KR101792525B1 - Touch pressure detectable touch input device including display module - Google Patents

Abstract

A pressure-sensitive touch input device including a display module is disclosed. A touch input device according to the present invention includes: a display module; A pressure detecting module disposed under the display module and detecting a touch pressure applied to a surface of the display module; And a substrate of a flexible material disposed at a lower portion of the pressure detecting module. The touch input device may be bent within a predetermined range. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently detect the touch position and the touch pressure as a touch input device of a shape that can be bent within a predetermined range.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a touch-sensitive touch input device including a display module,

The present invention relates to a pressure-sensitive touch input device including a display module, and more particularly, to a pressure-sensitive touch input device including various types of display modules.

Various types of input devices are used for the operation of the computing system. For example, an input device such as a button, a key, a joystick, and a touch screen is used. Due to the easy and simple operation of the touch screen, the use of the touch screen in the operation of the computing system is increasing.

The touch screen may comprise a touch surface of a touch input device including a touch sensor panel, which may be a transparent panel having a touch-sensitive surface. Such a touch sensor panel may be attached to the front of the display screen such that the touch-sensitive surface covers the visible surface of the display screen. The user simply touches the touch screen with a finger or the like so that the user can operate the computing system. Generally, a computing system is able to recognize touch and touch locations on a touch screen and interpret the touch to perform operations accordingly.

On the other hand, various types and types of display modules can be used for the touch screen. Accordingly, there is an increasing need for a touch input device capable of efficiently detecting a touch position and a touch pressure as a touch input device including display modules of various types and types.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch input device including a display module of various types and forms, and a touch input device capable of efficiently detecting a touch position and a touch pressure. .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device including: a display module; A pressure detecting module disposed under the display module and detecting a touch pressure applied to a surface of the display module; And a substrate of a flexible material disposed at a lower portion of the pressure detecting module, and is capable of being bent within a predetermined range.

 The touch input device may further include a touch sensor panel formed on the entire surface of the display module, and the pressure detection module may be formed on the entire surface of the display module.

The display module may be bent when a touch pressure is applied, and the electrical characteristics detected by the pressure detecting module may change as the display module is warped, and the touch pressure may be detected based on the electrical characteristics.

Also, as the display module is warped, the distance between the pressure electrode included in the pressure detecting module and the substrate changes, and the electrical characteristic may be a capacitance that varies with the distance.

The display module may include an OLED panel.

According to the touch input device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the touch position and the touch pressure can be efficiently detected irrespective of the mode or form of the display module.

In addition, since the pressure detecting module can replace the conventional mechanical button, it is possible to prevent mechanical defects, breakdown, and the like, and to reduce the manufacturing process and cost, as well as to provide a simpler design as a touch- can do.

1 is a view for explaining a configuration and an operation of a touch sensor panel which is a constitution of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A through 3D are views illustrating a touch sensing method of a touch input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the structure of a pressure sensing module according to various embodiments.
4A to 4F show structural cross sections of a pressure detection module which is a constitution of a touch input device according to various embodiments.
FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an OLED panel that can be included in a display module, which is a configuration of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 to 8 are views showing a lamination structure of a touch input device according to various embodiments of the present invention.
9 is a diagram showing an application example of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a diagram showing an application example of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram showing an application example of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12A is a perspective view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A 'in FIG. 12A.
13 is a perspective view of a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a schematic diagram showing a touch input device according to various embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. For a specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will be described in detail so as to be sufficient for practicing the present invention. Other embodiments than the particular embodiment need not be mutually exclusive but different from each other. It is to be understood that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The detailed description of the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered a part of the description of the entire invention. The reference to direction or orientation is for convenience of description only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Specifically, terms indicating positions such as "lower, upper, horizontal, vertical, upper, lower, upper, lower, upper, lower ", or their derivatives (e.g.," horizontally, Etc.) should be understood with reference to both the drawings and the associated description. In particular, such a peer is merely for convenience of description and does not require that the apparatus of the present invention be constructed or operated in a specific direction.

It should also be understood that the term " attached, attached, connected, connected, interconnected ", or the like, refers to a state in which the individual components are directly or indirectly attached, And it should be understood as a term that encompasses not only a movably attached, connected, fixed state but also a non-movable state.

Hereinafter, a touch input device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The pressure-sensitive touch input device including the display module according to the present invention can be used as a portable electronic device such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a notebook, a personal digital assistants (PDA), an MP3 player, a camera, , A home PC, a TV, a DVD, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, and a microwave oven. Further, the pressure-sensitive touch input apparatus including the display module according to the present invention can be used without limitation in all products requiring display and input devices such as an industrial control apparatus, a medical apparatus, and the like.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining the configuration and operation of a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 included in a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1, the touch sensor panel 100 includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. The touch sensor panel 100 includes a plurality of driving electrodes A driving unit 120 for applying a driving signal to the electrodes TX1 to TXn and a sensing signal including information on a capacitance change amount that changes according to a touch on the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100, And a sensing unit 110 for sensing the touch position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensor panel 100 may include a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. 1, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm of the touch sensor panel 100 are shown as an orthogonal array. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may have any number of dimensions including its diagonal, concentric and three-dimensional random arrangement, and its application arrangement. Here, n and m are positive integers and may be the same or different from each other, and the size may be changed according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be arranged to cross each other. The driving electrode TX includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn extending in a first axis direction and a receiving electrode RX includes a plurality of receiving electrodes extending in a second axis direction intersecting the first axis direction RX1 to RXm).

