KR20160135693A - Touch input device and touch detecting method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch input device and a touch detecting method, capable of exactly detecting the intensity of touch pressure. According to the present invention, a touch input device includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes interposed with an insulating layer therebetween, a touch sensor panel including a plurality of third electrodes formed at the same layer as that of the first electrodes, a driving unit to apply a driving signal to the first electrodes, and a detection unit to receive a first signal including information on capacitance varied with touches to a touch surface of the touch sensor panel. The detection unit can detect the location and the pressure of the touch to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a touch input device and a touch detection method,

The present invention relates to a touch input device, and more particularly, to a touch input device that reduces an influence of noise and minimizes an error at the time of detecting a touch position on a touch surface of a touch input device, To an input device and a touch detection method.

Various types of input devices are used for the operation of the computing system. For example, an input device such as a button, a key, a joystick, and a touch screen is used. Due to the easy and simple operation of the touch screen, the use of the touch screen in the operation of the computing system is increasing.

The touch screen may include a touch sensor panel, which may be a transparent panel with a touch-sensitive surface. Such a touch sensor panel may be attached to the front of the display screen such that the touch-sensitive surface covers the visible surface of the display screen. The touch screen allows the user to manipulate the computing system by simply touching the display screen with a finger or the like. Generally, the touch screen recognizes touches and touch locations on the display screen and the computing system can perform calculations accordingly by interpreting such touches.

At this time, there is a need for a technique capable of minimizing the influence of noise while detecting the touch pressure along with the touch position with respect to the touch surface of the touch input device, thereby reducing the error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a touch input device and a touch detection method capable of detecting both a touch position and a touch pressure on a touch surface.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a touch input device and a touch detection method capable of reducing a detection error of a touch position by raising the noise shielding effect.

A touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes positioned with an insulating film therebetween and a plurality of third electrodes formed in the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes Touch sensor panel; A driving unit for applying a driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes; And a detection unit that receives a first signal including information on a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch with respect to a touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes, The touch position and the touch pressure with respect to the surface can be detected.

A touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the same layer, and a plurality of third electrodes formed on a different layer than the touch electrode panel; A driving unit for applying a driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes; And a detection unit that receives a first signal including information on a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch with respect to a touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes, The touch position and the touch pressure with respect to the surface can be detected.

A touch detection method according to still another embodiment of the present invention is a touch detection method in a touch input device including a touch sensor panel having a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes and a plurality of third electrodes, Applying a driving signal to a first electrode of the first electrode; Receiving a first signal from the plurality of second electrodes, the first signal including information on a capacitance that varies with a touch of a touch surface of the touch sensor panel; And detecting a touch position and a touch pressure with respect to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the first signal.

According to the present invention, there is provided a touch input device and a touch detection method capable of detecting both a touch position and a touch pressure with respect to a touch surface.

According to the present invention, there is provided a touch input device and a touch detection method capable of reducing a detection error of a touch position by increasing a noise shielding effect.

1 is a structural diagram of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when pressure is applied to the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
4 illustrates a structure of an electrode of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 illustrates a modification of the structure of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
6 illustrates another configuration of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
7 illustrates another configuration of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with an embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components within each disclosed embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, a touch input device and a touch detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a structural diagram of a touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a touch sensor panel 100 including a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of third electrodes, A driving unit 200 for applying a driving signal to one electrode of the touch sensor panel, and a first signal including information on electrostatic capacitance which changes in accordance with a touch to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes, And a detection unit 300 for detecting a touch position and a touch pressure with respect to a touch surface of the sensor panel.

In general, the touch sensor panel 100 may include a plurality of driving electrodes (T) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (R). In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R of the touch sensor panel 100 are shown as constituting an orthogonal array. However, the present invention is not limited to this, The driving electrode T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may have any number of dimensions including the diagonal line, the concentric circle, and the three-dimensional random arrangement, and the application arrangement thereof. Here, the number of the plurality of driving electrodes T and the number of the plurality of receiving electrodes R is a positive integer and may be the same or different from each other, and the size may vary according to the embodiment. In some embodiments of the present invention, the number of the plurality of driving electrodes T and the number of the plurality of receiving electrodes R is four.

The plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be arranged so as to cross each other. The driving electrode T includes a plurality of driving electrodes T extending in a first axis direction and the receiving electrode R has a plurality of receiving electrodes R extending in a second axis direction crossing the first axis direction, . ≪ / RTI >

In the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed on the same layer. For example, the plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed on the same surface of the insulating film 130 (FIG. 3). Further, the plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed in different layers. For example, the plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed on both sides of a single insulating film (130 in Fig. 3), or a plurality of driving electrodes T may be formed on the first insulating film 3) 110 and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed on one side of the second insulating film (130 in FIG. 3) different from the first insulating film.

