WO2011087195A1

WO2011087195A1 - Touch screen with applied pressure sensor and user input method using same

Info

Publication number: WO2011087195A1
Application number: PCT/KR2010/005049
Authority: WO
Inventors: 최종필; 유영기; 변현희
Original assignee: 주식회사 디오시스템즈
Priority date: 2010-01-18
Filing date: 2010-07-30
Publication date: 2011-07-21

Abstract

Disclosed are a touch screen with applied pressure sensor and a user input method using the same. According to the present invention, without using a substrate on which an electrode pattern having a complex structure is formed, it is possible to configure a touch screen which can exactly sense contact pressures applied by a user's finger with respect to a plurality of positions and the coordinates of the respective contact positions, using only a plurality of pressure sensing elements disposed on a touch panel.

Description

Touch screen applying pressure sensor, and user input method using the same

The present invention relates to a touch screen to which a pressure sensor is applied and a user input method using the same, and more particularly, by calculating respective coordinates of one or a plurality of points where a user's finger touches by the pressure sensor. The present invention relates to a user input method for allowing user commands for various functions to be input by using a contact for one or a plurality of points.

In recent years, a touch screen device capable of performing a user input by a user directly touching a finger on a surface of a display device such as an LCD displaying a predetermined image has been widely applied.

In accordance with this situation, development of technologies related to a user interface that can receive various commands by a finger and a technique for improving the touch sensitivity of a user's finger touching a touch screen are being actively made.

On the other hand, in the form of a touch screen, a method of sensing a touch of a finger by arranging a transparent panel having an electrode for sensing a capacitance on the surface of the display device and measuring capacitance by a finger touching the panel; Two panels each having an orthogonal electrode are disposed on the opposite surface, and when a user's finger presses the panel, the electrodes come into contact with each other, so that a touch of a finger is mainly used.

However, this approach has the disadvantage of requiring expensive materials and complicated techniques to form transparent electrodes.

Therefore, there is a demand for a touch screen which can be manufactured more inexpensively and exhibits high sensitivity to touch of a finger.

The present invention is an inexpensive configuration that does not use an electrode pattern configuration in the form of a complex matrix of transparent materials such as ITO for detecting the touch of the user finger, which is mounted on the surface of the visual display device to measure the contact point and the touch point of the user finger. It is an object to provide a touch screen.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a touch screen capable of accurately calculating the coordinates of each contact point for a contact occurring simultaneously in one or a plurality of points.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a touch screen capable of accurately determining a touch of one or a plurality of points, thereby determining input of a command for various functions.

According to the present invention, instead of using a substrate on which a complex electrode pattern is formed, only a plurality of pressure sensing elements disposed on a touch panel are used to adjust the contact pressure of the user's finger to a plurality of points and coordinates for each contact point. You can configure the touch screen to detect accurately.

Therefore, it is possible to input a variety of user commands by contacting a plurality of points at the same time, it is possible to conveniently enter a desired command using a plurality of fingers at the same time.

1 is a view schematically showing the structure of a touch screen according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating coordinates of a contact point and calculating a magnitude of contact pressure by a touch screen according to the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining a method for distinguishing the force acting on the touch screen according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and illustrates an arrangement form of a pressure sensing sensor disposed between the display device and the touch panel.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1, and illustrates a structure in which the arrangement of the pressure sensor of FIG. 4 is improved.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and illustrates a structure in which the arrangement of the pressure sensing sensors of FIGS. 4 and 5 is further improved.

7 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the coordinates of the position where the contact by the user finger occurred.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a principle of detecting respective positions when a user's finger contacts two points at the same time.

9 (a) to 9 (e) are views for explaining how the finger touches two positions at the same time and a method for analyzing the contact by the fingers.

10 is a view for explaining the principle of calculating the coordinates of each contact by the fingers of two positions.

(A) and (b) of FIG. 11 are diagrams illustrating a scroll function of an object by a touch screen according to the present invention and a form of contact pressure for implementing the same.

12 (a) to (d) are diagrams illustrating various object movement functions by a touch screen according to the present invention and changes in contact pressure for implementing the same.

13 and 14 (a) and (b) are diagrams showing an enlargement or reduction function of an object by a touch screen according to the present invention.

15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating executing an enlargement or reduction function of an object using two fingers simultaneously.

16 is a diagram illustrating a rotation function of an object using one finger by the touch screen according to the present invention.

17 is a diagram illustrating a rotation function of an object using two fingers.

18 shows a case where the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a document writer.

19 is a view for explaining a method for inputting various functions at one function input position.

20A to 20F are diagrams showing an example of an operation of inputting desired information using the touch screen according to the present invention.

21A to 21D are diagrams for explaining a method of inputting Korean characters by applying a touch screen according to the present invention to a mobile phone or the like.

22 (a) and 22 (b) illustrate yet another method for simply inputting Korean consonants using the touch screen according to the present invention.

23 (a) to 23 (c) illustrate another method of simply inputting a Korean vowel using the touch screen according to the present invention.

24 is a diagram illustrating a case where a touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a pencil tool of a painting tool.

25 is a diagram illustrating a case where a touch screen according to the present invention is applied to an eraser tool of a painting tool.

Fig. 26 is a diagram showing a case where the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a coloring tool of a painting tool.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a method of selecting at least one of various objects displayed in an overlapping manner.