In the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in the same layer. For example, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on the same surface of an insulating film (not shown). In addition, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in different layers. For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on both sides of an insulating film (not shown), or a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn A plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on one surface of a first insulating film (not shown) and a second insulating film (not shown) different from the first insulating film.

A plurality of drive electrodes (TX1 to TXn) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX1 to RXm) is a transparent conductive material (e.g., tin oxide (SnO ₂₎ and indium oxide _{(In 2 O 3) ITO (} Indium Tin made of such Oxide) or ATO (antimony tin oxide)). However, this is merely an example, and the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be formed of another transparent conductive material or an opaque conductive material. For example, the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may include at least one of silver ink, copper, nano silver, and carbon nanotube (CNT) . In addition, the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be realized by a metal mesh.

The driving unit 120 according to the embodiment may apply a driving signal to the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn. In an embodiment, the driving signal may be sequentially applied to one driving electrode at a time from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn. This application of the driving signal can be repeated again. This is merely an example, and driving signals may be simultaneously applied to a plurality of driving electrodes according to an embodiment.

The sensing unit 110 receives information on the capacitance Cm generated between the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm to which driving signals are applied through the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm And the touch position and the touch position can be detected by receiving the sensing signal. For example, the sensing signal may be a signal in which the driving signal applied to the driving electrode TX is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance CM: 101 generated between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX.

The process of sensing the driving signal applied from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn via the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm is referred to as scanning the touch sensor panel 100 can do.

For example, the sensing unit 110 may include a receiver (not shown) connected to each of the reception electrodes RX1 to RXm through a switch. The switch is turned on during a period of sensing the signal of the corresponding receiving electrode RX so that a sensing signal can be sensed from the receiving electrode RX at the receiver. The receiver may be comprised of an amplifier (not shown) and a feedback capacitor coupled between the negative input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier, i. E., The feedback path. At this time, the positive input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the ground. In addition, the receiver may further include a reset switch connected in parallel with the feedback capacitor. The reset switch can reset the conversion from current to voltage performed by the receiver. A negative input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the corresponding receiving electrode RX to receive a current signal including the information about the capacitance (CM) 101, integrate the current signal, and convert the current signal into a voltage. The sensing unit 110 may further include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the integrated data to digital data through the receiver. The digital data may then be input to a processor (not shown) and processed to obtain touch information for the touch sensor panel 100. The sensing unit 110 may be configured to include an ADC and a processor together with a receiver.

The control unit 130 may control the operation of the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110. For example, the controller 130 generates a driving control signal, and transmits the driving control signal to the driving unit 120 so that the driving signal is applied to the driving electrode TX preset at a predetermined time. The control unit 130 generates a sensing control signal and transmits the sensing control signal to the sensing unit 110. The sensing unit 110 receives a sensing signal from a predetermined receiving electrode RX at a predetermined time to perform a predetermined function can do.

In FIG. 1, the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may constitute a touch detection device (not shown) capable of detecting whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched or touched. The touch detection apparatus may further include a control unit 130. [ The touch sensing device may be integrated on a touch sensing integrated circuit (IC), which is a touch sensing circuit, in the touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel 100. The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX included in the touch sensor panel 100 are electrically connected to the touch sensing IC 100 through the conductive trace and / or a conductive pattern printed on the circuit board. 150 to the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110, respectively. The touch sensing IC 150 may be placed on a circuit board on which a conductive pattern is printed, for example, a first printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a first PCB). The touch sensing IC 150 may be mounted on a main board for operating the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, when a capacitance value C of a predetermined value is generated at each intersection of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX and an object such as a finger is close to the touch sensor panel 100, The value of the capacity can be changed. In FIG. 1, the electrostatic capacitance may represent mutual capacitance Cm. The sensing unit 110 senses such electrical characteristics and can detect whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched and / or touched. For example, it is possible to detect whether or not a touch is made on the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 having a two-dimensional plane including a first axis and a second axis, and / or its position.

More specifically, the position of the touch in the second axial direction can be detected by detecting the driving electrode TX to which the driving signal is applied when the touch to the touch sensor panel 100 occurs. Likewise, the position of the touch in the first axis direction can be detected by detecting the capacitance change from the received signal received through the receiving electrode RX when the touch sensor panel 100 is touched.

