KR101452747B1 - Capacitive touch panel with improved sensitivity of proximity, location and intensity of force of multi-touch input, method measuring thereof and method manufacturing thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel that recognizes proximity, contact position, and contact force according to multi-touch, and more particularly, The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel capable of measurement, a method of measuring contact force, and a manufacturing method thereof. A capacitive touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an upper plate, a lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate, a plurality of upper electrodes arranged parallel to the lower surface of the upper plate at predetermined intervals, And a dielectric disposed between the upper and lower plates, and a control unit, wherein the first object is positioned proximate to at least a portion of the upper plate within a predetermined numerical value, Wherein when a first electric field between at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes and a first lower electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes, is changed, the dielectric is changed according to the degree of change of the first electric field A change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode is induced, Wherein at least one of the distance between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode and the second electric field is changed when the shape of the upper plate is changed by contacting at least a part of the upper plate, Wherein the control unit induces a change in the first capacitance according to a degree of change of at least one of the first electric field and the second electric field, and the controller measures the proximity, contact position, and force of the first object using the induced change in the first capacitance .

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capacitance type touch panel having improved proximity, contact position and sensing sensitivity of contact force according to multi-touch, a measuring method thereof, and a manufacturing method thereof. , METHOD MEASURING THEREOF AND METHOD MANUFACTURING THEREOF}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel that recognizes proximity, contact position, and contact force according to multi-touch, and more particularly, The present invention relates to a capacitive touch panel capable of measurement, a method of measuring contact force, and a manufacturing method thereof.

In recent years, touch panel technology is deeply embedded in our everyday life, providing convenience in various aspects, and has become a key technology essential for everyday life.

Generally, such a touch panel technology can be used for various electronic / communication devices such as a notebook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a game machine, a smart phone, and navigation, and can be used for selecting or inputting a function desired by a user.

This touch panel technology can be largely implemented by a resistive film type and a capacitive type.

First, the resistive membrane type is configured such that the upper and lower electrode films are spaced apart by the spacers and can be brought into contact with each other by pressing.

When the upper plate on which the upper electrode film is formed is pressed by the input means such as a finger or a pen, the upper and lower electrode films are energized and the control unit recognizes the voltage change in accordance with the change in resistance value at that position, .

On the other hand, the electrostatic capacity type can be classified into a surface capacitive type and a projected capacitive type.

The surface capacitive method uses a flat ITO layer with a metal rim pattern. When a screen is touched with a finger in a state in which a magnetic field is formed all over the ITO, the coordinates can be extracted by sensing the change in capacitance at four corners.

In the projection electrostatic capacitance type, electrodes can be formed on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis to extract position coordinates according to the capacitance change of each of the horizontal axis and the vertical axis.

Fig. 1 shows an example of such a projection electrostatic capacitance method. As shown in FIG. 1, electrodes 3 and 5 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the glass substrate 1 to detect the position of the pushing point.

The conventional touch input technology as shown in FIG. 1 has a merit in that the light emitted from the liquid crystal panel is not obstructed in transmitting the light to the user, thereby providing a clean screen and not affecting the appearance of a mobile phone.

However, such a conventional touch panel can only acquire the position of a multi-touch, and can not detect the strength of contact force or the like.

This is a disadvantage in that it requires more contact to implement a three-dimensional user interface or difficulty in displaying various menus on the display screen.

On the other hand, the spread of devices equipped with touch panel technology has been widely used and it has been frequently used in everyday life regardless of time and place.

However, in the case of using an insulator such as touching with a glove or touching with a plastic pen, there is a problem that input is not applied because there is no change in capacitance.

Accordingly, there is a demand for development of a touch panel capable of accurately measuring proximity, contact position, and contact force by measuring contact force as well as contact force, improving recognition sensitivity while supporting various touches.

United States Patent 5,942,733

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a capacitive touch panel capable of accurately sensing proximity, contact position and contact force by supporting various touches, And a manufacturing method thereof.

Specifically, in the present invention, a plurality of upper electrodes and a plurality of lower electrodes are formed so as to overlap with each other, and the change in capacitance of the overlapped portion is measured, and the proximity due to external pressing and the magnitude of the contact force can be measured.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It can be understood.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a capacitive touch panel including an upper plate, a lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate, a plurality of upper electrodes disposed parallel to the lower surface of the upper plate at predetermined intervals, A plurality of lower electrodes disposed parallel to the upper surface of the upper plate and arranged in a direction crossing the plurality of upper electrodes, a dielectric disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, and a control unit, When a first electric field between the first upper electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes, and the first lower electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes, is changed in contact with a part or within a predetermined value, And a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to a degree of change of the first electric field Wherein when a force along the first object is applied to at least a portion of the top plate and a second electric field between the first top electrode and the first bottom electrode changes corresponding to the applied force, The dielectric induces a change in the first capacitance according to a degree of change of the second electric field, and the control unit measures a proximity, a contact position and a force of the first object using the induced change in the first capacitance Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap and a first capacitance Is formed between the area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap.
The change of the second electric field may be induced by a change in the distance between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode depending on the force.

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The plurality of spacers may further include a plurality of spacers formed between the plurality of lower electrodes to block interference between the plurality of forces when a plurality of forces are generated along the first object.

Further, the plurality of spacers may have elasticity.

Further, the upper plate, the lower plate and the dielectric may be a transparent material.

The dielectric material may be one of gel, gel, silicone, and PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) polymers.

The upper plate and the lower plate may be made of glass, a reinforced polymer substrate, or a PI substrate.

The plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes may be formed of one of copper (Cu) and silver (Ag).

The plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes may be transparent materials and may be formed of indium tin oxide (ITO), carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, metal nanowires, (PEDOT, Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)) or a transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

The area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap may be 0.1 mm ² or 0.25 mm ² or more.

The shape of the plurality of upper electrodes is such that strips having widths equal to or larger than a predetermined value are arranged in the lateral direction and rhombic shapes are connected to each other in a lateral direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the strip, And the shape of the upper plurality of lower electrodes is such that a band having a width of a predetermined value or more is arranged in the longitudinal direction and the rhombic shape is arranged in the longitudinal direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the band And may be arranged at regular intervals in the transverse direction so as to be disposed orthogonally between the plurality of upper electrodes.

The shape of the plurality of upper electrodes may be arranged so as to further include a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a preset value between the rhombic shapes spaced apart at regular intervals, And a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the rhombic shapes.

