KR100997107B1 - Structure of touch input for acquiring location and intensity of force, apparatus therewith and acquiring method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, and more particularly, to detect the strength and the acting position of the pressing force based on the change in the gap between the upper and lower layers of the touch input structure or the strain of the upper layer. The present invention relates to a touch input structure, a touch input device, and a detection method. More specifically, the touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, the upper layer to which the external pressing force is applied by the pointing object; A lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer at a predetermined interval; And a support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer, the gap detecting unit detecting a change in the gap between the upper layer and the lower layer, and having an electrode formed to face one surface of the upper layer and the lower layer; The side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support portion, there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side, or simply supported for detecting the strength and action position of the pressing force, characterized in that no displacement change in the side The present invention relates to a touch input structure, a touch input device using the same, and a method of detecting a push force and an action position.

Displacement, strain, pressing force, position, strength, touch screen

Description

Structure of touch input for acquiring location and intensity of force, apparatus therewith and acquiring method

The present invention relates to a touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, and more particularly, to detect the strength and the acting position of the pressing force based on the change in the gap between the upper and lower layers of the touch input structure or the strain of the upper layer. The present invention relates to a touch input structure, a touch input device, and a detection method.

Humans interface with electromechanical devices in a variety of applications. Thus, there is a constant interest in interfaces that are more natural, easy to use, and capable of providing information. Among the devices that interface with the user, a touch input device that applies an operation or position command by a touch method is used for a touch screen or a laptop used in various electronic / communication devices such as an automated teller machine in a bank, a personal portable information terminal, a mobile phone, and the like. And a touch pad.

A conventional touch input device detects only a location where a pointing object (eg, a stylus tip, a finger, etc.) touches, and an electronic / communication device using the touch input device executes a change of a cursor position or a program.

Such a conventional touch input device has a limit of detecting only a position despite the increasing demand for acquiring contact information in various industries such as electronic / communication devices. Therefore, the development of a device that can obtain not only the position of the pointing object but also information on the strength of the pressing force applied by the pointing object has been required.

Thus, in the touch input device developed, when a predetermined pressing force is applied to the touch input device by a pointing object, in order to detect the strength of the pressing force, various sensors are attached to a touch screen or a touch pad or a touch including a force sensor. Screen, touch pad, and the like. In this case, a process of attaching the sensor to the screen display device using a double-sided tape or the like has been required. The touch input device has a problem in that the degree of attachment of the sensor varies depending on the degree of adhesion and processing of the double-sided tape during mass production, and has a disadvantage in that signal distortion occurs in detecting the strength and position of the pressing force.

When an external shock such as dropping the touch input device is applied, the same effect as that of the tensile force is applied to the touch input device (eg, the touch screen). When such an external shock is applied, the touch input device including the sensor is damaged in durability, and thus the sensing capability is deteriorated in detecting the position and strength of the pressing force after an external shock is applied.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, the object of the present invention is that the touch input structure that can accurately detect the action position and the strength of the pressing force without damage to durability even if an external impact is applied, The present invention provides a touch input device and a method for detecting an operating position and strength of a pressing force.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a touch input structure for detecting an operating position and strength of a pressing force includes: an upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by a pointing object; An upper layer and a lower layer spaced apart from each other by 0.01 to 100 μm; A support part provided between an upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer; And a gap detecting unit detecting a gap change between an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein an electrode is formed to face one surface of the upper layer and the lower layer, and the side of the touch input structure is completely supported by the supporting unit so that the change of the displacement and the slope of the side of the touch input structure are supported. It can be achieved by the touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, characterized in that there is no change or simply supported so that there is no change in displacement on the side.

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The touch input structure for achieving the above object is an upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by a pointing object; An upper layer and a lower layer spaced apart from each other by 0.01 to 100 μm; A support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer; And a strain detection unit provided on one surface of the upper layer facing the upper layer and the lower layer to detect strain of the upper layer, wherein the side of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support unit so that there is no displacement change or tilt change in the side surface, It can simply be supported and constructed with no change in displacement at the sides.

And, the upper layer and the lower layer is preferably composed of a transparent material.

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The electrode, which is a gap detecting part, may be made of metal, ITO or carbon nanotubes.

In addition, the strain detection unit may be composed of a resistive layer or a strain gauge.

In this case, the resistive layer may be a reduced pressure ink, ITO, a resist paste, or carbon nanotubes.

As another means for achieving the above object, the touch input device, the upper layer is applied to the external pressing force by the pointing object; An upper layer and a lower layer spaced apart from each other by 0.01 to 100 μm; And a support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer. And a gap detection unit configured to detect a change in a gap between an upper layer and a lower layer, and an electrode formed to face one surface of the upper layer and the lower layer. And a detector configured to detect an action position and an intensity of the push force based on a change in capacitance between the electrodes according to the application of the push force, wherein the side of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support to change the displacement and the tilt of the side. It is characterized in that there is no change or simply supported so that there is no change in displacement at the sides.

