TWI475464B - Touch control apparatus with magneto-inductive antenna - Google Patents

Description

Touch device combined with magnetic induction antenna

The present invention relates to a touch device, and more particularly to a touch device capable of providing a near field communication function.

Near Field Communication (NFC), also known as short-range wireless communication, is a short-range high-frequency wireless communication technology evolved from non-contact radio frequency identification (RFID) and interconnection technologies. . The near field communication technology allows two electronic devices that want to communicate with each other to make a point-to-point connection by close or close contact, thereby enabling wireless transmission and exchange of data.

Because near field communication technology is very convenient for the storage, management and transmission of data, if it is equipped with consumer electronics such as mobile phones, watches, cameras, portable game consoles or notebook computers, electronic products can be provided as The use of identity identification, data exchange, transaction payment, etc., to improve the functionality of electronic products.

However, when the near field communication antenna is integrated into an electronic product, the high frequency harmonics generated by the near field communication antenna may be affected by the metal casing of the electronic device or other metal components inside, thereby causing the recognition rate of the near field communication to be lowered or even impossible to work. In order to avoid the influence of these components, the position and area of the near field communication antenna configuration on the electronic device are considerably limited, and it is difficult to provide an antenna design with proper position and undisturbed.

In view of this, the present invention provides a touch device combined with a magnetic induction antenna, which can integrate the magnetic induction antenna on the touch panel without being interfered by the touch panel.

The invention provides a touch device combined with a magnetic induction antenna, which comprises a touch panel, a magnetic induction antenna and a magnetic conductive medium. The touch panel has a plurality of touch sensing elements for detecting a touch operation to generate a touch signal. The magnetic induction antenna is disposed above the touch panel for detecting changes in magnetic flux to transmit data. The magnetic conductive medium is disposed between the touch panel and the magnetic induction antenna to guide a magnetic field around the magnetic induction antenna to isolate the influence of the touch panel on the magnetic flux.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch device further includes a spacer disposed between the magnetic induction antenna and the magnetic conductive medium to maintain a gap between the magnetic induction antenna and the magnetic conductive medium.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch device further includes a housing disposed on the magnetic induction antenna and covering the magnetic induction antenna, and the housing is made of a non-metal material.

In an embodiment of the invention, the touch device further includes a device base, a fixed shaft, and a push switch. The fixed shaft is disposed on the base of the device and located below the first edge of the touch panel for fixing the touch panel to the base of the device. The pressing relationship is disposed on the base of the device and located below the second edge of the touch panel relative to the first edge, and is used for detecting a pressing operation of the touch panel to trigger the button signal.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch device further includes an antenna driving circuit, which is connected to the touch panel, the push switch, and the magnetic induction antenna for receiving the touch signal of the touch panel and the button signal of the push switch. When only the button signal is received but the touch signal is not received, the magnetic induction antenna is driven to detect the change of the magnetic flux.

In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetically permeable medium has a size larger than the magnetic induction antenna and extends beyond the edge of the magnetic induction antenna by at least a distance of 1 to 2 mm.

In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic induction antenna includes an area disposed outside a specific area of the touch panel, the specific area including a simulated reel area.

In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetic induction antenna is a Near-Field Communications (NFC) antenna.

In an embodiment of the invention, the magnetically permeable medium comprises a ferrite or absorber material, and the magnetically permeable medium has a thickness of 0.1 to 2 mm.

Based on the above, the touch device incorporating the magnetic induction antenna of the present invention can guide the magnetic field around the magnetic induction antenna by arranging a magnetic conductive medium between the magnetic induction antenna and the touch panel, thereby isolating the influence of the touch panel on the magnetic field and improving the magnetic induction. Antenna performance.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

The touchpad on the notebook computer is mainly based on detecting the change of the electric field. When the finger slides on the touchpad, the electric field is affected, and the touchpad detects the touch of the finger by detecting the change of the electric field. position. Near-Field Communications (NFC) works by introducing a current into a magnetic induction antenna to generate a magnetic field, and using magnetic field induction to achieve close-range data transmission between electronic devices.

