KR20170042529A - Touch pressure detectable touch input device including display module - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a touch pressure detectable touch input device including display module. According to the present invention, a touch input device detects a touch position and a touch input. The touch input device includes a display module, a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The display module includes a first substrate layer formed of glass or plastic, a second substrate layer disposed under the first substrate layer and formed of glass or plastic, and a liquid crystal layer or an organic layer interposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. The first electrode is provided at an upper portion or an inner portion of the display module and used to detect the touch input. The second electrode is formed in the liquid crystal layer or the organic layer and used to detect the touch pressure. The third electrode is spaced apart from the second electrode. The touch input device detects a signal including information on a capacitance between the second electrode and the third electrode. The capacitance is varied with the distance between the second electrode and the touch pressure is detected based on the capacitance. Accordingly, the thickness is more decreased and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. The visibility and the light transmittance of the display module are not degraded and the touch position and the touch pressure may be detected. In addition, the touch position and the touch pressure can be simultaneously detected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a TOUCH PRESSURE DETECTABLE TOUCH INPUT DEVICE INCLUDING DISPLAY MODULE,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a touch input device capable of detecting a touch pressure including a display module and a touch input device capable of detecting a touch pressure including a display module capable of detecting a touch position and a touch pressure using a capacitance change amount .

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 comprise a touch surface of a touch input device including a touch sensor panel, which may be a transparent panel having 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 user simply touches the touch screen with a finger or the like so that the user can operate the computing system. Generally, a computing system is able to recognize touch and touch locations on a touch screen and interpret the touch to perform operations accordingly.

At this time, there is a need for a touch input device capable of detecting not only a touch position corresponding to a touch on the touch screen but also a pressure magnitude of the touch without deteriorating the performance of the display module.

An object of the present invention is to provide a touch input device capable of detecting a touch pressure including a display module. It is another object of the present invention to provide a touch input device capable of detecting a touch pressure including a display module, the touch input device having a thinner thickness and a reduced manufacturing cost.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a touch input device including a display module capable of detecting touch pressure without lowering the visibility and light transmittance of the display module.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch input device for detecting a touch position and a touch pressure, the touch input device comprising: a first substrate layer made of glass or plastic; A display module including a liquid crystal layer or an organic layer disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer; A first electrode disposed on or in the display module and used to detect a touch position; A second electrode formed in the liquid crystal layer or the organic layer and used for detecting touch pressure; And a third electrode spaced apart from the second electrode and detecting a signal including information about a capacitance between the second electrode and the third electrode, And changes depending on the distance between the third electrodes, and detects the touch pressure based on the capacitance.

Further, the third electrode may be formed on the liquid crystal layer or the spacer formed in the organic material layer.

The third electrode may be disposed below the second substrate layer.

The second electrode may be formed on one of the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer, and the third electrode may be formed on the other of the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer.

The first electrode includes a driving electrode and a receiving electrode, and the driving electrode may be formed on the same layer as the second electrode.

In addition, the second electrode and the driving electrode may be alternately formed on a plane.

The driving electrode, the receiving electrode, and the second electrode may be formed on the same layer, and the second electrode may be formed on the same plane as the driving electrode and the receiving electrode. And can be formed in the spacing space between the receiving electrodes.

In addition, the first electrode can detect the touch position based on mutual capacitance change amount or self capacitance change amount.

The first substrate layer may include a color filter glass, and the second substrate layer may include a TFT glass.

The first electrode may include a driving electrode and a receiving electrode. The receiving electrode may extend in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the driving electrode extends, or may extend in a direction parallel to a direction in which the driving electrode extends Can be extended.

According to the display module, the touch input device, and the touch pressure detecting method using the touch module, the thickness and the manufacturing cost of the display module can be reduced, and the visibility and light transmittance of the display module, The touch position and the touch pressure can be detected. Further, it is possible to simultaneously detect the touch position and the touch pressure.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view for explaining a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 and its operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1B and 1C show various arrangements of a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a schematic view for explaining a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 and its operation according to another embodiment of the present invention.
3A to 3E are conceptual diagrams illustrating the relative positions of a touch sensor panel with respect to a display module in a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting a touch pressure based on a mutual capacitance change amount in a touch input device according to the present invention.
5 is a block diagram showing a configuration for detecting a touch pressure on the basis of a change in self capacitance in a touch input device according to the present invention.
6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining a method of detecting a touch pressure based on a variation in self capacitance in a touch input device according to the present invention.
7 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of each electrode in the touch input device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
8A is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement structure of each electrode according to the embodiment of FIG.
8B is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device according to the present invention, in which a driving electrode and a receiving electrode are formed on the same layer in a display module.
9 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of electrodes in a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
10A and 10B are views schematically showing the arrangement structure of each electrode according to the embodiment of FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a pressure electrode is formed in a display module including an OLED panel.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. For a specific embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will be described in detail so as to be sufficient for practicing the present invention. Other embodiments than the particular embodiment need not be mutually exclusive but different from each other. It is to be understood that the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The detailed description of the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are considered a part of the description of the entire invention. The reference to direction or orientation is for convenience of description only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Specifically, terms indicating positions such as "lower, upper, horizontal, vertical, upper, lower, upper, lower, upper, lower ", or their derivatives (e.g.," horizontally, Etc.) should be understood with reference to both the drawings and the associated description. In particular, such a peer is merely for convenience of description and does not require that the apparatus of the present invention be constructed or operated in a specific direction.

