KR20120052044A - Input device with membrane pressure sensor and proximity sensor and a method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An input device with a membrane pressure sensor and a proximity sensor and a using method thereof are provided to simultaneously sense the access and touch of a user by including a proximity sensor sensing the access of the user arranged in one side of a base substrate and a membrane pressure sensor sensing the touch of the user arranged in the other side of the base substrate. CONSTITUTION: A proximity sensor(20) is arranged in one side of a base substrate and senses the access of a user. The proximity sensor generates a proximity signal if the user enters a predetermined sensing distance. A membrane pressure sensor(30) is arranged in the other side of the base substrate and generates a pressure signal by sensing the touch of the user. The membrane pressure sensor generates different size of the pressure signals according to the touch pressure of the user.

Description

{Input device with membrane pressure sensor and proximity sensor and a method using the same.}

The present invention relates to an input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor and a method of using the input device, and more particularly, to an input device capable of detecting a user's approach and a user's touch and a method of using the input device. will be.

Touch sensors are commonly used as on / off switches for TVs and monitors because of their superior design. The touch sensor operates by recognizing a difference in capacitance generated when a current charged in an electrode is discharged according to a touch or proximity of a finger or the like.

On the other hand, proximity sensor (proximity sensor) is a sensor that detects without the physical contact by measuring the change in capacitance according to the proximity of the object approaching the object, or the object present in the vicinity. However, since the proximity sensor, like the touch sensor, is measured using capacitance, it is extremely difficult to use the proximity sensor and the touch sensor together because of electrical crosstalk between each other.

In addition, the membrane pressure sensor is a sensor that detects the magnitude of the applied pressure, and is a sensor that can sense the magnitude of the minute pressure. As an example of such a thin film type pressure sensor, a structure by a strain gauge may be utilized, and an example of such a pressure detecting element 1 is shown in FIG. The pressure detecting device (1) includes a fixed substrate (2); A first electrode 4 disposed on the fixed substrate 2; A second electrode 5 disposed on the fixed substrate 2 while being spaced apart from the first electrode 4; A deformable substrate 3 disposed to face each other in a state spaced apart from the fixed substrate 2 and deformable in a direction of approaching the fixed substrate 2 by an external force; A third electrode (6) attached to the deformable substrate (3) so as to face the first electrode (4) and the second electrode (5) spaced apart from each other, and having a sheet resistance changed by deformation; And a spacer 7 spaced apart from the fixed substrate 2 and the deformable substrate 3. Here, the third electrode 6 is made of a piezo resistive material.

When the user applies the pressure F in the vertical direction to the deformable substrate 3, the pressure detecting device 1 approaches the deformed substrate 3 while sagging toward the fixed substrate 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the third electrode 6 attached to the fixed substrate 2 is in contact with the first electrode 4 and the second electrode 5 at the same time. The third electrode 6 deforms, and the sheet resistance of the third electrode 6 changed by the deformation is measured by the change of the current flowing through the first electrode 4 and the second electrode 5, thereby applying The principle of pressure is measured.

The present invention relates to an input device characterized by a structure in which such a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor are combined into one.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor whose structure is improved to sense a user's approach and a user's touch. to be.

The present invention, in order to solve the problem of crosstalk between the touch key and the proximity sensor used in the conventional monitor or TV, instead of the conventional capacitive touch key, the resistive thin film type pressure sensor is replaced with the proximity sensor. To provide an integrated structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of using an input device having the thin film pressure sensor and the proximity sensor.

In order to achieve the above object, the input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor according to the present invention, the input device for generating an electrical signal by the user's touch, the base substrate; A proximity sensor disposed on one surface of the base substrate and configured to sense a user's approach and generate a proximity signal when the user comes within a predetermined sensing distance; And a thin film type pressure sensor disposed on the other surface of the base substrate to sense a user's touch and generate a pressure signal.

Here, the thin film type pressure sensor, it is preferable to generate a pressure signal of a different size according to the size of the user's touch pressure.

The thin film pressure sensor may include a deformable substrate disposed on the other surface side of the base substrate in a state spaced apart from the base substrate, and deformable in a direction of approaching the base substrate by an external force; A first electrode provided on the other surface of the base substrate; A second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode on the other surface of the base substrate; A third electrode provided on the deforming substrate in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from each other; And a spacer disposed between the deformation substrate and the base substrate so as to maintain a gap between the deformation substrate and the base substrate.

