KR100526488B1 - Apparatus for sensing the touch status - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device, and in the present invention, a plurality of touch sensing points are newly improved to a small number of touch sensing segments electrically grouped, so that the contact (human or conductor) Change the contact sensing mechanism from the conventional "digital sensing mechanism by individual touch sensing points" to "analog sensing mechanism by clustered touch sensing segments", thereby minimizing the sensing output line. Even under this condition, a series of contact contact sensing processes can be normally performed, thereby naturally reducing the number of sensing circuit portions and the individual pin count of the signal processing IC connected to the sensing circuit portions.

When the reduction of the number of individual pins of the signal processing IC is naturally induced by the implementation of the present invention, the signal processing IC has a problem that the size of the package is excessively large, for example, a special technology for accommodating a large number of pins in a small package area. It does not cause a problem that should be introduced, a problem that the cost is excessively increased, and, eventually, the electronic device employing the same does not exhibit a disadvantage such as involving expensive manufacturing cost.

Description

Touch sensing device {Apparatus for sensing the touch status}

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device, and more particularly to a touch (human or conductor) by newly improving a plurality of touch sensing points with a small number of touch sensing segments electrically grouped. Change the contact sensing mechanism for the conventional digital sensing mechanism with individual touch sensing points to analog sensing mechanism with clustered touch sensing segments, thereby minimizing the sensing output line. Even in the environment, a series of contact contact sensing processes can be performed normally, thereby reducing the number of sensing circuit parts and naturally reducing the number of individual pins of the signal processing IC connected to the sensing circuit parts. It is about.

Recently, with the rapid development of electronic / electrical related technologies, a series of touch sensing devices for detecting a contact situation for any contact (human or conductor) is also rapidly developing.

Traditionally, a touch sensing device according to this prior art has been described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4353056, "Capacitive fingerprint sensor," US Pat. No. 5325442, "fingerprint recognition device and a preset active electrode." As described in "Fingerprint sensing device and recognition system having predetermined electrode activation" and the like, it has been operated by a method using a series of semiconductor devices.

However, since the semiconductor devices have "disadvantages that are sensitive to the influence of impurities" and "disadvantages that are vulnerable to external physical shocks," etc., in recent years, various touch sensing apparatuses using self-sensing devices that are not related to semiconductor devices have been used. It is developed and distributed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the self-sensing element type touch sensing apparatus according to the related art is largely composed of a combination of a touch sensing block 10, a power applying block 11, and the like. In this case, the power applying block 11 serves to selectively apply a series of necessary voltages required for driving the contact sensing block 10, and the contact sensing block 10 senses whether a contact is in contact. And outputs the result to the signal processing IC 12 embedded in any electronic device (not shown).

At this time, as shown in the figure, the touch sensing block 10 is composed of a combination of the contact portion 2 and the sensing circuit portion 1, in this case, the contact portion 2, for example, a plurality of contact with the contact Touch sensing points 3 are disposed, and each of the sensing circuits 1 has a series of touch sensing by changing its circuit state according to whether or not the individual touch sensing points 3 are in contact with a contact. A capacitor for outputting a signal, an output element (for example, an inverter) and the like are disposed.

Such a configuration of the capacitor, the output device, and the like can be described in Korean Patent Application No. 1997-7152 "Fingerprint Detection Device" and Korean Patent Application No. 1997-36662 "Charge Redistribution Method." Sensing method ", Korean Patent Application No. 1998-38055" 2D image sensing device using capacitor array structure ", Korean Patent Application No. 2001-79465" contact strength sensing device and contact strength sensing method using the same " Is disclosed.

In the touch sensing apparatus according to the related art having the above-described configuration, as mentioned above, each sensing circuit unit 1 may change its circuit state depending on whether the individual touch sensing points 3 are in contact with each other. In addition, a series of contact intensity sensing signals are output to a signal processing IC 12 embedded in an arbitrary electronic device. For this purpose, each sensing circuit unit 1 is one-to-one corresponded to individual touch sensing points 3. A series of electrical connections are formed, and the signal processing IC 12 also has one-to-one correspondence with individual sensing circuit units 1 through its individual pins to form a series of electrical connections. do.