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In addition, it is preferable that at least two gap detection units are provided.

The detector may further include: a gap change detector configured to detect a gap change between an upper layer and a lower layer at a position where an electrode is provided; A position detection unit for detecting a position to which a pressing force is applied based on a change in distance; And an intensity detection unit for detecting the intensity of the pressing force from the relational expression of the detected position and the change of interval.

At this time, the position detection unit may perform an operation relating to the action position of the gap change and the pressing force, or may search the pre-stored data to detect the action position.

In another embodiment, a touch input device includes: an upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by a pointing object; An upper layer and a lower layer spaced apart from each other by 0.01 to 100 μm; And a support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein at least two strain detection parts are locally formed on one surface of the upper layer facing the upper layer and the lower layer; And a detection unit for detecting an action position and an intensity of the pressing force based on the strain according to the application of the pressing force in the region provided with the strain detection unit, wherein the side of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support unit to change the displacement at the side surface. And no change in inclination, or simply supported and no change in displacement at the sides.

In this case, the strain detection unit may be composed of a resistive layer or a strain gauge.

In addition, it is preferable that at least two strain detection units are provided.

The detection unit may include a strain detection unit that detects a strain of an upper layer by using a strain detection unit; A position detecting unit detecting an acting position of the pressing force based on the strain rate; And an intensity detection unit for detecting the intensity of the pressing force from the relationship between the detected action position and the strain rate.

At this time, the position detection unit may perform an operation relating to the acting position of the strain and the pressing force, or detect the acting position by searching from the pre-stored data.

The strain is based on the following equation.

[Equation]

(ε: strain rate, ΔR / R: rate of change of resistance value of strain detector, G: gauge constant of strain detector)

In addition, the side of the touch input structure is completely fixed by the support, characterized in that there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side.

In addition, the side of the touch input structure is simply fixed by the support, it characterized in that there is no displacement change in the side.

And, the action position of the pressing force can be expressed in the form of rectangular coordinates.

In addition, a liquid crystal panel may be further included below the touch input structure.

As another category for achieving the above object, a method of detecting the position and strength of the pressing force, the method comprising the steps of deforming the upper layer as the pressing force is applied to the touch input structure; Detecting, by the detection unit, a change in the distance between the upper layer and the lower layer at at least two positions; A relationship setting step of detecting a coordinate change and an intensity of an interval and an action position based on a virtual coordinate system previously formed on a touch input structure; Obtaining, by the detector, coordinates of the action position based on the change in the interval; And a detecting unit obtaining intensity based on the relational expression and the acquired coordinates, wherein the side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support unit, and there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side surface, or is simply supported. There is a method of detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, characterized by no change in displacement on the side surface.

The above object is another embodiment, the step of deforming the upper layer as the pressing force is applied to the touch input structure; Detecting by the detector at least two positions of the strain of the upper layer; A relationship setting step of the detection unit relating to the coordinates and the intensity of the strain and the acting position based on a virtual coordinate system previously formed on the touch input structure; Obtaining, by the detection unit, coordinates of the action position based on the relational expression; And a detecting unit obtaining intensity based on the relational expression and the acquired coordinates, wherein the side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support unit, and there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side surface, or is simply supported. It is achievable by the method of detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position without changing the displacement on the side.

The relation setting step, obtaining coordinates, and obtaining intensity may be based on Euler beam theory.

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The acquiring coordinate of the acting position may be based on a method of searching for and acquiring coordinates of the acting position on the basis of a gap change pre-stored in the detection unit and the data between the acting positions or a method of acquiring relations. .

In addition, the strain may be detected based on a change in the resistance value of the strain detector formed in the upper layer.

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The method may be based on a method of searching for and obtaining coordinates of an action position based on data between a strain rate previously stored in the detector and an action position, or a method of acquiring a relationship expression.

At this time, the virtual coordinate system can be configured as a rectangular coordinate system.

Therefore, according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, there is an advantage that can accurately detect the action position and the strength of the pressing force without separately providing a force sensor that is sensitive to the degree of engagement. In addition, even if the upper layer and the lower layer is completely coupled by the support portion to withstand external impact, it is possible to accurately detect the position and strength of the pressing force. Therefore, while improving durability, there is an advantage of minimizing the error of the action position and the strength of the pressing force.

In addition, the touch input structure according to the present invention can be mass-produced as a single module, and the manufacturing cost is reduced because it uses an interval detector (for example, an electrode) or a strain detector (for example, a resistive layer) which is cheaper than a force sensor. It is effective.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions and configurations may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

<Configuration of Touch Input Structure>

(Embodiment 1)

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a touch input structure according to the present invention. The touch input structure 100 includes an upper layer 110, a support 120, a lower layer 130, a gap detector 140, and the like.

The upper layer 110 is a member to which the pressing force F is applied by the pointing object, and deformation is caused by the pressing force F. FIG. The touch input structure 100 according to the present invention may be used for a touch screen, and is preferably made of a transparent material to provide a display screen to a user. As the transparent material, glass, an acrylic plate or a transparent film may be used. In addition, the material of the upper layer 110 is preferably used to restore the original form again after the pressing force (F) of the pointing object is applied.