Also, the plurality of upper electrodes are electrically connected to each other, the plurality of lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other, a plurality of forces are generated along the first object, and the control unit controls the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes Measuring a magnitude of a single force according to the proximity, the contact position and the plurality of forces of the first object using a total capacitance change between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode Lt; / RTI >

A method of measuring a capacitive touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-described problems includes a top plate, a bottom plate spaced apart from the top plate, a plurality of A capacitive touch panel including an upper electrode, a plurality of lower electrodes disposed in parallel to the upper surface of the lower plate at predetermined intervals and arranged in a direction crossing the plurality of upper electrodes, and a dielectric disposed between the upper and lower plates A first step of bringing a first object into contact with at least a part of the top plate within a predetermined numerical value, a first step of forming at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes and a first upper electrode, A second step in which the first electric field between the lower electrodes is changed, and a second step in which the dielectric is changed in accordance with the degree of change of the first electric field, A fourth step of inducing a change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode, a fourth step of applying a force along the first object to at least a part of the upper plate, A fifth step in which a second electric field between the electrodes is changed, a sixth step in which the dielectric induces a change in the first capacitance in accordance with a degree of change of the second electric field, And a seventh step of measuring a proximity, a contact position, and a force of the first object, wherein a change in the first capacitance, which is induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field, And a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the second electric field is formed between the area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode are overlapped.
The seventh step includes a seventh step of measuring a change of the first capacitance with time, a seventh step of obtaining a relative capacitance by using the change of the first capacitance, Measuring at least one of a proximity and a contact position of the first object using a first variation width of the first object and a seventh step of measuring at least one of a proximity and a contact position of the first object, Wherein the relative capacitance is an absolute value of a change amount of the first capacitance with respect to time, and the first variation width is a power of a proximity of the first object or a predetermined value or less of the first object And the second variation width is a variation amount of the relative capacitance generated due to a force exceeding a predetermined value of the first object The.

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Also, the predetermined value may be 0.785N.

으로부터 상기 제 1 커패시턴스를 측정하는 단계를 더 포함할 수 있다. 상기 수학식에서, V_out은 상기 아날로그 증폭기의 출력전압이고, C_pix는 상기 제 1 커패시턴스이며, C_r은 상기 아날로그 증폭기의 피드백 커패시턴스이고, V_i는 상기 제 1 상부전극에 입력되는 전압이다.In addition, the step 7-1 may include a step of applying a voltage to the first upper electrode to cause a current to flow, a step of flowing the current through the first lower electrode crossing the first upper electrode, A step of inputting a current outputted from an electrode to an analog amplifier and a step of measuring an output voltage of the analog amplifier,

And measuring the first capacitance from the first capacitance. In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the first upper electrode.

으로부터 상기 제 1 커패시턴스를 측정하는 단계를 더 포함하고, 상기 제 7-4단계는, 상기 상대 정전용량의 제 2 변화폭을 이용하여 상기 제 1 객체의 복수의 힘에 따른 단일의 힘을 측정하는 단계이며, 상기 제 1 객체에 따른 힘이 복수이고, 상기 복수의 상부전극은 전기적으로 서로 연결되며, 상기 복수의 하부전극은 전기적으로 서로 연결될 수 있다. 상기 수학식에서, V_out은 상기 아날로그 증폭기의 출력전압이고, C_pix는 상기 제 1 커패시턴스이며, C_r은 상기 아날로그 증폭기의 피드백 커패시턴스이고, V_i는 상기 복수의 상부전극에 입력되는 전압이다.
한편, 상술한 과제를 실현하기 위한 본 발명의 일례와 관련된 정전용량형 터치 패널의 제조방법은, 하판의 하면에 필름을 형성하는 단계, 상기 하판의 상면 가장자리에 지지대(buttress)를 형성하는 단계, 상기 지지대로 둘러싸인 공간에 유전체(dielectric substance)를 투입하는 단계, 상기 유전체를 경화(curing)하는 단계, 상기 지지대를 제거하는 단계, 상판의 하면을 상기 유전체 상면에 부착하는 단계 및 상기 하판의 하면과 상기 상판의 상면에 형성되어 있는 필름을 제거하는 단계를 포함하되, 상기 상판의 하면에는 복수의 상부전극이 형성되어 있고, 상기 하판의 상면에는 복수의 하부전극이 형성되어 있으며, 제 1 객체가 상기 상판의 적어도 일부와 접촉되거나 기 설정된 수치 이내로 근접되어 상기 복수의 상부전극 중 적어도 하나인 제 1 상부전극과 상기 복수의 하부전극 중 적어도 하나인 제 1 하부전극 사이의 제 1 전기장이 변화되는 경우, 상기 유전체는 상기 제 1 전기장의 변화 정도에 따라 상기 제 1 상부전극과 제 1 하부전극 사이에 형성되는 제 1 커패시턴스의 변화를 유도하고, 상기 제 1 객체에 따른 힘이 상기 상판의 적어도 일부에 인가되고, 상기 인가된 힘에 대응하여 상기 제 1 상부전극과 제 1 하부전극 사이의 제 2 전기장이 변화되는 경우, 상기 유전체는 상기 제 2 전기장의 변화 정도에 따라 상기 제 1 커패시턴스의 변화를 유도하며, 상기 제어부는, 상기 유도된 제 1 커패시턴스의 변화를 이용하여 상기 제 1 객체의 근접, 접촉위치 및 힘을 측정하고, 상기 제 1 전기장의 변화에 따라 유도되는 제 1 커패시턴스의 변화는 상기 제 1 상부전극과 제 1 하부전극이 겹쳐지지 않는 면적 사이에 형성되며, 상기 제 2 전기장의 변화에 따라 유도되는 제 1 커패시턴스의 변화는 상기 제 1 상부전극과 제 1 하부전극이 겹쳐지는 면적 사이에 형성된다.In addition, the step 7-1 may include a step of applying a voltage to the plurality of upper electrodes to flow a current, flowing the current through a plurality of lower electrodes crossing the plurality of upper electrodes, And a step of measuring an output voltage of the analog amplifier to calculate a current value < RTI ID = 0.0 >

Measuring the first capacitance based on the plurality of forces of the first object using the second variation width of the relative capacitance, The plurality of upper electrodes may be electrically connected to each other, and the plurality of lower electrodes may be electrically connected to each other. In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the plurality of upper electrodes.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a capacitive touch panel including forming a film on a lower surface of a lower plate, forming a buttress on a top edge of the lower plate, A step of applying a dielectric substance to the space surrounded by the support, curing the dielectric, removing the support, attaching the lower surface of the upper plate to the upper surface of the dielectric, A plurality of lower electrodes are formed on an upper surface of the lower plate, and a plurality of lower electrodes are formed on the lower surface of the lower plate, A first upper electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes, is brought into contact with at least a part of the upper plate or within a predetermined value, The first dielectric layer is formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode in accordance with the degree of change of the first electric field when the first electric field between the first lower electrode and at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes is changed, When a force according to the first object is applied to at least a part of the upper plate and a second electric field between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode changes corresponding to the applied force , The dielectric induces a change in the first capacitance in accordance with a degree of change of the second electric field, and the control unit calculates a proximity, a contact position and a force of the first object using the derived change in the first capacitance And a change in the first capacitance induced according to the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap , Changes in the first capacitance is derived in accordance with the change of the second electric field is formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode, the area of overlap.

