TWI578207B - Pressure-sensitive panel - Google Patents

Description

Pressure sensing panel

The present disclosure relates to the field of pressure sensing, and more particularly to a panel in which a non-display area of a panel is provided with a button area having a pressure sensing function.

In order to enrich the functions of the electronic device and enhance the user experience, the pressure sensor is already loaded on the panel of the existing electronic device, and the user uses a finger, a stylus, etc. to perform a pressing operation on the panel of the electronic device, the pressure sensor The pressing force value corresponding to the pressing operation can be detected.

The panel structure currently loaded with the pressure sensor is as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, and the panel 1T includes a cover plate 1 defining a display area 1a for displaying an image; in addition to the display area 1a In addition, the other area on the surface of the cover 1 is the non-display area 1b, and the side of the cover 1 corresponding to the non-display area 1b which is different from the pressing operation surface usually forms a shielding layer to shield unnecessary light and stitches. The non-display area 1b usually further includes a button area 1e. The button area 1e is provided with a mechanical button 9. When the user presses the mechanical button 9, the panel 1T performs a specific function (such as displaying the main function of the user interface). Table, close program or unlock). The first surface 1c (upper surface) of the cover plate 1 is a pressing operation surface, and a finger, a stylus pen, or the like can be pressed on the upper surface, and the second surface 1d (lower surface) of the cover plate 1 is sequentially provided with touch from near to far. The sensor 2, the LCD display module 3 and the support structure 6 are used to detect the position of the pressing operation. The LCD display module 3 controls the display of the image of the display area 1a. Support structure 6 and LCD display A certain distance is disposed between the modules 3, and a pressure sensing component 5 is disposed on a side of the support structure 6 adjacent to the LCD display module 3. The support structure 6 is used to support the pressure sensing component 5, and the pressure sensing component 5 is electrically conductive. The material is made to have a certain distance from the LCD display module 3, and a conductive electrode (not shown) is disposed in the LCD display module 3, and the conductive electrode and the pressure sensing element 5 constitute one or more capacitors 4 When the user performs a pressing operation on the cover 1 , a pressing force is applied to the first surface 1 c of the cover 1 , and the distance between the conductive electrode and the pressure sensing element 5 changes due to the application of the pressing force, that is, the capacitance The output value of 4 changes. Different pressing pressures correspond to different capacitances of the capacitor 4. By detecting and calculating the capacitance of the capacitor 4, the pressing value corresponding to the pressing operation can be obtained. Since the pressing force detection of the pressing operation of the panel 1 requires the conductive electrodes in the LCD display module 3 to be completed in cooperation with the pressure sensing element 5, in the non-display area of the panel 1 (such as the button area 1e), it is not pressed. Pressure detection function. The panel 1T of such a structure imposes certain restrictions on the function expansion of the non-display area 1b.

In order to overcome the problem that the current panel does not have a pressure detecting function in the non-display area, the present disclosure provides a panel with pressure sensing.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a technical solution for solving the above technical problem: a panel with pressure sensing, a panel with pressure sensing includes a cover plate, the cover plate defines a display area and a non-display area, and the display area is used for drawing In the display of the image, the other area except the display area is a non-display area, and the non-display area includes a button area, and the side of the cover corresponding to the button area is provided with at least one pressure sensing electrode on a side different from the pressing operation surface.

Compared with the prior art, the pressure sensing electrode of the present disclosure is made of piezoelectric or piezoresistive material, and has a simple and flexible structure, is not controlled by the display area, and can directly pass the cover plate corresponding to the button area in the non-display area. Set the pressure sensing electrode on one side to make the non-display area the same With pressure detection. The buttons can be set to different execution functions under different pressure values, thus enriching the button functions.

Further, the panel is provided with a touch electrode, and the touch electrode is combined with the pressure sensing electrode, one of which determines the pressing operation position information, and the other determines the pressing force value of the pressing operation, and the combination of the two can be simplified Rich key functions under hardware setting conditions.

1, 11, 21, 31‧ ‧ cover

1T, 10, 20, 30‧‧‧ panels

1a, 11a, 21a, 31a‧‧‧ display area

1b, 11b, 21b, 31b‧‧‧ non-display area

1c, 1d, 11c, 11d‧‧‧ surface

1e, 12, 22, 22a, 22b, 32‧‧ ‧ button area

2‧‧‧Touch sensor

3, 15, 25, 35‧‧‧ display modules

4‧‧‧ Capacitance

5‧‧‧ Pressure sensing components

6‧‧‧Support structure

9, 14, 24, 24a, 24b‧‧‧ buttons

13, 13', 13a, 13b, 13c, 23, 23b, 33‧‧‧ pressure sensing electrodes

17‧‧‧LED bulb

19‧‧‧Shielding layer

28, 38‧‧‧ touch electrodes

130, 130a, 130b‧‧‧ pressure sensing layer

133, 133a, 133b, 380a‧‧‧ substrate layer

S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, T0, T1, T2, T3, T4, T51, T52, T6, P0, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P81, P82, P9‧ ‧‧step

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of a panel of the prior art in the present disclosure.

