KR100794926B1 - Apparatus and method for sensing touch - Google Patents

Abstract

A device and a method for detecting a plurality of touches are provided to output the touches without recognizing the touches as an incorrect touch when a user performs the touches really, and perform new input by using the touches recognized at the same time. A touch part(110) includes a plurality of channels(115a-115n) touched by the user. A determiner determines a plurality of valid touches by comparing touch information generated in each touched channel when more than two channels are touched. A storing part(140) stores touch information, which is an invalid touch among the compared touch information. A touch recognition signal for the touch information stored in the storing part is output when at least one of the valid touches is stopped. A plurality of capacitors stores electric charge flowing in each channel. An oscillator(120) generates a change of capacity stored in the capacitor by using a predetermined waveform. An operator(130) generates a digital signal from the waveform and calculates a capacitance value of the capacitor by counting and using a clock value of the generated clock signal.

Description

Touch sensing device and method {Apparatus and method for sensing touch}

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a touch sensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart showing the order in which the touch sensing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is performed.

3 is a simplified diagram illustrating how touch sensing is performed in a touch pad in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device and a method, and more particularly, to a touch sensing device and a method capable of recognizing each touch even when a plurality of touch occurs simultaneously.

Recently, a touch input device using a device for sensing a touch, such as a touch sensor, exists and has been developed as an input means for controlling the operation of many electric / electronic devices.

In principle, the touch sensing device is a device that recognizes the touch itself, and the touch input device performs a touch sensing and outputs a sensed touch as a signal, which is used as an input means, but is actually used without any significant distinction.

On the other hand, there are various methods of using touch sensing, but when an electrode is installed at a contact where a touch is actually made, and the touch is touched by a finger, the sensing unit detects a change in capacitance and transmits it as a signal to a microprocessor or a microcomputer. Methods and the like are widely used.

This conventional touch sensing method has an advantage that there is no concern of mechanical wear because it is easy to input and does not include mechanical operation as compared to the input method by pressing a conventional mechanical button.

On the other hand, such a touch sensing device may include only one channel in which a touch is recognized in one touch sensing device. However, the touch sensing device may include a plurality of channels such as a touch pad to make it easier to recognize touch and output various input signals. It is used to make it possible.

For example, in the case of the touch pad, the touch pad includes channels that recognize the touch according to the position on the touch pad, and different input signals are output according to the touch position on the touch pad by using the touch information together with the location information of the touch-recognized channels. I am trying to.

However, when a user touches a touch input with a kind of a person's touch means or a finger during touch input, a plurality of channels such as a touch of an adjacent channel often occur due to various causes such as the size of a finger.

When a plurality of touches are recognized, only one touch is recognized so that an incorrect input is not performed.

To this end, in order to recognize only one touch when a plurality of touches are recognized, a method of firstly recognizing only the touch of a channel where the touch is recognized as a touch or a method of allowing only the most strongly touched touch to be recognized as a touch is widely used. do.

However, when only one touch among the plurality of conventional touches is recognized, there is a problem that the user recognizes this as an incorrect touch and outputs only one touch even though the user performs a plurality of touches.

In addition, in the case of the mechanical key input, a plurality of keys may be used simultaneously so that an input signal different from the input signal of each key is input.

For example, in the case of a keyboard, which is a representative mechanical input means, when a 'Ctrl' key and a 'C' key are pressed together, a new input is possible by combining a plurality of keys such that the selected text is copied.

However, in the case of the touch input means including the touch sensing device, as described above, only one touch of the plurality of touches is recognized so that a new input cannot be performed by using all the plurality of touch inputs as in the case of a mechanical key input. There is a problem.

In order to solve the conventional problems as described above, the present invention proposes a touch sensing device and method that does not output only one touch by recognizing this as a wrong touch even when the user actually performs a plurality of touches.

In addition, as in the case of a mechanical key input, it is proposed a touch sensing device and a method for enabling a new input to be performed using a plurality of touch inputs.

Still other objects of the present invention will be readily understood through the following description of the embodiments.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, a touch sensing device is provided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the contact portion including a plurality of channels that make a touch; A determination unit for comparing the touch information of each of the channels where the touch is generated to determine n (1 or more natural numbers) effective touches when a touch is simultaneously generated on two or more channels among the plurality of channels; And a storage configured to store touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information, wherein a touch recognition signal is output to touch information stored in the storage when at least one touch of the valid touches is stopped. Provided is a touch sensing device, characterized in that.