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The present invention can provide a user with a capacitive touch panel capable of measuring close proximity, contact position, and contact force, a method of measuring contact force, and a method of manufacturing the same, while supporting various touches and improving recognition sensitivity.

Specifically, in the present invention, a plurality of upper electrodes and a plurality of lower electrodes are formed so as to overlap with each other, and the change in capacitance of the overlapped portion is measured, and the proximity due to external pressing and the magnitude of the contact force can be measured.

It should be understood, however, that the effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs It will be possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to provide a further understanding of the technical idea of the invention, It should not be construed as limited.
1 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of a conventional capacitive touch panel implementing multi-touch.
2 is a side cross-sectional view of a capacitive touch panel for explaining the principle of measurement of proximity, contact position, and contact force of the present invention.
3 is an arrangement view of an upper electrode and a lower electrode of a capacitance type touch panel for explaining the principle of measurement of proximity, contact position and contact force of the present invention.
FIGS. 4A to 4C illustrate the capacitance change between the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the capacitive touch panel to explain the principle of proximity and contact position measurement according to the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view of an upper electrode and a lower electrode of a capacitive touch panel for explaining the principle of contact force measurement according to the present invention.
6 shows a change in capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode due to a finger touch of the capacitive touch panel.
FIG. 7 shows a capacitance change between an upper electrode and a lower electrode due to a finger touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a relative capacitance for explaining the proximity, contact position, and force measurement algorithm according to the finger touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a capacitance change between an upper electrode and a lower electrode due to a pen touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
10A to 10C illustrate an embodiment of a structure for increasing the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
11A to 11C show another embodiment of a structure for increasing the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
12 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration in which the capacitive touch panel of the present invention measures the proximity, contact position, and contact force according to multi-touch.
13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of measuring the proximity, contact position, and contact force according to the multi-touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
14 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration in which the capacitive touch panel of the present invention measures a proximity, a contact position and a single contact force according to multi-touch.
15 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for measuring proximity, contact position and single contact force according to multi-touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.
16A to 16G are cross-sectional views showing an embodiment for manufacturing the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims, and the entire configuration described in this embodiment is not necessarily essential as the solution means of the present invention.

In general, touch panel technology is widely used in electronic and communication devices indispensable to everyday life and provides convenience in many areas of life. However, the conventional touch panel technology can recognize only the contact position, and can not recognize proximity or contact force. In addition, the conventional touch panel technology can be operated only when pressed by a finger or a stylus, and does not work when the user uses a non-conductive material such as a glove or a general plastic pen There was a problem.

The present invention proposes a capacitive touch panel capable of recognizing proximity and contact force as well as contact positions. Furthermore, the present invention is to provide a capacitive touch panel capable of recognizing multi-touch of various means and having increased sensitivity to enable precise measurement of proximity, contact position, and contact force.

Hereinafter, the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the principle of measuring the proximity, contact position and contact force of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2 is a side cross-sectional view of a capacitive touch panel for explaining the principle of measurement of proximity, contact position, and contact force of the present invention.

The capacitive touch panel 10 may include an upper plate 100, a lower plate 200, a plurality of upper electrodes 300, a plurality of lower electrodes 400, a dielectric 500, a spacer 600, have.

However, the components shown in Fig. 2 are not essential, and a capacitive touch panel having components having more or fewer components may be implemented.

2, in the general capacitive touch panel 10, the upper plate 100 and the lower plate 200 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The upper plate 100 and the lower plate 200 are arranged to be coupled in parallel, and the upper plate 100 may be deformed by an external force.

The upper plate 100 and the lower plate 200 are preferably made of glass, a reinforced polymer substrate, or a PI substrate.

A plurality of upper electrodes 300 may be formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 100 and a plurality of lower electrodes 400 may be formed on the upper surface of the lower plate 200.

The plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 may be made of copper (Cu) or silver (Ag). The plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 may be formed of a transparent material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, Wire, a conductive polymer (PEDOT, poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)), or a transparent conductive oxide (TCO).

A dielectric 500 is disposed in a space between the upper plate 100 and the lower plate 200. The dielectric 500 is characterized by a low rigidity and may be made of gel, gel, silicone, or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer.

The dielectric 500 may form a capacitance at a portion where the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 overlap. The dielectric 500 may be deformed by an external force, which may cause a change in capacitance at a portion where the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 overlap.

The spacer 600 is formed between the plurality of lower electrodes 400 and may be formed in a dome shape or a hexahedral shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It is preferable that the spacer 600 is made of an elastic material.

In the case where a plurality of external forces are applied due to multi-touch, the position and size of individual contact forces can not be accurately obtained due to interference interference between a plurality of external forces. In this case, the spacer 600 may be formed to prevent interference between a plurality of external forces.

Below the lower plate 200, a display unit capable of outputting an image or an image to the outside can be provided. The upper plate 100, the lower plate 200, the dielectric 500, and the like are made of a transparent material, and the display unit can be observed from the outside.

The display unit may include a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) ), A flexible display, a 3D display (3D display), and an electronic paper.

In addition, a control unit may be further included in the capacitive touch panel 10. The control unit can measure the proximity of the external force, the contact position, and the magnitude of the contact force using a change in capacitance formed between the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400.

3 is an arrangement view of an upper electrode and a lower electrode of a capacitance type touch panel for explaining the principle of measurement of proximity, contact position, and contact force of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper electrodes 300a, 300b, 300c, ... may be arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction to form a plurality of upper electrodes 300, and the lower electrodes 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d , ...) may be arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction to form the plurality of lower electrodes 400.

It should be noted that the arrangement of the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 in FIG. 3 is merely an example for simplifying the measurement principle of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto .

