KR101033153B1 - Touch screen with pressure sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a user input method in which a user's contact position is measured by a pressure sensing sensor, and commands for various functions are corresponded according to the type of contact occurring at one or a plurality of points.
The touch screen according to the present invention is configured to separate a display device that outputs a predetermined image, a touch panel disposed in parallel with the display device and to which a user's finger and the like come into contact with each other, at a predetermined interval between the display device and the touch panel. It includes at least one pressure sensing sensor that is interposed and outputs an electrical pressure sensing signal according to the pressure applied to the touch panel.

Description

TOUCH SCREEN USING PRESSURE DETECTING SENSOR, AND USER INTERFACE USING THE TOUCH SCREEN}

The present invention relates to a touch screen using a pressure sensor, and more particularly, by calculating the respective coordinates for one or a plurality of points touched by the user's finger by the pressure sensor, to one or a plurality of points The present invention relates to a touch screen using a pressure sensor that allows a user command for various functions to be input by using a contact with the contact.

In recent years, a touch screen device capable of performing a user input by a user directly touching a finger on a surface of a display device such as an LCD displaying a predetermined image has been widely applied.

In accordance with this situation, development of technologies related to a user interface that can receive various commands by a finger and a technique for improving the touch sensitivity of a user's finger touching a touch screen are being actively made.

On the other hand, in the form of a touch screen, a method of sensing a touch of a finger by arranging a transparent panel having an electrode for sensing a capacitance on the surface of the display device and measuring capacitance by a finger touching the panel; Two panels each having an orthogonal electrode are disposed on the opposite surface, and when a user's finger presses the panel, the electrodes come into contact with each other, so that a touch of a finger is mainly used.

However, this approach has the disadvantage of requiring expensive materials and complicated techniques to form transparent electrodes.

Therefore, there is a demand for a touch screen which can be manufactured more inexpensively and exhibits high sensitivity to touch of a finger.

The present invention is an inexpensive configuration that does not use an electrode pattern configuration in the form of a complex matrix of transparent materials such as ITO for detecting a touch of a user's finger. It is an object to provide a touch screen. In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a touch screen capable of accurately calculating the coordinates of each contact point with respect to a contact occurring simultaneously in one or a plurality of points.

In addition, by accurately detecting a contact to one or a plurality of points, it is intended to provide a touch screen that can determine the input of a command for various functions.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch screen comprising: a transparent flat panel touch panel disposed spaced apart by a predetermined distance to be parallel to a display surface of a visual display device and in contact with a user's finger; Positioned between the display surface and the touch panel to separate the display surface and the touch panel so as to maintain the distance in parallel, and output a pressure sensing signal by sensing a magnitude of pressure according to a finger press on the touch panel. A plurality of pressure sensing sensors; Based on the plurality of pressure sensing signals outputted, the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors is analyzed, and the contact position of the finger in contact with the touch panel based on the magnitude of each of the analyzed pressures. It comprises a control device for calculating the.

In addition, the touch screen of the present invention further includes a spacer having a predetermined elasticity between the display surface and the touch panel to space the display surface and the touch panel so as to maintain the distance in parallel.

Further, the control device calculates the magnitude of the pressure of the finger in contact with the touch panel by summing the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors.

Further, the control device considers that the user's input to the contact position has been performed when the calculated magnitude of the pressure exceeds a predetermined first threshold.

In addition, the control device, when the finger is in contact with the contact point with the magnitude of the pressure beyond the first threshold, and moves, for designating a predetermined object displayed on the contact point to move along the trajectory of the movement It is regarded as an input of a command, and when the magnitude of the pressure calculated during the movement exceeds a second threshold larger than the first threshold, it is regarded as an input of a command for selecting an object disposed at the moved position.

In addition, when the touch point is moved after contacting the contact point with the magnitude of the pressure exceeding the first threshold, the moving speed of the object, the zoom-in or zoom-out indication of the object, depending on the direction or speed of the movement, the magnitude of the pressure, It is considered an input to either command of rotation or color conversion.

In addition, the control device, if the pressure is removed after moving the finger within a predetermined distance within a predetermined time after the contact with the contact point with the magnitude of the pressure beyond the first threshold, the predetermined value of the object displayed at the contact point It is regarded as an input of a move command to a position or a remove display command of the object.

In addition, the control device, if it is detected that the first position is moved to the second position within a predetermined time after the first contact point is calculated as the first position, the control device may further A second contact point is considered to be generated by another finger, and the respective positions of the first contact point and the second contact point are calculated.

In addition, when the first contact point and the second contact point are detected and the second contact point is detected to move, the control device moves the object displayed on the first contact point along the trajectory of the movement. It is considered to be an input to at least one of a command to be moved, a zoom-in or zoom-out display command of the object, and a command to move to a predetermined position.

In addition, when the finger slides after touching the first point, the control device regards the input as a command for selecting another object related to the object displayed at the first point.

According to the present invention, instead of using a substrate on which a complex electrode pattern is formed, only a plurality of pressure sensing elements disposed on a touch panel are used to adjust the contact pressure of the user's finger to a plurality of points and coordinates for each contact point. You can configure the touch screen to detect accurately.