In general, it is known that a certain level or more of resolution must be maintained in order for a touch sensing device to perform a normal function. In view of this, the width of a sensing sensor to be detected to obtain sufficient information is approximately 2cm in width and a touch sensing point. Under the assumption that the distance between them is approximately 1 mm, the touch sensing device according to the prior art must have a large number of touch sensing points 3 in excess of at least 400 to be able to perform a normal function.

This fact means that the touch sensing device according to the related art must have at least 400 sensing circuit parts 1 in order to perform its normal function. In addition, the signal processing IC 120 is also referred to as a "contact sensing point." 3, at least 400 individual pins proportional to the sensing circuit units 1 " mean that the information output from the touch sensing device can be processed normally.

That is, under the conventional technical system, the signal processing IC 12 associated with the touch sensing device inevitably has a large number of individual pins corresponding to the "contact sensing points 3, sensing circuit parts 1". You have no choice but to hold it.

As such, when the signal processing IC 12 has no choice but to retain a large number of individual pins, the signal processing IC 12 has a problem in that the size of the package becomes excessively large, for example, a large number of pins in a small package area. It is inevitable to cause problems such as the introduction of special technology to accommodate the problem, excessive increase in cost, and the like. As a result, electronic devices employing the same have inevitably have disadvantages such as expensive manufacturing cost. do.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to newly improve a plurality of touch sensing points with a few touch sensing segments electrically grouped so that a series of touch sensing mechanisms can be improved in the conventional " digital sensing mechanism by individual touch sensing points ". Change to the "analog sensing mechanism by clustered touch sensing segments", thereby allowing the normal touch sensing process to be performed even when the output line is minimized, thereby reducing the number of sensing circuit parts and the sensing circuit parts. This naturally leads to a reduction in the number of individual pins in the signal processing IC that is connected to.

Another object of the present invention is to newly improve the number of touch sensing points disposed on the contact with a few electrically sensed contact sensing segments, which naturally leads to a reduction in the number of individual pins of the signal processing IC, thereby providing a corresponding signal. The processing IC is intended to induce, for example, not causing the problem of excessively large package size, the need of introducing a special technique for accommodating a large number of pins in a small package area, the problem of excessively increasing cost, and the like.

Still other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, according to a predetermined pattern, the contacts are arranged in a regular shape to provide contact portions of the contacts, and the contacts are grouped into one line to form a series of unit electric bodies, respectively. Touch sensing segments are electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segments forming the unit electric body, and according to the contact state of the touch sensing segments, the circuit state is changed, and a series of touch sensing signals The present invention discloses a touch sensing device comprising a combination of sensing circuit parts for outputting a signal to a signal processing IC built in an arbitrary electronic device, and a power supply block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit parts.

In addition, in the present invention, a plurality of unit cells and a plurality of unit cells are arranged in a regular shape according to a predetermined pattern to provide a contact portion of a contact, and a plurality of unit cells are arranged within a predetermined partition area within the unit cells. Contact sensing segment groups grouped by ID to individually form a plurality of unit electric bodies, and each touch sensing segment group forming the unit electric body, and according to a contact state of the touch sensing segment groups, Different circuit states, sensing circuit units for outputting a series of touch sensing signals to a signal processing IC built in any electronic device, and a power supply block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit units. Each touch sensing segment group arranged in each unit cell includes the same ID. Disclosed is a touch sensing device characterized in that it is tied and electrically connected to a specific sensing circuit.

In addition, according to the present invention, a plurality of unit cells and each of the unit cells are arranged in a regular shape to provide a contact portion of a contact, and are sequentially arranged in a predetermined partition area within the unit cells. And are electrically connected to the touch sensing segments forming a plurality of ID groups and the touch sensing segments forming the plurality of ID groups, and according to the contact state of the touch sensing segments. Alternatively, it includes a sensing circuit unit for outputting a series of contact contact detection signals to a signal processing IC built in any electronic device, and a power supply block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit units. The touch sensing segments are circulated in each of the unit cells, and distributed to each of the unit cells. Each touch sensing segments are tied together in one identical sequence number discloses a touch sensing device, characterized in that electrically connected to the particular sensing circuit.