Although the mutual capacitance type touch sensor panel has been described in detail as the touch sensor panel 100 in the above description, the touch sensor panel for detecting whether or not the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention is touch- 100 may be formed by a method other than the above-described methods such as a self-capacitance method, a surface capacitance method, a projected capacitance method, a resistive film method, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) method, An optical sensing method, a dispersive signal technology, and an acoustic pulse recognition method.

The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position in the touch input device 1000 to which the pressure detection module according to the embodiment can be applied may be located outside or inside the display module 200. [

The display panel included in the display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 to which the pressure detection module according to the embodiment can be applied may be a display panel included in an organic light emitting diode (OLED) or the like.

However, the display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a display module of another type such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP) have.

Accordingly, the user can perform an input action by touching the touch surface while visually checking the screen displayed on the display panel. The display module 200 receives input from a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (CPU), which is a central processing unit on a main board for operating the touch input device 1000, And may include control circuitry to display the content. This control circuit may be mounted on a second printed circuit board (not shown). At this time, the control circuit for operating the display panel may include a display panel control IC, a graphic controller IC, and other circuits for operating the display panel.

The above description of the operation of the touch sensor panel 100 for sensing the touch position will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3D.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A to 3D illustrate a method of sensing a touch pressure and various embodiments of the pressure detection module 400 Fig.

2, the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a display module 200, a pressure detection module 400, and a substrate 300 . At this time, the substrate 300 may be a reference potential layer. The reference potential layer of the touch input device 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention may be arranged differently from that of FIG. That is, the reference potential layer may be above the pressure detecting module 400 or may be located within the display module 200. In addition, one or more reference potential layers may be provided. At this time, the arrangement of the pressure detection module 400 may also be changed corresponding to the laminated structure of the touch input device 1000. In this regard, the embodiments of Figs. 3A to 3D will be described in detail.

A spacer layer 420 may be positioned between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 as shown in FIG. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 in the arrangement according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A may be disposed on the side of the substrate 300 between the display module 200 and the substrate 300.

The pressure electrode for pressure detection may include a first electrode 450 and a second electrode 460. At this time, one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be a driving electrode and the other may be a receiving electrode. A driving signal may be applied to the driving electrode and a sensing signal may be obtained through the receiving electrode. When a voltage is applied, mutual capacitance may be generated between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device 1000 shown in FIG. 3A when pressure is applied. The lower surface of the display module 200 may have a ground potential for noise shielding. When the pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent. Accordingly, the distance d between the ground potential surface as the reference potential layer and the pressure electrode patterns 450 and 460 can be reduced to d '. In this case, as the distance d decreases, the fringing capacitance is absorbed to the lower surface of the display module 200, so that the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be reduced have. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment, when the touch pressure is applied to the display module 200, the largest deformation may be caused at the touch position. According to an exemplary embodiment, the position of the display module 200 that exhibits the largest deformation when the display module 200 is bent may not coincide with the position where the touch is made, but the display module 200 has a warp at least at the touch position. For example, when the touch position is close to the edge and the edge of the display module 200, the position where the display module 200 is bent most greatly may be different from the touch position. However, Lt; / RTI >

3C shows a pressure electrode arrangement of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the electrode arrangement shown in FIG. 3C, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are disposed between the display module 200 and the substrate 300, and may be disposed on the display module 200 side.

3A and 3B illustrate that the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed on the substrate 300 but the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the lower surface of the display module 200 Do. At this time, the substrate 300 may have a ground potential as a reference potential layer. Accordingly, as the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched, the distance d between the substrate 300 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 decreases. As a result, the distance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460). ≪ / RTI >

FIG. 3D shows the electrode arrangement of the touch input device 1000 according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of FIG. 3D, one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, which are the pressure electrodes, is formed on the substrate 300 side and the other is formed on the lower surface side of the display module 200 . 3D illustrates that the first electrode 450 is formed on the substrate 300 side and the second electrode 460 is formed on the lower surface side of the display module 200. [ Of course, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be replaced with each other.

When the pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object 500, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent. Accordingly, the distance d between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be reduced. In this case, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may decrease as the distance d decreases. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

4A to 4F show a structural cross-section of the pressure detection module 400 which is an embodiment of the touch input device 1000 according to various embodiments.

4A, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are located between the first insulating layer 410 and the second insulating layer 411 in the pressure electrode module 400 according to the embodiment. For example, after the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed on the first insulating layer 410, the second insulating layer 411 may cover the pressure electrodes 450 and 460. At this time, the first insulating layer 410 and the second insulating layer 411 may be an insulating material such as polyimide. The first insulating layer 410 may be made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and the second insulating layer 411 may be a cover layer made of ink. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may include a material such as copper and aluminum. A gap between the first insulating layer 410 and the second insulating layer 411 and between the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the first insulating layer 410 may be an adhesive such as a liquid bond Not shown). According to the embodiment, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed by positioning a mask having a through hole corresponding to the pressure electrode pattern on the first insulating layer 410 and then spraying a conductive spray. .