According to the above working principle, the present invention integrates the magnetic induction antenna for near field communication on the touch panel of the notebook computer, and can provide a convenient and intuitive way for the user without affecting the design of the notebook computer. Operate near field communication. By arranging the magnetic conductive medium between the touch panel and the magnetic induction antenna, the influence of the touch panel on the magnetic field in the magnetic induction antenna can be insulated, thereby improving the recognition rate of the near field communication.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the touch device 10 of the present embodiment is configured with a magnetic induction antenna 12 disposed on the touch panel 11 . The touch panel 11 is, for example, a resistive or capacitive touch panel having a plurality of touch sensing elements for detecting a user's touch operation and generating a touch signal; the magnetic induction antenna 12 is, for example, a near field communication antenna. It is disposed above the touch panel 11 to detect changes in magnetic flux to transmit data.

The touch panel 11 mainly detects the change of the electric field, and must generate a steady electric field to detect the electric field change generated by the contact of the external conductor, and the distance between the conductor and the touch panel should be shortened as much as possible in the design. The magnetic induction antenna 12 is designed using a loop antenna to induce a magnetic field. Among them, due to the limitation of the touch panel 11, the design of the magnetic induction antenna 12 must use a thin antenna, so that the flexible circuit board can be mainly used. In addition, since the magnetic flux change to be detected by the magnetic induction antenna 12 is mainly concentrated in the loop, the size and shape of the design need to consider the magnitude of the magnetic flux. In one embodiment, the magnetic induction antenna 12 can be, for example, a rectangular shape of about 40 cm by 50 cm, or other suitable size, so that the density of the magnetic flux is not excessively dispersed.

In addition, the configuration of the magnetic induction antenna 12 may also avoid an area of the touch panel 11 that affects a magnetic field, such as a simulated reel area, if necessary. For example, FIG. 2(a) and FIG. 2(b) are respectively a configuration diagram of a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2(a), assuming that the right side of the touch panel 21 has a simulated reel area 212 for performing scrolling in the up and down direction, the magnetic induction antenna 214 can be disposed on the left side of the simulated reel area 212 to avoid the simulated reel area. The impact of 212. Referring to FIG. 2(b), it is assumed that the right side of the touch panel 22 has a simulated reel area 222 for performing scrolling in the up and down direction, and the lower side has a simulated reel area 224 for performing scrolling in the left and right direction. The antenna 226 can be disposed in the upper left block of the simulated reel area 222 to avoid the effects of the simulated reel areas 222, 224.

It should be noted that since the eddy current effect occurs when the magnetic field passes through the metal, which affects the transmission of the magnetic field, it is necessary to reduce the metal component in the magnetic field action region. Accordingly, the present invention additionally arranges a magnetic conductive medium between the touch panel 11 and the magnetic induction antenna 12 to isolate the influence of the touch panel 11 on the magnetic induction antenna 12.

For example, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a cross-sectional view of a line segment AB of the touch device 10 of FIG. Please refer to Figure 3, the magnetic induction antenna 12 is equipped with Placed on the touch panel 11, the two sides of the magnetic induction antenna 12 are the metal wire portions of the loop antenna in FIG. 1, and can be introduced into the loop of the loop antenna (ie, between the metal wires) by introducing a current into the metal wire. Generate a magnetic field.

A magnetic conductive medium 13 is disposed between the touch panel 11 and the magnetic induction antenna 12 for guiding a magnetic field around the magnetic induction antenna 12 to isolate the influence of the touch panel 11 on the magnetic flux detected by the magnetic induction antenna 12.

In detail, although the touch panel 11 and the magnetic induction antenna 12 operate differently, the limitation of each other is to avoid metal interference as much as possible to affect its performance. Wherein, since the magnetic induction antenna 12 itself is made of metal, it affects the touch panel 11. This problem can be solved by proper antenna configuration and correction of the touch panel 11 itself. In contrast, the touch panel 11 itself also has a metal sensing line, which has a greater impact on the performance of the magnetic induction antenna 12. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the magnetic conductive medium 13 using ferrite or absorber material is disposed between the touch panel 11 and the magnetic induction antenna 12, and the thickness is selected to be 0.1 to 0.1 according to the material characteristics. Magnetically conductive medium 13 between 2 mm.

By the magnetic permeability of the magnetically permeable medium 13, the magnetic lines of force of the magnetic field induced by the original magnetic induction antenna 12 are guided into or near the magnetically permeable medium 13, thereby avoiding the touch panel 11 or other metal passing underneath. In the case of a component, the magnetic field is absorbed by the metal to cause a magnetic decay.

