WO2002084579A2 - Touch screen with rotationally isolated force sensor - Google Patents
Touch screen with rotationally isolated force sensor Download PDFInfo
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- WO2002084579A2 WO2002084579A2 PCT/US2002/011308 US0211308W WO02084579A2 WO 2002084579 A2 WO2002084579 A2 WO 2002084579A2 US 0211308 W US0211308 W US 0211308W WO 02084579 A2 WO02084579 A2 WO 02084579A2
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- Prior art keywords
- touch
- recited
- sensor
- force
- touch member
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/0414—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position
- G06F3/04142—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using force sensing means to determine a position the force sensing means being located peripherally, e.g. disposed at the corners or at the side of a touch sensing plate
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K11/00—Methods or arrangements for graph-reading or for converting the pattern of mechanical parameters, e.g. force or presence, into electrical signal
- G06K11/06—Devices for converting the position of a manually-operated writing or tracing member into an electrical signal
Definitions
- the present invention is directed generally to touch screens and more particularly to touch screens that detect the position of a touch based on a measurement of the touch forces applied to the screen.
- a touch screen offers a simple, intuitive interface for a computer or other data processing device. Rather than using a keyboard for data entry, a user can transfer information through a touch screen by touching an icon or by writing or drawing on a screen.
- Touch screens are used in a variety of information processing applications. Transparent touch screens, used over an information display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT), are particularly useful for applications such as cellphones, personal data assistants (PDAs), and handheld or laptop computers.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- CRT cathode ray tube
- Touch location may also be determined by sensing the force of the touch through force sensors coupled to a touch surface.
- Touch screens that operate by sensing touch force have several advantages over the other technologies mentioned above. Electrically based approaches, such as resistive and capacitive approaches, require a complex touch surface overlay that uses special materials and multiple layers to ensure good electrical properties across the screen while also maintaining good optical transmission through the screen.
- the overlay of a force-based touch screen may be formed from a simple, single sheet of material.
- force sensors do not rely on a lossy electrical connection to ground, as required by a capacitive touch screen, and can be operated by a finger touch, gloved hand, fingernail or other nonconductive touch instrument. Unlike surface acoustic wave technology, force sensors are relatively immune to accumulations of dirt, dust, or liquids on the touch surface. Finally, a force sensor is less likely to detect a close encounter as an actual touch, which is a common problem with infrared and capacitive touch screens.
- Forces detected by touch screen force sensors reflect a variety of static and dynamic factors in addition to the touch force. These factors may be considered noise sources with respect to the touch signal. Noise may be introduced through the touch screen electronics, or it may be mechanical in nature. Electrical noise may be introduced, for example, in the sensor, amplifier, data conversion or signal processing stages. Mechanical noise may arise from various mechanical effects, such as vibration, flexure, movement, and the application of forces that are non-perpendicular to the touch screen. In addition, the touch screen force sensors may be affected by the weight of the touch surface and preloading forces applied to the force sensors during manufacture.
- the present invention is directed to an approach to reduce the effects of flexure on the determination of the location of the touch. Bending or twisting of the touch screen overlay, or of the support structure upon which the touch screen is mounted, may produce a moment that is applied to the force sensors, which may then result in the detection of undesirable forces by force sensors. These undesirable forces may distort the measurement of the location of the touch on the screen, and so the effects of bending or twisting may lead to errors in the position determination.
- a moment may be applied to the force sensor.
- the force sensor is decoupled from the moment so that the undesirable forces arising from the moment are not detected by the force sensor.
- An advantage of this approach is that, unlike other approaches, the mounting support and the overlay do not have to be perfectly rigid, but may be flexible. Thus, the overlay and support may be lighter and thinner, without leading to errors in the measurement of the touch location.
- One particular embodiment of the invention is directed to a touch sensitive device that has a flexible touch member movable in response to an applied force and a support structure.
- a plurality of force sensor units are coupled between the support structure and the touch member to measure a signal indicative of a force passing through sensor regions of the device and arising from the applied force. At least one of the sensor units is arranged so that twisting of one of the touch member and the support structure passes substantially no moment through the sensor unit.
- Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method of locating the position of a touch force arising from a touch on a touch screen.
- the method includes measuring a signal indicative of a force passing from a flexible touch surface through a force sensor unit while isolating a twisting moment of one of the touch surface and a support structure from the other of the touch surface and the support structure.
- Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a touch sensitive device that has a flexible touch member and means for measuring a signal indicative of a force passing through a sensor region due to a touch force applied to the touch member while isolating a twisting moment of one of the touch member and a support structure from the other of the touch member and the support structure.
- Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a touch sensitive device that has a flexible touch member movable in response to an applied force, and a support structure. Sensor units are coupled between the support structure and the touch member to measure a signal indicative of a force passing through sensor regions and arising from the applied force. The same relative pattern of internal stresses is developed in a first sensor unit of the sensor units, irrespective of touch location upon the touch member.
