Patent Description:
Displays like liquid crystal displays (LCD) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays are widely used both for consumer and industrial usages. Such a display is used in combination with a semi-transparent surface member on which a design is printed. The printed design on the surface member may look like fabric, wood, leather and so forth. The display is located underneath the surface member. When the display is turned off, a viewer can see the printed design of the surface member. On the other hand, the viewer can see a mixed image of the printed design and the screen shown by the display when the display is turned on. For instance, variable text information and operational information like buttons can be shown by the display in combination with fixed designs like fabric, wood, leather and so on.

For example, <CIT> discloses a configuration in which a semi-transparent surface member is located in front of a display. According to this configuration, a mixed image of a default screen of the surface member and a screen of the display becomes visible when the display is turned on.

<CIT> relates to a display apparatus having a curved surface covering a curved touch panel and a display, which is not in direct contact with the touch panel.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> each relate to a display device having a curved surface, wherein a touch panel thereof is covered by a surface member.

In case a touch panel is necessary for a conventional structure including a surface member and a flat display, the touch panel is located on the flat display. According to this conventional structure, there is an air gap between the surface member and the touch panel. Even if the display having the touch panel is forced to be adhered to the surface member by a mechanical method, it is difficult to adhere the display to the surface member without an air gap. Specially, if the display surface is flat and the surface member is curved, it is very difficult to adhere the touch panel, which is on the flat display, to the curved surface member without an air gap.

The invention is defined by the independent claim.

According to the disclosed information display terminal, the touch panel, which is flexible and apart from the information terminal body, can be adhered to the surface member without an air gap. Thus, the touch panel can detect a touch operation on the surface member without fail.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, detailed description beyond necessity may be omitted. For example, detailed description of a matter that has been already known well or overlapping description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. Such omissions are aimed to prevent the following description from being redundant more than necessary, and to help those skilled in the art easily understand the following description.

<FIG> illustrates an outside appearance of an information display terminal according to a first embodiment. The outside appearance and overall operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

From the outside, operator <NUM> can view only surface member <NUM> of information display terminal <NUM>. Surface member <NUM> has a printed design like fabric, wood, leather and so forth on it. Therefore, operator <NUM> views the printed design of surface member <NUM>.

Underneath (i.e., behind) surface member <NUM>, information display terminal <NUM> includes display <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM>. Surface member <NUM> is semi-transparent. Surface member <NUM> includes a wall surface. The wall surface transmits light from display <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible for operator <NUM> to see information like text, graphics and operational environment (buttons), which are shown by display <NUM> through surface member <NUM>. Actually, what operator <NUM> can view is a mixed image of the printed design on surface member <NUM> and a screen shown by display <NUM>. In <FIG>, operator <NUM> can view a text "ABC" and a power button, which are displayed by display <NUM>, on surface member <NUM>.

Operator <NUM> executes an operation by using capacitive touch panel <NUM>. In <FIG>, operator <NUM> can execute a power operation by touching the power button shown on surface member <NUM>. By this operation, capacitive touch panel <NUM> senses that operator <NUM> touches the position of the power button, and information display terminal <NUM> executes an operation selected by operator <NUM>. Because capacitive touch panel <NUM> is a capacitive type touch panel, it is able to sense operator <NUM>'s fingers through surface member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a configuration of an information display terminal according to the first embodiment. The configuration and operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, adhesive 106a, display <NUM>, adhesive 106b, flexible cable 107a, flexible cable 107b, structure <NUM>, information terminal body <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. The one or more screws <NUM> are examples of fixing tools. Instead of screws <NUM>, bolts and nuts may be used as fixing tools. Touch panel <NUM> has a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other.

Information terminal body <NUM> includes a casing within which is a main processing part for the information display terminal. Information terminal body <NUM> is attached to structure <NUM> by using one or more screws <NUM>. Specifically, the casing of information terminal body <NUM> is attached to structure <NUM> by screws <NUM>. This means that information terminal body <NUM> is removable from structure <NUM> if there is a necessity like a case of maintenance. As shown in <FIG>, information terminal body <NUM> is surrounded by structure <NUM>.