It should be noted that, in order to further prevent the magnetic field generated by the magnetic induction antenna 12 from being affected by the edge metal material of the touch panel 11, in one embodiment, the magnetic conductive medium 13 may be designed to be larger than the size of the magnetic induction antenna 12, and Beyond the edge of the magnetic induction antenna 12 at least a distance, for example 1 to 2 mm.

For example, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4 , the touch device 40 of the present embodiment includes a housing 41 , a magnetic induction antenna 42 , a spacer 43 , a magnetic conductive medium 44 , and a touch panel 45 . The magnetic induction antenna 42 is disposed above the touch panel 45, and the magnetic conductive medium 44 is disposed between the magnetic induction antenna 42 and the touch panel 45 to isolate the influence of the touch panel 45 on the magnetic field. The size of the magnetic conductive medium 44 is larger than the size of the magnetic induction antenna 42 and a small distance beyond the edge of the magnetic induction antenna 42 to prevent the magnetic field generated by the magnetic induction antenna 42 from being affected by the metal material of the edge of the touch panel 45.

Further, the spacer 43 is disposed between the magnetic induction antenna 42 and the magnetic conductive medium 44 such that a certain gap is maintained between the magnetic induction antenna 42 and the magnetic conductive medium 44. The gap between the magnetic induction antenna 42 and the magnetic conductive medium 44 can improve the performance of the magnetic induction antenna 42. The magnetic permeability medium 44 with a better material can reduce the size of the gap.

Furthermore, the magnetic induction antenna 42 is further provided with a casing 41 which is made of a non-metallic material and covers the magnetic induction antenna 42 so as to prevent the magnetic induction antenna 42 from being touched by a finger and affecting the induced magnetic field.

As can be seen from the magnetic line 46 shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic induction antenna 42 surround the two ends of the magnetic induction antenna 42 (ie, the metal wire portion), except that it passes through the inside of the loop of the magnetic induction antenna 42. The magnetic lines of force outside the loop are directed into the magnetically permeable medium 44 to avoid being affected by the touchpad 45 through the touchpad 45. It can be seen that, by the arrangement of the magnetic conductive medium 44, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic induction antenna 42 can be prevented from being affected by the touch panel 45 or other metal components in the device, thereby improving the recognition rate of the near field communication.

It should be noted that if the above magnetic induction antenna is used as an active device for near field communication, it is necessary to introduce a current into the antenna to generate a magnetic field, and couple it with a magnetic field generated by an external device to transmit data between each other. However, continuous power supply to the magnetic induction antenna will not only affect the performance of the bottom touch panel, but also consume power from the device. In view of this, the present invention provides an automatic starting mechanism of a magnetic induction antenna, which can solve the above problems.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5 , the touch device 50 of the present embodiment includes a housing 51 , a magnetic induction antenna 52 , a spacer 53 , a magnetic conductive medium 54 , a touch panel 55 , a base 56 , a fixed shaft 57 , a push switch 58 , and an antenna driving circuit. 59. The function and arrangement of the outer casing 51, the magnetic induction antenna 52, the spacer 53, the magnetic conductive medium 54, and the touch panel 55 are the same as the outer casing 41, the magnetic induction antenna 42, the interstitial material 43, the magnetic conductive medium 44, and the touch in the foregoing embodiment. The control board 45 is the same or similar and will not be described again here.

The difference from the previous embodiment is that the base 56 of the touch device 50 is further illustrated, and a fixed shaft 57 and a push switch 58 are additionally disposed between the touch panel 55 and the base 56. Detect the user's pressing operation. The fixed shaft 57 is disposed on the base 56 and below the first edge (for example, the upper edge) of the touch panel 55 to fix the touch panel 55 to the base 56. The push switch 58 is disposed on the pedestal 56 and located below the second edge (eg, the lower edge) of the touchpad 55 relative to the first edge, and is used to detect the depression operation of the touchpad 55 to trigger the button Signal. The push switch 58 can be regarded as the left or right button of the mouse, and can be combined with the touchpad 55 to provide the user with a mouse-like cursor control and key input function.