The lower layer 130 is a member provided spaced apart from the upper layer 110 by a predetermined interval, and is preferably made of a transparent material like the upper layer 110. At this time, the interval between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 is preferably about 0.01 ~ 100㎛. For example, it can be configured to be 20㎛. If less than 0.01㎛, it is difficult to sufficiently accommodate the change in the gap according to the deformation of the upper layer 110, if it exceeds 100㎛, it may be an obstacle in miniaturizing the size. Due to the gap between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130, durability is improved, and also stable to external impact, even when adding a liquid crystal panel (not shown) to be described below can provide a clean screen to the user.

The support part 120 is a member provided between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130, and is preferably provided around the edges of the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130. The support part 120 may be formed of an adhesive layer, and an ultraviolet curing adhesive agent (UV adhesive) may be used as an example of the adhesive layer. The thickness of the support 120 is preferably about 0.01 ~ 100㎛ bar, as described above.

The gap detector 140 is a member for detecting a gap change between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130. The gap detecting unit 140 may be any type as long as it can detect a change in the gap between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper layer 110 and the lower layer ( At least two pairs of electrodes formed to face one surface of 130 may be preferable. More preferably, two gap detectors 140, that is, four pairs of electrodes, may be configured to acquire coordinates in the x- and y-axis directions. When the pressing force F is applied to the upper layer 110, the upper layer 110 is deformed as shown in FIG. 2 to cause a change in the gap between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130. When the pressing force F is applied, the change in the distance between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 can be detected from the change in the capacitance of the electrode. Such an electrode may be made of metal, ITO or carbon nanotubes. Wiring for detecting a change in the capacitance of the electrode is obvious in the scope of those skilled in the art, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

(Second Embodiment)

3 is a side cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a touch input structure according to the present invention. The touch input structure 100 ′ according to the present embodiment includes an upper layer 110 ′, a support 120 ′, a lower layer 130 ′, a strain detector 140 ′, and the like. Specific configurations and features of the upper layer 110 ′, the support 120 ′, and the lower layer 130 ′ of the touch input structure 100 ′ according to the present embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above. In the following description, the strain detection unit 140 'will be described below.

The strain detection unit 140 ′ is a member for measuring a strain in the contact surface direction of the upper layer 110 ′ deformed according to the pressing force F. For example, a strain layer or a strain gauge may be used. As shown in FIG. 3, at least two resistive layers or strain gauges are preferably formed on one surface of the upper layer. More preferably, when acquiring the coordinates in the x-axis and y-axis directions with respect to the upper layer 110 ', four or more may be provided. As the resistive layer, a reduced pressure ink, ITO, a resist paste, carbon nanotubes, or the like may be used. It is more preferable that one surface of the upper layer 110 'provided with the resistance layer or the strain gauge is selected to face the lower layer 130'. This is to protect the strain detector 140 'from the external environment of the touch input structure 100'. In addition, the wiring for signal detection of the resistive layer or strain gauge is obvious within the scope of those skilled in the art, and detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

4 illustrates the state of the touch input structure 100 ′ when the pressing force F is applied to the upper layer. When the pressing force F is applied, the upper layer 110 'is deformed as in the case of the first embodiment. As the upper layer 110 'is deformed, the resistance value of the resistance layer or strain gauge formed on one surface of the upper layer 110' is changed, and the strength and the acting position of the pressing force F can be detected from the resistance value change. It becomes possible. The strength of the pressing force (F) and the method of detecting the operating position will be described in detail in the relevant section.

<Configuration of Touch Input Device>

5 illustrates a state in which the touch input device according to the present invention is mounted on the mobile phone 1. The touch input device according to the present invention includes a touch input structure 100, 100 ′, a detector 200, 200 ′, a liquid crystal panel (not shown), and the like. The touch input structures 100 and 100 'are the same as described above, and are replaced with the above descriptions. Hereinafter, the touch input structures 100 and 100' will be described based on the detectors 200 and 200 'and the liquid crystal panel.

In the touch input structures 100 and 100 ', the upper layers 110 and 110' and the lower layers 130 and 130 'of the touch input structures 100 and 100' are simply supported by the supporting members 120 and 120 ', as shown in FIGS. 11 and 15, it is configurable in a fully supported state by the supports 120, 120 '. If it is simply supported, there is no displacement change in the touch input structures 100 and 100 'in the respective coordinate directions of the virtual coordinate system formed in the upper layers 110 and 110', and if it is fully supported, the touch input structure in each coordinate direction ( 100, 100 ') shows no displacement change and no slope change.

The liquid crystal panel is provided under the touch input structures 100 and 100 ′, and is a member that visually expresses the result of an operation command or a position command input by a user. As the liquid crystal panel, LCD, OLED, electronic ink panel, etc. may be used.