Fig. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure I-I in Fig. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view showing the panel of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the structure II-II in Fig. 2A.

Figure 2C is a simplified schematic view of the cross-sectional structure of the panel in Figure 2B.

3A to 3C are schematic plan views showing the structure of the pressure sensing electrode in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 and 5 are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the button area and the pressure sensing electrode in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

6A to 6B are schematic views showing the corresponding structures of the cover plate and the pressure sensing electrode layer in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

7A to 7B are flowcharts showing pressure signal detection of the panel in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 8A is a cross-sectional structural view of a panel of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8B is a schematic view showing the corresponding structure of the cover plate and the pressure sensing electrode layer in Fig. 8A.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the panel of the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

10A to 10C are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the button area and the pressure sensing electrode in the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 11 is a flow chart showing the pressure signal detection of the panel in the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

The position words "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc. mentioned in this disclosure refer only to the relative position of the currently specified view, not the absolute position.

Referring to FIG. 2A, the panel 10 of the first embodiment defines a display area 11a for displaying images. Except for the display area 11a, other areas on the surface of the panel 10 are non-display areas 11b. The display area 11b includes a button area 12, and the button area 12 is provided with at least one button 14. The user can control the display of the panel 10, input and output signals, and the like by the button 14.

Referring to FIG. 2B, the panel 10 includes a cover plate 11. The first surface 11c (upper surface) of the cover plate 11 is a pressing operation surface, and a finger, a stylus pen, or the like can be pressed thereon, and the second surface of the cover plate 11 11d (lower surface) corresponding to the display area 11a is provided with a display module 15, and the second surface 11d of the cover 11 is provided with a shielding layer 19 corresponding to the non-display area 11b, usually screen printing ink or etching photoresist The way is formed to mask unnecessary light and stitches.

The button 14 may be a mechanical button that passes through the cover 11 or a convex or concave structure formed by the first surface 11c of the cover 11. Alternatively, the first surface 11c of the cover 11 may be frosted or matte corresponding to the button 14. The process is to form a table different from the peripheral area of the button 14. The face material can also be realized by screen printing ink or etching photoresist by the second surface 11d of the cover plate 11 to form a graphic form. As a preferred embodiment, the illustration of the button 14 can be disposed in the same layer as the masking layer 19, but a particular pattern is formed using ink or photoresist of different colors to facilitate identification of the button 14 from the first surface 11c of the cover 11. As shown in the figure, or when the shielding layer 19 is a multi-layer ink or photoresist, the button 14 indicates that the corresponding ink or photoresist layer is small, so that when the backlight is off, the button 14 is not displayed, and when the backlight is lit, the button is pressed. 14 shows the visible effect.

At least one pressure sensing electrode 13 is disposed on a side of the cover plate 11 corresponding to the button 14 that is different from the pressing operation surface. In the disclosure, the side of the cover plate 11 that is different from the pressing operation surface includes not only the direct Or indirectly disposed on the other surface of the cover 11 different from the pressing operation surface, further comprising another substrate layer disposed different from the cover 11 and adhered to the cover 11 with adhesive. The position of the at least one pressure sensing electrode 13 corresponds to the button area 12 in the non-display area 11b. The opposite ends of each pressure sensing electrode 13 are electrically connected to a signal processor (not shown) through a pressure sensing wire (not shown) to form a loop, and the pressure sensing electrode 13 is detected before and after being pressed. The change of the electrical signal, the signal processor determines the corresponding pressure signal according to the change of the electrical signal.

In the present embodiment, the pressure sensing electrode 13 is formed under the shielding layer 19, that is, on the side opposite to the pressing operation surface of the cover plate 11, while in other embodiments, the pressure sensing electrode 13 is made of a transparent material. In the following, it may be disposed between the cover 11 and the shielding layer 19. For the sake of brevity, the shielding layer 19 will be omitted in the following figure, and only the correspondence between the button 14 and the pressure sensing electrode 13 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 2C. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the shielding layer 19 can be disposed between the cover 11 and the pressure sensing electrode 13, or the side of the pressure sensing electrode 13 away from the cover 11.

In the disclosure, the material used for the pressure sensing electrode 13 is a piezoresistive material. When the first surface 11c of the cover 11 corresponding to the button 14 is pressed, the cover 11 is forced. As a result, the pressure sensing electrode 13 located on the side of the cover plate 11 different from the pressing operation surface is strained, and then the resistance value is changed, and the magnitude of the resistance value is proportional to the pressing force. The piezoresistive material has the following characteristics: GF = (ΔR / R) / ε

GF (Gage Factor) is a strain gauge factor, R is the initial resistance value of the pressure sensing electrode 13, ΔR is the amount of change in the resistance value of the pressure sensing electrode 13, and ε is the number of strains of the pressure sensing electrode 13 in various directions. sum.

In order to make the ΔR value as large as possible to facilitate detection, materials with a GF value greater than 0.5, such as nano-scale metals such as silver, copper, aluminum, gold, or indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, should be selected. A metal oxide such as zinc oxide or a graphene, a metal mesh, a carbon nanotube or a transparent conductive polymer material.