4A, the pressure sensing module 400 further includes an elastic foam 440 and the elastic foam 440 may be formed on one side of the second insulation layer 411 in a direction opposite to the first insulation layer 410 have. The elastic foam 440 may be disposed on the substrate 300 side with respect to the second insulating layer 411 when the pressure detecting module 400 is attached to the substrate 300. [

At this time, an adhesive tape 430 having a predetermined thickness may be formed on the outer surface of the elastic foam 430 to attach the pressure detecting module 400 to the substrate 300. According to the embodiment, the adhesive tape 430 may be a double-sided adhesive tape. At this time, the adhesive tape 430 may also serve to bond the elastic foam 430 to the second insulating layer 411. At this time, the thickness of the pressure detecting module 400 can be effectively reduced by disposing the adhesive tape 430 on the outer side of the elastic foam 430.

When the pressure sensing module 400 illustrated in FIG. 4A is attached to the bottom substrate 300, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be operable to detect pressure. For example, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are disposed on the side of the display module 200, the reference potential layer corresponds to the substrate 300, and the elastic foam 440 corresponds to the spacer layer 420 . For example, when touching the touch input device 1000, the elastic foam 440 is pressed to reduce the distance between the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the substrate 300, which is a reference potential layer, 450 and the second electrode 460 may be reduced. The magnitude of the touch pressure can be detected through such capacitance change.

4B, the pressure detecting module 400 is not attached to the substrate 300 through the adhesive tape 430 located outside the elastic foam 440, unlike FIG. 4A. 4B shows a first adhesive tape 431 and a second adhesive tape 432 on the elastic foam 440 to adhere the pressure sensing module 400 to the substrate 300 to adhere the elastic foam 440 to the second insulating layer 411. [ A second adhesive tape 432 may be included. The first and second adhesive tapes 431 and 432 are disposed so that the elastic foam 440 is firmly attached to the second insulating layer 411 and the pressure detecting module 400 is fixed to the substrate 300 . According to an embodiment, the pressure sensing module 400 illustrated in FIG. 4B may not include the second insulating layer 411. For example, when the first adhesive tape 431 is attached to the first insulating layer 410 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 while the elastic foam 440 acts as a cover layer directly covering the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 Can play a role. This can also be applied to the case of Figs. 4C to 4F below.

4C is a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 4A. 4C, the elastic foam 440 may be formed with a hole that penetrates the height of the elastic foam 440, so that the elastic foam 440 can be easily pressed when the touch input device 1000 is touched . The hole (H) may be filled with air. The degree of civilization of pressure detection can be improved when the elastic foam 440 is pressed well. In addition, by forming the holes H in the elastic foam 400, the phenomenon that the surface of the elastic foam 400 protrudes due to the air when the pressure detection module 400 is attached to the substrate 300 can be eliminated. 4C, a first adhesive tape 431 may be further included in addition to the adhesive tape 430 to firmly adhere the elastic foam 400 to the second insulating layer 411.

4D is a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 4B. As shown in FIG. 4C, the elastic foam 440 is formed with a hole H passing through the height of the elastic foam 440.

FIG. 4E is a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 4B, which further includes a second elastic foam 441 on one surface of the first insulating layer 410 in a direction different from that of the elastic foam 440 as one surface. The second elastic foam 441 may be further formed to minimize an impact transmitted to the display module 200 when the pressure sensing module 400 is attached to the touch input device 1000. At this time, the third adhesive layer 433 may be further included to adhere the second elastic foam 441 to the first insulating layer 410.

4F illustrates the structure of a pressure sensing module 400 operable to detect pressure. The structure of the pressure detecting module 400 in which the first electrodes 450 and 451 and the second electrodes 460 and 461 are disposed with the elastic foam 440 therebetween is shown in FIG. 4B, the first electrodes 450 and 451 are formed between the first insulating layer 410 and the second insulating layer 411 and include a first adhesive tape 431, an elastic foam (not shown) 440 and a second adhesive tape 432 can be formed. The second electrodes 460 and 461 are formed between the third insulating layer 412 and the fourth insulating layer 413 and the fourth insulating layer 413 is formed between the elastic foam 440 and the second adhesive tape 432, As shown in Fig. A third adhesive tape 433 may be formed on one surface of the third insulating layer 412 on the substrate side and the pressure detecting module 400 may be attached to the substrate 300 through a third adhesive tape 433 . 4B, according to the embodiment, the pressure detecting module 400 illustrated in FIG. 4F may not include the second insulating layer 411 and / or the fourth insulating layer 413. For example, when the first adhesive tape 431 serves as a cover layer that directly covers the first electrodes 450 and 451, the elastic foam 440 is bonded to the first insulating layer 410 and the first electrodes 450 and 451, As shown in Fig. The second adhesive tape 432 also functions as a cover layer that directly covers the second electrodes 460 and 461 while the elastic foam 440 is bonded to the third insulating layer 412 and the second electrodes 460 and 461, As shown in Fig.

