KR102013938B1 - Touch sensor and touch sensor assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrode module including a plurality of electrodes and at least one insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrodes to electrically separate each electrode, and electrically connected to the electrode module. The controller may include a processor configured to generate a user input signal by using a change pattern of impedance change generated in the plurality of electrodes by a user's touch input.

Description

Touch Sensors & Touch Sensor Assemblies {TOUCH SENSOR AND TOUCH SENSOR ASSEMBLY}

The present invention relates to a touch sensor and a touch sensor assembly, and more particularly, to a touch sensor and a touch sensor assembly for generating a user input signal using the impedance change of the plurality of electrodes.

In general, the sensor is a means used to expand the human sensory ability, a pressure sensor that can measure the pressure applied from the outside, a temperature sensor or humidity sensor that can measure the ambient temperature or humidity, and the user's finger Various types, such as a touch sensor that can detect whether or not the contact has been used. Among them, the touch sensor allows a human hand to act as a direct input means, and according to a detection method of a signal, a resistor for detecting a position pressed by pressure in a state in which a DC voltage is applied through a change in current or voltage value A resistive type, a capacitive type using capacitance coupling in the state of applying an alternating voltage, and an electromagnetic induction that senses the selected position as a change in voltage in the state of applying a magnetic field. Electromagnetic type and the like.

However, even when such a touch sensor was used, only a user's finger was in contact with a specific area of the touch sensor. Therefore, only the on / off judgment can be generated according to whether the finger touches the touch sensor. There was a limit to the input signal. Accordingly, in order to properly use the touch function provided by the touch sensor, a different function or a letter should be provided for each touchable area. Therefore, the touch function may be used similarly to an expensive touch screen form.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch sensor and a touch sensor assembly that can have a high user convenience as an input means by generating various input signals based on the user's touch input.

Technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

A touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention is an electrode module including a plurality of electrodes and at least one insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrodes to electrically separate each electrode, and electrically connected to the electrode module. The controller may include a processor configured to generate a user input signal by using a change pattern of impedance change generated in the plurality of electrodes by a user's touch input.

In example embodiments, the plurality of electrodes may be sequentially disposed with the at least one insulating layer interposed therebetween in a first direction.

In one embodiment, the user's touch input is defined as a touch input using one finger of the user, and the plurality of electrodes may be simultaneously touched by the user's touch input.

The change pattern may include a first change pattern in which an impedance change is simultaneously generated in each of the plurality of electrodes, and the processor may generate the user input signal using a duration of the first change pattern. Can be.

In one embodiment, the processor generates a first user input signal when the first change pattern lasts more than a reference time, and generates a second user input signal when the first change pattern lasts less than the reference time. Can be generated.

The change pattern may include a second change pattern in which impedance changes are sequentially generated in the plurality of electrodes along the first direction, and the processing unit is configured to generate a third user when the second change pattern is generated. An input signal can be generated.

In one embodiment, the second change pattern may be generated subsequent to the occurrence of the first change pattern.

In one embodiment, the processor further uses the speed information of the second change pattern to generate a fourth user input signal when the speed of the second change pattern is equal to or greater than a reference speed, and the speed of the second change pattern is increased. If it is less than the reference speed, the fifth user input signal may be generated.

The change pattern may include a third change pattern in which impedance changes are sequentially generated in the plurality of electrodes along a second direction, and the second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction. The processor may generate a sixth user input signal when the third change pattern is generated.

The processing unit may further use the speed information of the third change pattern to generate a seventh user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is greater than or equal to a reference speed, and the speed of the third change pattern may be increased. When it is less than the reference speed, the eighth user input signal may be generated.

A touch sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode including a substrate, a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate, and at least one insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of electrodes to electrically separate each electrode. And a processor disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the electrode module, the processor configured to generate a user input signal using a change pattern of impedance change generated in the plurality of electrodes by a user's touch input. Can be.

In example embodiments, the plurality of electrodes may include a first electrode and a second electrode, and the first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed with the insulating layer interposed therebetween.