28 is a structural diagram of a touch screen according to another embodiment of the present invention.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a touch screen comprising: a transparent flat panel touch panel disposed spaced apart by a predetermined distance to be parallel to a display surface of a visual display device and in contact with a user's finger; Positioned between the display surface and the touch panel to separate the display surface and the touch panel so as to maintain the distance in parallel, and output a pressure sensing signal by sensing a magnitude of pressure according to a finger press on the touch panel. A plurality of pressure sensing sensors; Based on the plurality of pressure sensing signals outputted, the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors is analyzed, and the contact position of the finger in contact with the touch panel based on the magnitude of each of the analyzed pressures. It comprises a control device for calculating the.

In addition, the touch screen of the present invention further includes a spacer having a predetermined elasticity between the display surface and the touch panel to separate the display surface and the touch panel so as to maintain the distance in parallel.

Further, the control device calculates the magnitude of the pressure of the finger in contact with the touch panel by summing the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors.

In addition, the control device considers that the user's input to the contact position has been performed when the calculated magnitude of the pressure exceeds a predetermined first threshold.

The control device may further include a command for designating a predetermined object displayed at the contact point to move along the trajectory of the movement when the finger contacts the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold. When the magnitude of the pressure calculated during the movement exceeds a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, it is regarded as an input of a command for selecting an object disposed at the moved position.

In addition, when the contact point is moved after the contact with the magnitude of the pressure exceeding the first threshold, the moving speed of the object, the zoom-in or zoom-out indication of the object, the rotation, It is considered an input to either command of color conversion.

The control device may further include a predetermined position of the object displayed at the contact point when the pressure is removed after the finger contacts the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold and moves within a predetermined distance within a predetermined time. It is regarded as an input of a move command to or a display removal command of the object.

In addition, the control device, if it is detected that the first position is moved to the second position within a predetermined time after the first contact point is calculated as the first position, another control other than the finger in contact with the first contact point A second contact point is considered to be generated by the finger, and the respective positions of the first contact point and the second contact point are calculated.

In addition, when the first contact point is detected and the second contact point is detected, the control device moves the object displayed on the first contact point along the trajectory of the movement when the second contact point is detected to move. It is considered to be input to at least one of a command to be made, a zoom-in or zoom-out display command of the object, and a command to move to a predetermined position.

In addition, when the finger slides after contacting the first point, the control device regards it as an input of a command for selecting another object related to the object displayed at the first point.

The pressure sensor, the elastic body; And a printed circuit board (PCB) having an electrode on which one side of the touch pressure is electrically input; And a spacer disposed between the elastic body and the printed circuit board so that the elastic body and the electrodes of the printed circuit board are spaced apart from each other when there is no touch operation.

The elastic body may be a leaf spring of a conductive metal material.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

The present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, to arrange the pressure sensor (S1, S2, S3, S4) on each corner of the touch panel 10 disposed on the display surface 20 of the display device, each pressure The touch point F and the coordinates (x, y) of the user's finger are sensed using the magnitudes of the pressures F1, F2, F3, and F4 detected and output by the detection sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4. Provided is a touch screen device 100.

1 is a view schematically showing the structure of a touch screen. The touch screen 100 includes a display surface 20 of a display device that visually outputs a predetermined image, a touch panel 10 disposed in parallel with the display surface 20, and to which a user's finger and the like come into contact with each other. A pressure disposed on the surface 20 and the touch panel 10 to function as a spacer separating the display surface 20 and the touch panel 10 at a predetermined interval and acting on the touch panel 10 (for example, And a plurality of pressure sensing sensors S (for example, S1, S2, S3, S4) for detecting F1, F2, F3, F4 and outputting an electrical pressure sensing signal corresponding to the sensed pressure. A sensor amplifier 32 that receives each pressure sensing signal output from the sensing sensor S and amplifies the signal, and an AD converter 34 that receives the amplified signal output from the sensor amplifier 32 and converts it into a digital signal. ), And each pressure sensing sensor (S) using the digitally converted signal And a control device 36 for calculating the magnitude of the contact pressure and the coordinates of the contact point of the user's finger acting on the touch panel 10 by analyzing the magnitude of the pressure sensed by the controller.

The control device 36 outputs the information indicating the coordinates of the calculated contact point and the touch sensing signal indicating the magnitude of the calculated contact pressure to a predetermined computer or the like connected thereto.

The computer receives a touch sensing signal and processes a user command input for an object corresponding to the coordinates of the calculated contact point among the plurality of objects displayed on the display surface 20 of the display device.

Referring to FIG. 1, eight pressure sensing sensors S disposed at the center of each corner and side may be seen between the touch panel 10 and the display surface 20 of the display device. Only four may be disposed at each corner or side. In addition, the pressure sensor (S) may be disposed at the point away from the center as well as the center of each side.

The reference numeral 20 may not be the display surface of the display device. That is, the flat panel may be made of the same or different material as that of the touch panel 10. Thus, two transparent plates may be disposed in parallel with the pressure sensing sensor S disposed therebetween, and the structure may be attached to the surface of a separate display device to be used as a touch screen.

In addition, although the pressure sensing sensor S disposed between the touch panel 10 and the display device is used as a spacer, a separate spacer having elasticity (or not having elasticity) may be disposed. That is, for example, the plurality of pressure sensing sensors S may be disposed at each corner of the touch panel 10, and the plurality of spacers may be disposed at each side of the touch panel 10. Alternatively, the pressure sensor S and the spacer may be arranged side by side to be suitably disposed on the touch panel 10 as one component.

FIG. 2 is a simplified flowchart illustrating a process of calculating the coordinates of the contact point and calculating the magnitude of the contact pressure by the touch screen as shown in FIG. 1.