At this time, the elastic foam 440 is pressed through the touch of the touch input device 1000, so that mutual electrostatic capacitance between the first electrodes 450 and 451 and the second electrodes 460 and 461 can be increased. The touch pressure can be detected by changing the capacitance. Also, according to the embodiment, one of the first and second electrodes 450 and 451 and the second electrode 460 and 461 may be grounded to sense the self-capacitance through the other electrode.

4F, the thickness and manufacturing cost of the pressure detecting module 400 are increased compared with the case where the electrodes are formed as a single layer, but the pressure detecting module 400 is not pressure-sensitive to the characteristics of the reference potential layer located outside the pressure detecting module 400 Performance can be guaranteed. That is, by configuring the pressure detecting module 400 as shown in FIG. 4F, the influence of the external potential (ground) environment can be minimized during pressure detection. Therefore, it is possible to use the same pressure detection module 400 regardless of the type of the touch input apparatus 1000 to which the pressure detection module 400 is applied.

In the above description, the pressure detection using the pressure electrode including the driving electrode and the reception electrode is described based on the amount of mutual capacitance change that varies as the driving electrode and the reception electrode approach the reference potential layer. However, ) May perform the touch pressure detection based on the amount of change in self capacitance.

Briefly, the touch pressure can be detected by using the self capacitance formed between the pressure electrode (any one of the driving electrode and the receiving electrode) and the reference potential layer. That is, the touch pressure can be detected by using the self-capacitance formed between the driving electrode and the reference potential layer and / or the self-capacitance formed between the receiving electrode and the reference potential layer. In the case where the touch pressure is not applied even though there is a touch of the user, the distance between the pressure electrode and the reference potential layer does not change, so that the value of the self-capacitance does not change. At this time, only the touch position by the touch sensor panel 100 will be detected. However, when applied up to the touch pressure, the self-capacitance value changes in the above manner, and the pressure detection module 400 detects the touch pressure based on the variation amount of the self-capacitance.

Specifically, when a pressure is applied by a touch, the reference potential layer or the pressure electrode (driving electrode or receiving electrode) moves, and the distance between the reference potential layer and the pressure electrode approaches, and the value of the self-capacitance increases. The touch pressure is detected by determining the magnitude of the touch pressure based on the increased self-capacitance value.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the display module 200 will be described. The display module 200, which is an embodiment of the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention, may include an OLED panel.

OLED panels have many advantages over LCD panels, and are being used in a wide variety of applications requiring displays. The LCD panel displays a character or an image by refracting the light generated in the liquid crystal while controlling electric stimulation by inserting a liquid crystal having the intermediate property between solid and liquid between the two glass plates. Such a LCD requires a backlight unit, which not only increases the thickness of the display but also requires power to the backlight unit at all times, resulting in high power consumption and a slower response time than OLEDs.

On the other hand, an OLED panel is a self-light emitting type display panel using a principle that electrons and holes combine in an organic layer when a current is applied to a fluorescent or phosphorescent organic thin film and light is generated. The organic material constituting the light emitting layer determines the color of light. Specifically, OLEDs use the principle that an organic material emits light when an organic material is applied to glass or plastic and electricity is supplied. That is, when holes and electrons are injected into the anode and the cathode of the organic material, respectively, and then recombined with the light emitting layer, excitons having a high energy state are formed. When excitons drop to low energy, energy is emitted and light of a specific wavelength And to use the generated principle. At this time, the color of the light changes depending on the organic material of the light emitting layer.

In OLED, a line-driven PM-OLED (Passive-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and an AM-OLED (Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) are used depending on the operation characteristics of the pixels constituting the pixel matrix exist. Since both of them do not require a backlight, the display module can be made very thin, the contrast ratio is constant according to the angle, and color reproducibility according to temperature is good. In addition, un-driven pixels are very economical in that they do not consume power.

In operation, the PM-OLED emits light only for a scanning time with a high current, and the AM-OLED maintains a light emission state for a frame time with a low current. Therefore, AM-OLED has better resolution than PM-OLED, it is advantageous to drive a large-area display panel and has low power consumption. In addition, since each element can be individually controlled by incorporating a thin film transistor (TFT), it is easy to realize a sophisticated screen.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an OLED panel, which may be included in a display module 200, which is one configuration of a touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5A, the OLED is basically composed of an anode, an organic material layer, and a cathode. The organic material layer includes an HIL (Hole Injection Layer), an HTL (Hole Transfer Layer), an EIL (Emission Material Layer) Electron injection layer), an electron transfer layer (ETL), and an electron injection layer (EML).

Briefly, the HIL functions to inject holes and uses a material such as CuPc. The HTL functions to transfer the injected holes and the hole mobility should be good. As the HTL, arylamine, TPD and the like can be used. EIL and ETL are layers for electron injection and transport, and injected electrons and holes are combined in EML to emit light. EML is a material that expresses the emitted color, and is composed of a host that determines the lifetime of the organic material, and a dopant that determines color and efficiency.