3, the upper electrodes 300a, 300b, 300c, ... are arranged in parallel in the longitudinal direction to form a plurality of upper electrodes 300, and the lower electrodes 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d ,...) Are arranged in parallel in the lateral direction to form a plurality of lower electrodes 400 can be derived from this by a person skilled in the art.

The principle of measuring the proximity, contact position and contact force of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention based on the arrangement of the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 in Fig. To Fig. 4C and Fig.

4A to 4C illustrate a capacitance change between an upper electrode and a lower electrode of a capacitive touch panel to explain the principle of proximity and contact position measurement of the present invention.

An electric field is generated between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a when a voltage is applied to the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400, Mutual Capacitance C ₁ Can be formed.

Mutual capacitance C ₁ Is a capacitance formed between a portion where the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a do not overlap and is a value used in measuring the contact position of the conventional capacitive touch panel.

4B, when a conductor such as a finger is brought close to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a are formed between the portions where the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a are not overlapped with each other A part of the electric field that has been absorbed by the finger is absorbed to the finger side and the mutual electrostatic capacitance C ₁ between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a .

As shown in FIG. 4C, when a dielectric such as a finger is brought into contact with the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 more closely, the amount of the electric field absorbed to the finger side is further increased. ) and further reduces the mutual capacitance C ₁ between the lower electrode (400a).

The mutual electrostatic capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a reduced when the finger contacts the upper plate 100 is represented by? C ₁ , The mutual capacitance at the time of contact is C ₁ - C ₁ .

Next, FIG. 5 shows the intersection points of the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the capacitive touch panel for explaining the contact force measuring principle of the present invention.

5, when a voltage is applied to the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400, an electric field is generated in a space where the upper electrodes 300a and the lower electrodes 400a overlap each other , Mutual capacitance C ₀ Can be formed.

When an external force is applied to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a at that point is narrowed, and the mutual capacitance C ₀ . ≪ / RTI >

Generally, the capacitance C of the capacitor can be expressed by the following equation (1).

Where ε _o is the dielectric constant in vacuum of about 8.85 pF / m, ε _r is the dielectric constant of the dielectric, A is the area of the electrode, and d is the spacing between both electrodes.

As can be seen from Equation (1), when the distance d between both electrodes becomes small, the capacitance C of the capacitor increases inversely. Accordingly, when the top plate 100 is pressed by an external force to narrow the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a, the mutual capacitance C _o .

That is, the mutual capacitance between the increase of the upper electrode (300a) and a lower electrode (400a) when the external force is applied to the top plate (100) ΔC _o , The mutual capacitance at this time is C _o + C _o .

Therefore, the magnitude of the contact force can be measured by grasping the increased reciprocal capacitance value? C _o .

Hereinafter, the principle of capacitance change due to finger touch of a general capacitive touch panel will be described with reference to FIG.

6 shows a change in capacitance between the upper electrode and the lower electrode due to finger touch of the capacitive touch panel.

6, d represents the distance between the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and the finger.

FIG. 6 shows a change in capacitance according to an embodiment of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention, and the effect of the present invention is not limited thereto.

Capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a of the capacitive touch panel 10 can be expressed by Equation 2 below.

Where C _tot is the total capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a of the capacitive touch panel 10 and C _ini is the total capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a, the initial capacitance value between, ΔC _o is the capacitance value between the upper electrode (300a) and a lower electrode (400a) which is increased by the force which the top plate 100 is depressed, ΔC ₁ is the finger tops 100 And a capacitance value between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a which is decreased when there is a fine touch.

In Fig. 6, the first section corresponds to the state before the finger is close to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10. In the first section, the total electrostatic capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is kept constant at an initial capacitance value C _ini .

The second section corresponds to a state in which the finger is in proximity to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 until just before the top plate 100 is brought into contact with the finger.

The second period, due to the proximity of the finger and an electric field between the top electrode (300a) and a lower electrode (400a) absorbs slightly toward finger, ΔC ₁ is gradually increased. However, since there is no contact yet, the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a remains unchanged, and ΔC _o becomes zero. Accordingly, the total electrostatic capacitance value in the second section gradually decreases according to Equation (2).

The third section corresponds to a state in which a finger touches the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and applies a minute force thereto.

The third period, because the fingers are closer than in the second section and the more absorbent the electric field between the top electrode (300a) and a lower electrode (400a) toward the finger, the ΔC ₁ increased more significantly than in the second section.

In the third section, since only minute pressure is applied, the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is finely narrowed, and ΔC _o has a small value.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the total electrostatic capacitance value decreases more steeply than in the second section according to Equation (2).

The fourth section corresponds to a state in which the finger is in contact with the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and applies a stronger force to the finger.

A larger force is applied to the upper plate 100 by the fingers in the fourth section so that the dielectric 500 having a smaller rigidity is deformed and the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a at this point is also reduced, As shown in Fig. As can be seen from equation (1), since the interval between the electrodes decreases when the increase in the capacitance and increases greatly the ΔC _o.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the total capacitance value is increased by the contact force.

The fifth section is a state in which the force applied to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 by the stronger force is gradually reduced and the minute force is applied only to the finger.

In the fifth section, the dielectric 500 is returned to its original state while the force is applied to the upper plate 100 to which the large force is applied, and the interval between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a increases again. As can be seen from equation (1), the greater the distance of the two electrodes the electrostatic capacity is decreased, and the ΔC _o greatly reduced.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 6, the total capacitance value again decreases.

The sixth section corresponds to a state from when the finger is applying a fine force to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 to just before the contact is released from the top plate 100. [

A sixth period, while reducing the electric field between the top electrode (300a) and a lower electrode (400a) that was the absorption side of the finger, and ΔC ₁ is reduced.

Since only minute pressure is applied in the sixth section, the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is finely narrowed, and ΔC _o has a small value.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the total electrostatic capacitance value increases again according to Equation (2).

The seventh section corresponds to the proximity section in which the finger gradually moves away from the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 when the finger is released from the contact.

The electric field between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a which is absorbed to the finger side is reduced and the ΔC _{1 is} also smaller than that in the sixth section because the finger is further away from the upper plate 100 than in the sixth section in the seventh section Lt; / RTI >

However, since the contact is released, the gap between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a remains unchanged, and ΔC _o becomes zero.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the total electrostatic capacitance value increases more slowly than in the sixth section according to Equation (2).

The eighth section corresponds to a state in which the finger does not come close to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10. In the eighth section, the total electrostatic capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is maintained constant at the initial electrostatic capacitance C _ini .