The detectors 200 and 200 ′ detect the operating position and the intensity of the pressing force F based on the capacitance change or the strain in the touch input structures 100 and 100 ′. That is, when detecting the action position and the intensity of the pressing force F from the change in the distance between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130, the upper layer 110 'of the upper layer 110' to which the pressing force F is applied is detected. Detecting the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force F from the strain is based on the strain value. Hereinafter, the configuration of the detection unit 200 in the case of the first embodiment for detecting the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force F from the change in interval and in the case of the second embodiment for detecting from the strain will be described.

(Embodiment 1)

6 is a schematic block diagram of signal processing in the first embodiment of the touch input device. In the present embodiment of detecting the position and intensity of the pressing force (F) from the change in the interval between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130, the detection unit 200 is the interval change detection unit 210, the position detection unit 220 and the intensity The detection unit 230 and the like. The gap change detector 210 detects a gap change between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 at a position where the gap detector 140 (electrode) is provided. The change in spacing is preferably based on the change in capacitance between the electrodes.

The position detection unit 220 detects an operating position to which the pressing force F is applied based on the interval change detected by the interval change detection unit 210. The action position of the pressing force (F) can be represented by a virtual coordinate system previously formed in the upper layer 110 of the touch input structure 100, and such a virtual coordinate system is preferably a rectangular coordinate system. At this time, the origin of the virtual coordinate system can be set to any point in advance.

The operation position detection of the position detection unit 220 can be performed by performing the operation described in the following detection method. In addition, the position detection unit 220 may be configured to detect the operation position in advance when the pressing force (F) is applied by applying the operation in advance and converting the result into a lookup table or the like in advance. have.

The intensity detecting unit 230 detects the intensity of the pressing force F based on the interval change acquired by the interval change detecting unit 210 and the action position value of the pressing force F obtained by the position detecting unit 220. . The strength detection method of the pressing force F of the intensity detection unit 230 will be described in detail in the corresponding part.

(Second Embodiment)

7 is a schematic block diagram of signal processing in the second embodiment of the touch input device. The present embodiment detects the action position and the intensity of the pressing force F from the strain of the upper layer 110 ', and the detection unit 200' includes the strain detection unit 210 ', the position detection unit 220', and the intensity detection unit. 230 ', and the like.

The strain detector 210 ′ detects the strain of the upper layer 110 ′ according to the pressing force F at a position where the strain detector 140 ′ (resistance layer or strain gauge) is provided. The strain is detected by a change in the resistance value of the strain detection unit 140 ', and the change in the strain and the resistance value has a relationship of the following [Equation 1].

(ε: strain rate, ΔR / R: change rate of resistance value, G: gauge constant of strain detector)

The position detector 220 ′ detects an operating position to which the pressing force F is applied based on the strain detected by the strain detector 210 ′. Also in this embodiment, the action position of the pressing force (F) can be represented by a virtual coordinate system previously formed on the upper layer 110 'of the touch input structure 100', and such a virtual coordinate system is preferably a rectangular coordinate system.

The operation position detection of the position detection unit 220 'can be performed by performing an operation which will be described in the following detection method. In addition, the position detecting unit 220 'can preliminarily perform such a calculation and store the result in a form of a look-up table or the like in advance so that the operation position can be detected quickly when the pressing force F is applied. Can be.

The intensity detection unit 230 ′ is the same as the case of the first embodiment described above, and replaces the foregoing description.

< Pressing  Strength and Position Detection Method>

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, looks at the strength of the pressing force (F) and the operation position detection method according to the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)

8 is a flow chart according to the first embodiment of the method for detecting the strength and acting position of the pressing force (F) in the present invention. The present embodiment uses the touch input device of the first embodiment described above, and relates to a method of detecting the strength and the acting position of the pressing force F based on the change in the distance between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130.

First, when the pressing force F by the pointing object is applied to the upper layer 110 of the touch input structure 100, the upper layer 110 is deformed by the pressing force F (S100). Deformation of the upper layer 110 is as shown in FIG.

As the upper layer 110 is deformed, the gap between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 changes, and the gap detecting unit 140 formed to face one surface of the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 by the change of the gap, that is, The capacitance value of the electrode changes. At this time, the detection unit 200 detects a change in the interval between the upper layer 110 and the lower layer 130 based on the change in the capacitance value (S200).

Thereafter, the operating position and the intensity of the pressing force (F) is detected based on the change in the interval (S300). The action position and the intensity detection step of the pressing force (F) will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a state diagram illustrating a case where a pressing force F is applied to an arbitrary point of the upper layer 110 in a virtual coordinate system previously formed in the upper layer 110. When the pressing force (F) is applied, the detection unit 200 sets a relational expression regarding the change in the interval and the action position and the strength of the pressing force (F) (S310). The relation between the acting position (a _x , a _y ) of the pressing force (F) and the change of the interval (δ ₁ , δ ₂ ,..., Δ _i , ..., δ _n ) is expressed by Equation 2 below. At this time, the action position of the pressing force (F) is represented by a virtual coordinate system (eg, rectangular coordinate system) previously formed on the touch input structure 100. At this time, the origin of the virtual coordinate system can be set to any point.