It should also be understood that the term " attached, attached, connected, connected, interconnected ", or the like, refers to a state in which the individual components are directly or indirectly attached, And it should be understood as a term that encompasses not only a movably attached, connected, fixed state but also a non-movable state.

The touch input device according to the present invention can be used as portable electronic appliances such as a smart phone, a smart watch, a tablet PC, a notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an MP3 player, a camera, a camcorder, DVDs, refrigerators, air conditioners, and microwave ovens. Further, the pressure-sensitive touch input apparatus including the display module according to the present invention can be used without limitation in all products requiring display and input devices such as an industrial control apparatus, a medical apparatus, and the like.

Hereinafter, a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the capacitive touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 are illustrated, but the touch sensor panel 100 and the pressure detection module 400 capable of detecting a touch position and / ) Can be applied.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view for explaining a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 and its operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A, a touch sensor panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm, A driving unit 120 for applying a driving signal to the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn for operation of the touch sensor panel 100 and a capacitance change amount that varies depending on a touch of the touch surface of the touch sensor panel 100 And a sensing unit 110 for sensing a touch and a touch position by receiving the sensing signal.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the touch sensor panel 100 may include a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm. 1A, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm of the touch sensor panel 100 are shown as an orthogonal array.

1B and 1C show various arrangements of a plurality of driving electrodes and a plurality of receiving electrodes according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1B is an embodiment in which the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 arranged in the spaced apart layers constitute an orthogonal array. That is, the receiving electrode 20 may extend in a direction intersecting the direction in which the driving electrode 10 extends. 1C shows the arrangement of the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 disposed on the same layer. At this time, the receiving electrode 20 may extend in a direction parallel to the direction in which the driving electrode 10 extends.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of driving electrodes 10 and a plurality of receiving electrodes 20 may have any number of dimensions including its diagonal, concentric and three-dimensional random arrangement, have. Here, n and m are positive integers and may be the same or different from each other, and the size may be changed according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be arranged to cross each other. The driving electrode TX includes a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn extending in a first axis direction and a receiving electrode RX includes a plurality of receiving electrodes extending in a second axis direction crossing the first axis direction. (RX1 to RXm).

In the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in the same layer. For example, a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and a plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on the same surface of an insulating film (not shown). In addition, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed in different layers. For example, the plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on both sides of an insulating film (not shown), or a plurality of driving electrodes TX1 to TXn A plurality of receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm may be formed on one surface of a first insulating film (not shown) and a second insulating film (not shown) different from the first insulating film.

A plurality of drive electrodes (TX1 to TXn) and a plurality of receiving electrodes (RX1 to RXm) is a transparent conductive material (e.g., tin oxide (SnO ₂₎ and indium oxide _{(In 2 O 3) ITO (} Indium Tin made of such Oxide) or ATO (antimony tin oxide)). However, this is merely an example, and the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be formed of another transparent conductive material or an opaque conductive material. For example, the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may include at least one of silver ink, copper, or carbon nanotube (CNT). The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX may be formed of a metal mesh or may be formed of a nano silver material.

The driving unit 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention may apply a driving signal to the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn. In an embodiment of the present invention, the driving signal may be sequentially applied to one driving electrode at a time from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn. 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.

The sensing unit 110 receives information on the capacitance Cm generated between the driving electrodes TX1 to TXn and the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm to which driving signals are applied through the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm And the touch position and the touch position can be detected by receiving the sensing signal. For example, the sensing signal may be a signal in which the driving signal applied to the driving electrode TX is coupled by the electrostatic capacitance CM: 101 generated between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX. The process of sensing the driving signal applied from the first driving electrode TX1 to the nth driving electrode TXn via the receiving electrodes RX1 to RXm is referred to as scanning the touch sensor panel 100 can do.

