KR20150085396A - Complex-type input device with touch sensing features - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composite input apparatus with a touch function. Regarding an input apparatus installed in various host systems, which receives an operation force from a user to control a function of the host systems, the present invention is configured to include; a button input unit installed with a button, generating an electrical signal in order to output a key value in accordance with an operation of pressing the same, and receiving an operation force from a user in order to operate the function of the host systems; a touch input unit installed on an upper portion of the button input unit, applying a pressure to the button input unit once provided with the operation force from the user, and providing an operation of the host systems by generating the electrical signal according to an applied touch operation; and a control unit controlling the function of the host systems once the button input unit and the touch input unit are pressed or processed with the touch operation. The present invention as described above, wherein an extra composite substrate and a keypad are unnecessary, may have a high touch sensitivity by positioning the touch panel to the touch operation (a user) as closely as possible.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a complex input device having a touch function,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a composite input device having a touch function, and more particularly, to a composite button input device that simultaneously implements a touch function by a touch operation on a button by a conventional pressing operation.

Recently, due to the rapid development of advanced technology, various digital electronic products such as mobile phones, MP3, PMP, navigation, electronic dictionaries and PDAs have been commercialized, and thus our lives are being provided with various convenience.

These digital devices are provided with numeric buttons or function buttons for operating various functions by the user, and operate various functions by operating them.

In general, terminals such as mobile phones are provided with number buttons, call buttons, direction buttons (4 directions), etc. The structure of such buttons is such that when a button touches a PCB at a lower portion of a button, a corresponding key value is output, An operation signal is applied.

As compared with the conventional button method, development and commercialization of a touch sensor have been actively developed in recent years, and many electronic devices to which a touch sensor is applied have been exhibited in order to provide a more convenient operability.

In a mobile phone with a touch sensor, a touch sensor product using an ITO film as a front surface of the display is commercialized, and the operation of the device is controlled by touching the front surface.

As described above, in the case of such a touch sensor, a predetermined pattern is formed on an ITO film or the like, the capacitance is measured when the human body is contacted, and the corresponding electrical signal is output to operate the function of the device.

Such a capacitive touch sensor is very useful for movement, selection, scrolling, and inputting of a figure or a character, because of excellent motion detection by a touch.

However, in the case of implementing the touch input method using the touch sensor on the display window as described above, the touch screen type sensor and the controller of the capacitive touch method must be provided separately and must be used in combination with the transparent window portion of the display. There is a problem in that it can not be used for general medium / low cost information terminals since it is a limited method used only for expensive information terminals.

In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant has filed a Korean patent application entitled " Application No. 10-2009-0025027 entitled " Compound Input Device Having Touch Function ". 1, the button input unit 10 includes a keypad 11 having a plurality of buttons and a dome sheet 15 having a plurality of dome switches 15 disposed under the keypad 11 13 and a contact terminal for generating an electric signal by contact with the dome switch 15. [ The touch input unit includes a first electrode panel 21 located below the button input unit 10 and including a conductive first electrode arranged in a gap in one direction, A second electrode panel 23 including a conductive second electrode arranged in a gap in an orthogonal direction; and a second electrode panel 23 disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and a specific part of the human body And a capacitance measuring unit 410 for measuring an amount of change in capacitance and generating an electrical signal capable of sensing a change in capacitance caused by a user's touch operation.

And an electrode pattern for sensing a touch input is formed on a panel in which a contact terminal for operation of a dome switch that performs a button function operated by such a pressing operation is formed, thereby providing an input device capable of simultaneously performing a pressing operation and a touch operation. However, this method has a drawback in that the touch sensitivity is reduced due to the complex formation of the touch pattern and the dome switch on a single substrate, and the conventional dome switch substrate can not be used as it is, which is a separate problem.

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a combined input device having a touch function that can simultaneously perform a touch panel function while using an existing dome switch board as it is and having a very high touch sensitivity. have.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an input device capable of reducing a manufacturing cost by eliminating a keypad structure that receives an operation force from a user during a pressing operation.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input device provided in various host systems for operating a function of the host system in response to an operation force from a user, the input device comprising: a button; A button input unit provided on the upper side of the button input unit to apply pressure to the button input unit when the user receives the operation force from the button input unit, A touch input unit for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the input signal and providing an operation of the host system and a control unit for controlling the function of the host system according to whether the touch input or the touch input is performed, Including And a gong.