Information terminal body <NUM> executes objective processing for the information display terminal. Information terminal body <NUM> receives input information from capacitive touch panel <NUM> via flexible cable 107a, and transmits display information to display <NUM> via flexible cable 107b.

Surface member <NUM> is fixed to a top surface of structure <NUM>. Surface member <NUM> has a curved surface. And capacitive touch panel <NUM> is a flexible film based capacitive touch panel. Thus, capacitive touch panel <NUM> is a flexible touch sensor including a flexible film. Therefore, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can be curved so that capacitive touch panel <NUM> can be adhered to the curved surface of surface member <NUM>. The first surface of touch panel <NUM> is adhered to the curved surface of surface member <NUM> by adhesive 106a. Here, the first surface of touch panel <NUM> is adhered to the curved surface of surface member <NUM> such that the curvature of the first surface of touch panel <NUM> is identical to the curvature of the curved surface of surface member <NUM>. The second surface of touch panel <NUM> is apart from information terminal body <NUM>. Capacitive touch panel <NUM> is electrically connected to information terminal body <NUM> by flexible cable 107a. According to this structure, information terminal body <NUM> can receive touch input information from capacitive touch panel <NUM> and process it. Because capacitive touch panel <NUM> is apart from information terminal body <NUM> and is flexible, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can be curved and adhered to surface member <NUM> without any air gap between surface member <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM>, by using adhesive 106a. If there is an air gap between surface member <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM>, it is difficult for capacitive touch panel <NUM> to respond to operator <NUM>'s fingers touching surface member <NUM>. However, by using a flexible and physically independent touch panel as capacitive touch panel <NUM>, it becomes possible for capacitive touch panel <NUM> to be adhered to the curved surface of surface member <NUM> without an air gap and realize a certain operation.

In this embodiment, display <NUM> is also a flexible film based one. Thus, display <NUM> is a flexible display. Nowadays, film based flexible OLED displays are prevalent and are being widely used. Display <NUM> can be curved to be adhered to the curved surface of surface member <NUM>. Display <NUM> has a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are opposite to each other. The first surface of display <NUM> is adhered to the second surface of the capacitive touch panel <NUM> by adhesive 106b. The second surface of display <NUM> faces information terminal body <NUM> and is apart from information terminal body <NUM>. Specifically, the second surface of display <NUM> faces top surface <NUM> of the casing of information terminal body <NUM> and is apart from top surface <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the information display terminal of the present embodiment may include only air between the second surface of display <NUM> and top surface <NUM>.

Display <NUM> is electrically connected to information terminal body <NUM> by flexible cable 107b. Therefore, information terminal body <NUM> transmits display information (text, graphics, and operational environment) to display <NUM> via flexible cable 107b. And display <NUM> displays a screen based on the display information transmitted from information terminal body <NUM>. In other words, CPU <NUM> of information terminal body <NUM> receives an input from capacitive touch panel <NUM> via flexible cable 107b, to cause display <NUM> to display information. CPU <NUM> receives the input from capacitive touch panel <NUM> via flexible cable 107a, to control display <NUM>. Because display <NUM> is apart from information terminal body <NUM> and is flexible, display <NUM> can be curved and adhered to both surface member <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM> without an air gap by using adhesive 106b. If there is an air gap between capacitive touch panel <NUM> and display <NUM>, unclear and/or distorted display image may be presented on surface member <NUM>. However, by using a flexible and physically independent display as display <NUM>, it becomes possible for display <NUM> to be adhered to both the curved surface of surface member <NUM> and the curved surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM> without an air gap.

As illustrated in <FIG>, surface member <NUM> is fixed to a top surface of structure <NUM> to form an inner space. Information terminal body <NUM> is stored in the inner space. Specifically, information terminal body <NUM> is attached to a bottom of structure <NUM>.