Hereinafter, the touch sensing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch sensing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is largely composed of a combination of a touch sensing block 100, a power applying block 200, and the like. In this case, the power supply block 200 serves to selectively apply a series of necessary voltages for driving the touch sensing block 100, the touch sensing block 100 senses whether the contact of the contact, Outputs the result to the signal processing IC 300 built in any electronic device.

At this time, the touch sensing block 100 is made of a combination of the contact portion 120 and the sensing circuit portion 110, in this case, each sensing circuit portion 110 is a contact (human or conductor) contact of the contact portion 120 Depending on whether or not, for example, by varying the circuit state of its own components, such as capacitors, output elements, etc., a series of touch sensing signals are generated and the generated touch sensing signals are output to the aforementioned signal processing IC 300. It plays a role.

Here, as shown in the figure, the contact portion 120 is provided with the unique touch sensing segments 130 of the present invention arranged according to a predetermined pattern, the touch sensing segments 130 are conventional touch sensing The points replace the role they were playing, providing a contact area with the contact and the touch sensing block 100. In this case, each of the touch sensing segments 130 is grouped by a predetermined unit and electrically connected to each of the sensing circuit units 110 to form a series of unit electric bodies.

For example, the contact sensing segments 130a, 130b, 130c ... are grouped into one line and are electrically connected to the sensing circuit unit 110a to form a series of unit electric bodies and grouped into another line. The contact sensing segments 130d, 130e, and 130f ... are electrically connected to the sensing circuit unit 110b to form a series of unit electric bodies.

In the touch sensing apparatus of the present invention having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, when a contact, for example, a finger, contacts the area PA of the contact part 120, the contact sensing arranged in the area PA in which the contact is in contact Segments 130 exhibit different contact resistances depending on the degree of contact with the contact, for example, the contact area with the contact, unlike the region PB where the contact does not contact.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the touch sensing segment group SG1 in which the three touch sensing segments 130b-1, 130b-2 and 130b-3 are in contact with the contact is divided into two touch sensing segments 130a-. Since 1,130a-2 has a larger contact area with the contact than the contact sensing segment group SG2 in contact with the contact, it exhibits a smaller resistance size, and the four contact sensing segments 130c-1,130c-2,130c- 3,130c-4) is in contact with the contact than the touch sensing segment group SG3, where the three touch sensing segments 130b-1, 130b-2, 130b-3 are in contact with the contact. Since the area is larger, it shows a smaller resistance size.

In this state, the sensing circuit units 110 electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segment groups SG1, SG2, SG3 and the like may have different sizes depending on the resistance of the resistors transmitted from each touch sensing segment group. The analog type touch detection signal can be output to the aforementioned signal processing IC 300. As a result, as soon as this process is completed, an electronic device incorporating the corresponding signal processing IC 300 can be used. It is possible to easily confirm that a contact such as a finger surrounded by "contact boundary points P1, P2, P3 ..." is in contact with the region of.

As such, under the framework of the present invention, each contact sensing segment 130 is a series of analogues that exhibit a continuous difference in contact resistance output value, depending on the area of contact with the contact, in an electrically grouped state, as described above. Because of the type sensing mechanism, a series of contacts in the individual state, with or without contact with the contact, can be minimized compared to the conventional touch sensing points which used the digital sensing mechanism. The detection process can be processed normally.

This fact means that the touch sensing device of the present invention can perform a normal function even with only a few sensing circuit parts 110 corresponding to each output line of the electrically sensed touch sensing segments 130. In addition, this means that the signal processing IC 300 can normally process information output from the touch sensing device even while retaining only a minimum number of individual pins corresponding to the "slight number of sensing circuit parts".

That is, under the technical system of the present invention, unlike the conventional method, the signal processing IC 300 associated with the touch sensing device may naturally hold only a few individual pins.