Here, the third electrode is preferably a piezo-resistive material whose sheet resistance changes due to deformation.

Here, it is preferable that the base substrate is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB), and the thin film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor are printed on the base substrate.

Here, the proximity sensor is preferably a capacitive proximity sensor.

In order to achieve the above another object, the method of using the input device according to the present invention, in the method using the input device having the thin-film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor, when the user enters within a predetermined sensing distance is approaching the proximity sensor. An approach sensing step of generating a signal; An information providing step of providing the user with information related to a function assigned to the thin film pressure sensor when the proximity signal is generated; And a pressure signal generating step of generating a pressure signal by the thin film type pressure sensor when the user touches the thin film type pressure sensor.

The information providing step may be a step of visually displaying the information on the screen.

Here, the pressure signal generation step, it is preferable to inform the user of the user's touch completion through vibration or sound.

According to the present invention, a proximity sensor disposed on one surface of the base substrate to sense a user's approach, and a thin film type pressure sensor disposed on the other surface of the base substrate to sense a user's touch can be detected at the same time. There is an effect that can detect the user's touch.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional thin film type pressure sensor.
2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thin film pressure sensor illustrated in FIG. 1 is pressed by external pressure.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device including a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thin film pressure sensor illustrated in FIG. 3 is pressed by external pressure.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a change in resistance according to a force of a thin film pressure sensor designed to rapidly change resistance when an external force is applied.
6 is a graph showing a change in deformation amount (indicated by distance) according to a force of a thin film pressure sensor that is sensitively deformed when an external force is applied.
7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method of using an input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing a method of using a key module implemented by arranging a plurality of the input devices in a line.
FIG. 9 is another diagram for describing a method of using the key module illustrated in FIG. 8.
10 illustrates a key module implemented by a plurality of the input devices arranged in a circle.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an input device including a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the thin film type pressure sensor illustrated in FIG. 3 is pressed by an external pressure.

3 to 4, the input device 100 including the thin film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is an input device for generating an electrical signal by a user's touch and includes a base substrate ( 10), proximity sensor 20, and a thin film type pressure sensor 30 is configured.

The base substrate 10 is a flat member on which an electric circuit can be implemented. The base substrate 10 is a fixed substrate that is relatively hard to be deformed even when an external force is applied due to its rigidity as compared to the deformation substrate 34 to be described later. . In this embodiment, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is used.

The proximity sensor 20 is a sensor that detects a user's approach and generates a proximity signal when the user comes within a predetermined sensing distance, and is disposed on one surface of the base substrate 10. In this embodiment, a capacitive proximity sensor is used as the proximity sensor 20, and is printed on one surface of the base substrate 10.

The proximity sensor 20 detects a change in capacitance due to the movement and separation of charges in the object existing in the electric field generated by the sensor. When the object moves away from the sensor, the capacitance decreases and the object moves to the sensor. The closer the capacitance is, the larger the principle is. Thus, the object that the capacitive proximity sensor 20 can detect is not limited to conductors such as metals, but also includes insulators such as plastic, glass, ceramics, and wood, and even liquids such as water, oil, and drugs. Can even be detected.

The thin film type pressure sensor 30 is a sensor that generates a pressure signal by sensing a user's touch and is disposed on the other surface of the base substrate 10. In the present embodiment, as the thin film type pressure sensor 30, a pressure sensitive resistor (FSR) capable of generating a pressure signal having a different size according to the size of the user's touch pressure is used. The thin film pressure sensor 30 includes a first electrode 31, a second electrode 32, a third electrode 33, a deformation substrate 34, and a spacer 35.

The first electrode 31 is an electrode printed on the other surface of the base substrate 10.

The second electrode 32 is an electrode printed on the other surface of the base substrate 10 while being electrically insulated from the first electrode 31.

The deformable substrate 34 is disposed on the other surface side of the base substrate 10 while being spaced apart from the base substrate 10, and as shown in FIG. 4, the base substrate ( 10) is a plate member deformable in a direction approaching. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the amount of deformation of the deformable substrate 34 (indicated by distance) increases in proportion to the external force F applied to the deformable substrate 34.