The touch sensing device may include a plurality of capacitances storing charges flowing for each channel; An oscillator generating a change in capacitance stored in the capacitance into a predetermined waveform; And a calculator configured to generate a waveform generated by the oscillator as a digital signal, count a clock value of the generated digital signal, and calculate a capacitance value of the pattern using the counted clock value. The capacitance may change in capacitance according to at least one of a contact area and a contact pressure touched by each channel.

Among the compared touch information stored in the storage, touch information of a touch that is not a valid touch may be deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a valid touch is satisfied. .

The determination unit may determine the touch of the channel with the strongest touch as the effective touch.

The determination unit may determine the touch of the channel where the fastest touch is made in time as the effective touch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a touch sensing method is provided.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a touch occurs simultaneously on two or more channels among a plurality of channels in which a touch can be recognized, n (one or more natural numbers) numbers are compared by comparing touch information of each channel in which the touch is generated. Determining a valid touch (a); Outputting a touch recognition signal for the effective touch (b); And (c) storing touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information, and outputting a touch recognition signal with respect to the stored touch information when at least one touch of the valid touches is stopped. A touch sensing method is provided.

In the step (a), comparing the touch information of each channel in which the touch is generated and determining the number of effective touches of n (one or more natural numbers), generating a change in the capacitance according to each touch in a predetermined waveform. ; Generating the generated waveform as a digital signal; Counting a clock value of the generated digital signal; And comparing the clock values of the counted touches with each other, wherein the change in capacitance is determined by a change in at least one of a contact area and a contact pressure touched by each channel. Can be changed.

The touch information of the touch that is not the valid touch among the compared touch information may be deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a predetermined touch of the valid touch is satisfied.

In step (a), the touch of the channel with the strongest touch may be determined as an effective touch.

In step (a), the touch of the channel with the fastest touch in time may be determined as an effective touch.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium recording a program for implementing a touch sensing method.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to implement a touch sensing method, a program of instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus is tangibly embodied and recorded on a recording medium on which a program can be read by a digital processing apparatus. When a touch occurs simultaneously in two or more channels among a plurality of channels in which a touch can be recognized, comparing the touch information of each channel in which the touch is generated and determining n (1 or more natural numbers) effective touches (a ); Outputting a touch recognition signal for the effective touch (b); And (c) storing touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information, and outputting a touch recognition signal with respect to the stored touch information when at least one touch of the valid touch is stopped. Provided is a recording medium recording a program for implementing a touch sensing method.

In the step (a), comparing the touch information of each channel in which the touch is generated and determining the number of effective touches of n (one or more natural numbers), generating a change in the capacitance according to each touch in a predetermined waveform. ; Generating the generated waveform as a digital signal; Counting a clock value of the generated digital signal; And comparing the clock values of the counted touches with each other, wherein the change in capacitance is determined by a change in at least one of a contact area and a contact pressure touched by each channel. Can be changed.

The touch information of the touch that is not the valid touch among the compared touch information may be deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a predetermined touch of the valid touch is satisfied.

In step (a), the touch of the channel with the strongest touch may be determined as an effective touch.

In step (a), the touch of the channel with the fastest touch in time may be determined as an effective touch.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention.

In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements. In the following description of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

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

For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component.

The term and / or includes any item of a plurality of related items or a combination of a plurality of related items.

When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it may be directly connected to or connected to that other component, but it may be understood that other components may be present in between. Should be.

On the other hand, when a component is said to be "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component in between.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and one or more other features. It is to be understood that the present invention does not exclude the possibility of the presence or the addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, components, or a combination thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and are not construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or corresponding components will be denoted by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

First, a configuration of a touch sensing device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a touch sensing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch sensing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a contact unit 110, an oscillator 120, an operation unit 130, an output unit 140, and a storage unit 150. It may include.

The contact unit 110 includes a plurality of channels 115a, 115b,... 115n, and each channel includes an electrode so that a minute current sensed when a human finger or the like is touched.

Meanwhile, although not shown in FIG. 1, when a contact occurs, a change in capacitance due to a contact area, a contact time, and a contact pressure is detected, including a capacitance for storing a minute current flowing between an electrode and a person. .

The oscillator 120 generates a change in capacitance generated through the contact in a constant waveform.

The calculator 130 may generate the generated waveform as a digital signal again, count a clock value of the generated digital signal, and indicate a change in capacitance by a difference between the counted clock values.

When the plurality of touches are recognized, the determination unit 140 selects only one touch or n touches as valid touches according to a predetermined specific algorithm.

