the signal readout unit connected to each of the X-electrodes performs the same operation as that of the signal readout unit  310  connected to the X-electrode XP 1 , and an integrator circuit output potential due to an input signal from the Y-electrode YP 1  is read out simultaneously with the X-electrode XP 1 . 
     Output of the signal readout unit  310  connected to each of the X-electrodes XP is input to the memory unit  312 , and the output data is held in the memory unit  312 . The memory unit  312  performs transaction of the hold data with the control operation unit  103  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The signal  309  is sequentially applied to the Y-electrodes YP, so that voltage is successively applied to the Y-electrodes YP to detect the capacitance. Prior to the detection of the capacitance, the reset switch  305  is controlled so as to be once brought into the on state and then into the off state in the signal readout unit  310 , whereby the integral capacitor  301  of each of the integrator circuits is reset. From then on, the same operation is repeated. 
     In this case, the timing of applying the signal  309  to a given Y-electrode YP has been determined, and a pulse-like signal is applied to a specified Y-electrode YP during a specified period, so that it can be determined, due to count such as a reference clock, from which of the Y-electrodes YP the signal output from the X-electrode XP is output. 
       FIG. 28  is a timing diagram showing operation of the capacitance detecting unit  102  shown in  FIG. 26 . Signals  309 - 1  to  309 - n  are operation signal waveforms of the signal input units  311 - 1  to  311 - n , and the signal input units  311 - 1  to  311 - n  sequentially output the signal  309  from the Y-electrodes YP 1  to YPn during a detection cycle DTC. Hereinafter, the signal  309  is also called a pulse signal. 
     A waveform Icdv is a current waveform flowing into the coupling capacitance  250  (Cdv) between the X- and Y-electrodes shown in  FIG. 26 . When the potential of the Y-electrode YP rises due to the input signal of the signal input unit  311 , current transiently flows. Also when the potential of the Y-electrode YP drops, current transiently flows. 
     A waveform VIN is an output waveform of the integrator circuit  320  shown in  FIG. 26 , that is, the voltage Vo of the output terminal  321  of the integrator circuit  320 , corresponding to the pulse signal  309 . A waveform SWRST- 1  represents a control signal waveform of the reset switch  305  shown in  FIG. 27 . 
     When the reset switch control signal SWRST- 1  rises, the integrator circuit  320  is reset; the waveform VIN drops; and the signal readout unit  310  is brought into the initial state. Thereafter, the pulse signal  309  is input from the signal input unit  311 , so that the output waveform VIN of the integrator circuit  320  rises again. From then on, this operation is repeated. In the example, an example where the amplitude of the waveform VIN changes is shown, which shows that the magnitude of the detected capacitance changes every time the Y-electrode which inputs a signal changes. That is, the example shows that when a contact to be detected is made on the touch panel  400 , the signal VIN which reflects this capacitance change changes locally so as to indicate the contact point. 
     A waveform SWSH- 1  is a signal which controls the sampling switch  303  of the sample-and-hold circuit  330  shown in  FIG. 26 . A waveform SH- 1  represents an output signal of the sample-and-hold circuit  330 . In the period of time when the signal SWSH- 1  rises, the sampling switch  303  is brought into the on state, and an input potential to the sample-and-hold circuit  330 , that is, the output potential (the waveform VIN) of the integrator circuit  320  is applied to the hold capacitor  302 . When the signal SWSH- 1  drops, the sampling switch  303  is brought into the off state, and the applied voltage is held in the hold capacitor  302 . As shown by the waveform SH- 1 , output of the sample-and-hold circuit  330  is updated every sampling operation. 
     A waveform AD- 1  represents a signal which controls the analog-digital converter  306  shown in  FIG. 26 ; and a waveform ADout- 1  represents an output signal of the analog-digital converter  306 . Every time the output waveform SH- 1  of the sample-and-hold circuit is updated, the signal AD- 1  is issued with a predetermined time lag. When the signal AD- 1  is output, the analog-digital converter  306  outputs the input voltage as the digital data ADout- 1  having a predetermined resolution. 
     A waveform Mem- 1  represents a write control signal to the memory unit  312  shown in  FIG. 26 . Every time the signal ADout- 1  is updated, the signal Mem- 1  is issued with a predetermined time lag. When the signal Mem- 1  is issued, the digital data ADout- 1  is written into the memory unit  312 . 
     The signal waveform change caused by the operation of the capacitance detecting unit  102  has been described while focusing on the signal readout unit  310  shown in  FIG. 26 . The signal readout unit ( 310 - n ) connected to other X-electrode also has the same operation and waveform change. 