In the case where the GF and the initial resistance value R are fixed, in order to make the resistance change ΔR more effectively detected, it is necessary to make the total sum ε of the pressure sensing electrodes 13 in all directions as large as possible. The size of the pressure sensing electrode 13 substantially corresponds to the size of the button 14, and may be a block electrode or the same pattern as the button 14. In the present embodiment, the pressure sensing electrode 13 may also utilize pressure in order to increase the total number of strains ε. The resist material is formed into a specific shape in the form of a wire, and the wire width of the wire is preferably in the range of 3 μm to 500 μm, and the specific shape may be a radial pressure sensing electrode 13a as shown in FIG. 3A or a maneuver as shown in FIG. 3B. The pressure sensing electrode 13b or the sawtooth pressure sensing electrode 13c as shown in Fig. 3C. 4 is a schematic exploded view of the positional relationship between the button 14 and the pressure sensing electrode 13. In the embodiment, the button area 12 is only provided with a button 14, and the button area 12 is provided with a pressure sensing electrode on a side different from the pressing operation surface. 13. The number of pressure sensing electrodes 13 is equal to the number of buttons 14 of the keypad 12 and corresponds to the position of the button 14. When the corresponding cover 11 of the button 14 is pressed against the operation surface, the pressure sensing electrode 13 disposed on the other side of the cover 11 at the button 14 is generated. The pressure signal is generated by the signal processor, and the signal processor can obtain the pressing force value corresponding to the pressing operation by detecting and calculating the pressure signal. The number of buttons 14 of the button area 12 can be plural. When there are a plurality of buttons 14, the number of pressure sensing electrodes 13 is equal to the number of buttons 14, and the positions are one-to-one correspondence.

As described in the foregoing, the pressure sensing electrode 13 is disposed at a side of the cover plate 11 different from the pressing operation surface, and the pressure sensing electrode 13 is directly or indirectly formed on the second surface 11d of the cover 11 Or the pressure sensing electrode 13 is formed on the surface of the other substrate layer and adhered to the second surface 11d of the cover plate 11 by an adhesive. The adhesive material is an optical clear adhesive (OCA) in some embodiments. Or Liquid Optical Clear Adhesive (LOCA), the adhesive thickness is from 100 nm to 100 μm, and in some embodiments from 20 μm to 50 μm, the deformation caused by the pressing operation can be better transmitted to the pressure sensing electrode 13 And causing the pressure sensing electrode 13 to generate strain. At the same time, the pressure sensing electrode 13 is disposed on the side of the cover 11 different from the pressing operation surface, and the manner of installation is also included but not limited to being supported by the lower element of the pressure sensing electrode 13 so that the pressure sensing electrode 13 is close to the cover 11 The second surface 11d is provided.

In order to further enrich the function of the button 14, please refer to FIG. 5, the light sensing electrode 13 has a light transmittance of 80% or more. An LED bulb 17 is disposed directly below the corresponding pressure sensing electrode 13. The LED bulb 17 can be set to a lighting state when the electronic device using the panel 10 receives information or the battery is too low. The light of the LED bulb 17 in the lighted state can be emitted from the position of the button 14 through the pressure sensing electrode 13, so that the user perceives it as a certain function reminder of the electronic device. The number of LED bulbs 17 may also be one, corresponding to the position of at least one button 14, and a light guide plate (not shown) is disposed on a side of the LED bulb 17 near the cover plate 11, and the light guide plate diffuses the light of the LED bulb 17 to the button. The lower area corresponding to zone 12.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressure sensing electrode 13' (as shown in FIG. 6A) may be disposed on the side of the cover 11 corresponding to the display area 11a of the panel 10, which is different from the pressing operation surface, corresponding to the display area. The pressure sensing electrode 13' provided in 11a and the pressure sensing electrode 13 disposed corresponding to the button area 12 are disposed on the same or different carrier, and specifically include the following setting modes: 1. Pressure sensing electrode 13 and pressure sense Each of the measuring electrodes 13' has a cover 11 as a carrier, that is, both are disposed on the second surface 11d of the cover 11; 2. The pressure sensing electrode 13 and the pressure sensing electrode 13' are each provided separately. The substrate layer serves as a carrier, and the pressure sensing electrode 13 and the pressure sensing electrode 13' are disposed on the same surface of the substrate layer (in the case shown in FIG. 6A) or on the opposite surfaces respectively; The pressure sensing electrode 13 and the pressure sensing electrode 13 ′ respectively have a cover plate 11 and a separate substrate layer as different carriers of the two, that is, one of them is disposed on the second surface 11 d of the cover 11 , The other is disposed on a separate substrate layer; 4, the pressure sensing electrode 13 and The pressure sensing electrodes 13' are respectively provided with two different substrate layers as different carriers of the two, that is, they are respectively disposed on two different substrate layers (the case shown in Fig. 6B). When the pressure sensing electrode 13 and the pressure sensing electrode 13' are the same carrier, the shape, size and material of the pressure sensing electrode 13' are preferably kept in agreement with the pressure sensing electrode 13 to facilitate the process fabrication at one time. In other embodiments, the pressure sensing electrode 13' has a different shape, size, and material than the pressure sensing electrode 13.