First, when a touch sensing operation is initiated by supplying power to the touch screen, each of the pressure sensing sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 is operated when a user's finger contacts the touch panel 10 to apply pressure. The pressure detection signal is output according to the magnitudes of the detected pressures F1, F2, F3, and F4 (S12). The output pressure sensing signal is input to the control device 36 after passing through the sensor amplifier 32 and the AD converter 34, and the control device 36 analyzes the pressure sensing signals to determine the coordinates of the point where the pressure is applied. The total force ΣF of the pressure caused by the contacted user's finger is calculated (S13). The calculated combined force ΣF is compared with a preset threshold value (e.g., f1, f2, f3), and the strength (magnitude of the pressure) of the force pushing the touch panel 10 is determined (S14), and the determined force The strength of is temporarily stored in a memory or the like along with the coordinates of the contact point at which the pressure previously calculated (S15).

Here, the method of determining the magnitude of the pressure touched by the finger is described with reference to FIG. 3 below, and the method of calculating the coordinates of the contact point is described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 below.

If both the coordinates of the contact of the finger and the magnitude of the pressure have been calculated, it is determined by using the magnitude of the pressure at the point where the contact occurred, which intention was input at the corresponding position (S16). That is, it is determined whether it is a simple finger touch for inputting specific information or a pressure for selecting and inputting information displayed on the display device (S16), and the corresponding touch detection signal is transmitted to an external device such as a computer or a mobile phone. It is output (S17).

3 is a view for explaining a method of distinguishing each force acting on the touch panel. In the figure, the horizontal axis is set as time, and the vertical axis is set as the force (ΣF) of the force acting on the entire pressure sensing sensor S. FIG.

At this time, if a step-like force acts as shown in the drawing, first, in the 0 → t1 section, the user starts to press the pressure by pressing the finger, and the t1 → t2 section is the user's pressing It can be seen that the pressure remains constant but does not reach the preset threshold f1. In the period t2 → t3, the user increases the pressure of the pressing force, and the force ΣF exceeds the threshold value f1.

In addition, the section t3 → t4 further increases the force that the user presses, so that the force exceeds the threshold f2, and the section t4 → t5 exceeds the threshold f3. The pressure is then returned to zero by the user removing the finger from the touch panel 10.

According to the pressure acting in this way, in the period t2 → t3, the user assumes that the input is set corresponding to the threshold value f1, and outputs a corresponding touch sensing signal, and the period t3 → t4 and t4 → t5 respectively. It is assumed that the input set corresponding to the threshold value f2 and the threshold value f3 is performed, and a corresponding touch sensing signal is output.

As described above, according to the touch screen to which the pressure sensor according to the present invention is applied, various inputs may be performed at one contact point by detecting and detecting the magnitude of the pressure generated by the user's pressing in multiple stages.

Next, FIG. 4 schematically shows the application form of the pressure sensing sensor disposed between the display surface and the touch panel, taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 1. In the drawing, the touch panel 10 and the display surface 20 of the display device are arranged parallel to each other at regular intervals therebetween, and the pressure sensing sensor S is arranged to function as a spacer for maintaining a constant interval therebetween. Show the form. According to this structure, the pressure sensor S can accurately measure the pressure acting in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction, that is, the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis in FIG. 7 to be described later). By the touch screen 100 of the structure it is possible to accurately detect the pressure due to the contact acting perpendicular to the touch screen 100 by the user's finger or the like.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1 and schematically illustrates a structure in which an application form of the pressure sensor of FIG. 4 is improved. According to the drawing, it can be seen that the portion where the pressure sensor S is disposed in the touch panel 10 is inclined toward the outside.

According to such a configuration, when a finger or the like moves while being in contact with the touch panel 10 while applying pressure, the touch panel 10 is moved in the horizontal direction (X axis or Y axis) by friction with the finger. Direction, the change in pressure can be measured accurately.

In this configuration, the sensing direction of the pressure sensing sensor S may be arranged obliquely so that the direction of sensing the pressure in the pressure sensing sensor S may correspond to the angle of the inclination formed in the touch panel 10.

6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II ′ of FIG. 1, and schematically illustrates a structure in which an application form of the pressure sensor of FIGS. 4 and 5 is further improved. According to the drawings, the pressure acting vertically and the pressure acting horizontally with respect to the touch panel 10 can be independently measured by the pressure sensor S disposed independently in each of the vertical and horizontal directions. Accurate pressure sensing is possible.

The arrangement of the pressure sensor S as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 may be appropriately selected and applied.

In addition, in the touch screen 100 using the pressure sensor S, a structure in which the pressure sensor S is disposed on the display surface 20 of the display device and the touch panel 10 is disposed, as well as the existing resistance. Also for the touch screen of a film | membrane type or a capacitive type | mold, the structure which further applies the pressure sensing sensor S like this invention is also possible.

Next, with reference to the principle of measuring the coordinates for the first point (A) of the contact of one or a plurality of users using the touch screen to which the pressure sensor according to the present invention having the structure as described above is applied, Figs. It demonstrates with reference to FIG.

First, referring to FIG. 7, four pressure sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 (hereinafter, denoted as S) are disposed at respective corners of the rectangular touch screen, and the pressure sensor ( The principle of measuring the coordinates (x, y) and the magnitude (F) of the pressure at the first point (A) where contact by the user's finger occurred by S) will be described.

First, when a pressure F is generated by contact of a user's finger at a predetermined first point A of the touch screen 100, the pressure is represented as a force dispersed in four pressure sensing sensors S, respectively.

