FABRIC TYPE INPUT DEVICE

• US 20100103112A1
• Filed: 04/17/2009
• Published: 04/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Kim, Hyejung, KIM, Yongsang, Yoo, Hoi-Jun
• Application Number:
  US12/425,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20100103112A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/0085 Layered switches integrated into garment, clothes or textile
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 Interspersed fingers

Abstract

There is a fabric type input device. The fabric type input device comprise a fabric type electrode unit comprising first and second fabric type electrodes formed opposite to each other, the first and second fabric type electrodes each comprising a fabric and a lead pattern formed by patterning a conductive material on the fabric, a fabric type substrate unit interposed between the first and second fabric type electrodes so that the first and second fabric type electrodes are spaced apart from each other, the fabric type substrate unit having a connection hole formed so that the first and second fabric type electrodes are in contact with each other and a control unit supplying an input signal to the fabric type electrode unit, the control unit sensing the supplied input signal. The fabric type input device is formed using a fabric patterned with a conductive material, thereby minimizing foreign-body feeling.

Claims

1. A fabric type input device, comprising:

a fabric type electrode unit comprising a first fabric type electrode and a second fabric type electrode formed opposite to each other, the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode each comprising a fabric and a lead pattern formed by patterning a conductive material on the fabric;

a fabric type substrate unit interposed between the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode so that the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode are spaced apart from each other, the fabric type substrate unit having a connection hole formed so that the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode are in contact with each other; and

a control unit supplying an input signal to the fabric type electrode unit, the control unit sensing the supplied input signal.

2. The fabric type input device of claim 1, wherein the conductive material comprises silver, polymer, polyester and cyclohexanone.

3. The fabric type input device of claim 1, wherein the control unit, comprises:

a signal supply unit connected to the first fabric type electrode to supply the input signal; and

a signal sensor connected to the second fabric type electrode to sense the supplied input signal.

4. The fabric type input device of claim 3, further comprising a signal transfer unit transferring the input signals between the control unit and the fabric type electrode unit,

wherein the signal transfer unit comprises:

a first connection line connected between the first fabric type electrode and the signal supply unit; and

a second connection line connected between the second fabric type electrode and the signal sensor, and

wherein the first connection line and the second connection line comprise a conductive fiber.

5. The fabric type input device of claim 1, wherein, when external pressure is applied to the fabric type electrode unit, the control unit senses the input signal supplied to the fabric type electrode unit while the respective lead patterns of the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode are connected to each other through the connection hole.

6. A fabric type input device, comprising:

a fabric type electrode unit comprising a first fabric type electrode and a second fabric type electrode formed opposite to each other, the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode each comprising a fabric and a lead pattern formed by patterning a conductive material on the fabric;

an elastic unit providing a spacing distance between the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode, the elastic unit being formed so that the spacing distance is elastically changed; and

a sensor sensing a variation of the capacitance of the fabric type electrode unit.

7. The fabric type input device of claim 6, further comprising a connection unit connected between the fabric type electrode unit and the sensor;

wherein the connection unit comprises;

a first connection line connected between the first fabric type electrode and one end of the sensor; and

a second connection line connected between the second fabric type electrode and the other end of the sensor, and

wherein the first connection line and the second connection line comprise a conductive fabric.

8. The fabric type input device of claim 6, wherein the conductive material comprises silver, polymer, polyester and cyclohexanone.

9. The fabric type input device of claim 6, wherein, when external pressure is applied to the fabric type electrode unit, the sensor senses the variation of the capacitance depending on a change in the spacing distance between the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode.

10. The fabric type input device of claim 6, wherein the elastic unit comprises at least one of a sponge and a fiber.

11. A fabric type input device, comprising:

a fabric type electrode unit comprising a fabric and a first lead pattern and a second lead pattern formed by patterning a conductive material on the fabric; and

a sensor sensing a variation of the capacitance of the fabric type electrode unit.

12. The fabric type input device of claim 11, further comprising a connection unit connected between the fabric type electrode unit and the sensor,

wherein the connection unit comprises:

a first connection line connected between the first lead pattern and one end of the sensor; and

a second connection line connected between the second lead pattern and the other end of the sensor, and

wherein the first connection line and the second connection line comprise a conductive fiber.

13. The fabric type input device of claim 11, wherein the conductive material comprises silver, polymer, polyester and cyclohexanone.

14. The fabric type input device of claim 11, wherein the first lead pattern and the second lead pattern are patterned in an interdigital form.

15. The fabric type input device of claim 11, wherein the sensor senses the variation of the capacitance generated between the first lead pattern and the second lead pattern by contact between the fabric type electrode unit and a user.

16. A fabric type input device, comprising:

a fabric type electrode unit comprising a first fabric type electrode and a second fabric type electrode formed opposite to each other, the fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode each comprising a fabric and a lead pattern formed by patterning a conductive material on the fabric;

an elastic unit providing a spacing distance between the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode, the elastic unit being formed so that the spacing distance is elastically changed; and

a control unit supplying a first signal having a specific frequency and intensity to the fabric type electrode unit, the control unit sensing a variation of the intensity of a second signal induced by supplied the first signal.

17. The fabric type input device of claim 16, wherein the control unit comprises:

a signal supply unit supplying the first signal to the first fabric type electrode; and

a signal sensor sensing the variation of the intensity of the second signal induced to the second fabric type electrode.

18. The fabric type input device of claim 17, further comprising a signal transfer unit transferring the first signal and the second signal between the fabric type electrode unit and the control unit,

wherein the signal transfer unit comprises:

first connection lines respectively connected to one end and the other end of the first fabric type electrode from the signal supply unit; and

second connection lines respectively connected to one end and the other end of the second fabric type electrode from the signal sensor, and

wherein the first connection lines and the second connection lines comprise a conductive fiber.

19. The fabric type input device of claim 16, wherein the conductive material comprise silver, polymer, polyester and cyclohexanone.

20. The fabric type input device of claim 16, wherein the lead patterns are patterned in a spiral coil form.

21. The fabric type input device of claim 16, wherein, when the first signal is applied to the first fabric type electrode and external pressure is applied to the fabric type electrode unit, the control unit senses the variation of the intensity of the second signal induced to the second fabric type electrode spacing distance depending on a change in the spacing distance between the first fabric type electrode and the second fabric type electrode.