KR102412371B1 - Folding sensing device and folding detection method using touch sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foldable device, and to a folding sensing device capable of detecting whether a foldable device is folded using a touch sensor itself and a folding detection method.
According to the folding sensing device and the folding detection method of the present invention, there is provided a device and method capable of detecting whether a foldable device is folded using a touch sensor of a touch pad without adding additional complicated parts.

Description

FOLDING SENSING DEVICE AND FOLDING DETECTION METHOD USING TOUCH SENSOR }

The present invention relates to a foldable device, and more particularly, to a folding detection method and a folding sensing device capable of detecting whether the foldable device is folded using a touch sensor itself.

As display technology develops, various display devices such as flexible displays and transparent displays have been developed. A device including a flexible display can be used by folding or unfolding according to a user's usage situation, so that the volume of the device can be dramatically reduced.

The flexible display may be implemented in the form of an organic electroluminescent display device, a liquid crystal display device, or the like. For example, in a conventional liquid crystal display device and an organic electroluminescent display device, a flexible display may be manufactured using a flexible material, such as replacing an organic substrate with a plastic film. In addition, in the conventional liquid crystal display device and the organic electroluminescent display device, a foldable device may be manufactured using a flexible material at least in the folded portion.

As the flexible display is used, various application fields are emerging. For example, in the field of e-books that can replace publications such as magazines, textbooks, books, and cartoons, and in the field of new portable IT products such as miniature PCs that can be carried by folding or rolling the display, and smart cards that can check real-time information A flexible display may be applied.

In contrast, there is a need to develop a user interface that can utilize the advantages of the foldable device while reflecting the characteristics of the foldable device.

Conventional interface devices of a foldable device have problems in that the cost increases and the size increases by adding additional complicated parts.

Patent Document 1: Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0073730

The present invention relates to a foldable device, and to a folding sensing device capable of detecting whether a foldable device is folded using a touch sensor itself and a folding detection method.

In a folding sensing device for sensing whether a foldable apparatus is folded according to an embodiment of the present invention,

at least one first touch sensor for receiving a folding detection signal; and

at least one second touch sensor disposed symmetrically with the first touch sensor, wherein when the device is not folded, the second touch sensor does not output the folding detection signal, but when the device is folded , wherein the second touch sensor generates a folding capacitance between the second touch sensor and the first touch sensor to output the folding detection signal.

Preferably,

Both the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor may be a transmitting electrode or a receiving electrode capable of detecting whether a touch is made in a mutual manner.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are touch electrodes capable of detecting a touch in a self-dot method, and the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are composed of one or more touch sensors. characterized in that

Preferably,

The folding capacitance may be a capacitance different from a mutual capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode when a touch is detected.

Preferably,

The folding capacitance may be a capacitance different from a self capacitance generated in the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor when a touch is detected.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are made of a transparent conductive material and are formed as one layer.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are disposed in a black matrix (BM) region between pixels of a display device coupled to the folding sensing device, and are made of metal.

Preferably,

The folding detection signal is characterized in that it is an AC signal having a constant period.

Preferably,

The reception of the folding detection signal of the first touch sensor and the output of the folding detection signal of the second touch sensor are

It is characterized in that it is performed in a non-sensing period, which is a time period in which touch detection is not performed with respect to the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor is disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the first side of the folding line,

The second touch sensor may be disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the second side symmetrical to the first side with respect to the folding line.

In a method for detecting whether a foldable apparatus is folded according to another embodiment of the present invention,

receiving a folding detection signal from the at least one first touch sensor; and

The folding detection signal is not output when the device is not folded by the at least one second touch sensor disposed symmetrically with the first touch sensor, but when the device is folded, the first touch sensor and the first touch sensor and outputting the folding detection signal by generating a folding capacitance between the .

Preferably,

Both the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor may be a transmitting electrode or a receiving electrode capable of detecting whether a touch is made in a mutual manner.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are touch electrodes capable of detecting a touch in a self-dot method, and the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are composed of one or more touch sensors. characterized in that

Preferably,

The folding capacitance may be a capacitance different from a mutual capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode when a touch is detected.

Preferably,

The folding capacitance may be a capacitance different from a self capacitance generated in the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor when a touch is detected.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are made of a transparent conductive material and are formed as one layer.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are disposed in a black matrix (BM) region between pixels of a display device coupled to the folding sensing device, and are made of metal.

