KR101799536B1 - Touch input device - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch input device is disclosed. A touch input device according to the present invention includes a touch sensor panel and a pressure detection module, and includes a converter for converting a sensing signal acquired from the pressure sensing module into a digital signal, and a touch sensor Wherein the converter and the pressure sensing controller are implemented in separate configurations.

Description

A touch input device {TOUCH INPUT DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a touch input device, and more particularly, to a touch input device capable of simultaneously detecting a touch position and a touch pressure.

Various types of input devices have been developed and used to manipulate computing systems such as buttons, keys, joysticks, and touch screens. Among them, the touch screen has attracted the greatest attention because it has various advantages such as ease of operation, miniaturization of the product, and simplification of the manufacturing process.

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.

At this time, there has been a need for a detecting device capable of simultaneously detecting the touch position and the touch pressure without deteriorating the performance of the display module.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device capable of simultaneously detecting a touch position and a touch pressure.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device including a touch sensor panel and a pressure detection module, the touch input device comprising: a converter for converting a sensing signal acquired from the pressure detection module into a digital signal; And a pressure sensing controller that detects a touch pressure based on the sensing signal converted into the digital signal, wherein the converter and the pressure sensing controller are implemented in separate configurations.

The apparatus may further include a position sensing controller that detects a touch position based on the sensing signal acquired from the touch sensor panel.

The position sensing controller may detect the touch position based on the sensing signal obtained from the touch sensor panel, together with the touch pressure.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device including a touch sensor panel and a pressure detection module, the touch input device detecting a touch position based on a sensing signal obtained from the touch sensor panel, A position sensing controller for generating position data; And a processor for controlling the operation of the touch input device based on the touch position data, wherein the processor detects the touch pressure based on the sensing signal obtained from the pressure sensing module.

The processor may include a converter for converting the sensing signal obtained from the pressure detecting module into a digital signal.

The controller may further include a converter for converting the sensing signal obtained from the pressure detecting module into a digital signal, wherein the processor generates touch pressure data based on the digital signal converted by the converter, Can be controlled.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device including: a touch sensor panel for detecting a touch position; A pressure detection module for detecting a touch pressure; And a first controller for detecting a touch pressure based on a sensing signal obtained from the pressure detecting module, wherein the first controller includes a converter for converting a sensing signal obtained from the pressure detecting module into a digital signal can do.

The apparatus may further include a second controller for detecting a touch position based on the sensing signal obtained from the touch sensor panel.

The first controller may detect the touch position based on the sensing signal obtained from the touch sensor panel, together with the touch pressure.

According to the touch input device of the present invention, the touch position and the touch pressure can be simultaneously detected.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a capacitive touch sensor panel according to an embodiment of the present invention and a configuration for operation thereof.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating relative positions of a touch sensor panel with respect to a display module in a touch input device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device configured to detect a touch position and a touch pressure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a perspective view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6A is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6B is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device shown in FIG.
6C is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6D illustrates a pressure electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6E illustrates a pressure electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6F and 6G illustrate a pressure electrode pattern that may be applied to embodiments of the present invention.
7A is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7B illustrates a pressure electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 illustrates an attachment structure of a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 to 14 are block diagrams showing a configuration of a touch input device according to the first to sixth embodiments of the present invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

1 to 8 are views for explaining the basic operation principle of the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the following description of the method of detecting the touch position and the touch pressure can be commonly applied to the first to sixth embodiments described later.

1 is a schematic diagram of a touch sensor panel 100 of a capacitive type and a configuration for its operation. 1, the touch sensor panel 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. In order to operate the touch sensor panel 100, A driving unit 120 for applying a driving signal to the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a sensing signal including information on a capacitance change amount that varies depending on a touch on the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 And a sensing unit 110 for sensing a touch and a 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 have the same or different values, and may have different sizes.

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).

The plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on the same layer in the touch sensor panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 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, or carbon nanotube (CNT). The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be formed of a metal mesh or may be formed of a nano silver material.

The driving unit 120, which is one component of the touch input device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, can apply a driving signal to the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn. In the touch input device 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, 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 may generate a driving control signal and transmit the driving control signal to the driving unit 200 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.

1, the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may include a touch sensing device 100 capable of sensing whether a touch input device 1000 of the touch input device 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is touch- (Not shown). The touch input apparatus 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller 130. [ In one embodiment of the present invention, a touch sensing integrated circuit (touch sensing integrated circuit: 150 in FIG. 10) may be integrated 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.