Structure <NUM> may have a printed design on the top surface. In one embodiment, the printed design of structure <NUM> may be identical to the printed design of surface member <NUM>. For example, surface member <NUM> and structure <NUM> both have a printed design of wood. In another embodiment, the printed design of structure <NUM> may be different from the printed design of surface member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram of the information display terminal according to the first embodiment. The functional block diagram and functional operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes capacitive touch panel <NUM>, display <NUM>, and information terminal body <NUM>. And information terminal body <NUM> includes central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> in the casing of information terminal body <NUM>.

CPU <NUM> manages a status of the information display terminal. And CPU <NUM> transmits display information to display <NUM> depending on the status of the information display terminal.

Capacitive touch panel <NUM> senses operator's inputs (fingers) and transmits operator input information to CPU <NUM>. After CPU <NUM> receives the operation input information, CPU <NUM> processes the operator input information and changes the status of the information display terminal. And depending on the status, CPU <NUM> updates display information and transmits the updated information to display <NUM>.

Through these functional operations, the information display terminal can realize the proper information presentation to operator <NUM> based on the operator <NUM>'s input.

With the information display terminal according to the first embodiment as described thus far, both capacitive touch panel <NUM> and display <NUM> are adhered to surface member <NUM> without an air gap. Accordingly, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can detect a touch operation through surface member <NUM> more certainly. Further, operator <NUM> can see a clearer image, which is displayed by display <NUM>, through surface member <NUM>.

An outside appearance and overall operations of an information display terminal are the same as those of the first embodiment shown by <FIG>.

<FIG> is a configuration of an information display terminal according to a second embodiment. The configuration and operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, display <NUM>, cushion member <NUM>, cushion pressing member <NUM>, flexible cable 206a, flexible cable 206b, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>.

Basic configuration and operations of the information display terminal is almost the same as those of the first embodiment according to <FIG>.

A difference from the first embodiment is an adhering method of capacitive touch panel <NUM> and display <NUM>. Instead of using adhesives according to the first embodiment, cushion member <NUM>, which has elasticity and is located underneath capacitive touch panel <NUM> and the display <NUM>, is used for adhering. In other words, an adhesive is not used for the adhering method according to the present embodiment. Cushion member <NUM> is pressed in an upper direction (a direction toward surface member <NUM>) by cushion pressing member <NUM>. In other words, cushion pressing member <NUM> presses cushion member <NUM> toward surface member <NUM> such that the first surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> and the first surface of display <NUM> is adhered to the second surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM>. Cushion member <NUM> is in contact with the second surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the information display terminal of the present embodiment may include only air between cushion pressing member <NUM> and top surface <NUM> of the casing of information terminal body <NUM>.

Cushion pressing member <NUM> is made of stiff material and fixed to structure <NUM>. One material example of cushion member <NUM> is silicone gel material. Silicone gel material is very soft. Thus, the material of cushion pressing member <NUM> is stiffer than the material of cushion member <NUM>. And when cushion member <NUM>, which is made of soft material, is pressed by stiff cushion pressing member <NUM> toward stiff surface member <NUM>, the shape of cushion member <NUM> fits into the shape of surface member <NUM>. Thus, cushion member <NUM> can fit into the curved surface of surface member <NUM>. As a result, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can be curved and adhered to surface member <NUM> without an air gap between touch panel <NUM> and surface member <NUM>. Further, display <NUM> can be curved and adhered to capacitive touch panel <NUM> without an air gap between display <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM>. Through the explained configuration and operations, a certain operation of capacitive touch panel <NUM> and a clear and non-distorted screen by display <NUM> become possible.

Functional block and functional operation of an information display terminal are the same as those of the first embodiment shown by <FIG>.

With the information display terminal according to the second embodiment as described thus far, both capacitive touch panel <NUM> and display <NUM> are adhered to surface member <NUM> without an air gap. Accordingly, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can detect a touch operation through surface member <NUM> more certainly. Further, an operator can see a clearer image, which is displayed by display <NUM>, through surface member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a configuration of an information display terminal according to a third embodiment. The configuration and operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, cushion member <NUM>, cushion pressing member <NUM>, flexible cable <NUM>, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. Capacitive touch panel <NUM> has a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other.