In other words, according to a simple theory of statics, the force of all the forces appearing in the four pressure sensors S1, S2, S3, and S4 is equal to the pressure F by the finger, and the directions of the X and Y axes, respectively. Applying the condition that the sum of moments (M) with respect to 0 can be obtained as follows.

F = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4

∑Mx = 0

∑My = 0

Taking these conditions into consideration, the coordinates (x, y) of the contact position are obtained as follows.

The sum of the total force (F) based on the magnitude of the pressure detected at each of the four corners as above, and the coordinates (x, y) of the first point A of the force applied from the actual magnitudes (2Wx, 2Wy) of the touch screen. You can get it.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, the principle of sensing each position in the case of simultaneously touching two points A and B with a finger on a touch screen using a pressure sensor will be described.

In the touch screen 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the user makes contact with any one point A (x, y) of the touch panel 10 and maintains the pressure of the contact constant. In the case where an additional point B (x ', y') is additionally touched or a point in which the additional touched point is further moved is detected.

First, when the force (F) is applied to the first first point (A) by the contact of any one finger of the user, the pressure (F1, F2) of the pressure sensor S of each corner by the method described in FIG. , F3 and F4 are measured to find the coordinates (x, y) of the first first point A. Next, when a force F 'is applied to the second second point B by another user's finger, the pressures F "1, F" 2, F "3, Measure F " 4 and subtract the pressures F1, F2, F3, F4 of the pressure sensing sensor by force F from the measured pressure, thereby acting on the pressure sensing sensors by force F '. The pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4 can be calculated. When the pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4 for each pressure sensing sensor are calculated as described above, the second point B of the force F 'is calculated using the pressures F'1, F'2, F'3, and F'4.

As such, if it is possible to know the pressure due to the contact generated at the first point A, the pressure at the second point B due to the subsequent contact can be calculated, and the coordinates and the pressing pressure for each point The size can be calculated.

Further, if this calculation is repeatedly and continuously performed at a predetermined frequency, the position of the movement of the force F 'can also be measured.

By using the touch screen using the pressure sensor according to the present invention having the principle as described above, it is possible to determine not only one contact position, but also accurate positions for a plurality of contact positions. You can enter commands.

(A) and (b) of FIG. 9 are diagrams illustrating the input state of the first point A and the second point B. FIG. Fig. 10 shows each contact position by one finger (first point A) holding a contact and another finger (moving from second point B to third point C) moving after contact. The figure for explaining the principle of calculating the.

(A) and (b) of FIG. 9 show a situation in which another finger is further contacted in the second position while the finger is first touched in the first position, and the finger that is in contact with the second position is slidably moved on the surface of the touch panel. Indicates a situation. When pressure is applied to each of the first point A and the second point B as shown in the drawing, if the first point A is contacted with a constant pressure in a fixed state, the coordinates of the second point B are And the strength of the force can be obtained.

That is, while one finger touches the first point A and the pressure is detected by the pressure sensor S disposed at four corners of the touch panel 10, the sum of the magnitudes of the pressures is suddenly detected and the contact is detected. When the position is changed, it may be determined that another finger is in contact with the touch panel 10 and the contact positions A and B of each finger may be calculated.

9 (c) and 9 (d) show pressures generated in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) showing a situation where another finger touches another position after one finger touches a certain position. It is a graph showing the strength of the force.

FIG. 9C shows a force acting on the touch panel. Ⓐ A section is a section where no contact occurs. In section ⓑ, finger contact occurs at any first point, and the strength of the force exceeds the threshold f1. In section ⓒ, another finger touch occurs at another second point, and the strength of the force exceeds the threshold f2. In section ⓓ, it can be seen that one of the fingers of the first point or the finger of the second point is removed so that the strength of the force decreases below the threshold f2. Ⓔ section shows all fingers removed.

(D) and (e) of FIG. 9 are graphs showing the analysis of the respective forces acting on the first point and the second point by using the graph of the force shown in FIG. 9 (c). That is, as shown in (c) of FIG. 9, the force of the first contact point generated in section ⓑ and ⓒ as shown in FIG. 9 (d) and in section ⓒ and ⓓ as shown in FIG. 9 (e). It can be distinguished by the contact of the second point that occurred.

By dividing the force ΣF detected by the touch panel as shown in FIGS. 9D and 9E, it is possible to confirm whether a contact has occurred at a plurality of points.

When contact occurs at a plurality of points, the position determination for each contact point is performed according to the principle described in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 10, when only the thumb is in contact with the first point A of the touch screen, the force Fa is sensed to act on the first point A, but the index finger is the second point B. ), The force by the pressure sensing sensors S is represented by the force Fb. And when the index finger moves to the third point (C), the force will appear to move from the force (Fb) to the force (Fc). At this time, subtracting the force Fa at each instant of movement from the force Fb to the force Fc allows the index finger to detect the movement of the index finger from the second point B to the third point C. do.

Various user inputs are possible according to the two respective contact positions calculated as described above. That is, the case where the input occurs at the first point A and the case where the input occurs at the first and second points A and B simultaneously may be set as an input for a command to execute a new function.

Further, even when the position of the finger in contact with the first point A is not changed, even when the other finger is further moved after the other finger is touched, the contact of the second point B with the force of the two contact points is achieved. Since the movement trajectory can be calculated, this contact can also be set as an input of a command to execute a new function.

Next, in the case where the touch screen using the pressure sensor as described above is applied to various multimedia devices, various functions are input by using the contact position and the number of touches of the fingers and the strength of the force pressed by each finger. An application example will be described.

First, as illustrated in FIG. 11A, a function of scrolling various objects 22 displayed on the screen in various ways may be implemented.