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, the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a touch sensor panel The surface acoustic wave device 100 may be fabricated by other methods 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, And may be implemented using any kind of touch sensing method such as an optical imaging, a dispersive signal technology, and an acoustic pulse recognition method.

The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be located outside or inside the display module 200. [

The display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) ) Or the like. Accordingly, the user can perform an input action by touching the touch surface while visually checking the screen displayed on the display panel.

At this time, 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 100, And may include control circuitry to display the content.

At this time, the control circuit for operating the display panel 200 may include a display panel control IC, a graphic controller IC, and other circuits necessary for operating the display panel 200.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are conceptual diagrams illustrating the relative positions of the touch sensor panel with respect to the display module in the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A to 2C, an LCD panel is shown as a display panel, but this is merely an example, and any display panel can be applied to the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In this specification, reference numeral 200 denotes a display module. In the description of FIGS. 2A to 2C, reference numeral 200 denotes a display panel as well as a display panel. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the LCD panel includes a liquid crystal layer 250 including a liquid crystal cell, a first glass layer 261 including electrodes at both ends of the liquid crystal layer 250, A second glass layer 262 and a first polarizing layer 271 and a second glass layer 262 on one surface of the first glass layer 261 as a direction opposite to the liquid crystal layer 250 And a second polarizing layer 272. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the LCD panel may further include other configurations for performing the display function and may be modified.

FIG. 2A shows that the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed outside the display module 200 in the touch input device 1000. FIG. The touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the surface of the touch sensor panel 100. [ In FIG. 2A, the surface of the touch sensor panel 100, which may be a touch surface, may be the upper surface of the touch sensor panel 100. In addition, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the outer surface of the display module 200 according to the embodiment. The outer surface of the display module 200, which may be the touch surface in FIG. 2A, may be the lower surface of the second polarizing layer 272 of the display module 200. At this time, in order to protect the display module 200, the lower surface of the display module 200 may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

FIGS. 2B and 2C show that the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed inside the display panel 200 in the touch input device 1000. FIG. 2B, a touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is disposed between the first glass layer 261 and the first polarizing layer 271. In this case, At this time, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 2B as the outer surface of the display module 200. 2C illustrates a case where the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is included in the liquid crystal layer 250. FIG. At this time, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 2C as the outer surface of the display module 200. [ 2B and 2C, the upper or lower surface of the display module 200, which may be a touch surface, may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

Although the touch sensor panel 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in terms of touch detection and / or touch position detection, the touch sensor panel 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can detect touch It is possible to detect the magnitude of the pressure of the touch with the presence and / or position of the touch. It is also possible to detect the pressure magnitude of the touch by further including a pressure detection module for detecting the touch pressure separately from the touch sensor panel 100.

3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device configured to detect a touch position and a touch pressure according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

The touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 for detecting the touch position in the touch input device 1000 including the display module 200 may be attached to the front surface of the display module 200. Accordingly, it is possible to protect the display screen of the display module 200 and increase the touch detection sensitivity of the touch sensor panel 100.

In this case, the pressure detecting module 400 may operate separately from the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position. For example, the pressure detecting module 400 may include a touch sensor panel 100 ) ≪ / RTI > Further, the pressure detection module 400 may be configured to detect the touch pressure by being combined with the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position. For example, at least one of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX included in the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position may be used to detect the touch pressure.

In FIG. 3, the pressure detecting module 400 is coupled with the touch sensor panel 100 to detect a touch pressure. 3, the pressure detecting module 400 includes a spacer layer 420 for separating the touch sensor panel 100 from the display module 200. [ The pressure sensing module 400 may include a reference potential layer spaced apart from the touch sensor panel 100 through the spacer layer 420. At this time, the display module 200 can function as a reference potential layer.

The reference potential layer may have any potential that can cause a change in the capacitance 101 generated between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX. For example, the reference potential layer may be a ground layer having a ground potential. The reference potential layer may be a ground layer of the display module 200. At this time, the reference potential layer may have a plane parallel to the two-dimensional plane of the touch sensor panel 100.

As shown in FIG. 3, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200, which is a reference potential layer, are spaced apart from each other. The spacer layer 420 between the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be implemented as an air gap in accordance with the difference in the bonding method between the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 .

