KR101666489B1 - Touchscreen device having conductive sensing-net of two dimensions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch screen device having a two-dimensional conductive sensing network. The touch screen device includes a substrate member having a touch sensitive area; A conductive sensing network formed in a two-dimensional network structure having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of unit branches on one surface of the substrate member so as to be mapped to the touch sensing region and to which scan signals are transmitted; A plurality of scan signal input terminals electrically connected to different positions of the conductive sensing network; And a plurality of scan signal output terminals provided between the conductive sensing network and the plurality of scan signal input terminals. According to the touch screen device having the two-dimensional conductive sensing network of the present invention, since the conductive sensing network is formed on one surface of the substrate member, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and productivity can be increased. The network structure of the conductive sensing network can be configured very precisely and finely, thereby realizing a high-resolution touch screen. Also, it is possible to easily achieve the large-sized touch screen by enlarging the simplified network structure repeatedly. In addition, since the conductive sensing network is completed as a single layer using a single substrate member, the thickness of the touch screen device can be reduced.

Touch screen, signal distortion, scan line

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a touch screen device having a two-dimensional conductive sensing network,

The present invention relates to a touch screen device, and more particularly, to a touch screen device capable of enhancing productivity and reducing manufacturing cost by a simpler structure, realizing a high-resolution sensing capability, And a touch screen device having a sensing network.

The touch screen does not use an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. When a human hand or an object touches a character or a specific position on a screen (screen) Many are installed. The touch screen device includes a resistive film type, a surface acoustic wave type, an infrared ray shielding type, an electromagnetic induction type, and a capacitance type.

In a resistive touch screen, a PET substrate having a conductive film (ITO) formed on its back surface is used, and the conductive film (ITO) formed on the glass is opposed to the air layer. Spacers are arranged at equal intervals in the space in order to maintain a space between two surfaces and to prevent mutual contact (short) when not touched. As described above, the resistance film type touch screen is inevitably deteriorated in light transmittance due to its structural characteristics. In addition, since the conductive films are in contact with each other every touch, the conductive film must be made thick in order to maintain durability. As a result, the transmittance is getting worse and even yellowish.

In a touch screen using a surface acoustic wave, when a vibration is transmitted from a transmitting transducer in the X axis and a Y axis, an acoustic wave propagates on the glass surface. At this time, when a finger is placed on the glass surface, the energy of the finger is absorbed by the finger, so that the vibration can not be transmitted and the position can be detected. This method may not be detected when touching an object such as a nail or a rod that can not absorb the elastic wave of the glass surface. In addition, if water droplets remain, the surface acoustic waves are absorbed therein, and there is a fear that the touch detection may be obstructed.

The infrared light shielding touch screen has a light emitting surface using LEDs on one side and a light receiving surface on the opposite side. Thus, when the user touches the screen, the light is intercepted, so that it is possible to determine where the light is blocked. Since there is no detecting element on the screen, the transmittance is 100%. While there is such an advantage, the environment that can be used is limited because it is weak against objects that block light sources such as dust and insects. In addition, when light or sunlight enters the screen, there may be a failure.

The electromagnetic induction type touch screen is a special device that can generate a magnetic field. It has been widely used in tablets and the like, but its application range is limited because it can not be operated with a finger. Generally, on a touch screen, when light passes through a film, reflection occurs at the boundary between the air and the film, or at the boundary between the film and the material. Therefore, the smaller the number of layers and films, the less unnecessary reflections do not occur. In this respect, since the capacitive touch screen has no air layer between each layer, it has good transmittance and little unnecessary reflection. However, merely miniaturizing the pattern to raise the resolution poses various problems.

While these various types of touch screens are widely deployed in various devices, there are areas that need to be addressed to reduce the price and improve performance. That is, there is a demand for a touch screen device having a more simplified structure and improved operation performance. In addition, conventional touch screen devices have a problem that it is not easy to increase the area.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch screen device having a two-dimensional conductive sensing network that can increase productivity and reduce manufacturing cost by a simpler structure, realize a high-resolution sensing capability, .

