KR20100054886A - Touchscreen device having conductive sensing-net of two dimensions - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A touch screen device with 2D conductivity sense network is provided to improve productivity and reduce manufacturing cost and embody detective ability of the high definition using a simplified structure. CONSTITUTION: A substrate member has a touch sensing section. A conductive sensing net(31) is formed as 2D net structure in one side of the substrate member to be removed on a touch sensitive area and transmits scanning signal. A plurality of the first and second scanning signal output terminals(37,38) are located each side of the conductive sensing net to detect X/Y-axis coordinate which is touched in the touch sensing section. A X/Y-axis sensing circuit(35,36) orderly scans first and second scanning signal output terminals to sense electrical characteristic value.

Description

TOUCHSCREEN DEVICE HAVING CONDUCTIVE SENSING-NET OF TWO DIMENSIONS}

The present invention relates to a touch screen device, and more specifically, to a two-dimensional conductivity having improved operation performance that can increase productivity, reduce manufacturing costs, realize high resolution, and facilitate large-area, by a simplified structure. The present invention relates to a touch screen device having a sensing network.

The touch screen does not use an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, and detects the position of a person's hand or an object on a character or a specific location on the screen (screen) to process the specific function. It is attached a lot. The touch screen device includes a resistive film type, surface acoustic wave type, infrared light shielding type, electromagnetic induction type, and capacitive type.

In general, a resistive touch screen uses a PET substrate having a conductive film (ITO) formed on its rear surface, and faces an electrically conductive film (ITO) formed on a glass with an air layer thereon. Spacers are arranged at equal intervals in the space in order to maintain the space between the two surfaces and prevent mutual contact (short) when not touching. As described above, the resistive touch screen is inevitably reduced in light transmittance due to its structural features. Moreover, in order to maintain durability, the conductive film must be thickened because the conductive films are in mechanical contact with each other when they are touched. As a result, the transmittance becomes worse and even yellowish.

In the touch screen using the surface acoustic wave, when the vibration is transmitted from the transducer for transmission on the X and Y axes, the elastic wave propagates on the glass surface. At this time, when the finger is placed on the glass surface, the vibration of the portion is absorbed by the finger so that the vibration is not transmitted and the position can be detected. This method may not be detected when touched by an object that does not absorb elastic waves on the glass surface such as nails or sticks. In addition, if water droplets remain, surface acoustic waves are absorbed there, which may interfere with touch detection.

Infrared light shielding type touch screen installs light emitting surface using LED on one side of horizontal and vertical and light receiving surface on the other side. Thus, when the screen is touched, the light is blocked so that it is possible to determine where the light is blocked. Since there is no detection 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 to an object blocking the light source such as dust or insects. In addition, if the light or sunlight enters the screen, there may be a problem.

Electro-induced touch screen is a special device that can generate a magnetic field, and has been used in tablets and the like, but its application range is limited because it cannot be operated with a finger. In general, when the light passes through the membrane, the reflection occurs at the boundary between the air and the membrane or at the boundary between the membrane and the material. Therefore, the smaller the number of films and layers, the less unnecessary reflection occurs. In this regard, the capacitive touch screen has good transmittance and almost no unnecessary reflection because there is no air layer between the layers. However, in order to increase the resolution, simply miniaturizing the pattern has several problems.

While these types of touchscreens are widely installed in various devices, there are some areas to be solved to reduce the price and to improve the performance. In other words, there is a need for a touch screen device having a simplified structure and improved operating performance. In addition, existing touch screen devices have a problem in that large area is not easy.

An object of the present invention is a touch screen device having a two-dimensional conductive sensing network having improved operation performance that can increase productivity, reduce manufacturing costs, implement high resolution sensing capability, and facilitate large area by a simplified structure. To provide.

One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem relates to a touch screen device. The touch screen device of the present invention comprises: a substrate member having a touch sensing area; A conductive sensing network 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 having a two-dimensional network structure and transmitting a scan signal; A plurality of first scan signal output terminals provided on one side of the conductive detection network to detect the X-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area; A plurality of second scan signal output terminals provided on the other side of the conductive detection network to detect the Y-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area; An X-axis sensing circuit configured to sequentially scan the plurality of first scan signal output terminals and detect an electrical characteristic value; And a Y-axis sensing circuit configured to sequentially scan the plurality of second scan signal output terminals to sense an electrical characteristic value.

In one embodiment, a first common input terminal for inputting a scan signal to the conductive sensing network for sensing the X-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area; And a second common input terminal for inputting a scan signal to the conductive sensing network to sense the Y-axis coordinate of the touched position in the touch sensing area.

