KR101097274B1 - Touch panel sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

An insulating sheet, a plurality of vertical node pattern portions arranged along a vertical direction to be adjacent to each other on the one surface of the insulating sheet and electrically separated from each other, and a plurality of horizontal node pattern portions arranged in a horizontal direction on the other surface of the insulating sheet, In the touch panel sensor for detecting the contact position of the, each vertical node pattern portion includes a first vertical node pattern and a second vertical node pattern adjacent to each other but electrically separated from each other, the first vertical node pattern adjacent in the same column And resistance ratios of the second vertical node patterns are different from each other.

Touch screen, touch panel sensor

Description

Touch Panel Sensor {TOUCH PANEL SENSOR}

The present invention relates to a touch panel sensor, and more particularly, to a touch panel sensor capable of accurately detecting two or more finger touches on a flat plate.

1 is a plan view illustrating an ITO thin film in a conventional capacitive touch screen, and FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional capacitive touch screen operating mechanism.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional touch screen electrically detects a contact of a finger. A finger is a type of conductor through which electricity can flow, and when a finger comes close to an electrode, charge can be collected between the electrode and the finger. As the charge is collected, it becomes possible to measure the capacitance or capacitance between the finger and the electrode, which can be used to indirectly detect the touch of the finger.

In addition, since the touch screen should not obstruct the rear liquid crystal monitor or other display, the electrode of the touch screen may be formed of a transparent transparent electrode material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or IZO, as electricity flows. .

1A illustrates a transparent electrode pattern oriented in the vertical direction (y-axis direction). The vertically oriented transparent electrode patterns are formed on the transparent film 20 provided with a material such as a transparent plastic sheet or glass, and the transparent electrode patterns are vertical node patterns 22 and vertical node patterns 22 formed at uniform intervals. It is formed by the vertical connection pattern 24 which connects vertically.

In FIG. 1B, a transparent electrode pattern oriented in the horizontal direction (x-axis direction) is illustrated, and a transparent electrode pattern oriented in the horizontal direction is also formed on the transparent film 30, and the transparent electrode pattern is also The horizontal node pattern 32 and the horizontal node pattern 32 which are formed at uniform intervals are horizontally connected to each other.

In general, a conventional touch screen can be formed by adhering the ITO transparent sheet of (a) and the ITO transparent sheet of (b) up and down. The structure in which the two transparent sheets are bonded is shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the horizontal node pattern 32 in the horizontal direction and the vertical node pattern 22 in the vertical direction are staggered with each other, and the fine connection patterns connecting each electrode have a vertically crossing structure. These connection patterns are separated by a transparent sheet or other insulating means.

According to the touch screen structure shown in FIG. 1C, signal strengths of the transparent electrode patterns oriented vertically and horizontally vary according to the touched position, and horizontal and vertical coordinates can be calculated according to the signal strengths. .

Hereinafter, a method of calculating the position where the finger touches the touch screen will be described.

In the transparent electrode patterns oriented vertically and horizontally by a finger contact with the touch screen 10, the respective signal strengths may be measured, and horizontal and vertical coordinates (x, y) may be determined from the signal strengths. It is then calculated as the intersection of the horizontal and vertical coordinate directions.

However, since more than one finger may actually be in contact with the node pattern, signals of the horizontally or vertically oriented transparent electrode patterns generated in contact with the finger may not be detected as a single pulse, but may be detected in a plurality. Is common. In this case, for example, the pulse value having the maximum intensity may be selected as the pulse value having the maximum intensity among the changed intensity values of each signal, and the position of the point 22 where the finger touches may be determined based on this.

Referring to FIG. 2, a case of multi-contact in which two fingers are in contact with the touch screen 21 may be considered. In the case of a multi-contact, two or more fingers may be brought into contact with the pad at the same time to express a predetermined function. For example, a double click may be defined in response to the multi-contact, or may be defined to enlarge or reduce the screen.

