KR20130134670A - Mat having pressure sensor of capacity type - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a mat with a capacitive pressure sensor. The mat with a capacitive pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a mat main body and at least one pressure sensor installed in the mat main body and includes an input unit generating an user input signal according to the pressure applied by an user, wherein the input unit includes a dielectric layer, a first electrode layer formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a mat having a capacitive pressure sensor,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mat, and more particularly, to a mat provided with a capacitive pressure sensor.

In recent years, the use of game machines using mat has been increasing. A game apparatus using a mat is, for example, a DDR (Dance Dance Revolution) game apparatus. When DDR is displayed in combination with the up, down, left, and right arrows on the display device, the user steps the steps along the up, down, left, and right arrows displayed on the mat while viewing the screen of the display device. At this time, if the step operation of the user is matched with the arrow displayed on the display device, the score is increased.

The mat used in the above-mentioned game is provided with a contact switch of ON / OFF type in the mat to check whether or not the user presses the predetermined arrow displayed on the mat. However, since the ON / OFF contact switch requires a separate switch structure in the mat, the process of manufacturing the mat is complicated and difficult.

In addition, there is a problem that the ON / OFF contact switch can not be expressed only in the dual state of ON or OFF. That is, the ON / OFF contact switch can express only whether the user has stepped on or pressed the corresponding arrow, so that when the user presses the arrow, the user does not reflect the colorful action of the user in the game And thus can be applied only to a simple and simple game.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide a mat provided with a pressure sensor of a capacitive type, which has a simple structure of an input part and is easy to manufacture.

An embodiment of the present invention is to provide a mat having a capacitive pressure sensor that can be used as an input device for inputting various operations of a user.

A mat having a capacitive pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a mat main body; And an input section provided in the mat main body and having at least one pressure sensor, the input section generating a user input signal according to a pressure applied by a user, the input section including a dielectric layer, a first dielectric layer formed on the dielectric layer, An electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the lower surface of the dielectric layer.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, since the portion of the mat that receives the user's operation is only required to sequentially stack the second electrode layer, the dielectric layer, and the first electrode layer, the structure of the mat is simple, . Since the control device estimates the user's motion through the capacitance variation pattern of the user input signal and then generates the object motion control signal according to the motion of the estimated user, The user can use various operations as an input device for receiving input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a view of a mat with a capacitive pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of an input unit according to one embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows a configuration of a control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram illustrating a capacitance variation pattern of a user input signal according to an operation of pressing a predetermined pressure sensor by a user;

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the mat provided with the capacitive pressure sensor of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG. However, this is an exemplary embodiment only and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In the following description, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. The following terms are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, and may be changed according to the intention or custom of the user, the operator, and the like. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

The technical idea of the present invention is determined by the claims, and the following embodiments are merely a means for efficiently describing the technical idea of the present invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a mat having a capacitive pressure sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mat 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mat main body 102, an input unit 104, and a control device 106. The mat 100 may be connected to the display device 150 in a wired or wireless manner.

The display device 150 executes a predetermined content and displays the content on the screen. Here, the content may be, for example, a game, but is not limited thereto, and may include various other contents (for example, educational contents, motion (or posture) monitoring contents, moving pictures, images, etc.). Hereinafter, a case where game content is executed on the display device 150 will be described as an example.

At this time, the user can press the input unit 104 of the mat 100 to operate an object displayed on the display device 150 (e.g., characters in the game, transportation means, weapons, exercise equipment, etc.). In addition, the user may press the pressure sensor provided on the input unit 104 according to the motion of the object displayed on the display device 150. [

The mat main body 102 is used, for example, in a state of being placed on an indoor floor such as a living room or a floor. The surface of the mat main body 102 is provided with an area where the input section 104 is provided in the mat main body 102 so that the user can visually confirm the meaning of the area of the input section 104 and the respective pressure sensors, , Graphics, and the like.

