KR20040012294A - Touch panel device with fingerprint recognition sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A touch panel device including a fingerprint recognition sensor is provided to make the touch panel device small, slim, and lightweight, and not to increase entire area by arranging the fingerprint recognition sensor to an inactive region of the touch panel. CONSTITUTION: The first and the second electrode(16,19) paralleled with each other, and a transparent conductive film are formed on an upper surface of a substrate(11). The third and the fourth electrode(14,15) paralleled with each other by being arranged in a direction across the first and the second electrode, and the transparent conductive film are formed on a lower surface of an upper plate(12). A spacer is arranged between the substrate and the upper plate. Extending part wires are extended from the first to the fourth electrode. A hard icon(22) including a plurality of icons is arranged on a lower part of the substrate. The fingerprint recognition sensor(32) is arranged in a position matched in a direction perpendicular to a part not forming the icon.

Description

Touch panel device with fingerprint recognition sensor

The present invention relates to a touch panel device having a fingerprint recognition sensor, and more particularly, to a touch panel device in which an arrangement of the fingerprint recognition sensor is optimized.

In general, the touch panel device is used as an input device such as a computer. When the user applies pressure to the surface of the touch panel with a finger, information corresponding to the position is input. For example, a touch panel device is mounted on the surface of a monitor provided in a bank automated teller machine. The user may input information by applying pressure to a predetermined position of the touch panel device according to the guidance displayed on the monitor, whereby the automatic teller machine can perform a predetermined operation. In another example, since the touch panel device is installed on the surface of the liquid crystal display of the personal digital assistant (PDA), the user of the personal portable terminal may input information using the touch panel while viewing the information displayed on the liquid crystal display.

On the other hand, the fingerprint sensor is a device that can recognize a human fingerprint, it can be widely applied to devices that require security. In particular, since personal information is input to the personal personal information and information requiring security such as business information, it is useful to add a security function to the operation of the personal mobile terminal by installing a fingerprint sensor.

There are two types of fingerprint recognition sensors, semiconductor and optical. Since the fingerprint recognition sensor of the semiconductor type has to contact the fingerprint directly on the surface of the semiconductor device, which is sensitive to voltage and current, there is a problem in that damage due to static electricity is large. In contrast, the optical fingerprint recognition sensor uses a prism, a reflector, and an optical sensor. When the fingerprint contacts a surface of the prism, optical information of the fingerprint is transmitted through the prism by light incident from a light source disposed on the other side of the prism. It is reflected by the optical sensor to recognize the fingerprint. In particular, an optical fingerprint recognition sensor using a very thin prism is applied to a personal portable terminal, and a light source provided in a liquid crystal display device can be shared as a light source of a fingerprint recognition sensor.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel device with a conventional fingerprint recognition sensor, which can be applied to a personal portable terminal.

Referring to the drawings, the touch panel device includes a substrate 11, an upper plate 12 provided on the substrate 11, and a flexible printed cable 13. The hard icon 21 is provided on the bottom of the substrate 11. The hard icons 21 are provided with icons 22, so that when the user presses a position corresponding to the upper portion of the icon 22, specific information may be input accordingly. The touch panel device is provided above the liquid crystal panel 1.

Typically the substrate 11 is formed of a glass material while the top plate 12 is formed of a film material. An X1 electrode 16 and an X2 electrode 19 formed in parallel to each other are formed on an upper surface of the substrate 11, and a Y1 electrode 14 and Y2 electrode 15 formed in parallel to each other are formed on a lower surface of the upper plate 12. Is formed. The X1 electrode 16 is electrically connected to the junction terminal at the position of reference numeral 20 through the extension wiring 17. In addition, the Y1 electrode 14 and the Y2 electrode 15 are electrically connected to the terminals through extension wirings 18a and 18b, respectively. Although not shown in the figure, a transparent conductive film is formed over the entire surface on the upper surface of the substrate 11 and the lower surface of the upper plate 12, which are connected to each electrode, respectively.

The upper plate 12 and the substrate 11 are attached to each other, and a spacer (not shown) is interposed between the upper plate 12 and the transparent conductive film of the substrate 11 so that the transparent conductive films are not in contact with each other. Keep it. In addition, the extension wirings 18a and 18b extending from the electrodes 14 and 15 of the upper plate 12 are connected to the junction terminals of the flexible printed cable 13 when the upper plate 12 and the substrate 11 are bonded to each other. Respectively connected to 20. Likewise, the electrodes of the substrate 11 are also connected to the junction terminal 20 with respect to the flexible printed cable 13 through the extension wiring 17 or the like. The flexible printed cable 13 is bonded to the electrode terminal on the substrate 11 by an anisotropic conductive adhesive.