The third electrode 33 is an electrode attached to the deforming substrate 34 in a state in which the third electrode 33 is spaced apart from each other and faces the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. In the present embodiment, the third electrode 33 is made of a piezo resistive material whose sheet resistance changes due to deformation. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the resistance of the third electrode 33 decreases in inverse proportion to an external force F applied to the deformation substrate 34.

The spacer 35 is a member inserted and disposed between the deformable substrate 34 and the base substrate 10 so as to maintain a gap between the deformable substrate 34 and the base substrate 10.

In the thin film type pressure sensor 30 having such a configuration, when the force F in the direction perpendicular to the substrate plane of the deformable substrate 34 is applied, the deformable substrate 34 is deformed to form the third electrode ( 33 is in contact with the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, respectively, and is driven in a manner of sensing a current flowing through the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32.

The thin film pressure sensor 30 is basically on-off by detecting whether the third electrode 33 is in contact with the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32. ) And / or at the same time, when the third electrode 33 is made of a piezo-resistive material, the sheet resistance may be changed according to the deformation amount of the third electrode 33. By measuring the resistance change of the electrode 33 it can detect the magnitude of the pressing force (F) can also function as a force measuring sensor. In the present embodiment, since the third electrode 33 is made of a piezo-resistive material, the third electrode 33 may also function as a force measuring sensor.

Hereinafter, as illustrated in FIG. 8, various types of information may be visually displayed on the screen of the input module 200 including the input device 100 including the thin film pressure sensor and the proximity sensor having the above-described configuration. An example of a method used with the display device D, which can be used, will be described. In the present invention, the "input module" includes one or more of the input devices 100 and is used to mean a device used in an electric and electronic product to control the operation of the electric and electronic product.

First, when a user brings a finger close to one of the plurality of input devices 100a, 100b, and 100c, the user's finger is moved from the proximity sensor 20 of the input device 100a. As soon as it enters within a predetermined sensing distance, the proximity sensor 20 of the input device 100a generates a proximity signal. (Access detection step, S10)

When the proximity signal is generated by the proximity sensor 20 of the input device 100a as described above, the visual information I related to the function assigned to the thin film pressure sensor 30 of the input device 100a is inputted to the input device. Displayed on the upper screen display device D of 100a allows the user to know what function is assigned to the input device 100a. Here, the visual information (I) is information related to a function required to control the operation of the electrical and electronic product. (Information providing step, S20)

When the visual information (I) is displayed on the screen display device (D) in this way, when the user touches the thin film pressure sensor 30 of the input device 100a, the thin film pressure sensor 30 is a pressure signal. By generating the function, the function given to the thin film type pressure sensor 30 of the input device 100a is operated. At this time, by generating vibration or sound by a separate device (not shown), the user is informed that the user has completely touched the thin-film pressure sensor 30. (Pressure signal generation step, S30)

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 8, each input device 100 of the input module 200 may be separately provided with a different function, or / or a plurality of input devices 100 cooperate at the same time. It can be designed to perform a function. For example, the first input device 100a is given a channel value increasing function, the second input device 100b is given a channel value decreasing function, and the third input device 100c is provided with an external input terminal changing function. It can be given.

In this state, if the user wants to slowly perform the function assigned to each input device 100, press the input device 100 lightly, and if the user wants to perform the function quickly, the input device 100 may be hardened. The input module 200 may be configured by pressing.

In addition, when a user continuously contacts each of the input devices 100a, 100b, and 100c arranged in succession, different functions may be given. For example, a function of decreasing volume when contacting the input devices 100a, 100b, and 100c sequentially from the right input device 100c to the left, and increasing the volume when sequentially contacting in the opposite direction. May be given. In this case, it is also possible to give a function in a manner of speeding up the change of volume in case of continuous contact while pressing hard, or in the case of speeding up the speed of continuous contact.

Meanwhile, FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an input module 300 which is another embodiment continuously provided with the input device 100 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 9, the input module 300 is configured such that the input devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g, and 100h of the present invention form a closed curve (circle, ellipse, etc.) continuously. Is placed. Even in this case, each input device 100 may be separately provided with a different function, or / or may be designed such that a plurality of input devices 100 cooperate to perform the same function. For example, when continuously touching the input devices 100 arranged in a circular direction in the clockwise direction, the menu can be moved from the top to the bottom, and when the continuous contact in the counterclockwise direction, the menu is moved from the bottom to the top. The input module 300 may be manufactured in a manner to be applied to various electronic devices such as MP3.