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch screen device. A touch screen apparatus of the present invention includes: a substrate member having a touch sensitive area; A conductive sensing network formed in a two-dimensional network structure having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of unit branches on one surface of the substrate member so as to be mapped to the touch sensing region and to which scan signals are transmitted; A plurality of scan signal input terminals electrically connected to different positions of the conductive sensing network; And a plurality of scan signal output terminals provided between the conductive sensing network and the plurality of scan signal input terminals.

In one embodiment, a plurality of scan resistors are electrically connected between the scan signal input terminal and the scan signal output terminal.

In one embodiment, the scan signal generator generates the scan signal. And a switching circuit for providing a selective electrical connection between the scan signal source and the plurality of scan signal input terminals.

In one embodiment, the switching circuit has a normal mode and a sleep mode. In the normal mode, the scan signal generator is switched to have a periodic electrical connection sequentially to the plurality of scan signal input terminals. In the sleep mode, And a scan signal source is fixed to one of the plurality of scan signal input terminals to have an electrical connection.

In one embodiment, the plurality of scan signal generators generate the scan signals and are individually connected to the plurality of scan signal input terminals.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ratio of the electrical characteristics of a plurality of output signals input through the plurality of scan signal input terminals and output to the scan signal output terminal, including a scan signal output terminal electrically connected to the conductive sensing network, And determines a touched position in the touch sensing area by analysis.

In one embodiment, the plurality of scan signal output terminals are electrically connected to different positions of the conductive sensing network.

In one embodiment, the touched position in the touch sensing area is determined by comparing the ratio of the electrical characteristics of the plurality of output signals output from the plurality of scan signal output stages.

In one embodiment, the resistance values of the unit branches disposed at the outermost portion of the conductive sensing network are not the same as the resistance values of the unit branches disposed on the inner side.

In one embodiment, the conductive single scan line includes any one of transparent indium tin oxide, a transparent conductive polymer, and an opaque conductor.

In one embodiment, the substrate member includes a protective film covering the conductive single scan line.

In one embodiment, the scan signal includes an AC signal.

In one embodiment, the scan signal includes a modulated signal.

In one embodiment, the substrate member includes a ground shield.

In one embodiment, the polarizer includes a polarizer mounted on one surface of the substrate member.

According to the touch screen device having the two-dimensional conductive sensing network of the present invention, since the conductive sensing network is formed on one surface of the substrate member, the manufacturing process can be simplified, and productivity can be improved. The network structure of the conductive sensing network can be configured very precisely and finely, thereby realizing a high-resolution touch screen. Also, it is possible to easily achieve the large-sized touch screen by enlarging the simplified network structure repeatedly. In addition, since the conductive sensing network is completed as a single layer using a single substrate member, the thickness of the touch screen device can be reduced.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present invention may be modified into various forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in detail below. The present embodiments are provided to enable those skilled in the art to more fully understand the present invention. Therefore, the shapes and the like of the elements in the drawings can be exaggeratedly expressed to emphasize a clearer description. It should be noted that in the drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals. Detailed descriptions of well-known functions and constructions which may be unnecessarily obscured by the gist of the present invention are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a circuit configuration of a touch screen device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a conductive sensing network formed on one surface of a substrate member and a part thereof. And Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the substrate member.

1 to 3, the touch screen apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a substrate member 38 having a touch sensitive area 30 and a conductive sensing net 31 formed on one surface of the substrate member 38. [ . The conductive sensing network 31 is configured on one side of the substrate member 38 so as to be mapped to the touch sensing region 30. [ The conductive sensing network 31 is formed in a two-dimensional net structure in which a plurality of nodes 32 and a plurality of unit branches 33 are arranged in a lattice pattern. Thus, the conductive sensing network 31 is formed with a plurality of empty cells 34 surrounded by a plurality of nodes 32 and a plurality of unit branches 33 in a rectangular shape. A plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 are electrically connected to the conductive sensing network 31 at different positions. A plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36-4 are connected between the conductive sensing network 31 and the plurality of scan signal input stages 35-1 to 35-4, A plurality of scan resistors 37-1a to 37-4a electrically connected to the scan signal output terminals 36-1 to 36-4 are provided. For example, when the conductive sensing network 31 has a rectangular structure as a whole, four scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 are connected to four corners, and scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 And the conductive sensing network 31 may be connected to the scan signal output terminals 36-1 to 36-4, respectively.