- FIG. 1 shows a block schematic of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a partial cross-section through a force- based touch sensor, according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIGs. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate the distribution of forces on a force sensor when the touch screen is touched at different places
- FIG. 4A schematically illustrates the application of forces to force sensors when the sensors are rigidly attached to the overlay and the support structure
- FIG. 4B schematically illustrates the effect of rotational softening when applying force to a flexible overlay, according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIGs. 5A and 5B respectively present graphs showing the estimate output from a force measurement system and the error in the output as a function of position across the screen, and for different conditions of rotational softening;
- FIG. 6A schematically illustrates twisting of the mounting structure when the force sensor is rigidly clamped between the overlay and the structure
- FIG. 6B schematically illustrates twisting of the mounting structure when there is rotational softening between the structure and the overlay, according to an embodiment of the present invention
- FIGs. 7A-7G schematically illustrate different embodiments of force sensor units that include rotational softening according to the present invention
- FIGs. 8A and 8B schematically illustrate another embodiment of a capacitive force sensor that includes rotational softening according to the present invention
- FIGs. 9A and 9B schematically illustrate another embodiment of a capacitive force sensor that includes rotational softening according to the present invention
- FIG. 10 schematically illustrates another embodiment of a capacitive force sensor that includes rotational softening according to the present invention.
- FIGs. 11A-11C schematically illustrate another embodiment of a capacitive force sensor that includes rotational softening according to the present invention. While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
- the present invention is applicable to touch sensing techniques and is believed to be particularly useful for reducing the deleterious effects that arise when the touch panel overlay or the structure upon which the touch panel is mounted flex.
- the touch screen of the present invention may be used in a desktop, handheld or laptop computer system, a point-of-sale terminal, personal data assistant (PDA), or a cell phone.
- PDA personal data assistant
- the touch screen device of the present invention may be combined with any logic-based system, if desired.
- the present invention is directed to determining a touch location on a touch screen.
- a touch signal representing the force of a touch acting on the touch screen is produced by one or more touch sensors located proximate to a touch surface of the touch screen.
- a touch signal may be derived from a single sensor, or by combining component touch signals from two or more force sensors. Determination of the touch location requires analysis of the component force signals produced by the touch screen sensors.
- the present invention is directed to a touch screen that determines the position of the touch based on a measurement of the force applied to the screen.
- Screen overlays in such touch screens may appear to the user to be quite rigid, but yet may be flexible compared to the stiffness of the sensors supporting them.
- the overlay may be flexible with respect to twisting motions of the sensors.
- a sensor may restrain the flexing of the overlay in its immediate vicinity, while transmitting the moment associated with this restraining action through to the support.
- any flexure of the support tending to twist the sensor very slightly from its normal perpendicular alignment may force the overlay locally to flex and follow. This, too, may be accompanied by transmission of significant moment through the sensor. These moments may create a problem in that they lead to additional perpendicular forces in the sensors to maintain equilibrium. This distorts the expected perpendicular touch force detected by the sensor, and may result in a mis- reporting the position of the touch.
- a display unit 102 for example a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube (CRT), is disposed below a touch member 104.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- CRT cathode ray tube
- the display unit 102 is coupled to a processing unit 106 and displays information received from the processing unit via a display controller 108.
- the display controller 108 may be part of the processing unit 106.
- the location of a touch on the touch member 104 is determined by the touch screen controller 110, which may be part of the processing unit 106. Therefore, the processing unit 106 may be enabled to determine the position of a touch on the touch member 104 relative to an image displayed on the display unit 102, and determine the meaning of the user's input. It is important that the location of the touch on the touch member 104 be determined with as little error as is needed to ensure that the processing unit 106 receives the desired information from the user.
- One particular type of touch member 104 includes an overlay that the user presses on, and a number of sensors to determine the resulting force at various positions on the overlay. The location of the touch may then be determined by an analysis of the sensed forces. Where the touch screen is rectangular in shape, there are often four sensors, one at each corner, to measure the applied forces.
- the force sensors may be behind and supporting the display itself, which acts as the touch member. In such a case, the overlay is replaced by the display panel itself, and the display panel transmits the applied forces to the force sensors. Force sensors typically detect some movement that occurs in response to the applied force.
- the elements of a strain gauge stretch under application of a force, and the electrical characteristics of a piezoelectric or piezoresistive sensor change when the sensor element is compressed or stretched. Furthermore, in a capacitive sensor element, one capacitor plate is moved in relation to another capacitor plate upon application of a force.
- a sensor may be referred to as a displacement sensor, it will be appreciated that a measurement of displacement may be used to provide an estimate of the applied force that resulted in the measured displacement, even if the magnitude of the displacement itself is small.
- a force sensor appropriate for use in touch screen applications is described in U.S. Patent Application 09/835,040, filed on April 13, 2001 , which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- the force sensor is appropriate for use with a liquid crystal display (LCD), cathode ray tube (CRT) or other transparent display, and is schematically illustrated in FIG. 2.
- the sensor measures the applied force based on the change of capacitance of a capacitive element.