It should be noted that the general user operates the near field communication function by placing a card or device having a near field communication function (hereinafter, a card as an example) above the magnetic induction antenna 52 (that is, above the touch panel 55). The antenna in the card is coupled to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic induction antenna 52 to transmit data. However, unlike when the user generally touches the touchpad 55 when the finger touches the touchpad 55, when the card is placed on the touchpad 55, the user can only press the touchpad 55 through the card. Pressing the switch 58 will trigger the button signal, but the touchpad 55 will not generate a touch signal because no finger touch is detected. In this embodiment, the mechanism is applied as a basis for determining whether the user wants to perform the near field communication function, thereby determining whether to provide power to the magnetic induction antenna.

According to the above principle, the antenna driving circuit 59 is disposed in the touch device 50, and the antenna driving circuit 59 is respectively connected to the touch panel 55, the push switch 58 and the magnetic induction antenna 52 to receive the touch panel 55. Touch the signal and press the button signal of the switch 58. When receiving the button signal, the antenna driving circuit 59 will judge whether or not the touch signal is also received. Wherein, if the button signal and the touch signal are received at the same time, it is regarded as a general button operation (for example, a left button or a right button operation of the mouse), thereby performing corresponding button input. On the other hand, if only the button signal is received but the touch signal is not received, the antenna driving circuit 59 drives the magnetic induction antenna 52 to detect the magnetic flux change.

In summary, the touch device of the present invention can prevent the touch panel from affecting the antenna performance by arranging the magnetic conductive medium between the touch panel and the magnetic induction antenna. In addition, the automatic start-up mechanism of the antenna provides the user with the most intuitive way to activate the near field communication function and saves the power required by the touch device to perform the near field communication function.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10, 40, 50. . . Touch device

11, 21, 22, 45, 55‧‧‧ touchpad

12, 212, 226, 42, 52‧‧‧ magnetic induction antenna

13, 44, 54‧‧‧ magnetically conductive medium

212, 222, 224‧‧‧ simulated reel area

41, 51‧‧‧ Shell

43, 53‧‧ ‧ spacers

46‧‧‧ magnetic lines

56‧‧‧Base

57‧‧‧Fixed shaft

58‧‧‧Press switch

59‧‧‧Antenna drive circuit

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.

2(a) and 2(b) are configuration diagrams of a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to an embodiment of the invention.

10. . . Touch device

11. . . touchpad

12. . . Magnetic induction antenna

13. . . Magnetic medium

Claims (10)

A touch device combined with a magnetic induction antenna includes: a touch panel having a plurality of touch sensing elements for detecting a touch operation to generate a touch signal; and a magnetic induction antenna disposed above the touch panel Measuring a change in magnetic flux to transmit a data; and a magnetically conductive medium disposed between the touch panel and the magnetic induction antenna, and the size of the magnetic conductive medium is larger than a size of the magnetic induction antenna, the magnetic conductive medium guiding the magnetic conductive medium A magnetic field around the magnetic induction antenna isolates the influence of the touchpad. The touch device combined with the magnetic induction antenna of claim 1, further comprising: a spacer disposed between the magnetic induction antenna and the magnetic conductive medium to maintain the magnetic induction antenna and the magnetic conductive medium A gap. The touch device combined with the magnetic induction antenna of claim 1, further comprising: a casing disposed on the magnetic induction antenna and covering the magnetic induction antenna. A touch device incorporating a magnetic induction antenna according to claim 3, wherein the outer casing is made of a non-metallic material. The touch device combined with the magnetic induction antenna of claim 1, further comprising: a device base; a fixed shaft disposed on the base of the device and located in the touch panel a touchpad is fixed to the base of the device, and a push switch is disposed on the base of the device and located below the second edge of the first edge of the touchpad. The touch panel is pressed to trigger a button signal. The touch device of the magnetic induction antenna of claim 1, further comprising: an antenna driving circuit, connecting the touch panel, the pressing switch and the magnetic sensing antenna, and receiving the touch signal of the touch panel And pressing the button signal of the switch, and when only receiving the button signal but not receiving the touch signal, driving the magnetic induction antenna to detect the change of the magnetic flux. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductive medium has a size larger than the magnetic induction antenna and at least one distance beyond an edge of the magnetic induction antenna, the distance being 1 to 2 mm. The touch device of claim 1, wherein the magnetic induction antenna comprises an area disposed outside a specific area of the touch panel, the specific area including a simulated reel area. The touch device incorporating the magnetic induction antenna according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic induction antenna is a Near-Field Communications (NFC) antenna. The touch device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic conductive medium comprises a ferrite or an absorber material, and the magnetic medium has a thickness of 0.1 to 2 Millimeter.