For example, the sensing unit 110 may include a receiver (not shown) connected to each of the reception electrodes RX1 to RXm through a switch. The switch is turned on during a period of sensing the signal of the corresponding receiving electrode RX so that a sensing signal can be sensed from the receiving electrode RX at the receiver. The receiver may be comprised of an amplifier (not shown) and a feedback capacitor coupled between the negative input of the amplifier and the output of the amplifier, i. E., The feedback path. At this time, the positive input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the ground. In addition, the receiver may further include a reset switch connected in parallel with the feedback capacitor. The reset switch can reset the conversion from current to voltage performed by the receiver. A negative input terminal of the amplifier may be connected to the corresponding receiving electrode RX to receive a current signal including the information about the capacitance (CM) 101, integrate the current signal, and convert the current signal into a voltage. The sensing unit 110 may further include an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for converting the integrated data to digital data through the receiver. The digital data may then be input to a processor (not shown) and processed to obtain touch information for the touch sensor panel 100. The sensing unit 110 may be configured to include an ADC and a processor together with a receiver.

The control unit 130 may control the operation of the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110. For example, the controller 130 generates a driving control signal, and transmits the driving control signal to the driving unit 120 so that the driving signal is applied to the driving electrode TX preset at a predetermined time. The control unit 130 generates a sensing control signal and transmits the sensing control signal to the sensing unit 110. The sensing unit 110 receives a sensing signal from a predetermined receiving electrode RX at a predetermined time to perform a predetermined function can do.

1A, the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may constitute a touch detection device (not shown) capable of detecting whether or not the touch sensor panel 100 is touched and touched according to the embodiment of the present invention . The touch sensing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller 130. [ The touch sensing device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be integrated on a touch sensing integrated circuit (IC), which is a touch sensing circuit, in the touch input device 1000 including the touch sensor panel 100. The driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX included in the touch sensor panel 100 are electrically connected to the touch sensing IC 100 through the conductive trace and / or a conductive pattern printed on the circuit board. And may be connected to the driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 included in the display unit. The touch sensing IC may be placed on a circuit board on which a conductive pattern is printed, for example, a first printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as a first PCB). The touch sensing IC 150 may be mounted on a main board for operating the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, a capacitance C of a predetermined value is generated at each intersection of the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX, and an object U such as a finger, a palm, a stylus, The value of such a capacitance can be changed when it is close to the panel 100. In FIG. 1A, the electrostatic capacity may represent mutual capacitance Cm. The sensing unit 110 senses such electrical characteristics and can detect whether the touch sensor panel 100 is touched and / or touched. For example, it is possible to detect whether or not a touch is made on the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 having a two-dimensional plane including a first axis and a second axis, and / or its position.

More specifically, the position of the touch in the second axial direction can be detected by detecting the driving electrode TX to which the driving signal is applied when the touch to the touch sensor panel 100 occurs. Likewise, the position of the touch in the first axis direction can be detected by detecting the capacitance change from the received signal received through the receiving electrode RX when the touch sensor panel 100 is touched.

The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may be located outside or inside the display module 200. [

The display module 200 of the touch input device 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), an organic light emitting diode (OLED) Or the like. Accordingly, the user can perform an input action by touching the touch surface while visually checking the screen displayed on the display panel. At this time, the display module 200 receives input from a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (CPU), which is a central processing unit on a main board for operating the touch input device 100, And may include control circuitry to display the content. This control circuit may be mounted on a second printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a second PCB). At this time, the control circuit for operation of the display panel may include a display panel control IC, a graphic controller IC, and other circuits necessary for operation of the display panel.

Although the operation of the touch sensor panel 100 for sensing the touch position has been described above based on the amount of mutual capacitance change between the driving electrode TX and the receiving electrode RX, the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, it is also possible to sense the touch position based on the amount of change in self capacitance.

2 is a schematic view for explaining a capacitive touch sensor panel 100 and its operation according to another embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of touch electrodes 30 are provided on the touch sensor panel 100 shown in FIG. The plurality of touch electrodes 30 may be arranged in a lattice pattern at regular intervals as shown in FIG. 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The driving control signal generated by the control unit 130 is transmitted to the driving unit 120. The driving unit 120 applies a driving signal to the touch electrode 30 preset at a predetermined time based on the driving control signal. The sensing control signal generated by the control unit 130 is transmitted to the sensing unit 110. The sensing unit 110 senses the sensing signal from the touch electrode 30 preset at a predetermined time Receive input. At this time, the sensing signal may be a signal for the amount of change in self-capacitance formed on the touch electrode 30.

At this time, the touch position and / or the touch position of the touch sensor panel 100 is detected by the sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit 110. For example, since the coordinate of the touch electrode 30 is known in advance, it is possible to detect whether or not the object U touches the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 and / or its position.