At this time, a double adhesive tape (DAT: Double Adhesive Tape) may be used to fix the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200. For example, the area of the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 are overlapped with each other. In the edge area of each of the touch sensor panel 100 and the touch sensor panel 200, The touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance d.

Generally, the capacitance 101 (Cm) between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX changes even when the touch surface is touched without bending the touch sensor panel 100. [ That is, when touching the touch sensor panel 100, mutual capacitance Cm (101) can be reduced compared to the basic mutual capacitance. This is because, when an object such as a finger is close to the touch sensor panel 100, the object functions as a ground (GND), and the fringing capacitance of the mutual capacitance Cm is absorbed into the object to be. The basic mutual capacitance is a value of the mutual capacitance between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX when there is no touch to the touch sensor panel 100. [

The touch sensor panel 100 may be bent when a pressure is applied when an upper surface, which is a touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100, is touched by an object. At this time, the value of the mutual capacitance 101 (Cm) between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX can be further reduced. This is because the distance between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer is reduced from d to d 'as the touch sensor panel 100 is bent so that the fringing capacitance of the mutual capacitance 101 (Cm) It is also absorbed into the dislocation layer. In the case where the touch object is an insulator, the change of the mutual capacitance Cm may be caused solely by the distance change (d-d ') between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer.

As described above, by configuring the touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 on the display module 200, it is possible to simultaneously detect the touch pressure as well as the touch position have.

However, as shown in FIG. 3, when the touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 are disposed on the display module 200, the display characteristics of the display module may deteriorate. Particularly, when the air gap 420 is included in the upper part of the display module 200, the visibility and light transmittance of the display module may be lowered.

Therefore, in order to prevent such a problem from occurring, an air gap is not disposed between the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position and the display module 200, and a touch sensor (not shown) The panel 100 and the display module 200 may be completely laminated.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input apparatus 1000 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment and the display module 200 are completely laminated with an adhesive. Accordingly, display color clarity, visibility, and light transmittance of the display module 200 that can be confirmed through the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 can be improved.

 4 and 5 and a description thereof, a touch input panel 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is laminated on a display module 200 with an adhesive, The touch sensor panel 100 may be disposed inside the display module 200 as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C. 4 and 5, the touch sensor panel 100 covers the display module 200, but the touch sensor panel 100 is positioned inside the display module 200 and the display module 200 is placed on the glass A touch input device 1000 covered with a cover layer such as a touch pad can be used as the second embodiment of the present invention.

The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to various devices such as a cell phone, a PDA (Personal Data Assistant), a smartphone, a tablet PC, an MP3 player, a notebook, And electronic devices including the same touch screen.

The substrate 300 in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a cover 320 as an outermost mechanism of the touch input apparatus 1000, And / or a mounting space 310 where the battery can be placed, and the like. A central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (CPU), or the like may be mounted on the circuit board for operating the touch input device 1000 as a main board. The circuit board and / or the battery for the operation of the display module 200 and the touch input device 1000 may be separated through the substrate 300 and the electrical noise generated in the display module 200 may be cut off.

The touch sensor panel 100 or the front cover layer may be formed wider than the display module 200, the substrate 300 and the mounting space 310 in the touch input device 1000, A cover 320 may be formed to cover the display module 200, the substrate 300, and the circuit board 310 together with the sensor panel 100. [

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention detects a touch position through the touch sensor panel 100 and arranges the pressure detection module 400 between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 The touch pressure can be detected. At this time, the touch sensor panel 100 may be located inside or outside the display module 200.

The pressure detecting module 400 includes a spacer layer 420 formed of, for example, an airgap, which will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7B. The spacer layer 420 may be made of a shock-absorbing material according to an embodiment. The spacer layer 420 may be filled with a dielectric material according to embodiments.

5 is a perspective view of a touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5, in the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pressure detecting module 400 includes a spacer layer 420 for separating the display module 200 from the substrate 300, And electrodes 450 and 460 located within the dielectric layer 420. Hereinafter, the electrodes 450 and 460 for detecting the pressure are referred to as the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 so as to be clearly distinguished from the electrodes included in the touch sensor panel 100. At this time, since the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are included on the rear surface of the display panel, not only the transparent material but also opaque material may be used.