The touch sensor and the touch sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention may have high user convenience as an input means by generating various input signals based on a user's touch input.

In addition, since the touch sensor and the touch sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention can be utilized as an input means of various electronic devices, they can have wide applicability.

1 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 to 5 are views for explaining the operation of the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 shows a touch sensor assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
7 shows an application example of a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in describing the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related well-known configuration or function interferes with the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In describing the components of the embodiments of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and the nature, order or order of the components are not limited by the terms. In addition, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Terms such as those defined in the commonly used dictionaries should be construed as having meanings consistent with the meanings in the context of the related art, and shall not be construed in ideal or excessively formal meanings unless expressly defined in this application. Do not.

1 shows a touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 to 5 are views for explaining the operation of the touch sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the touch sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode module 110 and a processor 120.

The electrode module 110 may include a plurality of electrodes 111 and at least one insulating layer 112. The electrode module 110 may receive a user's touch input through the plurality of electrodes 111. For example, the electrode module 110 may have a size (eg, 5 mm to 20 mm) in which all of the electrodes 111 may be simultaneously touched by one user's finger.

The plurality of electrodes 111 may be disposed along the first direction. The plurality of electrodes 111 may be sequentially disposed with the insulating layer 112 interposed therebetween. Each of the plurality of electrodes 111 may include at least one touch surface on which a user's touch is made. The plurality of electrodes 111 may receive a user's touch input through at least one touch surface. Here, the touch input of the user may be defined as a touch input using one finger of the user. Each of the plurality of electrodes 111 may be electrically connected to the processor 120. For example, the plurality of electrodes 111 may include metal electrodes. When a user's touch input is received at the plurality of electrodes 111, the impedance of each electrode may be changed.

In FIG. 1, for example, the plurality of electrodes 111 is illustrated as being composed of five electrodes, but is not limited thereto. The number of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111 may be variously changed according to design. In addition, although the plurality of electrodes 111 is illustrated as being a cuboid or a cube in FIG. 1, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the plurality of electrodes 111 may be provided in various forms to provide a touch surface on which a user's touch can be made. It may be designed as.

The insulating layer 112 may be disposed between the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111. The insulating layer 112 may electrically separate the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111 from each other. For example, when the plurality of electrodes 111 is composed of n pieces (n is a natural number of two or more), the insulating layer 112 may be composed of n-1 pieces.

The processor 120 may be electrically connected to the electrode module 110. The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using a change pattern of impedance change generated in the plurality of electrodes 111 by a user's touch input. For example, the change pattern of the impedance change may include a first change pattern, a second change pattern, and a third change pattern. Hereinafter, the first change pattern, the second change pattern, and the third change pattern will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. Meanwhile, for the sake of clarity, a case in which the plurality of electrodes 111 include the first electrode 111a and the second electrode 111b will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, for example, the plurality of electrodes 111 may include a first electrode 111a and a second electrode 111b. The first electrode 111a and the second electrode 111b may be electrically separated from each other with the insulating layer 112 interposed therebetween. The second electrode 111b may be disposed closer to the first direction than the first electrode 111a.

Referring to FIG. 3, the first change pattern may be defined as a pattern in which an impedance change is simultaneously generated at each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111. For example, the first change pattern may mean a pattern in which an impedance change is simultaneously generated in the first electrode 111a and the second electrode 111b.

For example, when the user touches the plurality of electrodes 111, all the electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111 may be touched by a user's finger, and thus all electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111 may have the same size. Impedance changes can occur. Meanwhile, even when a magnitude difference of impedance change occurs between electrodes of the plurality of electrodes 111 due to a difference in characteristics of each electrode or a difference in touch pressure of the user, an impedance change of substantially the same magnitude is defined as occurring. Can be.

Referring to FIG. 4, the second change pattern may be defined as a pattern in which impedance changes are sequentially generated in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 along the first direction. For example, the second change pattern may refer to a pattern in which the impedance change is generated in the second electrode 111b after the impedance change is generated in the first electrode 111a.

For example, when the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may be sequentially touched by the user's finger along the first direction. Therefore, impedance change may occur sequentially in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 along the first direction.