By the way, as shown in the figure, when two fingers are in contact with the horizontal node pattern 32 on the same line, it is possible to calculate the coordinates x1 and x2 for the horizontal axis, but it is difficult to calculate the coordinates y1 and y2 for the vertical axis. Cases may occur. In a conventional touch panel, an error may occur in the case of multi-contact, and a solution for this is necessary.

In addition, the conventional touch screen is formed by adhering two transparent films up and down, thereby increasing the raw material cost due to excessive use of the transparent films 20 and 30, and attaching the two transparent films 20 and 30. Insulation between the transparent film 20, 30 in order to prevent shorting at the intersection of the horizontal node pattern 32 and the vertical node pattern 22 formed on each transparent film 20, 30 in Problems have been pointed out that an additional process such as additional intervening sheets made using a material having both transparency and adhesion is added.

The present invention provides a touch panel sensor that can easily calculate the coordinates of each contact point without confusion in response to multiple contacts in which the fingers simultaneously touch at two or more points.

The present invention does not form two or more transparent electrode patterns on different insulating sheets, and provides a thin touch panel sensor by using a separate insulating sheet that prevents shorting between the transparent electrode patterns.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object of the present invention, an insulating sheet, a plurality of vertical node pattern portion arranged along the longitudinal direction to be adjacent to each other but electrically separated on one surface of the insulating sheet and A touch panel sensor comprising a plurality of horizontal node pattern portions arranged in the horizontal direction on the other surface of the insulating sheet, wherein the vertical node pattern portions are adjacent to each other but electrically separated from each other. The pattern includes a pattern and a second vertical node pattern, and the resistance ratios of neighboring first vertical node patterns and second vertical node patterns in the same column are different from each other.

In the present specification, the horizontal and vertical directions are arbitrarily designated directions for facilitating the description of the present invention and may not be used for limiting the specific direction to the claims or other embodiments of the present invention. For example, the vertical direction may be understood as one of a long width direction and a short width direction with respect to the touch panel sensor, and the horizontal direction may be understood as a direction crossing substantially perpendicularly to the vertical direction.

Each vertical node pattern portion includes a first vertical node pattern and a second vertical node pattern adjacent to each other but electrically separated from each other, and the first vertical node pattern is electrically connected to the first vertical node pattern of another adjacent vertical node pattern portion. The second vertical node pattern is electrically connected to the second vertical node pattern of another neighboring vertical node pattern portion. On the other hand, each horizontal node pattern portion is integrally formed without being separated like the vertical node pattern portion described above.

In the case of the vertical node pattern portion, the resistance ratios of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern are provided differently. Therefore, it is possible to specify the position on the x-axis of the touched point by specifying which vertical node pattern portion is touched or where it is touched by the x-coordinate, and by touching different resistance ratios of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern. You can specify the location on the y-axis of the point you've specified.

In the case of the horizontal node pattern portion, it is arranged in a line in the y-axis direction to specify a position on the y-axis.

Therefore, when two or more fingers are simultaneously touched horizontally on the y-axis, the horizontal node pattern portion for specifying the position on the y-axis cannot function properly. In the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, the vertical node pattern portion is the x-axis. Since the position of the phase and the position on the y-axis can also be specified, errors due to simultaneous contact can be compensated for.

The touch panel sensor may be used as a touch screen using a transparent sheet and a transparent electrode, and may be used as a general touch pad by being formed using an opaque material. The divided first and second vertical node patterns may define one vertical node pattern part, and the vertical node pattern parts are provided in a line but are two-dimensionally arranged irrespective of shape to simultaneously recognize information about two axes. It is possible. In order to change the resistance ratio between the first and second vertical node patterns, the area or thickness occupied by each pattern may be changed.