At this time, an adhesive tape 440 having a predetermined thickness may be formed along the rim of the upper portion of the substrate 300 to hold the spacer layer 420. 5, the adhesive tape 440 is formed on all the edges of the substrate 300 (e.g., four sides of a tetragonal shape), but the adhesive tape 440 is formed on at least a part of the edges of the substrate 300 Three prismatic surfaces). According to the embodiment, the adhesive tape 440 may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 or the lower surface of the display module 200. The adhesive tape 440 may be a conductive tape to make the substrate 300 and the display module 200 the same potential. Further, the adhesive tape 440 may be a double-sided adhesive tape, and the adhesive tape 440 may be made of a material having no elasticity. In an embodiment of the present invention, since the display module 200 may be bent when pressure is applied to the display module 200, the adhesive tape 440 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure .

6A is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode pattern according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A, in the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the substrate 300 in the spacer layer 420.

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.

6B is a sectional view when pressure is applied to the touch input apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 6A. 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 plane 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 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display module 200 may be bent according to a touch to apply pressure. The display module 200 can be bent to exhibit the greatest deformation at the position of the touch. According to an exemplary embodiment, the position of the display module 200 that exhibits the largest deformation when it is bent may not coincide with the touch position, but the display module 200 may exhibit warping 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 >

At this time, the upper surface of the substrate 300 may also have a ground potential for noise shielding. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the insulating layer 470 to prevent the substrate 300 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 from being short-circuited. 8 illustrates an attachment structure of a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8A, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 can be formed by positioning the first insulating layer 470 on the substrate 300 and then forming the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 . The first insulating layer 470 having the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the substrate 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, according to the embodiment, the pressure electrode may be formed by placing a mask having a through-hole corresponding to the pressure electrode pattern on the first insulating layer 470 on the substrate 300 or the substrate 300, As shown in Fig.

When the lower surface of the display module 200 has a ground potential, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are disposed to prevent the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 and the display module 300 located on the substrate 300 from being short- May cover the pressure electrodes (450, 460) with an additional second insulating layer (471). The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 formed on the first insulating layer 470 are covered with the additional second insulating layer 471 and then attached to the substrate 300 in an integrated manner to form the pressure detecting module 400 .

The attachment structure and method of the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 described with reference to FIG. 8A can be applied even when the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached to the display module 200. The case where the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached to the display module 200 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6C.

Depending on the type and / or implementation of the touch input device 1000, the substrate 300 or the display module 200 to which the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached may not exhibit a ground potential or may exhibit a weak ground potential have. In this case, the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a ground electrode (not shown) between the substrate 300 or the display module 200 and the insulating layer 470 . According to an embodiment, another insulating layer (not shown) may further be provided between the ground electrode and the substrate 300 or the display module 200. At this time, the ground electrode (not shown) can prevent the magnitude of capacitance generated between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, which are pressure electrodes, from becoming too large.

The method of forming and attaching the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 described above can be similarly applied to the following embodiments.

6C is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here, 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. At this time, the substrate 300 may have a ground potential. 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 >

6D illustrates a pressure electrode pattern. 6D illustrates a case where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed on the substrate 300. In FIG. The capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may vary depending on the distance between the lower surface of the display module 200 and the touch pressure 450 or 460.

6E illustrates another pressure electrode pattern. In Fig. 6E, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. Fig.

6F and 6G illustrate pressure electrode patterns 450 and 460 that may be applied to the present invention. The first electrode 450 and the second electrode 450 are formed so as to generate a capacitance range necessary for increasing the detection accuracy when the magnitude of the touch pressure is changed as mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 changes It is necessary to form the pattern of the second electrode 460. The greater the area where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 face each other, or the longer the length, the greater the magnitude of the generated capacitance. Therefore, the size, length, shape, and the like of the opposing area between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be designed according to the required capacitance range. 6F and 6G show a case where the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed on the same layer and the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 face each other with a relatively long length A case where a pressure electrode is formed is illustrated.

Although the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are illustrated as being formed on the same layer in the above description, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed in different layers It can be done. 8B illustrates an attachment structure in which the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed in different layers. The first electrode 450 is formed on the first insulating layer 470 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the first electrode 450 as shown in FIG. 8 (b) (Not shown). According to an embodiment, the second electrode 460 may be covered with a third insulating layer 472. At this time, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are located on different layers, so that the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 overlap each other. For example, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are connected to the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX arranged in the MXN structure included in the touch sensor panel 100 described with reference to FIG. Pattern. ≪ / RTI > At this time, M and N may be natural numbers of 1 or more.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch pressure is detected from the change of mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, And 460 may be configured to include only the pressure electrode of either the first electrode 450 or the second electrode 460. In this case, one pressure electrode and the ground layer (the display module 200 or the substrate 300) may be detected to detect the magnitude of the touch pressure.