First, when the touch screen is touched by one finger and then moves while maintaining the contact force while maintaining the contact, the moved distance may be calculated and the screen may be scrolled by the calculated distance. .

In addition, when a user touches the touch screen with one finger and then moves while changing the contact force while maintaining contact, the scroll speed and direction are changed in proportion to the distance moved and the strength of the contact force. You can do that.

In addition, the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger, and the pressure is applied to the touch screen 100 with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value while moving while maintaining a constant force or changing force while maintaining contact. In the case where the force is repeatedly changed at the same position, the object 22 displayed by the scroll can be selected.

FIG. 11B is a graph showing a change in the strength of the force touched by the finger with time in such a touch operation. First, it shows that a finger starts to contact with the force of the pressure f1 or more at time t1, and scrolls, maintaining pressure until time t2. In this case, the screen is scrolled according to the position of the finger or the moving speed.

When the current contact point is pressed with a force exceeding the pressure f2 in the time period t2 to time t3, the item that is displayed at the point where the user is currently touching the finger is selected.

Next, as illustrated in FIG. 12A, a function of moving any object 22 displayed on the display surface 20 of the display device on the display surface 20 may be implemented.

That is, in the case where the predetermined object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger and then slides while maintaining the contact force while maintaining the contact, the movement trajectory is detected and the corresponding movement is detected. The display position of the object 22 may be moved along the trajectory.

In addition, when the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger and then moves while changing the contact force while maintaining the contact, the moving speed and the display position of the object 22 are proportional to the strength of the force. Can change.

FIG. 12B is a view showing a change in force in the process of sliding and touching a point where an object is displayed with a force exceeding the pressure f1.

As described above, after the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger, the pressure is applied to the touch screen 100 with a force equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value while moving with a constant force or changing force while maintaining contact. In the case of applying the force, or repeatedly changing the force in the same position, the object 22 being moved can be selected again. That is, when the displayed object 22 is an executable program or file, the program or file is driven or a predetermined operation is executed.

12C shows that by selecting an object with a force exceeding the pressure f1 at time t1 and sliding it to time t2 and pressing the selected object with a larger pressure f2 at time t2, The change in pressure when the object being moved is selected again is shown.

FIG. 12D illustrates a change in pressure when the object is pushed and selected with a strong pressure f2 at a time t1 and then the user slides like a finger.

The sliding operation as shown in FIG. 12D may be applied to an operation such as throwing a selected object by touching a finger. That is, when a certain object 22 is touched and then slides like a bouncing, the object 22 may be moved to a trash bin or moved to a predetermined position. That is, when one or more photo files are displayed, if you select at least one photo and then flick your finger or move it faster than a certain reference speed, the photo is regarded as an operation of throwing it into the trash or a predetermined You can move it to a folder (or copy it).

Next, as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14A and 14B, a function of enlarging or reducing an object 22 displayed on the display device on the screen may be applied.

First, as shown in FIG. 13, when a predetermined object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 is touched by one finger, and the contact force is changed, the display of the object 22 according to the strength of the force is performed. Can be enlarged (zoom in) or reduced (zoom out). Here, the center position of the enlargement or reduction may be the contact position of the finger. Moreover, the magnification or speed of the enlargement or reduction may be determined according to the pressing force. If the finger is released during enlargement or reduction, the enlargement or reduction state is maintained.

In addition, an enlarged or reduced display of the object 22 can also be performed by sliding a finger in contact with the selected object 22 in a selected state with a force higher or weaker than a predetermined reference value. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, when a finger touches an arbitrary position of the object 22 and then moves in a direction away from the center position of the object 22, the display is enlarged. In the case of moving toward the center position of the object 22, it may be reduced.

Next, a method of setting an input of an enlargement or reduction function of an object 22 when two fingers are touched at the same time will be described with reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B.

That is, as shown in (a) of FIG. 15, one finger (for example, a thumb) is in contact with the touch screen, and then another finger (for example, an index finger) is touched, and then one finger is touched. When the position is fixed and one finger is moved apart in a direction away from each other, or both fingers move simultaneously in a direction away from each other, the selected object 22 can be used as an input to enlarge.

On the contrary, as shown in (b) of FIG. 15, when the forefinger moves in the direction toward the thumb while the thumb is in contact with the touch screen, the selected object 22 is recognized as an input to be reduced. Can be.

At this time, the position of one of the fingers may be set to the center position of the enlargement or reduction.

At this time, even if the pressure of the finger (for example, the thumb) in contact with the first position to be the fixed finger changes to some extent, since the change in the relative distance between the two fingers can be detected, the above-described processing of the operation Can be carried out without difficulty.

Next, a method of setting a contact of one finger or two fingers as an input of a rotation function of an object 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

16 is a view for explaining a method of inputting a rotation function using one finger. That is, one side of the display device is provided with an additional button for inputting a rotation function of an object 22. The object 22 can be rotated by first touching a button with a finger to activate the rotation function, and then touching any point of the object 22. At this time, by changing the force of contact or weakening so as to control the speed or direction of rotation.

In addition, instead of having a button for inputting a rotation function on one side of the display surface 20, the button for the rotation function may be superimposed and displayed on the displayed object 22.

In addition, when contacting the desired object 22 again after touching the button for the input of the "rotation" function, it may be regarded as an input for rotating the object according to the pressure to press the button after contacting without rotating the object.

It is also possible to control the amount of rotation according to the magnitude of the pressure that the object presses to touch the marked position or any position after selecting a menu for executing the separately configured "rotation" function.