은 누름힘(F)의 작용위치(a_x,a_y)와 누름힘(F)과 간격탐지부(140)가 위치한 지점의 좌표(x_n,y_n)의 관계식이다. 이때, n은 1이상의 자연수로, n은 간격탐지부(140)의 개수를 의미한다.

Is a relationship between the operating position (a _x , a _y ) of the pressing force (F) and the coordinates (x _n , y _n ) of the position where the pressing force (F) and the interval detecting unit 140 is located. In this case, n is a natural number of one or more, n means the number of the interval detection unit 140.

Thereafter, the coordinates of the action position are obtained from the relational expression (S320). As an example of a method for acquiring the coordinates of the action position, a proportional expression such as [Equation 3] may be used, and the coordinates of the action position detected through this operation may be obtained by the position detector 220 of the detector 200. . In addition, through the calculation, the relationship between the interval change and the action position of the pressing force F is data-formed using a look-up table or the like, and then the data is searched based on the gap change obtained from the interval detection step S200. Coordinates may also be obtained. When the coordinates of the action position are obtained from data such as lookup table, the operation process for detecting the action position is omitted, thereby increasing the response speed.

Next, the strength of the pressing force F is detected based on the relational expression of the relation setting step S310 and the coordinates of the acting position obtained in the acting position detecting step S320 (S330). Since the coordinates (a _x , a _y ) of the acting position of the pressing force (F) are obtained, and the position coordinates (x _n , y _n ) of each gap detecting unit 140 are known values, the pressing force (F) You can obtain the strength of.

The position and intensity detection method of the pressing force F according to the present invention can be based on the Euler beam theory assuming that the deflection curve slope is very small and the deformation by pure bending is assumed. Hereinafter, as an example, a method of acquiring the operating position of the pressing force F applied to the upper layer of the touch input structure 100 for each coordinate of the x-axis and the y-axis will be described. The relational expression for detecting the action position and the strength of the pressing force F is the case where the upper layers 110 and 110 'and the lower layers 130 and 130' of the touch input structure 100 are fully supported by the support portions 120 and 120 'and are simply supported. It is very different, so explain in each case.

First, a case in which the touch input structure 100 is simply supported will be described. In the case of simple support, the boundary condition means that the displacement change in each virtual coordinate system is '0'. FIG. 10 is a schematic conceptual diagram illustrating a change in spacing according to deformation of the upper layer 110 of the touch input structure 100 in the x-axis direction when two gap detecting units 140 are provided. For convenience of explanation, the lower layer 130 is omitted. An interval change of the gap detection unit 140 located on the left side is referred to as δ ₁ , and an interval change of the gap detection unit 140 provided on the right side is referred to as δ ₂ . The length of the upper layer in the x-axis direction is L, and the position of each of the gap detection units 140 (electrodes) is a value already known as x ₁ , x ₂ . Detecting the change in the gap from the capacitance change of the electrode (S200), and by setting the relationship between the action position and the strength of the pressing force (F) according to the change in the interval by the above [Equation 2] (S310) Equation 4] 'E' in [Equation 4] is the elastic modulus of the upper layer, 'I' is the moment of inertia.

Dividing δ ₁ in Equation 4 by δ ₂ has the same relationship as in Equation 5 below, and from this, a _x , which is an x-axis component of the coordinates of the action position of the pressing force (F), is obtained. It may be (S320). As shown in [Equation 5], dividing δ ₁ by δ ₂ cancels the unknown “F” corresponding to the strength of the pressing force (F), so that a _x can be obtained.

Obtaining a coordinate of a _x of the action position, this value is substituted for one of the equations of [Equation 4] (for example, δ _1), can obtain the intensity of the pressing force (F) as shown in [Equation 6] (S330).

In the same manner as described above, the position coordinates of the pressing force F in the y-axis direction and the strength of the pressing force F can be obtained.

Next, a case in which the touch input structure 100 is completely supported will be described. In the case of full support, the boundary condition means that the displacement change in each virtual coordinate system becomes '0' and the slope change becomes '0'. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a change in spacing according to deformation of the upper layer 110 of the touch input structure 110 in the x-axis direction when two gap detecting units 140 are provided. An interval change of the gap detection unit 140 located on the left side is referred to as δ ₃ , and an interval change of the gap detection unit 140 provided on the right side is referred to as δ ₄ . The length of the upper layer in the x-axis direction is L, and the position of each of the gap detectors 140 (electrodes) is a value already known as x ₃ , x ₄ . Detecting the change in the interval from the capacitance change of the electrode (S200), and setting the relationship between the action position and the strength of the pressing force (F) according to [Equation 2] (S310) as shown in [Equation 7].

The method (S320, S330) of detecting the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force (F) based on [Equation 7] is the same as in the case of [Equation 5] and [Equation 6] described above, The description is replaced with the above description.