Meanwhile, the algorithm for assigning the priority to select one touch or n touches among touches simultaneously recognized in a plurality of channels may be various methods.

For example, a method of recognizing a touch having the largest change in capacitance among a plurality of touches as a touch, a method of recognizing a touch that is first touched among a plurality of touches but actually recognized with a slight time difference, etc. It is possible, but not limited to.

The selected touch is output as a touch recognition signal from the output unit 150 as an effective touch.

Meanwhile, touch information of other touches, that is, other touches that do not output the touch recognition signal, is stored in the storage unit 150 together with the comparison information of the determination unit 140. When recognition of the effective touch ends, the storage unit ( The touch information stored in the 140 is read and output from the output unit 150 as a touch recognition signal.

Only one selected touch outputs a touch recognition signal as a valid touch, and when the valid touch ends, the detected touch information stored in the storage 140 is simultaneously read and the touch recognition signal is output again. Let's take a closer look.

The storage 140 may store other touch information that is not output when a plurality of touches are simultaneously recognized in each channel along with the priority information according to a priority algorithm for outputting the touch recognition signal.

As described above, the priority algorithm refers to an algorithm for selecting only the strongest touch or the fastest touch among a plurality of touches, for example.

The storage 140 may store a reference value for recognizing only a value satisfying a predetermined criterion as a touch.

Although only one storage unit 140 is illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be apparent that the storage unit 140 may be configured as a separate storage unit 140 according to other touch information and a reference value that are not output.

In addition, the touch information stored in the storage 140 is not continuously stored, but is a preset condition, for example, when a predetermined time elapses or when another valid touch is input or a valid touch lasts for a predetermined time. Can be deleted.

Meanwhile, referring to the configuration of the touch sensing apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method of outputting a touch recognition signal when touch is simultaneously recognized in a plurality of channels according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. see.

First, FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an order in which a touch sensing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is performed.

First, when a touch is simultaneously made on each channel included in the touch sensing device, each channel is detected that the touch is made by using a change in capacitance (S200).

On the other hand, the touch values recognized for each channel are compared first to satisfy the reference value to be recognized as a touch to determine whether the touch is recognized (S202).

The reference value to be recognized as a touch becomes a reference value for preventing malfunction due to contact with the surrounding environment or other objects.

Among the touches satisfying the reference value, only one touch satisfying the preset algorithm is selected as the effective touch (S204). A touch recognition signal is output for the touch selected as the effective touch (S206).

As described above, the algorithm for selecting one of the touches simultaneously recognized in the plurality of channels may be various methods. For example, as described above, only a touch having the largest touch value may be output as the effective touch, or even a minute time information may be analyzed to output only the first touch as the effective touch.

On the other hand, the touch information for a touch that is recognized as a touch but is not selected as an effective touch by satisfying the reference value is stored (S208), and the channel information on which the touch is made may be stored together in the touch information.

The stored touch information is read when the previous valid touch ends (S210) and outputs a touch recognition signal (S212).

As described above, the stored touch information is not continuously stored, but is set in a condition such as a predetermined time elapsed or when there is an input of another valid touch or a valid touch lasts for a certain time. Can be deleted.

Meanwhile, FIG. 2 illustrates a case in which only one touch of a plurality of touches is recognized and outputted, but n (natural one or more) touches among the plurality of touches are recognized as valid touches, and a touch recognition signal is output. If the touch information is stored, the touch recognition signal may be output with respect to the stored touch information when one or more valid touches are terminated.

Meanwhile, a case in which the touch recognition method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is implemented in a touch pad in which a plurality of touches are easily generated will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

3 is a diagram illustrating a case in which the touch recognition method according to an embodiment of the present invention is implemented on a touch pad.

3 is a case where a user touches two locations of the touch pad 300 at the same time, and assumes that 'b' and 'ㅏ' are input to each location.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 3, the touch pad 300 is divided into a predetermined area and is provided with channels 115a, 115b,..., 115n for detecting a touch in each area. An input signal is generated.

In the touch pad 300, if the user simultaneously touches 'a' and 'ㅏ' to input 'ga', the two channels that recognize the touch of the touch sensing device included in the touch pad may be respectively. The touch will be recognized.

However, in the related art, as previously described, only the touch having the largest touch value is recognized as the effective touch, or the touch which is slightly earlier in time is recognized as the effective touch, so that the input information according to the location information where the touch is performed is performed. do.