Therefore, since it is possible to input various user commands by simultaneously contacting a plurality of points, it is possible to conveniently input a desired command using a plurality of fingers simultaneously.

Figure 1a is a diagram showing a simple structure of a touch screen according to the present invention.
1B is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating coordinates of a contact point and calculating a magnitude of contact pressure by a touch screen according to the present invention.
1C is a view for explaining a method of distinguishing a force acting on a touch screen according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and illustrates an arrangement of a pressure sensor disposed between the display device and the touch panel.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and illustrates a structure in which the arrangement of the pressure sensor of FIG. 2 is improved.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and illustrates a structure in which the arrangement of the pressure sensing sensors of FIGS. 2 and 3 is further improved.
5 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the coordinates of the position where the contact by the user finger occurred.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a principle of detecting respective positions when a user's finger contacts two points at the same time.
7 (a) to 7 (e) are views for explaining how the finger touches two positions at the same time and a method of analyzing the contact by the fingers.
8 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the coordinates of each contact by the fingers of two positions.
9 (a) to 9 (b) are diagrams showing a scroll function of an object by a touch screen according to the present invention and a form of contact pressure for implementing the same.
10 (a) to 10 (d) are diagrams illustrating various object movement functions by a touch screen according to the present invention and changes in contact pressure for implementing the same.
11, 12 (a) and 12 (b) are diagrams illustrating an enlargement or reduction function of an object by the touch screen according to the present invention.
13 (a) and 13 (b) are diagrams illustrating executing an enlargement or reduction function of an object using two fingers simultaneously.
14 is a view showing a rotation function of the object using one finger by the touch screen according to the present invention.
15 is a diagram illustrating a rotation function of an object using two fingers.
Fig. 16 shows a case where the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a document writer.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method for inputting various functions at one function input position.
18 (a) to 18 (f) are diagrams showing an example of an operation of inputting desired information using the touch screen according to the present invention.
19 (a) to 19 (d) are diagrams for explaining a method of inputting Korean characters by applying a touch screen according to the present invention to a mobile phone or the like.
20 (a) to 20 (c) illustrate another method of simply inputting Korean consonants using the touch screen according to the present invention.
21 (a) and 21 (b) illustrate another method of simply inputting a Korean vowel using a touch screen according to the present invention.
22 is a diagram illustrating a case where a touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a pencil tool of a painting tool.
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a case where a touch screen according to the present invention is applied to an eraser tool of a painting tool.
24 is a diagram illustrating a case where the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a coloring tool of a painting tool.
FIG. 25 illustrates a method of selecting at least one of various objects displayed in an overlapping manner.

The present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to arrange the pressure sensor (S1, S2, S3, S4) on each corner of the touch panel 10 disposed on the display surface 20 of the display device, each pressure The touch point F and the coordinates (x, y) of the user's finger are sensed using the magnitudes of the pressures F1, F2, F3, and F4 detected and output by the detection sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4. Provided is a touch screen device 100.

1A is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of a touch screen. The touch screen 100 includes a display surface 20 of a display device that visually outputs a predetermined image, a touch panel 10 disposed in parallel with the display surface 20, and to which a user's finger and the like come into contact with each other. A pressure disposed on the surface 20 and the touch panel 10 to function as a spacer separating the display surface 20 and the touch panel 10 at a predetermined interval and acting on the touch panel 10 (for example, And a plurality of pressure sensing sensors S (for example, S1, S2, S3, S4) for detecting F1, F2, F3, F4 and outputting an electrical pressure sensing signal corresponding to the sensed pressure. A sensor amplifier 32 that receives each pressure sensing signal output from the sensing sensor S and amplifies the signal, and an AD converter 34 that receives the amplified signal output from the sensor amplifier 32 and converts it into a digital signal. ), And each pressure sensing sensor (S) using the digitally converted signal The control device 36 is configured to calculate the magnitude of the contact pressure and the coordinates of the contact point of the user's finger acting on the touch panel 10 by analyzing the magnitude of the detected pressure.

The control device 36 outputs the information indicating the coordinates of the calculated contact point and the touch sensing signal indicating the magnitude of the calculated contact pressure to a predetermined computer or the like connected thereto.

The computer receives a touch sensing signal and processes a user command input for an object corresponding to the coordinates of the calculated contact point among the plurality of objects displayed on the display surface 20 of the display device.

Referring to FIG. 1A, eight pressure sensing sensors S disposed at the center of each corner and side may be seen between the touch panel 10 and the display surface 20 of the display device. Only four may be disposed at each corner or side. In addition, the pressure sensor S may be disposed not only at the center of each side but also at a point away from the center.

The reference numeral 20 may not be the display surface of the display device. That is, the flat panel may be made of the same or different material as that of the touch panel 10. Thus, two transparent plates may be disposed in parallel with the pressure sensing sensor S disposed therebetween, and the structure may be attached to the surface of a separate display device to be used as a touch screen.

In addition, although the pressure sensing sensor S disposed between the touch panel 10 and the display device is used as a spacer, a separate spacer having elasticity (or may not have elasticity) may be disposed. That is, for example, the plurality of pressure sensing sensors S may be disposed at each corner of the touch panel 10, and the plurality of spacers may be disposed at each side of the touch panel 10. Alternatively, the pressure sensor S and the spacer may be arranged side by side to be suitably disposed on the touch panel 10 as one component.