6A, the pressure electrode may include only the first electrode 450. In this case, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 450, which are caused by the distance change between the display module 200 and the first electrode 450, The magnitude of the touch pressure can be detected from the capacitance change between the display modules 200. [ The capacitance d between the display module 200 and the first electrode 450 may increase as the touch pressure increases because the distance d decreases as the touch pressure increases. This can be equally applied to the embodiment related to FIG. 6C. At this time, the pressure electrode need not have a comb-like shape or a trident shape, which is necessary for increasing mutual capacitance change detection accuracy, and may have a plate (for example, a rectangular plate) shape as illustrated in Fig. 7B.

8 (c) illustrates the attachment structure when the pressure electrode is implemented to include only the first electrode 450. FIG. The first electrode 450 may be formed on the first insulating layer 470 located on the substrate 300 or the display module 200, as illustrated in FIG. 8 (c). In addition, according to the embodiment, the first electrode 450 may be covered with the second insulating layer 471.

7A is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device including a pressure electrode according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pressure electrodes 450 and 460 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 and the lower surface of the display module 200 in the spacer layer 420.

The pressure electrode pattern for pressure detection may include a first electrode 450 and a second electrode 460. At this time, either one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be formed on the substrate 300, and the other one may be formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. 7A illustrates that the first electrode 450 is formed on the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the lower surface of the display module 200.

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 increase as the distance d decreases. Accordingly, it is possible to calculate the magnitude of the touch pressure by acquiring the increase amount of mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

7B illustrates a pressure electrode pattern according to another embodiment of the present invention. 7B illustrates that the first electrode 450 is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. 7B, since the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are formed on different layers, the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 are different from the first embodiment, (E.g., a rectangular plate shape) without having a comb-like or tridentate shape.

8D illustrates an attachment structure when the first electrode 450 is attached to the substrate 300 and the second electrode 460 is attached to the display module 200. FIG. The first electrode 450 is located on the first insulating layer 470-2 formed on the substrate 300 and the first electrode 450 is located on the second insulating layer 470-2, 471-2. The second electrode 460 is disposed on the first insulating layer 470-1 formed on the lower surface of the display module 200 and the second electrode 460 is disposed on the second insulating layer 471-1 Can be covered by.

8 (a), when the substrate 300 or the display module 200 to which the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached does not exhibit the ground potential or exhibits a weak ground potential, as shown in FIG. 8 (a) (Not shown) may be further included between the first insulating layers 470, 470-1 and 470-2 in FIGS. 8A to 8D. At this time, an additional insulating layer (not shown) may further be provided between the substrate 300 or the display module 200 to which the ground electrode (not shown) and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are attached.

As described above, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention senses a change in capacitance caused by the pressure electrodes 450 and 460. Therefore, a driving signal needs to be applied to the driving electrode of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460, and a sensing signal is required to be obtained from the receiving electrode to calculate the touch pressure from the variation of capacitance. According to the embodiment, it is also possible to further include a touch sensing IC for operating the pressure detecting module 400.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the configuration of the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14. FIG.

≪ Embodiment 1 >

The touch input device 1000 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a position sensing controller 500, a pressure sensing controller 600, a converter 650, (700).

In the first embodiment, the touch input device 1000 includes a position sensing controller 500 that senses a touch position from the touch sensor panel 100, and a configuration other than the converter 650 and the pressure sensing controller 600 .

That is, the touch position detection from the touch sensor panel 100 and the touch pressure detection from the pressure detection module 400 are performed separately from each other in the position sensing controller 500 and the pressure sensing controller 600 .

Meanwhile, the separately provided converter 650 is an ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) having a function of converting the sensing signal Rx received from the pressure detecting module 400 into a digital signal, and the converter 650 The converted signal is transmitted to the pressure sensing controller 600, and the pressure sensing controller 600 detects the touch pressure based on the digital signal.

In the first embodiment, the touch position detection from the touch sensor panel 100 and the touch pressure detection method from the pressure detection module 400 have been described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. Therefore, do.

The position sensing controller 500 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and acquires the sensing signal Rx from the receiving electrode. Here, the sensing signal Rx may be a signal in which the driving signal Tx applied to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the driving electrode and the receiving electrode. The position sensing controller 500 may include a converter for converting the sensing signal Rx into a digital signal.