Although the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position on the basis of the mutual electrostatic capacitance change amount and the self capacitance change amount has been described in detail above, the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can detect the touch position, The touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the position may be a surface capacitance type, a projected capacitance type, a resistive film type, a surface acoustic wave (SAW), an infrared (infrared) ), An optical imaging method, a dispersive signal technology, and an acoustic pulse recognition method, for example.

3A to 3E are conceptual diagrams illustrating the relative positions of a touch sensor panel with respect to a display module in a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the relative positions of the touch sensor panel 100 with respect to the display module 200 using the LCD panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3C.

In this specification, reference numeral 200 denotes a display module, and in FIGS. 3A to 3E and in the description thereof, reference numeral 200 denotes a display panel as well as a display panel.

3A to 3C, the LCD panel includes a liquid crystal layer 250 including a liquid crystal cell, a first glass layer 261 including electrodes at both ends of the liquid crystal layer 250, A second glass layer 262 and a first polarizing layer 271 and a second glass layer 262 on one surface of the first glass layer 261 as a direction opposite to the liquid crystal layer 250 And a second polarizing layer 272. At this time, the first glass layer 261 may be a color filter glass, and the second glass layer 262 may be a TFT glass.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the LCD panel may further include other configurations for performing the display function and may be modified.

FIG. 3A shows that the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed outside the display module 200 in the touch input device 1000. FIG. The touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the surface of the touch sensor panel 100. [ In FIG. 3A, the surface of the touch sensor panel 100, which may be a touch surface, may be the upper surface of the touch sensor panel 100. In addition, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the outer surface of the display module 200 according to the embodiment. The outer surface of the display module 200, which may be a touch surface in FIG. 3A, may be the lower surface of the second polarizing layer 272 of the display module 200. At this time, in order to protect the display module 200, the lower surface of the display module 200 may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

Figs. 3B and 3C show that the touch sensor panel 100 is disposed inside the display panel in the touch input device 1000. Fig. 3B, a touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is disposed between the first glass layer 261 and the first polarizing layer 271. In FIG. At this time, the touch surface to the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in FIG. 3B as the outer surface of the display module 200. [ 2C illustrates a case where the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting a touch position is included in the liquid crystal layer 250. FIG. At this time, the touch surface for the touch input device 1000 may be the upper surface or the lower surface in Fig. 3C as the outer surface of the display module 200. [ 3B and 3C, the upper or lower surface of the display module 200, which may be a touch surface, may be covered with a cover layer (not shown) such as glass.

Although the touch sensor panel 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in terms of touch detection and / or touch position detection, the touch sensor panel 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can detect touch It is possible to detect the magnitude of the pressure of the touch with the presence and / or position of the touch. It is also possible to detect the pressure magnitude of the touch by further including a pressure detection module for detecting the touch pressure separately from the touch sensor panel 100.

Next, the relative positions of the touch sensor panel 100 with respect to the display module 200 using the OLED panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 3D and 3E. The touch sensor panel 100 is positioned between the polarizing layer 282 and the first glass layer 281 and the touch sensor panel 100 is positioned between the organic layer 280 and the second glass layer 283. [ Respectively.

Here, the first glass layer 281 may be formed of an encapsulation glass, and the second glass layer 283 may be formed of a TFT glass. Since the touch sensing has been described above, a brief description will be given only to the other configurations.

The OLED panel is a self-luminous display panel using the principle that light is generated when electrons and holes are combined in an organic layer when current is applied to a fluorescent or phosphorescent organic thin film. The organic material constituting the light emitting layer determines the color of light.

Specifically, OLEDs use the principle that an organic material emits light when an organic material is applied to glass or plastic and electricity is supplied. That is, when holes and electrons are injected into the anode and the cathode of the organic material, respectively, and then recombined with the light emitting layer, excitons having a high energy state are formed. When excitons drop to low energy, energy is emitted, And to use the generated principle. At this time, the color of the light changes depending on the organic material of the light emitting layer.

In OLED, a line-driven PM-OLED (Passive-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) and an AM-OLED (Active-matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) are used depending on the operation characteristics of the pixels constituting the pixel matrix exist. Since both of them do not require a backlight, the display module can be made very thin, the contrast ratio is constant according to the angle, and color reproducibility according to temperature is good. In addition, un-driven pixels are very economical in that they do not consume power.

In operation, the PM-OLED emits light only for a scanning time with a high current, and the AM-OLED maintains a light emission state for a frame time with a low current. Therefore, AM-OLED has better resolution than PM-OLED, it is advantageous to drive a large-area display panel and has low power consumption. In addition, since each element can be individually controlled by incorporating a thin film transistor (TFT), it is easy to realize a sophisticated screen.