FIG. 1B is a simplified flowchart illustrating a process of calculating a coordinate of a contact point and calculating a magnitude of contact pressure by a touch screen as shown in FIG. 1A.

First, when a touch sensing operation is initiated by supplying power to the touch screen, each of the pressure sensing sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 is operated when a user's finger contacts the touch panel 10 to apply pressure. The pressure detection signal is output according to the magnitudes of the detected pressures F1, F2, F3, and F4 (S12). The output pressure sensing signal is input to the control device 36 after passing through the sensor amplifier 32 and the AD converter 34, and the control device 36 analyzes the pressure sensing signals to determine the coordinates of the point where the pressure is applied. The total force ΣF of the pressure caused by the contacted user's finger is calculated (S13). The calculated combined force ΣF is compared with a preset threshold value (e.g., f1, f2, f3), and the strength (magnitude of the pressure) of the force pushing the touch panel 10 is determined (S14), and the determined force The strength of is temporarily stored in a memory or the like along with the coordinates of the contact point at which the pressure previously calculated (S15).

Here, the method of determining the magnitude of the pressure touched by the finger is described with reference to FIG. 1C below, and the method of calculating the coordinates of the contact point is described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 below.

If both the coordinates of the contact of the finger and the magnitude of the pressure have been calculated, it is determined by using the magnitude of the pressure at the point where the contact occurred, which intention was input at the corresponding position (S16). That is, it is determined whether it is a simple finger touch for inputting specific information or a pressure for selecting and inputting information displayed on the display device (S16), and the corresponding touch detection signal is transmitted to an external device such as a computer or a mobile phone. It is output (S17).

FIG. 1C is a diagram for describing a method of classifying respective forces acting on the touch panel. In the figure, the horizontal axis is set as time, and the vertical axis is set as the force (ΣF) of the force acting on the entire pressure sensing sensor S. FIG.

At this time, if a step-like force acts as shown in the drawing, first, in the 0 → t1 section, the user starts to press the pressure by pressing the finger, and the t1 → t2 section is the user's pressing It can be seen that the pressure remains constant but does not reach the preset threshold f1. In the period t2 → t3, the user increases the pressure of the pressing force, and the force ΣF exceeds the threshold value f1.

In addition, the section t3 → t4 further increases the force pressed by the user so that the force exceeds the threshold f2, and the section t4 → t5 exceeds the threshold f3. The pressure is then returned to zero by the user removing the finger from the touch panel 10.

According to the pressure acting in this way, in the period t2 → t3, the user assumes that the input is set corresponding to the threshold value f1, and outputs a corresponding touch sensing signal, and the period t3 → t4 and t4 → t5 respectively. It is assumed that the input set corresponding to the threshold value f2 and the threshold value f3 is performed, and a corresponding touch sensing signal is output.

As described above, according to the touch screen to which the pressure sensor according to the present invention is applied, various inputs may be performed at one contact point by detecting and detecting the magnitude of the pressure generated by the user's pressing in multiple stages.

Next, FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the application form of the pressure sensing sensor disposed between the display surface and the touch panel as the II ′ cross-section of FIG. 1. In the drawing, the touch panel 10 and the display surface 20 of the display device are arranged parallel to each other at regular intervals therebetween, and the pressure sensing sensor S is arranged to function as a spacer for maintaining a constant interval therebetween. Show the form. According to this structure, the pressure sensor S can accurately measure the pressure acting in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis in FIG. 5 to be described later). By the touch screen 100 of the structure it is possible to accurately detect the pressure due to the contact acting perpendicular to the touch screen 100 by the user's finger or the like.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1, and schematically illustrates a structure in which an application form of the pressure sensor of FIG. 2 is improved. According to the drawing, it can be seen that the portion where the pressure sensor S is disposed in the touch panel 10 is inclined toward the outside.

According to such a configuration, when a finger or the like moves while being in contact with the touch panel 10 while applying pressure, the touch panel 10 is moved in the horizontal direction (X axis or Y axis) by friction with the finger. Direction, the change in pressure can be measured accurately.

In this configuration, the sensing direction of the pressure sensing sensor S may be arranged obliquely so that the direction of sensing the pressure in the pressure sensing sensor S may correspond to the angle of the inclination formed in the touch panel 10.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and schematically illustrates a structure in which an application form of the pressure sensor of FIGS. 2 and 3 is further improved. According to the drawings, the pressure acting vertically and the pressure acting horizontally with respect to the touch panel 10 can be independently measured by the pressure sensor S disposed independently in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Accurate pressure sensing is possible.

The arrangement of the pressure sensor S as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 may be appropriately selected and applied.

In addition, in the touch screen 100 using the pressure sensor S, not only a structure in which the pressure sensor S is disposed on the display surface 20 of the display device and the touch panel 10 is disposed, Also for a resistive touch screen or a capacitive touch screen, a configuration in which the pressure sensing sensor S as in the present invention is further applied is also possible.