- a touch member 210 is located within a structure or housing 215.
- This structure or housing 215 may be provided with a large central aperture through which the display may be viewed. Further, the overlay 210 may be transparent to allow such viewing. If desired, the undersurface of the housing 215 may be seated directly against the surface of such a display, over the border surrounding its active area.
- the overlay may be replaced by a structure including a display unit, such as an LCD.
- a capacitive sensor 220 may be positioned between the overlay 210 and the housing 215.
- An interconnect 225, with attachment lands 233, may be coupled to the housing 215 by soldering, cementing, or by other methods.
- a conductive area forms a first conductive element 234 on the interconnect 225.
- a second conductive element 235 with a central protrusion 240, for example a dimple, may be attached to the lands 233 of the interconnect 225 by soldering, for example.
- a small gap 280 is formed between the first conductive element 234 and the second conductive element 235, either by the shape of the second conductive element 235, or by the process of attaching the second conductive element 235 to the interconnect 225.
- the width of the gap 280 may be approximately 25 ⁇ m, for example.
- a capacitor is formed by the conductive elements 234, 235 separated by the gap 280.
- An optional bearing surface 270 may be interposed between the touch panel 210 and the second conductive element 235.
- the bearing surface 270 may also mount to the overlay 210 through a thin layer (not shown) of elastomer or of highly pliable adhesive, thereby providing a lateral softening function. It will be appreciated that, in normal operation, the overlay 210 or bearing surface 270 is in contact with the protrusion 240: these elements are shown separated only for clarity in the illustration.
- the second conductive element 235 combines the functions of a spring and a capacitor plate. As a perpendicular force is applied to the surface of the touch panel 210, the second conductive element 235 flexes, decreasing the width of the gap 280 and increasing the capacitance of the sensor 220. This change in capacitance may be measured and related to the force applied to the touch panel 210.
- a touch screen using capacitive force sensors is described, other types of force sensors may be used in a similar manner, including, for example, piezoelectric sensors and strain gauge sensors.
- One of the advantages of a force-based touch screen is that the number of optically distinct layers positioned between the display unit and the user is low.
- the overlay positioned over the display unit is a single layer of glass or relatively stiff polymer, for example polycarbonate or the like, which may be chosen for suitable optical qualities.
- touch screen such as resistive or capacitive touch screens
- resistive or capacitive touch screens that require several, potentially optically lossy, layers over the display unit.
- the electrically conductive thin films required in resistive or capacitive touch screens typically have a high index of refraction, leading to increased reflective losses at the interface. This is a particular problem in resistive screens where there are additional solid/air interfaces and where anti reflection coatings are not useful, since the conductive layers must be able to make physical contact.
- a screen overlay for a force-based touch screen has only its upper and lower surfaces; these may be treated to reduce reflective losses and to reduce glare.
- the overlay may be provided with matte surfaces to reduce specular reflection, and/or may be provided with anti-reflection coatings to reduce reflective losses.
- Thin overlays although more desirable, are also more flexible than thicker ones.
- the present invention contrasts with previous approaches, which have assumed that the overlay is perfectly rigid, or is nearly so.
- Overlay flexibility is desirable for reasons other than just size and weight. For example, where the device underlying the touch screen is flexible, any corner-to-corner twisting of the underlying device results in twisting of the display. This tends to force one diagonally opposed pair of sensors upward against the overlay, while drawing the other pair downward.
- a flexible overlay accommodates this torsional distortion of the underlying device by gently following it, without damage and with reduced adverse effects.
- This space is associated with the support structure or bezel rising or falling with respect to the edge of the overlay, and thus may lead to large parasitic forces through a seal, mounting, or any other kind of attachment between the overlay edge and surrounding structures. These effects may result in false readings of touch position.
- a moment may be applied to a sensor where the underlying support flexes. This may result, for example, from the application of modest touch forces upon a practicably light and inexpensive support structure.
- the underlying support structure may also flex upon the application of external forces, unrelated to a deliberate touch on the overlay surface. For example, a user may rest his or her hand on the corner of the bezel, or a kiosk device having a touch screen may be located on a floor that flexes. As with moments passing through the sensors from overlay flexure, such moments occasioned by support flexure also require spurious perpendicular forces to maintain equilibrium.
- Rotational softening in other words the decoupling of rotational forces between the overlay and the sensor, may be used to reduce erroneous force readings caused by either of the above effects. Rotational softening permits the same relative pattern of internal stresses to be developed in the sensor, irrespective of a where the touch is located on the touch member.
- the protrusion 240 presents a small contact area for the sensor 220 on the bearing surface 270. Furthermore, if the dimple 270 is not attached to the bearing surface 270, but the bearing surface 270 merely rests on the protrusion 240, then no moment is transferred to the sensor 220 when the overlay 210 twists. The sensor 220 may still sense a perpendicular force when the overlay twists, however. This rotational decoupling between the overlay and the force sensor is explained further below.