The following description will be made in detail with the manner in which the pressure sensing electrodes 13' shown in Figs. 6A and 6B are arranged. As shown in FIG. 6A, at least one pressure sensing electrode 13' is disposed on the side of the cover 11 corresponding to the display area 11a, which is different from the pressing operation surface. In this embodiment, the pressure sensing electrode 13' in the display area 11a is plural. . The pressure sensing electrode 13' corresponding to the display area 11a and the pressure sensing electrode 13 corresponding to the key area 12 are disposed on the same carrier (substrate layer 133) to form a pressure sensing layer 130.

The material of the base material layer 133 may be a rigid material such as glass, tempered glass, sapphire glass or the like. The material of the substrate layer 133 is further preferably a transparent flexible material such as a polymer film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), poly A film of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate, preferably, the substrate layer 133 has a thickness of less than 500 μm. In order to make the pressure sensing electrode 13 located on the substrate layer 133 more sensitive to deformation in response to the pressing action, and having a certain rigidity, it can provide a bearing foundation for the pressure sensing electrode 13, and more preferably, the substrate layer 133 The thickness is from 100 μm to 200 μm, and the light transmittance is above 80%.

Referring to FIG. 6B, as a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 6A, the pressure sensing electrode 13' corresponding to the display area 11a and the pressure sensing electrode 13 corresponding to the key area 12 are respectively disposed on different carriers (different On the substrate layer, specifically, the pressure sensing electrode 13' corresponding to the display region 11a is disposed on the first substrate layer 133a to form a first pressure sensing layer 130a, and the pressure sensing electrode corresponding to the button region 12 13 is disposed on the second substrate layer 133b to form a second pressure sensing layer 130b.

The panel 10 provided in this embodiment is provided with a pressure sensing electrode 13 on the side of the cover 11 corresponding to the button area 12, and the pressure sensing electrode 13 corresponds to the button 14 of the button area 12. Correspondingly, the electronic device loaded with the panel 10 can obtain a pressure signal corresponding to the pressing force by detecting the pressure sensing electrode 13, and the setting function can be performed by judging the magnitude of the pressing force. In this embodiment, when the number of the pressure sensing electrodes 13 is plural, the detection of the respective pressure sensing electrodes 13 by the signal processor is independent of each other. The so-called detection is independent of the signal processor can recognize that the pressure signal is from Which pressure sensing electrode 13 is used, for example, different pressure sensing electrodes 13 transmit different pressure signal pins to the signal processor, that is, the signal processor can identify the pressure signal by the pressure signal pin end. A pressure sensing electrode 13 from different pin ends The pressure signal corresponds to the execution of different functions. As another embodiment: the pressure signals from the different pressure sensing electrodes 13 enable the signal processor to identify the source of the pressure signal by different modulation methods to determine the execution of different functions.

Each button 14 can be correspondingly configured as one or more functions. When the button 14 is set to a function (single function), the pressure signal detecting process of the specific panel 10 is as shown in FIG. 7A: step S0: start; step S1: the signal processor detects the pressure sensing electrode 13; step S2 The signal processor determines whether the pressure sensing electrode 13 generates a pressure signal; when no pressure signal is generated, proceeds to step S1, and vice versa to step S3; and step S3: determines whether the pressure signal is greater than a threshold value Tth0, and the threshold value Tt0h is a preset value, If it is determined whether the pressing action is valid, if the pressure signal value is less than the threshold value Tth0, the pressing operation is considered invalid (possibly the user inadvertently touches the first surface 11c of the cover 11), and the signal processor continues to perform the pressure sensing electrode 13 Detection. On the other hand, if the pressure signal is greater than the threshold Tth0, it is considered that the user has performed a valid pressing operation, and proceeds to step S4; step S4: performs the first function; and step S5: ends.

For example, when a button 14 is set as a single function, the corresponding first function can be set to any of the following functions: 1. Display a specified interface, and when the user performs an effective pressing operation by pressing the button 14, the panel 10 Display the specified interface, such as the main interface of the operating system of the electronic device, the search interface, the screen protector interface, return to the previous display menu, and so on. 2, run the settings program, such as unlock and lock screen, screen capture, set mute, take photos, open the browser, player and so on.

When the button 14 is set to multiple functions (here, two functions are taken as an example for description), the pressure signal detecting process of the specific panel 10 is as shown in FIG. 7B: step T0: start; step T1: signal processor detection Pressure sensing electrode 13; Step T2: The signal processor determines whether the pressure sensing electrode 13 generates a pressure signal; when no pressure signal is generated, proceeds to step T1, otherwise proceeds to step T3; and step T3: determines whether the pressure signal is greater than the threshold Fth0, The threshold Fth0 is a preset value, which is used to determine whether the pressing action is valid. If the pressure signal value is less than the threshold Fth0, the pressing operation is considered invalid (maybe the user inadvertently touches the upper surface 11c of the cover 11), the signal processor The pressure sensing electrode 13 is continuously detected. On the other hand, if the pressure signal is greater than the threshold value Fth0, the user is deemed to have performed a valid pressing operation to proceed to step T4; step T4: determining whether the pressure signal is greater than the threshold value Fth1, and if the pressure signal is less than Fth1, that is, the pressure signal is greater than Fth0 and less than or equal to Fth1, the process proceeds to step T51. If the pressure signal is greater than Fth1, the process proceeds to step T52.