On the other hand, the fingerprint sensor frame 2 is installed on one side of the long side of the touch panel. The fingerprint recognition frame 2 is provided on one side of the touch panel on the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 1 so that light incident from the back light of the liquid crystal panel can be used. The fingerprint sensor 4 is disposed between the lower part of the frame 2 for the fingerprint sensor and the upper part of the liquid crystal panel 1 so that the fingerprint of the user who contacts the window 3 formed in the frame 2 can be recognized. It is.

2 is a schematic perspective view of a touch panel with a fingerprint sensor according to another example of the prior art.

Referring to the drawings, the overall structure is similar to the example shown in FIG. Parts similar to those of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of FIG. 1, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 2, the fingerprint sensor frame 5 is installed at one side of the short side of the touch panel, unlike in FIG. 1. In addition, the fingerprint sensor 7 is disposed between the lower portion of the fingerprint recognition frame 5 and the upper portion of the liquid crystal panel 1 so as to recognize a fingerprint in contact with the window 6 of the fingerprint recognition frame 5. .

In the touch panel device configured as described above, since the space for the fingerprint sensors 4 and 7 is additionally required, there is a problem that the miniaturization and thinning of the personal portable terminal device are impeded. That is, although the fingerprint sensors 4 and 7 may be configured to be much smaller than the touch panel device, the fingerprint sensors 4 and 7 may be disposed on one side of the long side or the short side of the touch panel device, thereby increasing the size of the overall personal portable terminal device. There is a problem coming.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device having a fingerprint recognition sensor that can be reduced in size and thin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a touch panel device having a fingerprint recognition sensor which does not increase the overall area by disposing the fingerprint recognition sensor in an inactive area of the touch panel.

1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel device having a fingerprint sensor according to the prior art.

2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel device having a fingerprint sensor according to another example of the prior art.

3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a touch panel device with a fingerprint recognition sensor according to the present invention;

4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the touch panel of FIG. 3 in an exploded state;

5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of a touch panel device with a fingerprint recognition sensor in accordance with the present invention;

6 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of a touch panel device with a fingerprint recognition sensor in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the touch panel of FIG. 3 assembled; FIG.

<Brief Description of Major Codes in Drawings>

11.Board 12.Top Plate

13.Cables 14, 15, 16, 19. electrode

20. Junction terminals 21. Hard icon

22. Icons

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a substrate comprising: a substrate having first and second electrodes parallel to each other and a transparent conductive film formed on an upper surface thereof; An upper plate disposed on the substrate and disposed at right angles to the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes being parallel to each other, and a transparent conductive film formed on a lower surface thereof; A spacer disposed between the substrate and the top plate; Extension wirings extending from the first to fourth electrodes; A hard icon disposed under the substrate and having a plurality of icons formed thereon; Provided is a touch panel device including a fingerprint recognition sensor disposed at a position corresponding to a portion in which the icon is not formed in the hard icon in a vertical direction.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an opening is formed in the hard icon, and the fingerprint sensor may be disposed under the hard icon corresponding to the opening to recognize the optical information of the fingerprint incident through the opening. .

According to another feature of the invention, the translucent film is attached to the opening formed in the hard icon, the fingerprint sensor is disposed under the hard icon corresponding to the translucent film, the light of the fingerprint incident through the translucent film Recognize information.

According to another feature of the invention, the fingerprint position sensor is disposed on the surface of the top plate vertically upward corresponding to the portion where the icon is not formed in the hard icon, the fingerprint recognition sensor is the optical information of the fingerprint directly contacting it Can be recognized.

Hereinafter, with reference to an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings the present invention will be described in more detail.

3 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a touch panel device according to the present invention. The structure of the touch panel device according to the present invention is similar to that of the conventional touch panel device described with reference to FIG. 1 and the same reference numerals are designated for the same components.

Referring to FIG. 3, the touch panel device includes a substrate 11, an upper plate 12 provided on an upper portion of the substrate 11, and a flexible printed cable 13, and a hard portion below the substrate 11. The icon 22 is provided. The X1 electrode 16 and the X2 electrode 19 are formed on the upper surface of the substrate 11, and the Y1 electrode 14 and the Y2 electrode 15 are formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 12.