Next, FIG. 5 and with respect to the principle of measuring the coordinates with respect to the first point (A) of one or more users using a touch screen to which the pressure sensor according to the present invention having the structure as described above is applied, It demonstrates with reference to FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 5, four pressure sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 (hereinafter referred to as S) are disposed at respective corners of the rectangular touch screen, and the pressure sensor ( The principle of measuring the coordinates (x, y) and the magnitude (F) of the pressure at the first point (A) where contact by the user's finger occurred by S) will be described.

First, when a pressure F is generated by contact of a user's finger at a predetermined first point A of the touch screen 100, the pressure is represented as a force dispersed in four pressure sensing sensors S, respectively.

In other words, according to a simple theory of statics, the force of all the forces appearing in the four pressure sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 is equal to the pressure F by the finger, and the directions of the X and Y axes, respectively. Applying the condition that the sum of moments (M) with respect to 0 can be obtained as follows.

F = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4

∑Mx = 0

∑My = 0

Taking these conditions into consideration, the coordinates (x, y) of the contact position are obtained as follows.

The sum of the total force (F) based on the magnitude of the pressure detected at each of the four corners as above, and the coordinates (x, y) of the first point A of the force applied from the actual magnitudes (2Wx, 2Wy) of the touch screen. You can get it.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the principle of detecting each position in the case of simultaneously touching two points (A and B) with a finger on the touch screen using a pressure sensor will be described.

In the touch screen 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user makes contact with any one point A (x, y) of the touch panel 10 and maintains the pressure of the contact constant. In the case where an additional point B (x ', y') is additionally touched or a point in which the additional touched point is further moved is detected.

First, when the force (F) is applied to the first first point (A) by the contact of any one finger of the user, the pressure (F1, F2) of the pressure sensor S of each corner by the method described in FIG. , F3 and F4 are measured to find the coordinates (x, y) of the first first point A. Next, when a force F 'is applied to the second second point B by another user's finger, the pressures F "1, F" 2, F "3, Measure F " 4 and subtract the pressures F1, F2, F3, F4 of the pressure sensing sensor by force F from the measured pressure, thereby acting on the pressure sensing sensors by force F '. The pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4 can be calculated. When the pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4 for each pressure sensing sensor are calculated as described above, the second point B of the force F 'is calculated using the pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4.

As such, if it is possible to know the pressure due to the contact generated at the first point A, the pressure at the second point B due to the subsequent contact can be calculated, and the coordinates and the pressing pressure for each point The size can be calculated.

Further, if this calculation is repeatedly and continuously performed at a predetermined frequency, the position of the movement of the force F 'can also be measured.

By using the touch screen using the pressure sensor according to the present invention having the principle as described above, it is possible to determine not only one contact position, but also accurate positions for a plurality of contact positions. You can enter commands.

7 (a) and 7 (b) are diagrams illustrating an input state of the first point A and the second point B. FIG. 8 shows each contact position by one finger (first point A) holding a contact and another finger (moving from second point B to third point C) moving after contact. The figure for explaining the principle of calculating the.

7 (a) and 7 (b) show a situation in which another finger is further contacted in the second position while the finger is first touched in the first position, and a situation in which the finger in contact with the second position is moved on the surface of the touch panel. . When pressure is applied to each of the first point A and the second point B as shown in the drawing, if the first point A is contacted with a constant pressure in a fixed state, the coordinates of the second point B are And the strength of the force can be obtained.

That is, while one finger touches the first point A and the pressure is detected by the pressure sensor S disposed at four corners of the touch panel 10, the sum of the magnitudes of the pressures is suddenly detected and the contact is detected. When the position is changed, it may be determined that another finger is in contact with the touch panel 10 and the contact positions A and B of each finger may be calculated.

7 (c) to 7 (d) show pressures generated in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b) showing a situation in which one finger touches another position and then another finger touches another position. It is a graph showing the strength of the force.

Fig. 7C shows the force acting on the touch panel. Ⓐ A section is a section where no contact occurs. In section ⓑ, finger contact occurs at any first point, and the strength of the force exceeds the threshold f1. In section ⓒ, contact of another finger occurs at another second point, and the strength of force at this time exceeds the threshold value f2. In section ⓓ, it can be seen that either the finger at the first point or the finger at the second point is removed so that the strength of the force decreases below the threshold f2. Ⓔ section shows all fingers removed.

7 (d) and 7 (e) are graphs showing the analysis of the respective forces acting on the first point and the second point by using the graph of the force shown in FIG. 7 (c). That is, the force of the form as shown in FIG. 7 (c) is the contact of the first point generated in section ⓑ and ⓒ as shown in FIG. 7 (d), and the second occurrence in section ⓒ and ⓓ as shown in FIG. 7 (e). It can be distinguished by contact of points.

By distinguishing the force ΣF detected by the touch panel as shown in Figs. 7 (d) and 7 (e), it is possible to confirm whether contact has occurred at a plurality of points.