The plurality of driving electrodes T and the plurality of receiving electrodes R may be formed of a transparent conductive material (for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or ATO (Antimony Tin Oxide)). However, this is merely an example, and the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R may be formed of another transparent conductive material or an opaque conductive material such as copper. In the embodiment of the present invention, the driving electrode T corresponds to the first electrode T described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6 and the receiving electrode R corresponds to the second electrode R, The driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R may include a third electrode C, respectively. The third electrode C may be formed according to the same material and process as the first electrode T and / or the second electrode R in this specification.

The touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of third electrodes C, which will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.

The driving unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention can apply a driving signal to the driving electrode T. [ In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a driving signal may be sequentially applied to one driving electrode at a time to a plurality of driving electrodes. This application of the driving signal can be repeated again. This is merely an example, and driving signals may be simultaneously applied to a plurality of driving electrodes according to an embodiment. At this time, the detection unit 300 can detect a change amount of the capacitance by receiving a signal including the information about the capacitance through the reception electrode (R). The process of sensing the driving signal applied to the plurality of driving electrodes T through the receiving electrode R may be referred to as scanning the touch sensor panel 100. [

The value of the capacitance through the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R can be changed when an object such as a finger or a stylus pen approaches the touch sensor panel 100. [ The detection unit 300 senses such electrical characteristics and can detect whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched or touched. For example, it is possible to detect whether or not the touch sensor panel 100 is touched and / or its position in a two-dimensional plane including a first axis and a second axis. In the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the touch pressure can also be detected.

More specifically, the position of the touch in the second axial direction can be detected by detecting the drive electrode T to which the drive signal is applied when a touch to the touch sensor panel 100 occurs. Similarly, the position of the touch in the first axis direction can be detected by detecting the capacitance change from the received signal received via the receiving electrode R when the touch sensor panel 100 is touched.

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller 400 that can control operations of the touch sensor panel 100, the driver 200, and the detector 300. [ The touch sensor panel 100 and the control unit 400 will be described later in more detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6. FIG.

Hereinafter, the principle of detecting a touch position and / or a touch pressure when touching the touch sensor panel 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state when pressure is applied to the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a display panel 600. [ The touch sensor panel 100 of the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be disposed on or within the display panel 600. [ In FIG. 2, the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed on the display panel 600, but the touch sensor panel 100 is not limited thereto. The display panel 600 on which the touch sensor panel 100 of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be formed includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting display Diode: OLED) or the like. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 600 denotes a display panel, but the configuration may be formed of any substrate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may include a reference potential layer 700. The reference potential layer 700 is disposed apart from the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R included in the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention and the third electrode C to be described later . 2, when the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed in combination with the display panel 600, the reference potential layer 700 is electrically connected to the ground (ground) of the display panel 600, ) Layer. At this time, the reference potential layer 700 may have a plane parallel to the two-dimensional plane of the touch sensor panel 100. The reference potential layer 700 may be formed in a specific pattern on a plane parallel to the two-dimensional plane of the touch sensor panel 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600 are spaced apart from each other. The space between the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600 may have an air gap or a specific substance or a gap between the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600, It can be filled with an adhesive.

In FIG. 2, an air gap 500 exists between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700. At this time, a double adhesive tape 510 (DAT: Double Adhesive Tape) may be used to fix the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600. For example, the area of the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600 are overlapped with each other. In the edge area of the touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600, The touch sensor panel 100 and the display panel 600 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance d. 2, the reference potential layer 700 is positioned between the display panel 600 and the touch sensor panel 100, and the touch sensor panel 500 and the reference potential layer 700 are spaced apart from each other by a distance d .

As shown in FIG. 2, when the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched with the object 900, a state is shown when pressure is applied. In FIG. 2, the bending of the touch sensor panel 100 according to the touch pressure is exaggerated for convenience of explanation.

Generally, the mutual capacitance 101 (Cm) between the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R changes even when the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched without bending the surface. That is, when touching the touch sensor panel 100, mutual capacitance Cm (101) can be reduced compared to the basic mutual capacitance. When the object 900, which is a conductor such as a finger, approaches the touch sensor panel 100, the object 900 serves as a ground (GND), and the fringing capacitance of the mutual capacitance Cm 101 is reduced. Is absorbed by the object 900. The basic mutual capacitance is a value of mutual capacitance between the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R when there is no touch to the touch sensor panel 100. [

As shown in FIG. 2, when the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched with the object 900, the touch sensor panel 100 may be bent. At this time, the value of the mutual capacitance 101 (Cm) between the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R can be further reduced. This is because the distance between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700 decreases from d to d 'so that the fringing capacitance of the mutual capacitance 101 (Cm) Layer 700 as well. The change of the mutual capacitance Cm can be caused only by the distance change d-d 'between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700 when the touch object 900 is nonconductive.