In one embodiment, a scan signal generator for generating the scan signal; And a switching circuit providing a selective electrical connection between the scan signal source and the first and second common input terminals.

In one embodiment, the switching circuit has a normal mode and a sleep mode, in the normal mode switching operation so that the scan signal source has a periodic electrical connection between the first and second common signal input terminal sequentially In the operation mode, the scan signal source is fixed to either one of the first or second common input terminals so as to have an electrical connection.

In an exemplary embodiment, a first scan signal source connected to the first common input terminal and a second scan signal source connected to the second common input terminal are included.

In one embodiment, a scan signal source for generating the scan signal; A stylus fan configured to input the scan signal to the conductive sensing network; And a stylus fan driver connected between the scan signal source and the stylus fan to drive the stylus fan.

In example embodiments, the touched position in the touch sensing area is determined by a ratio comparison analysis of electrical characteristic values of the plurality of output signals output to the first and second plurality of scan signal output terminals.

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

In example embodiments, the substrate member may include a passivation layer covering the conductive sensing net.

In one embodiment, the scan signal comprises an alternating current signal.

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

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

In an exemplary embodiment, a polarizer may be mounted on the rear 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 increased, thereby making the manufacturing cost very low. Since the network structure of the conductive sensing network can be configured very densely and precisely, a high resolution touch screen can be realized. In addition, it is possible to easily achieve a large area of the touch screen by repeatedly expanding the simplified network structure. In addition, since the conductive sensing network is completed in a single layer using a single substrate member, the touch screen device can be thinned.

In order to fully understand the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment of the present invention may be modified in various forms, the scope of the invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described in detail below. This embodiment is provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shape of the elements in the drawings and the like may be exaggerated to emphasize a more clear description. It should be noted that the same members in each drawing are sometimes shown with 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 diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a touch screen device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a conductive sensing network configured on one surface of a substrate member. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the substrate member.

1 to 3, the touch screen device of the present invention includes a substrate member 30 having a touch sensing region and a conductive sensing network 31 formed on one surface of the substrate member 30. The conductive sensing net 31 is configured on one surface of the substrate member 30 to be mapped to the touch sensing area. The conductive sensing net 31 is formed in a two-dimensional network structure in which a plurality of nodes 32 and a plurality of unit branches 33 are arranged in a lattice shape. Therefore, the conductive sensing network 31 is formed with a plurality of empty cells 34 surrounded by a square by a plurality of nodes 32 and a plurality of unit branches 33. The conductive detection network 31 includes a first common input terminal 35 and a plurality of first scan signal output terminals 37 for detecting the X-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area. And a second common input terminal 36 and a plurality of second scan signal output terminals 38 for detecting the Y-axis coordinates. For example, when the conductive sensing network 31 has a rectangular structure as a whole, the first common input terminal 36 and the plurality of first scan signal output terminals 37 may face each other and face the second common input terminal 37. The plurality of second scan signal output stages 38 are disposed on the other surface facing each other.

The plurality of nodes 32 and the branches 33 constituting the conductive sensing net 31 may be, for example, transparent indium tin oxide or a transparent conductive polymer as a light transmissive conductor having a resistive component. The substrate member 30 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 30 and the conductive sensing net 31 use transparent materials for light transmission. However, when light transmission is unnecessary, the substrate member 30 or the conductive sensing net 31 may use a translucent or opaque material. Although not shown in detail in the drawing, the substrate member 30 is provided with a ground shield (not shown) surrounding the outer edge of the conductive sensing network 52. The ground shield may use the same material as the conductive sensing net 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate member 30 has a structure in which a passivation layer 41 is formed to cover the conductive sensing net 31, and a surface thereof is mounted on the surface of the display device 40. The polarizer 42 is mounted on the upper surface of the substrate member 30. Therefore, the substrate member 30 may be protected by the polarizing plate 42, and the operating efficiency of the touch screen device may be improved.

4 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a modified structure of the empty cell of the conductive sensing network.

4 to 7, the structure of the empty cells 34 of the conductive sensing network 31 may be modified into various structures such as a rectangular structure, a circular structure, and an intersecting structure. In addition, the conductive wires 39a and 39b spirally extended to the inner region of the empty cell 34 may be configured, or the conductive wires 39c may be configured to extend in a comb-tooth structure.