Step T51: Performing the first function; Step T52: Performing the second function; Step T6: Ending.

After the user presses the button 14 to perform the effective input, the signal processor determines that the pressure signal is greater than Fth0 and less than or equal to Fth1, the signal processor determines that the user "lightly presses" the button 14, and when the pressure signal is greater than Fth1, the user is considered "Re-press" button 14, of course, you can also set more thresholds: Fth1, Fth2. . . . . . Fthn (n is a positive integer), Fth0<Fth1<Fth2<. . . . . <Fth(n-1)<Fthn, a pressure signal interval is formed between two adjacent thresholds Fth(n-1) and Fthn, and each pressure signal interval can match a function. The function may be 1, displaying a specified interface, such as a display system for displaying an electronic device. Face, search interface, screen protector interface, return to the previous display menu, and more. 2, run the settings program, such as unlock and lock screen, screen capture, set mute, take photos, open the browser, player and so on.

Taking a set button 14 as an example to illustrate how to implement multiple functions by a button 14 is provided, but not limited to the following ways:

Method 1: The button 14 corresponds to the control of the signal amplitude of a control signal. In the "light press" condition, the control signal amplitude is changed in such a manner that the amount of change is A1 (A1 can be a specific amplitude magnitude or amplitude ratio, etc.) Value, in the case of "heavy press", the amplitude of the control signal is changed in such a way that the amount of change is A2 (A2 can be a specific magnitude or amplitude ratio, etc.), A1 < A2, that is, in the case of "heavy press" The user changes the amplitude of the control signal to a greater extent. Specifically, the button 14 is set as a volume control button as an example to illustrate that the user can control the volume of the electronic device by using the button 14. In the "light press" condition, the volume of the electronic device is increased/decreased by a% (a>0, which is equivalent to A1), and in the case of "heavy press", the volume of the electronic device is increased/decreased by b% (b>0, equivalent to A2). b>a, taking a=5, b=10 as an example, that is, under the condition of “light press”, the volume of the electronic device is increased/decreased by 5%, and under the condition of “heavy pressing”, the volume of the electronic device is increased/decreased by 10%, so that the user The speed of the volume adjustment can be selected by pressing the force. Generally, when the user only wants to adjust the volume slightly, the pressing operation is generally gentle. On the contrary, when the volume needs to be greatly adjusted, the force is heavier. Pressing operation, this setting is adapted to the user's usage habits. In the mode, the control signal volume can be replaced by screen display brightness, video playback progress, page scrolling speed, shooting lens focal length, shooting speed, image scaling, etc., in the manner that we can operate by single finger operation Signal control can be done. Set multiple thresholds Fth0, Fth1, Fth2. . . . . . When Fthn (n is a positive integer), Fth0<Fth1<Fth2<. . . . . <Fth(n-1)<Fthn, a pressure signal interval is formed between two adjacent thresholds Fth(n-1) and Fthn, and the pressure signal interval Fth0 is Fth1, Fth1 to Fth2, Fth(n-1) to Fthn are matched in sequence: the amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude A1, and the amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude A2. . . . . . The amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude An. In general, the larger the pressing force corresponding to the pressure signal, the larger the change amplitude is set, that is, A1 < A2 <. . . . . . <An.

Method 2: The button 14 corresponds to the image zoom mode, and in the "light press" state, the interface (photo, web page, etc.) displayed in the display area 11a is reduced/enlarged; in the "repressed" state, the display area 11a is displayed. The interface (photos, web pages, etc.) is enlarged/reduced. In the prior art, when the image is zoomed, the user needs to set the corresponding function key or need to perform the double finger operation. However, in the panel 10 provided in the disclosure, the user can complete the zooming of the image by a single finger operation.

Compared with the prior art, the pressure sensing electrode 13 of the present disclosure is made of a piezoresistive material, and has a simple and flexible structure, is not limited by the display area 11a, and can be directly used by the cover corresponding to the button area 12 of the non-display area 11a. The pressure sensing electrode 13 is disposed on the side of the plate 11 different from the pressing operation surface, so that the non-display area 11a also has a pressure detecting function. The button 14 can set different execution functions under different pressing pressure conditions, thus enriching the button function.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the panel 30 of the second embodiment differs from the panel 10 of the first embodiment only in that the touch panel 38 is disposed on the side of the cover 31 corresponding to the display area 31a. The touch electrode 38 can sensitively determine the specific position information of the pressing operation on the display area 31a. A display module 35 is disposed on a side of the touch electrode 38 away from the cover 31.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the button area 32 is disposed on the non-display area 31b, and the pressure sensing electrodes 33 of the cover 31 corresponding to the touch area 38 and the pressing operation surface are disposed on the same carrier. In order to reduce the overall thickness of the panel 30, the carrier is the substrate layer 380a. In another embodiment, the carrier may be the cover 31, that is, the pressure sensing electrode 33 and the touch electrode 38 are disposed on the cover 31. The opposite side of the operating surface to further reduce the surface The overall thickness of the panel 30. In the embodiment, the pressure sensing electrode 33 of the button area 32 and the touch electrode 38 of the display area 31a are disposed on the same side of the same carrier. The pressure sensing electrode 33 and the touch are preferred. The electrodes 38 are respectively disposed on the opposite surfaces of the substrate layer 380a and are also disposed on the same carrier.