When contact occurs at a plurality of points, the position determination for each contact point is performed according to the principle described in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 8, when only the thumb is in contact with the first point A of the touch screen, the force Fa is detected at the first point A, but the index finger is detected at the second point B. ), The force by the pressure sensing sensors S is represented by the force Fb. And if the index finger is moved to the third point (C), the force will appear to move from the force (Fb) to the force (Fc). At this time, by subtracting the force Fa at each instant of movement from the force Fb to the force Fc, it is possible to detect the movement of the index finger from the second point B to the third point C.

According to the two respective contact positions calculated as described above, various user inputs are possible. That is, the case where the input occurs at the first point A and the case where the input occurs at the first and second points A and B simultaneously may be set as an input for a command to execute a new function.

Moreover, even when the position of the finger which touched the 1st point A is not changed, even when it slides further after contacting another finger further, it contacts the 2nd point B by the force of two contact points. Since the movement trajectory can be calculated, the contact can be set as an input of a command to execute a new function.

Next, in the case where the touch screen using the pressure sensor as described above is applied to various multimedia devices, various functions are input by using the touch position and the number of touches and the strength of the force that each finger touches. An application example will be described.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 9A, a function of scrolling various objects 22 displayed on the screen in various ways may be implemented.

First, when the touch screen is touched by one finger and then moves while maintaining the contact force while maintaining the contact, the moved distance may be calculated and the screen may be scrolled by the calculated distance. .

In addition, when a user touches the touch screen with one finger and then moves while changing the contact force while maintaining the contact, the scroll speed and direction are proportional to the distance moved and the strength of the contact force. You can change it.

In addition, the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger and the pressure is applied to the touch screen 100 with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value while moving while maintaining a constant force or changing force while maintaining contact. In the case of applying the force, or repeatedly changing the force at the same position, the object 22 displayed by scrolling can be selected.

FIG. 9 (b) is a graph showing a change in intensity of force touched by a finger with time in such a touch operation. First, it shows that a finger starts to contact with the force of the pressure f1 or more at time t1, and scrolls, maintaining pressure until time t2. In this case, the screen is scrolled according to the position of the finger or the moving speed.

When the current contact point is pressed with a force exceeding the pressure f2 in the time period t2 to time t3, the item that is displayed at the point where the user is currently touching the finger is selected.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, a function of moving any object 22 displayed on the display surface 20 of the display device on the display surface 20 may be implemented.

That is, in the case where the predetermined object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger and then slides while maintaining the contact force while maintaining the contact, the movement trajectory is detected and the corresponding movement is detected. The display position of the object 22 may be moved along the trajectory.

In addition, when the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger and then moves while changing the contact force while maintaining the contact, the moving speed and the display of the object 22 are proportional to the strength of the force. You can change the position.

FIG. 10 (b) is a view showing a change in force in the process of sliding and touching a point where an object is displayed with a force exceeding the pressure f1.

As described above, after the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger, the pressure is applied to the touch screen 100 with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value while moving with a constant force or changing force while maintaining contact. In the case of applying the force, or repeatedly changing the force in the same position, the object 22 being moved can be selected again. That is, when the displayed object 22 is an executable program or file, the program or file is driven or a predetermined operation is executed.

FIG. 10 (c) shows the movement by selecting an object with a force exceeding the pressure f1 at time t1 and sliding it to time t2 and pressing the selected object with a greater pressure f2 at time t2. The change in pressure when the selected object is selected again is shown.

FIG. 10 (d) shows the change in pressure when the object is pushed and selected with a strong pressure f2 at time t1, and the user slides as if his or her finger flicks.

The sliding operation as shown in FIG. 10 (d) may be applied to an operation such as throwing a selected object by touching a finger. That is, when a certain object 22 is touched and then slides like a bouncing, the object 22 may be moved to a trash bin or moved to a predetermined position. That is, when one or more photo files are displayed, if you select at least one photo and then flick your finger or move it faster than a certain reference speed, the photo is regarded as an operation of throwing the photo into the trash or predetermined You can move it to a folder (or copy it).

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12A, and 12B, a function of enlarging or reducing an object 22 displayed on the display device on the screen may be applied.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, when a predetermined object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger, and then the force to contact is changed, the display of the object 22 according to the strength of the force is performed. Can be enlarged (zoom in) or reduced (zoom out). Here, the center position of the enlargement or reduction may be the contact position of the finger. Moreover, the magnification or speed of the enlargement or reduction may be determined according to the pressing force. If the finger is released during enlargement or reduction, the enlargement or reduction state is maintained.

In addition, an enlarged or reduced display of the object 22 can also be performed by sliding a finger in contact with the selected object 22 in a selected state with a force higher or weaker than a predetermined reference value or moving the finger 22 up or down. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, when a finger touches an arbitrary position of the object 22 and then moves in a direction away from the center position of the object 22, the display is enlarged. In the case of moving toward the center position of the object 22, it may be reduced.

Next, a method of setting an input of an enlargement or reduction function of an object 22 when two fingers are touched at the same time will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.

That is, as shown in Fig. 13A, after one finger (for example, a thumb) is in contact with the touch screen and the other finger (for example, an index finger) is touched, When the position is fixed and the other fingers are moved apart in the direction away from each other, or both fingers are moved away from each other simultaneously, the selected object 22 may be enlarged.

