KR20230161374A - Touch sensing device - Google Patents

Abstract

A stand that allows the display to be mounted on one end; An antenna including a transmitter that transmits a signal and a receiver that receives a signal when the signal is reflected from an object; a dielectric lens limiting a radiation angle of the transmitted signal in a first direction; and a control unit that calculates the coordinates of the object based on the signal received from the receiver. The touch sensing device may limit the radiation angle of the transmission signal and detect the coordinates of the object based on the signal reflected from the object.

Description

Touch sensing device {TOUCH SENSING DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device that detects a touch by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals propagating in parallel with a display.

A touch sensing device is an input/output means that detects the contact position of an object on the display screen, receives information about the detected contact position, and performs overall control of electronic devices, including display screen control. This is a device that recognizes this as an input signal when the display screen is touched.

Since the spread of mobile devices such as smartphones, the electrostatic capacitance method using the charging and discharging characteristics of a capacitor has become a mainstream technology for touch detection. The capacitance method uses the capacitance in the human body. It uses alternating voltage to measure changes in resistance and current caused by the person's capacitance to recognize touch, and compares the amount of capacitor charged. There is a way to determine whether a touch exists. This capacitive method has superior durability compared to the resistive film method using film, has relatively high touch accuracy, allows recognition of multiple points, and is easy to manufacture in a small size.

However, the capacitive method uses ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), a transparent conductive material. Indium, which makes up ITO, is one of the representative rare and depletable resources, and its supply is greatly decreasing and its price is relatively high, making it price competitive. It is becoming an obstacle to securing it.

Recently, not only mobile devices such as smartphones, but also navigation, netbooks, laptops, DID (Digital Information Device), desktop computers using touch input support operating systems, IPTV (Internet Protocol TV), cutting-edge fighter jets, tanks, and armored vehicles are used in all industries. There is a demand for input/output means through touch detection. In addition, the demand for large displays capable of touch detection is increasing in many places such as companies, homes, individuals, and schools, such as electronic whiteboards, billboards using large displays, subway information systems, electronic ticket machines, and exhibitions.

When the above-described ITO is used in a large display, the resistance between pattern electrodes increases due to ITO having a large surface resistance, resulting in a problem of reduced signal sensitivity and detection sensitivity. In addition, the problem of increased manufacturing costs arises due to the relatively high price of ITO.

Infrared array, infrared line scan, and FTIR (Frustrated Total Internal Reflection) are used as alternatives to solve these problems and apply to large displays. These methods recognize the touch by detecting the section blocked by the touch between the infrared light-emitting element and the light-receiving element.

However, these methods also have the problem that as the display screen grows, the number of infrared light-emitting elements that must be installed increases proportionally, resulting in additional design and cost increases. In addition, there are limitations to infrared interference and external light, and there are limitations in implementing flexible displays.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a touch sensing device that can be applied to various types of displays used in various industrial fields while solving the above-mentioned problems.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a touch detection device that detects a touch of an object by detecting a signal in which a transmitted signal is reflected from an object.

Additionally, the purpose is to provide a touch sensing device that minimizes the number of members, can be applied to all types of displays, and can increase the reliability of touch sensing.

Additionally, the purpose is to provide a touch sensing device that can add a touch function to a display that does not originally have a touch function.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below. will be able to

A stand that allows the display to be mounted on one end; An antenna including a transmitter that transmits a signal and a receiver that receives a signal when the signal is reflected from an object; a dielectric lens limiting a radiation angle of the transmitted signal in a first direction; and a control unit that calculates the coordinates of the object based on the signal received from the receiver.

The signal may include a mmWave radar signal.

The dielectric lens may narrow the radiation angle of the signal transmitted from the antenna so that the signal is radiated within a certain range of the front surface of the display.

The antenna has a plurality of radiation patches arranged in an array structure, and the radiation angle can be limited by using the plurality of radiation patches.

By controlling the signals radiated from the plurality of radiation patches, the radiation direction of the signals radiated from the transmitter can be controlled.

The antenna may detect the touch position of the object by periodically changing the radiation direction within a detection angle range.

The control unit may set an active area to receive the signal and recognize signals in areas other than the active area as unnecessary signals and remove them.

The range of the radiation angle may be 0° to 90°.

When one end of the display is a corner of the display, the holder has an L-shape that fits into the corner of the display, and the lens can be disposed on the holder at a 45 degree angle.

Additionally, the holder may be installed on one side of the display, and the antenna and the dielectric lens may include a pair arranged at 90°.

The control unit may calculate the angle and distance from the antenna based on the received signal, calculate the coordinates of the object, and detect the touch position of the object.

According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the touch sensing device of the present invention can detect a touch of an object by detecting a signal in which a transmitted signal is reflected from the object.