The button input unit may include a dome sheet formed with a dome switch, and a contact terminal for generating an electric signal by contact with the dome switch.

The touch panel may include a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern formed orthogonally to the first electrode. The touch panel may measure a capacitance change value generated in the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern by a touch operation And a capacitance measurement unit for generating an electrical signal capable of sensing a touch operation.

The touch input unit may be configured to press a dome switch of a button input unit located at a lower position and to output an electric signal of the button input unit when the user performs a pressing operation.

The control unit may recognize the corrected capacitance change value measured by the capacitance measurement unit, and may determine whether the cursor is moved or selected in accordance with a touch operation, the movement in four directions through eight directions, Is recognized.

In addition, the touch input unit may further include an insulating film member on a surface thereof, and various printed layers including a phrase, shape, and symbol for button operation identification are formed on the surface of the film member.

Further, a pressing member is further provided between the button input unit and the touch input unit.

Further, a light emitting device is further provided between the touch input unit and the film member, and the light emitted from the light emitting device is irradiated to the film member.

The dome switch has one, two, four, six, eight button input portions, and if the plurality of buttons are provided, the dome switches are arranged along the edges corresponding to the sizes of the touch input portions.

According to the present invention configured and operated as described above, the dome switch substrate performing the conventional push button function is used as it is, and the touch panel is positioned on the upper side of the dome switch substrate.

Further, since the dome switch is pressed through the touch panel to implement the pressing operation, there is an advantage that a separate keypad is not necessary.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a complex input device having a touch function according to the related art.
2 is a block diagram of a complex input device having a touch function according to the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a panel configuration of a complex input device having a touch function according to the present invention.
4A is a cross-sectional view and a plan view of a dome switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4B is a plan view showing a dome switch structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
5A and 5B are cross-sectional views illustrating a panel configuration of a composite input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state of a complex input device having a touch function according to the present invention.
7 is a schematic block diagram of a touch input unit and a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a state diagram illustrating an application example of a complex input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a compound input device having a touch function according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a panel configuration of a composite input device having a touch function according to the present invention. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of a composite input device having a touch function according to an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 4B is a plan view showing a dome switch structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views illustrating a panel configuration of a composite input device according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an operation state of a composite input device having a touch function according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a touch input unit of a complex input device having a touch function according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a state diagram showing an application example of a compound input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The complex input device having a touch function according to the present invention is an input device provided in various host systems (500) for operating the functions of the host system in response to an operation force from a user. The input device includes a plurality of buttons A button input unit 100 for generating an electric signal to output a key value according to an operation and receiving an operation force from the user to operate the function of the host system, A touch input unit 200 for applying pressure to a button input unit and simultaneously generating an electrical signal when a touch operation is performed to provide an operation of the function of the host system, and a touch input unit And controls the function of the host system according to the operation or not It is characterized in that comprises a fisherman 400.

The present invention corresponds to various digital devices such as a mobile phone, MP3, PMP, navigation, electronic dictionary, and PDA corresponding to various host systems 500, and corresponds to an input device for directly operating various functions by a user.

The button input unit 100 includes a dome sheet (not shown) formed with a plurality of dome switches 111 corresponding to a plurality of buttons, and a contact terminal 120 for generating an electric signal by contact with the dome switch .

The dome switch 111 is formed of a conductive metal material on the dome sheet. The contact terminal 120 has a conductive first contact member 120a on the outer periphery thereof, And a second conductive contact member 120b is spaced apart from the center of the first contact member.

The first contact member is always in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the dome switch, and the second contact member is located at the inner bottom center of the dome switch.

Preferably, the button input unit according to the present invention comprises one, two, four, six or eight dome switches, as shown in FIG. 4B. This will be described later. Since the touch input unit (touch panel) located on the upper side of the button input unit is of a hard type having insulation, the touch panel is limited to the number of the button input units due to its structural characteristics directly affecting the button input unit. In addition, when a plurality of button input units are provided, they are arranged along the edges corresponding to the size of the touch panel.