A section of an AM-OLED panel, which is currently used in mobile devices such as a smart phone, will be briefly described with reference to FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 5B, the AM-OLED panel is composed of a TFT substrate (thin film transistor backplane), an anode, an organic layer, a cathode, and a polarizer. On the other hand, there are various types of AM-OLED panels, but among the RGB-type AM-OLED panels, one pixel is composed of three primary colors (Red, Green, Blue) to determine the color of light.

In the AM-OLED panel, as shown in FIG. 5B, when an organic compound layer is inserted between the anode and the cathode to turn on the TFT, a driving current is applied to the anode to inject holes and inject electrons from the cathode , Holes and electrons move to the organic material layer, and light is generated.

The display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an OLED panel (an AM-OLED panel or a PM-OLED panel). Various structures (for example, the pressure detection module 400 and the reference potential layer 610) for detecting the touch pressure are stacked on the bottom of the display module 200 using the OLED panel.

The touch input device 1000 according to the present invention can be used in various devices such as a smart phone, a TV, and the like as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, but the present invention is not limited to such a smart touch, tablet PC, personal digital assistants (PDAs), MP3 players, cameras, camcorders, electronic dictionaries, home electronic products such as home PCs, TVs, DVDs, refrigerators, air conditioners and microwave ovens, industrial control devices and medical devices As described above.

First, FIG. 9 shows an embodiment in which the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention is implemented as a smartphone. In particular, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the display module 200 may take the shape of a curved edge.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 9 has a shape of a display module 200 composed of a flat surface portion 290 and a curved surface portion 291. At this time, the flat portion 290 is located at the center, and the curved portion 291 extends from the flat portion 290 and can be formed on both sides. The curved surface portion 291 can take a curved shape with a predetermined curvature.

Herein, the predetermined curvature refers to a condition in which the user easily identifies an image displayed through the display module 200 or the touch sensor panel 100 or the pressure detection module 400 formed on the upper or lower part of the display module 200 The present invention is not limited to the specific curvature value of the curved surface portion 291. [

9, curved portions 291 are formed on both sides of the display module 200, but curved portions 291 may be formed only on one side of the left and right sides of the flat portion 290. [

10 and 11 show an embodiment in which the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention is applied to a TV and a smart phone which are generally curved surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the display module 200 may have a curved surface whose center portion is curved downward as a whole.

Alternatively, the central portion of the display module 200 may be curved upwardly. In addition, contrary to the embodiments of Figs. 10 and 11, which are warped in the transverse direction, the display module 200 warped in the longitudinal direction may be assumed.

Further, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may use a suitable display panel (for example, an AM-OLED panel or an LCD panel) and a substrate of a flexible material, Or may be implemented in a form that can be bent within the frame.

6 to 8 show a laminated structure of the touch input device 1000 according to various embodiments of the present invention. 6 to 8 are stacked structures of the touch input device 1000 assuming the embodiment of FIG.

9, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present invention may be applied to a display module 200 including a flat portion 290 and at least one curved portion 291, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, Or a laminated structure.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 includes the pressure detecting module 400 only in the vertical lower region of the flat portion 290 of the display module 200.

That is, the pressure detecting module 400 is not provided in a lower region of the curved surface portion 291 of the display module 200. On the other hand, the touch sensor panel 100 may be provided on the entire surface of the display module 200.

6, the pressure detecting module 400 (and the reference potential layer 610) is provided only on the flat portion 290 of the display module 200, more specifically, only on the lower region of the flat portion 290 The touch sensor panel 100 is provided on the entire surface of the display module 200 so that the touch position is detected in the entire area of the display module 200 while the touch pressure is detected in the entire area of the display module 200 Plane portion 290 as shown in Fig.

That is, since the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 can not provide the touch pressure on both sides of the display module 200, it is possible to prevent unintentional touch input (position and pressure) .

For example, when a smart phone having the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention is inserted into a pocket, both sides of the display module 200 are unintentionally pressed, Thus, it is possible to prevent an accident that the pressure detecting module 400 detects the touch pressure and the operation according to the touch pressure is performed.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 has a structure in which the touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 (and the reference potential layer 610) are formed on the entire surface of the display module 200 .

Therefore, the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 can detect the touch position and touch pressure in the entire area of the display module 200, so that the user can touch the touch input anywhere in the display module 200 can do.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 6 in that the touch pressure is detected in the curved surface portion 291 in addition to the plane portion 290, It is possible to replace it with an input by pressure.

That is, the user feels the feel of pressing the button by pressing the display surface of both sides instead of pressing the button.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8, the pressure detection module 400 (and the reference potential layer 610) is formed only in a lower region of the curved surface portion 291 of the display module 200.

Therefore, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 can detect the pressure only on the curved surface portion 291 of the display module 200, so that the user can press the display surface on both sides instead of pressing the button, The feeling of pressing the button is felt in a similar manner. On the other hand, in the area of the flat surface portion 290, only the touch position of the touch sensor panel 100 can be detected.

8 shows that the touch sensor panel 100 is formed on the front surface portion (the flat surface portion 290 and the curved surface portion 291) of the display module 200. Alternatively, By forming the panel 100, the manufacturing cost can be lowered and the structure can be simplified. In addition, the touch sensor panel 100 may be formed only on the curved surface portion 291.