(Second Embodiment)

12 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is a method of detecting the strength and the acting position of the pressing force (F). The present embodiment relates to a method of detecting the strength and the acting position of the pressing force F from the strain of the upper layer 110 'by using the touch input device of the second embodiment described above.

First, when the pressing force F by the pointing object is applied to the upper layer 110 'of the touch input structure 100', the upper layer 110 'is deformed by the pressing force F (S100'). Deformation of the upper layer 110 ′ is as shown in FIG. 4.

As the upper layer 110 'is deformed, the resistance value of the strain detection unit 140' formed on one surface of the upper layer 110 'changes. At this time, the detection unit 200 ′ detects the strain of the upper layer based on the change in the resistance value (S200 ′).

Thereafter, the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force F are detected based on the strain (S300 ′). The action position of the pressing force F and the intensity detection step S300 ′ will be described below with reference to FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a state diagram showing virtual coordinates previously formed in the upper layer 110 'when the pressing force F is applied to an arbitrary point of the upper layer 110'. When the pressing force F is applied, the detection unit 200 'sets a relational expression regarding the strain and the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force F (S310'). The relationship between the action position (a _x , a _y ) of the pressing force (F) and the strain (ε ₁ , ε ₂ , ..., ε _n ) is shown in Equation 8 below. At this time, the action position of the pressing force (F) is represented by a virtual coordinate system (eg, rectangular coordinate system) previously formed on the touch input structure 100 ′. At this time, the origin of the virtual coordinate system can be set to any point.

은 누름힘(F)의 작용위치(a_x,a_y)와 누름힘(F)과 변형률탐지부(140')가 위치한 지점의 좌표(x_n,y_n)의 관계식이다. 이때, n은 1이상의 자연수로, n은 변형률탐지부(140')의 개수를 의미한다.

Is a relationship between the operating position (a _x , a _y ) of the pressing force (F) and the coordinates (x _n , y _n ) of the position where the pressing force (F) and the strain detection unit 140 'is located. In this case, n is a natural number of 1 or more, and n means the number of strain detection units 140 '.

Thereafter, the coordinates of the action position are obtained from the relational expression (S320 '). As an example of the method of obtaining the coordinates of the acting position, a proportional expression such as [Equation 9] can be used. After the data is converted, the coordinates of the action position may be obtained by searching the data based on the strain obtained from the strain detection step S200 ′. The coordinates of the action position detected through this operation may be in charge of the position detector 220 ′ of the detector 200 ′. When the coordinates of the action position are obtained from data such as lookup table, the operation process for detecting the action position is omitted, thereby increasing the response speed.

Next, the strength of the pressing force F is detected based on the relational expression of the relation setting step S310 'and the operation position coordinate obtained in the acting position detecting step S320' (S330 '). Since the coordinates of the acting position of the pressing force F are obtained, and the position coordinates (x _n , y _n ) of each strain detection unit 140 'are already known values, the strength of the pressing force F can be obtained. have.

The position and intensity detection method of the pressing force F according to the present invention can be based on the Euler beam theory assuming that the deflection curve slope is very small and the deformation by pure bending is assumed. Hereinafter, a method of acquiring the action position of the pressing force F applied to the upper layer 110 'of the touch input structure 100' by the coordinates of the x-axis and the y-axis will be described. The relational expression for detecting the acting position and the strength of the pressing force F is simply supported when the upper layer 110 'and the lower layer 130' of the touch input structure 100 'are completely supported by the support 120'. It will vary from case to case, so it will be explained for each case.

First, a case in which the touch input structure 100 'is simply supported will be described. The boundary condition in the case of simply supported means that the displacement change of each axis of the virtual coordinate system becomes '0'. FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a change according to deformation of the upper layer 110 'of the touch input structure 100' in the x-axis direction when two strain detection units 140 'are provided. The strain of the strain detection unit 140 ′ positioned on the left side is called ε ₁ , and the strain of the strain detection unit 140 ′ provided on the right side is ε ₂ . The length of the upper layer in the x-axis direction is L, and each position of the strain detection unit 140 'is a value already known as x ₁ , x ₂ . The strain is detected from the change of the resistance value of the strain detector 140 '(S200'), and the relationship between the action positions a _x and a _y of the pressing force F according to the strain ε and the strength F is calculated. If set (S310 '), the following [Equation 10].

Dividing ε ₁ in Equation 10 by ε ₂ has the same relationship as in Equation 11 below, and from this, a _x , which is an x-axis component of the coordinates of the action position of the pressing force (F), is obtained. It may be (S320 '). As shown in [Equation 11], dividing ε ₁ by ε ₂ eliminates the unknown “F” corresponding to the strength of the pressing force F, so that a _x can be obtained.

When a _x is obtained, by substituting this value into one of the relational expressions of Equation 10 (eg, ε ₁ ), the strength of the pressing force F as shown in Equation 12 can be obtained (S330 ').