Hereinafter, the capacitance change due to the finger touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention and the proximity, contact position, and force measurement principle using the same will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG.

7 and 8, d represents the distance between the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and the finger.

FIG. 7 shows a capacitance change between an upper electrode and a lower electrode due to a finger touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

In the capacitive touch panel of the present invention, in order to increase the area where the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a overlap each other and to reduce a change in capacitance due to touches due to a close and fine force, A plurality of patterns of the lower electrode 400 can be designed.

That is, ΔC ₁ in Equation (2) is designed to be smaller than that in FIG. 6, and ΔC _o can be designed to be larger than that in FIG.

Therefore, when the total capacitance change of the capacitive touch panel of FIG. 6 is compared with the change of the total capacitance due to the finger touch in the second and seventh intervals, And the total capacitance change due to the finger touch in the third and sixth sections, which is a section where the minute force is applied, is also smaller in FIG.

On the other hand, in the fourth period and the fifth period of FIG. 7, which is a period of applying a large force with the finger, the change of the total capacitance is larger than that of the fourth period and the fifth period of FIG.

The principle of measuring the proximity, contact position, and force of the finger using the total capacitance change as shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 illustrates a relative capacitance for explaining the proximity, contact position, and force measurement algorithm according to the finger touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

In order to measure the proximity, the contact position and the force according to the finger touch, the variation of the capacitance with time formed between the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 is measured first, Can be shown together.

The relative capacitance as shown in FIG. 8 can be obtained by using the variation of the capacitance according to the measured time.

Here, the relative vestibular capacity refers to a value of a capacitance that varies as a finger approaches, touches, and applies a force based on an initial capacitance value, and refers to a value obtained by taking an absolute value of a variation amount of the capacitance with time.

That is, when the initial capacitance value is 0, the variation of the capacitance with time is expressed.

8, the first section is a state before the finger is brought close to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, and in the first section, the entire area between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a The capacitance remains constant at the initial capacitance value C _ini . Therefore, the relative capacitance in the first section becomes zero.

The second section is a state in which the finger is in proximity to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 until just before the upper plate 100 is contacted and the total capacitance value in the second section is And gradually decreases with time. Accordingly, the relative capacitance in the second section gradually increases as shown in FIG.

In the third section, the finger touches the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 to apply a fine force, and the total capacitance value decreases more sharply than in the second section. Therefore, the relative capacitance in the third section increases more steeply than in the second section.

7, the finger is in contact with the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and applies a stronger force to the upper plate 300. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a overlap each other The total capacitance value increases greatly due to the increase of the losing area. Therefore, in the fourth section, the relative capacitance is largely changed as shown in Fig.

The fifth period is a state in which the force applied to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 is stronger and the force is gradually reduced and the minute force is applied. As shown in FIG. 7, Is greatly reduced again. Accordingly, the relative capacitance in the fifth section changes greatly as shown in FIG.

The sixth section is a state from when the finger is applying a fine force to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 until immediately before the finger is released from the top plate 100. As shown in FIG. 7, The value increases again. Accordingly, the relative capacitance in the sixth section decreases as shown in Fig.

The seventh section is a state in which the finger gradually moves away from the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 when the finger touches the top panel 100. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the total capacitance value is gradually increased do. Therefore, the relative capacitance in the seventh section decreases more gently than in the sixth section.

In the eighth section, the finger is away from the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, and the total capacitance is maintained constant at the initial capacitance value C _ini . Therefore, the relative capacitance is zero in the eighth section.

By using the relative capacitance shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to measure the proximity, the contact position, and the force in the finger touch.

That is, when the variation width A, which is the change of the relative capacitance between the second section and the third section, the sixth section, and the seventh section, is used, the contact position of the finger can be measured when the finger approaches or exerts a minute force.

The fine force applied to the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 can be designed with a force of 20 g or less and preferably with a force of 80 g or less. The contact position can be measured by sensitively reacting even when a finger is brought close to the upper plate of the capacitive touch panel 10 or a minute force is applied thereto.

Also, by using the change width B which is the change of the relative capacitance between the fourth section and the fifth section, the magnitude of the force applied when a large force is applied with the finger can be measured.

Hereinafter, the capacitance change due to the pen touch of the capacitive touch panel will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 9 shows a capacitance change between an upper electrode and a lower electrode due to a pen touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

9, d represents the distance between the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 and the pen.

However, FIG. 9 shows a change in capacitance according to an embodiment of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention, and the effect of the present invention is not limited thereto.

9, even when the pen is brought close to the side of the upper plate 100, the electric field between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is not absorbed, and when the touch is performed using the pen as the non-conductive material, to ΔC ₁ from the entire length of the eighth period is zero.

9, the first section is a state before the pen approaches the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, and the second section is a state where the pen is in contact with the capacitive touch panel 10, To the state immediately before the upper plate 100 is contacted.

The total capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is kept constant at the initial capacitance value C _ini since the pressure is applied to the upper plate 100 in the first and second sections.

The pen is in contact with the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 to apply a fine force and the fourth section is in contact with the top plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10, This is equivalent to applying a stronger force.

In the third section and the fourth section, a larger force is applied to the upper plate 100 with the pen, so that the dielectric 500 having a smaller rigidity is deformed and the interval between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is reduced . As can be seen from Equation (1), as the gap between both electrodes becomes smaller, the capacitance increases, and therefore,? C _o increases.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, in the third section and the fourth section, the total capacitance value increases due to the contact force.

The fifth section is a state in which the force applied to the upper plate 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 is applied to the pen, Corresponds to a state from a state in which a minute force is applied to the upper plate 100 of the panel 10 to a state immediately before the contact with the upper plate 100 is canceled.

In the fifth and sixth sections, the dielectric 500 is returned to its original state while the force of the pen pressing the upper plate 100 is released, and the distance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a increases again . As can be seen from Equation (1), as the gap between both electrodes increases, the capacitance decreases and therefore,? C _o decreases.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, the total capacitance value decreases in the fifth and sixth sections.

The seventh section is a state in which the pen moves away from proximity to the upper panel 100 of the capacitive touch panel 10 while the pen is moved away from the upper panel 100. In the eighth section, ), And it corresponds to a state in which it does not come close.

The interval between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a remains unchanged since the contact is released in the seventh and eighth sections and ΔC _o becomes zero. Accordingly, the total electrostatic capacitance between the upper electrode 300a and the lower electrode 400a is maintained constant at the initial capacitance value C _ini .