The input device 100 including the thin film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor having the above-described configuration may include a proximity sensor 20 disposed on one surface of the base substrate 10 to sense a user's approach, and the base substrate 10. Since the thin film type pressure sensor 30 is disposed on the other surface of the user and senses the user's touch, the user's touch can be sensed at the same time as the user's approach is detected.

In addition, since the proximity sensor 20 and the thin film type pressure sensor 30 are provided on one base substrate 10, the input device 100 including the thin film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor is close to each other on a separate substrate. Compared with the input device provided with the sensor and the thin film pressure sensor, the structure is simple, the thickness of the product can be made thinner, and the overall manufacturing cost is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the base substrate 20 functions as a fixed substrate that is relatively less deformed than the deformable substrate 34, but a separate substrate attached to the base substrate 10 as the fixed substrate. Of course it can be used.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the third electrode 33 is disposed to be spaced apart from each other to face the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32, but is resisted by the amount of deformation of the piezo-resistive material. Since the change and the structure that can measure the force (F) through it does not necessarily have to be spaced apart from the distance so that the third electrode 33, the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 32 from the beginning Of course, it may be arranged in contact with each other.

In the present embodiment, in the information providing step (S30), visual information (I) related to a function applied to the thin film type pressure sensor 30 of the input device 100 is displayed on the screen display device (D). In addition, auditory information may be provided instead of visual information I, and the visual information I and auditory information may be simultaneously provided to a user.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments, and the equivalent structure modified or changed by those skilled in the art can be applied to the technical It is clear that the present invention does not depart from the scope of thought.

[Description of Reference Numerals]
100: thin film type pressure sensor and proximity sensor 10: base substrate
20: proximity sensor 30: thin film type pressure sensor
31: first electrode 32: second electrode
33: third electrode 34: strained substrate
35: spacer D: display device
I: Visual information 1: Pressure detector
2: fixed substrate 3: modified substrate
4: first electrode 5: second electrode
6: third electrode 7: space

Claims (9)

In the input device for generating an electrical signal by the user's touch,
A base substrate;
A proximity sensor disposed on one surface of the base substrate and configured to sense a user's approach and generate a proximity signal when the user comes within a predetermined sensing distance;
A thin film type pressure sensor disposed on the other surface of the base substrate and configured to generate a pressure signal by sensing a user's touch;
Input device having a thin-film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The thin film type pressure sensor is an input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, characterized in that for generating a pressure signal of a different size according to the size of the user's touch pressure. The method of claim 1,
The thin film pressure sensor,
A deformable substrate disposed on the other surface side of the base substrate so as to be spaced apart from the base substrate and deformable in a direction of approaching the base substrate by an external force;
A first electrode provided on the other surface of the base substrate;
A second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode on the other surface of the base substrate;
A third electrode provided on the deforming substrate in a state in which the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from each other; And
A spacer disposed between the deformed substrate and the base substrate so as to maintain a gap between the deformed substrate and the base substrate;
Input device having a thin-film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor comprising a. The method of claim 3, wherein
And the third electrode is a piezo-resistive material whose surface resistance changes due to deformation. The method of claim 1,
The base substrate is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB),
And the thin film type pressure sensor and the proximity sensor are printed on the base substrate. The method of claim 1,
The proximity sensor is an input device having a thin film type pressure sensor and a proximity sensor, characterized in that the capacitive proximity sensor. In the method using the input device provided with the thin-film-type pressure sensor and proximity sensor as described in any one of Claims 1-6,
An approach sensing step of generating, by the proximity sensor, a proximity signal when a user enters a predetermined sensing distance;
An information providing step of providing the user with information related to a function assigned to the thin film pressure sensor when the proximity signal is generated;
A pressure signal generation step of generating a pressure signal by the thin film type pressure sensor when a user touches the thin film type pressure sensor;
Method of using an input device characterized in that it comprises a. The method of claim 7, wherein
The information providing step is a step of visually displaying the information on the screen using the input device. The method of claim 7, wherein
The pressure signal generation step, using the input device, characterized in that notifying the user of the user's touch completion through vibration or sound.

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