On the contrary, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), when the thumb is in contact with the touch screen and the forefinger is moved in the direction toward the thumb, the selected object 22 can be recognized as an input to reduce. have.

At this time, the position of one of the fingers may be set to the center position of the enlargement or reduction.

At this time, even if the pressure of the finger (for example, the thumb) in contact with the first position to be the fixed finger changes to some extent, since the change in the relative distance between the two fingers can be detected, the processing of the above operation is It can be done without difficulty.

Next, a method of setting a contact of one finger or two fingers as an input of a rotation function of an object 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

14 is a view for explaining a method of inputting a rotation function using one finger. That is, one side of the display device is provided with an additional button for inputting a rotation function of an object 22. The object 22 can be rotated by first touching a button with a finger to activate the rotation function, and then touching any point of the object 22. At this time, by changing the force of contact or weakening so as to control the speed or direction of rotation.

In addition, instead of having a button for inputting a rotation function on one side of the display surface 20, the button for the rotation function may be superimposed and displayed on the displayed object 22.

In addition, when contacting the desired object 22 again after touching the button for the input of the "rotate" function, it may be regarded as an input for rotating the object according to the pressure to press the button after contacting without rotating the object. .

In addition, after selecting a menu for executing a separately configured "rotation" function, it is also possible to control the amount of rotation in accordance with the magnitude of the pressure pressing the object in contact with the displayed position or any position.

In addition, the rotation direction or the rotational speed may be controlled according to the direction, speed, and pressure for sliding the finger while the button for inputting the rotation function is in contact with one finger.

Next, a method of inputting a rotation function using two fingers will be described with reference to FIG. 15. In this case, a button for inputting a separate rotation function does not need to be provided, and one finger (for example, a thumb) is contacted with the touch screen 100 and the other finger (for example, an index finger) is touched. The rotation of the object 22 can be controlled by moving after contact.

First, after selecting the object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 by using a thumb, the forefinger contacts the touch screen 100. And while keeping the forefinger in contact, by sliding in the direction toward or away from the thumb, rotating the forefinger in a circular arc around the thumb, or by changing the pressure of the thumb or forefinger. The rotation direction or the rotation speed of the object 22 may be controlled.

At this time, it is also possible to set the contact position of the thumb or index finger as the center of rotation.

On the other hand, using the pressure, the direction of movement, the speed of movement of the thumb and forefinger, it is possible to simultaneously control the enlargement and reduction of the object 22, rotation and display value movement.

Fig. 16 shows a method of controlling a document creator using the contact of one finger or two fingers.

That is, when the document creator is executed and an arbitrary document is being edited and the pressure of pressing a contact point after selecting a display position of a particular letter or word is changed, the letter size of the letter or word, the line thickness of the letter, the letter shape, etc. You can make a variety of changes.

17 illustrates a method of allowing various functions to be input at one function input position by using one finger or two finger contacts. That is, for example, when displaying an input device such as an on-screen keyboard on the touch screen 100, different functions or different functions depending on the pressure of contacting and pressing the position of an arbitrary button. Characters can be input. In the drawing, 'b' and 'ㄹ' are displayed on one button, and if the finger touches the button lightly, 'b' is inputted and 'd' is inputted by a hard press of the button. The case is shown.

When the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to an on-screen keyboard as described above, more various methods may be implemented as follows.

First, FIG. 18A illustrates a configuration in which the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a cellular phone or the like as a ten key for numeric input or the like.

FIG. 18B is a graph showing a change in pressure in the process of sliding a finger from No. 1 to No. 3 of the license plate in the same tenkey configuration as in FIG. The graph shows that the user's finger initiates contact with a force exceeding the pressure f1 at position 1 of the license plate number (ⓐ section) and presses strongly to exceed the pressure f2 when passing the license plate number 2 (sector ⓑ). , When you pass the number 3 again (ⓒ section), you are weakly relaxed. In this case, in the case of contacting the license plate with a weak pressure f1, it is possible to indicate that only a user contact has occurred in the license plate by illuminating the license plate or changing the color of the display, and a strong pressure f2. In the case where the touch panel is pressed, the user can assume that the user intends to input the number of the corresponding position.

FIG. 18C is a graph showing the change in pressure when the position of the number 2 is immediately pressed with a strong pressure f2 in order to input the number 2. FIG.

18 (d) shows that the user starts contacting with a weak pressure f1 at the position of the number 1 on the license plate, presses with a strong pressure f2 when passing the number 2 on the license plate, and then slides the finger at the position of the number 3; Shows the case. In this case, since the pressure is generated in the number 1, the contact is displayed. In the number 2, a strong press of the user occurs, but since the finger slides to the number 3, the user wants to enter 3, not 2. Can be regarded as.

18 (e) shows that the user starts contacting at the position of number 1 of the license plate (ⓐ section), presses at a strong pressure f2 at the position of number 2 (ⓑ section), and is stronger at the position of number 3 The case where the pressing is performed at the pressure f3 (section ⓒ) is shown. In this case, in section ⓐ, the number 1 is simply displayed, and in section ⓑ, the user presses the number 2. In section ⓒ, the user can assume that the user wants to enter the number 3.