The input unit 104 is installed in the mat main body 102. The input unit 104 includes at least one pressure sensor. For example, the input unit 104 includes a first pressure sensor 104-1, a second pressure sensor 104-2, a third pressure sensor 104-3, a fourth pressure sensor 104-4, And a fifth pressure sensor 104-5. For example, the first pressure sensor 104-1, the second pressure sensor 104-2, the third pressure sensor 104-3, the fourth pressure sensor 104-4, and the fifth pressure sensor 104-5 serve to move left, right, up, down, and stop the objects displayed on the display device 150 according to the user's pressing operation. Here, the shape, size, position, number, etc. of the pressure sensors of the input unit 104 can be changed as needed.

When the user wants to move an object (for example, a character in a game) displayed on the display device 150 according to his or her intention, the user may press various pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104 -3, 104-4, and 104-5. For example, when the character in the game displayed on the display device 150 is moved to the left, the user presses the first pressure sensor 104-1 to move the character in the game from the current position to the left. When the character in the game displayed on the display device 150 is to be moved to the right, the user presses the second pressure sensor 104-2 to move the character in the game from the current position to the right.

At this time, the user may move the character in the game using two or more pressure sensors. For example, when the character in the game is to be moved to the right diagonal upper direction, the user simultaneously presses the second pressure sensor 104-2 and the third pressure sensor 104-3 to move the character in the game from the current position Move it to the upper right diagonal.

Here, the input unit 104 includes five pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5, and the pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3 104-4 and 104-5 are shown moving the objects displayed on the display device 150 to the left, right, top, bottom, and stop, respectively, May have a pressure sensor having various numbers and various operational shapes according to the game.

Here, each of the pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5 of the input unit 104 is controlled by a user's body part (e.g., a hand, a foot, When the pressure is transmitted, the controller 106 generates a user input signal based on the pressure of the user. At this time, the pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5 of the input unit 104 are electrically connected to the controller 106. [ The pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5 of the input unit 104 may be pressure sensors of a capacitive type, for example. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

2 is a cross-sectional view of an input unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the input unit 104 includes a dielectric layer 111, a first electrode layer 113, a second electrode layer 115, a first insulating layer 117, and a second insulating layer 119. Here, the second insulating layer 119, the second electrode layer 115, the dielectric layer 111, the first electrode layer 113, and the first insulating layer 117 are sequentially stacked.

The dielectric layer 111 is made of a material having a predetermined dielectric constant and having a restoring force (or elastic force). That is, the dielectric layer 111 is made of a material having a restoring force such that when the corresponding portion is pressed by the pressure of the body part of the user, it is compressed and then restored to the original state when the pressure is released. For example, the dielectric layer 111 may be made of a foamable material having a predetermined dielectric constant.

The first electrode layer 113 is formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer 111 and the second electrode layer 115 is formed on the lower surface of the dielectric layer 111. The first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 are electrically connected to the control device 106, respectively.

The first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 can be formed, for example, by applying (or printing) conductive ink to the upper and lower surfaces of the dielectric layer 111, respectively. The first electrode layer 113 formed on the upper surface of the dielectric layer 111 may be formed of a conductive film and the second electrode layer 115 formed on the lower surface of the dielectric layer 111 may be formed of conductive ink. When the first electrode layer 113 is formed of conductive ink, the conductive ink may be broken or broken and the first electrode layer 113 may be damaged because the first electrode layer 113 is repeatedly pressed by the user. At this time, if the first electrode layer 113 is formed of a conductive film, it is possible to prevent the first electrode layer 113 from being damaged even if the corresponding portion is repeatedly pressed by the user. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and both the first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 may be formed of a conductive film. The conductive film may be, for example, a silicon film or a carbon film.

The first insulating layer 117 is formed on the upper surface of the first electrode layer 113 to protect the first electrode layer 113. The second insulating layer 119 is formed on the lower surface of the second electrode layer 115 to protect the second electrode layer 115. Embossing (not shown) may be formed on the first insulating layer 117 and the second insulating layer 119 to prevent slippage of the user.

Here, the dielectric layer 111 is formed between the first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 to act as a kind of capacitor. At this time, the capacitance value C of the input unit 104 can be obtained by the following equation (1).