Although the same can be applied to the horizontal node pattern portion, the touch panel sensor according to the present invention is designed to separate only the vertical node pattern portion into two vertical node patterns, thereby simplifying the construction thereof, and thus, the manufacturing process is improved. Can be simplified. That is, in contrast to the vertical node pattern portion, each of the plurality of horizontal node pattern portions maintains the same resistance ratio and is electrically connected to adjacent horizontal node pattern portions in the horizontal direction, and each horizontal node pattern in order to maintain the same resistance ratio. The parts may have the same thickness or area or the same shape.

The above-described vertical node pattern portion may be manufactured in various forms within a range such that resistance ratios of neighboring first vertical node patterns and second vertical node patterns in the same column are different from each other.

For example, each of the vertical node pattern portions may be formed within a predetermined area, and the first vertical node pattern is electrically connected to another first vertical node pattern of the neighboring vertical node pattern portions among the vertical node pattern portions of the same column. The area or thickness gradually increases with respect to the order, and the second vertical node pattern is also electrically connected with another second vertical node pattern of the neighboring vertical node pattern parts of the vertical node pattern parts of the same column, and gradually increases the area or thickness with respect to the sequence. It can be formed to reduce the thickness.

As another example, the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern of each vertical node pattern portion may be provided in the form of combs, and the comb portions of the first and second vertical node patterns may be alternately disposed, and the first vertical The resistance ratio of the node pattern and the second vertical node pattern may be determined by the width of the comb portion.

As another example, the vertical node pattern portion may be provided in any one of circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes, and the resistance ratios of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern formed by dividing the vertical node pattern portion may be divided into a first vertical node pattern and It may be determined by the area of the second vertical node pattern.

The present invention is characterized by dividing the vertical node pattern portion into two node patterns and varying the resistance ratio between these node patterns. Therefore, compared to the prior art that can specify only one of the x-axis or y-axis position, in the touch panel sensor according to the present invention, because the vertical node pattern portion can also specify the position on the x-axis and the position on the y-axis, errors due to simultaneous contact To compensate.

The present invention can provide a relatively thin touch panel sensor by forming vertical and horizontal node pattern portions on the back surface of one insulating sheet, respectively, without requiring a separate sheet to prevent electrical shorting of the vertical and horizontal node pattern portions. .

The present invention is designed to separate only the vertical node pattern portion into two vertical node patterns to simplify the configuration, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited or limited by the embodiments. For reference, in the present description, the same numbers refer to substantially the same elements, and may be described by quoting contents described in other drawings under such a rule, and the contents repeated or deemed apparent to those skilled in the art may be omitted.

The present invention relates to a touch panel sensor for detecting a contact position of a part of the body used in the touch screen.

3 is a front view illustrating a vertical node pattern unit of a touch panel sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a rear view illustrating a vertical node pattern unit of a touch panel sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. .

Referring to FIG. 3, vertical node pattern parts 121 to 128 are formed on one surface of the insulating sheet 110. The vertical node pattern portions 121 to 128 are arranged up and down, and approximately six lines of pattern portions provided by each arrangement are provided. The vertical node pattern parts 121 to 128 include first vertical node patterns 121a and 122a and second vertical node patterns 121b and 122b, respectively. The vertical node patterns 121 to 128 may be provided in a rhombus or quadrangular shape based on one vertical line, and the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern may be formed from above on the sides facing each other. Divided into. In this case, the ratio of the height (d: D) from the top of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern is (1: 8), (2: 7), (3: 6), (4: 4), (5 : 4), (6: 3), (7: 2), (8: 1), and the area ratio between both patterns is also changed according to the height ratio.

The first vertical node patterns 121a and 122a are vertically connected by the first vertical connection pattern 129a, and the area of the first vertical node patterns 121a and 122a increases in steps from the first vertical node pattern positioned at the top thereof. On the contrary, the second vertical node patterns 121b and 122b are vertically connected by the second vertical connection pattern 129b, and the area decreases in steps from the second vertical node pattern positioned at the top.

The insulating sheet 110 may be formed using a material such as plastic or glass such as polyethylene, polypropylene, acryl, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the like. In addition, even if a transparent material is not used, an insulating substrate may be used in a pointing device using a touch pad or a stylus fan used in a notebook.