18 (f) is a graph showing a change in pressure when one number is to be continuously input. In this case, when one number is to be continuously input through the touch panel, it is sufficient to change the pressing pressure for a predetermined time Δt without having to release the finger at the point where the desired number is displayed and press it again. In this case, the time for pressing each number or the size of the time Δt may be arbitrarily set.

In addition, even when the desired number is pressed with the pressure f1 and then again with the pressure f2, it can be considered that the number is to be continuously input.

19 (a) to 19 (d) illustrate a method for applying a touch screen according to the present invention to a mobile phone or the like and inputting Korean into the touch screen. When inputting Hangul in a device such as a mobile phone, since the number of keys that can be used for input is small, there is no choice but to place a plurality of Hangul alphabets on one key. Therefore, a method for easily and quickly selecting and entering any one of a plurality of letters arranged on one key is considered.

Fig. 19A shows that the finger slides in the pushing direction in the state of contact with the touch panel. 19 (b) shows the relationship between “a” and “ㄲ” in the Hangul consonants.

Fig. 19C shows that the finger starts contacting with a weak pressure f1 at a position indicating "a" so that only a contact has occurred, and then presses the same position with a strong pressure f2. "Is inputted, and the pressure change in the case of" ㄲ "being input by sliding a finger in either direction in this state is shown.

Fig. 19 (d) starts contact with a weak pressure f1 at the position where "a" is indicated, presses with a strong pressure f2 to input "a", removes the pressure for a predetermined time, and then presses "ㄲ" again. The pressure change in the case of inputting is shown.

This change in consonant by pushing or pressing again, the same can be applied not only in the case of a → ㄸ, ㄸ → ㅂ, ㄸ → ㅅ → ㅃ → ㅆ → ㅉ.

In addition, the direction in which a finger slides is possible in both a pulling direction and a left-right direction as well as a pushing direction.

Next, FIG. 20 illustrates another method of simply inputting Korean consonants.

FIG. 20 (a) shows how the sliding direction (ⓐ) and the pulling direction (ⓑ) can be used as a method of sliding and touching a finger.

20 (b) shows that one Korean consonant can be changed to another similar consonant. In other words, "a" of the Hangul consonants has a similar relationship between "ㄲ" and "ㅋ" in form and value. Therefore, when the finger first selects "a" and then slides in the ⓐ direction, "ㄲ" may be input, and after selecting "a", the slide in the ⓑ direction may be input by "ㅋ".

This input method can be applied to various Korean consonants.

20 (c) shows consonants that can be input by the input method as shown in FIG. 20 (b). For example, in the case of "ㅂ", it can be seen that the input may be extended to "ㅃ" and "t".

FIG. 21 illustrates a method of simply inputting Korean vowels using the slide movement as in FIG. 20.

In FIG. 21 (a), the picture on the left shows that the user can slide left and right after touching the finger, and the picture on the right shows that when the user selects the vowel “ㅣ” and slides it to the left once, “ㅓ” is input and 2 more to the left. "슬라이드" is input when the slide is done once, "ㅏ" is input when the slide is done once, and "ㅑ" is input when the slide is done twice more.

Here, the one-time slide refers to an operation of first contacting a certain point at a predetermined pressure, sliding and stopping a predetermined distance in a certain direction while maintaining the pressure. In addition, the second slide refers to an operation of stopping for a while in the state of maintaining pressure after one slide and then sliding and stopping a predetermined distance in the same direction.

In the input method as shown in Fig. 21 (a), the one-slide and the two-slide motions can also be the action of pressing with the pressure f1 and the pressure f2, and the motion of slowing down the speed of the slide slowly and quickly. You can also

In FIG. 21 (b), the figure on the left shows that the user can slide in the direction of pushing or pulling (up and down) after touching the finger. In the figure on the right, pushing the vowel “ㅡ” and pushing it once or 2 By pushing once, "ㅗ" and "ㅛ" can be selected, respectively, indicating that "TT" and "?" Can be selected by pulling once or pulling twice, respectively.

According to such an application, various vowels (or consonants) can be input by one contact, so that various kinds of inputs can be easily performed even in an input means such that the number of keys that can be selected, such as a mobile phone, is limited. do.

Next, a method of controlling the drawing tool using the contact of one finger or two fingers will be described with reference to FIGS. 22 to 25.

22 illustrates a function that can be applied to a pencil tool of a drawing tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user selects a pencil tool using a finger or the like, and draws a desired line by touching and moving an area in the touch screen 100. At this time, the thickness or thickening of the line drawn in accordance with the contact pressure is to be changed. For example, when the touch screen 100 is pressed hard, a thick line is drawn, and when pressed weakly, a thin line can be drawn. Alternatively, you can press hard to draw a dark line and weakly press to draw a light line.

Next, FIG. 23 illustrates a function applicable to an eraser tool of a painting tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user selects an eraser tool using a finger or the like, and erases a desired area by touching and moving an area within the touch screen 100. At this time, the width of the trajectory to be erased or the amount of the eraser can be controlled according to the contact pressure. In other words, when the touch screen 100 is pressed hard, the width of the erased area may be increased or the erased area may be increased, and the pressed area may be narrowed or the erased area may be weakened.