In this case, since the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIG. 8 has two pressure detection modules 400-1 and 400-2 spaced from each other, the two pressure detection modules 400-1 and 400-2 are driven , It can be designed to use one or two channels.

That is, the two pressure detection modules 400-1 and 400-2 may detect the touch position and the touch pressure using different channels, or may detect the touch position and the touch pressure through one channel.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the lower area of the flat surface 290 can be used as a built-in space of another element for operating the touch input device, thereby obtaining an advantage in space.

8, the touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 may be provided with the curved surface portion 291 only on the left or right side of the display module 200. [ The touch input device 1000 capable of detecting the touch position and the touch pressure can be realized by appropriately modifying the structure described above.

6 to 8, the touch sensor panel 100 is described as being disposed at an upper portion of the display module 200. However, the touch sensor panel 100 may be integrally formed with the display module 200. FIG. That is, the touch sensor panel 100 may be implemented in an in-cell manner, and the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention may be limited to a specific arrangement of the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 And can be implemented in various ways.

Meanwhile, the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 may include a battery B for supplying power to each configuration for sensing a touch input. In addition, an impact absorbing unit SP may be further provided to ensure reliable driving of the touch input apparatus 1000 and to prevent damage due to an impact.

In the structure of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8, the structure and function of the reference potential layers 610, 610-1, and 610-2 are the same as those described above, and detailed description thereof will be omitted . Although the lamination structure of the pressure detection module 400 and the reference potential layers 610, 610-1, and 610-2 is described above with reference to the structure shown in FIG. 2, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the lamination structure .

As the structure of the pressure electrode of the pressure detection module 400, various embodiments of FIGS. 3A to 3D can be applied. As the detailed structure of the pressure detection module 400, various embodiments of FIGS. 4A to 4F can be applied It will be easy to understand. Of course, the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention is not limited to the structure of the pressure electrode according to Figs. 3A to 3D and the pressure detection module of Figs. 4A to 4F.

In the above description with reference to Figs. 6 to 8, the form of the display module 200 shown in Fig. 9 is assumed, but in the case of the embodiment of Figs. 10 and 11, Or modified to function as the touch input device 1000 capable of detecting the touch position and touch pressure, and those skilled in the art will be able to design without difficulty in the manner described above.

12A is a perspective view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 12A includes a front surface 700F having a display module 200, a left side surface 700L extending vertically from the front side 700F, a right side surface 700R, an upper side surface 700U, A side surface 700D, and a back surface 700B.

12A, the display module 200 is provided on the front surface 700F of the touch input device, and the touch sensor panel 100 is stacked on the top of the display module 200. FIG. As described above, when touching the front surface 700F of the touch input device, the touch sensor panel 100 senses the touch position.

On the other hand, at least one of the side surfaces 700L, 700R, 700U, and 700D of the touch input device includes a pressure detection module 400 to detect the touch pressure of the user.

12B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'in FIG. 12A. The touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 are provided on the front portion 700F and the pressure detection module 400 is provided on the left and right side surfaces 700L and 700R.

The pressure detecting module 400 of FIG. 12B may be provided in any one of FIGS. 4A to 4F, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the pressure detecting module 400 may detect the touch pressure through a change in capacitance And can be implemented in various structures.

12B, the side cover member SC may be laminated on the pressure detecting module 400 provided on the left and right side surfaces 700L and 700R. The side cover member SC covers the rim of the touch input device, protects the pressure detecting module 400, and functions to prevent intrusion of foreign matter.

Since the pressure detection can be performed only when the user presses the finger with a finger or the like, the distance between the electrode and the reference potential layer must be variable so that the side cover member SC formed on the upper portion of the pressure detecting module 400 It is preferable to select a material (e.g., rubber, silicone rubber, etc.) that can be bent inward within a predetermined range.

12B, the pressure detecting module 400 is provided on both the left side 700L and the right side 700R. However, the pressure detecting module 400 may be provided on only one side. In another embodiment, The pressure detection module 400 may be provided on at least one of the pressure sensors 700U and 700D. Of course, if necessary, the pressure detecting module 400 may be formed on the back surface 700B of the touch input device. That is, the touch input device according to the present invention may include the pressure detecting module 400 on at least one side of the left, right, top and bottom sides 700L, 700R, 700U, 700D and the back side 700B.

13 is a perspective view of a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 13, the pressure detecting module 400 is provided on the side surface as shown in Figs. 12A and 12B.

12B, although the pressure detecting module 400 is covered with the side cover member SC, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, the side display module 293S is formed on the pressure detecting module 400 .

13 includes a front display module 293F formed on the front surface and a side display module 293S formed on the side surface and the side display module 293S includes a front display module 293F, / RTI > 13 shows that the side display module 293S extends vertically from the front display module 293F, but alternatively it may be bent and extended in an oblique direction.