       FIG. 29  shows detected values stored in the memory unit  312  shown in  FIG. 26 , in which the detected values are sorted by fetching timing and related to coordinates determined by the X- and Y-electrodes. In this case, each of squares shows a position where respective electrodes shown on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis intersect with each other. The numerical value in each of the squares is a value reflecting a capacitance value at each intersection point obtained by the detecting step. As the numerical value is greater, the capacitance value is greater. Based on the magnitude of the numerical value, threshold value determination, and the like, the presence or absence of a contact to be detected on the touch panel  400  is determined. 
     The threshold value determination is performed on the state of  FIG. 29 . Specifically, when the numerical value exceeds 100, it is determined that a contact is present.  FIG. 30  shows the determination results, in which the determination results are assigned with a common number in each group by a grouping process. After this process, the distribution of signal intensity is analyzed in each group and converted into contact coordinates to be detected on the touch panel  400 . 
     In this case, it is conceivable that the grouping process is a generally known labeling process or the like. However, the grouping process is not limited to this. Moreover, it is apparent that means for calculating contact coordinates to be detected on the touch panel  400  from the data obtained as shown in  FIG. 29  by the capacitance detecting step is not limited to the method described herein. 
     Next,  FIG. 31  is a schematic plan view of the touch panel  400 .  FIG. 31  shows the touch panel  400  when used in portrait format. As described above, the X-electrodes XP, the Y-electrodes YP, and the Z-electrode ZP are disposed on the transparent substrate  5 . In  FIG. 31 , the Z-electrode ZP is indicated by dashed lines. 
     The X-electrodes XP and the Y-electrodes YP are disposed such that individual electrodes (pad portions)  328  are alternately arranged. At the fine line portion  327  between the individual electrodes  328 , the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP intersect with each other. At the intersecting portion, the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP intersect with each other via an insulating film. At the fine line portion  327 , the width of the electrode is narrowed, so that the capacitance generated at the intersecting portion is small. 
     The fine line portion  327  is disposed at the intersecting portion to narrow the width of the electrode so that the capacitance generated at the intersecting portion is small. For similar purposes, the X-electrode XP has a so-called diamond shape in which the electrode width is wide at the central portion and the electrode width is narrowed as the electrode approaches the intersecting portion. As shown by the X-electrode XP, when the electrode is formed in a diamond shape, the electrode can be formed such that the electrode width can be made wide to the vicinity of the intersecting portion by narrowing the electrode width as the electrode approaches the intersecting portion, making it possible to decrease an increase in the resistance value of the electrode caused by the narrowed electrode width at the intersecting portion. In  FIG. 31 , although the X-electrode XP is formed in a diamond shape, it is more effective when the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP are formed in a diamond shape. 
     Wiring lines  6  are disposed at the peripheral portion of the touch panel  400  and supply signals to the electrodes. The wiring lines  6  are connected to connection terminals  7  formed at one edge of the touch panel  400 . An external device is electrically connected to the connection terminals  7 . Back face connection pads  81  are formed in alignment with the connection terminals  7 . 
     A back face transparent conductive film is formed on the back face of the transparent substrate  5  for purposes of reducing noise, and the back face connection pads  81  are formed for supplying voltage to the back face transparent conductive film. The back face connection pad  81  is formed to have a large area compared to the connection terminal  7 , so that the work of connecting the back face connection pad  81  to the back face transparent conductive film can be easily done. Reference numeral  82  denotes a connection terminal for the back face connection pad  81 . A wiring line  84  is connected from the connection terminal  82  to the back face connection pad  81 . Reference numeral  83  denotes a dummy terminal. 
     The wiring line  6  is formed to be capable of supplying a signal from both upper and lower ends of the X-electrode XP and formed to be capable of supplying a signal from both right and left ends of the Y-electrode YP. Therefore, for example, since the wiring line  6  which supplies a signal to the Y-electrode YP is drawn for a long distance from the end where the terminals  7  are formed to the opposite end, the wiring line is desirably formed with a low resistance member. 
       FIG. 32  shows the touch panel  400  to which a flexible printed board  70  is connected. A drive circuit  150  is mounted on the flexible printed board  70 . Signals output from the drive circuit  150  are supplied to the touch panel  400  via the flexible printed board  70 . In the drive circuit  150 , the circuit illustrated in  FIG. 26  is formed. 
     The signals output from the drive circuit  150  are first supplied to wiring lines  73  formed on the flexible printed board  70 . A through hole  78  is formed through each of the wiring lines  73 . Intersecting wiring lines  77  on the back face and the wiring lines  73  are electrically connected through the through holes  78 . 