- Sensors may also respond to the application of a shear.
- Shear responsiveness may be expressed as saying that the sensor's axis of sensitivity is not perpendicular to its mounting plane.
- location errors are proportional to the product of the tangential force times the sine of the error angle by which the axis of sensitivity deviates from the normal to the touch plane.
- the touch plane is the plane of the overlay, or touch member, that is touched by the user.
- Divided force paths are paths that transmit forces parallel and perpendicular to the touch plane, see U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/835,049, entitled "Tangential Force Control In A Touch Location Device” and incorporated herein by reference.
- This error angle may be compounded by any errors in mounting the sensor itself, for example where the mounting surface is not parallel to the touch plane or where the sensor is mounted using a layer of adhesive whose thickness is non-uniform.
- Rotational softening may not only reduce the exposure of a sensor to a moment resulting from flexure of the overlay or the mounting surface, but may also reduce incidental sensor moments resulting from shear. This may be achieved by taking the center of rotation for the rotational softening as close as possible to the center of the sensor itself.
- FIGs. 3A and 3B show the force distributions that may develop in a sensor, particularly where the sensor 302 is rotationally stiffer than the overlay 304.
- the force, F applied directly over a sensor may lead to an even stress distribution 306.
- the force, F is applied to the overlay 304 at a point that is to the side of the sensor, resulting in a stress distribution 308 that is uneven.
- An opposing sensor (not shown) supports the other edge of the overlay 304. Although the touch is more distant from this opposing sensor than from sensor 302, a fraction of the touch force F' may pass through the opposing sensor.
- the flexibility of the overlay 304 has had the effect of unloading the opposing sensor, resulting in a cantilever support of nearly all of the touch force F' through sensor 302. This leads to compressive forces on the near side 302b of the sensor 302, and tensile forces on the far side 302a of the sensor 302, which may be many times the average value of the force value that is desired to be measured.
- FIG. 4A shows an overlay 404 supported between two sensor assemblies 402 and 403.
- the overlay 404 is pliable in that it is not completely rigid and may flex in response to an applied force, particularly a force applied at a point distant from a support.
- the sensor assemblies 402 and 403 are rigid: the sensor assemblies may be formed, for example, using a piezoelectric element.
- the sensor assemblies 402 and 403 transmit both force and moment to the supports 410.
- the operator presses on the overlay 404 with a force F tot ai- A force Fi passes to the support 410 through the first sensor assembly 402 and a force F 2 passes through the second sensor assembly 403 to the support 410.
- FIG. 4B Another approach to measuring touch location, that includes rotational softening, is schematically illustrated in FIG. 4B.
- the flexible overlay 404 is supported between two sensors 412 and 413.
- the sensors may be any type of sensor that detects an applied force, for example, a piezoelectric sensor, capacitive displacement sensor, a piezoresistive sensor or a strain gauge sensor, or the like.
- a rotationally free bearing 414 between the overlay 404 and each sensor 412 and 413.
- the lateral softener 416 may be formed of a material that permits easy lateral elastic motion, so that tangential forces are not transmitted through the sensors 412 and 413 to the support 410.
- the lateral softener is described further in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/835,049.
- FIGs. 5A and 5B show the performance of various systems, using equation (2) to compute the touch position.
- the abscissa "x" is defined as the fractional position of the actual point P between the force sensors:
- the ordinate is the estimate of "x" output by the system.
- the ordinate is the fractional error in the estimate of "x". The percentage error may be found by multiplying the fractional error by 100.
- the system modeled is a simplification in which the overlay
- 404 is a member extending between two supporting sensor assemblies. This member is taken to be narrow enough for treatment as a simple beam, and the sensor assemblies are taken to provide either simple or clamped support. As actual touch structures rarely, if ever, deflect by more than half their thickness during operation, the touch deflection may be taken to stay within the beam regime. The member is further taken to be of uniform stiffness along its length. The resulting systems are then readily evaluated. The output of the case simply supported at both ends is free of error, and is given by the finely dashed line 502 in FIG 5A. The calculated error is shown in FIG. 5B as curve 512. This corresponds to the flexible overlay configuration of FIG. 4B. This response curve 502 also approximates that of a real system with a sufficiently thick and relatively rigid overlay.
- the broadly dashed curve 506 of FIG 5A depicts the response of a system in which the left sensor provides simple support, while the right-hand one continues to provide clamped support. From this it is seen that to be helpful, a provision of limited rotational softening must be reasonably well balanced. Softening only one of the two sensors makes error substantially worse, rather than better, as is shown by the corresponding curve 516 in FIG. 5B.
- the position error becomes a complicated function of both X and Y position.
- the error pattern is further complicated by the existence of a slight downward dimpling of the touch surface around the point of touch contact. Although the majority of the force is transmitted through the nearest sensors, the maximum error may occur at a lower value and for points closer to the sensors.
- the moment passes outward from the sensor through a cross-section of overlay material that increases in area with increasing radius, and this provides a modest amount of built-in rotational softening for touches farther from the sensors.