The top plate 12 and the substrate 11 are attached to each other, and a spacer (not shown) is interposed between the top plate 12 and the transparent conductive film of the substrate 11. In addition, extension wirings 18a and 18b extending from the electrodes 14 and 15 of the upper plate 12 are connected to the junction terminal 20 of the flexible printed cable 13, respectively, and the electrodes of the substrate 11 are connected. Are also connected to the junction terminal 20 with respect to the flexible printed cable 13 through extension wiring 17 or the like. On the other hand, a hard icon 21 having an icon 22 is attached to the bottom of the substrate 11. In another example, instead of the hard icon 21, the icon 22 may be directly displayed through a predetermined display action in a display device such as a monitor or a liquid crystal device installed under the touch panel device. Under the hard icon 21, a liquid crystal panel 33 such as a personal digital assistant is arranged.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the fingerprint sensor 32 is disposed at a portion where the icon 22 does not correspond to the lower portion of the hard icon 21. That is, as shown in the figure, an opening 31 is formed in a portion where the icon 22 is not formed on the hard icon 21, and light information of the fingerprint incident through the opening 31 is opened. The fingerprint recognition sensor 32 disposed under) is to be recognized.

Fingerprint sensor 32 is preferably the optical fingerprint sensor described above. The fingerprint sensor 32 may use the light of the back light of the liquid crystal panel 33 disposed below the fingerprint sensor 32, and the fingerprint of the fingerprint that contacts the upper plate 12 positioned above the opening 31 of the hard icon 21 may be used. Light can be received through the opening 31.

4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel illustrated in FIG. 3 in a schematic disassembled state.

Referring to the drawings, a spacer 41 is disposed between the substrate 11 and the upper plate 12, and an opening 31 is formed in the hard icon 21 disposed below the substrate 11. have. A fingerprint sensor 32 is disposed below the opening 31 so that the fingerprint sensor 32 can use the back light of the liquid crystal panel 33. 33) is disposed on the upper surface.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the touch panel of FIG. 3 assembled.

Referring to the drawings, the transparent electrodes 14, 15, 16, and 19 are disposed along the edge of the upper plate 12 in dotted lines. Meanwhile, the hard icon 21 and the icons 22 formed thereon may be observed from the upper surface through the transparent top plate 12 and the substrate 11. Further, through the opening 31 formed in the hard icon 21, optical information on the fingerprint can be input toward the fingerprint recognition sensor 32 disposed below it. Reference numeral 71 denotes an active area of an actual touch panel device in which information is input by a user pressing an arbitrary point of the active area 71. In contrast, the area corresponding to the hard icon 21 becomes active only for the icon 22, and the circuit is configured so that information input by the touch panel is not made through the opening 31, and only fingerprint recognition is performed. It can be done.

Shown in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a touch panel with a fingerprint recognition sensor according to the present invention, which corresponds to FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the translucent film 51 is attached to the opening of the hard icon 21. The translucent film 51 has a function of securing the optical path to the fingerprint recognition sensor 32 disposed below and protecting the fingerprint recognition sensor 32. In addition, when looking at the fingerprint sensor 32 from the outside to enhance the aesthetics.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a touch panel with a fingerprint sensor according to the present invention, which also corresponds to FIG.

Referring to the figure, the fingerprint recognition sensor 32 is disposed on the surface of the top plate 12. Here, the position where the fingerprint recognition sensor 32 is disposed corresponds to the portion where the icon 22 of the hard icon 21 is not formed as in FIG. 7. When the fingerprint sensor 32 is disposed on the top plate 12, the fingerprint directly contacts the surface of the fingerprint sensor 32, and a separate wire is provided to operate the fingerprint recognition sensor 32. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the touch panel region below the position where the fingerprint recognition sensor 32 is disposed may also be used as the active region.

In the touch panel device having the fingerprint recognition device according to the present invention, the fingerprint recognition device is disposed under the hard icon, thereby reducing the size and weight of the entire device including the touch panel device.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art may understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible therefrom. There will be. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the present invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (4)

A substrate having first and second electrodes parallel to each other and a transparent conductive film formed on an upper surface thereof; An upper plate disposed on the substrate and disposed at right angles to the first and second electrodes, the third and fourth electrodes being parallel to each other, and a transparent conductive film formed on a lower surface thereof; A spacer disposed between the substrate and the top plate; Extension wirings extending from the first to fourth electrodes; A hard icon disposed under the substrate and having a plurality of icons formed thereon; And a fingerprint recognition sensor disposed at a position corresponding to a portion in which the icon is not formed in the hard icon in a vertical direction. The method of claim 1, An opening is formed in the hard icon, and the fingerprint recognition sensor is disposed under the hard icon corresponding to the opening to recognize light information of a fingerprint incident through the opening. The method of claim 1, The translucent film is attached to the opening formed in the hard icon, and the fingerprint recognition sensor is disposed under the hard icon corresponding to the translucent film to recognize the optical information of the fingerprint incident through the translucent film. Touch panel device. The method of claim 1, A fingerprint position sensor is disposed on a surface of the top plate that vertically upwardly corresponds to a portion where the icon is not formed in the hard icon, and the fingerprint recognition sensor may recognize optical information of a fingerprint directly contacting it. Touch panel device.