The above-described vertical node pattern parts 121 to 128 may also be differently selected according to the use of the touch panel sensor. For example, when light transmittance is required, such as a touch screen, materials such as ITO and IZO may be selected. On the contrary, when it is not necessary to consider the light transmittance, various metals or alloys such as gold, silver and aluminum having conductivity can be used as the material of the resistance electrode.

In the vertical node pattern portion, the first vertical node patterns 121a and 122a are interconnected, and the second vertical node patterns 121b and 122b are also interconnected. The location of the connection can also be selected in various ways.

Hereinafter, a process of obtaining the x coordinate using the vertical node pattern parts 121 to 128 will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, six lines of vertical node pattern portions 121 to 128 that extend up and down are provided, and are provided in substantially the same pattern arrangement. In this case, the x coordinate may be determined by the formula {(n1 * 1) + (n2 * 2) + to (nk * k)} / (n1 + n2 + to nk), where k is based on any one of the drawings. For each line, nk is the sum of signal strengths detected in the first and second vertical node patterns in the line of each number.

When the finger touches the touch screen, the strength of the signal input to the controller is 60 from the left through the first vertical note pattern in the fourth line, and 70 from the first vertical note pattern in the fifth line. The signal strength of the remaining first vertical node pattern is 0, while the signal strength is 80 through the second vertical node pattern of the third line, and the signal strength of the second vertical node pattern of the fourth line is 100, 5th. When the signal strength of the second vertical node pattern in the line is measured to be 90, the x-coordinate can be obtained by substituting the above-mentioned numbers in the above-described equation. Specifically, by substituting the above-mentioned value in the equation, x-coordinate = { (80 * 3) + (160 * 4) + (160 * 5)} / (80 + 160 + 160) = 4.2.

In addition, the x coordinate may be obtained by calculating the x coordinate between the first vertical node patterns in the same direction and then averaging them again. The specific equation may be based on 1/2 {(Σn1k * k) / (Σn1k) + (Σn2k * k) / (Σn2k)}, where k is the number of lines in the vertical node pattern, n1k and n2k are each The strength of the capacitance, measured through the first and second vertical node patterns.

Hereinafter, a process of obtaining y coordinates using the vertical node pattern units 121 to 128 will be described.

The vertical position of the finger in contact with the touch panel sensor is determined by comparing the signal values measured from the two electrode patterns by using the first and second vertical node patterns as a pair. For reference, when the finger approaches the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern, the intensity of the signal respectively input to the controller is proportional to the area where the finger touches.

Corresponding to the y coordinate to be specified, the area of the finger in contact with the first vertical node pattern is called A (y), and the intensity of the signal is called C (y), and the area of the finger in contact with the paired second vertical node pattern The area is called B (y) and the signal strength is assumed to be D (y).

In other words, the signal strengths from the first and second vertical node patterns input to the controller are proportional to A (y) and B (y), respectively, where A (y) / B (y) = C (y) / D ( y) is established.

The controller calculates the C (y) / D (y) values, compares them with the area ratio A (y) / B (y), and converts them to y. In general, A (0.5) / B (0.5) is 1 when y (0 <y <1) is 1/2, and A (1) / when the best pattern (y = 1) of the first vertical node pattern portions. B (1) is 1/8, and A (0) / B (0) becomes 8 when the lowest pattern (y = 0). According to this change in value, the y-coordinate value can be obtained from A (y) / B (y).

Actually, the area touched by the finger is much larger than the resolution and overlaps several lines, so this value is read and calculated to convert to coordinates in the resolution.

As in the previous example, the signal strength through the first vertical note pattern was 60 in the fourth line from the left of the line of the vertical node pattern portion, the signal strength through the second vertical node pattern was 100, and Assume that the signal strength through the first vertical note pattern is 70 and the signal strength through the second vertical node pattern is 90. The intensity of the signal by the first vertical node pattern is 130 and the intensity of the signal by the second vertical node pattern is 190. That is, C (y) is 130, D (y) is 190, and C (y) / D (y) is about 0.68.