Next, FIG. 24 describes a function that can be applied to a coloring tool of a painting tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user may select a colorable tool such as a pencil tool using a finger or the like, and perform a desired line or color by touching and moving an area within the touch screen 100. In this case, the color, contrast, saturation, etc. of the coloring tool may be changed according to the magnitude of the pressure for pressing the touch screen 100. In the drawing, it is possible to arrange a contrast selection button or a color selection button on one side of the touch screen, and allow the user to draw a line of a desired color while touching or moving an arbitrary area after touching the button. Among these, for the contact after selecting the contrast selection button, the contrast of the drawn line may be changed according to the intensity of pressing, and the color of the drawn line may be changed after the selection of the color selection button.

Next, referring to FIG. 25, a method of selecting at least one of the various objects 22 displayed on the touch screen by overlapping one finger or two fingers will be described.

That is, while at least some areas of the plurality of objects 22 are displayed overlapping each other on the screen of the touch screen 100, any one object 22 may be selected according to the strength of touching the overlapped areas. Make sure For example, in the drawing, a total of five objects 22 are displayed in an overlapping manner. At this time, when the user presses a certain point, the user can selectively select the upper object 22 or the lower object 22 according to the strength.

Next, although not illustrated by separate drawings, another example of functions that can be performed using the touch screen 100 according to the present invention will be described.

As an example, a function related to playback or fast forward may be performed according to the strength of pressing an arbitrary position of the touch screen 100 while a predetermined video or music is being played.

In addition, for an application such as a billiard game or a golf game, the pressing force may be the strength of the force striking the ball.

In addition, when an arbitrary file or the like is selected and pressed at an intensity equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value, the file may be compressed.

In addition, if a user presses hard on the shortcut icon, the corresponding detailed menu may be displayed in the form of a popup.

In addition, while a menu having various items is displayed, any one of the listed items can be selected according to the intensity of the pressing.

In addition, when a password or the like is input by touching a number or letter displayed on the display device, security can be further improved by setting the strength of the force to each number or letter constituting the password. That is, when the password is set to '1234', it can be set to "1 (strongly), 2 (weak), 3 (weak), 4 (strong)" and the like.

100: touch screen
10: touch panel
20: display surface
32: sensor amplifier
34: AD converter
36: control unit

Claims (10)

A flat panel touch panel disposed spaced apart by a predetermined distance to be parallel to the display surface of the visual display device and having a user's finger in contact with the flat panel;
A spacer disposed between the display surface and the touch panel, the spacer having an elastic space to keep the display surface and the touch panel in parallel;
A plurality of pressure sensing sensors disposed between the display surface and the touch panel and configured to detect a magnitude of pressure according to pressing when a touch input is performed by pressing the touch panel with a finger and output a pressure sensing signal; And
Analyze the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors based on the plurality of pressure sensing signals, and calculate the contact position of the finger touching the touch panel based on the analyzed magnitude of each pressure. Including a control device,
The control device calculates the coordinate of the point where the pressure is applied or the force of the pressure by the user's finger in contact with the pressure based on the pressure detection signals from the pressure sensor when the touch input is performed, and then calculates the calculated force by using a preset threshold value. Analyze the magnitude of the pressure on the touch panel in comparison with
The control device may be configured to control to output a corresponding touch sensing signal after determining which intention is input at a corresponding position by using a magnitude of pressure at a point where a contact occurs. Used touch screen. delete delete The method of claim 1,
And the control device considers that the user's input to the contact position has been performed when the calculated magnitude of the pressure exceeds a predetermined first threshold value. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control device, when the finger touches the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold and then moves, designates a predetermined object displayed at the contact point to move along the trajectory of the movement. When the magnitude of the pressure calculated during the movement exceeds the second threshold that is larger than the first threshold, it is regarded as an input of a command for selecting an object disposed in the moved position Touch screen with pressure sensor. The method of claim 5,
In the case of moving after contacting the contact point with the magnitude of the pressure exceeding the first threshold, the moving speed of the object, the zoom-in or zoom-out indication of the object, rotation, Touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that it is regarded as an input for any one of the color conversion. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control device is configured to move to a predetermined position of the object displayed at the contact point when the pressure is removed after the finger contacts the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold and moves within a predetermined distance within a predetermined time. Touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that it is regarded as the input of the movement command of the object or the display removal command of the object. The method of claim 4, wherein
The control device, when it is detected that the first contact point is moved to the second position within a predetermined time after being calculated as the first position, the second predetermined device by another finger other than the finger in contact with the first contact point. A touch screen using a pressure sensing sensor, wherein the contact point is considered to have occurred, and the respective positions of the first contact point and the second contact point are calculated. The method of claim 8,
The control device, after detecting the first contact point and the second contact point, if the second contact point is detected to move, moves the object displayed on the first contact point along the trajectory of the movement. And an input to at least one of a command to be made, a zoom-in or zoom-out display command of the object, and a command to move to a predetermined position. The method of claim 4, wherein
When the finger slides a predetermined distance after the finger touches the first point, the control device regards the pressure sensing sensor as an input of a command for selecting another object related to the object displayed at the first point. Touch screen using.

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