Also, for example, after the user touches the plurality of electrodes 111 to generate the first change pattern, when the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction without removing the finger touched by the user. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may deviate from the user's touch sequentially along the first direction, and thus, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may sequentially change impedance along the first direction. .

Referring to FIG. 5, the third change pattern may be defined as a pattern in which impedance changes are sequentially generated in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 along the second direction. Here, the second direction may be defined as a direction opposite to the first direction. For example, the third change pattern may refer to a pattern in which the impedance change is generated in the first electrode 111a after the impedance change is generated in the second electrode 111b.

For example, when the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the second direction, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may be sequentially touched by the user's finger along the second direction. Therefore, impedance change may occur sequentially in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 along the second direction.

Also, for example, after the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction to generate the second change pattern, the plurality of electrodes 111 may be moved in the second direction without removing the finger touched by the user. When swiping with each other, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may sequentially deviate from the user's touch along the second direction, and thus, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may sequentially impedance along the second direction. Changes can occur.

Further, for example, after the user touches the plurality of electrodes 111 to generate the first change pattern, the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction without removing a finger touched by the user. Subsequently, when swiping the plurality of electrodes 111 in the second direction, each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111 may sequentially escape the user's touch along the second direction, and thus, the plurality of electrodes 111 Each electrode of may sequentially change impedance along the second direction.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the first change pattern, the second change pattern, and / or the third change pattern.

The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the duration of the first change pattern. For example, the processor 120 may generate a first user input signal when the first change pattern lasts longer than the reference time, and generate a second user input signal when the first change pattern lasts less than the reference time. have. That is, the processor 120 may generate a user input signal based on the time when the plurality of electrodes 111 are simultaneously touched by the user. For example, the first user input signal and the second user input signal may be used as different commands in an electronic device.

The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the second change pattern. For example, the second change pattern may be independently generated regardless of the first change pattern, and when the second change pattern is independently generated regardless of the first change pattern, the user may operate the plurality of electrodes 111. This may be the case when swiping in the first direction. The processor 120 may generate a third user input signal when the second change pattern is generated independently of the first change pattern.

Also, for example, the second change pattern may be continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern, and when the second change pattern is continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern, the user may select the plurality of electrodes 111. After generating the first change pattern by touching), it may be a case of swiping the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction without removing a finger. The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the speed information of the second change pattern when the second change pattern is continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern. For example, the processor 120 may generate a fourth user input signal when the speed of the second change pattern is greater than or equal to the reference speed, and generate a fifth user input signal when the speed of the second change pattern is less than the reference speed. . That is, different user input signals may be generated according to the speed of the swipe operation of the user with respect to the plurality of electrodes 111. Meanwhile, the velocity information of the second change pattern may be defined using a time interval in which impedance change occurs in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111.

For example, the third user input signal to the fifth user input signal may be used as different commands in an electronic device.

The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the third change pattern.

For example, the third change pattern may be generated independently of the first change pattern and the second change pattern, and the third change pattern is generated independently of the first change pattern and the second change pattern. May be the case where the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the second direction. The processor 120 may generate a sixth user input signal when the third change pattern is generated independently of the first change pattern and the second change pattern.

For example, the third change pattern may be generated continuously in the generation of the second change pattern. When the third change pattern is continuously generated when the second change pattern is generated, the user swipes the plurality of electrodes 111 in the first direction so that after the second change pattern occurs, the user does not release the finger touched by the user. Rather, it may be a case of swiping the plurality of electrodes 111 in the second direction. The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the speed information of the third change pattern when the third change pattern is continuously generated in the generation of the second change pattern. For example, the processor 120 may generate a seventh user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is greater than or equal to the reference speed, and generate an eighth user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is less than the reference speed. . That is, different user input signals may be generated according to the speed of the swipe operation of the user with respect to the plurality of electrodes 111. Meanwhile, the velocity information of the third change pattern may be defined using a time interval in which impedance change occurs in each electrode of the plurality of electrodes 111.