     Each of the intersecting wiring lines  77  intersects with a number of the wiring lines  73  and is connected to the wiring line  73  again through the through hole  78  formed at the other end. The intersecting wiring line  77  and the wiring line  73  intersect at right angles so that the overlapping area is as small as possible. Each of wiring lines  74  is a wiring line which supplies voltage to the back face connection pad  81  and to which the ground potential or the like is supplied. 
     A conductive member  80  is connected to each of the back face connection pads  81 . Voltage is supplied from the back face connection pad  81  to the back face transparent conductive film through the conductive member  80 . It is also possible to supply the ground potential to a shield pattern  75  via the wiring line  74 . 
     Next, a method for manufacturing the touch panel of the embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 33 to 47 .  FIGS. 33 to 38  show schematic cross-sections at respective process stages along the line B-B′ of  FIG. 31 . Similarly,  FIGS. 39 to 44  show schematic cross-sections at respective process stages along the line C-C′ of  FIG. 31 . 
     First, with reference to  FIGS. 33 and 39 , a first step will be described. In the step shown in  FIGS. 33 and 39 , a first ITO film  14  (Indium Tin Oxide) is deposited to a thickness of about 15 nm on the transparent substrate  5  such as a glass substrate. Thereafter, a silver alloy film  15  is deposited to a thickness of about 200 nm. A resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process, and the silver alloy film  15  is patterned. After the resist film is removed; a next resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process; and the first ITO film  14  is patterned. Thereafter, the resist film is removed, and patterns of the ITO film  14  and the silver alloy film  15  patterned as shown in  FIGS. 33 and 39  are formed. Since the pattern of the silver alloy film  15  is opaque, it is removed from a portion extended over a display region of a display panel to be overlapped later for avoiding the silver alloy film  15  being visible, and only a wiring pattern of the wiring line  6  at the periphery is formed of the silver alloy film  15 . 
     The electrodes of the XY-electrode substrate  405  can be formed of the first ITO film  14 , and, for example, the X-electrode XP described with reference to  FIG. 2  can be formed using the first ITO film  14 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 34 and 40 , a second step will be described. On the substrate on which the patterns of the first ITO film  14  and the silver alloy film  15  are formed, the first insulating film  16  is applied and processed by patterning using a photolithography technique. For the first insulating film  16 , a film containing SiO 2  as a main component is desirably applied to a thickness of 1 μm or greater. As shown in  FIG. 40 , contact holes  17  are disposed at the peripheral portion. At the connection terminal  7  which is used for the connection with an external circuit, the first insulating film pattern  16  is removed. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 35 and 41 , a third step will be described. A second ITO film  18  is deposited to a thickness of about 30 nm; a resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process; and the second ITO film  18  is patterned. Thereafter, the resist film is removed to form the second ITO film  18  as shown in  FIGS. 35 and 41 . The electrodes of the XY-electrode substrate  405  can be formed of the second ITO film  18 , and, for example, the Y-electrode YP described with reference to  FIG. 2  can be formed using the second ITO film  18 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 36 and 42 , a fourth step will be described. The same film as the insulating film used in the second step is applied again on the substrate as the second insulating film  19 . The pattern of the second insulating film  19  is formed by a photolithography process. 
     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 37 and 43 , a fifth step will be described. The spacers  800  are formed on the second insulating film  19  by a photolithography process. Thereafter, the sealing material  810  is formed at the peripheral portion by screen printing. In this manner, the preparation of the XY-electrode substrate  405  is completed. 
     Next, as shown in  FIGS. 38 and 44 , the Z-electrode substrate  412  which is separately manufactured is overlapped with the XY-electrode substrate  405  and fixed thereto with the sealing material  810 . Thereafter, an ITO film is formed as a transparent conductive film  603  on the back face of the substrate  5 . At this time, a mask for protecting the front face and peripheral portion of the substrate  5  is formed. When ITO is deposited on the back face, there is a risk that ITO goes around the edge of the substrate to attach to the front side. Therefore, the peripheral portion of the substrate  5  on the front face has to be protected by a mask. The touch panel  400  is formed through the steps described above. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 45 , a modified example of the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP will be described. In the touch panel  400  shown in  FIG. 45 , floating electrodes  4  are formed for making the respective total areas of the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP equal. The difference in area between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP causes a problem in that the noise intensity is different between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP. Therefore, when the electrode of the Y-electrode YP having a great number of the individual electrodes  328  is made small, a gap  8  between the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP is enlarged. 