In addition, the position sensing controller 500 may further include one or more integrators (not shown), and the sensing signal Rx may be integrated by an integrator and converted into a digital signal through a converter provided therein.

The pressure sensing controller 600 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the mutual capacitance reduction amount from the sensing signal Rx-p obtained through the receiving electrode Detect the touch pressure. In this case, in the touch input device 1000 according to the first embodiment, the pressure sensing controller 600 is provided separately from the converter 650. As described above, based on the sensing signal Rx-p converted into the digital signal by the converter 650, the pressure sensing controller 600 generates touch pressure data.

Meanwhile, the touch position data detected by the position sensing controller 500 and the touch pressure data detected by the pressure sensing controller 600 are transmitted to the processor 700. The processor 700 controls the operation of the touch input apparatus 1000 while using the touch position data and the touch pressure data as touch position and touch pressure information.

As in the first embodiment, when the converter 650 is implemented in a separate configuration, the converter 650 for implementing the touch input device 1000 of a desired specification can be selectively applied. Particularly, when a high performance ADC is used, a high SNR (signal to noise ratio) can be obtained, so that the performance of the touch input device 1000 can be enhanced.

≪ Embodiment 2 >

The touch input device 1000 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a position sensing controller 500, a converter 650, and a processor 701.

The touch input device 1000 according to the second embodiment includes a configuration (function) of a pressure sensing controller that detects the touch pressure from the pressure detection module 400 by the processor 701. [

The operation of the position sensing controller 500 for detecting the touch position from the touch sensor panel 100 is as described above. That is, the position sensing controller 500 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and detects the touch position based on the sensing signal Rx obtained from the receiving electrode. At this time, the position sensing controller 500 may include a converter for converting the sensing signal Rx into a digital signal.

In addition, the position sensing controller 500 may further include one or more integrators (not shown), and the sensing signal Rx may be integrated by an integrator and converted into a digital signal through a converter provided therein.

In the second embodiment, the processor 701 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode provided in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode. At this time, the detection signal Rx-p is converted into a digital signal through a converter 650 provided separately, and the signal converted by the converter 650 is transmitted to the processor 701. [ The processor 701 generates touch pressure data based on the sensing signal Rx-p converted into a digital signal.

As described above, the touch input device 1000 according to the second embodiment performs touch position detection in the position sensing controller 500, and touch pressure detection is performed in the processor 701. [ At this time, the processor 701 for performing the touch pressure detection is implemented in a configuration different from the converter 650 for converting the sensing signal Rx-p from the pressure detecting module 400 into a digital signal.

The processor 701, together with the touch pressure data generated based on the signal transmitted from the separate converter 650, is used as touch position and touch pressure information based on the touch position data transmitted from the position sensing controller 500 Thereby controlling the operation of the touch input device 1000.

In the second embodiment, since the converter 650 is implemented in a separate configuration, the converter 650 for implementing the touch input device 1000 of a desired specification can be selectively applied. Since the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be obtained when a high performance ADC is used, the performance of the touch input device 1000 can be enhanced as described above.

In the second embodiment, since the processor 701 performs the function of the pressure sensing controller 600 of the first embodiment, the configuration of the pressure sensing controller 600 becomes unnecessary, and as a result, the manufacturing cost is reduced .

≪ Third Embodiment >

The touch input device 1000 according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a touch controller 510, a converter 650, and a processor 700.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the third embodiment, the touch position and touch pressure detection are controlled by the touch controller 510. [

That is, in detecting the touch position, the touch controller 510 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and acquires the sensing signal Rx from the receiving electrode. Here, the sensing signal Rx may be a signal in which the driving signal Tx applied to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the driving electrode and the receiving electrode. At this time, the touch controller 510 may include a converter for converting the sensing signal Rx into a digital signal.

Further, the touch controller 510 may further include one or more integrators (not shown), and the sensing signal Rx may be integrated by an integrator and converted into a digital signal through a converter provided therein.

In addition, the touch controller 510 has a touch pressure detecting function. That is, the touch controller 510 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode.

However, in detecting the touch pressure, the sensing signal Rx-p from the pressure sensing module 400 is converted into a digital signal by the converter 650 provided separately from the touch controller 510. [ The signal converted by the converter 650 is transmitted to the touch controller 510 to generate touch pressure data.