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

Referring to FIG. 8, the network structure of the conductive sensing net 31 has a two-dimensional network structure, for example. The two-dimensional network structure formed of the plurality of nodes 32 and the plurality of unit branches 33 is disposed to have a uniform dispersion degree in the touch sensing area 30. Therefore, any point of the conductive sensing network 31 mapped to the touch sensing region 30 may correspond to two-dimensional coordinates. In addition, the output signals output from the plurality of first and second scan signal output terminals 37 and 38 have a correlation with the touched position of the conductive sensing network 31. That is, the electrical distortion component of the scan signal generated in correlation with the touched position is differentially reflected by the plurality of first and second scan signal output terminals 37 and 38 and output. Therefore, the ratio of electrical characteristic values (eg, detection voltages) of the output signals output from the plurality of first and second scan signal output terminals 37 and 38 has a correlation with the touch position. Therefore, the coordinate value of the touched position can be obtained by ratio comparison analysis based on the correlation.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the touch screen device 10 is driven by the touch screen driving circuit 20 to detect a touched position when there is a touch input in the touch sensing area of the substrate member 30. The touch screen driving circuit 20 largely includes a scan signal generator 27, a switching circuit 26, X-axis sensing circuits 22 and 24, Y-axis sensing circuits 21 and 23, and a controller 25. . The switching circuit 26 switches according to the switching signal SW_m provided from the controller 25, and the scan signal generated from the scan signal source 27 is transferred to the first common input terminal 35 through the switching circuit 26. Are alternately input to the second common input terminal 36 and transmitted through the conductive sensing network 31.

The X-axis sensing circuits 22 and 24 may connect the first switching circuit 22 connected to the plurality of first scan signal output terminals 37 and the first sensing circuit 24 connected to the output terminals of the first switching circuit 22. Equipped. During the period in which the scan signal is input to the first common input terminal 35, the first switching circuit 22 sequentially switches each output terminal of the plurality of first scan signal output terminals 37, and the output signal S_x is first sensed. To be input into the circuit 24. The first sensing circuit 24 detects an electrical characteristic value, for example, a voltage level, of the output signal S_x sequentially input and provides the detected voltage value VS_x to the controller 25. The Y-axis sensing circuits 21 and 23 may connect the second switching circuit 21 connected to the plurality of second scan signal output terminals 38 and the second sensing circuit 23 connected to the output terminals of the second switching circuit 21. Equipped. During the period in which the scan signal is input to the second common input terminal 36, the second switching circuit 21 sequentially switches each output terminal of the plurality of second scan signal output terminals 38, and the output signal S_y senses the second sensing. It is input to the circuit (23). The second sensing circuit 23 detects an electrical characteristic value, for example, a voltage level, of the output signal S_y sequentially input and provides the detected voltage value VS_y to the controller 25. 9 is a timing diagram for explaining the operation of the touch screen driving circuit 20 for detecting the touch input as described above. The controller 27 detects the touch position by ratio comparison with respect to the detected voltages VS_x and VS_y provided from the first and second sensing circuits 24 and 23.

The scan signal generated by the scan signal generator 21 may use various types of AC signals such as high frequency signals and low frequency signals, and may use modulated signals by various modulation methods. The plurality of first and second scan signal output terminals 37 and 38 may be grounded by connecting a plurality of high resistances (not shown) for the floating process. Alternatively, a capacitor (not shown) or a coil (not shown) may be connected to perform the same function. By such a structure, the touch sensitivity of the conductive sensing network 31 may be improved.

The switching circuit 26 preferably has two operating modes, a normal mode and a sleep mode, in order to reduce power consumption. For example, in normal mode, the switching circuit 26 switches the scan signal source 27 to have periodic electrical connections to the first and second common input terminals 35, 36 sequentially. On the other hand, in the sleep operation mode, the switching circuit 26 fixes the scan signal source 27 to one of the first or second common input terminals 35 and 36 to have an electrical connection. Correspondingly, only one of the first and second switching circuits 22 and 21 may be switched. Therefore, in the sleep mode, the switching operation of the switching circuit 26 and the switching operation of the first or second switching circuits 22 and 21 are stopped, thereby reducing power consumption.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which scan source sources are separately connected to first and second common input terminals, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 10, the touch screen device 10a according to a modified example of the present invention has a basically same configuration as the touch screen device 10 of the above-described embodiment. However, the touch screen driving circuit 20a includes two first and second scan signal sources 27-1 and 27-2 and does not include a separate switching circuit. The frequencies f1 and f2 of the first scan signal generator 27-1 and the second scan signal generator 27-2 have different frequencies. The other operation method is the same as the above example, and the ratio comparison analysis is performed in consideration of each frequency characteristic.

11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch screen device including a stylus fan.

