US20100194708A1 - Touch panel and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch panel includes an input registration structure comprising a biasable medium layer. A generally inflexible cover is disposed on the input registration structure and defines a touch surface. A pointer biases the biasable medium layer at a position adjacent the pointer when the pointer is positioned proximate the touch surface. The input registration structure generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the pointer in relation to the touch surface.

Description

• This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/071,452, filed Mar. 3, 2005, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to interactive display systems and, more particularly, to a touch panel and method of manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Touch panels, such as for example digitizers and analog resistive touch screens are known in the art. These touch panels typically include a conductive tensioned membrane defining a touch surface that is stretched tautly over and spaced from a conductive substrate. When a pointer is used to contact the tensioned membrane with sufficient activation force, the tensioned membrane deflects and contacts the conductive substrate thereby to make an electrical contact. Determining voltage changes induced by the electrical contact allows the position of pointer contact on the touch surface to be determined and a position signal corresponding to the position of pointer contact to be generated.
• Touch panels of this nature are often used in conjunction with a display such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel. In such cases, the touch panel is disposed over the display with images presented by the display being visible through the touch panel. In this manner, the touch panel and display combination permits touch interaction with a displayed graphical interface. Examples of touch panel and display implementations include tablet personal computers (“PCs”) and personal digital assistants (“PDAs”). Although PCs and PDAs are widely accepted, as the touch panel is disposed over the display the visual quality of displayed images can be somewhat distorted.
• When a user uses a pointer to provide touch input, the pointer is commonly held in the hand in the same manner as more traditional writing instruments, such as for example a pen, when used to write on paper. The fleshy part of the palm adjacent the little finger, if not also the forearm, is typically rested on the touch surface to provide stability. When this technique is used to provide touch input, the area of contact between the user's hand and the touch surface is detected as input, obscuring the actual pointer touch input. This condition is commonly referred to as “palm reject”. As will be appreciated, improvements in touch panels to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages are desired.
• It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel touch panel and method of manufacturing the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel, comprising:
• an input registration structure comprising a biasable medium layer;
• a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure and defining a touch surface; and
• a pointer for biasing said biasable medium layer at a position adjacent said pointer when said pointer is positioned proximate said touch surface, said input registration structure generating a position signal corresponding to said pointer position.
• In one embodiment, the input registration structure includes a pressure-sensitive layer arrangement adjacent the biasable medium layer for registering biasing of the biasable medium layer. The pressure sensitive layer arrangement includes two spaced, conductive resist layers that are brought into contact upon biasing of the bias able medium layer. The pointer magnetically biases the medium layer. The pressure-sensitive layer arrangement is placed intermediate the generally inflexible cover and the biasable medium layer and the pointer magnetically attracts the biasable medium layer.
• In one embodiment, the biasable medium layer is ferromagnetic and includes a layer of ferrous paint applied to the flexible layer. The layer of ferrous paint can be continuous or discontinuous across the flexible layer. Alternatively, in another embodiment the biasable medium layer comprises a plurality of magnetically biasable objects, such as ball bearings.
• The pointer may include a permanent magnet or an electromagnet to bias the biasable medium layer.
• According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a touch panel, comprising:
• providing a generally inflexible cover defining a touch surface; and
• coupling an input registration structure to one side of said generally inflexible cover, said input registration structure comprising a biasable medium layer, said input registration structure being operable to register the location of biasing of said biasable medium layer.
• According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch panel, comprising:
• an input registration structure comprising a magnetically biasable medium layer; and
• a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure, the surface of said cover opposite said input registration structure defining a touch surface.