A self capacitance (Cs: 102) may be formed between the driving electrode T and the receiving electrode R and the reference potential layer 700, respectively. That is, the electrostatic capacitance generated between the driving electrode T and the ground and the electrostatic capacitance generated between the receiving electrode R and the ground are self-capacitance. When the pressure is not applied to the touch sensor panel 100, the value of its own capacitance Cs is not changed. This is independent of whether the touch object 900 is conductive or nonconductive.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, when the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 is touched by the object 900, the touch sensor panel 100 may be bent. At this time, the value of the self capacitance (Cs: 102) in the region where the distance between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700 is near can be increased. This is shown in the figure as Cs' (102). This is because the distance between the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700 is reduced from d to d '.

2, when the pressure between the display panel 600 and the touch sensor panel 100 is filled with the air gap 500 and the pressure is applied to the touch sensor panel 100, only the touch sensor panel 100 is bent, The case of not being bent is described. At this time, the air gap 500 does not necessarily have to be filled with air, but may be filled with any flexible material. That is, even if the touch sensor panel 100 is bent, the reference potential layer 700 is not bent. Therefore, when the pressure is applied to the touch sensor panel 100, the touch sensor panel 100 and the reference potential layer 700 may vary. Therefore, by measuring the amount of change of the mutual capacitance Cm 101 and / or the capacitance Cs 102 according to the change of the distance between the reference potential layer 700 and the touch sensor panel 100, Or the magnitude of the touch pressure can be detected.

The technique of detecting the touch position and / or touch pressure magnitude according to the embodiment of the present invention is also applied to the case where the display panel 600 and the touch sensor panel 100 are completely laminated with an adhesive . In this case, when a touch pressure is applied to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100, the touch panel 100 is bent at the same time as the touch panel 100, so that the reference potential layer (Cm: 101) and / or the capacitance Cs (102) according to the change of the distance between the touch sensor panel (700) and the touch sensor panel (100) Can not be detected.

However, in this case, even if the touch sensor panel 100 is bent according to the touch pressure on the touch sensor panel 100 without arranging the reference potential layer 700 at a position as shown in FIG. 2, The touch pressure detection technique according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied by disposing the reference potential layer 700 at the position. Accordingly, the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a reference potential layer 700 spaced apart from the touch sensor panel 100 and configured to be free from warping in spite of the touch pressure on the touch sensor panel 100 . The reference potential layer 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily have to be ground, but may be any potential, which may cause a change in capacitance and / or self capacitance according to the distance from the electrode, Lt; / RTI >

3 is a sectional view of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the touch sensor panel 100 in a cross-sectional view of the touch input device 1000 shown in FIG. The touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first electrode layer 120 formed on one surface of a first insulating layer 110 and a second electrode layer 140 formed on a surface of the second insulating layer 130 As shown in FIG.

Here, the first insulating layer 110 and the second insulating layer 130 may be formed of a thin transparent plastic film such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The outer surface of the third insulating layer 150 may form a touch surface that the object 900 can touch. 3 illustrates that the second electrode layer 140 is adhered to the third insulating layer 150 such as glass, but is merely an example, and the third insulating layer 150 and the second electrode layer 140 An optical clear adhesive (OCA) (not shown) may be positioned and adhered to each other. Also, according to the embodiment, the OCA material may be positioned between the first electrode layer 120 and the second insulating layer 130 and may be bonded to each other.

The touch sensor panel 100 includes a first electrode T, a second electrode R and a third electrode C in the touch input device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention, May be included in the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 140.

4 illustrates a structure of an electrode of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4, the first electrode T and the third electrode C are positioned on the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode layer 140 positioned between the first electrode layer 120 and the insulating layer 130 A case where the second electrode R is located will be exemplified. 4, the first electrode T includes a plurality of first electrodes T0, T1, T2, and T3 extending in a first axis direction, and the second electrode R includes a plurality of first electrodes T0, And a plurality of second electrodes R0, R1, R2, R3 extending in the axial direction.