The plurality of nodes 32 and branch 33 constituting the conductive sensing network 31 may be transparent conductive indium tin oxide or transparent conductive polymer, for example, as a light transmissive conductor having a resistance component. The substrate member 38 may use a transparent substrate, for example, a PET film. When the touch screen device 10 is used as a display overlay touch screen mounted on a screen of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, the substrate member 38 and the conductive sensing screen 31 use transparent materials for light transmission. However, when light transmission is not required, the substrate member 38 or the conductive sensing net 31 may use a translucent or opaque material. Although not shown in the drawings, the substrate member 38 is provided with a grounding shield (not shown) surrounding the outer periphery of the conductive sensing net 52. The ground shield may use the same material as the conductive sensing net 31.

3, the substrate member 38 has a structure in which a protective film 39 is formed so as to cover the conductive sensing net 31 and the surface thereof is mounted on the surface of the display device 40. As shown in FIG. And a polarizer 42 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate member 38. [ Thus, the substrate member 38 can be protected by the polarizing plate 42 and the operation efficiency of the touch screen device can be increased.

Figs. 4 to 7 are views illustrating a deformation structure of an empty cell of the conductive sensing network. Fig.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, the structure of the empty cells 34 of the conductive sensing network 31 can be modified into various structures by a rectangular structure, a circular structure, a crossed structure, or the like. The wires 39a and 39b extend in a helical manner in the inner region of the empty cell 34 or the lead 39c extended in a comb-like structure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating that the outermost branches of the conductive sensing network are patterned into jiggery so as to have a relatively high resistance.

Referring to FIG. 8, the unit branches 33 'disposed at the outermost portion of the conductive sensing network 31 may have a higher resistance value than the unit branches 33 provided inside. For this purpose, for example, the shape can be made to have a zigzag structure. It is possible to improve the touch sensitivity of the conductive sensing network 31 by making the unit branches 33 'formed on the outer periphery have a relatively high resistance.

9 is a diagram illustrating a specific circuit configuration method of the sensing circuit.

9, the sensing circuit 23 includes a comparator 23-1 for measuring the voltage across the scan resistor 37-1, a sensing resistor 23-2, and a comparator 23-2 for converting the analog signal into a digital signal And an A / D converter 23-3. According to this structure, the sensing circuit 23 receives the scan signals output from the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36-4 connected to the conductive sensing network 31, And provides it to the control unit 27.

10 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the conductive sensing network and the two-dimensional coordinates of the display device.

Referring to Fig. 10, the network structure of the conductive sensing network 31 has, for example, a two-dimensional net structure. The two-dimensional network structure formed by the plurality of nodes 32 and the plurality of unit branches 33 is arranged to have a uniform dispersion degree in the touch sensing area 30. [ Thus, any point of the conductive sensing network 31 mapped to the touch sensing area 30 may correspond to the two-dimensional coordinate. The output signals S1 to S4 output from the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36-4 have correlation with the touched position of the conductive sensing network 31. [ That is, the ratio of the distances from the touched position TP to the respective distances L1 to L4 to the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36-4 and the distance ratio between the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36- The ratio of the electrical characteristic value (for example, the detection voltage) of the output signals S1 to S4 output from the output terminals S1 to S4 has a correlation. Therefore, the coordinates of the touched position can be obtained by comparing and analyzing the ratio of the voltages V_S1 to V_S4 detected by the plurality of sensing circuits 23 to 26.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the touch screen device 10 is driven by the touch screen driving circuit 20 to sense a touched position when the touch input area 30 of the substrate member 38 has a touch input. The touch screen driving circuit 20 includes a scan signal generating source 21, a switching circuit 22, a plurality of sensing circuits 23 to 26, and a control unit 27. The signal generated from the scan signal generating source 21 inputs a scan signal to one of a plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 connected to the conductive sensing network 31 through the switching circuit 22. [ The plurality of sensing circuits 23 to 26 receive the scan signals output from the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1 to 36-4 connected to the conductive sensing network 31 and detect the voltage level of the output signal And provides it to the control unit 27. The control unit 27 senses the touch position by comparing and analyzing the ratio of the voltages V_S1 to V_S4 detected by the plurality of sensing circuits 23 to 26.