Basic configuration and operations of the information display terminal are almost the same as those of the second embodiment according to <FIG>.

A difference from the second embodiment is a location of a display. According to this embodiment, information terminal body <NUM> includes display <NUM> (see <FIG>). Display <NUM> has display surface <NUM> which is also a top surface of information terminal body <NUM>. Display <NUM>, which is included in information terminal body <NUM>, displays a screen toward surface member <NUM>. Capacitive touch panel <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> by cushion member <NUM> and cushion pressing member <NUM> without an air gap. Thus, capacitive touch panel <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> without adhesive due to pressing via the cushion member <NUM> and the cushion pressing member <NUM> without an air gap between capacitive touch panel <NUM> and surface member <NUM>. Alternatively, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can be adhered to surface member <NUM> due to pressing via the cushion member <NUM> and the cushion pressing member <NUM> in addition to use of adhesive. The first surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM> is in contact with surface member <NUM>. The second surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM> is in contact with cushion member <NUM>. According to this embodiment, cushion member <NUM> and cushion pressing member <NUM> are optically transparent so that an operator can view an image, which is displayed by display <NUM> of information terminal body <NUM>. Specifically, the operator can view the image through surface member <NUM>, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, cushion member <NUM>, and cushion pressing member <NUM>. In other words, cushion member <NUM> and cushion pressing member <NUM> transmit light from display surface <NUM> of display <NUM>.

Through the explained configuration and operations, a certain operation of capacitive touch panel <NUM> becomes possible.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram of the information display terminal according to the third embodiment. The functional block diagram and functional operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes capacitive touch panel <NUM>, and information terminal body <NUM>. And information terminal body <NUM> includes display <NUM> and CPU <NUM>. Display <NUM> displays information on display surface <NUM>. Display surface <NUM> faces the second surface of capacitive touch panel <NUM>. CPU <NUM> receives an input from capacitive touch panel <NUM> to control display <NUM>.

CPU <NUM> manages a status of information display terminal. And the CPU <NUM> transmits display information to display <NUM> per the status of the information display terminal.

Capacitive touch panel <NUM> senses an operator's input (finger) and transmits operator input information to CPU <NUM>. After CPU <NUM> receives the operation input information, CPU <NUM> processes the operator input information and change the status of the information display terminal. And depending on the status, CPU <NUM> updates display information and transmit the updated information to display <NUM>. Display <NUM> of information terminal body <NUM> receives an input from capacitive touch panel <NUM> to display information on display surface <NUM> of display <NUM>.

Through these functional operations, the information display terminal can realize the proper information presentation to the operator based on the operator input.

With the information display terminal according to the third embodiment as described thus far, capacitive touch panel <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> without an air gap between capacitive touch panel <NUM> and surface member <NUM>. Accordingly, capacitive touch panel <NUM> can detect a touch operation through surface member <NUM> more certainly.

Outside appearance and overall operations of an information display terminal are almost the same as those of the first embodiment shown by <FIG>. But, the information display terminal does not include a capacitive touch panel according to this embodiment. Information appears on surface member <NUM>. But, the information display terminal of this embodiment does not detect a touch operation of an operator.

<FIG> is a configuration of an information display terminal according to the fourth embodiment. The configuration and operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, adhesive <NUM>, display <NUM>, flexible cable <NUM>, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. Display <NUM> has a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other.

A difference from the first embodiment is that the information display terminal does NOT include a capacitive touch panel. Display <NUM>, which is a flexible display, is adhered to surface member <NUM> by adhesive <NUM> without an air gap between display <NUM> and surface member <NUM>. Specifically, the first surface of display <NUM> is adhered to a curved surface of surface member <NUM> by adhesive <NUM>. The second surface of display <NUM> faces information terminal body <NUM> and is apart from information terminal body <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the information display terminal of the present embodiment may include only air between the second surface of display <NUM> and top surface <NUM> of the casing of information terminal body <NUM>.