Where A represents the area of the first electrode layer 113 and the area of the second electrode layer 115 and d represents the area between the first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 Represents the distance.

Since the dielectric layer 111 is made of a material having a restoring force (or elastic force) when the user presses the input section 104 using a part of the body, the distance d between the first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 And thus the capacitance value of the corresponding input unit 104 is changed. Specifically, when the user presses the input unit 104 using a part of the body, the distance d between the first electrode layer 113 and the second electrode layer 115 is reduced, so that the capacitance value of the input unit 104 is large .

At this time, each pressure sensor 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, 104-5 of the input unit 104 uses a capacitance value that changes according to the user's pressure as a user input signal, 106). Here, the capacitance value of the input unit 104 varies depending on the operation of the user (that is, the operation when the user presses the input unit 104). In addition, the variation range of the capacitance value of the input unit 104 varies depending on the weight of each user. For example, in the case of an adult male or the like having a large body weight, the pressure applied to the input unit 104 is relatively large, so that the change of the capacitance value is large, and the change of the capacitance value of the female or child is small.

In this way, the operation of the user is inputted through the dielectric layer 111, the first electrode layer 113, and the second electrode layer 115 of the input unit 104 because the plurality of layers are simply laminated, So that the mat 100 can be easily manufactured.

The control device 106 is formed on one side of the mat body 102. The control unit 106 may be mounted on a connector (not shown) formed on one side of the mat body 102 and electrically connected to the input unit 104. At this time, the control device 106 may be formed to be mountable and detachable to the mat body 102. In this case, one control device 106 can be used for various mat bodies 102 having different operating shapes and different numbers of pressure sensors. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the control device 106 may be integrally formed with the mat body 102.

The controller 106 analyzes the user input signal generated in the input unit 104 to generate an object operation control signal for controlling the operation of the object displayed on the display device 150 and transmits the object operation control signal to the display device 150 ).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

3, the control device 106 includes a signal processing unit 121, a calibration unit 123,

A signal analyzing unit 125, a communication unit 127, and a memory 129. [

The signal processing unit 121 is electrically connected to the pressure sensors 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-4, and 104-5 of the input unit 104. The signal processing unit 121 performs signal processing on the user input signal generated by the input unit 104. For example, the signal processing unit 121 may amplify a user input signal and then filter it to remove noise from a user input signal.

When the user presses the initial input unit 104, the calibration unit 123 generates and transmits the reference capacitance change information of the user to the signal analysis unit 124. The reference capacitance change information is data indicating a difference between a capacitance value in the initial state of the input unit 104 and a capacitance value when the input unit 104 is pressed by the user.

That is, when the weight is different for each user, the change range of the capacitance value of the input unit 104 varies depending on the weight of each user. Therefore, when the user presses the initial input unit 104, the reference capacitance change information of the user is generated through the calibration unit 123, so that the weight of the user can be sensed and thereby the capacitance value It is possible to estimate the change range of

The calibration unit 123 may generate reference capacitance change information, for example, when the user steps on the input unit 104. [ In this case, when the mat 100 is used for the first time, the user may step on the input unit 104 for a predetermined time so that the calibration unit 123 generates the reference capacitance change information. At this time, the mat 100 can inform the user that the calibration time is completed.

The calibration unit 123 may measure a change in the reference capacitance when the quantitative weight such as 20 kg and 40 kg, respectively, is placed, and store it in the memory 129. In this case, the user's reference capacitance change information can be expressed as a ratio with respect to the reference capacitance change of the quantitative weight, and the absolute weight of the user can be estimated through the user's reference capacitance change information.

The calibration unit 123 provided in the mat 100 generates the reference capacitance change information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reference capacitance change information may be received from an external device. That is, the external device can manage the reference capacitance change information set for each user, and can transmit the reference capacitance change information of the user who wants to use the current mat 100 to the mat 100.