Additionally, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, the number of members of the touch sensing device can be reduced, it can be applied to various types of displays, and the reliability of touch sensing can be increased.

In addition, even in the case of a display that does not originally have a touch function, cost reduction and convenience can be provided by providing a touch function by additionally installing the device of the present invention.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows. However, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, the detailed description and specific embodiments such as preferred embodiments of the present invention should be understood as being given only as examples.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a touch sensing device related to the present invention.
Figure 2 is a side and top plan view showing a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining a method of limiting the radiation angle of a signal through a dielectric lens in a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transmission signal and a reflected signal in a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram for explaining a method of detecting the touch position of an object.
5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating a method of positioning a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, identical or similar components will be assigned the same reference numbers regardless of reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The suffixes “module” and “part” for components used in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles in themselves. Additionally, in describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that detailed descriptions of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed descriptions will be omitted.

In addition, the attached drawings are only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the attached drawings, and all changes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are not limited. , should be understood to include equivalents or substitutes.

Terms containing ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In this application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the touch sensing device 100 related to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the touch sensing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The touch sensing device 100 of the present invention may include a power supply unit 110, a wireless communication unit 120, an antenna 200, a control unit 130, a dielectric lens 140, and a holder 150. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential for implementing the touch sensing device 100, so the touch sensing device 100 described herein may include more or fewer components than the components listed above. You can have it.

More specifically, among the components, the wireless communication unit 120 is between the touch sensing device 100 and the wireless communication system, between the touch sensing device 100 and another touch sensing device 100, or between the touch sensing device 100. ) and may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the server and an external server. Additionally, the wireless communication unit 120 may include one or more modules that connect the touch sensing device 100 to one or more networks.

This wireless communication unit 120 may include at least one of a mobile communication module, a wireless Internet module, and a short-range communication module.

The power supply unit 110 receives external power and internal power under the control of the control unit 130 and supplies power to each component included in the touch sensing device 100. This power supply unit 110 may include a battery, and the battery may be a built-in battery or a replaceable battery.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a touch sensing device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a side view, and Figure 2(b) is a plan view viewed from above.

The antenna 200 transmits and receives signals to detect touch signals in the present invention. The antenna 200 may include a transmitter 210 and a receiver 220.

In the present invention, the transmitter 210 serves to transmit a transmission signal to detect a touch. Here, the transmission signal may include a radio frequency (RF) signal with a wavelength in millimeters.

The receiving unit 220 may be located at the same location as the transmitting unit 210 and serves to receive a reflected signal when the signal transmitted from the transmitting unit is reflected and returned to the object 310, and a control unit ( 130), the coordinates of the object can be calculated.

The transmitting unit 210 may include a plurality of radiating patches, and the radiating patches may transmit a transmission signal. A plurality of radiation patches are arranged in an array structure, and the radiation angle of the transmission signal can be limited by using the plurality of radiation patches. Additionally, by limiting the radiation angle of the transmission signal, the signal can be transmitted in a specific direction, which is called beam forming.

A transmission signal heading in a specific direction can only detect a touch input in the beamforming direction, but the radial direction (beamforming direction) can be changed within a preset detection angle range.

The range of the preset detection angle varies on the x-y plane in front of the display and may be from 0° to 90°, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2. The control unit can adjust the signal strength of the radiation patch to periodically change the radiation direction of the transmitter within the detection angle. The transmitter can transmit a signal to the entire area within the detection angle by adjusting the beamforming method and beamforming direction that radiates in a specific direction.

The receiving unit 220 may include at least one radiation patch, and the receiving unit 220 may obtain a reflected signal in which the transmitted signal is reflected from the object 310 . At this time, among the reflected signals obtained by the receiver 220, signals outside the active area may be recognized as unnecessary signals and removed.

As an embodiment of the present invention, the transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be mounted on one antenna board. In this case, the transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 can be mounted on one antenna board at a distance from each other, and each transmit signal can be transmitted and a reflected signal can be obtained. By being mounted on one antenna board, signals can be transmitted and reflected signals can be received at the same location.

The control unit 130 typically controls the overall operation of the touch sensing device 100. The control unit 130 can provide or process appropriate information or functions to the user by processing signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the components discussed above.

The control unit 130 may calculate the coordinates of the object 310 based on the signal received from the receiver 220. Additionally, the control unit 130 can set an active area to receive signals, and recognize signals in other areas as unnecessary signals and remove them.

More specifically, the control unit 130 may calculate the touch position of the object 310 through the frequency difference between the transmitted signal and the reflected signal. Additionally, the control unit 130 may detect the touch position of the object 310 by calculating the azimuth of the reflected signal flowing into the receiving unit 220 using the vector values of the transmitted signal and the reflected signal.