By the explained configuration and operations, a clear and non-distorted screen by display <NUM> through surface member <NUM> can be realized.

<FIG> is a functional block of an information display terminal according to the fourth embodiment. The functional block and functional operations of the information display terminal according to this embodiment will be described hereinafter on the basis of <FIG>.

The information display terminal includes display <NUM>, and information terminal body <NUM>. And information terminal body <NUM> includes CPU <NUM>.

CPU <NUM> manages a status of information display terminal. And CPU <NUM> transmits display information to display <NUM> based on the status of the information display terminal.

Through these functional operations, the information display terminal can realize the proper information presentation to the operator based on its status.

With the information display terminal according to the fourth embodiment as described thus far, display <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> without an air gap between display <NUM> and surface member <NUM>. Accordingly, an operator can see a clearer image, which is displayed by display <NUM>, through surface member <NUM>.

The aforementioned first, second, third, and fourth embodiments have been described as examples of the technique disclosed in this application. However, the technique according to this disclosure is not limited thereto, and can also be applied in embodiments in which the aforementioned details have been changed, replaced, added, or removed as appropriate. The constituent elements and functions described in the aforementioned first, second, third, and fourth embodiments can also be combined in order to obtain new embodiments.

Although the foregoing embodiments are described as examples in which the surface member is assumed to have a curved surface, the present disclosure is useful to a case that a surface member has a flat surface. The flexible and physically independent touch panel and the flexible and physically independent display are effective to remove any air gap for adhering the touch panel and display to the flat surface member. This is because the flat surface member usually has some roughness on it and it is usually difficult to attach the flat surface member to the flat capacitive touch panel (or the flat display) without an air gap.

<FIG> is a first structure of an information display terminal according to other embodiments. According to <FIG>, the information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, adhesive 502a, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, adhesive 502b, display <NUM>, flexible cable 505a, flexible cable 505b, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. Basic configuration and operations of the information display terminal is the same as those of the first embodiment according to <FIG>. The difference is the surface of surface member <NUM>. Here, the surface of surface member <NUM> is flat, and is not curved. Even for this structure, physically independent capacitive touch panel <NUM>, which is a flexible touch sensor, and physically independent display <NUM>, which is a flexible display, are effective to remove any air gap between surface member <NUM> and capacitive touch panel <NUM>.

The present disclosure is also useful to a case that adhered part is only a touch panel (the information terminal body includes a display) and an adhering method is an adhesive. <FIG> is a second structure of the information display terminal according to other embodiments. According to <FIG>, the information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, adhesive <NUM>, capacitive touch panel <NUM>, flexible cable <NUM>, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. Basic configuration and operations of the information display terminal is the same as those of the third embodiment according to <FIG>. But, adhesive <NUM> is used as an adhering method instead of using a cushion member and a cushion pressing member. Specifically, the first surface of capacitive <NUM> is adhered to surface member <NUM> by adhesive <NUM>.

This disclosure is also useful to a case that adhered part is only a display, and a cushion member and a cushion pressing member are used as an adhering method. <FIG> is a third structure of the information display terminal according to other embodiments. According to <FIG>, the information display terminal includes surface member <NUM>, display <NUM>, flexible cable <NUM>, cushion member <NUM>, cushion pressing member <NUM>, information terminal body <NUM>, structure <NUM>, and one or more screws <NUM>. Basic configuration and operations of the information display terminal is the same as those of the fourth embodiment according to <FIG>. But, cushion member <NUM> and cushion pressing member <NUM> are used as an adhering method instead of using an adhesive.

Claim 1:
An information display terminal comprising:
a surface member (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that has a curved surface;
a touch panel (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) having a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other, the first surface being adhered to the curved surface of the surface member (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) without an air gap; and
an information terminal body (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) that is configured to receive an input from the touch panel (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>); wherein the second surface of the touch panel is apart from the information terminal body
characterized in that
the surface member (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) is to be fixed to a structure (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>);
the information terminal body (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) is to be attached to the structure (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>); and
the information terminal body (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) is configured to be removable from the structure (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>).