In addition, the rotation direction or the rotational speed may be controlled according to the direction, speed, and pressure for sliding the finger while the button for inputting the rotation function is in contact with one finger.

Next, a method of inputting a rotation function using two fingers will be described with reference to FIG. 17. In this case, a button for inputting a separate rotation function does not need to be provided, and one finger (for example, a thumb) contacts the touch screen 100 and then another finger (for example, forefinger) is touched. The rotation of the object 22 can be controlled by moving after contact.

First, after selecting the object 22 displayed on the touch screen 100 by using a thumb, the forefinger contacts the touch screen 100. And while keeping the forefinger in contact, by sliding in the direction toward or away from the thumb, rotating the forefinger in a circular arc around the thumb, or by changing the pressure of the thumb or forefinger. The rotation direction or the rotation speed of the object 22 may be controlled.

At this time, it is also possible to set the contact position of the thumb or forefinger as the center of rotation.

On the other hand, using the pressure, the direction of movement, the speed of movement of the thumb and forefinger, it is possible to simultaneously control the enlargement and reduction of the object 22, rotation and display value movement.

18 shows a method of controlling a document creator using the contact of one finger or two fingers.

That is, when the document creator is executed and an arbitrary document is being edited and the pressure of pressing a contact point after selecting a display position of a specific letter or word is changed, the letter size of the letter or word, the line thickness of the letter, the shape of the letter, etc. You can make a variety of changes.

19 illustrates a method of allowing various functions to be input at one function input position by using one finger or two finger contacts. That is, for example, when displaying an input device such as an on-screen keyboard on the touch screen 100, different functions or different functions depending on the pressure of contacting and pressing the position of any button Characters can be input. In the drawing, 'b' and 'ㄹ' are displayed on one button, and if the finger touches the button lightly, 'b' is inputted, and 'd' is inputted by pressing the button hard. The case is shown.

When the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to an on-screen keyboard as described above, more various methods may be implemented as follows.

First, FIG. 20A illustrates a configuration in which the touch screen according to the present invention is applied to a cellular phone or the like as a ten key for numeric input or the like.

FIG. 20B is a graph showing a change in pressure in the process of sliding a finger from No. 1 to No. 3 of the license plate in the configuration of the tenkey as shown in FIG. 20A. The graph shows that the user's finger initiates contact with a force exceeding the pressure f1 at position 1 of the license plate number (ⓐ section) and presses strongly to exceed the pressure f2 when passing the license plate number 2 (sector ⓑ). , When you pass the number 3 again (ⓒ section), you are weakly relaxed. In this case, in the case of contacting the license plate with a weak pressure f1, it is possible to indicate that only a user contact has occurred in the license plate by illuminating the license plate or changing the color of the display, and a strong pressure f2. In the case where the touch panel is pressed, the user can assume that the user intends to input the number of the corresponding position.

FIG. 20C is a graph showing a change in pressure when the position of the number 2 is immediately pressed with a strong pressure f2 in order to input the number 2. FIG.

(D) of FIG. 20 shows that the user starts contacting with a weak pressure f1 at the position of the number 1 of the license plate, presses with a strong pressure f2 when passing the number 2 of the license plate, and continues to slide at the position of the number 3 Show when you lift your finger. In this case, since the pressure is generated in the number 1, the contact is displayed. In the number 2, a strong press of the user occurs, but since the finger slides to the number 3, the user wants to enter 3, not 2. Can be regarded as.

FIG. 20E shows that the user starts contacting at the position of the number 1 on the license plate (ⓐ section), presses at a strong pressure f2 at the position of the number 2 (ⓑ section), and further at the position of the number 3 In the case where pressing is performed at a strong pressure f3 (section ⓒ), the pressure is displayed. In this case, in section ⓐ, the number 1 is simply displayed, and in section ⓑ, the user presses the number 2. In section ⓒ, the user can assume that the user wants to enter the number 3.

20 (f) is a graph showing a change in pressure when one number is to be continuously input. In this case, when one number is to be continuously input through the touch panel, it is sufficient to change the pressing pressure for a predetermined time Δt without having to release the finger at the point where the desired number is displayed and press it again. In this case, the time for pressing each number or the size of the time Δt may be arbitrarily set.

In addition, even when the desired number is pressed by the pressure f1 and then again by the pressure f2, it can be considered that the number is to be continuously input.

21A to 21D illustrate a method for applying a touch screen according to the present invention to a mobile phone or the like and inputting Korean into the touch screen. When inputting Hangul in a device such as a mobile phone, since the number of keys that can be used for input is small, there is no choice but to place a plurality of Hangul alphabets on one key. Accordingly, a method for easily and quickly selecting and inputting any one of a plurality of letters arranged on one key is considered.

FIG. 21A shows that the finger slides in the pushing direction in the state of contact with the touch panel. 21 (b) shows the relationship between "a" and "ㄲ" in the Hangul consonants.

FIG. 21C shows that the finger starts contacting with a weak pressure f1 at the position indicating "a" so that only a contact has occurred, and then presses the same position with a strong pressure f2. "A" is inputted, and the pressure change in the case of inputting "v" by sliding a finger in one direction in this state is shown.

(D) of FIG. 21 starts contacting with a weak pressure f1 at the position where "a" is indicated, presses with a strong pressure f2 to input "a", removes the pressure for a predetermined time, and then presses "ㄲ" again. The change of the pressure in the case of inputting "" is shown.

This change in consonant by pushing or pressing again, the same can be applied not only in the case of a → ㄸ, ㄸ → ㅂ, ㄸ → ㅅ → ㅃ → ㅆ → ㅉ.