Conventionally, the touch sensor panel 100 is configured to include two kinds of electrodes, that is, a driving electrode T and a receiving electrode R. Therefore, only one kind of first electrode T is located in the first electrode layer 120. In order to enhance the shielding function for blocking noise including electromagnetic signals generated from the same configuration as the display panel 600, the width of each of the plurality of first electrodes T is set to be greater than the width of the second electrode R). However, in this conventional configuration, when the width of the first electrode T is wide, by sensing the mutual capacitance change between the first electrode T and the second electrode R, It was easy to detect the touch position in the dimension plane. However, when the first electrode T having a wide width is used in the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, the reference potential layer 700 and the second electrode R And / or the mutual capacitance change between the first electrode (T) and the second electrode (R) by the reference potential layer (700) decreases, and measurement of the magnitude of the touch pressure may be disturbed have.

Therefore, in order to solve this problem, the width of the first electrode T may be formed in the same manner as the second electrode R in the embodiment of the present invention. That is, the width of the first electrode T may not be wide. In this case, the detection accuracy of the two-dimensional touch position may be deteriorated due to noise. Further, in order to solve such a problem, the embodiment of the present invention may further include a third electrode (C).

In FIG. 4, the third electrode C may include a plurality of third electrodes C0, C1, C2, and C3 extended in a first axis, like the first electrode T. This is merely an example, and the third electrode C may have different shapes and / or extension directions depending on the embodiment.

The controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention can control the operation of the third electrode C to reduce the influence of the noise to minimize the error in detecting the touch position and accurately measure the magnitude of the touch pressure have. Hereinafter, an operation example of the third electrode C, the first electrode T, and the second electrode R by the controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First Operation Example

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the detecting unit 300 to detect the capacitance of the touch sensor panel 100 including the information about the capacitance that varies depending on the touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 from the plurality of second electrodes R A second signal including information on capacitances varying in accordance with a touch of a touch surface of the touch sensor panel from a plurality of third electrodes (C) upon receiving the first signal can be controlled.

The detecting unit 300 can detect the touch position in the two-dimensional plane consisting of the first axis and the second axis from the first signal. At this time, since the third electrode C also functions as a receiving electrode, when the detecting unit 300 detects the touch position, the third electrode C is connected to the DC voltage with a low impedance to perform the shielding function have. Therefore, the error due to the noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detecting unit 300 can detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the second signal received from the third electrode C serving as the receiving electrode. At this time, there is no shielding function between the first electrode T and the third electrode C and the reference potential layer 700. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the third electrode C but also the change of the self capacitance in relation to the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the second signal from the electrode C. [

Second Operation Example

The controller 400 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of third electrodes C are held at a first impedance in a first time interval and a plurality of third electrodes are held in a second time interval different from the first time interval It can be controlled to be maintained at the second impedance. At this time, the second impedance may be larger than the first impedance. The control unit 400 divides the time at which the detection unit 300 receives the signal from the second electrode R so that the third electrode C is maintained at the first impedance in the first time period, And controls the three electrodes C to be maintained at the second impedance.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is held at a low impedance and is connected to the DC voltage to perform the shielding function, an error due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position. The third electrode C may be controlled to have a low impedance in order to perform the shielding function in the present specification. Impedance means the AC resistance of the current flow. According to the embodiment of the present invention, a low impedance for performing the shielding function may exhibit a resistance value of 10K or less. The shielding impedance for noise shielding in the present specification can be referred to as a low impedance. It is difficult to perform the noise shielding function when the third electrode C is applied to the DC voltage with an impedance larger than 10 K ?. In the present specification, a low impedance or a first impedance may be interpreted in the same manner as a shielding impedance for enabling a shielding function, and may be set differently according to an embodiment, and may have a range of 10K or less, for example. In order to perform the shielding function, the third electrode C according to the embodiment of the present invention may be connected to a DC voltage such as a ground or a DC (Direct Current) power source with a low impedance. In this specification, when the third electrode C is held at a low impedance, the third electrode C may be held at ground.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the first signal received from the second electrode R during the second time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is connected to the DC voltage with a high impedance, it does not perform the shielding function. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the second electrode R but also the change of the self capacitance in the relation with the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the first signal from the electrode R. [ According to the embodiment of the present invention, the second impedance of the third electrode C may have a high resistance value of 1000? Or more. In the present specification, the shielding impedance in which noise shielding is prevented can be referred to as a high impedance. The higher the resistance value, the lower the shielding function. The smaller the resistance value, the better the shielding function. When the third electrode C is applied to the DC voltage with an impedance smaller than 1000 OMEGA, the noise shielding performance may be very high. In the present specification, a high impedance or a second impedance may be interpreted in the same manner as the shielding impedances which cause the shielding function to be weakened, and may be set differently according to the embodiment, for example, may have a range of 1000? In an embodiment of the present invention, the third electrode C may be connected to a DC voltage such as a ground or a DC (Direct Current) power source with a high impedance so as not to perform a shielding function. Also, in this specification, when the third electrode C is held at the second impedance, it may include a case where the third electrode C is held in a floating state. The floating state may be a case where the resistance value is infinite.