The touch controller 510 transmits touch position data and touch pressure data to the processor 700, and the processor 700 controls the operation of the touch input apparatus 1000 based on the touch position data and the touch pressure data.

In the third embodiment, since the converter 650 is implemented as a separate component, the converter 650 for implementing the touch input device 1000 of a desired specification can be selectively applied. Since the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can be obtained when a high performance ADC is used, the performance of the touch input device 1000 can be enhanced as described above.

In the third embodiment, since the position sensing controller 500 and the pressure sensing controller 600 of the first embodiment are implemented by a single configuration (touch controller 510), the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, since the sensing signal Rx for sensing the touch position and the sensing signal Rx_p for sensing the touch pressure are processed in one configuration (the touch controller 510), the touch position and the touch pressure information are simultaneously So that more accurate data can be obtained in real time.

<Fourth Embodiment>

The touch input device 1000 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a position sensing controller 500, a pressure sensing controller 601, and a processor 700 do.

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the third embodiment is configured such that the configuration of the converter for converting the sensing signal Rx-p acquired from the pressure sensing module 400 into a digital signal, (601).

The position sensing controller 500 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and acquires the sensing signal Rx from the receiving electrode to generate touch position data.

In addition, the position sensing controller 500 may include one or more integrators (not shown) and a converter (not shown) therein, and the sensing signal Rx is integrated by an integrator, do. The position sensing controller 500 generates touch position data by the signal.

The pressure sensing controller 601 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode. At this time, the pressure sensing controller 601 receives the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode and converts it into a digital signal using the converter 650 provided therein. Based on the converted signal, the pressure sensing controller 601 generates touch pressure data.

The touch position data and the touch pressure data generated by the position sensing controller 500 and the pressure sensing controller 601 are transmitted to the processor 700. [ The processor 700 controls the operation of the touch input apparatus 1000 based on the transmitted data.

In the fourth embodiment, the pressure sensing controller 601 includes the function of a converter. This is effective when the high SNR is not required, unlike the first to third embodiments. That is, since the converter incorporated in the pressure sensing controller 601 is used instead of a separate converter, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. As a result, the fourth embodiment has a configuration that can be most efficiently used when the SNR is not required and the manufacturing cost is to be reduced.

<Fifth Embodiment>

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a position sensing controller 500, and a processor 702.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the second embodiment, the processor 702 not only controls the operation of the touch input device 1000, but also has a function of sensing the touch pressure from the pressure detection module 400.

The operation of the position sensing controller 500 for detecting the touch position from the touch sensor panel 100 is as described above. The position sensing controller 500 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and detects the touch position based on the sensing signal Rx obtained from the receiving electrode.

In addition, the position sensing controller 500 may include one or more integrators (not shown) and a converter (not shown) therein, and the sensing signal Rx is integrated by an integrator, do. The position sensing controller 500 generates touch position data by the signal.

In the fifth embodiment, the processor 702 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode provided in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode. At this time, the processor 702 has a converter therein, converts the received sensing signal Rx-p into a digital signal, and generates touch pressure data based on the digital signal.

The processor 702 controls the operation of the touch input device 1000 based on the touch pressure data generated by the processor 702 and the touch position data generated by the position sensing controller 500. [

In the fifth embodiment, the processor 702 includes the function of a converter. This is effective when the high SNR is not required as in the fourth embodiment. That is, since the converter incorporated in the processor 702 is used instead of a separate converter, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. As a result, the fifth embodiment has a configuration that can be most efficiently used when a high SNR is not required and a manufacturing cost is to be reduced.

<Sixth Embodiment>

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100, a pressure detection module 400, a touch controller 520, and a processor 700.

In the touch input device 1000 according to the sixth embodiment, the touch position and touch pressure detection are controlled by the touch controller 520. [

That is, the touch controller 520 applies the driving signal Tx to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 and acquires the sensing signal Rx from the receiving electrode. Here, the sensing signal Rx may be a signal in which the driving signal Tx applied to the driving electrode of the touch sensor panel 100 is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance generated between the driving electrode and the receiving electrode.

In addition, the touch controller 520 may include two or more integrators (not shown) and two or more converters (not shown), and the sensing signal Rx may be integrated by at least one integrator, And is converted into a digital signal through one converter. The touch controller 500 generates touch position data by the signal.