• The touch panel provides advantages in that, by using an input registration structure disposed on a generally inflexible cover that defines a touch surface opposite the input registration structure, the palm reject issues associated with conventional analog-resistive type touch panels are avoided. Additionally, accidental contact with the touch surface does not result in erroneous input being registered.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
• FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a prior art touch panel;
• FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of one embodiment of a touch panel;
• FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional representation of a pointer for use with the touch panel ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the touch panel and the pointer ofFIGS. 2 and 3 respectively, in a touch mode;
• FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the touch panel and the pointer ofFIGS. 2 and 3 respectively, in a hover mode;
• FIGS. 6aand6bshow alternative biasable medium layers for use with the touch panel ofFIG. 2;
• FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of yet another alternative biasable medium layer comprising a number of ball bearings;
• FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of the biasable medium layer ofFIG. 7 with an alternative separator;
• FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of a touch panel employing biasable components;
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a biasable component used in the touch panel ofFIG. 9; and
• FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional representation of an alternative pointer for use with the touch panel ofFIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
• For ease of understanding, a prior art touch panel of the analog-resistive type will firstly be described. Turning now toFIG. 1, a prior art touch panel is shown and is generally identified byreference numeral20. Thetouch panel20 is generally rectangular and includes an upper planar tensionedmembrane24. The upper surface of the tensionedmembrane24 defines a generallysmooth touch surface28. A conductiveresistive layer32 is applied to the undersurface of thetensioned membrane24. Aperipheral insulating spacer36 spaces theresistive layer32 from another conductiveresistive layer40 that is applied to the top surface of a rigid protective layer44 to provide anair gap48. The tension applied to thetensioned membrane24 in conjunction withspacer36 maintains separation between theresistive layer32 and theresistive layer40 in the absence of pointer contacts on thetouch surface28. The rigid protective layer44 is disposed above adisplay panel52. Each of thetensioned membrane24, theresistive layers32,40, and the rigid protective layer44 are generally transparent to permit viewing of thedisplay panel52 from atop of thetouch surface28. Adjacent the underside of thedisplay panel52 is abacking panel56 to support and secure thedisplay panel52. Analuminum frame60 encases and securely holds the components of thetouch panel20.
• The tensionedmembrane24 is a flexible, low creep film such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). The tensionedmembrane24 serves to protect theresistive layers32,40 from damage as a result of physical contact, while maintaining sensitivity to pointer contact on thetouch surface28.
• Theresistive layers32,40 each comprise a layer of Indium tin oxide. The peripheral insulatingspacer36 is formed of electrically insulating material such as rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic or fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP). The rigid protective layer44 is typically made of glass or plexiglass.
• When a pointer is used to contact the tensionedmembrane24 with sufficient activation force, the tensionedmembrane24 deflects into thegap48 and contacts theresistive layer40 at the pointer contact position. Voltage changes induced by the electrical contact between theresistive layers32,40 are sensed allowing the position of the pointer contact to be determined and a corresponding position signal to be generated.
• As touch input is registered whenever the tensionedmembrane24 is deflected into thegap48 to bringresistive layer32 into contact with theresistive layer40, accidental contacts with the tensioned membrane are often interpreted as touch input. Additionally, thetouch panel20 suffers from the “palm reject” problem discussed previously if the user places his hand on thetouch surface28 during writing on thetouch surface28 using a pointer with sufficient pressure to deflect the tensionedmember24 and bring theresistive layer32 into contact with theresistive layer40.
• Turning toFIG. 2, an embodiment of a touch panel is shown generally at100. The construction of thetouch panel100 will be described relative to its illustrated orientation, although those skilled in the art will understand that thetouch panel100 can be used in other orientations.Touch panel100 has a protectivetop cover104 that is generally inflexible, the upper surface of which defines atouch surface108. The protectivetop cover104 overlays adisplay panel112. The protectivetop cover104 in this example is a sheet of Lexan® which, due to its generally inflexible nature, protects thedisplay panel112. The Lexan sheet is transparent to permit viewing of images presented by thedisplay panel112. Thedisplay panel112 is an LCD or other suitable panel for generating and presenting images.