The touch input unit 200 includes a conductive first electrode pattern 210 located on the upper side of the button input unit 100 and arranged in a gap in one direction and a conductive second electrode pattern 210 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first electrode pattern 210, A touch panel formed by the electrode pattern 220 and a capacitance change value occurring between the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern and a specific region of the human body And a capacitance measuring unit 410 for sensing an amount of change in capacitance due to the touch operation and generating an electrical signal.

The touch input unit 200 controls the function of the host system 500 by generating an electrical signal for recognizing the movement of the cursor and the motion by the touch operation force of the user. The touch input unit 200 is disposed above the button input unit, that is, directly above the dome sheet, and is provided to receive a touch operation different from the pressing operation of the button input unit.

The touch input unit includes an electrode panel on which a plurality of electrodes functioning as a dielectric for generating a capacitance are formed, and an electrostatic capacity detecting unit for measuring an amount of capacitance change formed on the electrode panel when the user touches the touch panel, And a capacitance measurement unit 410. The touch panel includes a first electrode pattern 210 provided to detect a first direction coordinate (x coordinate) and a second electrode pattern 220 provided to detect a second direction coordinate (y coordinate) . When the first electrode pattern 210 is touched by a finger or another object in one direction, a capacitance is induced between the first electrode pattern and the hand of the human body.

Here, the capacitance measuring unit 410 may measure a change in induced capacitance and transmit an electrical signal to the controller 400. The controller may be configured to measure a change in the induced capacitance in a first direction Coordinate (x-coordinate) is detected.

The second electrode pattern 220 is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first electrode pattern. When the second electrode pattern 220 is touched by a finger or another object, a capacitance is induced between the hands of the human body. Accordingly, the capacitance measuring unit 410 measures an induced capacitance change and transmits an electrical signal to the control unit 400. The control unit 410 controls the capacitance of the second Direction coordinate (y coordinate) is detected.

Therefore, the crossing points of the first electrode patterns 210 and the second electrode patterns 220 are substantially one pixel in the touch input unit 200.

On the other hand, the base of the touch panel is used as a hard substrate having an insulation property, which eliminates noise interference with a button input unit located on the lower side and has a structure in which a user presses the touch panel and presses the dome switch to be. Therefore, only one, two, four, six or eight buttons can be operated on the number of dome switches of the button input unit which can be pressed through the touch panel. That is, the dome switches are arranged along the edges corresponding to the width of the touch panel, and the touch panel is tilted along the edge with respect to the center point according to the pressing operation, thereby pressing the dome switches arranged correspondingly.

The controller 400 senses a signal transmitted from the capacitance measuring unit and detects a touched position. That is, when the touch operation is performed by the user, the detection circuit of the capacitance measurement unit is operated to measure the change amount of the induced capacitance, thereby recognizing whether or not the user touches the touch panel, When the dome switch is pressed, an electric signal is outputted from the button input unit corresponding to the dome switch, and the device operation is performed.

Such a touch input unit generally comprises a diamond-shaped transverse electrode and a longitudinal electrode for X- and Y-axis coordinate recognition. Manufacturing of such a touch panel can be readily prepared by those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted .

However, in the present invention, the touch input unit 200, which is provided directly above the button input unit, functions as a keypad to input a touch input, The user presses the dome sheet of the button input portion to implement the pressing operation.

The dome switch 111 of the button input unit is pushed by pressing the upper and lower sides and the left and right sides of the touch input unit as a button input unit for up / down and left / right four direction pressing operation It is implemented so that button pressing operation is possible.

At this time, a separate pressing member 130 may be provided between the button input unit and the touch input unit in order to reliably press the dome switch by pressing operation through the touch input unit. The pressing member is generally positioned between a touch input unit and a button input unit after an elastic material or a synthetic resin material having a predetermined elastic force is formed to correspond to a dome switch interval.

In addition, the controller 400 may be configured in various ways in applying the input operation by the button input unit 100 to the capacitance measurement unit 410. Preferably, the controller 400 may include a button input unit function It is possible to operate the same button input section by two operation modes of the pushing operation and the touching operation.