- FIG. 6A Another possible source of error in determining the position of a touch is when the sensor mounting structure is itself subject to flexure, in a manner tending to twist one or more sensors.
- the structure 610 may twist under a sensor when the device housing the touch screen is subject to external forces, for example if the device is gripped firmly in the user's hand, is used in a non-horizontal orientation, or the edge of the device is being pressed on by the user.
- the sensor assembly 602 is assumed to be rotationally stiff relative to the overlay 604.
- the structure 610 is twisted through an angle ⁇ p1
- the overlay is twisted through an angle ⁇ 2 which is approximately the same as ⁇ 1.
- the sensor assemblies 612 and 613 are rotationally soft relative to the overlay 604.
- the sensor assemblies 612 and 613 may include respective rotational softeners 612a and 613a. Additional examples of rotational softeners are provided below.
- the resulting angle of the overlay 604, ⁇ 2 is significantly less than ⁇ 1 , and so the ratio ⁇ 2/ ⁇ 1 is small. Any residual stiffness in the rotational softener 612 may result a small nonzero value for ⁇ 2. Errors from enforced mounting rotations will then be reduced by the ratio ⁇ 2/ ⁇ 1.
- the touch device manufacturer has little control over the values of ⁇ 1 that may be encountered in applications. In these situations a freely rotating sensing connection may be best. It is important to note that, in this case, increasing the stiffness of the overlay 604 does not reduce error and, in fact may increase the error.
- the dimple 240 of the capacitive force sensor 220 is not attached to the overlay 210, and so the overlay 210 may twist relative to the sensor 220 without imparting a moment to the sensor 220.
- FIGs. 7A-7G illustrate some different approaches to providing rotational softening for a touch sensor.
- FIGs. 7A-7C schematically illustrate dual-pivoting, rotationally softened sensor units 700, 710, 720. These sensor units may provide lateral softening as well as rotational softening, and may be used in conjunction with lateral stiffeners, described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/835,049.
- the first sensor unit 700, illustrated in FIG. 7A, includes a pivoting element
- the sensor unit 710 includes a first spreader/receptacle 716a attached to the overlay 714 and a second force spreader/receptacle 716b attached to the sensor element 718.
- the pivoting element 712 is disposed between the two spreader/receptacles 716a and 716b.
- the sensor element 718 is attached to the support 719.
- the sensor unit 720 includes a first spreader/receptacle 726a attached to the sensor element 728.
- the sensor element 728 is disposed between the spreader/receptacle 726a and the overlay 724.
- the second force spreader/receptacle 726b is mounted to the support 729.
- the pivoting element 722 is disposed between the two spreader/receptacles 726a and 726b.
- the illustrations show the sensor units 700, 710 and 720 employing progressively narrower pivoting elements 702, 712 and 722, and progressively smaller contact radii, although this need not be the case.
- a pivoting element with a narrower aspect may be more compact in some assemblies, and a smaller contact radius may offer less opportunity for contaminant particles to affect smooth operation.
- the pivoting elements 702, 712 and 722 may be formed from a relatively hard material that does not significantly deform under the pressure that maintains the overlay with the structure.
- the pivoting elements 702, 712 and 722 may be formed, for example, using metal, glass or a hard polymer.
- the receptacles 706, 716a, 716b, 726a and 726b may be formed from a material that does not significantly deform under pressure, and may be formed from metal, glass or polymer. If the material for the pivoting element or receptacle deforms significantly under pressure, then the surface area of the contact increases, thereby reducing the rotational softening effect.
- FIGs. 7D-7G schematically illustrate different types of rotationally softened sensor units that may be affixed to both the overlay and the mounting structure. These sensor units typically entail flexure of material arranged to offer substantial rotational compliance.
- the sensor unit 730 illustrated in FIG. 7D uses a coupling block 732 of material disposed between overlay 734 and the sensor element 736.
- the sensor element 736 is mounted to the support 738.
- the coupling block 732 has a narrowed aspect 733, which permits rotation end of the block 732 mounted to the overlay 734 relative to the end of the block 732 mounted to the sensor element 736.
- the block 732 may be formed from a material having a relatively high Young's modulus.
- the coupling block 732 may be a piece of material, such as metal or hard plastic, that is pinched down to form a waist 733, or that has been twisted to form the waist 733.
- the sensor unit 740 illustrated in FIG. 7E includes a sensor element 746 mounted to the structure 749, and a coupling block 742 of low modulus material, for example an elastomeric material, mounted to the overlay 744.
- the coupling block 742 may have a more moderate aspect ratio than the coupling block 732 illustrated in FIG. 7D.
- the coupling block 742 may be mounted directly to the sensor element 746, or may be mounted to the sensor element 746 via a force spreader 748 as illustrated. In this particular embodiment, the sensor element 747 is mounted directly to the support 749.
- the sensor unit 750 illustrated in FIG. 7F includes a sensor element 756 that responds to a force passed in shear, rather than compression.