• An insulatinglayer116 made of polyester is disposed below thedisplay panel112. The insulatinglayer116 is affixed via a layer ofglue120 to arigid layer124 of aluminum. The insulatinglayer116 electrically insulates the conductive aluminumrigid layer124 from the underlying circuitry of thedisplay panel112. Therigid layer124 supports thedisplay panel112 and prevents it from flexure. Another insulatinglayer128 is adhered to the underside of therigid layer124 via a layer ofglue132.
• Situated underneath the insulatinglayer128 is aninput registration structure136. Theinput registration structure136 comprises a pressure-sensitive analogresistive layer arrangement140 and a biasablemedium layer144 below the analogresistive layer arrangement140. The pressure-sensitive analogresistive layer arrangement140 comprises a carbon resistlayer148 affixed to the second insulatinglayer128 via a layer ofglue152, and separated from another carbon resistlayer156 by a peripheralair gap spacer160 to maintain anair gap164 between the carbon resistlayers148 and156. Carbon resistlayer156 is disposed on the biasablemedium layer144. A peripheralair gap spacer168 separates the biasablemedium layer144 from asupport layer172 to maintain anair gap176 therebetween. Theair gap176 allows the carbon resistlayer156 to be biased towards the carbon resistlayer148 with little air pressure resistance. The peripheralair gap spacers160,168 are formed of electrically insulating material such as rigid polyvinyl chloride (RPVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acrylic or fiberglass reinforced plastic. Analuminum frame180 encases and securely holds the components of thetouch panel100.
• Each of the carbon resistlayers148 and156 includes a set of thin parallel “wires”, with the wires of one carbon resist layer being oriented transverse to the wires of the other carbon resist layer. The carbon resistlayer156 is a thin flexible film that is adhered to the peripheralair gap spacer160 under tension.
• In this embodiment, the biasablemedium layer144 is a relatively thin, continuous coating of ferrous paint that is applied to the underside of the carbon resistlayer156. The ferrous paint comprises ferrous particles suspended in a carrier of acrylic paint. The acrylic paint completely coats the ferrous particles to provide electrical insulation from the carbon resistlayer156. The coat of ferrous paint is sufficiently thin so as not to induce significant sag in the carbon resistlayer156. The ferrous particles are ferromagnetic; that is, they are attracted to a magnetic force.
• FIG. 3 shows apointer200 for use with thetouch panel100 ofFIG. 2.Pointer200 comprises a generallycylindrical housing204 having atip208 protruding from apassage212 at one end of thehousing204. Aretainer ring216 is secured to the interior end of thetip208 and is accommodated in a stepped region of thepassage212. Theretainer ring216 abuts a shoulder220 defined by the step in the passage to limit the outward travel of thetip208 along thepassage212.
• A pressure-activated switch224 is disposed in thehousing204 beyond the interior end of thetip208. The switch224 is activated when pressure is applied to the distal end of thetip208 that is sufficient to urge the tip into thechannel212 and against the switch224. Awire228 is coupled to the switch224 and exits the rear end of thepointer200 to electrically couple the switch224 to thetouch panel100.
• Thetip208 is a generally cylindrical permanent magnet that generates a magnetic field and has a rounded distal end to permit smooth travel of thetip208 across thetouch surface108.
• Thepointer200 can be conditioned between two modes. When thetip208 is urged into thechannel212 via contact with thetouch surface108 and activates the switch224, thepointer200 is conditioned to a “touch mode”. Alternatively, when the switch224 is not activated, thepointer200 is conditioned to a “hover mode”.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 show thepointer200 in use with thetouch panel100. InFIG. 4, thepointer200 is shown in contact with thetouch surface108 such that thetip208 is urged into thechannel212 and activates the switch224. As a result, thepointer200 is conditioned to the touch mode.
• With thetip208 of thepointer200 in contact with thetouch surface108, the biasablemedium layer144 is attracted by the magnetic field generated by thepointer tip208 at a location proximate to the point of contact of thepointer tip208 with thetouch surface108 as shown generally at250. As a result, the biasablemedium layer144 urges the carbon resistlayer156 to which it is coupled upwards and into contact with the carbon resistlayer148 at that location. With the carbon resistlayers148 and156 in contact, the pointer position is determined in a known manner by applying a voltage to the wires of one resist layer and reading the potential on the wires of the other resist layer and then by applying a voltage to the wires of the other resist layer and reading the potential on the wires of the one resist layer.