As shown in Figures 3D and 3E, an OLED (especially an AM-OLED) panel basically comprises a polarizing layer 282, a first glass layer 281, an organic layer 280 and a second glass layer 283 . Here, the first glass layer 281 may be an encapsulation glass, and the second glass layer 283 may be a TFT glass, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The organic material layer 280 may include a hole injection layer (HIL), a hole transport layer (HTL), an emission layer (EIL), an electron transfer layer (ETL) (Electron Injection Layer, light emitting layer).

Briefly describing each layer, the HIL injects holes, and uses a material such as CuPc. The HTL functions to transfer injected holes, and mainly uses materials having good hole mobility. HTL may be arylamine, TPD, or the like. EIL and ETL are layers for electron injection and transport, and injected electrons and holes are combined in EML to emit light. EML is a material that expresses the emitted color, and is composed of a host that determines the lifetime of the organic material, and a dopant that determines color and efficiency. This is only a description of the basic structure of the organic material layer 280 included in the OLED panel, and the present invention is not limited to the layer structure or material of the organic material layer 280. [

The organic layer 280 is inserted between an anode (not shown) and a cathode (not shown). When the TFT is turned on, a driving current is applied to the anode to inject holes, Electrons are injected, and holes and electrons move to the organic material layer 280 to emit light.

Although the touch position detection by the touch sensor panel 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the touch sensor panel 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used to detect the touch position and / It is also possible to detect the magnitude of the pressure of the touch. It is also possible to detect the pressure magnitude of the touch by further including a pressure detection module for detecting the touch pressure separately from the touch sensor panel 100. Hereinafter, the touch pressure detection using the pressure detection module will be described in detail.

The touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present invention detects the touch position through the touch sensor panel 100 and arranges the pressure detecting module 400 between the display module 200 and the substrate 300 to detect the touch pressure Can be detected.

Hereinafter, touch pressure detection by the pressure detection module 400 of the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present invention and its structure will be described.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a method and structure for detecting mutual capacitance variation to perform touch pressure detection. The pressure sensing module 400 shown in Figures 4A and 4B includes a spacer layer 420 made, for example, of an air-gap, but in other embodiments the spacer layer 420 is made of an impact-absorbing material And may be filled with a dielectric material.

The pressure sensing module 400 may include pressure electrodes 450, 460 located within the spacer layer 420. Here, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed in the lower portion of the display module 200 in various ways. This will be described in more detail below. Since the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 are included on the rear surface of the display panel, either a transparent material or an opaque material may be used.

To maintain the spacer layer 420, an adhesive tape 440 having a predetermined thickness along the rim on the top of the substrate 300 may be formed. The adhesive tape 440 may be formed on all the edges of the substrate 300 (for example, four sides of a quadrangle), but may be formed only on a part thereof. For example, the adhesive tape 440 may be attached to the upper surface of the substrate 300 or the lower surface of the display module 200. The adhesive tape 440 may be a conductive tape to make the substrate 300 and the display module 200 the same potential. Further, the adhesive tape 440 may be a double-sided adhesive tape. In an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive tape 440 may be constructed of a material that is not elastic. In the embodiment of the present invention, since the display module 200 can be bent when pressure is applied to the display module 200, the adhesive tape 440 can detect the magnitude of the touch pressure have.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the pressure electrode for pressure detection includes a first electrode 450 and a second electrode 460. At this time, one of the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 may be a driving electrode and the other may be a receiving electrode. A driving signal may be applied to the driving electrode and a sensing signal may be obtained through the receiving electrode. When a voltage is applied, mutual capacitance may be generated between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460.

4B is a cross-sectional view of the pressure sensing module 400 when pressure is applied by the object U. FIG. The lower surface of the display module 200 may have a ground potential for noise shielding. When the pressure is applied to the surface of the touch sensor panel 100 through the object U, the touch sensor panel 100 and the display module 200 may be bent.

Accordingly, the distance d between the reference potential layer having the ground potential and the pressure electrode patterns 450 and 460 can be reduced to d '. At this time, since the fading capacitance is absorbed to the lower surface of the display module 200 according to the distance reduction, the mutual capacitance between the first electrode 450 and the second electrode 460 can be reduced. Accordingly, the magnitude of the touch pressure can be calculated by acquiring the amount of decrease in mutual capacitance in the sensing signal obtained through the receiving electrode.

In the touch input device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the display module 200 may be bent according to a touch to apply pressure. The display module 200 can be bent to exhibit the greatest deformation at the position of the touch. According to an exemplary embodiment, the position of the display module 200 that exhibits the largest deformation when it is bent may not coincide with the touch position, but the display module 200 may exhibit warping at least at the touch position. For example, when the touch position is close to the edge and the edge of the display module 200, the position where the display module 200 is bent most greatly may be different from the touch position. However, Lt; / RTI >

At this time, the upper surface of the substrate 300 may also have a ground potential for noise shielding. Accordingly, the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 may be formed on the insulating layer to prevent the substrate 300 and the pressure electrodes 450 and 460 from being short-circuited.