     As described above, the Y-electrode YP and the X-electrode XP are formed of an ITO film (transparent conductive film). At the gap portion  8 , however, an insulating film and a transparent substrate are formed, and the gap portion  8  is a region with no transparent conductive film. Since the difference in transmittance ratio, reflectance ratio, and chromaticity of reflected light is caused between a portion with a transparent conductive film and a portion with no transparent conductive film, the gap portion  8  is visible to the naked eye, decreasing quality of an image to be displayed. 
     As a result of our investigation, the gap is faintly visible when the gap portion  8  has a gap of 30 μm is almost invisible when 20 μm, and is invisible when 10 μm. As the gap portion  8  is narrowed, the capacitance between the Y-electrode YP and the X-electrode XP neighboring to each other via the floating electrode  4  is increased. Moreover, narrowing the gap portion  8  leads to an increases in failure of short-circuit between the Y-electrode YP or the X-electrode XP and the floating electrode  4  because of a pattern formation defect due to the attachment of a foreign substance, or the like during the steps. 
     When the floating electrode  4  neighboring to the individual electrode  328  of the Y-electrode YP is short-circuited, a grounded capacitance of one line of the relevant Y-electrode is increased to thereby increase noise, causing a disadvantage of decreasing detection sensitivity. For decreasing the capacitance to be increased when short-circuited, the floating electrode  4  is divided into four parts as shown in  FIG. 45 . When the electrode is divided into finer parts, the fear of the short-circuit failure is decreased. However, since the region with no transparent conductive film is increased in the relevant region, there is a fear of causing and increasing the difference in transmittance ratio, reflectance ratio, and chromaticity between the floating electrode  4  and the neighboring electrode. Therefore, the floating electrode  4  is divided into four parts as described above, and the electrode gap therebetween is set smaller than 30 around 20 μm. 
     In the touch panel  400  shown in  FIG. 45 , a different-layer intersecting portion  326  is disposed at the intersecting portion formed of the fine line portion  327 . In the touch panel  400  shown in  FIG. 45 , the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP are formed in the same layer, and the different-layer intersecting portion  326  is formed in a different layer from the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP at the intersecting portion so that the electrodes intersect there. 
     In  FIG. 45 , the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP are formed in a diamond shape so as to have a structure in which the electrode width is narrowed toward the intersecting portion, whereby the electrode width larger than the fine line portion  327  even a slight amount can be formed to the vicinity of the intersecting portion. 
     Hereinafter, with reference to  FIGS. 46 to 51 , a method for manufacturing the touch panel  400  shown in  FIG. 45  is shown. 
       FIGS. 46 to 51  each show a cross-sectional view along the line D-D′ of  FIG. 45 , in which three X-electrodes XP are shown for avoiding complication of the drawing. 
     First, a first step will be described with reference to  FIG. 46 . In the step shown in  FIG. 46 , the first ITO film  14  (Indium Tin Oxide) is deposited to a thickness of about 15 nm on the transparent substrate  5  such as a glass substrate. Thereafter, the silver alloy film  15  is deposited to a thickness of about 200 nm. A resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process, and the silver alloy film  15  is patterned. 
     After the resist film is removed; a next resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process; and the first ITO film  14  is patterned. Thereafter, the resist film is removed, and patterns of the ITO film  14  and the silver alloy film  15  patterned as shown in  FIG. 46  are formed. The first ITO film  14  shown in  FIG. 46  forms the different-layer intersecting portion  326 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 47 , a second step will be described. On the substrate on which the patterns of the first ITO film  14  and the silver alloy film  15  are formed, the first insulating film  16  is applied and processed by patterning using a photolithography technique. For the first insulating film  16 , a film containing SiO 2  as a main component is desirably applied to a thickness of 1 μm or greater. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 48 , a third step will be described. The second ITO film  18  is deposited to a thickness of about 30 nm; a resist film pattern is formed by a photolithography process; and the second ITO film  18  is patterned. Thereafter, the resist film is removed, and the second ITO film  18  is formed as shown in FIG.  48 . In the second ITO film  18 , the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP are formed in the same layer. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 49 , a fourth step will be described. The same film as the insulating film used in the second step is applied again on the substrate as the second insulating film  19 . A pattern is formed on the second insulating film  19  by a photolithography process. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 50 , a fifth step will be described. The spacers  800  are formed on the second insulating film  19  by a photolithography process. Thereafter, the sealing material  810  is formed at the peripheral portion by screen printing. In this manner, the preparation of the XY-electrode substrate  405  is completed. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 51 , the Z-electrode substrate  412  which is separately manufactured is overlapped with the XY-electrode substrate  405  and fixed thereto with the sealing material  810 . Thereafter, an ITO film is formed as the transparent conductive film  603  on the back face of the substrate  5 . At this time, a mask for protecting the front face and peripheral portion of the substrate  5  is formed. When ITO is deposited on the back face, there is a risk that ITO goes around the edge of the substrate to attach to the front side. Therefore, the peripheral portion of the substrate  5  on the front face has to be protected by a mask. The touch panel  400  is formed through the steps described above. 