Third operation example

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the detecting unit 300 to detect the capacitance of the touch sensor panel 100 which varies with the touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 from the plurality of second electrodes R in the first time period And information on the electrostatic capacity varying with the touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes C in the second time interval different from the first time interval, The second signal including the second signal can be received.

At this time, the controller 400 may control the plurality of third electrodes C to be maintained at a low impedance during the first time interval and maintain the plurality of second electrodes R at a low impedance during the second time interval . Here, the low impedance may be an impedance of 10K or less.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is connected to the DC voltage with a low impedance to perform the shielding function, the error due to the noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the second signal received from the third electrode C during the second time period. At this time, there is no shielding function between the first electrode T and the third electrode C and the reference potential layer 700. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the third electrode C but also the change of the self capacitance in relation to the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the second signal from the electrode C. [ At this time, since the second electrode R is maintained at a low impedance, the noise coming from the direction opposite to the display panel 600 can be cut off.

Fourth operation example

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the driving unit 200 to apply driving signals to the plurality of first electrodes T and the plurality of third electrodes C in the first time period, The driving signal can be controlled to be applied only to the plurality of first electrodes T in the second time period different from the time period. At this time, the controller 400 may control the third electrode C to maintain the shielding impedance during the second time period. Here, the shielding prevention impedance may be an impedance of 1000? Or more.

The controller 400 divides the time period during which the driving unit 200 applies the driving signal in a time division manner so that the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode in addition to the first electrode T in the first time period, So that only one electrode T functions as a driving electrode.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode, it is connected to a DC voltage with a low impedance to perform a shielding function, so that an error due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the first signal received from the second electrode R during the second time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is maintained at a high impedance, the shielding function is not performed. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the second electrode R but also the change of the self capacitance in the relation with the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the first signal from the electrode R. [

Fifth operation example

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the driving unit 200 to apply driving signals to the plurality of first electrodes T and the plurality of third electrodes C in the first time period, 300 includes information on capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch on the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 from a plurality of third electrodes C in a second time interval different from the first time interval, So as to receive a signal.

The controller 400 divides the time period during which the driving unit 200 applies the driving signal in a time division manner so that the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode in addition to the first electrode T in the first time period, So that only one electrode T functions as a driving electrode. Likewise, the controller 400 controls the plurality of second electrodes R to function as the receiving electrodes in the first time period and controls the plurality of third electrodes C to function as the receiving electrodes in the second time period have. It is not necessary to exclude the function as the receiving electrode of the second electrode R in the second time period.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode, it is connected to a DC voltage with a low impedance to perform a shielding function, so that an error due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the second signal received from the third electrode C during the second time period. At this time, there is no shielding function between the first electrode T and the third electrode C and the reference potential layer 700. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the third electrode C but also the change of the self capacitance in relation to the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the second signal from the electrode C. [

5 illustrates a modification of the structure of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In other words, in the description related to FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 below, a plurality of third electrodes C are not electrically connected to each other, and a separate channel can be formed. However, this is merely an example, and at least two or more of the plurality of third electrodes C may be electrically connected to each other. In FIG. 5, four third electrodes C0, C1, C2, and C3 are electrically connected to each other through a conductive trace (b) to form a third electrode C. The number of electrodes that can be electrically connected to each other among the plurality of third electrodes (C) can be determined to any number. For example, two of the plurality of third electrodes C may be electrically connected to each other, or three or any arbitrary number of electrodes may be electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, since a channel can be shared between a plurality of electrically connected third electrodes, the number of pins can be reduced. In the embodiment of the present invention, when the third electrode C is held at a low first impedance or a second high impedance, functions as a receiving electrode for detecting pressure, or functions as a driving electrode to which a driving signal is applied, So that only one channel can be formed. The touch pressure magnitude can be obtained from a signal that reflects the sum of capacitance change amounts through one channel. These matters can be applied to the embodiments throughout the specification.

6 illustrates another configuration of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6, a third electrode C is disposed on the first electrode layer 120 and a second electrode layer 140 is disposed on the first electrode layer 120 with the insulating layer 130 interposed therebetween. A case where the second electrode R is located will be exemplified. 6, the first electrode T and the second electrode R may be formed on the same layer and may include any pattern that can detect the touch position and the touch pressure.