In another embodiment, the touch sensing electrode 38 and the pressure sensing electrode 33 may be respectively disposed on different carriers, including but not limited to: one of the pressure sensing electrode 33 and the touch electrode 38. The opposite side of the pressing operation surface of the cover 31 is provided on the other substrate layer. Or both are disposed on two separate substrate layers. When the pressure sensing electrode 33 and the touch electrode 38 are located on different carriers, the pressure sensing electrode 33 can further extend into the display area 31a and be located on one side of the touch electrode 38 away from the cover 31. The display area 31a is simultaneously provided with the functions of position information detection and pressure detection.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the panel 20 of the third embodiment is different from the panel 10 of the first embodiment in that a cover electrode 21 is disposed on a side different from the pressing operation surface. A display module 25 is disposed on a side of the touch electrode 28 away from the cover 21 .

The cover plate 21 is the same as the cover plate 11 of the first embodiment, and is also defined with a display area 21a and a non-display area 21b, and a non-display area 21b includes a button area 22. The touch panel 28 is disposed on the side of the cover 21 opposite to the operation surface, and the touch electrode 28 can be selected to extend to the side of the cover 21 corresponding to the display area 21a. . The touch electrode 28 is used to detect the position of the pressing operation, that is, the position of the finger or the stylus pen that is in contact with the cover 21. The panel 20 further includes at least one pressure sensing electrode 23, and the at least one pressure sensing electrode 23 is located on a side of the corresponding cover 21 of the button area 22 that is different from the pressing operation surface, and is located at a side of the touch electrode 28 away from the cover 11 On the side, the pressure sensing electrode 23 can be selected to extend to the side of the cover 21 corresponding to the display area 21a that is different from the pressing operation surface. touch The control electrode 28 and the pressure sensing electrode 23 are disposed on the same or different carrier. The case of being disposed on the same carrier includes, but is not limited to, the touch electrode 28 and the pressure sensing electrode 23 are disposed in the button area. 22 corresponding cover plates 21 are different from the side of the pressing operation surface, or are disposed on two opposite surfaces of the same substrate layer. The case of being disposed on different carriers includes: one of the touch electrodes 28 and the pressure sensing electrodes 23 is disposed on the cover plate 21, and the other is disposed on a separate substrate layer, wherein the substrate layer is The adhesive or the like is attached to the side of the cover plate 21 which is different from the pressing operation surface, or both are disposed on the two separate substrate layers.

The pressure sensing electrode 23 and the touch electrode 28 are electrically connected to a signal processor (not shown, located on one or more wafers), and the signal processor is configured to detect the pressure signal generated by the pressure sensing electrode 23 The pressing force corresponding to the pressing operation is determined, and the touch signal generated by the touch electrode 28 is detected to determine the touch position. Since the signal processor can confirm the user pressing the operation position according to the touch signal, when the button area 22 is provided with a plurality of buttons 24, as an embodiment, the signal processor can not confirm which pressure sense the pressure signal comes from. The measuring electrode 23 only needs to detect the magnitude of the pressure signal, which simplifies circuit design and signal processing.

The keypad 22 is provided with at least one button 24, the number and position of the button 24 and pressure sensing electrodes 23 remaining consistent with the embodiment of the panel 10 of the first embodiment. Since the touch electrode 28 is disposed between the pressure sensing electrode 23 and the cover 21, the touch electrode 28 can detect the specific position of the user's pressing operation, so the corresponding setting of the button 24 of the button area 22 and the pressure sensing electrode 23 The method further includes the following manners: Referring to FIG. 10A, the button area 22 is provided with a button 24, the button 24 is elongated, the number of the pressure sensing electrodes 23 is one, and the size and the peripheral contour shape correspond to the shape and size of the button 24. In the shape of a strip, the touch electrode 28 can accurately detect the touch position of the user regardless of whether the user presses the left end, the right end, or the middle position of the button 24, and the corresponding pressure sensing electrode 23 detects the touch. Control pressing operation The pressure value should be applied. In fact, when the touch electrode 28 is disposed between the cover 21 corresponding to the button area 22 and the pressure sensing electrode 23, the number of the pressure sensing electrodes 23 is not limited to be set corresponding to the button 24, but only needs to be guaranteed. Corresponding to the button area 22, the pressure sensing electrode 23 is shaped to match the shape of the button area 22, and the size is equal to the size of the button area 22. In this embodiment, since the touch electrode 28 is disposed between the cover 21 corresponding to the button area 22 and the pressure sensing electrode 23, the size of the pressure sensing electrode 23 may also be larger than the size of the button area 22. The number of the buttons 24 of the button area 22 may be one or two or more. As shown in FIG. 10B, the number of the buttons 24a of the button area 22a is two, and in FIG. 10C, the number of the buttons 24b of the button area 22b is It is three. When the user presses any one of the buttons 24b, the touch electrode 28 detects the touch position of the user, and the pressure sensing electrode 23b detects the pressing force value corresponding to the touch pressing operation. Therefore, only a long pressure sensing electrode 23 is disposed on the side of the touch electrode 28 away from the cover 21, and opposite ends of the pressure sensing electrode 23 are electrically connected by a pressure sensing wire (not shown). To the signal processor (not shown) to form a loop, the pressing operation position information and the pressing force value can be detected, and it is not necessary to form a plurality of individual pressure sensing electrodes 23 to be set one by one corresponding to the button 24, and then respectively The two pressure sensing wires are connected to the signal processor to form different loops. Thus, with the panel design of the embodiment, the circuit can be reduced and the design space of the panel 20 can be improved.

