Abstract: A contact input system with conductive segments made of a conductive ink and formed to follow a selected pattern that are located on a rectangular resistive surface. The conductive segments to the left of a T-shaped segment at the midpoint of each side are generally Z-shaped and those to the right of the midpoint are shaped like an inverted Z. The segments are disposed in a generally parabolic shape curving towards the center of the active surface area. The top bar of each segment overlaps at least a portion of the bottom bar of the adjacent conductive segment. The system thus has only two overlapping lines of conductive segments. The segments linearize electric fields in the resistive surface in order to provide greater accuracy in determining the location of a contact point on the surface.

Abstract: A touch panel of the present invention consists of a rectangular resistance member on which a potential gradient formation area is formed, a plurality of thin film active elements constructed in accordance with a side of the potential gradient formation area. Each of the thin film active elements has a couple of potential gradient formation current terminals. One of them is connected to the side of the potential gradient formation area while the other one is connected to the gradient formation current terminal included in another thin film active element at the same side as well as connected to a terminal for an external unit.