       FIG. 52  is a schematic cross-sectional view in which the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP are formed of the first ITO film in the same layer, and the different-layer intersecting portion  326  is formed of the second ITO film. The configuration of disposing the different-layer intersecting portion  326  is also applicable to the touch panel  400  shown in  FIG. 32 . The configuration can be realized by forming one of the electrodes with the different-layer intersecting portion  326  at the intersecting portion. 
       FIG. 53  is a schematic plan view in which the touch panel  400  is attached to a liquid crystal display panel  100  as an example of the display device  600  with a touch panel.  FIG. 54  is a schematic cross-sectional view along the cutting line A-A′ of  FIG. 53 . Any of display panels may be used so long as it can use a touch panel. Without limiting to a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting diode element or a surface-conduction electron-emitter can also be used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 53 and 54 , the display device  600  of the embodiment includes the liquid crystal display panel  100 , the capacitive touch panel  400  disposed on the face of the liquid crystal display panel  100  on the viewer side, and a backlight  700  disposed below the face of the liquid crystal display panel  100  on the side opposite from the viewer side. As the liquid crystal display panel  100 , for example, a liquid crystal display panel of the IPS type, TN type, VA type, or the like is used. 
     The liquid crystal display panel  100  is formed by bonding two substrates  620  and  630  which are arranged to face each other. Polarizers  601  and  602  are respectively disposed on the outer surfaces of the two substrates. The liquid crystal display panel  100  and the touch panel  400  are adhered to each other with a first adhesive material  501  formed of a resin, an adhesive film, or the like. Further, a front face protective plate (also referred to as a front window or a front face panel)  12 - 1  formed of an acrylic resin is adhered to the outer surface of the touch panel  400  with a second adhesive material  502  formed of a resin, an adhesive film, or the like. The front face protective plate  12 - 1  corresponds to the second transparent substrate  12  shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The transparent conductive layer  603  is disposed on the liquid crystal display panel side of the touch panel  400 . The transparent conductive layer  603  is formed for purposes of shielding the touch panel from signals generated in the liquid crystal display panel  100 . 
     A great number of electrodes are disposed in the liquid crystal display panel  100 , and voltage is applied as signals on the electrodes at various timings. These changes in voltage in the liquid crystal display panel  100  appear as noise relative to the electrodes disposed in the capacitive touch panel  400 . 
     Therefore, the touch panel  400  has to be electrically shielded from the liquid crystal display panel  100 , so that the transparent conductive layer  603  is disposed as a shield electrode. A constant voltage is supplied from the flexible printed board  70  or the like to the transparent conductive layer  603  so that the transparent conductive layer  603  functions as a shield electrode. For example, the constant voltage is set to the ground potential. 
     The flexible printed board  70  is connected to the connection terminals  7  (not shown) formed on the face of the touch panel  400  where the electrodes are formed (hereinafter referred to as a front face), and the conductive member  80  is disposed for supplying voltage such as the ground potential to the face where the transparent conductive layer  603  is disposed (hereinafter referred to as a back face). 
     The transparent conductive layer  603  desirably has a sheet resistance value of from 1.5×10 2  to 1.0×10 3  Ω/□ which is similar to that of the electrode disposed in the touch panel  400 , for reducing the influence of noise. It is known that the resistance value of the transparent conductive layer  603  relates to the size of crystal grain. By setting the heat treatment temperature when forming the transparent conductive layer  603  at 200° C. or higher for promoting crystallization, the sheet resistance value can be set to from 1.5×10 2  to 1.0×10 3  Ω/□. 
     The transparent conductive layer  603  can have a lower resistance. For example, by setting the heat treatment temperature at 450° C. and sufficiently performing the crystallization of the transparent conductive layer  603 , the sheet resistance value can be set to from 30 to 40 Ω/□. When the transparent conductive layer  603  for shielding has a similar resistance or lower resistance compared to the electrode disposed in the touch panel  400 , an effect of reducing noise is improved. 
     The drive circuit  150  is mounted on the flexible printed board  70 . The detection of an input position or the like is controlled by the drive circuit  150 . The electrodes disposed on the front face of the touch panel  400  and the drive circuit  150  are electrically connected via the flexible printed board  70 . 