In this embodiment, the button area 22 of the panel 20 is simultaneously provided with the touch electrode 28 and the pressure sensing electrode 23, which can effectively detect the touch position and detect the touch pressing value. Each button 24 can be Corresponding to being set to one or more functions, when the button 24 is set to a plurality of functions, the signal detection process of the specific panel 20 is as shown in FIG. 11: step P0: start; step P1: the signal processor detects the touch electrode 28; Step P2: The signal processor determines whether the touch electrode 28 generates a touch signal; if yes, proceeds to step P3, otherwise returns to step P1; step P3: stores the touch signal; stores the touch position information; step P4: signal processing The device detects the pressure sensing electrode 23; step P5: the signal processor determines whether the pressure sensing electrode 23 generates a pressure signal; when no pressure signal is generated, proceeds to step P1, otherwise proceeds to step P6; and step P6: determines whether the pressure signal is greater than The threshold value Vth0 and the threshold value Vth0 are preset values for determining whether the pressing action is valid. If the pressure signal value is less than the threshold value Vth0, the pressing operation is considered invalid (maybe the user inadvertently touches the pressing operation surface of the cover plate 21) The process proceeds to step P1, and the signal processor continues to detect the touch electrode 28. On the other hand, if the pressure signal is greater than the threshold value Vth0, the user is deemed to have performed a valid pressing operation to proceed to step P7; step P7: whether the pressure signal is greater than the threshold value Vth1, and if the pressure signal is less than Vth1, that is, the pressure signal is at Vth0 and less than or equal to Vth1, the process proceeds to step P81. If the pressure signal is greater than Vth1, proceed to step P82.

Step P81: Perform a first function according to the touch signal and the pressure signal; Step P82: perform a second function according to the touch signal and the pressure signal; and step P9: end.

After the user presses the button 24 to perform the effective input, the signal processor determines that the pressure signal is greater than Vth0 and less than or equal to Vth1, the signal processor determines that the user "lightly presses" the button 24, and when the pressure signal is greater than Vth1, the user is considered "Re-press" button 24, of course, you can also set more thresholds: Vth1, Vth2. . . . . . Vthn (n is a positive integer), Vth0<Vth1<Vth2<. . . . . <Vth(n-1)<Vthn, a pressure signal interval is formed between two adjacent thresholds (Vth(n-1) and Vthn), and each pressure signal interval can match a function.

Take the button 24 in Figure 10A as an example to illustrate the pressure signal detection application:

Method 1: The button 24 is a play control button, and the left end corresponds to the “reverse” function, the middle position of the button 24 corresponds to the “pause” function, the right end corresponds to the “fast forward” function, and the panel 20 has the touch electrode under the button 28 can confirm that the user presses the left end, or the middle or the right end of the button 24, and the signal processor controls the "reverse" amplitude and the "fast forward" amplitude of the audio or video according to the user's pressing strength. Similar to that described in panel 10 of the first embodiment, when the signal processor determines that the "light press" condition is determined, the "reverse"/"fast forward" amplitude of the control audio or video is small; when the signal processor determines that it is "heavy" When pressing "/", the "reverse" / "fast forward" of the control audio or video is larger.

Method 2: The "light press" and "re-press" of the button 24 can respectively correspond to the combination of any two of the following functions: display the specified interface, for example, the main interface of the operating system of the electronic device, the search interface, the screen protector interface Return to the previous level display menu, etc., run the setting program, such as unlock and lock screen, screen capture, set mute, take photos, open the browser, player, switch machine, speed dial, and so on.

Except for the differences from the first embodiment panel 10 set forth in this embodiment, the embodiment of the panel 10 and its variant embodiments are applicable to the present embodiment.

Compared with the prior art, the panel 20 in the present embodiment is combined with the pressure sensing electrode 23 by the touch electrode 28, one determines the pressing operation position information, and the other determines the pressing force value of the pressing operation, by both Combined, the functionality of the electronic device can be enriched under simplified hardware settings.