Preferably,

The folding detection signal is characterized in that it is an AC signal having a constant period.

Preferably,

The reception of the folding detection signal of the first touch sensor and the output of the folding detection signal of the second touch sensor are

It is characterized in that it is performed in a non-sensing period, which is a time period in which touch detection is not performed with respect to the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor.

Preferably,

The first touch sensor is disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the first side of the folding line,

The second touch sensor may be disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the second side symmetrical to the first side with respect to the folding line.

According to the folding sensing device and the folding detection method of the present invention, there is provided a device and method capable of detecting whether a foldable device is folded using a touch sensor of a touch pad without adding additional complicated parts.

The folding sensing device of the present invention is very advantageous in terms of configuration, price and design by using a touch sensor of a touch pad.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a touch sensor in a folding sensing device of a foldable apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating folding lines of different configurations of a folding sensing device according to the present invention.
3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a touch sensor of a mutual method according to the present invention.
4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a self-dot type touch sensor according to the present invention.
5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a method for detecting folding using a touch sensor according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a touch sensor in a folding sensing device of a foldable device according to the present invention.

The folding sensing device for sensing whether a foldable device is folded according to the present invention is characterized in that it detects whether the device is folded by using a touch sensor that detects whether the device is touched.

The conventional foldable device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a separate folding sensor for detecting whether the touchpad is folded.

However, the folding sensing device of the present invention does not require a separate component for folding detection and is very advantageous in terms of configuration and design of the device in that it uses the touch sensor itself for touch detection.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the folding sensing device 100 includes a folding detection signal receiving sensor and a folding detection signal outputting sensor.

1 shows only two touch sensors to explain the folding detection method using the touch sensor of the present invention, but this is only an example, and a specific touch sensing device may include a plurality of touch sensors (for example, , see FIGS. 3 and 4).

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 120 receives the folding detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the folding detection signal may be an AC signal having a constant period.

The folding detection signal is a signal different from the touch sensing signal used for touch detection of the touch sensor.

The folding detection signal output sensor 130 is disposed symmetrically with the folding detection signal reception sensor 120 with respect to the folding line 110 .

The folding detection signal output sensor 130 does not output a folding detection signal when the foldable device is not folded (FIG. 1(b)). In the non-folding case, a capacitance that may exist between the folding detection signal receiving sensor 120 and the folding detection signal output sensor 130 is too small to cause transmission of the folding detection signal.

When the foldable device is folded, the folding detection signal output sensor 130 outputs the folding detection signal received by the folding detection signal reception sensor 120 ( FIG. 1C ).

When the foldable device is folded, the folding detection signal output sensor 130 generates a folding capacitance Cf with the folding detection signal receiving sensor 120 to output the folding detection signal. .

As shown in FIG. 1C , the folding detection signal reception sensor 120 and the folding detection signal output sensor 130 may operate as respective electrodes of the folding capacitance Cf.

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 120 and the folding detection signal output sensor 130 are made of a transparent conductive material and may be formed as one layer.

The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor of the present invention are disposed in a black matrix (BM) region between pixels of a display device coupled to a folding sensing device, and may be made of metal.

2 is a diagram illustrating folding lines of different configurations of a folding sensing device according to the present invention.

Folding sensing device of the present invention can detect whether folding using two symmetrical touch sensors 201 and 202 positioned in the column direction with respect to the longitudinal folding (folding line 210) (Fig. 2 (a)) ).

With respect to folding in the lateral direction (based on the folding line 213 ), the folding may be detected using two symmetric touch sensors 211 and 212 positioned in the row direction ( FIG. 2( b )).

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a touch sensor of a mutual method according to the present invention.

3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a touch pad including a mutual touch sensor.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the mutual touch pad includes a plurality of transmitting electrodes 301 in the transverse direction and a plurality of receiving electrodes 302 in the longitudinal direction.

When a touch is detected, whether a touch is made is determined based on a voltage change at both ends of the mutual capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode 301 and the receiving electrode 302 .

The folding detection method of the present invention uses the transmission electrode 301 or the reception electrode 302 of the mutual touch pad as the folding detection signal reception sensor 304 or the folding detection signal output sensor 305 for detecting folding.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of a mutual touch pad, illustrating an example in which the receiving electrode 302 of the touch pad is used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor 304 and a folding detection signal outputting sensor 305 , respectively.