• In the touch mode, as shown inFIG. 4, the activated switch224 of thepointer200 completes a circuit with thetouch panel100. Thetouch panel100 interprets the completed circuit as an indication that thepointer200 is in the touch mode. Thus, the input registered by the touch panel as a result of contact between the carbon resistlayers148 and156 is deemed to be touch input. In response, thetouch panel100 generates a position signal that is transmitted to a computing device to which thetouch panel100 is coupled, along with the mode of the pointer200 (i.e. touch).
• InFIG. 5, thepointer200 is shown positioned proximate to thetouch panel100, but is either not in contact with thetouch surface108 or the contact is not sufficient to activate the switch224 of thepointer200. As a result, thepointer200 is conditioned to the hover mode.
• As thetip208 of thepointer200 generates a magnetic field regardless of whether thepointer200 is in the touch or hover mode, in the hover mode the biasablemedium layer144 is still attracted by thepointer tip208. As a result, the biasablemedium layer144 presses against the second carbon resistlayer156. In this manner, the second carbon resistlayer156 is urged into contact with the carbon resistlayer148 as shown generally at254 to register the input.
• In the hover mode, the switch224 of thepointer200 does not complete the circuit with thetouch panel100. Thetouch panel100 interprets the open circuit as an indication that thepointer200 is in the hover mode. Thus, the input registered by thetouch panel100 as a result of contact between the carbon resistlayers148 and156 is deemed to be hover input. In response, thetouch panel100 generates a position signal that is transmitted to the computing device along with the mode of the pointer200 (i.e. hover).
• As will be appreciated, thetouch panel100 avoids the “palm reject” problems described previously as input is registered by magnetically biasing a pressure-sensitive analog resistive layer arrangement within the touch panel.
• While, in the above-described embodiment, the biasablemedium layer144 is a layer of ferrous paint applied in a continuous coat to the carbon resistlayer156, it may be advantageous to apply the paint in a discontinuous manner to the second carbon resist layer. By reducing the surface area of the coat of paint, the weight of the paint, which is related to sag, can be reduced and/or the thickness of the paint can be increased to improve the ferromagnetic response of the paint.
• FIGS. 6aand6billustrate alternative patterns for application of the ferrous paint to the carbon resistlayer156. Both patterns are generated using a silk-screening process. As can be seen, the patterns are not continuous and provide for reduced areas of paint coverage. The patterns are, however, generally repeating such that no point on the carbon resistlayer156 is further than a set distance from ferrous paint to ensure suitable responsiveness across the second carbon resistlayer156.
• FIG. 7 shows yet another alternative biasablemedium layer300 for use with thetouch panel100 comprising a plurality of magnetically biasable objects. In this example, the biasable objects areball bearings304 disposed in agrid separator308. Theball bearings304 are made of a ferromagnetic metal, typically carbon steel.
• Thegrid separator308 is manufactured from a material that does not interfere with the magnetic biasing of theball bearings304, such as a resilient plastic. Thegrid separator308 defines a number ofcells312 that are cuboid and have dimensions larger than those of theball bearings304 to allow theball bearings304 to freely float within the cells. By using thegrid separator308, a generally even distribution ofball bearings304 across the biasablemedium layer300 is maintained. Thecells312 are open along one side to allow theball bearings304 to protrude from the open side. When the biasablemedium layer300 is employed in thetouch panel100, the open sides of thecells312 face the carbon resistlayer156 to permit theball bearings304 to impinge thereon when magnetically attracted by thepointer200.
• When thepointer200 is brought proximate to thetouch surface108, the magnetic field generated by thepointer tip208 attracts theball bearing304 adjacent the pointer. Theball bearing304 in turn moves upward within itscell312. The upper portion of theball bearing304 that projects above thegrid separator308 contacts the carbon resistlayer156 and urges it into contact with the carbon resistlayer148 thereby to register input.
• FIG. 8 shows yet another alternative biasablemedium layer316 that is similar to the biasablemedium layer300 ofFIG. 7. In this example, achannel separator320 is used in place of thegrid separator308. Thechannel separator320 haslateral channels324 dimensioned larger than theball bearings304 such that free flotation of theball bearings304 along thechannels324 is permitted. Use of thechannel separator320 maintains a generally even distribution of theball bearings304 along one dimension of the biasablemedium layer316. Theball bearings304 generally distribute themselves along a second dimension (i.e. along the channels324). If the touch panel is to be operated at least partially upright, thechannels324 can be aligned horizontally to maintain the generally even distribution of theball bearings304.