In the same manner as described above, the position coordinates of the pressing force F in the y-axis direction and the strength of the pressing force F can be obtained.

Next, a case in which the touch input structure 100 ′ is completely supported will be described. 15 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a deformation of the upper layer 110 ′ of the touch input structure 100 ′ in the case where two strain detection units 140 ′ are provided. The strain of the strain detection unit 140 'positioned on the left side is referred to as ε ₃ , and the strain of the strain detection unit 140 ′ provided to the right side is referred to as ε ₄ . The length of the upper layer in the x-axis direction is L, and the positions of the strain detection units 140 are already known values of x ₃ and x ₄ . When the strain is detected from the change in the resistance value of the strain detector 140 '(S200'), and the relational expression between the action position and the intensity of the pressing force F according to the strain is set (S310 '), Equation 13 ] Is the same. In Equation 13, 'E' is the elastic modulus of the upper layer, 'I' is the moment of inertia, and 't' is the thickness of the upper layer.

Steps (S320 ', S330') to obtain the action position and the strength of the pressing force (F) can be obtained in the same manner as in the case of [Equation 11] and [Equation 12] described above, detailed description Is replaced with the above description.

< Variant >

In addition to the Euler beam theory, the method of detecting the acting position and the intensity of the pressing force F may be based on the Timochenko beam theory or the finite element method. According to the finite element method, which is a numerical analysis, it is possible to accurately detect the action position and the intensity of the pressing force (F) for a touch screen having a variety of forms and boundary conditions similar to a device such as a mobile phone using a touch input device.

In addition, the touch input structure and the touch input device according to the present invention may be used anywhere as well as the mobile phone 1 as well as a device for inputting an operation or a position command by the touch input method.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, it is possible to make various modifications or variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claims will include such modifications and variations as long as they fall within the spirit of the invention.

The following drawings, which are attached in this specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present specification, and together with the detailed description of the present invention, serve to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention. It should not be interpreted.

1 is a side cross-sectional view of a configuration according to a first embodiment of a touch input structure for detecting the strength and action position of a pressing force according to the present invention;

2 is a side cross-sectional view when a pressing force is applied to the touch input structure of FIG.

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the configuration according to a second embodiment of the touch input structure for detecting the strength and action position of the pressing force according to the present invention;

4 is a side cross-sectional view when a pressing force is applied to the touch input structure of FIG. 3;

5 is a state in which a touch input device using a touch input structure according to the present invention is mounted on a mobile phone;

6 is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing flow according to a first embodiment of a touch input device according to the present invention;

7 is a schematic block diagram of a signal processing flow according to a second embodiment of a touch input device according to the present invention;

8 is a flow chart according to the first embodiment of the method of detecting the strength of the pressing force and the action position according to the present invention;

9 is a state diagram showing an action position of a pressing force and a position of a gap detecting unit in a virtual coordinate system formed on an upper layer of a touch input structure according to the first embodiment;

10 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a change in spacing when an upper layer and a lower layer of the touch input structure according to the first embodiment are simply supported;

11 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a change in spacing when the upper and lower layers of the touch input structure according to the first embodiment are fully supported;

12 is a flow chart according to a second embodiment of the method of detecting the strength of the pressing force and the action position according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a state diagram showing an action position of a pressing force and a position of a strain detector in a virtual coordinate system formed on an upper layer of a touch input structure according to a second embodiment;

14 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a strain rate when the upper layer and the lower layer of the touch input structure according to the second embodiment are simply supported;

15 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a strain rate when the upper layer and the lower layer of the touch input structure according to the second embodiment are fully supported.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: cell phone

100, 100 ': touch input structure

110, 110 ': Upper floor

120 '120': Support

130, 130 ': Lower floor

140; Gap detector

140 ': strain detector

200,200 ': detector

210: gap change detection unit

210 ': strain detection unit

220, 220 ': position detector

230, 230 ': Century Detector

Claims (32)