     A given voltage such as the ground potential is supplied to the transparent conductive layer  603  disposed on the back face via the flexible printed board  70 . 
     Since the flexible printed board  70  is connected to the connection terminals  7  disposed on the front face of the touch panel  400 , wiring lines have to be disposed from the connection terminals  7  so as to be electrically connected to the transparent conductive layer  603  disposed on the back face. Therefore, the back face connection pads  81  are disposed in alignment with the connection terminals  7 , and the back face connection pads  81  and the transparent conductive layer  603  on the back face are connected with the conductive member  80 . 
     In  FIG. 54 , a spacer  30  is inserted between the substrate  620  and the touch panel  400 . In a hybrid structure combining the liquid crystal display panel  100  with the touch panel  400  and the front window  12 - 1 , there arises a problem in that the strength of glass of the substrate  620  of the liquid crystal display panel  100  is low. 
     A region of the substrate  620  on which a liquid crystal drive circuit  50  is mounted protrudes from the other substrate  630 , and has a one-plate shape. In the mounting region of the liquid crystal drive circuit  50 , there arises a disadvantage of breaking the substrate  620  in some cases. 
     Therefore, the spacer  30  is inserted between the substrate  620  and the touch panel  400  to improve the strength. In  FIG. 54 , a protective sheet  510  is disposed on the front face of the front face protective plate  12 - 1 , so that the front face protective plate  12 - 1  is prevented from being damaged by the pen  850 . 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 55 , the liquid crystal display panel  100  will be described.  FIG. 55  is a schematic plan view showing the basic configuration of the liquid crystal display panel  100 . For describing the liquid crystal display panel  100 , the touch panel  400  is omitted from the illustration. As described above, the liquid crystal display device is configured of the liquid crystal display panel  100 , the liquid crystal drive circuit  50 , a flexible board  72 , and the backlight  700 . On one side of the liquid crystal display panel  100 , the liquid crystal drive circuit  50  is disposed. Various signals are supplied from the liquid crystal drive circuit  50  to the liquid crystal display panel  100 . The flexible printed board  72  is electrically connected to the liquid crystal drive circuit  50  for supplying signals from the outside. 
     The liquid crystal display panel  100  is configured as follows: the substrate  620  (hereinafter also referred to as a TFT substrate) on which thin film transistors  610 , pixel electrodes  611 , counter electrodes (common electrodes)  615 , and the like are formed and the substrate  630  (hereinafter also referred to as a filter substrate) on which color filters and the like are formed are overlapped with each other with a predetermined gap; both substrates are bonded together with a sealing material (not shown) disposed in a frame shape in the vicinity of the peripheral portion between the substrates; a liquid crystal composition is filled and sealed inside the sealing material; the polarizers  601  and  602  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) are respectively attached to the outer surfaces of the substrates; and the flexible board  72  is connected to the TFT substrate  620 . 
     The embodiment is applicable to a so-called lateral electric field type liquid crystal display panel in which the counter electrode  615  is disposed on the TFT substrate  620  and to a so-called vertical electric field type liquid crystal display panel in which the counter electrode  615  is disposed on the filter substrate  630 , both in the same manner. 
     In  FIG. 55 , scanning signal lines (also referred to as gate signal lines)  621  extending in the x-direction in the drawing and arranged in parallel in the y-direction and video signal lines (also referred to as drain signal lines)  622  extending in the y-direction and arranged in parallel in the x-direction are disposed, and a pixel portion  608  is formed in each region surrounded by the scanning signal lines  621  and the drain signal lines  622 . 
     Although the liquid crystal display panel  100  includes a great number of the pixel portions  608  arranged in a matrix, only one pixel portion  608  is shown in  FIG. 55  for clarity of the drawing. The pixel portions  608  arranged in a matrix form a display region  609 . Each of the pixel portions  608  functions as a pixel of a display image to display an image in the display region  609 . 
     The thin film transistor  610  of each of the pixel portions  608  has a source connected to the pixel electrode  611 , a drain connected to the video signal line  622 , and a gate connected to the scanning signal line  621 . The thin film transistor  610  functions as a switch for supplying a display voltage (gray scale voltage) to the pixel electrode  611 . 
     Although the naming of “source” and “drain” may be reversed depending on the bias relationship, the electrode which is connected to the video signal line  622  is herein referred to as the drain. The pixel electrode  611  and the counter electrode  615  form a capacitance (liquid crystal capacitance). 
     The liquid crystal drive circuit  50  is arranged on a transparent insulating substrate (a glass substrate, a resin substrate, etc.) constituting the TFT substrate  620 . The liquid crystal drive circuit  50  is connected to the scanning signal lines  621 , the video signal lines  622 , and counter electrode signal lines  625 . 