For example, in FIG. 3, when the user touches 'a' for a shorter time than 'ㅏ' but first touches or touches 'a' more strongly, the input signal is conventionally generated only for 'a'.

 Therefore, although the user has touched both 'ㄱ' and 'ㅏ', only 'a' is actually recognized and output on the screen.

However, in the present invention, if an input signal is first generated for 'B' and stored for storage for 'ㅏ', the valid touch is not continuously input or no other input is performed for a predetermined time. It outputs 'ㅏ' so that 'ga' that the user wants to input is displayed.

Such a touch method for recognizing a plurality of touches according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is merely an example, and the touch pad may be implemented through a plurality of key inputs, such as a conventional mechanical key input. Obviously, a method of generating a new input signal is also possible.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

As described above, according to the touch sensing device and method according to the present invention, even when a user actually performs a plurality of touches, there is an advantage in that the touch is recognized as a proper touch instead of a false touch.

In addition, as in the case of a mechanical key input, there is an advantage that a new input can be performed using all the plurality of inputs.

Claims (16)

A contact unit including a plurality of channels through which touch is made; A determination unit for comparing the touch information of each of the channels where the touch is generated to determine n (1 or more natural numbers) effective touches when a touch is simultaneously generated on two or more channels among the plurality of channels; And Including the storage unit for storing the touch information of the touch is not an effective touch of the compared touch information, And a touch recognition signal is output with respect to touch information stored in the storage unit when at least one of the effective touches is stopped. The method of claim 1, A plurality of capacitances storing charges flowing in the respective channels; An oscillator generating a change in capacitance stored in the capacitance into a predetermined waveform; And An operation unit for generating the generated waveform generated by the oscillator as a digital signal, counting a clock value of the generated digital signal, and calculating the capacitance value of the pattern using the counted clock value Touch sensing device further comprising. The method of claim 2, The capacitance is And a capacitance is changed according to at least one of a contact area and a contact pressure touched by each channel. The method of claim 1, Among the compared touch information stored in the storage unit, touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch is deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a valid touch is satisfied. Touch sensing device. The method of claim 1, The determination unit, And a touch of a channel where the strongest touch is made as an effective touch. The method of claim 1, The determination unit, And a touch of a channel where the fastest touch is made in time as an effective touch. (A) determining n (1 or more natural numbers) effective touches by comparing touch information of each of the channels where the touch is generated when touch is simultaneously generated in two or more channels among a plurality of channels in which a touch can be recognized; Outputting a touch recognition signal for the effective touch (b); And (C) storing touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information, And outputting a touch recognition signal with respect to the stored touch information when at least one of the valid touches is stopped. The method of claim 7, wherein In the step (a), comparing the touch information of each channel where the touch is generated, and determining the number of effective touches of n (one or more natural numbers), Generating a change in capacitance according to each touch into a constant waveform; Generating the generated waveform as a digital signal; Counting a clock value of the generated digital signal; And And comparing the clock values of the counted touches with each other. The method of claim 8, The change in the capacitance, And a capacitance is changed according to at least one of a contact area and a contact pressure touched by each channel. The method of claim 7, wherein Touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information is deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a valid touch is satisfied. . The method of claim 7, wherein In step (a), And a touch of a channel where the strongest touch is made as an effective touch. The method of claim 7, wherein In step (a), And a touch of a channel on which the earliest touch is made in time is determined to be an effective touch. A recording medium in which a program of instructions that can be executed by a digital processing apparatus is tangibly implemented so that the touch sensing method is implemented, and which records a program that can be read by the digital processing apparatus, (A) determining n (1 or more natural numbers) effective touches by comparing touch information of each of the channels where the touch is generated when touch is simultaneously generated in two or more channels among a plurality of channels in which a touch can be recognized; Outputting a touch recognition signal for the effective touch (b); And (C) storing touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information, And a program for implementing a touch sensing method, wherein a touch recognition signal is output to the stored touch information when at least one of the valid touches is stopped. The method of claim 13, Touch information of a touch that is not an effective touch among the compared touch information is deleted when at least one condition of elapse of a predetermined time, input of another valid touch, and duration of a valid touch is satisfied. Recording medium recording a program for implementing the. The method of claim 13, In step (a), A recording medium for recording a program for implementing a touch sensing method, characterized in that the touch of the channel with the strongest touch is determined to be an effective touch. The method of claim 13, In step (a), A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for implementing a touch sensing method, characterized in that the touch of the channel with the fastest touch in time is determined to be an effective touch.

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