The dielectric lens 140 may be designed to reduce the radiation angle of the signal transmitted from the transmitter 210 in the z-axis direction so that it radiates in a limited range from the front of the display.

The dielectric lens 140 serves to change the radiation signal transmitted from the transmitter 210 from a spherical wave to a plane wave. It also serves to receive signals reflected from the object 310 in parallel and collect them into the receiver 220.

Figure 3 shows the principle by which an RF signal transmitted from the antenna transmitter 210 is changed into a plane wave by the dielectric lens 140.

The spherical wave signal 211 transmitted from the antenna 200 is refracted into a plane wave 212 while passing through the dielectric lens 140.

The dielectric lens 140 may be designed differently depending on the type of signal being transmitted. The dielectric lens 140 is similar to an optical lens. When the antenna 200 is located at the focal length of the lens, the radiation frequency propagated as a spherical wave passes through the dielectric lens 140 and changes into a plane wave, thereby narrowing the beam width.

The holder 150 is configured to mount the touch sensing device 100 of the present invention on one end of another display device. The holder 150 may have an L-shape as shown in FIG. 2.

Looking at (a) of FIG. 2, the dielectric lens 140 and the antenna 200 are positioned side by side. At this time, the antenna 200 may be located at the focus of the dielectric lens 140. The lens 140 may limit the radiation angle in the first direction. A plurality of radiation patches may be installed on the antenna 200. To improve touch accuracy, the number of radiation patches can be added.

Radiating patches arranged in an array structure can control the direction of the signal. At this time, the direction may be +45° to -45° from the vertical line to the antenna 200.

As shown in (b) of FIG. 2, the holder 150 may have an L-shape corresponding to the sensing angle.

FIG. 4 illustrates the principle in which an RF signal transmitted from the antenna transmitter 210 is changed into a plane wave by the dielectric lens 140, and the plane wave is reflected from the object 310 and received again.

A signal is transmitted from the antenna 200, and the transmitted signal 211 spreads in the radial direction, but as it passes through the dielectric lens 140, it changes into a plane wave 212 and spreads limited to the direction corresponding to the front of the display. When 212 hits the object 310, it is reflected in the direction it traveled, and the reflected signal 222 passes through the dielectric lens 140 again and is collected by the antenna 200 including the receiver 220. , the receiver 220 can receive the signal.

Figures 5 and 6 show an installation example of the touch sensing device 100 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the range of the radiation angle may be 90 degrees, so the touch active area can be set by installing it at one end of the display 300. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the holder may have an L-shape.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, two or more devices can be installed on one side of the display 300 and 180 degrees can be set as the active area. At this time, in order to install the device on one side, the stand may be I-shaped as shown in FIG. 6.

It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit and essential features of the present invention.

The above detailed description should not be construed as restrictive in any respect and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the present invention should be determined by reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes within the equivalent scope of the present invention are included in the scope of the present invention.

100: touch sensing device
110: power supply unit
120: Wireless Communication Department
130: control unit
140: dielectric lens
150: stand
200: antenna
210: Transmitting unit
211: Transmission signal
212: plane wave
220: Receiving unit
222: reflected signal
300: display
310: object

Claims (11)

A stand that allows the display to be mounted on one end;
An antenna including a transmitter that transmits a signal and a receiver that receives a signal when the signal is reflected from an object;
a dielectric lens limiting a radiation angle of the transmitted signal in a first direction; and
A control unit that calculates the coordinates of the object based on the signal received from the receiver
A touch sensitive device comprising: According to paragraph 1,
The signal is characterized in that it includes a mmWave radar signal.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 1,
The dielectric lens is
Characterized in that narrowing the radiation angle of the signal so that the signal transmitted from the antenna radiates within a certain range of the front of the display.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 1,
The antenna is
A plurality of radiation patches are arranged in an array structure,
Characterized in limiting the radiation angle using the plurality of radiation patches.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 4,
The antenna is
Characterized in that controlling the radiation direction of the signal radiated from the transmitter by controlling the signal radiated from the plurality of radiation patches.
touch sensitive device According to clause 5,
The antenna is
Characterized in that the radial direction is periodically changed within the detection angle range.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 1,
The control unit
Set an active area to receive the signal and
Characterized in that signals in areas other than the active area are recognized as unnecessary signals and removed.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 4,
Characterized in that the range of the radiation angle is 0° to 90°
touch sensitive device According to clause 8,
When one end of the display is a corner of the display
The holder has an L-shape that fits into a corner of the display,
The lens is arranged in a 45 degree direction on the holder.
touch sensitive device According to clause 8,
The holder is installed on one side of the display,
The antenna and the dielectric lens are characterized in that they include a pair arranged at 90°.
touch sensitive device According to paragraph 1,
The control unit calculates the coordinates of the object by calculating the angle and distance from the antenna based on the received signal.
touch sensitive device

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