• Thechannels324 are open along one side to allow theball bearings304 to protrude from the open side. When the biasablemedium layer316 is employed in thetouch panel100, the open sides of thechannels324 face the carbon resistlayer156 to permit theball bearings304 to impinge thereon when magnetically attracted by thepointer200.
• FIGS. 9 and 10 show another embodiment of thetouch panel100. In this example,touch panel100 has a biasablemedium layer400 interposed between theinsulation layer128 and the pressure-sensitive layer arrangement140. Theinput registration structure136 is reversed such that the carbon resistlayer156 is positioned above carbon resistlayer148. Asecondary insulation layer408 is positioned between the carbon resistlayer148 and thealuminum frame180.
• Biasablemedium layer400 includes an array ofbiasable components404. Eachbiasable component404 comprises acylindrical magnet412 slidably received in one end of atube416. Themagnet412 and thetube416 are dimensioned to permit air flow along the side of themagnet412 when themagnet412 is moved through thetube416. The other end of thetube416 is secured to a mountingplate420 that extends outside the circular profile of thetube416. The mounting plate provides asurface420 to secure adhesively thetube416 to theinsulation layer128. InFIG. 10, themagnet412 is shown held in a neutral position within thetube416 by aspring424 that resists movement of themagnet412 in either direction through thetube416. Themagnet412 is secured to thespring424 at theSouth pole428 thereof, with theNorth pole432 protruding from thetube416.
• When thepointer200 radiating a South magnetic force is placed proximal to thetouch surface108, themagnet412 of thebiasable component404 nearest thepointer200 is urged away from the pointer due to the polarity of themagnet412. As a result, themagnet412 is pushed out of thetube416 and towards the carbon resistlayer156. The impingement of themagnet412 against the carbon resistlayer156 causes it to span thegap148 and contact the carbon resistlayer148 to register input. Upon removal of the magnetic force of thepointer200 from thetouch surface108, themagnet412 returns to the neutral position under the bias of thespring424.
• FIG. 11 shows anotherpointer500 for use with thetouch panel100. Instead of a permanent magnet, thepointer500 employs a solenoid to generate an electromagnetic field. Thepointer500 has a cylindricalmain body504 and aniron tip508 protruding from one end of themain body504. Unlikepointer200, thetip508 is fixed to thebody504. Anelectrical coil512 encircles theiron tip508 within thebody504 and is connected to abattery516 housed in themain body504. Two conductive elastomer grips520 are positioned on the exterior of themain body504 and are connected to thebattery516. Upon contact with the skin of a user, a circuit is formed through the elastomer grips520. When the circuit is completed, theelectrical coil512 is electrically coupled to thebattery516. As a result, an electromagnetic field is generated along theiron tip508 for biasing the biasable medium layer of the touch panel.
• While the pointer is described as having a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of pointers can be used. If desired, rather than determining hover or contact based on pointer output, hover and contact input can be differentiated by determining the strength of the input, given a known magnetic force generated by the pointer. Where magnetically biasable elements are used, the point of contact of the pointer can be larger when the pointer is contacting the touch surface. The effects of positioning the pointer at different elevations above the touch surface can be determined and used to classify registered input as touch or hover contact. Also if desired, the touch panel can be conditioned to treat all input as touch input.
• Although the touch panel is described as including a display panel for presenting images that are visible through the top cover, if desired, the display panel and protective top cover can be replaced with an opaque layer for tablet or whiteboard applications.
• An optical registration layer can be used in place of the pressure-sensitive analog resistive layer arrangement. In this case, one or more cameras and light sources are positioned to look along the plane of the biasable medium layer and detect movement therealong thereby to detect point contact. Alternatively, a capacitive arrangement can be used in lieu of the pressure-sensitive analog resistive layer arrangement as well.
• If desired, the ferrous paint can be imbued with a permanent charge, thereby reducing the magnetic force required to bias the biasable medium layer to bring the carbon resist layers into contact with one another in response to pointer input.
• In the embodiments employing a biasable medium layer including ball bearings, those of skill in the art that other types and shapes of magnetically biasable objects may of course be used.
• Although a number of embodiments of the touch panel have been described and illustrated, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (66)