Embodiments and variations of other embodiments are applicable to the present embodiment, except for differences from the other embodiments set forth in this embodiment. The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the disclosure. Any modifications, equivalents, and improvements made within the principles of the disclosure should be included in the scope of the disclosure.

10‧‧‧ panel

11‧‧‧ Cover

11a‧‧‧ display area

11b‧‧‧Non-display area

11c‧‧‧ surface

11d‧‧‧ surface

13‧‧‧ Pressure sensing electrode

15‧‧‧Display module

19‧‧‧Shielding layer

Claims (19)

A pressure sensing panel includes a cover plate defining a display area and a non-display area for displaying an image, and other areas outside the display area are the non-display area, the non-display The area includes a button area, and one side of the non-pressing operation surface of the cover corresponding to the button area is provided with at least one pressure sensing electrode. The pressure sensing panel of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensing panel further comprises a signal processor, wherein the at least one pressure sensing electrode is electrically connected to the signal processor to form a pressure. Signal detection loop. The pressure sensing panel of claim 2, wherein the button area comprises at least one button, and the at least one pressure sensing electrode corresponds to at least one button setting. The pressure sensing panel of claim 3, wherein the side of the non-pressing operation surface of the cover corresponding to the display area is provided with a touch electrode or another at least one pressure sensing electrode. The pressure-sensing panel of claim 3, wherein a side of the non-pressing operation surface of the cover corresponding to the button area is provided with a touch electrode, and the touch electrode is located at the cover plate and the at least one Pressure sensing between the electrodes. The pressure sensing panel of claim 5, wherein the touch electrode or the at least one pressure sensing electrode extends to the display area. a pressure sensing panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the button The number of the at least one button on the area is a plurality, and the number of the at least one pressure sensing electrode on the side of the non-pressing operation surface of the cover is one, and the shape size matches the shape size of the button area. The pressure sensing panel of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the signal processor first detects the position information corresponding to the pressing operation by the touch electrode when the user performs the pressing operation, and then The pressure value corresponding to the pressing operation is detected by the at least one pressure sensing electrode, and the function of the corresponding pressing operation is determined according to the pressure value and the position information. The pressure sensing panel of claim 3 or 5, wherein the number of the at least one pressure sensing electrode is equal to the number of the at least one button, the position of the at least one pressure sensing electrode and the position of the at least one button One-to-one correspondence. The pressure sensing panel of claim 9, wherein the signal processor detects the pressing value corresponding to the pressing operation by the at least one pressure sensing electrode when the user performs the pressing operation, thereby determining the corresponding The function of pressing operation. The pressure sensing panel of claim 3, wherein the signal processor is provided with a threshold Fth0, and the user performs a pressing operation by the at least one button, and the at least one pressure sensing electrode corresponding to the at least one button The pressing operation generates a pressure signal, and the pressure signal is greater than the threshold Fth0, which is a valid pressing operation, and vice versa. The pressure sensing panel according to claim 11, wherein the signal processor is further provided with thresholds Fth1, Fth2, ..., Fthn (n is a positive integer), Fth0<Fth1<Fth2<...<Fth(n-1)<Fthn, a pressure signal interval is formed between the adjacent thresholds Fth(n-1) and Fthn, and each of the pressure signal intervals matches a corresponding function. The pressure sensing panel of claim 12, wherein the function matched by each of the pressure signal intervals is a display designation interface or an operation setting program. The pressure sensing panel of claim 13, wherein the display designation interface is one of a display operation system main interface, a display search interface, and a display screen protection device interface, wherein the operation setting program is unlocking, locking screen, and screen capture. , set mute, take a photo, open one of the browsers or the player. The pressure sensing panel of claim 12, wherein the at least one button corresponds to a signal amplitude control of a control signal, and when the user performs an effective pressing operation by the at least one button, the signal amplitude of the control signal The value changes, and the change range is A1, or A2,. . . . . Or An, the pressure signal intervals Fth0 to Fth1, Fth1 to Fth2, ... Fth(n-1) to Fthn are sequentially matched functions: the amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude A1, and the amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude A2. . . . . The amplitude of the control signal is changed by the amplitude An. The pressure sensing panel of claim 15, wherein the control signal determines one or more of volume, screen display brightness, video playback progress, page scroll speed, shooting lens focal length, and shooting speed. Pressure sensing as described in any of claims 3-7, 11-16 a panel, wherein the at least one button is a mechanical button, or a convex structure/recessed structure of the pressing operation surface of the cover plate, or a different process is adopted for the at least one button corresponding to the pressing operation surface of the cover plate Forming a surface material different from a peripheral area of the at least one button, or an illustration of the cover plate being different from the silk screen or etching on the pressing operation surface. The pressure-sensing panel of any one of claims 1-7, 11-16, wherein the at least one pressure sensing electrode is made of a piezoresistive material. The pressure sensing panel of claim 18, wherein the at least one pressure sensing electrode is a radial pressure sensing electrode wound by a wire, or a swirling pressure sensing electrode, or a sawtooth wave Pressure sensing electrode.