As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, when capacitive touch panel 10 is touched by using a conductor such as a finger or a non-conductive material such as a plastic pen, capacitance changes occur. The change in capacitance can be detected to measure the magnitude of the contact force.

Hereinafter, the arrangement of the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes to be proposed by the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 10A to 10C and 11A to 11C.

10A to 10C show an embodiment of a structure for increasing the overlapped area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

In the conventional capacitive touch panel, the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode is narrow, and only the contact position can be measured and the contact force can not be measured.

In addition, in the case of touching using an insulator material, it is impossible to change the capacitance, so that the contact position and the like can not be measured.

However, in the present invention, it is desired to increase the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode, measure the change in the capacitance of the upper electrode, and measure the contact force.

10A shows one embodiment of the shape of the plurality of upper electrodes 310. Fig.

The shape of the plurality of upper electrodes 310 is such that strips having widths equal to or greater than a predetermined value are arranged in the transverse direction and rhombic shapes are connected in the transverse direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the strips. And these shapes are arranged to be spaced apart at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 10B shows an embodiment of the shape of the plurality of lower electrodes 410. Fig.

The shapes of the plurality of lower electrodes 410 are such that strips having widths equal to or greater than a predetermined value are arranged in the longitudinal direction and rhombic shapes are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the strips. And the upper electrode 310 may be arranged at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction so that the upper electrode 310 and the upper electrode 310 are arranged in a rectangular shape.

10C shows a structure in which the plurality of upper electrodes 310 and the plurality of lower electrodes 410 are coupled up and down.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode can be determined according to the width of the strip shape.

For example, if the shape of the upper electrode and the lower electrode is formed with a band shape having a width of 0.5 mm, the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode will be 0.25 mm ² .

As the area where the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes are overlapped increases, the capacitance increases according to Equation (1). Therefore, when the overlapping area is widened,? C _o becomes large, and even when a small force is applied, the change in capacitance becomes large, and the sensitivity can be increased in measuring the magnitude of the contact force.

In order to increase the sensitivity of the contact force measurement, the shapes of the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 may be set so that the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode is 0.1 mm ² or more, The area of 0.25 mm ² or more can be set to overlap.

Next, Figs. 11A to 11C show another embodiment of the structure for increasing the overlapped area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode in the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

11A shows one embodiment of the shape of the plurality of upper electrodes 320. Fig.

10A, the plurality of upper electrodes 320 are arranged such that the bands having widths equal to or larger than predetermined numerical values are arranged in the transverse direction, and the rhombic shapes are connected to each other in the transverse direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the bands.

The rhombic shapes spaced apart at regular intervals are arranged so as to further include a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and these shapes are arranged to be spaced apart at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction.

Fig. 11B shows an embodiment of the shape of the plurality of lower electrodes 420. Fig.

As in the case of FIG. 8B, the plurality of lower electrodes 420 are arranged such that the bands having a width equal to or greater than a predetermined value are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the rhombic shapes are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the bands.

Wherein the plurality of upper electrodes are arranged such that a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a predetermined value is further included between the rhombic shapes spaced apart at regular intervals, As shown in FIG.

11C shows a structure in which the plurality of upper electrodes 320 and the plurality of lower electrodes 420 are coupled up and down.

The embodiments of Figs. 11A to 11C further include a rectangular shape between the rhombic shapes of the embodiment of Figs. 10A to 10C. As a result, it can be seen that the overlapping area of the upper electrode and the lower electrode is wider than that of the embodiment of FIGS. 10A to 10C.

As a result, the sensitivity of the contact force measurement can be further increased.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 10A to 10C and the embodiment of FIGS. 11A to 11C, it is possible to increase the overlapping areas of the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes, and by detecting the capacitance change of the overlapping area The contact force according to the multi-touch can be measured.

Hereinafter, a method of measuring the proximity, contact position and contact force of the capacitive touch panel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG.

12 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration in which the capacitive touch panel of the present invention measures the proximity, contact position, and contact force according to multi-touch.

An input terminal may be connected to each of the plurality of upper electrodes, and an output terminal may be connected to each of the plurality of lower electrodes.

12 shows an embodiment of the proximity, contact position, and contact force measuring method of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention. The output terminals are connected to each of the plurality of upper electrodes, and the plurality of lower electrodes An embodiment in which an input terminal is connected to the input / output terminal can also be derived by a person skilled in the art.

A voltage ( _Vi ) of a sinusoidal wave may be applied to any one of the plurality of input terminals, and the remaining input terminals may be set to the grounded state. One of the plurality of output terminals may be connected to the negative input terminal of the analog amplifier (op-amp) 700.

The positive input terminal of the analog amplifier 700 may be grounded and the output terminal may be provided with a peak detector 800 for detecting the peak amplitude of the output voltage.

The output value V _o at the output terminal of the analog amplifier 700 is expressed by the following equation (3).

In the above equation, V _out is an output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is a capacitance to be measured, C _r is a feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is a voltage input to the input terminal.

When the sinusoidal voltage V _i is applied to each of the input terminals, the amplitude of the output signal of the output terminal 300 varies depending on the capacitance change between the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400, And can be amplified to a predetermined level by the analog amplifier 700.

The amplified signal is detected through the peak detector 800, and the position and intensity of the proximity and contact force can be measured by detecting the change in capacitance from the amplitude peak value.

Meanwhile, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of measuring the proximity, contact position, and contact force according to the multi-touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, when a predetermined object comes close to or contacts with the upper plate 100, a sinusoidal voltage is applied to the first upper electrode, which is one of the plurality of upper electrodes 300, Thereby, current flows through the first upper electrode (S1100).

The current flows through the first lower electrode, which is one of the plurality of lower electrodes 400 crossing the first upper electrode (S1200). The first lower electrode is connected to the analog amplifier 700, The output current of the lower electrode is input to the analog amplifier 700 (S1300).

The analog amplifier 700 amplifies the input voltage and outputs the amplified voltage. The output voltage is measured and the capacitance to be measured can be detected using Equation 3 (S1400).

The proximity, contact position and force can be measured using the detected capacitance (S1500).

Hereinafter, a method of measuring a single contact force according to the multi-touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG.

14 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration in which the capacitive touch panel of the present invention measures a proximity, a contact position, and a single contact force according to multi-touch.

The plurality of upper electrodes may be electrically connected to each other and may be connected to the input terminal. The plurality of lower electrodes may also be electrically connected to each other and connected to the output terminal.