In addition, the direction in which the finger slides is not only a pushing direction, but also a pulling direction and a left and right direction.

22 illustrates a method of simply inputting a Hangul vowel using a slide movement.

In FIG. 22A, the left picture shows that the user can slide left and right after touching the finger, and the right picture shows that "ㅓ" is input and slides further to the left when the vowel "ㅣ" is selected once. If slide twice, "ㅕ" is input, and if slide once, "로" is input, and if slide two times further, "우" is inputted.

Here, the one-time slide refers to an operation of first contacting a certain point at a predetermined pressure, sliding and stopping a predetermined distance in a certain direction while maintaining the pressure. In addition, the second slide means an operation of stopping for a while in the state of maintaining pressure after one slide and then sliding and stopping a predetermined distance in the same direction.

In the input method as shown in Fig. 22A, the one-slide and the two-slide operations can also be the action of pressing the pressure f1 and the pressure f2, and the operation of slowing down the speed of the slide slowly and quickly. You can also do

In (b) of FIG. 22, the figure on the left shows that the user can slide in the direction of sliding or pulling (up and down) after touching the finger. In the figure on the right, the user pushes out once after selecting the vowel "-". By pushing twice, "ㅗ" and "ㅛ" can be selected, respectively, indicating that "TT" and "ㅠ" can be selected by pulling or pulling twice, respectively.

According to such an application, various vowels (or consonants) can be input by one contact, so that various kinds of inputs can be easily performed even in an input means such that the number of keys that can be selected, such as a mobile phone, is limited. do.

Next, FIG. 23 illustrates another method of simply inputting Korean consonants.

FIG. 23A illustrates a method of sliding a finger after contacting it, indicating that a pushing direction ⓐ and a pulling direction ⓑ may be used.

FIG. 23B shows that one Hangul consonant can be changed to another similar consonant. In other words, "a" of the Hangul consonants has a similar relationship between "ㄲ" and "ㅋ" in form and value. Therefore, if the finger first selects "a" and then slides in the ⓐ direction, input "ㄲ", and selects the "a" and then slides in the ⓑ direction can be entered as "ㅋ".

This input method can be applied to various Korean consonants. For example, as shown in (c) of FIG. 23, it can be seen that the input may be extended to “ㅃ” and “ㅍ”.

Next, a method of controlling the drawing tool using the contact of one finger or two fingers will be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 27.

24 illustrates a function that can be applied to a pencil tool of a painting tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user selects a pencil tool using a finger or the like, and draws a desired line by touching and moving an area in the touch screen 100. At this time, the thickness or thickening of the line drawn in accordance with the contact pressure is to be changed. For example, when the touch screen 100 is pressed hard, a thick line is drawn, and when pressed weakly, a thin line can be drawn. Alternatively, you can press hard to draw a dark line and weakly press to draw a light line.

Next, FIG. 25 illustrates a function applicable to an eraser tool of a painting tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user selects an eraser tool using a finger or the like, and erases a desired area by touching and moving an area within the touch screen 100. At this time, the width of the trajectory to be erased or the amount of the eraser can be controlled according to the contact pressure. That is, when the touch screen 100 is pressed hard, the width of the erased area can be widened or erased, and when pressed weakly, the erased width can be narrowed or reduced.

Next, FIG. 26 describes a function that can be applied to a coloring tool of a painting tool in a touch screen using a pressure sensor according to the present invention. First, a user may select a colorable tool such as a pencil tool using a finger or the like, and perform a desired line or color by touching and moving an area within the touch screen 100. In this case, the color, contrast, saturation, etc. of the coloring tool may be changed according to the magnitude of the pressure for pressing the touch screen 100. In the drawing, it is possible to arrange a contrast selection button or a color selection button on one side of the touch screen, and allow the user to draw a line of a desired color while touching or moving an arbitrary area after touching the button. Among these, for the contact after selecting the contrast selection button, the contrast of the drawn line may be changed according to the intensity of pressing, and the color of the drawn line may be changed after the selection of the color selection button.

Next, referring to FIG. 27, a method of selecting at least one of the various objects 22 displayed on the touch screen by overlapping one finger or two fingers will be described.

That is, while at least some areas of the plurality of objects 22 are displayed overlapping each other on the screen of the touch screen 100, any one object 22 may be selected according to the strength of touching the overlapped areas. Make sure For example, in the drawing, a total of five objects 22 are displayed in an overlapping manner. At this time, when the user presses a certain point, the user can selectively select the upper object 22 or the lower object 22 according to the strength.

Next, although not illustrated by a separate drawing, another example of functions that can be performed using the touch screen 100 according to the present invention will be described.

As an example, a function related to playback or fast forwarding may be performed according to the strength of pressing an arbitrary position of the touch screen 100 while a predetermined video or music is being played.

In addition, for an application such as a billiard game or a golf game, the pressing force may be the strength of the force striking the ball.

In addition, when an arbitrary file or the like is selected and pressed at a predetermined reference value or more, the file may be compressed.

In addition, if a user presses hard on the shortcut icon, the corresponding detailed menu may be displayed in the form of a popup.

In addition, while the menu having various items is displayed, any one of the listed items can be selected according to the intensity of the pressing.

In addition, when a password or the like is input by touching a number or letter displayed on the display device, security may be further improved by setting the strength of the force to each number or letter constituting the password. That is, when the password is set to '1234', it can be set to "1 (strongly), 2 (weak), 3 (weak), 4 (strong)" and the like.