When the touch or touch operation is performed, the controller 400 outputs a key value for an electrical signal corresponding to a motion of the corresponding button input unit 100 or a motion of a touch operation performed by the touch input unit 200 And a key value conversion unit 420 may be further included.

For example, when the function of the button input unit 100 performs the up / down and left / right functions, the up / down and left / right buttons are similarly operated through the key value converting unit 420 It is possible to make it operable.

As another example, the key value conversion unit may be configured to output the key value by the touch operation according to a predetermined value without corresponding to the key value by the pressing operation.

In addition, it is possible to implement a circular scroll wheel in eight directions, or to perform cursor movement (mouse shape) freely through a touch operation.

The upper surface of the touch input unit 200 is provided with a film member 300. The film member is a thin film having insulating properties, and can be bonded to a touch input unit or can be integrally manufactured.

In addition, on the surface of the film member, a print layer for various expressions such as a phrase, a symbol, a figure, a company mark, and a symbol for identifying the operability of the user is formed to identify the corresponding key.

In yet another embodiment, the light emitting device 310 may be further provided to provide a touch panel. The light emitting device 310 is preferably a side view LED device, but is not limited thereto. The light emitting device is provided between the touch panel and the film member to emit various colors, thereby providing a beautiful design. The driving of the light emitting device can be variously performed by, for example, light emission during a touch operation, light emission during a button input operation, and the like, which can be easily carried out by those skilled in the art, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

It is most preferable that the compound input device having a touch function according to the present invention is applied to four directional keys of a cellular phone.

According to the present invention configured as described above, it is unnecessary to pattern the touch pattern on the push button panel in constructing the composite type button, and it is unnecessary to use a keypad by acting as a key pad through the touch panel, The advantage of being able to have a very high touch sensitivity is that it is located closest to the body (ex. Finger).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments.

On the contrary, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. And all such modifications and changes as fall within the scope of the present invention are therefore to be regarded as being within the scope of the present invention.

100: Button input unit 111: Dome switch
120: contact terminal 120a: first contact terminal
120b: second contact terminal 130: pressing member
200: touch input unit 210: first electrode pattern
220: second electrode pattern 300: film member
400: control unit 410: capacitance measurement unit
420: key value conversion unit 500: host system

Claims (5)

1. An input device provided in various host systems for operating a function of the host system in response to an operation force from a user,
A button input unit for generating an electric signal so as to output a key value according to a pressing operation and receiving operation force from the user to operate the function of the host system;
A touch input unit provided on an upper side of the button input unit to apply pressure to the button input unit when the user receives operation force from the user and generate an electrical signal corresponding to a touch operation to provide an operation of the host system; And
And a control unit for controlling the function of the host system according to whether the button is pressed or touched at the button input unit and the touch input unit,
Wherein the touch input unit is formed of a first electrode pattern and a second electrode pattern orthogonal to the first electrode pattern,
And a capacitance measuring unit for measuring an electrostatic capacitance change value generated in the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern by a touch operation to generate an electrical signal capable of sensing a touch operation,
Wherein the button input section comprises a dome sheet having a dome switch and a contact terminal for generating an electric signal by contact with the dome switch,
Wherein the touch input unit is configured to press the dome switch of the button input unit located at the lower position and output an electric signal of the button input unit by the pressing operation when the user performs a pressing operation,
Wherein a plurality of print layers including a phrase, a shape, and a symbol for identification of a button operation are formed on the surface of the touch input unit, . The apparatus of claim 1,
Recognizes the capacitance change value measured by the capacitance measurement unit, and recognizes any one or more motions of the cursor movement or selection operation in accordance with the touch operation or the operation in four to eight directions or the circular wheel operation Wherein the touch input function is a touch input function. The method according to claim 1,
And a pressing member is further provided between the button input unit and the touch input unit. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a light emitting element is further provided between the touch input unit and the film member so that light emitted from the light emitting element is irradiated to the film member. The dome switch according to claim 1,
Wherein the touch input unit has one, two, four, six, eight button input units, and if the plurality of buttons are arranged along the edges corresponding to the size of the touch input unit.

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