14 shows an embodiment of the proximity, contact position, and contact force measuring method of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention, in which output terminals are connected to a plurality of upper electrodes, An embodiment in which terminals are connected can also be derived by a person skilled in the art.

12, a sinusoidal voltage V _i may be applied to the input terminal, and the output of the output terminal may be connected to the negative input terminal of the analog amplifier 700.

The positive input terminal of the analog amplifier 700 may be grounded and the output terminal may be provided with a peak detector 800 for detecting the peak amplitude of the output voltage.

The output value V _o at the output terminal of the analog amplifier 700 is equal to Equation (3).

When the sinusoidal voltage V _i is applied to the input terminal, the amplitude that is varied in accordance with the change in the capacitance between the plurality of upper electrodes 300 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 is determined by the analog amplifier 700 at the output terminal Lt; / RTI >

The amplified signal is detected through the peak detector 800, and the position and intensity of a single force according to the multi-touch can be measured by detecting a change in capacitance from the amplitude peak value.

Meanwhile, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a method of measuring the proximity, contact position, and single contact force according to the multi-touch of the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, when a predetermined object comes in contact with or contacts with the upper plate 100, a sinusoidal voltage is applied to a plurality of upper electrodes 300 electrically connected to measure the voltage, (S2100) through the upper electrode 300 of FIG.

This current flows through the plurality of lower electrodes 400 intersecting with the plurality of upper electrodes 300 in operation S2200 and the plurality of lower electrodes 400 are connected to the analog amplifier 700, The output current of the amplifier 400 is input to the analog amplifier 700 (S2300).

The analog amplifier 700 amplifies the input voltage and outputs the amplified voltage. The output voltage is measured and the capacitance to be measured can be detected using Equation 3 (S2400).

The detected capacitance can be used to measure the magnitude of a single force according to the proximity, the contact position, and the plurality of external forces (S2500).

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the capacitive touch panel of the present invention will be described in detail. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto, but can be embodied in other forms.

16A to 16G are cross-sectional views showing an embodiment for manufacturing the capacitive touch panel of the present invention.

16A, a film 900 is formed on the lower surface of the lower plate 200 and a buttress 1000 is formed on the upper surface of the lower plate 200 as shown in FIG. 16B.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16C, a dielectric substance 500 is injected into the space surrounded by the supporter 100.

After the dielectric 500 is cured as shown in FIG. 16D and the curing is completed, the support 1000, which surrounds the dielectric 500, is removed as shown in FIG. 16E.

Then, as shown in FIG. 16F, the lower surface of the upper plate 100 is attached to the upper surface of the hardened dielectric body 500 on the upper surface of the lower plate 200.

Finally, as shown in FIG. 16G, the lower surface of the lower plate 200 and the film 900 formed on the upper surface of the upper plate 100 are removed.

As described above, in the capacitive touch panel, a plurality of upper electrodes and a plurality of lower electrodes are overlapped with each other, so that a capacitance change between overlapping areas can be measured. Accordingly, a touch capable of measuring a fine contact force You can implement panels. Further, it is possible to measure a single contact force according to the multi-touch, to improve the measurement sensitivity of the contact force, and to provide a method of manufacturing the capacitive touch panel.

The present invention can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission via the Internet) . The computer readable recording medium may also be distributed over a networked computer system so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. In addition, functional programs, codes, and code segments for implementing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers of the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

It should be understood that the above-described apparatus and method are not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be modified so that all or some of the embodiments are selectively combined .

Claims (25)

Top plate;
A lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate;
A plurality of upper electrodes arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval on a lower surface of the upper plate;
A plurality of lower electrodes arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the lower plate at predetermined intervals and arranged in a direction crossing the plurality of upper electrodes;
A dielectric disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate; And
And a control unit,
Wherein the first object is in contact with at least a portion of the top plate or within a predetermined value to form a first electric field between at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes and a first lower electrode of at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes, The dielectric induces a change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to a degree of change of the first electric field,
When a force along the first object is applied to at least a portion of the top plate and a second electric field between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode changes corresponding to the applied force, The change of the first capacitance is induced according to the degree of change of the electric field,
Wherein the controller measures a proximity, a contact position, and a force of the first object using the induced change in the first capacitance,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the second electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap. The method according to claim 1,
The change of the second electric field may include:
Wherein the capacitance is induced by a change in the distance between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to the force. delete The method according to claim 1,
When a plurality of forces are present along the first object,
And a plurality of spacers formed between the plurality of lower electrodes to block interference between the plurality of forces. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the plurality of spacers have elasticity. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the upper plate, the lower plate, and the dielectric are transparent materials. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the dielectric comprises one of gel, gel, silicone, or PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) polymer. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the upper plate and the lower plate are made of glass, a reinforced polymer substrate, or a PI substrate. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes are made of one of copper (Cu) and silver (Ag). The method according to claim 1,
The plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes are made of a transparent material and are made of indium tin oxide (ITO), carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, metal nanowires, conductive polymers PEDOT, Poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), or a transparent conductive oxide (TCO). The method according to claim 1,
Wherein an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap is 0.1 mm ² or 0.25 mm ² or more. The method according to claim 1,
The shape of the plurality of upper electrodes is such that bands having widths equal to or greater than a predetermined value are arranged in the transverse direction and the rhombic shapes are connected to each other in the transverse direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the bands, And are spaced apart at regular intervals in the direction of the arrow,
The shape of the upper plurality of lower electrodes is such that bands having widths equal to or greater than a predetermined value are arranged in the longitudinal direction and the rhombic shapes are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction so as to be spaced apart at regular intervals along the bands, Are arranged at regular intervals in the transverse direction so as to be arranged in a shape orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the touch panel. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the shape of the plurality of upper electrodes is arranged so as to further include a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the rhombic shapes spaced apart at regular intervals,
Wherein the plurality of lower electrodes are arranged to include a rectangular shape having a width equal to or greater than a preset value between the rhombic shapes spaced apart at regular intervals. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the plurality of upper electrodes are electrically connected to each other,
Wherein the plurality of lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other,
A plurality of forces corresponding to the first object,
Wherein the controller measures a proximity and a contact position of the first object and a magnitude of a single force according to the plurality of forces using the total capacitance change between the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes,
Wherein the total capacitance is a sum of the capacitances formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode. Top plate; A lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate; A plurality of upper electrodes arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval on a lower surface of the upper plate; A plurality of lower electrodes arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the lower plate at predetermined intervals and arranged in a direction crossing the plurality of upper electrodes; And a dielectric disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, the capacitance measuring method comprising:
The first object being close to at least a portion of the top plate within a predetermined value;
A second step of changing a first electric field between a first upper electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes, and a first lower electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes;
A third step of inducing a change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to a degree of change of the first electric field;
A fourth step in which a force along the first object is applied to at least a part of the top plate;
A fifth step of changing a second electric field between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode;
A sixth step in which the dielectric induces a change in the first capacitance according to a degree of change of the second electric field; And
And measuring a proximity, a contact position, and a force of the first object using the induced capacitance change,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with a change in the second electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap with each other. 16. The method of claim 15,
In the seventh step,
(7-1) measuring a change in the first capacitance with time;
A seventh step of obtaining relative capacitance by using the change of the first capacitance;
(7-3) measuring at least one of proximity and contact positions of the first object using the first variation width of the relative capacitance; And
And measuring the force of the first object using the second variation width of the relative capacitance,
Wherein the relative capacitance is an absolute value of a change amount of the first capacitance with time,
Wherein the first variation width is a variation amount of the relative capacitance generated due to a proximity of the first object or a force less than a predetermined value of the first object,
Wherein the second change width is a change amount of the relative capacitance generated due to a force exceeding a predetermined value of the first object. 17. The method of claim 16,
Wherein the predetermined value is 0.785N. 17. The method of claim 16,
In the step 7-1,
Applying a voltage to the first upper electrode to cause a current to flow;
Flowing the current through the first lower electrode intersecting with the first upper electrode;
Inputting a current output from the first lower electrode to an analog amplifier; And
Measuring an output voltage of the analog amplifier and measuring the first capacitance from the following equation: < EMI ID = 1.0 >
Equation