The signal analyzer 125 analyzes the signal processed user input signal to generate an object operation control signal. For example, the signal analyzer 125 compares the capacitance change value of the user input signal with a preset threshold capacitance change value, and only when the capacitance change value of the user input signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold capacitance change value, The object operation control signal according to the pressure sensor of FIG. At this time, when the capacitance change value of the user input signal is smaller than the predetermined threshold capacitance change value, it is determined as dynamic noise and can be ignored.

That is, only when the capacitance change value of the user input signal is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold capacitance change value, the user determines that the pressure sensor is correctly pressed and generates the object operation control signal corresponding to the pressure sensor of the input unit 104 have. In this case, it is possible to prevent a malfunction due to a user's mish touch or dynamic noise.

Here, the signal analyzer 125 may sense the weight of the user through the reference capacitance change information of the calibration unit 123, and adjust the threshold capacitance change value accordingly. For example, if the user's weight is smaller than the reference weight as a result of detecting the weight of the user through the reference capacitance change information, the signal analyzer 125 may adjust the threshold capacitance change value to be smaller than a preset threshold capacitance change value have. If the user's weight is greater than the reference weight as a result of detecting the weight of the user through the reference capacitance change information, the signal analyzer 125 may adjust the threshold capacitance change value to a value larger than a preset threshold capacitance change value. At this time, the signal analyzer 125 may receive the reference capacitance change information of each user from the external device through the communication unit 127. [

Also, the signal analyzer 125 may estimate the user's operation through the capacitance variation pattern of the user input signal, and may generate the object operation control signal according to the estimated user's operation.

That is, when the user presses the predetermined pressure sensor of the input unit 104, the capacitance change pattern of the user input signal appears differently according to the operation of pressing the corresponding pressure sensor of the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user presses the predetermined pressure sensor while jumping (FIG. 4 (a)) and when the predetermined pressure sensor slides (FIG. 4 (b) The capacitance change patterns of the user input signals are different from each other.

When the user quickly depresses and releases the predetermined pressure sensor and when the predetermined pressure sensor is depressed and released, the capacitance change patterns of the user input signals are different from each other. Therefore, by confirming the capacitance variation pattern of the user input signal, it is possible to estimate the user's operation (for example, jump, standing, leaning, walking, depressing, depressing, etc.) .

Specifically, the memory 129 stores various capacitance variation patterns according to the operation of the user. The signal analyzer 125 may compare the capacitance variation pattern of the user input signal with various capacitance variation patterns stored in the memory 129 to estimate the user's operation when the corresponding pressure sensor is pressed. At this time, the signal analyzer 125 may generate different object motion control signals according to the motion of the user when the pressure sensor is depressed. In this case, even if the user presses the same pressure sensor, different object operation control signals are generated according to the user's operation when the pressure sensor is pressed, and the operation of the object displayed on the display device 150 through the pressure sensor And can be variously adjusted.

The communication unit 127 transmits the object operation control signal to the display device 150. At this time, the communication unit 127 can transmit the object operation control signal to the display device 150 through the short-range wireless communication. Here, short-range wireless communication may be RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (Blue Tooth), UWB (Ultra Wide Band), ZigBee, or the like. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the communication unit 127 may transmit the object operation control signal to the display device 150 via the wire. Further, the communication unit 127 may receive the reference capacitance change information of each user from an external device.

The communication unit 127 may perform wireless communication with a user's mobile terminal (e.g., smart phone, tablet PC, PDA, etc.). At this time, the communication unit 127 may receive the ID of the corresponding mobile terminal from the user's mobile terminal and store the ID in the memory 129. [ In this case, each user can be identified through the ID of the mobile terminal, and the reference capacitance change information is mapped and stored for each identified user, and the reference capacitance change information stored when the user is connected can be applied.

The communication unit 127 may be connected to the user's mobile terminal through a local wireless communication network (NFC) included in the mobile terminal of the user, and may be connected to the external network via the mobile terminal to transmit and receive data . In this case, the communication unit 127 may receive information such as a reference capacitance change information for each user or a capacitance variation pattern according to movement from a server or the like existing in the external network.