The scan signal generated from the scan signal generator 21 may use various types of AC signals such as a high frequency signal and a low frequency signal and may use a modulated signal according to various modulation methods.

11 is a view illustrating a voltage waveform of a scan signal output from a plurality of scan signal output stages connected to the conductive sensing network, and FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between input and output of a scan signal.

Referring to FIG. 11, the scan signals G1 to G4 sequentially input through the plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 and the plurality of scan signal output terminals 36-1 The positions touched by the ratio comparison analysis of the detection voltages V_S1 to V_S4 of the output signals S1 to S4 simultaneously output in the first to the third embodiments are calculated.

The switching circuit 22 preferably has two operation modes, a normal mode and a sleep mode, in order to reduce power consumption. For example, in the normal mode, the switching circuit 22 performs a switching operation so that the scan signal generating source 21 is sequentially and periodically electrically connected to the plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4. On the other hand, in the sleep mode, the switching circuit 22 is fixed to any one of the plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 to have an electrical connection. Thus, in the sleep mode, the switching operation of the switching circuit 22 is stopped, so that the power consumption due to the switching operation can be reduced.

13 and 14 are views showing an example in which the positions of a plurality of scan signal input terminals and a scan signal output terminal connected to the conductive sensing network are modified.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the plurality of scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 and the plurality of scan signal output terminals 36-1 to 36-4 are connected to the conductive sensing network 31 And can be variously changed. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 are connected to four corners of the conductive sensing network 31, and scan signal output terminals 36- 1 to 36-4 may be connected. 14, the scan signal output terminals 36-1 to 36-4 are connected to the four corners of the conductive sensing network 31 and the scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35- -4) may be connected.

15 is a diagram illustrating a modified example in which individual scan signal generating sources are connected to a plurality of scan signal input terminals.

15, the touch screen driving circuit 20a of the touch screen device 10a according to the modification of the present invention includes a plurality of scan signal generating sources 21-1 to 21-4, a plurality of sensing circuits 23 To 26), and a control unit 27. For example, four scan signal generating sources 21-1 to 21-4 are connected to corresponding scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4, respectively. The frequencies f1 to f4 of the scan signals generated in the four scan signal generating sources 21-1 to 21-4 may be different or the same. If the scan signals generated by the four scan signal generators 21-1 to 21-4 are input to the scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 at the same time, As shown in FIG. When input at the same time, ratio comparison analysis is performed considering each frequency characteristic.

16 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch screen device including a plurality of scan signal output stages.

16, the scan signal output terminals 36-1a to 36-4a and 36-1b to 36-4b of the touch screen device 10 according to yet another modification of the present invention are connected to the scan signal input terminals 35-1 To 35-4 and the conductive sensing network 31 and between the conductive sensing network 31 and the ground. In the case where the conductive sensing network 31 has a quadrangular structure as a whole, four scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4 are connected to four corners, and scan signal input terminals 35-1 to 35-4, Scan signal output terminals 36-1a to 36-4a are connected between the conductive network 31 and the scan signal output terminals 36-1b to 36-4b are connected between the conductive sensing network 31 and the ground .

The touch screen driving circuit 20a includes a plurality of sensing circuits 23-1 to 26-1 and 23-2 to 23-4b corresponding to the plurality of scan signal output stages 36-1a to 36-4a and 36-1b to 36-4b, 26-2 are connected to each other and receive a scan signal, and the voltage level of the output signal is detected and provided to the control unit 27. [ The control unit 27 senses the touch position by comparing and analyzing the ratio of the voltages V_S1 to V_S4 detected by the plurality of sensing circuits 23 to 26.