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 304 is disposed in the second column to the left with respect to the folding line 303 .

The folding detection signal output sensor 305 is disposed in the second column to the right symmetrical to the folding detection signal reception sensor 304 with respect to the folding line 303 .

306 of FIG. 3A is a side view showing only the receiving electrode before being folded.

Reference numeral 307 of FIG. 3A is a side view of a state in which a folding capacitance is generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor 304 and the folding detection signal output sensor 305 when folded.

3B is also a plan view of a mutual touch pad, showing an example in which the transmitting electrode 312 of the touch pad is used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor 314 and a folding detection signal outputting sensor 315, respectively.

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 314 is disposed in a second row upward with respect to the folding line 313 .

The folding detection signal output sensor 315 is disposed in a lower second row symmetrical to the folding detection signal reception sensor 314 with respect to the folding line 313 .

Reference numeral 316 of FIG. 3B is a side view showing only the transmitting electrode before being folded.

317 of FIG. 3B is a side view of a state in which a folding capacitance is generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor 314 and the folding detection signal output sensor 315 when folded.

In the present invention, the folding capacitance generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor and the folding detection signal output sensor is different from the mutual capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode 301 or 311 and the receiving electrode 302 or 312 during touch detection.

That is, the mutual capacitance is a capacitance formed between the cross-arranged transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode, but the folding capacitance is a capacitance generated between two transmitting electrodes or two receiving electrodes arranged symmetrically with respect to a folding line.

In the folding sensing device using the touch sensor in the present invention, the folding detection signal reception sensor receives the folding detection signal and the folding detection signal output sensor outputs the folding detection signal. The folding detection signal reception sensor and the folding detection signal output sensor detect touch. This is performed in a non-sensing period, which is a time period in which this is not performed.

That is, when the touch sensor is used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor and a folding detection signal output sensor, folding is performed in a non-sensing section in which touch detection is not performed.

4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a folding sensing procedure using a self-dot type touch sensor according to the present invention.

A folding detection procedure in a touch pad configured with a self-dot type touch sensor will be schematically described with reference to FIG. 4 .

The touch sensor or touch electrode capable of detecting whether a touch is made in a self-dot method may operate as a folding detection signal receiving sensor 403 or 413 and a folding detection signal outputting sensor 404 or 414 .

4A is a plan view of a self-dot type touch pad, showing an example in which the touch sensor of the touch pad is used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor 403 and a folding detection signal outputting sensor 404, respectively.

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 403 includes six sensors disposed in the second column to the left with respect to the folding line 402 .

The folding detection signal output sensor 404 is composed of six sensors arranged in the second column from the right symmetrical to the folding detection signal reception sensor 403 with respect to the folding line 402 .

Although FIG. 4A shows an example in which all of the touch sensors arranged in one column are used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor or a folding detection signal output sensor, only a part of the touch sensors arranged in one column are used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor. Alternatively, it may be used as a folding detection signal output sensor.

405 of FIG. 4A is a side view showing the touch sensor before being folded.

4A is a diagram showing a side view of a state in which a folding capacitance is generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor 403 and the folding detection signal output sensor 304 when folded.

FIG. 4B is a plan view of a self-dot type touch pad, showing an example of using the touch sensor of the touch pad as a folding detection signal receiving sensor 413 and a folding detection signal outputting sensor 414, respectively.

The folding detection signal receiving sensor 413 includes six sensors disposed in a second row upward with respect to the folding line 412 .

The folding detection signal output sensor 414 includes six sensors arranged in the second row downwardly symmetrical to the folding detection signal reception sensor 413 with respect to the folding line 412 .

Although FIG. 4B shows an example in which all of the touch sensors arranged in one row are used as a folding detection signal receiving sensor or a folding detection signal output sensor, only a part of the touch sensors arranged in one row is a folding detection signal receiving sensor. Alternatively, it may be used as a folding detection signal output sensor.

415 of FIG. 4(b) is a side view illustrating the touch sensor before being folded.

416 of FIG. 4B is a side view showing a state in which a folding capacitance is generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor 413 and the folding detection signal output sensor 414 when folded.

In the present invention, the folding capacitance generated between the folding detection signal receiving sensor and the folding detection signal outputting sensor is different from the self capacitance generated in the touch sensor when the touch is detected.