- the sensor element 756 may be attached directly to the overlay 754.
- a coupling block 752 of low modulus material, for example an elastomer, may be is connected to the sidewall 759 of the support structure.
- the coupling block 752 may be attached directly to the sensor element 756, or to the sensor element 756 via a force spreader 758.
- the order of the elements in the sensor unit need not be as illustrated.
- the sensor unit 746 in FIG. 7E may be attached to the overlay 744, while the coupling block 742 is attached to the structure 749.
- coupling blocks have lower rotational stiffness when they are smaller, have a more slender aspect, and/or are formed of a material having a lower Young's modulus.
- the sensor unit 760 illustrated in FIG. 7G uses a relatively thin layer of a highly compressible material, such as an open-cell or closed-cell foam, to serve as rotationally softening, coupling block 762.
- the coupling block is mounted to the overlay 764 and the sensor element 766.
- the sensor element 766 is mounted to the support 769.
- the compressibility of the air in the foam of the coupling block 762 avoids one difficulty that may arise when the coupling block material is trapped between two rigid surfaces. When one of the surfaces rotates relative to the other, the material at one end of the block is compressed and tends to flow with severe shear. This is because non-porous, low Young's modulus materials are generally isovolumic and have a Poisson's ratio of about 0.5. The reverse problem occurs for material at that portion where the block is in tension, pulled between the two surfaces that have separated. The net effect is for stiffness to increase dramatically as the block thins, until the compliance is essentially only that provided by the bulk modulus.
- FIG. 8A and 8B one particular embodiment of a force sensor 800 is formed from a substantially planar support member 802. An electrode pattern is formed on the support member 802 that includes one or more first electrodes 804 that connect to the spring member 806, and at least a second electrode 808.
- the spring member 806 is preferably mechanically resilient and electrically conductive.
- the spring member may be formed from a metal or from a conductively coated insulator, such as a plastic.
- the support member 802 may be mounted to the underlying support structure 820 using any suitable method.
- the support member 802 may be mounted using an acrylic tape 822 so as to provide lateral softening and flexural isolation.
- a capacitive gap 810 is formed between the spring member 806 and the second electrode 808.
- One approach to forming the gap is to shape the spring member 806 with a slight offset at each end, as shown.
- the spring member 806 may be formed without such offsets, and the gap 810 may be established by spacing the spring member 806 from the second electrode 808 with a temporary shim, then reflowing the connections between the first electrodes 804 and the spring member 806 with solder.
- the gap 810 may be formed using a solder that contains particles of a particular size so as to space the spring member 806 from the first electrodes 804.
- Discrete wiring 814 provides electrical connection between the touch controller circuit and the electrodes 804 and 808 to permit measurement of the capacitance of the sensor 800.
- the spring member is provided with a pivoted force bearing 816 in the form of a ridge. This structure advantageously provides good strength against extreme overloads.
- the spring member 806 may be formed from spring steel and may be approximately 250 ⁇ m thick (10 mils) and about 6 mm wide (0.25"). The spring member may be about 17 mm long (0.75") and pressed into shape on a die.
- the capacitive gap 810 may be about 125 ⁇ m (5 mils).
- the support member 802 may be formed from any suitable material, such as an epoxy glass PC board. The support member 802 is typically of sufficient stiffness that a lateral softener, such as the acrylic tape 822 may be positioned between the support member 802 and the structure 820. The unloaded capacitance of such a structure is around 3pF and the bottoming-out force is between about four and five pounds. It will be appreciated that the dimensions and particular materials are provided for illustration only and should not be taken as being limiting in any way. The dimensions of the sensor components should be selected based on the characteristics of the particular touch device being constructed.
- FIGs. 9A and 9B another embodiment 900 of a capacitive sensor includes a spring member 906 formed with an outwardly protruding dimple 916.
- FIG. 9A schematically illustrates the sensor 900 in situ, while FIG. 9B provides an exploded view of the sensor 900.
- the spring member 906 is mounted on a support 902 that is provided with an electrode pattern including one or more first electrodes 904 and a second electrode 908.
- the spring member 906 is connected to, and spaced from, the first electrodes 904, for example using a technique similar to one of those described above with respect to sensor 800.
- a capacitive gap 910 is formed between the spring member 906 and the second electrode 908.
- a lateral softener 920 may be placed between the dimple 916 and the overlay 922 to provide lateral softening.
- the support member 902 is mounted on the structure 924.
- the spring member 906 is formed from spring steel 150 ⁇ m (6 mils) thick and is almost 6 mm (230 mils) long and about 3 mm (120 mils) wide.
- the spring member 906 may also be made from other materials and with different thicknesses.
- the spring member 906 may be formed from phosphor-bronze that is 200 ⁇ m (8 mils) thick.
- the capacitive gap 910 may be 25 ⁇ m (1 mil) high.
- the bearing dimple 916 may be formed using a spring loaded center punch while the spring member 906 is pressed against a relatively deformable backing, such as aluminum.