In FIG. 6, the first electrode T and the second electrode R may be formed on the same layer to detect the touch pressure as well as the touch position with respect to the touch sensor panel 100. 6, the plurality of first electrodes T and the plurality of second electrodes R may include M rows extending in the second axial direction and N rows extending in the first axial direction MXN, Where M and N are natural numbers) may be formed on the touch sensing area.

At this time, each of the plurality of sensing units A may include a first electrode T and a second electrode R that are not in contact with each other. In Fig. 6, the shapes of the patterns in the sensing portions A are all the same. The first electrode T is in the form of a bar extending in the first axis direction. Accordingly, the touch position of the second axial direction can be detected by processing the signal of the first electrode T when touching the touch sensor panel.

And the second electrode R has a rectangular pattern divided for each sensing unit A. However, each divided second electrode included in the sensing unit A is connected to the conductive trace. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the divided second electrodes included in the same column are electrically connected to each other through a conductive trace. The divided second electrodes included in the different columns are electrically isolated from each other. Accordingly, the four divided second electrodes located in the first column (top row) constitute the R0 electrode, the four divided second electrodes located in the second row constitute the R1 electrode, and the four divided second electrodes similarly located in the fourth row And an R3 electrode is formed. Therefore, by touching the signal from the second electrode R, it is possible to detect the touch position in the first axial direction when touching the touch sensor panel.

FIG. 6 may further include a third electrode C for shielding noise at the time of detecting the touch position to reduce the detection error and increase the detection accuracy of the touch pressure. The third electrode C may be disposed on the first electrode layer 120 positioned between the second electrode layer 140 and the insulating layer 130.

In FIG. 6, the third electrode C may include a plurality of third electrodes C0, C1, C2, and C3 extending along a first axis, like the first electrode T. At this time, the width of the third electrode C may be formed to have a wide width in order to enhance the shielding function. 4 and 6 illustrate that the third electrode C extends in the first axis direction, but it is merely an example, and may be formed in different shapes and in different directions according to the embodiment.

The controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention can control the operation of the third electrode C to reduce the influence of the noise to minimize the error in detecting the touch position and accurately measure the magnitude of the touch pressure have. Hereinafter, an operation example of the third electrode C, the first electrode T and the second electrode R by the control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Example 6

The controller 400 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be configured such that a plurality of third electrodes C are held at a first impedance in a first time interval and a plurality of third electrodes are held in a second time interval different from the first time interval It can be controlled to be maintained at the second impedance. At this time, the second impedance may be larger than the first impedance. The description related to FIG. 4 can be referred to, and duplicated matters are omitted. The control unit 400 divides the time at which the detection unit 300 receives the signal from the second electrode R so that the third electrode C is maintained at the first impedance in the first time period, And controls the three electrodes C to be maintained at the second impedance.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is connected to the DC voltage with a low impedance to perform the shielding function, the error due to the noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the first signal received from the second electrode R during the second time period. At this time, the third electrode (C) is connected to the DC voltage with a high impedance and does not perform the shielding function. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the second electrode R but also the change of the self capacitance in the relation with the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the first signal from the electrode R. [

Seventh Operation Example

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention allows the driving unit 200 to apply driving signals to the plurality of first electrodes T and the plurality of third electrodes C in the first time period, The driving signal can be controlled to be applied only to the plurality of first electrodes T in the second time period different from the time period. At this time, the controller 400 may control the third electrode C to maintain the shielding impedance during the second time period.

The controller 400 divides the time period during which the driving unit 200 applies the driving signal in a time division manner so that the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode in addition to the first electrode T in the first time period, So that only one electrode T functions as a driving electrode.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the third electrode C functions as a driving electrode, it is connected to a DC voltage with a low impedance to perform a shielding function, so that an error due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the first signal received from the second electrode R during the second time period. At this time, since the third electrode C is maintained at a high impedance, the shielding function is not performed. Therefore, not only the change of the mutual capacitance formed between the first electrode T and the second electrode R but also the change of the self capacitance in the relation with the reference potential layer 700 is not hindered, The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the first signal from the electrode R. [

The third electrode C according to the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily separated from the first electrode T or the second electrode R in terms of shape and constituent material. For example, the third electrode (C) according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed of the same shape and material as the first electrode (T). Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention described above can be realized by explicitly boring a part of the first electrode T without forming the third electrode C separately. 7 illustrates another configuration of the electrode of the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 shows a case in which only a plurality of first electrodes T and a plurality of second electrodes R are disposed with the insulating film 130 interposed therebetween, So that the detection accuracy can be increased. The plurality of first electrodes T may be positioned in the first electrode layer 120 and the second electrode R may be positioned in the second electrode layer 140 disposed between the insulating layers 130. [ Here, the first electrode T may function not only as the driving electrode but also as the third electrode C described with reference to FIGS.