     The flexible printed board  72  is connected to the TFT substrate  620 . A connector  640  is disposed on the flexible printed board  72 . The connector  640  is connected to an external signal line, so that signals from the outside are input thereto. A wiring line  631  is disposed between the connector  640  and the liquid crystal drive circuit  50 , so that the signals from the outside are input to the liquid crystal drive circuit  50 . 
     The flexible printed board  72  supplies a constant voltage to the backlight  700 . The backlight  700  is used as a light source of the liquid crystal display panel  100 . Although the backlight  700  is disposed on the back or front side of the liquid crystal display panel  100 , the backlight  700  and the liquid crystal display panel  100  are illustrated side by side in  FIG. 55  for simplifying the drawing. 
     The liquid crystal drive circuit  50  outputs a gray scale voltage corresponding to a gray scale to be displayed by a pixel to the video signal line  622 . When the thin film transistor  610  is brought into the on state (conductive), a gray scale voltage (video signal) is supplied from the video signal line  622  to the pixel electrode  611 . Thereafter, the thin film transistor  610  is brought into the off state, so that the gray scale voltage based on a video to be displayed by a pixel is held in the pixel electrode  611 . 
     A constant counter electrode voltage is applied to the counter electrode  615 . The liquid crystal display panel  100  changes the orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules interposed between the pixel electrode  611  and the counter electrode  615  with the potential difference therebetween and changes the light transmittance ratio or reflectance ratio to display an image. 
     As described above, the change in signals for driving the liquid crystal display panel  100  is detected as noise for the touch panel  400 . Accordingly, countermeasures against it are required. Especially the touch panel  400  has a feature in that it prompts a user to input based on an image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel  100 , and the touch panel has to be disposed so as to overlap a display device such as the liquid crystal display panel  100 . Therefore, the touch panel is strongly affected by noise caused by the display device which is closely overlapped. 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 56 , the front window  12 - 1  will be described.  FIG. 56  is a schematic perspective view of the front window  12 - 1  as viewed from the touch panel  400  side. A recess  612  is formed in the front window  12 - 1 , and the touch panel  400  can be contained therein. A peripheral portion  614  is formed thicker than the recess  612 , whereby a sufficient strength is ensured at the peripheral portion  614 . A groove  613  is formed in a part of the peripheral portion  614 , so that the flexible printed board  70  can extend from the recess  612  to the outside. 
     The recess  612  disposed in the front face panel  12 - 1  can be formed by scraping the front window  12 - 1 . The greater the thickness of the peripheral portion  614  of the front window  12 - 1  to be fixed to a housing or the like is, the greater the strength thereof is when the device falls down or the like. The thickness is desirably from 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm in a case of acrylic and from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm in a case of glass. 
     However, since the great thickness of an object attached on the operation surface decreases sensitivity at the time of operation with a finger, a small thickness is desirable for the touch panel  400 . Therefore, the thickness of the recess  612  is desirably from 0.5 mm or less in a case of acrylic and from 0.8 mm or less in a case of glass. 
     Next,  FIGS. 57 and 58  show a state of connecting the transparent conductive layer  603  with the back face connection pad  81 .  FIG. 57  is a schematic plan view of the touch panel  400 ; and  FIG. 58  is a schematic side view thereof. The illustration in  FIG. 57  is simplified for describing the connection between the transparent conductive layer  603  and the back face connection pad  81 . For the touch panel  400 , an input region  3  is formed on the front face of the glass substrate  5 . 
     The connection terminal  82  for the back face is formed on the front face, and the connection terminal  82  for the back face is connected to the flexible printed board  70  which is not shown. The connection terminal  82  for the back face and the back face connection pad  81  are connected via the wiring line  84 . The wiring line  84  is formed integrally with the connection terminal  82  for the back face and the back face connection pad  81 . 
     The back face connection pad  81  and the transparent conductive layer  603  are connected via a conductive tape (hereinafter, also the conductive tape is indicated by the reference numeral  80 ) as the conductive member  80 . The conductive tape  80  has a wiring line formed of copper foil in a resinous base material, and an anisotropic conductive film including conductive beads each having a particle diameter of 4 μm is attached on one side of the copper foil. The conductive tape  80  is attached at one end to the back face connection pad  81  and at the other end to the transparent conductive layer  603 . After the attachment, the conductive tape  80  is thermocompression-bonded by a tweezers-type thermocompression-bonding jig. In  FIG. 57 , the conductive tape  80  is connected at two, right and left locations at the edge of the touch panel  400  on the side where the connection terminals  7  are disposed. 