Also, for example, the third change pattern may be continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern and the second change pattern. When the third change pattern is continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern and the second change pattern, after the user touches the plurality of electrodes 111 to generate the first change pattern, the user does not release the finger. Instead, the plurality of electrodes 111 may be swiped in the first direction, and then the plurality of electrodes 111 may be swiped in the second direction. The processor 120 may generate a user input signal using the velocity information of the third change pattern when the third change pattern is continuously generated in the generation of the first change pattern and the second change pattern. For example, the processor 120 may generate a ninth user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is greater than or equal to the reference speed, and generate a tenth user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is less than the reference speed. .

For example, the sixth to tenth user input signals may be used as different commands in electronic devices.

As described above, the electrode sensor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses various user input signals (for example, using a user's touch input to the electrode module 110 composed of a plurality of electrodes 111). , First to tenth user input signals). Therefore, the touch sensor 100 may have high user convenience as an input means. In addition, since the touch sensor may be used as an input means of various electronic devices, it may have a wide range of applications.

6 shows a touch sensor assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the touch sensor assembly 10 according to the exemplary embodiment may include an electrode module 110, a processor 120, and a substrate 130. The electrode module 110 and the processor 120 may configure the touch sensor 100 as described with reference to FIG. 1. Structures and operations of the electrode module 110 and the processor 120 may be substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The electrode module 110 and the processor 120 may be disposed on the substrate 130. For example, the electrode module 110 and the processing unit 120 may be electrically connected to each other through the substrate 130. The electrode module 110 and the processing unit 120 may be mounted on the substrate 130 and packaged to constitute the touch sensor assembly 10. For example, the touch sensor assembly 10 may be configured as one module and applied as an input means of various electronic devices.

7 shows an application example of a touch sensor or a touch sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

7 and 8, an electronic device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an input unit 1100, a controller 1200, a display unit 1300, a camera 1400, and a sound output unit 1500. ) May be included.

The input unit 1100 may be the touch sensor 100 or the touch sensor assembly 10. That is, the touch sensor 100 or the touch sensor assembly 10 may operate as the input unit 1100 of the electronic device 1000. For example, the touch sensor 100 or the touch sensor assembly 10 may be disposed on one side of the electronic device 1000. As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the touch sensor 100 may generate first to tenth user input signals using a user's touch input.

The controller 1200 may control the overall operation of the electronic device 1000. The controller 1200 controls operations of components included in the electronic apparatus 1000 such as the display 1300, the camera 1400, and the sound output unit 1500 in response to a user input signal received from the input unit 1100. can do.

The controller 1200 may control operations of the components of the electronic apparatus 1000 in response to the first to tenth user input signals received from the input unit 1100. For example, the controller 1200 may turn on or turn off the power (not shown) of the electronic device 1000 when the first user input signal is input, or when the second user input signal is input. A photographing operation (ie, shutter operation) of the camera 1400 may be performed.

For example, the controller 1200 may increase the audio volume by controlling the sound output unit 1500 of the 000 when the third user input signal is input, and output the sound when the sixth user input signal is input. The control unit 1500 may control the audio volume to be lowered.

In addition, when the fourth user input signal or the fifth user input signal is input, the electronic apparatus 1000 may increase the display brightness by controlling the display unit 1300.

In addition, the controller 1200 may perform other operations of the display unit 1300, the camera 1400, and the sound output unit 1500 using the seventh to tenth user input signals, or the display unit 1300 and the camera 1400. In addition to the, and the sound output unit 1500, operations of various components of the electronic device 1000 may be controlled.

As described above, the electronic apparatus 1000 generates various user input signals through the input unit 1100 composed of the touch sensor 100 or the touch sensor assembly 10, and generates an internal configuration based on the generated user input signals. Control their behavior. Accordingly, the user may control various operations of the electronic apparatus 1000 only with a simple touch input to the input unit 1100, thereby improving user convenience.

In addition, the controller 1200 of the electronic apparatus 1000 may use the authentication signal for authenticating the use authority of at least one of the first to tenth user input signals. For example, the controller 1200 compares at least one of the first to tenth user input signals inputted through the input unit 1100 with previously stored first to tenth user input signals, and compares the usage rights when they match. Authentication may be performed and the electronic device 1000 may be unlocked.