As such, when the signal processing IC 300 can naturally hold only a small number of individual pins without any burden, the signal processing IC 300, for example, causes the package size to be excessively large, for example, a small package. It does not cause the problem of introducing a special technology that accommodates a large number of pins in the area, the problem of excessively increasing costs, and, eventually, the electronic devices employing the same do not exhibit the disadvantages of involving expensive manufacturing costs. do.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 5, when the contact which was in contact with the area PC of the contact part 120 continuously moves to the area PD along the direction of the arrow, each of the grouped touch sensing segments 130 is in contact with the contact point. According to the change, different contact resistances are displayed, and in this state, the sensing circuit parts 110 electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segment groups 130 are transferred from the respective touch sensing segment groups 130. Depending on the size, the circuit state is different, and the analog type touch detection signals of different sizes are output to the aforementioned signal processing IC 300. As a result, as soon as this process is completed, the corresponding signal processing IC 300 The electronic device having a built-in device) can easily confirm that the "contact shaped by the contact boundary points" has been moved from any area of the contact part 120 to any other area along the direction of the arrow. It becomes possible.

On the other hand, when a contact (a human body or a conductor) is in contact with the contact portion 120, the "pure contact resistance" between the contact sensing segments 130 and the contact is "current is brought to the ground along the contact, for example, the human body. Resistance in the course of flow ", ie," contact resistance ".

In this case, the sensing circuit unit 110 may, due to the influence of the contact passing resistance, "how many contact sensing segments are in contact with the contact", that is, "contact area of the contact with the contact sensing segments". There is no choice but to encounter a problem that is difficult to sense, and if no further action is taken, the present invention may not normally obtain the above-described effects.

In the present invention, in view of occurrence of the above-described problem, as shown in FIG. 6, a ground line 131 is further disposed to reduce the contact passing resistance component in contact with the adjacent portions of the contact sensing segments 130. . In this case, the total resistance associated with the contact of the contact has a value as shown in Equation 1 below.

Where Rt is the total resistance, Rb is the contact resistance, r1 is the contact resistance between the contact and the ground wire, r2 is the contact resistance between the contact and the contact sensing segment, and n is the contact sensing segment in contact with the contact. Count)

As such, in a situation where the ground line 131 is further disposed adjacent to each of the touch sensing segments 130, when the contact makes contact with each of the touch sensing segments 130 and the ground line 131 at the same time, the contact passes. The resistance Rb is greatly reduced in size due to the influence of the ground wire 131, so that a relation such as, for example, r1 >> Rb, r2 >> Rb can be established between Rb and r1, r2. The overall resistance Rt can naturally be governed by the number n of contact sense segments 130 in contact with the contact, so that the sensing circuitry 110 can " contact the contact with several touch sense segments. Whether or not there is, "that is, the" contact area of the contact with respect to the touch sensing segments "can be easily sensed without any problems.

On the other hand, despite the above measures, if the overall application environment of the sensing device is changed, the size of the contact resistance r1 between the contact and the ground wire 131, the contact resistance r2 between the contact and the contact sensing segment 130, etc. Is inevitably small compared to the contact resistance Rb, in this case, the relationship between the existing r1 <<Rb, R2 <<Rb is not easily changed, and thus, despite the arrangement of the ground line 131 In addition, the total resistance Rt must be influenced by the contact passing resistance Rb, so that the sensing circuit 110 can not easily sense the "contact area of the contact with the contact sensing segments". You have no choice but to suffer.

In the present invention, in view of the occurrence of the above-described problem, as shown in the drawing, for each of the contact sensing segments 130, an additional resistance Rs for maintaining a value larger than the previous contact passing resistance Rb is added. One to one connection. In this case, the total resistance associated with the contact of the contact has a value as shown in Equation 2 below.

(Where Rt is total resistance, Rb is contact resistance, r1 is contact resistance between contact and ground wire, r2 is contact resistance between contact and contact sensing segment, Rs is additional resistance, n is contact with contact) Number of touch sensing segments in progress)

As such, in the situation where the additional resistance Rs maintaining a value greater than the previous contact passing resistance Rb is further one-to-one connected to the respective contact sensing segments 130, the contact is connected to each touch sensing segment 130. And at the same time in contact with the ground line 131, even if the contact resistance Rb has a large value, the Rb cannot exert a great influence on the overall resistance Rt due to the action of the additional resistance Rs. , The total resistance Rt can naturally be governed by the number n of contact sense segments 130 in contact with the contact, so that the sensing circuitry 110 can " contact the contact with several touch sense segments. Whether or not ", that is, the" contact area of the contact with respect to the contact sensing segments "can be easily sensed without any problems.