The touch sensor panel 100 may be provided on the upper portion of the front display module 293F and the pressure detecting module 400 may be provided on the lower portion of the side display module 293S. 4A to 4F, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressure sensing module 400 may be configured to detect the touch pressure through a change in capacitance due to a change in distance from the reference potential layer Can be implemented with various structures.

Although not explicitly shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to further include a pressure detecting module 400 at a lower portion of the front display module 293F and further include a side touch sensor panel at an upper portion of the side display module 293S have. In this case, the touch position and the touch pressure can be detected on all the surfaces to be displayed.

Also, the front display module 293F and the side display module 293S may be implemented as a single display module (one component), and may be realized by connecting independent display modules (separate components) have. Those skilled in the art will be able to select an appropriate structure or arrangement in view of the driving method of the display module and the like.

14 is a schematic diagram showing a touch input device according to various embodiments of the present invention. 14, the front side of the touch input device may include a display area 710 and a non-display area 720. [

Here, the display area 710 is an area where the display module 200 is provided, and the non-display area 720 is an area where the display module 200 is not provided. Therefore, the touch input device according to Fig. 14 has a display function only in the display area 710. [

At least one pressure detecting module 400 is provided inside the non-display area 720, although it is not visible but may be seen internally as the case may be. Thus, when the user presses the non-display area 720 by hand, the touch pressure can be detected in the manner described above.

The pressure detection module 400 provided in the non-display area 720 in the touch input device according to the embodiment of FIG. 14 may be provided in any one of FIGS. 4A to 4F, , And can be implemented with various structures that can detect the touch pressure through a capacitance change according to a distance change with the reference potential layer.

Meanwhile, the pressure detection module 400 may be formed in the non-display area 720 in various forms. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, a pressure detecting module 400 having the same size as the width of the display module 200 may be formed under the display area 710 where the display module 200 is disposed 14 (b), the pressure detecting module 400 may be formed only in a predetermined area (a button-shaped circle area), and two pressure detecting modules 400 may be provided as shown in FIG. 14 (c) They may be formed spaced apart from each other.

14, when the user presses the non-display region 720 with a finger or the like, the distance between the electrode of the pressure detecting module 400 and the reference potential layer must be variable so that the pressure can be detected , And a cover layer of a flexible material (e.g., a rubber ring) may be laminated on the upper portion of the pressure detecting module 400. The cover layer may be a case of a touch input device.

14, the pressure detecting module 400 can be used as a physical button, the predetermined pattern is printed on the non-display area 720, and when there is a pressing of the user The application to be executed, and the like can be intuitively confirmed. Of course, the execution of the application can be made by detecting the touch pressure, which can be done by the pressure detection method described above.

9 to 14, in which the touch input device according to the present invention is practically implemented, the above description has focused on the configuration for enabling the display, the touch input detection, and the touch pressure detection. However, It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that an example would include a configuration for operating with a device such as a smart phone.

9 to 14, when two or more pressure detecting modules are included or are provided at different positions, the pressure detecting modules may be driven through one channel, Can be driven. In the case of the multi-channel configuration, since each of the pressure detection modules can be individually and simultaneously controlled, it is possible to ensure more excellent pressure detection. Likewise, the touch sensor panel or display module associated with position detection can also be controlled via two or more channels. Those skilled in the art will be able to freely design the channels of the touch sensor panel, the display module, and the pressure detection module as required.

For example, in the case of a communication device such as a smart phone, a communication module, a control module, a storage module, and the like can be applied to a conventional form or method, and if necessary, Size, shape, mode of operation, etc., or may be replaced by other elements.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of illustration, It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

100 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Touch sensor panel
200 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Display module
290 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥
291 ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
300 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Substrate
400, 400-1, 400-2 .......... Pressure detecting module
610, 610-1, 610-2, ...,
700F Front of the touch input device
700L ......... Left side of the touch input device
700R ......... The right side of the touch input device
700U .................. The upper side of the touch input device
700D ......... The lower side of the touch input device
700B ......... The rear surface of the touch input device
B ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Battery

Claims (5)

A display module;
A pressure detecting module disposed under the display module and detecting a touch pressure applied to a surface of the display module; And
And a substrate of a flexible material disposed under the pressure sensing module,
Wherein when the touch pressure is applied while the display module, the pressure detection module, and the substrate are bent within a predetermined range, the display module is bent,
Wherein the electrical characteristic detected by the pressure detecting module changes according to the warp of the display module due to the application of the touch pressure,
Wherein the pressure detection module detects the magnitude of the touch pressure based on the electrical characteristic. The method according to claim 1,
And a touch sensor panel formed on the entire surface of the display module,
Wherein the pressure detection module is formed on an entire surface of the display module,
Touch input device. delete The method according to claim 1,
The distance between the pressure electrode included in the pressure detecting module and the substrate changes as the display module is bent,
Wherein the electrical characteristic is a capacitance that varies with the distance,
Touch input device. The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4,
Wherein the display module comprises an OLED panel,
Touch input device.

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