Since the output signal distortion component generated for a plurality of touch inputs is correlated to each touch position, the touch screen device of the present invention can easily detect not only a touch input at one point but also two or more multi- can do. Even when the touch screen device is miniaturized, the conductive sensing network may be implemented as a whole, but it is also possible to map two or more separated conductive sensing networks to one touch sensing area. For example, it is possible to divide two conductive sensing networks into one touch sensing area.

The embodiments of the touch screen device having the two-dimensional conductive sensing network of the present invention described above are merely illustrative and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and equivalent implementations You can see that examples are possible. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1 is a circuit diagram of a touch screen device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an enlarged view of a conductive sensing network and a part thereof formed on one surface of a substrate member.

3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the substrate member.

Figs. 4 to 7 are views illustrating a deformation structure of an empty cell of the conductive sensing network. Fig.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating that the outermost branches of the conductive sensing network are patterned in zigzags so as to have a relatively high resistance.

9 is a diagram illustrating a specific circuit configuration method of the sensing circuit.

10 is a diagram illustrating a correspondence relationship between the conductive sensing network and the two-dimensional coordinates of the display device.

11 is a diagram illustrating a voltage waveform of a scan signal output from a plurality of scan signal output stages connected to a conductive sensing network.

12 is a diagram showing a correspondence relationship between input and output of a scan signal.

13 and 14 are views showing an example in which the positions of a plurality of scan signal input terminals and a scan signal output terminal connected to the conductive sensing network are modified.

15 is a diagram illustrating a modified example in which individual scan signal generating sources are connected to a plurality of scan signal input terminals.

16 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch screen device including a plurality of scan signal output stages.

Description of the Related Art [0002]

10: touch screen device 20: touch screen driving circuit

21: scan signal source 22: switching circuit

23 to 26: sensing circuit 27:

30: touch sensing area 31: conductive sensing network

32: node 33: branch

34: Empty cells 35-1 to 35-4: scan signal input terminal

36-1 to 36-4: scan signal output stage 37-1a to 37-4a: scan resistance

38: substrate member

Claims (14)

A substrate member having a touch sensitive area; A conductive sensing network formed in a two-dimensional network structure having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of unit branches on one surface of the substrate member so as to be mapped to the touch sensing region and to which scan signals are transmitted; A plurality of scan signal input terminals electrically connected to different positions of the conductive sensing network; A plurality of scan signal output terminals provided between the conductive sensing network and the plurality of scan signal input terminals; And And a plurality of scan resistors electrically connected between the scan signal input terminal and the scan signal output terminal. delete The method according to claim 1, A scan signal generator for generating the scan signal; And And a switching circuit for providing a selective electrical connection between the scan signal source and the plurality of scan signal input terminals. The method of claim 3, Wherein the switching circuit has a normal mode and a sleep mode, In the normal mode, the scan signal generator is switched to sequentially have a periodic electrical connection to the plurality of scan signal input terminals, And the scan signal generator is fixed to any one of the plurality of scan signal input terminals to have an electrical connection in the sleep operation mode. The method according to claim 1, And a plurality of scan signal generators for generating the scan signals and individually connected to the plurality of scan signal input terminals. delete 5. The method of claim 4, Wherein the controller determines the touched position in the touch sensing area by comparing the ratio of the electrical characteristic values of the plurality of output signals output from the plurality of scan signal output terminals. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the resistance values of the unit branches arranged at the outermost side of the conductive sensing network are not the same as the resistance values of the unit branches disposed inside the inside. The method according to claim 1, The conductive sensing network Transparent indium tin oxide, a transparent conductive polymer, and an opaque conductive material. The method according to claim 1, The substrate member And a protective film covering the conductive sensing network. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the scan signal comprises an alternating current signal. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the scan signal comprises a modulated signal. The method according to claim 1, Wherein the substrate member comprises a ground shield. 10. The method of claim 9, And a polarizer attached to one surface of the substrate member.

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