In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the first upper electrode. 17. The method of claim 16,
In the step 7-1,
A voltage is applied to the plurality of upper electrodes to cause a current to flow;
Flowing the current through a plurality of lower electrodes crossing the plurality of upper electrodes;
Inputting a current output from the plurality of lower electrodes to an analog amplifier; And
Measuring an output voltage of the analog amplifier and measuring the first capacitance from the following equation,
In operation 7-4,
Measuring a single force according to a plurality of forces of the first object using a second variation width of the relative capacitance;
A plurality of forces corresponding to the first object,
The plurality of upper electrodes are electrically connected to each other,
Wherein the plurality of lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other.
Equation

In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the plurality of upper electrodes. A program of instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method of measuring the proximity, contact position and force of a capacitive touch panel is tangibly embodied, and a recording medium readable by the digital processing apparatus In this case,
Top plate; A lower plate spaced apart from the upper plate; A plurality of upper electrodes arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval on a lower surface of the upper plate; A plurality of lower electrodes arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the lower plate at predetermined intervals and arranged in a direction crossing the plurality of upper electrodes; And a dielectric disposed between the upper plate and the lower plate, the capacitance measuring method comprising:
The first object being close to at least a portion of the top plate within a predetermined value;
A second step of changing a first electric field between a first upper electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes, and a first lower electrode, which is at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes;
A third step of inducing a change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to a degree of change of the first electric field;
A fourth step in which a force along the first object is applied to at least a part of the top plate;
A fifth step of changing a second electric field between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode;
A sixth step in which the dielectric induces a change in the first capacitance according to a degree of change of the second electric field; And
And measuring a proximity, a contact position, and a force of the first object using the induced capacitance change,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change in the second electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode overlap. 21. The method of claim 20,
In the seventh step,
(7-1) measuring a change in the first capacitance with time;
A seventh step of obtaining relative capacitance by using the change of the first capacitance;
(7-3) measuring at least one of proximity and contact positions of the first object using the first variation width of the relative capacitance; And
And measuring the force of the first object using the second variation width of the relative capacitance,
Wherein the relative capacitance is an absolute value of a change amount of the first capacitance with time,
Wherein the first variation width is a variation amount of the relative capacitance generated due to a proximity of the first object or a force less than a predetermined value of the first object,
Wherein the second variation width is a variation amount of the relative capacitance generated due to a force exceeding a predetermined value of the first object. 22. The method of claim 21,
Wherein the predetermined value is 0.785N. 22. The method of claim 21,
In the step 7-1,
Applying a voltage to the first upper electrode to cause a current to flow;
Flowing the current through the first lower electrode intersecting with the first upper electrode;
Inputting a current output from the first lower electrode to an analog amplifier; And
And measuring the output voltage of the analog amplifier to measure the first capacitance from the following equation.
Equation

In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the first upper electrode. 22. The method of claim 21,
In the step 7-1,
A voltage is applied to the plurality of upper electrodes to cause a current to flow;
Flowing the current through a plurality of lower electrodes crossing the plurality of upper electrodes;
Inputting a current output from the plurality of lower electrodes to an analog amplifier; And
Measuring an output voltage of the analog amplifier and measuring the first capacitance from the following equation,
In operation 7-4,
Measuring a single force according to a plurality of forces of the first object using a second variation width of the relative capacitance;
A plurality of forces corresponding to the first object,
The plurality of upper electrodes are electrically connected to each other,
Wherein the plurality of lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other.
Equation

In the above equation, V _out is the output voltage of the analog amplifier, C _pix is the first capacitance, C _r is the feedback capacitance of the analog amplifier, and V _i is the voltage input to the plurality of upper electrodes. Forming a film on the lower surface of the lower plate;
Forming a buttress on a top edge of the bottom plate;
Introducing a dielectric substance into the space surrounded by the support;
Curing the dielectric;
Removing the support;
Attaching a lower surface of the upper plate to the upper surface of the dielectric; And
And removing the film formed on the lower surface of the lower plate and the upper surface of the upper plate,
A plurality of upper electrodes are formed on a lower surface of the upper plate,
A plurality of lower electrodes are formed on the upper surface of the lower plate,
Wherein the first object is in contact with at least a portion of the top plate or within a predetermined value to form a first electric field between at least one of the plurality of upper electrodes and a first lower electrode of at least one of the plurality of lower electrodes, The dielectric induces a change in a first capacitance formed between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode according to a degree of change of the first electric field,
When a force along the first object is applied to at least a portion of the top plate and a second electric field between the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode changes corresponding to the applied force, The change of the first capacitance is induced according to the degree of change of the electric field,
The control unit measures a proximity, a contact position and a force of the first object using the change in the derived first capacitance,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the first electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode do not overlap,
Wherein a change in the first capacitance induced in accordance with the change of the second electric field is formed between an area where the first upper electrode and the first lower electrode are overlapped with each other.

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