1. A touch panel system, comprising a touch panel and at least one pointer, said touch panel comprising:

an input registration structure comprising a flexible layer; and

a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure and defining a touch surface;

wherein when said pointer is positioned proximate said touch surface, said pointer biases said flexible layer at a position adjacent said pointer thereby causing said flexible layer to flex, flexing of said flexible layer causing said input registration structure to generate a position signal corresponding to said pointer position.

2. The touch panel system ofclaim 1, wherein said input registration structure further comprises a pressure-sensitive layer arrangement adjacent said flexible layer, said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement sensing flexing of said flexible layer.

3. The touch panel system ofclaim 2, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement includes two spaced, conductive resist layers, said resist layers being brought into contact upon flexing of said flexible layer.

4. The touch panel system ofclaim 2, wherein said pointer magnetically biases said flexible layer.

5. The touch panel system ofclaim 4, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement is positioned between said cover and said flexible layer and wherein said pointer magnetically attracts said flexible layer.

6. The touch panel system ofclaim 5, wherein said flexible layer is ferromagnetic.

7. The touch panel system ofclaim 6, wherein said flexible layer comprises a layer of ferrous paint applied to a flexible substrate.

8. The touch panel system ofclaim 7, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is discontinuous across said substrate.

9. The touch panel system ofclaim 8, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is applied to said substrate in a repeating pattern.

10. The touch panel system ofclaim 7, wherein said flexible layer is disposed on a support panel.

11. The touch panel system ofclaim 4, wherein said pointer comprises a permanent magnet.

12. The touch panel system ofclaim 4, wherein said pointer comprises an electromagnet.

13. The touch panel system ofclaim 12, wherein said pointer comprises a circuit that, when closed, activates said electromagnet.

14. The touch panel system ofclaim 13, wherein said pointer comprises a tip switch.

15. The touch panel system ofclaim 14, wherein said touch panel is conditioned to a touch mode when said tip switch is activated.

16. The touch panel system ofclaim 15, wherein said touch panel is conditioned to a hover mode when said tip switch is unactivated.

17. The touch panel system ofclaim 16, further comprising a display panel intermediate said generally inflexible cover and said input registration structure.

18. The touch panel system ofclaim 17, wherein said display panel is an LCD panel.

19. A method of manufacturing a touch panel, comprising:

providing a generally inflexible cover defining a touch surface;

coupling an input registration structure to one side of said generally inflexible cover, said input registration structure comprising a flexible layer, said input registration structure being operable to register the location of flexing of said flexible layer.

20. The method ofclaim 19, further comprising:

coupling a pressure-sensitive layer arrangement to said flexible layer, said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement registering flexing of said flexible layer.

21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement includes two spaced, conductive resist layers.

22. The method ofclaim 21, wherein said flexible layer is magnetically biasable.

23. The method ofclaim 22, wherein said flexible layer is ferromagnetic.

24. The method ofclaim 23, wherein said flexible layer comprises a flexible substrate having a layer of ferrous paint applied thereto.

25. The method ofclaim 24, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is applied discontinuously across said flexible substrate.

26. The method ofclaim 25, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is applied in a repeating pattern across said flexible substrate.

27. The method ofclaim 26, wherein, during coupling of said input registration structure, said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement is placed intermediate said generally inflexible layer and said flexible layer.

28. The method ofclaim 27, further comprising:

coupling a support panel to said generally inflexible layer and said input registration structure.

29. The method ofclaim 28, further comprising:

interposing a display panel intermediate said generally inflexible layer and said input registration structure.

30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein said display panel is an LCD panel.

31. A touch panel, comprising:

an input registration structure comprising a flexible layer that flexes in response to an applied magnetic force; and

a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure, the surface of said cover opposite said input registration structure defining a touch surface.

32. The touch panel ofclaim 31, wherein said input registration structure further comprises a pressure-sensitive layer arrangement adjacent said flexible layer, said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement registering flexing of said flexible layer.

33. The touch panel ofclaim 32, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement is intermediate said input registration layer and said generally inflexible layer.

34. The touch panel ofclaim 33, wherein said flexible layer comprises a layer of ferrous paint applied to a flexible substrate.

35. A touch panel system, comprising a touch panel and at least one pointer, said touch panel comprising:

an input registration structure comprising a biasable layer comprising an array of movable magnetic objects, and a pair of spaced, conductive resist layers; and

a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure and defining a touch surface;

wherein when said pointer is positioned proximate said touch surface, said pointer biases magnetic objects of said biasable layer that are positioned adjacent said pointer thereby causing said biased magnetic objects to move and bring said resist layers into contact with one another, said input registration structure of said touch panel generating a position signal corresponding to said pointer position in response to contact of said resist layers.