That is, the self-capacitance is a touch capacitance generated between a touch means (eg, a finger or a touch pen), but the folding capacitance in FIG. 4 is formed between two touch sensors symmetrically disposed with respect to the folding line. is the capacitance

5 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a method for detecting folding using a touch sensor according to the present invention.

At least one folding detection signal receiving sensor receives a folding detection signal (S510).

At least one folding detection signal output sensor disposed symmetrically with the folding detection signal receiving sensor with respect to the folding line does not output a folding detection signal when the device is not folded, but a folding detection signal when the device is folded A folding capacitance is generated with the reception sensor to output a folding detection signal (S520).

Each of the embodiments of the present invention described in detail above may be implemented individually, or may be combined with each other to be practiced. The present invention described above is not limited by the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various substitutions, modifications and changes are possible within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. This will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

Claims (20)

A folding sensing device for sensing whether a foldable apparatus is folded, comprising:
at least one first touch sensor for receiving a folding detection signal; and
at least one second touch sensor disposed symmetrically with the first touch sensor, wherein when the device is not folded, the second touch sensor does not output the folding detection signal, but when the device is folded , wherein the second touch sensor generates a folding capacitance between the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor to output the folding detection signal,
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are made of a transparent conductive material, characterized in that formed in one layer (layer), a folding sensing device. The method of claim 1,
Both the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are a transmitting electrode or a receiving electrode capable of detecting whether a touch is made in a mutual manner, a folding sensing device. The method of claim 1,
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are touch electrodes capable of detecting a touch in a self-dot method, and the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are composed of one or more touch sensors. Characterized in that, the folding sensing device. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the folding capacitance is a capacitance different from a mutual capacitance generated between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode when a touch is detected, a folding sensing device. 4. The method of claim 3,
Folding sensing device, characterized in that the folding capacitance is a capacitance different from a self capacitance (self capacitance) generated in the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor when a touch is detected. delete The method of claim 1,
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are disposed in a black matrix (BM) region between pixels of a display device coupled to the folding sensing device, and are made of metal. The method of claim 1,
The folding detection signal is an AC signal having a constant period, a folding sensing device. The method of claim 1,
The reception of the folding detection signal of the first touch sensor and the output of the folding detection signal of the second touch sensor are
A folding sensing device, characterized in that it is performed in a non-sensing period, which is a time period in which touch detection is not performed with respect to the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor. 4. The method of claim 2 or 3,
The first touch sensor is disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the first side of the folding line,
The second touch sensor is a folding sensing device, characterized in that disposed in at least one column or at least one row of the second side symmetrical to the first side with respect to the folding line. A method for detecting whether a foldable apparatus is folded, comprising:
receiving a folding detection signal from the at least one first touch sensor; and
The folding detection signal is not output when the device is not folded by the at least one second touch sensor disposed symmetrically with the first touch sensor, but when the device is folded, the first touch sensor and the first touch sensor Including; generating a folding capacitance (folding capacitance) between the outputting the folding detection signal;
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are made of a transparent conductive material, characterized in that formed in one layer (layer). 12. The method of claim 11,
The method, characterized in that both the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are a transmitting electrode or a receiving electrode capable of detecting whether a touch is made in a mutual manner. 12. The method of claim 11,
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are touch electrodes capable of detecting a touch in a self-dot method, and the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are composed of one or more touch sensors. characterized in that the method. 13. The method of claim 12,
The method, characterized in that the folding capacitance is a capacitance different from a mutual capacitance generated between the transmitting electrode and the receiving electrode when a touch is detected. 14. The method of claim 13,
The method, characterized in that the folding capacitance is a capacitance different from a self capacitance generated in the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor upon detection of a touch. delete 12. The method of claim 11,
The first touch sensor and the second touch sensor are disposed in a black matrix (BM) region between pixels of a display device coupled to the foldable device, and are made of metal. 12. The method of claim 11,
The method, characterized in that the folding detection signal is an AC signal having a constant period. 12. The method of claim 11,
The reception of the folding detection signal of the first touch sensor and the output of the folding detection signal of the second touch sensor are
The method, characterized in that it is made in a non-sensing period, which is a time period in which touch detection is not performed with respect to the first touch sensor and the second touch sensor. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13,
The first touch sensor is disposed in at least one column or at least one row on the first side of the folding line,
The method, characterized in that the second touch sensor is disposed in at least one column or at least one row of the second side symmetrical to the first side with respect to the folding line.

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