The touch controller 520 applies the driving signal Tx-p to the driving electrode in the pressure detecting module 400 and acquires the sensing signal Rx-p through the receiving electrode. At this time, the sensing signal Rx-p is converted into a digital signal through at least one converter provided in the touch controller 520, and based on the converted digital signal, the touch controller 520 generates touch pressure data .

The touch controller 520 transfers the touch position data and the touch pressure data to the processor 700. The processor 700 controls the operation of the touch input apparatus 1000 based on the transmitted data.

In the sixth embodiment, since the position sensing controller 500 and the pressure sensing controller 600 of the first embodiment are implemented by a single structure (touch controller 520), the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

In the sixth embodiment, the touch controller 520 includes the function of a converter. This is effective when high SNR is not required. That is, since the converter incorporated in the touch controller 520 is used instead of a separate converter, the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The sixth embodiment also has a configuration that can be most efficiently used when a high SNR is not required and a manufacturing cost is to be reduced.

Furthermore, in the sixth embodiment, since the sensing signal Rx for sensing the touch position and the sensing signal Rx_p for sensing the touch pressure are processed in one configuration (the touch controller 520) The touch pressure information is simultaneously used to obtain more accurate data in real time.

In the above description related to the first to sixth embodiments and FIGS. 9 to 14, it is described that the movement of the drive signals Tx and Tx_p and the sense signals Rx and Rx_p is performed through a plurality of lines, However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that only two or more signals of Tx, Tx_p, Rx, and Rx_p may be transmitted through a single line.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined and modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

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.

1000 ... Touch input device 100 ... Touch sensor panel
400 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Pressure sensing module
600 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Pressure sensing controller 650 ...
700 ......... Processor

Claims (12)

A cover layer;
Touch sensor;
A display panel positioned below the cover layer;
A pressure electrode positioned below the display panel;
A first converter for converting a signal including information on electrical characteristics output from the pressure electrode into a digital signal; And
And a touch controller,
Wherein the touch controller detects a touch position from a sensing signal output from the touch sensor by applying a driving signal to the touch sensor and detects the magnitude of the touch pressure from the digital signal converted from the first converter,
Wherein the first converter and the touch controller are implemented in separate configurations,
Wherein the cover layer and the display panel are bent according to the touch,
Wherein the electrical characteristics change as the display panel is warped. A cover layer;
Touch sensor;
A display panel positioned below the cover layer;
A pressure electrode positioned below the display panel;
A first converter for converting a signal including information on electrical characteristics output from the pressure electrode into a digital signal;
A position sensing controller including a driver for applying a driving signal to the touch sensor and a sensing unit for sensing a touch position by receiving a sensing signal from the touch sensor; And
And a pressure sensing controller for detecting the magnitude of the touch pressure from the digital signal converted from the first converter,
Wherein the first converter is implemented in a configuration separate from the pressure sensing controller and the position sensing controller,
Wherein the cover layer and the display panel are bent according to the touch,
Wherein the electrical characteristics change as the display panel is warped. A cover layer;
Touch sensor;
A display panel positioned below the cover layer;
A pressure electrode positioned below the display panel;
A first converter for converting a signal including information on electrical characteristics output from the pressure electrode into a digital signal;
A position sensing controller including a driver for applying a driving signal to the touch sensor and a sensing unit for sensing a touch position by receiving a sensing signal from the touch sensor; And
And a processor for detecting the magnitude of the touch pressure from the digital signal converted from the first converter,
Wherein the first converter is implemented in a configuration separate from the processor and the position sensing controller,
Wherein the cover layer and the display panel are bent according to the touch,
Wherein the electrical characteristics change as the display panel is warped. delete 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
And a spacer layer at least one of a position between the shielding member and the pressure electrode located below the pressure electrode, and between the pressure electrode and the display panel. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the shielding member or the display panel is a reference potential layer,
The electrical characteristic is a capacitance,
Wherein the capacitance varies with a distance between the pressure electrode and the reference potential layer. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the distance between the pressure electrode and the reference potential layer changes as the display panel is warped. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein the display panel is an LCD panel or an OLED panel. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein the pressure electrode includes a plurality of electrodes constituting a plurality of channels. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the touch input device is configured to detect pressure of each of the multi-touch using the plurality of channels. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Wherein the pressure electrode is formed in a sheet form. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The sensing signal is converted into a digital signal by a second converter through an integrator or an amplifier,
Wherein the touch position is detected from the digital signal converted by the second converter.

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