Figs. 5, 6A and 6B show a method and structure for detecting touch capacitance by detecting a self capacitance change amount.

The pressure detection module 400 for detecting the amount of electrostatic capacitance variation uses a pressure electrode 455 formed on the lower surface of the display module 200. When a drive signal is applied to the pressure electrode 455, a signal including information on the amount of change in the capacitance is received to detect the touch pressure.

The driving unit 120 applies a driving signal to the pressure electrode 455 and the sensing unit 110 is connected to the pressure electrode 455 through the pressure electrode 455 and a reference potential layer 300 having a reference potential , And the substrate), it is possible to detect whether or not the touch pressure is present.

The driving unit 120 may include a clock generator (not shown) and a buffer to generate a driving signal in a pulse form and apply the driving signal to the pressure electrode 455. However, this is merely an example, and the driving unit can be realized through various devices, and the driving signal form can be variously modified.

The driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may be implemented as an integrated circuit or may be formed on a single chip. The driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may constitute a pressure detector.

The pressure electrode 455 may be formed to have a larger facing surface between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 so that the capacitance change amount between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 can be easily detected. For example, the pressure electrode 455 may be formed in a plate-like pattern.

Although one pressure electrode 455 is described as an example of the touch pressure detection of the self-capacitance type, the touch electrode 455 includes a plurality of electrodes. By configuring the plurality of channels, It is of course also possible that the pressure-magnitude detector is enabled.

The electrostatic capacitance between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer is changed according to the change in the distance between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300. The sensing unit 110 senses So that the touch pressure is detected.

6A is a cross-sectional view of a display module 200 and a pressure detection module 400 of a touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A and 4B, the pressure electrode 455 may be disposed at a predetermined distance d from the reference potential layer 300. In addition, At this time, a deformable material can be arranged between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 according to the pressure applied by the object U. For example, the deformable material disposed between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 may be air, dielectric, elastic, and / or shock-absorbing material.

When the touch surface of the object U forming the touch surface (here, the upper surface of the display module 200 or the upper surface of the touch sensor panel 100) is pressed, the pressure electrode 455 and the reference The dislocation layers 300 become close to each other, and the distance d between them decreases.

6B shows a state in which the pressure is applied by the object U and the display module 200 and the pressure detecting module 400 are bent downward. The distance between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 approaches from d to d ', resulting in a change in capacitance. Specifically, the value of the self-capacitance generated between the pressure electrode 455 and the reference potential layer 300 increases. The self capacitance change amount thus generated is measured by the sensing unit 110 as described above, and it is possible to determine whether or not the touch pressure is caused by the sensing capacitance.

As described above, the touch input device 1000 according to the present invention includes the electrodes of the touch sensor panel 100 for detecting the touch position and the electrodes of the pressure detection module 400 for detecting the touch pressure. Specifically, in relation to the touch position detection, there are a driving electrode and a receiving electrode for sensing a mutual capacitance change amount, and a touch electrode (which may be either a driving electrode or a receiving electrode) for sensing the amount of change in magnetic capacitance .

Further, in relation to the touch pressure detection, there are a driving electrode and a receiving electrode for sensing a mutual capacitance change amount, and a pressure electrode (which may be either a driving electrode or a receiving electrode) for sensing a change in magnetic capacitance. Hereinafter, various arrangements and structures of the electrodes included in the touch input apparatus 1000 according to the present invention will be described.

7 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of each electrode in the touch input device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, the embodiment of FIG. 7 includes electrodes 10 and 20 for sensing a touch position and an electrode RX_p for sensing a touch pressure in a display module 200 including an LCD panel.

The display module 200 includes a liquid crystal layer 250 between the first glass layer 261 and the second glass layer 262. The liquid crystal layer 250 of the display module 200 may be provided with a spacer S for securing a predetermined gap and a conductive material such as ITO may be formed on the spacer S, GND).

The reference electrode GND formed in the spacer S may be spaced apart from the pressure electrode RX_p for touch pressure detection at a predetermined interval. Specifically, the pressure electrode RX_p may be the electrode of the numeral 455 described in Fig. That is, the pressure electrode RX_p detects the amount of change of the self-capacitance between itself and the reference electrode GND.

More specifically, the driving unit 120 applies a driving signal to the pressure electrode RX_p, and the sensing unit 110 senses the capacitance between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND through the pressure electrode RX_p, So that it is possible to detect whether or not the touch pressure is present.