- the free span of the spring member may be about 3.75 mm (150 mils), the central 2.15 mm (86 mils) of which opposes the second electrode 908.
- the unloaded capacitance of the sensor 900 is about three pF, and the bottoming-out force is between about three and four pounds.
- Capacitive force sensors exhibit a change in capacitive reactance as a function of a change in applied force. For the sensors 800 and 900, this change is substantially linear for smaller forces, where the relative gap change is small. With larger forces, however, the center of the capacitive region closes up while the edges remain more widely spaced; this leads to a nonlinear drop in reactance that becomes more rapid than linear. Compensation for this nonlinear response characteristic may be accomplished in the processing of the sensor signal. In another approach, varied embodiments of the capacitive sensor may be provided which have an inherently greater range of linear reactance change. Thus, a capacitive force sensor having a nonuniform gap may provide improved linearity of measurement with simple processing of the signal, even where one or more capacitor plates are flexing in response to applied force.
- FIG 10. One particular embodiment of a capacitive sensor with an extended linear response range is schematically illustrated in FIG 10. The dimensions in the vertical direction are exaggerated in the figure so as to more clearly illustrate the sensor 1000.
- the sensor 1000 has a spring member 1006 that is provided with a controlled shape having a slight bend. The bend permits the ends 1006a and 1006b of the spring member 1006 to attach to the first electrodes 1004 with a minimal solder film while the center portion 1006c provides a maximum capacitive gap 1010 relative to the second electrode 1008.
- the first and second electrodes 1004 and 1008 are formed on the support 1002. There is a level of force that may be applied to the coupling 1014 which is just sufficient to first bring the spring member 1006 into contact with the second electrode 1008.
- the tapering of the capacitive gap 1010 between the spring member 1006 and the second electrode 1008 may be so shaped that contact tends to happen simultaneously at a number of points along the second electrode 1008. This reduces the nonlinearity of the sensor's response.
- Such a sensor is described in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/835,040.
- the spring member of the capacitive force sensor need not be rectangular as illustrated in FIGs. 8B and 9B, and need not be formed with uniform thickness.
- the spring member may be shaped so that flexure is concentrated in specifically desired areas not serving as capacitor plates. This reduces flexure in the capacitive areas, thus increasing the linearity of the reactance change. Additional shapes and forms for the spring member are discussed further in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/835,040.
- Capacitive sensors may be formed using a spring member made from an insulating material that is conductively coated in a certain area or areas, one particular example of such a sensor 1100 is described with reference to FIGs. 11A - 11C.
- the principal element 1106 includes lands 1107 and 1108, and such portions of the epoxy glass substrate as store significant elastic energy associated with changes in the capacitive gap.
- a predefined path carries applied force from an overlay 1114, through a force-coupling elastomeric pad 1116, upper capacitor plate 1118, and spacing/connecting solder film 1120, to the central region 1122 of the principal element 1106.
- the central region 1122 is flanked by slots 1124 which serve both to increase and to relatively localize the flexure in the PC substrate.
- the force passes both out and around the ends of the slots 1124, eventually reaching the supports 1126.
- any additional flexure ceases to relate to force-induced changes in the capacitive gap, and so is no longer passing through the force sensor.
- the supports 1126 are mounted to the structure 1128.
- supports 1126 placed close to the sensor may have some effect upon sensitivity and symmetry of response. Such close supports may be given a symmetrical disposition, such as that shown, not excessively close to central region 1122. More remote supports may be placed in any pattern desired.
- the elastomeric pad 1116 provides both lateral softening and rotational softening. As such, the pad 1116 may provide the function of the dimple 914 and the lateral softener 920.
- the 1116 may be fastened adhesively to the capacitor plate 1118 below, but not attached above. Structures above the sensor 1100, such as the overlay 1126, may then be aligned and preloaded. In another approach, the pad 1116 offers the possibility of maintaining alignment and assembly through adhesive attachments both above and below.
- FIG. 15C Another embodiment 1150, schematically illustrated in FIG. 15C, shows an altered force path that passes through the length of the upper capacitor plate 1118.
- This upper plate 1118 may now make a significant contribution to the elastic energy storage associated with the capacitive gap; in which case, it is appropriate to view the upper plate 1118 as an additional spring member 1106a, working in concert with the lower principal element 1106, or spring member. Force passes from the spring member 1106a through the solder 1130 into the lower spring element 1106, continues around slots 1124, into central region 1122, and thence to support 1152.
- the pivot point may be attached to the under side of the overlay, rather than to the spring member of the force sensor.
- the sensor may be mounted to the under side of the overlay, with the pivot contacted to the support surface.
- the present invention is applicable to touch sensors and is believed to be particularly useful for touch sensors that rely on the measurement of the force applied to the touch sensor.
- the present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims.
- Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification. The claims are intended to cover such modifications and devices.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
- Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
- Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
- Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
- Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP02719482A EP1382007A2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Touch screen with rotationally isolated force sensor |
JP2002582447A JP2005502103A (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Touch screen with rotationally separated force sensor |
KR10-2003-7013306A KR20040060849A (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Touch screen with rotationally isolated force sensor |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/835,040 | 2001-04-13 | ||
US09/835,040 US20020149571A1 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-04-13 | Method and apparatus for force-based touch input |
US09/835,049 US7183948B2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2001-04-13 | Tangential force control in a touch location device |
US09/835,049 | 2001-04-13 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002084579A2 true WO2002084579A2 (en) | 2002-10-24 |
WO2002084579A3 WO2002084579A3 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
Family
ID=27125753
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/011308 WO2002084579A2 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Touch screen with rotationally isolated force sensor |
PCT/US2002/011453 WO2002084580A1 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Force sensors and touch panels using same |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2002/011453 WO2002084580A1 (en) | 2001-04-13 | 2002-04-12 | Force sensors and touch panels using same |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (2) | EP1382007A2 (en) |
JP (2) | JP2005508533A (en) |
KR (2) | KR20030090732A (en) |
CN (2) | CN1270226C (en) |
WO (2) | WO2002084579A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
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WO2004104537A1 (en) * | 2003-05-16 | 2004-12-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Capacitor based force sensor |
US7109976B2 (en) | 2003-04-01 | 2006-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Display screen seal |
US8488308B2 (en) | 2003-02-12 | 2013-07-16 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Sealed force-based touch sensor |
DE102014019128A1 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-23 | Audi Ag | Operating device for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for operating an operating device |
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US20120120017A1 (en) * | 2010-11-17 | 2012-05-17 | Synaptics Incorporated | System and method for determining object information using an estimated deflection response |
US20120169612A1 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2012-07-05 | Motorola, Inc. | Method and apparatus for a touch and nudge interface |
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US8720276B2 (en) | 2011-03-24 | 2014-05-13 | Medtronic, Inc. | Moment fraction computation for sensors |
US9501098B2 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2016-11-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Interface controlling apparatus and method using force |
US9519350B2 (en) | 2011-09-19 | 2016-12-13 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Interface controlling apparatus and method using force |
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CN106445241B (en) * | 2016-10-26 | 2021-03-26 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | Touch display screen, contact identification method and module and touch display device |
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US10635248B2 (en) * | 2018-01-05 | 2020-04-28 | Amtel Corporation | Force sensor mount and related housings and systems that incorporate the same |
JP2019185164A (en) | 2018-04-03 | 2019-10-24 | 富士通コンポーネント株式会社 | Tactile presentation device |
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JPH0228168B2 (en) * | 1984-12-21 | 1990-06-21 | Nippon Denki Hoomu Erekutoronikusu Kk | TATEGATAZAHYONYURYOKUSOCHI |
-
2002
- 2002-04-12 EP EP02719482A patent/EP1382007A2/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-04-12 JP JP2002582448A patent/JP2005508533A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-04-12 CN CNB028081218A patent/CN1270226C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-04-12 KR KR10-2003-7013369A patent/KR20030090732A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-04-12 CN CNB028081463A patent/CN1270227C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-04-12 JP JP2002582447A patent/JP2005502103A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-04-12 EP EP02762052A patent/EP1390908A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-04-12 WO PCT/US2002/011308 patent/WO2002084579A2/en active Application Filing
- 2002-04-12 KR KR10-2003-7013306A patent/KR20040060849A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-04-12 WO PCT/US2002/011453 patent/WO2002084580A1/en active Application Filing
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US4355202A (en) * | 1980-12-08 | 1982-10-19 | Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated | Mounting arrangement for a position locating system |
GB2180342A (en) * | 1985-08-14 | 1987-03-25 | Alcom Limited | Pressure sensitive device |
EP0531815A1 (en) * | 1991-09-09 | 1993-03-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Strain-gauge mounting for force-sensing touch-screen |
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Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8488308B2 (en) | 2003-02-12 | 2013-07-16 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Sealed force-based touch sensor |
US7109976B2 (en) | 2003-04-01 | 2006-09-19 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Display screen seal |
WO2004104537A1 (en) * | 2003-05-16 | 2004-12-02 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Capacitor based force sensor |
US7148882B2 (en) | 2003-05-16 | 2006-12-12 | 3M Innovatie Properties Company | Capacitor based force sensor |
DE102014019128A1 (en) | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-23 | Audi Ag | Operating device for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for operating an operating device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1270226C (en) | 2006-08-16 |
WO2002084579A3 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
KR20040060849A (en) | 2004-07-06 |
JP2005508533A (en) | 2005-03-31 |
WO2002084580A1 (en) | 2002-10-24 |
CN1270227C (en) | 2006-08-16 |
EP1390908A1 (en) | 2004-02-25 |
CN1502090A (en) | 2004-06-02 |
KR20030090732A (en) | 2003-11-28 |
CN1502091A (en) | 2004-06-02 |
JP2005502103A (en) | 2005-01-20 |
EP1382007A2 (en) | 2004-01-21 |
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