Meanwhile, the controller 106 may output the weight of the user according to the capacitance change value of the user input signal. That is, the controller 106 measures the user's weight through the capacitance change value of the user input signal, and then displays the measured user's weight on a display unit (not shown). At this time, the memory 129 may store a weight table in which the weight of the user is matched with the capacitance change value of the user input signal.

Here, the case where the content executed in the display device 150 is a game is described as an example, and the operation of a game character or the like displayed on the display device 150 is controlled by the object operation control signal. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to operate a cursor or a mouse display unit of the display device 150 through an object operation control signal generated by the mat 100. In this case, the mat 100 serves as a kind of input device that receives the operation of the user as an input.

In addition, the mat 100 can be used as a kind of motion monitoring device that detects motion or motion of a user (or an object). For example, when the mat 100 is installed on a chair, the mat 100 can be used to sense the sitting position of the user and correct the posture. In addition, when the mat 100 is installed on a bed, it is possible to detect the degree of movement of the patient and prevent the occurrence of a pressure ulcer on the affected part of the patient. Also, the mat 100 can be applied to the case of detecting the presence or absence of an article, such as a merchandise display stand or a warehouse for storing goods.

Also, the mat 100 may be formed as an insole on the bottom of the shoe. For example, if a user installs a pressure sensor in the left shoe of a user and a insole of a right shoe, the user can measure the shoe by walking, running, or rolling one foot without a separate foot mat. As described above, the mat 100 can be applied not only to the fields described above but also to various other fields.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, I will understand. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, but should be determined by equivalents to the appended claims, as well as the appended claims.

100: mat 102: mat main body
104: input unit 104-1: first pressure sensor
104-2: second pressure sensor 104-3: third pressure sensor
104-4: fourth pressure sensor 104-5: fifth pressure sensor
106: control device 111: dielectric layer
113: first electrode layer 115: second electrode layer
117: first insulating layer 119: second insulating layer
121: Signal processing unit 123: Calibration unit
125: Signal analysis unit 127:
129: Memory

Claims (15)

A mat main body; And
An input unit installed in the mat body and having at least one pressure sensor configured to generate a user input signal according to a pressure applied by a user;
Wherein the pressure sensor includes a dielectric layer, a first electrode layer formed on an upper surface of the dielectric layer, and a second electrode layer formed on a lower surface of the dielectric layer.
The method of claim 1,
Wherein the dielectric layer has a predetermined dielectric constant and is made of a material that is compressed by the pressure of the user and is restored to its original state when the pressure is released.
The method of claim 1,
Wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are formed of a conductive ink or a conductive film.
The method of claim 1,
The mat,
And a control device for analyzing the user input signal and estimating the user's motion.
5. The method of claim 4,
The control device includes:
And generates an object motion control signal for controlling the motion of an object displayed on the display device in accordance with the estimated motion of the user.
The method of claim 5,
Wherein the user input signal includes a capacitance change value of the input unit due to a pressure of the user,
Wherein the control device generates an object operation control signal according to a corresponding pressure sensor of the input unit when the capacitance change value of the user input signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold capacitance change value.
The method according to claim 6,
The control device, the mat comprising a calibration unit for generating reference capacitance change information according to the user's input.
The method of claim 7, wherein
The control device, the mat to adjust the threshold capacitance change value according to the reference capacitance change information of the user generated by the calibration unit.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the control device estimates an operation of the user through a capacitance variation pattern of the user input signal and then generates an object operation control signal according to the estimated user's operation.
The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the control device outputs the weight of the user according to the capacitance change of the user input signal.
5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the control device is formed to be detachable and attachable to one side of the mat body.
5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the control device further comprises a communication unit connected to the user's mobile terminal via the short-range wireless communication network and receiving the ID of the mobile terminal.
The method of claim 12,
Wherein the control device identifies each user with an ID of the mobile terminal received through the communication unit.
The method of claim 12,
Wherein the controller matches the ID of the mobile terminal received through the communication unit with the value of the critical capacitance change of the mobile terminal user.
The method of claim 12,
Wherein the control device is connected to an external network via the mobile terminal and receives at least one of a user-dependent critical capacitance change value or a capacitance variation pattern from the external network.

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