The driving unit 120 may include a clock generator (not shown) and a buffer to generate a driving signal in a pulse form and apply the driving signal to the pressure electrode RX_p. However, this is merely an example, and the driving unit can be realized through various devices, and the driving signal form can be variously modified.

The driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may be implemented as an integrated circuit or may be formed on a single chip. The driving unit 120 and the sensing unit 110 may constitute a pressure detector.

The pressure electrode RX_p is formed to have a larger facing surface between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND so as to facilitate detection of a change in capacitance between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND formed on the spacer S . For example, the pressure electrode RX_p may be formed in a plate-like pattern.

Although one pressure electrode (RX_p) is taken as an example in relation to the touch sensing of the self-capacitance type, it includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of channels, It is of course also possible that the pressure-magnitude detector is enabled.

The electrostatic capacitance between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND is changed according to a change in the distance between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND, So that the touch pressure is detected.

For this, the pressure electrode RX_p may be disposed inside the liquid crystal layer 250 at a predetermined distance from the reference electrode GND as shown in FIG.

When the touch surface of the object (U) forming the touch surface (here, the upper surface of the display module 200 or the upper surface of the touch sensor panel 100) is pressed, the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference The electrodes GND are brought close to each other, and the distance between them is reduced.

Accordingly, the self capacitance value generated between the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND is increased. The self capacitance change amount thus generated is measured by the sensing unit 110 as described above, and it is possible to determine whether or not the touch pressure is caused by the sensing capacitance.

The driving electrode 10 for sensing the touch position is formed on the second glass layer 262 side in the liquid crystal layer 250 and the receiving electrode 20 is formed on the first glass layer 261 . That is, the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 are formed in different layers from each other, and the touch position can be detected based on the amount of mutual capacitance change formed between them. The above description has been described in detail with reference to FIG. 1A and the like, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

The second glass layer 262 may be formed of various layers including a data line, a gate line, a TFT, a common electrode, and a pixel electrode, . These electrical components can operate to generate a controlled electric field to orient the liquid crystals located in the liquid crystal layer 250. A common electrode included in the second glass layer 262 may be used for the driving electrode 10 and the pressure electrode RX_p.

8A is a diagram schematically showing the arrangement structure of each electrode according to the embodiment of FIG.

The driving electrode 10 of the liquid crystal layer 250 formed on the second glass layer 262 side and the receiving electrode 20 formed on the first glass layer 261 .

The pressure electrode RX_p for detecting the touch pressure can be formed on the same layer as the layer on which the driving electrode 10 is formed, that is, on the second glass layer 262 side in the liquid crystal layer 250, The pressure electrode RX_p may be positioned between the plurality of driving electrodes 10, as shown in FIG. 8A. That is, the pressure electrode RX_p and the driving electrode 10 can be alternately formed in the same layer.

8B is a cross-sectional view of the touch input device according to the present invention, in which the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 are formed on the same layer of the display module 200. The touch position detection in this structure has been described with reference to FIG. 1C, and a description thereof will be omitted here.

8B, the pressure electrode RX_p may also be formed in the same layer (for example, the second glass layer 262) as the layer in which the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 are formed.

In the touch position detection, when a capacitance C of a predetermined value is generated at each intersection of the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 and an object U such as a finger, a palm, a stylus, The value of the capacitance is changed, and the touch position can be detected based on the change amount.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of electrodes in a touch input device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 9, the reference electrode GND can be formed on the spacer S, and by detecting the amount of change in self-capacitance due to the distance change with the spaced-apart pressure electrode RX_p, .

The touch electrode 30 for sensing the touch position may be formed on the second glass layer 262 side in the liquid crystal layer 250. The driving control signal generated by the control unit 130 is transmitted to the driving unit 120. The driving unit 120 applies a driving signal to the touch electrode 30 preset at a predetermined time based on the driving control signal. The sensing control signal generated by the control unit 130 is transmitted to the sensing unit 110. The sensing unit 110 senses the sensing signal from the touch electrode 30 preset at a predetermined time Receive input. At this time, the touch position and / or the touch position of the touch sensor panel 100 is detected by the sensing signal sensed by the sensing unit 110. For example, since the coordinates of the touch electrode 30 are known in advance, it is possible to detect whether or not the touch of the touch pad 30 is performed and / or its position.

10A and 10B are views schematically showing the arrangement structure of each electrode according to the embodiment of FIG. That is, the square-shaped touch electrodes 30 for detecting the touch position by using the amount of change in self-capacitance are provided at every intersection of the grid lines at predetermined intervals. Of course, this is only an example, and the shape and arrangement of the touch electrode 30 may be changed.