36. The touch panel system ofclaim 35, wherein said pointer magnetically attracts the magnetic objects.

37. The touch panel system ofclaim 36, wherein said magnetic objects are ferromagnetic.

38. The touch panel system ofclaim 37, wherein said magnetic objects are ball bearings.

39. The touch panel system ofclaim 38, wherein said biasable layer further comprises a separator for maintaining said magnetic objects in a desired distribution.

40. The touch panel system ofclaim 39, wherein said separator is a grid separator.

41. The touch panel system ofclaim 40, wherein said separator is a channel separator.

42. A method of manufacturing a touch panel, comprising:

providing a generally inflexible cover defining a touch surface;

coupling an input registration structure to one side of said generally inflexible cover, said input registration structure comprising a biasable layer and a pair of spaced, conductive resist layers, said biasable layer comprising an array of movable magnetic objects, said resist layers being brought into contact by displaced magnetic objects of said biasable layer.

43. The method ofclaim 42, wherein said magnetic objects are ball bearings.

44. The method ofclaim 43, wherein said magnetic objects are accommodated by a separator for maintaining said magnetic objects in a desired distribution.

45. The method ofclaim 44, wherein said separator comprises a grid separator.

46. The method ofclaim 45, wherein said separator comprises a channel separator.

47. A touch panel, comprising:

an input registration structure comprising a magnetically biasable layer and a pair of spaced, conductive resist layers, said magnetically biasable layer comprising a plurality of distributed movable magnetic objects; and

a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure, the surface of said cover opposite said input registration structure defining a touch surface.

48. The touch panel ofclaim 47, wherein said resist layers are intermediate said input registration layer and said generally inflexible layer.

49. A touch panel system, comprising a touch panel and at least one pointer, said touch panel comprising:

an input registration structure comprising a pliable layer; and

a generally inflexible cover disposed on said input registration structure and defining a touch surface;

wherein when said pointer is positioned proximate said touch surface, said pointer biases said pliable layer at a position adjacent said pointer thereby causing deformation said pliable layer and resulting in said input registration structure generating a position signal corresponding to said pointer position.

50. The touch panel system ofclaim 49, wherein said input registration structure further comprises a pressure-sensitive layer arrangement adjacent said pliable layer, said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement detecting deformation of said pliable layer.

51. The touch panel system ofclaim 50, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement includes two spaced, conductive resist layers, said resist layers being brought into contact upon deformation of said pliable layer.

52. The touch panel system ofclaim 51, wherein said pointer magnetically biases said pliable layer.

53. The touch panel system ofclaim 52, wherein said pressure-sensitive layer arrangement is positioned between said cover and said pliable layer and wherein said pointer magnetically attracts said pliable layer.

54. The touch panel system ofclaim 53, wherein said pliable layer is ferromagnetic.

55. The touch panel system ofclaim 54, wherein said pliable layer comprises a layer of ferrous paint applied to a substrate.

56. The touch panel system ofclaim 55, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is discontinuous across said substrate.

57. The touch panel system ofclaim 56, wherein said layer of ferrous paint is applied to said substrate in a repeating pattern.

58. The touch panel system ofclaim 57, wherein said pliable layer is disposed on a support panel.

59. The touch panel system ofclaim 58, wherein said pointer comprises a permanent magnet.

60. The touch panel system ofclaim 59, wherein said pointer comprises an electromagnet.

61. The touch panel system ofclaim 60, wherein said pointer comprises a circuit that, when closed, activates said electromagnet.

62. The touch panel system ofclaim 61, wherein said pointer comprises a tip switch.

63. The touch panel system ofclaim 62, wherein said touch panel is conditioned to a touch mode when said tip switch is activated.

64. The touch panel system ofclaim 63, wherein said touch panel is conditioned to a hover mode when said tip switch is unactivated.

65. The touch panel system ofclaim 64, further comprising a display panel intermediate said generally inflexible cover and said input registration structure.

66. The touch panel system ofclaim 65, wherein said display panel is an LCD panel.

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