Therefore, the position where A (y) / B (y) is 0.68 is when y is about 0.65, that is, when the length of the touch panel sensor is 100 mm, the position of about 65 mm may be recognized.

Referring to FIG. 4, horizontal node pattern parts 141 to 147 are formed on the other surface of the insulating sheet 110. The horizontal node pattern portions 141 to 147 are arranged side to side, and approximately eight lines of pattern portions provided by each arrangement are provided upward and downward. The horizontal node pattern parts 141 to 147 are integrally formed differently from the vertical node pattern parts, and the horizontal node pattern parts 141 to 147 are connected to the left and right by the horizontal connection pattern 149. The horizontal node pattern units 141 to 147 may be provided in a rhombus or quadrangle form based on one horizontal line.

The y-coordinate may be calculated using the horizontal node pattern parts 141 to 147. The method using the vertical node pattern part may be used as a calculation method, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

5 is a plan view for explaining an arrangement structure of the vertical and horizontal node pattern portions.

Referring to FIG. 5, the horizontal node pattern portions 141 to 147 and the vertical node pattern portions 121 to 128 are disposed on the back surface of the insulating sheet 110, but do not overlap each other. Is disposed in the space between the vertical node patterns 121 to 128 are arranged.

According to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, even when two fingers touch the same line on the same horizontal node pattern portion at the same time, the x coordinate and the y coordinate of the finger contact point can be calculated in the vertical node pattern portion.

Through this supplementation, even if one point contact as well as two or more points are defined and used, it is possible to ensure stable use without errors.

6 to 9 are partially enlarged plan views illustrating a vertical node pattern unit according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the node pattern parts 221 ˜ 223 are formed in a line. The node pattern parts 221 to 223 are divided into first node patterns 221a to 223a and second node patterns 221b to 223b.

The node pattern portions 221 to 223 are provided in a rhombus or square shape, and the first node patterns 221a to 223a and the second node patterns 221b to 223b are divided up and down by horizontally divided lines. Also, the first node patterns 221a to 223a are connected by a thin connection pattern due to a constant area increase, and the second node patterns 221b to 223b are also connected by thin connection patterns.

Referring to FIG. 7, the node pattern parts 231 to 233 are formed in a line. The node pattern units 231 to 233 are also divided into first node patterns 231a to 233a and second node patterns 231b to 233b.

The node pattern portions 231 to 233 are provided in a circular or elliptical shape, and the first node patterns 231a to 233a and the second node patterns 231b to 233b have a predetermined area ratio by a line divided at an angle. Are distinguished. Also, the first node patterns 231a to 233a, which increase in area by a predetermined unit, are connected by thin connection patterns, and similarly, the second node patterns 231b to 233b are connected by thin connection patterns.

Referring to FIG. 8, the node pattern parts 241 ˜ 243 are formed in a line. The node pattern parts 241 to 243 are also divided into first node patterns 241a to 243a and second node patterns 241b to 243b.

The node pattern parts 241 to 243 are provided in a quadrangle, and the first node patterns 241a to 243a and the second node patterns 241b to 243b are divided into predetermined area ratios by divided lines formed up and down. Also, the first node patterns 241a to 243a, which increase in area by a predetermined unit, are connected by thin connection patterns, and likewise, the second node patterns 241b to 243b are connected by thin connection patterns.

That is, the node pattern parts illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 are each provided in one of circular, elliptical, and polygonal shapes, and the node pattern parts are divided to form a first node pattern and a second node pattern having a predetermined area. Here, the resistance ratios of the first and second node patterns are determined by the areas of the first node pattern and the second node pattern.

Referring to FIG. 9, the node pattern parts 251 to 253 are formed in a line. The node pattern units 251 to 253 are also divided into first node patterns 251a to 253a and second node patterns 251b to 253b.