The control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention can control the operation of the second electrode T to reduce the influence of the noise to minimize the error in detecting the touch position and accurately measure the magnitude of the touch pressure have. Hereinafter, an operation example of the first electrode T and the second electrode R by the controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

Example 8

The controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes T in the first time period and the driving signal in the second time period different from the first time period, It is possible to control the drive signal to be applied only to some electrodes among the plurality of first electrodes T. In addition, the control unit 400 causes the detecting unit 300 to detect a first signal including information on a capacitance that varies according to a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes in the first time period And inputting a second signal including information on electrostatic capacitance that changes according to a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the remaining electrodes of the plurality of first electrodes excluding the partial electrodes in the second time period Can be controlled.

For example, a plurality of first electrodes T may function as driving electrodes in the first time period, and only some of the plurality of first electrodes T in the second time period may function as driving electrodes. Here, the number of the first electrodes driven in the first time period includes a case where the number of the first electrodes driven in the first time period is greater than the number of the first electrodes driven in the second time period, It should not be. In addition, some of the meanings may be integers having a value smaller than the total number of the plurality of first electrodes T as an integer of 1 or more. For example, some electrodes may be odd-numbered electrodes T1 and T3. During the first time interval, the second electrode R functions as a receiving electrode, and during the second time interval, the remaining electrodes T0, T2 except for the partial electrodes T1, T2 among the plurality of first electrodes T ) Can function as a receiving electrode. The remaining electrodes T0 and T2 may include only a part of the plurality of first electrodes T except for the electrodes T1 and T2.

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since all the first electrodes T are connected to the DC voltage with low impedance to perform the shielding function, errors due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detecting unit 300 detects the magnitude of the touch pressure from the second signal received from the remaining electrodes T0 and T2 except for the electrodes T1 and T3 among the plurality of first electrodes T during the second time period . At this time, there is no shielding function between the partial electrodes T1 and T3 and the remaining electrodes T0 and T2 and the reference potential layer 700. [ Therefore, not only the mutual capacitance formed between the electrodes Tl and T3 and the remaining electrodes T0 and T2 but also the change of the self capacitance in relation to the reference potential layer 700 is prevented The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the second signal from the remaining electrodes T0 and T2. At this time, it is not excluded that the second electrode R functions as a receiving electrode.

Example 9

The controller 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes T in the first time period and the driving signal in the second time period different from the first time period, It is possible to control the drive signal to be applied only to some of the first and second electrodes T and T3. At this time, the controller 400 may control the remaining electrodes T0 and T2 of the plurality of first electrodes T except for the partial electrodes T1 and T3 to be kept at the shielding prevention impedance during the second time interval . Here, the shielding prevention impedance may be an impedance of 1000? Or more.

For example, a plurality of first electrodes T may function as driving electrodes in a first time period, and only some of the plurality of first electrodes T in the second time period may serve as driving electrodes .

The detecting unit 300 may detect a touch position in a two-dimensional plane consisting of a first axis and a second axis from a first signal received from the second electrode R during a first time period. At this time, since the first electrode T functions as a driving electrode, it is connected to the DC voltage with a low impedance to perform the shielding function, so that an error due to noise can be reduced at the time of detecting the touch position.

The detection unit 300 may detect the magnitude of the touch pressure from the first signal received from the second electrode R during the second time period. At this time, the shielding function is not performed because the remaining electrodes T0 and T2 of the plurality of first electrodes T except for some of the electrodes T1 and T3 are maintained at a high impedance. Therefore, not only the change in mutual capacitance formed between some of the electrodes T1 and T3 and the second electrode R but also the change in the capacitance of the reference potential layer 700 in relation to the reference potential layer 700 is prevented. The accuracy of the touch pressure detection can be improved through the first signal from the two electrodes R. [

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 illustration, It can be seen that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

1000: Touch input device
100: touch sensor panel
200:
300:
400:
500: air gap
600: display panel
700: Reference potential layer
900: object

Claims (38)