     Using the conductive tape  80  which is more inexpensive than a flexible printed board and performing thermocompression-bonding by a tweezers-type thermocompression-bonding jig which is a general tool enables a reduction in cost. Work with a tweezers-type thermocompression-bonding jig eliminates the need to turn over the touch panel  400  upon thermocompression-bonding on the back face, which reduces the possible damage or contamination to the electrode surface of the touch panel  400 . 
       FIG. 59  shows the touch panel  400  in which back face connection pads  81 - 2  are disposed at an edge of the touch panel  400  opposite from the side where the connection terminals  7  are disposed and connected with the wiring pattern  84  above the glass substrate  5 . A transparent conductive film has a higher specific resistance than general metals. In  FIG. 59 , therefore, the back face connection pad is disposed at each of four corner portions of the substrate, or the back face connection pad  81 - 2  additionally is disposed at the edge opposite from the edge where the connection terminals  7  are disposed, whereby the potential of the transparent conductive layer  603  on the back face can be unified. 
     In  FIG. 59 , a connection terminal  82 - 1  for the back face relative to a back face connection pad  81 - 1  at the corner portion at the edge on the side where the connection terminals  7  are disposed and a connection terminal  82 - 2  for the back face relative to the back face connection pad  81 - 2  at the opposite edge from the side where the connection terminals  7  are disposed are separately illustrated. However, even when they are connected with the wiring pattern  84  above the glass, the same effect can be provided. The wiring pattern  84  is formed of a multilayer of a transparent conductive film and a metal film to lower its wiring resistance than in a case of forming with one layer of a transparent conductive film. 
     Next,  FIG. 60  shows a state where the touch panel  400  is stacked with the display device using a metal frame  750 , and the front face panel  12 - 1  is adhesively fixed to a mold frame  755 . The transparent conductive layer  603  disposed on the back face of the touch panel  400  and the metal frame are connected with an anisotropic conductive tape  760  using a conductive resin or conductive beads. Application of voltage signal to the transparent conductive layer  603  on the back face of the touch panel  400  is performed via the metal frame  750  of the display device. Therefore, without using a dedicated pattern or member connecting between the front and back of the touch panel, voltage can be applied to the transparent conductive layer  603 . The same effect can be provided even when the transparent conductive layer  603  is connected, instead of the metal frame  750 , to the connection pad on the substrate of the display device or the pattern on the flexible printed board on the display device side with a conductive resin or the like. 
     Reference numeral  780  denotes a transparent conductive layer formed on the liquid crystal display panel side, and the transparent conductive layer is connected to the metal frame  750  with a conductive resin  770  or the like. The transparent conductive layer  603  is disposed on the back face of the touch panel  400 , and further, the transparent conductive layer  780  is disposed on the liquid crystal display panel side, whereby a shield effect is improved. 
     The mold frame  755  is disposed so as to surround the outer circumference of the metal frame  750 . The peripheral portion  614  of the front face panel  12 - 1  is fixed to the mold frame  755  with an adhesive material  756  such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive double-coated tape. The peripheral portion  614  is formed thick compared to the recess  612 , so that the strength is maintained in terms of fixation. 
     According to the embodiment of the invention as described above, even when nonconductive input means contacts the touch panel, the distance between the X-electrode XP or the Y-electrode YP for capacitance detection and the Z-electrode ZP above the X-electrode XP or the Y-electrode YP changes to thereby cause a capacitance change. Therefore, input coordinates can be detected as a capacitive coupling system. This makes it possible to coop with a resin-made stylus having low conductivity. 
     The electrode shape is devised so that an input position between X-electrodes neighboring to each other can be calculated based on the signal ratio of capacitance changes obtained from the two neighboring X-electrodes, whereby the number of X-electrodes is decreased. Moreover, the number of Y-electrodes can be decreased by devising the arrangement of the Z-electrode. This makes it possible to narrow a frame width necessary for wiring lines drawn from the detecting electrodes to the input processing unit, improving the design degree of freedom. Moreover, since an increase in the number of terminals in the input processing unit can be suppressed, a capacitive coupling touch panel which enables highly accurate input position detection can be realized at low cost. Further, since input coordinates can be detected with good accuracy even with input means having a small contact surface, for example, a stylus, application use such as character input is also possible. 
     Moreover, one of the X-electrode XP and the Y-electrode YP is sequentially applied with a pulse signal to previously determine from which electrodes the signal is output, so that detection can be performed with good accuracy even when two points are contacted simultaneously. 
     Although the invention made by the present inventors has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the invention is not limited to the embodiment and can be of course modified variously without departing from the gist thereof.