At this time, the pressure electrode RX_p may be formed on the second glass layer 262 side in the liquid crystal layer 250 like the touch electrode 30, and may be appropriately arranged in the spacing space between the plurality of touch electrodes 30 .

10A, the positive electrode RX_p may be formed in a spaced-apart space of the plurality of touch electrodes 30, and the positive electrode RX_p may be formed in the spacing space of the plurality of touch electrodes 30, The pressure electrode RX_p may be formed only on the line.

On the other hand, in another embodiment, the plurality of touch electrodes 30 shown in Fig. 10A may be used for pressure sensing like the pressure electrode RX_p. That is, the touch electrode 30 can function not only as a touch position but also as a pressure sensing electrode. As described above, when the touch electrode 30 is used as the electrode for pressure sensing, a greater number of pressure sensing electrodes are formed, thereby improving the reliability and increasing the sensitivity. Further, since the number of the pressure electrodes RX_p can be reduced, it also helps to reduce the cost. In this case, the plurality of touch electrodes 30 are provided with reference electrodes at the bottom, and the touch pressure can be detected based on the amount of change in the self-capacitance due to the distance change between the touch electrode 30 and the reference electrode.

7 and 9, in relation to the arrangement of the pressure electrode RX_p and the reference electrode GND, the pressure electrode RX_p is formed on the side of the second glass layer 262, The reference electrode GND formed is formed on the first glass layer 261 side, but in other embodiments, the reference electrode GND may be formed in the opposite arrangement.

That is, if the reference electrode GND is formed in the spacer S on the side of the second glass layer 262 in the liquid crystal layer 250, the pressure electrode RX_p is formed in the liquid crystal layer 250, (Not shown).

In Fig. 9, the positions of the driving electrode 10 and the receiving electrode 20 may be reversed.

11 is a cross-sectional view of a touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a pressure electrode is formed in a display module 200 including an OLED panel. The OLED includes an organic layer 280 between the first glass layer 281 and the second glass layer 282 as shown in FIG. At this time, the pressure electrode (RX_p) for detecting the touch pressure by the self-capacitance method can be formed in the second glass layer 282. A light shield (LS), a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a pixel electrode, or the like may be used as the pressure electrode RX_p for blocking light input. In some cases, a separate metal may be deposited and used for pressure detection It is possible. Further, a separate structure made of a metal material may be provided and used for pressure detection.

Although the driving electrode and the receiving electrode for detecting the touch position are not shown in Fig. 11, they may be arranged in the form as shown in Figs. 3D and 3E. Of course, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a person skilled in the art will be able to differently arrange the driving electrode and the receiving electrode in various manners as necessary.

According to the structure described above, since the touch position detection by the driving electrode and the receiving electrode and the touch pressure detection by the pressure electrode can be performed separately, there is an effect that the touch position and the touch pressure can be detected at the same time.

The features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in one embodiment of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined and modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

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.

100 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Touch sensor panel
200 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Display module
300 ... reference potential layer or substrate < RTI ID = 0.0 >
400 ‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥‥ Pressure sensing module

Claims (10)

A touch input device for detecting a touch position and a touch pressure,
A first substrate layer made of glass or plastic, a second substrate layer disposed below the first substrate layer and made of glass or plastic, and a liquid crystal layer or an organic layer disposed between the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer A display module;
A first electrode disposed on or in the display module and used to detect a touch position;
A second electrode formed in the liquid crystal layer or the organic layer and used for detecting touch pressure; And
And a third electrode spaced apart from the second electrode,
Detecting a signal including information on a capacitance between the second electrode and the third electrode,
Wherein the capacitance varies with a distance between the second electrode and the third electrode,
And detects the touch pressure based on the capacitance. The method according to claim 1,
And the third electrode is formed on the spacer formed in the liquid crystal layer or the organic layer. The method according to claim 1,
And the third electrode is disposed below the second substrate layer. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the second electrode is formed on one of the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer,
And the third electrode is formed on the other of the first substrate layer and the second substrate layer. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first electrode includes a driving electrode and a receiving electrode,
Wherein the driving electrode is formed in the same layer as the second electrode. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the second electrode and the driving electrode are alternately formed on a plane. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first electrode includes a driving electrode and a receiving electrode,
Wherein the driving electrode, the receiving electrode, and the second electrode are formed on the same layer,
Wherein the second electrode is formed on a plane in a spaced-apart space between the driving electrode and the receiving electrode. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first electrode detects the touch position based on mutual capacitance change amount or self capacitance change amount. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first substrate layer comprises a color filter glass and the second substrate layer comprises a TFT glass. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first electrode includes a driving electrode and a receiving electrode,
Wherein the receiving electrode extends in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the driving electrode extends, or in a direction parallel to a direction in which the driving electrode extends.

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