A touch sensor panel including a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of third electrodes formed in the same layer as the plurality of first electrodes with an insulating film interposed therebetween;
A driving unit for applying a driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes; And
And a detection unit receiving a first signal including information on a capacitance that varies depending on a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes,
Wherein the detecting unit detects a touch position and a touch pressure of the touch sensor panel with respect to the touch surface,
Touch input device. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the detecting unit receives the first signal from the plurality of second electrodes and inputs a second signal including information on a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes Receiving, touch input device. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the detecting unit simultaneously receives the first signal and the second signal. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position from the first signal and detects the touch pressure from the second signal. 3. The method of claim 2,
Wherein the detecting unit receives the first signal in a first time interval and receives the second signal in a second time interval different from the first time interval. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure from the second signal in the second time interval. 6. The method of claim 5,
And the plurality of third electrodes are maintained at a shielding impedance in the first time period. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure from the second signal in the second time interval. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a controller for maintaining the plurality of third electrodes at a first impedance during a first time interval and maintaining the plurality of third electrodes at a second impedance during a second time interval different from the first time interval,
Wherein the second impedance is greater than the first impedance. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure from the first signal in the second time interval. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the driving unit applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes in a first time period and applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes in a second time period different from the first time period, Signal,
And the plurality of third electrodes are maintained at the shielding preventing impedance in the second time period. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure in the second time interval. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the driving unit applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes in a first time period,
Wherein the detection unit receives a second signal including information on a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes in a second time period different from the first time period , A touch input device. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure in the second time interval. A touch sensor panel including a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the same layer, and a plurality of third electrodes formed on the other layer;
A driving unit for applying a driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes; And
And a detection unit receiving a first signal including information on a capacitance that varies depending on a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of second electrodes,
Wherein the detecting unit detects a touch position and a touch pressure of the touch sensor panel with respect to the touch surface,
Touch input device. 16. The method of claim 15,
Further comprising a controller for maintaining the plurality of third electrodes at a first impedance during a first time interval and maintaining the plurality of third electrodes at a second impedance during a second time interval different from the first time interval,
Wherein the second impedance is greater than the first impedance. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure from the first signal in the second time interval. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein the driving unit applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes in a first time period and applies the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes in a second time period different from the first time period, Signal,
And the plurality of third electrodes are maintained at the shielding preventing impedance in the second time period. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein the detecting unit detects the touch position in the first time interval and detects the touch pressure in the second time interval. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Wherein the plurality of first electrodes extend in a first axis direction and the plurality of second electrodes extend in a second axis direction intersecting the first axis direction. 21. The method of claim 20,
And the plurality of third electrodes extend in the first axis direction. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Wherein at least two of the plurality of third electrodes are electrically connected to each other. 20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19,
Further comprising a reference potential layer spaced apart from the plurality of first electrodes, the plurality of second electrodes, and the plurality of third electrodes. A touch detection method in a touch input device including a touch sensor panel having a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of second electrodes, and a plurality of third electrodes,
Applying a driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes;
Receiving a first signal from the plurality of second electrodes, the first signal including information on a capacitance that varies with a touch of a touch surface of the touch sensor panel; And
Detecting a touch position and a touch pressure with respect to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the first signal;
A touch detection method. 25. The method of claim 24,
The receiving step may include:
And receiving a second signal from the plurality of second electrodes at the same time as the first signal, the second signal including information about a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch to the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes / RTI > 26. The method of claim 25,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position from the first signal and detecting the touch pressure from the second signal. 25. The method of claim 24,
The receiving step may include:
Information about a capacitance that varies according to a touch of a touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes in a second time period that is different from the first time period and receives the first signal in a first time period And receiving a second signal including the first signal. 28. The method of claim 27,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detecting the touch pressure from the first signal in the second time interval. 28. The method of claim 27,
Wherein the plurality of third electrodes are held at a shielding impedance in the first time period. 30. The method of claim 29,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detecting the touch pressure from the second signal in the second time interval. 25. The method of claim 24,
The plurality of third electrodes are maintained at a first impedance in a first time interval and the plurality of third electrodes are maintained at a second impedance in a second time interval different from the first time interval,
Wherein the second impedance is greater than the first impedance. 32. The method of claim 31,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position from the first signal in the first time interval and detecting the touch pressure from the first signal in the second time interval. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein applying the driving signal comprises:
Applying the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes in a first time period and applying the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes in a second time period different from the first time period ≪ / RTI >
Here, the plurality of third electrodes are maintained at the shielding impedances in the second time period. 34. The method of claim 33,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position in the first time interval and detecting the touch pressure in the second time interval. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein applying the driving signal comprises:
And applying the driving signal to the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes during a first time period,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
And receiving a second signal including information on a capacitance that changes in accordance with a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel from the plurality of third electrodes in a second time interval different from the first time interval / RTI > 36. The method of claim 35,
Wherein the detecting comprises:
Detecting the touch position in the first time interval and detecting the touch pressure in the second time interval. 37. The method of claim 24,
Wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are positioned with an insulating film interposed therebetween, and the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of third electrodes are formed on the same layer. 37. The method of claim 24,
Wherein the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes are formed on the same layer, and the plurality of third electrodes are located on a layer different from the layer.

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