Touch screen device 10b according to another modification of the present invention has the same configuration as the above-described embodiment. However, the touch screen driving circuit 20b includes a scan signal source 27, a stylus fan driver 28, and a stylus fan 29 for inputting a scan signal to the conductive sensing network 31. The stylus fan 29 receives a scan signal generated from the scan signal source 27 through the stylus fan driver 28. The stylus fan 29 has an electrode capable of outputting a scan signal at an end thereof, and the scan signal is input to the conductive sensing net 31 by contacting the touch sensing area of the substrate member 30. The scan signal input to the conductive sensing network 31 is input to the X-axis sensing circuits 22 and 24 and the Y-axis sensing circuits 21 and 23 to detect the voltage level of the output signal and provide it to the controller 27. The controller 25 detects the touch position by ratio comparison analysis of the detected voltages VS_x and VS_y.

The touch screen device of the present invention easily detects two or three or more multi-point touch inputs as well as touch inputs at one point because output signal distortion components generated for a plurality of touch inputs are correlated to each touch position. can do. Even when the touch screen device has a large area, the conductive sensing network may be implemented as a whole, but two or more separate conductive sensing networks may be mapped to a single touch sensing region. For example, two conductive sensing networks may be divided and configured for one touch sensing region.

Embodiment of the touch screen device having a two-dimensional conductive sensing network of the present invention described above is merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and other equivalent implementation therefrom 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. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a touch screen device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of a conductive sensing network configured on one surface of a substrate member.

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

4 to 7 are diagrams illustrating a modified structure of the empty cell of the conductive sensing network.

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

9 is a timing diagram illustrating an operation of a touch screen device for detecting a touch input.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modification in which scan source sources are separately connected to first and second common input terminals, respectively.

11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the touch screen device including a stylus fan.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: touch screen device 20: touch screen drive circuit

21: Y-axis switching circuit 22: X-axis switching circuit

23, 24: sensing circuit 25: control unit

26: switching circuit 27: scan signal source

30: substrate member 31: conductive sensing network

32: Node 33: branches

34: empty cell 35: first common input terminal

36: second common input terminal 37: first scan signal output terminal

38: second scan signal output terminal 39a, 39b, 39c: extended conductor

40: display device 41: protective film

42: polarizer

Claims (13)

A substrate member having a touch sensing area; A conductive sensing network 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 having a two-dimensional network structure and transmitting a scan signal; A plurality of first scan signal output terminals provided on one side of the conductive detection network to detect the X-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area; A plurality of second scan signal output terminals provided on the other side of the conductive detection network to detect the Y-axis coordinates of the touched position in the touch sensing area; An X-axis sensing circuit configured to sequentially scan the plurality of first scan signal output terminals and detect an electrical characteristic value; And And a Y-axis sensing circuit configured to sequentially scan the plurality of second scan signal output terminals to sense electrical characteristic values. The method of claim 1, A first common input terminal for inputting a scan signal to the conductive sensing network to sense the X-axis coordinate of the touched position in the touch sensing area; And And a second common input terminal for inputting a scan signal to the conductive sensing network in order to sense the Y-axis coordinate of the touched position in the touch sensing area. The method of claim 1, A scan signal generator for generating the scan signal; And And a switching circuit providing a selective electrical connection between the scan signal source and the first and second common input terminals. The method of claim 3, The switching circuit has a normal mode and a sleep mode, In the normal mode, the scan signal source is switched so as to have a periodic electrical connection between the first and second common signal input terminals sequentially. And in the sleep operation mode, the scan signal source is fixed to one of the first and second common input terminals to have an electrical connection. The method of claim 1, And a second scan signal source connected to the first common input terminal and a second scan signal source connected to the second common input terminal. The method of claim 1, A scan signal generator for generating the scan signal; A stylus fan configured to input the scan signal to the conductive sensing network; And And a stylus fan driver connected between the scan signal source and the stylus fan to drive the stylus fan. The method of claim 1, And determining the touched position in the touch sensing area by ratio comparison analysis of electrical characteristic values of the plurality of output signals output to the first and second plurality of scan signal output terminals. The method of claim 1, The conductive sensing network A touch screen device comprising any one of a transparent indium tin oxide, a transparent conductive polymer, and an opaque conductor. The method of claim 1, The substrate member And a protective film covering the conductive sensing net. The method of claim 1, And the scan signal comprises an alternating current signal. The method of claim 1, And the scan signal comprises a modulated signal. The method of claim 1, And the substrate member comprises a ground shield. The method of claim 11, And a polarizing plate mounted on a rear surface of the substrate member.

Images