Of course, the above-mentioned "ground line arrangement method", "additional resistance Rs arrangement method" and the like can be flexibly selected according to the operating environment of the detection device.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 7, in the touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, unlike the previous embodiment, the contact unit 420, a plurality of unit cells (CE) are arranged, this unit cell Each of the CEs is provided with contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged according to a predetermined pattern. In this case, the touch sensing segment groups 430 replace the role of the conventional touch sensing points, and provide a contact portion between the contact and the touch sensing block 400. Of course, when the present invention takes this configuration, the contact portion 420 can maintain a wider size than the previous contact portion 120.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the touch sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the unit cells CE includes a plurality of IDs, for example, A, B, and C, in a predetermined partition area within the unit cell. And grouped into D to individually form a series of unit electric bodies such as a touch sensing segment group A, a touch sensing segment group B, a touch sensing segment group C, a touch sensing segment group D, and the like. In this case, the touch sensing segment group A, the touch sensing segment group B, the touch sensing segment group C, the touch sensing segment group D, and the like are used in each of the unit cells CE, for example, "A, B, C, D", " A, B, D, C "," A, C, B, D ', "B, C, A, D" are arranged in order. Of course, such a circulation rule can be variously modified depending on the situation.

In this situation, the touch sensing segment groups 430 form a structure in which the same IDs selected from different unit cells CE are grouped together so as to minimize the number of output lines and electrically connected to the specific sensing circuit unit 410. .

For example, the touch sensing segment groups A selected from different unit cells CE are bundled into one and electrically connected to a specific sensing circuit unit 410a, and the touch sensing segment groups D selected from different unit cells are bundled into one group. , And forms a structure that is electrically connected to the specific sensing circuit unit 410b.

When each of the touch sensing segment groups 430 of the present invention has such a configuration, the number of outputs of the sensing circuit unit 410 of each of the touch sensing segment groups 430 may correspond to the respective touch sensing segments according to the above embodiment. Since the number of outputs on the side of the sensing circuit unit 110 of 130 is the same as or less, the contact unit 420 maintains a larger size than the previous embodiment through the respective unit cells CE, while the sensing circuit unit The unnecessary number increase of 410 is not required.

In the touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 9, when a contact, for example, a finger contacts the area CP of the contact part 420, the contact area is in contact with the contact CP. The contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the may exhibit different contact resistances according to the contact area with the contact.

However, as mentioned above, the touch sensing segment groups 430 form a structure that is cyclically disposed in each of the unit cells CE, and the same IDs selected from different unit cells CE are grouped into one specific group. Since the contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the area CP of the contact portion 420 exhibit a series of contact resistances, the contact sensing segment groups 430 as well as the contact sensing segment groups 430 are formed. The contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in other areas of the contact also exhibit a series of repeated contact resistances, for example, in the areas MI1, MI2, MI3, ..., and the like.

This phenomenon may lead to the question whether the present invention can be carried out normally.

However, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the contact resistance represented by the contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the area CP can be understood to be intact, whereas the contact resistances shown in the areas MI1, MI2, MI3, etc. are arranged. The contact resistance represented by the touch sensing segment groups 430 cannot be understood in an intact form. Second, in view of an electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300, a matter of interest is merely “contact portion 420. Confirming that a contact of a shape enclosed by contact boundary points is in contact with any relative region of " " or " contact of a shape enclosed by contact boundary points " Confirming that it has been continuously moved to any area, ”or the like, although not only in the touch sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the area CP of the contact part 420, but also in other areas of the contact part 420. Even shows the sequence of repeating the contact resistance to the touch sensing segment group 430, this arrangement does not affect the normal practice of the invention.