The node pattern parts 251 to 253 are provided in a quadrangle, and the first node patterns 251a to 253a and the second node patterns 251b to 253b are divided into predetermined area ratios by divided lines formed up and down. Also, the first node patterns 251a to 253a, which increase in area by a certain unit, are connected by thin connection patterns, and likewise, the second node patterns 251b to 253b are connected by thin connection patterns. In particular, the first node patterns 251a to 253a and the second node patterns 251b to 253b of the node pattern units 251 to 253 are provided in the form of combs, and the first node patterns 251a to 253a and the first node patterns 251a to 253a are provided. The comb teeth of the two node patterns 251b to 253b are provided to be alternately arranged, and the resistance ratios of the first node patterns 251a to 253a and the second node patterns 251b to 253b are defined by the width of the comb teeth. Is determined.

In addition, the first node pattern and the second node pattern may be provided in various shapes, and the resistance ratio may be adjusted through an area or another structure. Further, the node pattern portion is not limited to the same area, and the area of the pattern portion may be gradually increased, or one of the first and second node patterns may be provided in such a manner that the area is constant and the other increases or decreases. .

As described above, although described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be variously modified and changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention described in the claims below I can understand that you can.

1 is a plan view illustrating an ITO thin film in a conventional capacitive touch screen.

2 is a plan view illustrating a conventional capacitive touch screen operating mechanism.

3 is a front view illustrating a vertical node pattern unit of a touch panel sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a rear view illustrating a vertical node pattern unit of a touch panel sensor according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a plan view for explaining an arrangement structure of the vertical and horizontal node pattern portions.

6 to 9 are partially enlarged plan views illustrating a vertical node pattern unit according to other exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

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

100: touch panel sensor 110: insulation sheet

121 to 128: vertical node pattern portions 121a and 122a: first vertical node pattern

121b and 122b: Second vertical node patterns 141 to 147: Horizontal node pattern portion

141a and 142a: first horizontal node pattern 141b and 142b: first horizontal node pattern

Claims (7)

An insulating sheet, a plurality of vertical node pattern portions arranged along a vertical direction so as to be adjacent to each other on the one surface of the insulating sheet and electrically separated from each other, and arranged horizontally on the other surface of the insulating sheet, and disposed between the vertical node pattern portions In the touch panel sensor comprising a plurality of horizontal node pattern portion to sense the contact position of the body, Each of the vertical node pattern portions is formed within a predetermined area, and includes a first vertical node pattern and a second vertical node pattern adjacent to each other but electrically separated from each other. The touch panel sensor according to claim 1, wherein the resistance ratios of the neighboring first vertical node patterns and the second vertical node patterns are different from each other. delete The method of claim 1, The first vertical node pattern is electrically connected to another first vertical node pattern of neighboring vertical node pattern portions of the vertical node pattern portions in the same row, and gradually increases in area or thickness for a series of orders; The second vertical node pattern is also electrically connected to another second vertical node pattern of neighboring vertical node pattern parts among the vertical node pattern parts in the same row, and the touch is characterized in that the area or thickness gradually decreases for a series of orders. Panel sensor. The method of claim 3, The first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern of each of the vertical node pattern portions are provided in the form of combs, and the comb portions of the first and second vertical node patterns are provided to be alternately disposed with each other, The resistance ratio of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern is determined by the width of the comb portion. The method of claim 3, The vertical node pattern portion is provided in any one of a circular, oval and polygonal form, The resistance ratio of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern formed by dividing the vertical node pattern part, respectively, is determined by the area of the first vertical node pattern and the second vertical node pattern. Panel sensor. The method of claim 1, Compared to the vertical node pattern portion, each of the plurality of horizontal node pattern portions maintains the same resistance ratio and is electrically connected to horizontal node pattern portions adjacent in the horizontal direction. The method of claim 1, The vertical node pattern portion and the horizontal node pattern portion is a touch panel sensor, characterized in that formed of a transparent conductive material.

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