Meanwhile, the aforementioned various types of user input methods are not limited to the structure of FIG. 1. That is, even if the touch screen having the structure of the pressure sensor 130 of FIG. 28 is applied.

Referring to FIG. 28, in the touch screen according to another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure sensor 130 may include a printed circuit board having an elastic body 140 and an electrode 151 through which touch pressure is electrically input at one side thereof. 150, PCB.Printed Circuit Board and the elastic body 140 and the electrode 151 of the printed circuit board 150 is disposed between the elastic body 140 and the printed circuit board 150 in the absence of a touch operation. Spacers 160 to be included.

The elastic body 140 is elastically deformed due to the touch pressure generated during the touch operation so that the electrode 151 of the printed circuit board 150 generates an electrical signal. The elastic body 140 may be provided as various types, but in the present embodiment, the elastic body 140 is applied to the leaf spring 140 made of a conductive metal material.

The printed circuit board 150 is disposed in parallel with the leaf spring 140 at one side of the leaf spring 140. One or more electrodes 151 are disposed on the printed circuit board 150. In the present exemplary embodiment, since the printed circuit board 150 is positioned between the touch panel 10 and the display surface 20 of the display device, an opening 152 is formed in the center of the printed circuit board 150.

In detail, if only one electrode 151 is provided on the printed circuit board 150, if the touch pressure is applied or if the touch pressure is to be sensed only when the touch pressure is applied. Is enough. However, if the touch position is to be further detected in two dimensions, it may be preferable that the plurality of electrodes 151 are disposed on at least three different positions on the printed circuit board 150.

The spacer 160 serves to allow the plate spring 140 to be spaced apart from the printed circuit board 150 at regular intervals when there is no touch pressure applied thereto. The spacer 160 is preferably disposed in the circumferential region of the leaf spring 140, so that the spacer 160 does not interfere with the elastic operation of the leaf spring 10. Since the spacer 160 is fixed in position between the printed circuit board 150 and the plate spring 140, the spacer 160 may be stable in structure, such as double-sided tape, adhesive, solder joint, welding, rivet coupling, bolt (screw) coupling, and the like. Can be fixed.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the claims of the present invention.

The present invention can be used for a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a PAD, a smartphone, a digital camera, an MP3 player, a monitor of a television or a computer, and a screen or liquid crystal such as an ATM.

Claims

A flat panel touch panel disposed spaced apart by a predetermined distance to be parallel to the display surface of the visual display device and having a user's finger in contact with the flat panel;

Positioned between the display surface and the touch panel to separate the display surface and the touch panel so as to maintain the distance in parallel, and output a pressure sensing signal by sensing a magnitude of pressure according to a finger press on the touch panel. A plurality of pressure sensing sensors;

Based on the plurality of pressure sensing signals outputted, the magnitude of the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensing sensors is analyzed, and the contact position of the finger in contact with the touch panel based on the magnitude of each of the analyzed pressures. Touch screen using a pressure sensing sensor provided with a control device for calculating the.
The method of claim 1,

And a spacer having a predetermined elasticity, positioned between the display surface and the touch panel to space the display surface and the touch panel to maintain the distance in parallel. screen.
The method according to claim 1 or 2,

The control device is a touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that for calculating the magnitude of the pressure of the finger in contact with the touch panel by summing the pressure applied to each of the pressure sensor.
The method of claim 3,

And the control device considers that the user's input to the contact position has been performed when the calculated magnitude of the pressure exceeds a predetermined first threshold value.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The control device, when the finger touches the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold and then moves, designates a predetermined object displayed at the contact point to move along the trajectory of the movement. When the magnitude of the pressure calculated during the movement exceeds the second threshold that is larger than the first threshold, it is regarded as an input of a command for selecting an object disposed in the moved position Touch screen with pressure sensor.
The method of claim 5,

In the case of moving after contacting the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold, the moving speed of the object, the zoom-in or zoom-out indication of the object, rotation, color according to the direction or speed of the movement and the magnitude of the pressure Touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that it is regarded as an input to any one of the commands.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The control device is configured to move to a predetermined position of the object displayed at the contact point when the pressure is removed after the finger contacts the contact point with a magnitude of pressure exceeding the first threshold and moves within a predetermined distance within a predetermined time. Touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that it is regarded as the input of the movement command of the object or the display removal command of the object.
The method of claim 3,

When the control device detects that the first contact point is moved to the second position within a predetermined time after being calculated as the first position, the control device includes a second predetermined second by another finger other than the finger that touched the first contact point. A touch screen using a pressure sensing sensor, wherein the contact point is considered to have occurred, and the respective positions of the first contact point and the second contact point are calculated.
The method of claim 8,

The control device, after detecting the first contact point and the second contact point, if the second contact point is detected to move, moves the object displayed on the first contact point along the trajectory of the movement. And an input to at least one of a command to be made, a zoom-in or zoom-out display command of the object, and a command to move to a predetermined position.
The method of claim 3,

When the finger slides a predetermined distance after the finger touches the first point, the control device regards the pressure sensing sensor as an input of a command for selecting another object related to the object displayed at the first point. Touch screen.
The method of claim 1,

The pressure sensor,

Elastic bodies; And

A printed circuit board (PCB) having an electrode on which one side of the touch pressure is electrically input; And

And a spacer disposed between the elastic body and the printed circuit board so that the electrodes of the elastic body and the printed circuit board are spaced apart from each other when there is no touch operation.
The method of claim 11,

The elastic body is a touch screen using a pressure sensor, characterized in that the plate spring of a conductive metal material.