Subsequently, the sensing circuit parts 410 electrically connected to the respective touch sensing segment groups 430 may have different sizes depending on the magnitude of the resistance transmitted from each of the touch sensing segment groups 430. The analog type touch detection signal is output to the signal processing IC 300. As a result, as soon as this process is completed, an electronic device incorporating the corresponding signal processing IC 300 is " contacted " It is easy to confirm that the contact "of the shape surrounded by the boundary points is in contact.

Of course, even in the case of the above-described embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, each of the touch sensing segment groups 430 is a series of successive contact resistance output value differences according to the contact area with the contact as described above. Because of its analog sensing mechanism, the series of touch sensing processes can be handled normally according to the presence or absence of contact with the contact, even though its output line is minimized compared to the conventional touch sensing points that use the digital sensing mechanism. You can do it.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, when the contact which is in contact with the area CP1 of the contact part 420 continuously moves to the area CP2 in the direction of the arrow, each touch sensing segment group 430 changes the contact position of the contact. In this state, the sensing circuit parts 410 electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segment groups 430 may have a resistance magnitude transmitted from each of the touch sensing segment groups 430. Accordingly, by varying the circuit state, the analog type touch sensing signals having different sizes are output to the aforementioned signal processing IC 300. As a result, as soon as this process is completed, the corresponding signal processing IC 300 is outputted. The built-in electronic device can easily confirm that the "contact shaped by the contact boundary points" has been continuously moved from any area of the contact portion 420 to any other area along the direction of the arrow. It is good.

On the other hand, as mentioned above, the electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300 merely confirms that a contact of a shape surrounded by contact boundary points is in contact with any relative region of the contact portion 420. If it is only concerned with "confirming that a contact of a shape surrounded by contact boundary points has been continuously moved from one region of the contact portion 420 to another arbitrary region along a specific direction", etc. The configuration as shown has no effect on the normal practice of the invention.

However, an electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300 "confirms that a contact is in contact with a specific region of a contact", "confirms that the contact has moved from a specific region to another specific region". If interested, etc., the above-described configuration greatly affects the normal implementation of the present invention.

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention selectively selects position sensing points S1, S2, ..., for sensing an absolute contact position of a contact in a part of each unit cell CE. To arrange more.

In this case, as shown in the figure, not only the contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the area CP3 substantially in contact with the contact, but also other contact sensing segment groups 430 exhibit a series of contact resistances. The sensing circuit unit 410 can easily remove the unnecessary repetitive contact resistance signal except for the contact resistance signal output from the contact sensing segment groups 430 arranged in the CP3 through the use of the position sensing point S1. In the end, the electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300 is "contact is in contact with the specific area CP3 of the contact portion 420", "contact is in the direction of the arrow from the specific area CP3 to another specific area CP3 Moved "and so on.

Of course, when the position sensing points S1, S2,... Are additionally arranged in a part of each unit cell CE, the components dedicated to the sensing circuit unit 410 should be further disposed. Since details are extremely obvious to those skilled in the art, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 12, in the touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the touch sensing segments 431 are clustered according to, for example, the touch sensing segment group A, the touch sensing segment group B, contact sense segment group C, contact sense segment group D, and the like. In this case, the touch sensing segments 431 may be formed in each of the unit cells CE, for example, "1, 2, 3, 14, 15, 16", "13, 14, 15, 16 ... 5, 6, 7,8 "," 4,8,12,16, ... 1,5,9,13 "," 1,5,9,13 ... 4,8,12,16 "and the like. Of course, such a circular rule can make various modifications depending on the situation.

In this situation, the touch sensing segments 431 form a structure in which the same sequence numbers selected from different ID groups, different unit cells, and the like are electrically connected to a specific sensing circuit unit so that the number of output lines can be minimized.

For example, the contact detection segments 431 of the serial number 1 selected from different ID groups A, B, C, D, etc. are bundled into one and electrically connected to a specific sensing circuit unit 410c, and different ID groups A, The contact sensing segments 431 of the serial number 16 selected from B, C, and D are bundled together to form a structure electrically connected to the specific sensing circuit unit 410d.