Meanwhile, when the input unit 1100 of the electronic device 1000 is implemented as the touch sensor 100 or the touch sensor assembly 10, the controller 1200 may recognize a user input signal input through the input unit 1100 as a morse code ( Morse Code) to recognize it. For example, the first user input signal or the second user input signal may be recognized as a dot (●) of a Morse code, and the third user input signal may be recognized as a bar (−).

In addition, although FIG. 7 illustrates that the electronic device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a portable terminal, the electronic device 1000 is not limited thereto, and various electronic devices having a touch input as an input means (for example, a center of a vehicle). The touch sensor 100 and the touch sensor assembly 10 of the present invention may be applied as an input means to a fascia operation unit, an operation unit of a steering wheel of a vehicle, an operation unit of a portable multimedia device, and the like.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: touch sensor assembly 100: touch sensor
110: electrode module 111: a plurality of electrodes
111a: first electrode 111b: second electrode
112: insulating layer 120: processing part
130: substrate 1000: electronic device
1100: input unit 1200: control unit
1300: display unit 1400: camera
1500: sound output unit

Claims (12)

An electrode module including a plurality of electrodes and at least one insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrodes to electrically separate each electrode; And
A processor which is electrically connected to the electrode module and generates a user input signal by using a change pattern of total impedance, in which impedance changes generated in each of the plurality of electrodes are added by a user's touch input,
The plurality of electrodes are sequentially disposed with the at least one insulating layer interposed therebetween in a first direction,
The touch input of the user is defined as a touch input using one finger of the user, and the plurality of electrodes may be simultaneously touched by the user's touch input.
The change pattern includes a first change pattern in which the impedance change is simultaneously generated in each of the plurality of electrodes by a touch input of the user, and the processor generates the user input signal using the first change pattern. , Touch sensor. delete delete The method of claim 1,
And the processing unit generates the user input signal using the duration of the first change pattern. The method of claim 4, wherein
The processor generates a first user input signal when the first change pattern lasts longer than the reference time, and generates a second user input signal when the first change pattern lasts less than the reference time. Touch sensor. The method of claim 4, wherein
The change pattern includes a second change pattern in which the impedance change is sequentially generated in the plurality of electrodes along the first direction,
And the processing unit generates a third user input signal when the second change pattern is generated. The method of claim 6,
And the second change pattern is generated in succession to the occurrence of the first change pattern. The method of claim 6,
The processor further uses the speed information of the second change pattern to generate a fourth user input signal when the speed of the second change pattern is greater than or equal to the reference speed, and when the speed of the second change pattern is less than the reference speed. And generating a fifth user input signal. The method of claim 6,
The change pattern includes a third change pattern in which the impedance change is sequentially generated in the plurality of electrodes along a second direction, and the second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction,
The processing unit generates a sixth user input signal when the third change pattern is generated. The method of claim 9,
The processor further uses the speed information of the third change pattern to generate a seventh user input signal when the speed of the third change pattern is greater than or equal to the reference speed, and when the speed of the third change pattern is less than the reference speed. And a eighth user input signal. Board;
An electrode module disposed on the substrate, the electrode module including a plurality of electrodes and at least one insulating layer disposed between the plurality of electrodes to electrically separate each electrode; And
A processing unit disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the electrode module and generating a user input signal using a change pattern of total impedance in which impedance changes generated in each of the plurality of electrodes are added by a user's touch input. Including,
The plurality of electrodes are sequentially disposed with the at least one insulating layer interposed therebetween in a first direction,
The touch input of the user is defined as a touch input using one finger of the user, and the plurality of electrodes may be simultaneously touched by the user's touch input.
The change pattern includes a first change pattern in which the impedance change is simultaneously generated in each of the plurality of electrodes by a touch input of the user, and the processor generates the user input signal using the first change pattern. , Touch sensor assembly. The method of claim 11,
The plurality of electrodes includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode is disposed with the insulating layer therebetween.

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