As a touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, An upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by the pointing object; A lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer by 0.01 to 100 μm; A support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer; And And detecting a change in the gap between the upper layer and the lower layer and having an electrode formed to face one surface of the upper layer and the lower layer. The side of the touch input structure is fully supported by the support part so that there is no displacement change and inclination change in the side, or it is simply supported and there is no displacement change in the side touch. Input structure. delete As a touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the acting position, An upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by the pointing object; A lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer by 0.01 to 100 μm; A support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer; And And a strain detection unit provided on one surface of the upper layer facing the upper layer and the lower layer to detect strain of the upper layer. The side of the touch input structure is fully supported by the support part so that there is no displacement change and inclination change in the side, or it is simply supported and there is no displacement change in the side touch. Input structure. The method according to claim 1 or 3, The upper layer and the lower layer is a touch input structure for detecting the strength and action position of the pressing force, characterized in that the transparent material. delete The method of claim 1, The electrode is a metal, ITO or carbon nanotubes, the touch input structure for detecting the strength of the push force and the action position. The method of claim 3, wherein The strain detection unit is a touch input structure for detecting the strength and action position of the pressing force, characterized in that the resistance layer or strain gauge. The method of claim 7, wherein The resistive layer is a pressure-sensitive ink, ITO, a resist paste or a carbon nanotube, the touch input structure for detecting the strength of the pressing force and the action position. An upper layer to which an external pressing force is applied by the pointing object; A lower layer spaced apart from the upper layer by 0.01 to 100 μm; And a support provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer. And a gap detection unit configured to detect a change in a gap between the upper layer and the lower layer and having an electrode formed to face one surface of the upper layer and the lower layer. And And a detector configured to detect an action position and an intensity of the pressing force based on a change in capacitance between the electrodes according to the pressing force application. The side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support portion, there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side, or simply supported, there is no displacement change in the side. delete The method of claim 9, And at least two gap detection units. The method of claim 9, The detection unit A gap change detection unit detecting a gap change between the upper layer and the lower layer at a position where the electrode is provided; A position detection unit that detects a position to which the pressing force is applied based on the change in distance; And And an intensity detector for detecting an intensity of the pressing force from the relationship between the detected position and the change in distance. 13. The method of claim 12, And the position detecting unit detects the operating position by performing an operation relating to the gap change and the acting position of the pressing force or searching from pre-stored data. An upper layer to which an external pressing force by the pointing object is applied; 0.01 to 100㎛ spaced apart from the upper layer is provided ; And a support part provided between the upper layer and the lower layer to connect the upper layer and the lower layer, wherein at least two strain detection parts are locally formed on one surface of the upper layer facing the upper layer and the lower layer. rescue; And And a detector configured to detect an action position and an intensity of the pressing force based on the strain according to the pressing force applied in the region provided with the strain detecting unit. The side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support portion, there is no displacement change and tilt change in the side, or simply supported, there is no displacement change in the side. The method of claim 14, The strain detection unit is a touch input device, characterized in that the resistance layer or strain gauge. The method of claim 14, And at least two strain detection units. The method of claim 14, The detection unit A strain detection unit detecting a strain of the upper layer using the strain detection unit; A position detecting unit detecting an acting position of the pressing force based on the strain rate; And And an intensity detection unit for detecting the intensity of the pressing force from the relationship between the detected action position and the strain rate. The method of claim 17, The position detection unit And performing operation on the strain and the acting position of the pressing force or searching from pre-stored data to detect the acting position. The method of claim 14, The strain is a touch input device, characterized in that based on the following equation. [Equation]

(ε: strain rate, ΔR / R: rate of change of resistance value of strain detector, G: gauge constant of strain detector) delete delete The method according to claim 9 or 14, The action position of the pressing force is a touch input device, characterized in that expressed in the form of a rectangular coordinate. The method according to claim 9 or 14, A touch input device, characterized in that the lower portion of the touch input structure further comprises a liquid crystal panel. Deforming the upper layer as a pressing force is applied to the touch input structure; Detecting by the detector at least two positions of a change in the distance between the upper layer and the lower layer; Setting a relational expression relating to coordinates and intensities of the gap change and the action position based on a virtual coordinate system previously formed on the touch input structure by the detection unit; Acquiring, by the detection unit, coordinates of the action position based on the change of the interval; And And the detecting unit obtaining the intensity based on the relational expression and the obtained coordinates. The side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support portion, there is no displacement change and inclination change in the side, or simply supported, there is no change in displacement on the side. Deforming the upper layer as a pressing force is applied to the touch input structure; Detecting by the detector at least two positions of the strain of the upper layer; Setting a relational expression relating to coordinates and intensities of the strain and the acting position based on a virtual coordinate system previously formed on the touch input structure by the detection unit; Acquiring, by the detection unit, coordinates of the action position based on the relational expression; And And the detecting unit obtaining the intensity based on the relational expression and the obtained coordinates. The side surface of the touch input structure is completely supported by the support portion, there is no displacement change and inclination change in the side, or simply supported, there is no change in displacement on the side. The method of claim 24 or 25, Any one of the relation setting step, acquiring the coordinates, and acquiring the intensity is based on Euler beam theory. delete The method of claim 24, The coordinate acquisition step of the action position, Detecting the strength and the acting position of the pressing force, characterized in that the method of obtaining or by searching the coordinates of the acting position on the basis of the data between the gap change and the acting position previously stored in the detection unit or by the calculation of the relational expression Way. The method of claim 25, The strain is detected based on the change in the resistance value of the strain detector formed in the upper layer, the strength of the pressing force and the acting position detection method. delete The method of claim 25, The coordinate acquisition step of the action position, The method of detecting the strength and the acting position of the pressing force, characterized in that it is obtained by searching the coordinates of the acting position on the basis of the data between the strain rate and the acting position previously stored in the detection unit or by the calculation of the relational expression. . The method of claim 24 or 25, The virtual coordinate system is a rectangular coordinate system, characterized in that the strength of the pressing force and the acting position detection method.

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