When each of the touch sensing segments 431 of the present invention has such a configuration, the number of outputs of the sensing circuit unit 410 of each of the touch sensing segments 431 is 130 according to the previous embodiment. Since the number of output circuits of the sensing circuit unit 110 becomes equal to or less than that of the sensing circuit unit 110, the contact unit 420 maintains a wider size than the previous embodiment through the unit cells CE, while the sensing circuit unit 410 is maintained. It does not need to increase unnecessary number of).

In the touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 13, when a contact, for example, a finger contacts the area CP5 of the contact part 420, the contact area is contacted. The contact sensing segments 431 arranged in the CP5 exhibit different contact resistances according to the contact area with the contact object.

However, as mentioned above, the contact sensing segments 431 form a structure that is circulated in each of the unit cells CE, and are grouped together in the same sequence selected from different ID groups, unit cells, etc. Since the contact sensing segments 431 arranged in the area CP5 of the contact portion 420 exhibit a series of contact resistances because the structure is electrically connected to the specific sensing circuit portion 410, the touch sensing segments 431 In addition, the contact sensing segments 431 arranged in other areas of the contact also exhibit a series of repeated contact resistances, for example, in the areas MI4, MI5, MI6, ..., and the like.

This phenomenon may lead to the question of whether the present invention can be normally implemented, as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

However, as shown in Fig. 13, first, the contact resistance represented by the contact sensing segments 431 arranged in the area CP5 can be understood as an intact form, whereas the contacts arranged in the areas MI4, MI5, MI6 ... etc. The contact resistance represented by the sensing segments 431 cannot be understood in an intact form, and secondly, in view of an electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300, the matter of interest is simply "any of the contacts 420." Confirming that a contact of a shape surrounded by contact boundary points is in contact with a relative region of the contact area "or" a contact of a shape surrounded by contact boundary points is located along a specific direction in any area of the contact portion 420. Confirming that it has been continuously moved to an area ", etc., although not only the touch sensing segments 431 arranged in the area CP5 of the contacting part 420, but also the touch sensing three arranged in the other areas of the contacting part 420. Although a series of repeated contact resistances are shown up to the segments 431, this configuration has no effect on the normal implementation of the present invention.

Subsequently, the sensing circuit parts 410 electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segments 431 may be analog types having different sizes depending on the resistance of the resistors transmitted from the touch sensing segments 431. The touch sensing signal is output to the signal processing IC 300, and as a result, as soon as this process is completed, the electronic device incorporating the signal processing IC 300 has " contact boundary points " It is easy to confirm that the contact is surrounded by "contact".

Of course, even in the case of the above-described embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, each of the touch sensing segments 431 has a series of continuous contact resistance output value differences depending on the contact area with the contact as described above. Because of the analog sensing mechanism, it is possible to process a series of touch sensing processes normally, depending on the presence or absence of contact with the contact, even if its output line is minimized compared to the conventional touch sensing points that use the digital sensing mechanism. It becomes possible.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 14, when the contact which is in contact with the area CP6 of the contact part 420 moves to the area CP7 in the direction of the arrow, each touch sensing segment 431 is changed according to the change in the contact position of the contact. In this state, the sensing circuit parts 410 electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segments 431 may be configured according to a resistance magnitude transmitted from each of the touch sensing segments 431. By changing the state, the analog type touch detection signals of different sizes are output to the aforementioned signal processing IC 300. As a result, as soon as this process is completed, an electronic device having the corresponding signal processing IC 300 embedded therein. It can be easily confirmed that the "contact of the shape surrounded by the contact boundary points" has been continuously moved from any area of the contact portion 420 to any other area along the direction of the arrow.

As described in detail above, the present invention newly improves a plurality of touch sensing points to a few touch sensing segments electrically grouped, thereby converting a series of touch sensing mechanisms into conventional digital sensing by " individual touch sensing points. Mechanism ", to" analog sensing mechanism with clustered touch sensing segments ", thereby allowing a series of touch sensing processes to be performed normally, even in environments where sensing output lines are minimized. This naturally leads to a reduction in number and a reduction in the number of individual pins of the signal processing IC connected to these sense circuitry.

When the reduction of the number of individual pins of the signal processing IC is naturally induced by the implementation of the present invention, the signal processing IC has a problem that the size of the package is excessively large, for example, a special technology for accommodating a large number of pins in a small package area. It does not cause a problem that should be introduced, a problem that the cost is excessively increased, and, eventually, the electronic device employing the same does not exhibit a disadvantage such as involving expensive manufacturing cost.

The present invention has an overall useful effect in a variety of electronic devices that can be equipped with a touch sensing device, such as notebook computers, PDAs, mobile communication devices, electronic calculators, digital cameras and the like.

And while certain embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent that the invention may be embodied in various modifications by those skilled in the art.

Such modified embodiments should not be understood individually from the technical spirit or point of view of the present invention and such modified embodiments should fall within the scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

1 conceptually illustrates a touch sensing apparatus according to the prior art;

2 is an exemplary view conceptually showing a touch sensing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an exemplary view conceptually showing a human body contact state of the touch sensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exemplary diagram conceptually illustrating a first human body contact state of the touch sensing segments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an exemplary diagram conceptually illustrating a second human body contact state of the touch sensing segments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an exemplary view showing a detailed structure of contact sensing segments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is an exemplary view conceptually showing a touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

8 is an exemplary diagram conceptually showing an electrical connection state of groups of touch sensing segments arranged in a touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is an exemplary diagram conceptually illustrating a first human body contact state of contact sensing segment groups according to another embodiment of the present invention.

10 is an exemplary diagram conceptually illustrating a second human body contact state of contact sensing segment groups according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is an exemplary view conceptually showing an arrangement of position sensing points according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is an exemplary view conceptually showing an electrical connection state of touch sensing segments arranged in a touch sensing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary view conceptually illustrating a first human contact state of contact sensing segments according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

14 is an exemplary view conceptually illustrating a second human body contact state of the touch sensing segments according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

According to a predetermined pattern, the touch sensing segments arranged in a regular shape to provide a contact portion of the contact, each grouping into a single line to form a series of unit electric body; A signal processing unit which is electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segments forming the unit electric body, and changes a circuit state according to the contact state of the touch sensing segments, and integrates a series of touch sensing signals into an arbitrary electronic device. Sensing circuit units output to an IC; And a power applying block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit units. 2. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ground line adjacent to each of the touch sensing segments to reduce a resistance component of the contact. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein additional resistances for improving touch sensing performance are connected to each of the touch sensing segments. A plurality of unit cells; According to a predetermined pattern in each of the unit cells, arranged in a regular shape to provide a contact portion of the contact, grouped by a plurality of IDs in a predetermined partition area inside the unit cells to form a plurality of unit electric elements individually Contact sensing segment groups; It is electrically connected to each of the touch sensing segment groups forming the unit electric body, and according to the contact state of the touch sensing segment groups, the circuit state is changed so that a series of touch sensing signals are embedded in any electronic device. Sensing circuit units output to a signal processing IC; A power supply block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit parts; Each touch sensing segment group arranged in each of the unit cells is bundled with the same ID and connected to a specific sensing circuit unit electrically. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the touch sensing segment groups is circulated in each of the unit cells. delete 5. The touch sensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein some of the unit cells further include position sensing points for sensing an absolute touch position of the contact. A plurality of unit cells; According to a predetermined pattern in each of the unit cells, arranged in a regular shape to provide a contact portion of the contact, grouped in succession within a predetermined partition area inside the unit cells, the contact forming a plurality of ID groups Sensing segments; It is electrically connected to the touch sensing segments forming the plurality of ID groups, and according to the contact state of the touch sensing segments, the circuit state is changed, so that a series of contact touch sensing signals are embedded in any electronic device. Sensing circuit units output to a signal processing IC; A power supply block for selectively applying a series of necessary voltages for driving the sensing circuit parts; Each touch sensing segment arranged in each of the unit cells is circulated in each of the unit cells, and the same sequence is grouped together to be electrically connected to a specific sensing circuit unit. delete