PRESSURE SENSITIVE TOUCH CONTROL DEVICE

• US 20120013573A1
• Filed: 07/01/2009
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: TPK Touch Solutions (Xiamen) Inc. (TPK Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Liu, Chen-yu, Wang, Ching-yi
• Application Number:
  US13/256,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013573A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0445 using two or more layers of sensing electrodes, e.g. using two layers of electrodes separated by a dielectric layer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A pressure detectable touch device includes a first substrate, a conductive layer formed on the first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode pattern, a second electrode pattern, and a microprocessor. When a user touches a touch operation surface of the touch device in such an extent that the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern are not put into physical contact with each other, the touch device is set in a capacitive touch position detection mode. When the user forcibly depresses the touch operation surface of the touch device or carries out a hand writing input operation on the touch operation surface of the touch device, the conductive layer is caused to physically engage the first electrode pattern, setting the touch device in a resistive touch position detection mode.

Claims

1. A pressure detectable touch device having a touch operation surface adapted to be operated by a touching object, the touch device comprising:

a conductive layer to which a driving voltage is applied;

a first electrode pattern, which is set below the conductive layer and provides a first predetermined distance from the conductive layer;

a second electrode pattern, which is set below the first electrode pattern and provides a second predetermined distance from the conductive layer; and

a microprocessor, which is electrically connected to the conductive layer, the first electrode pattern, and the second electrode pattern;

wherein when the touching object touches the touch operation surface of the touch device at an operation position, the conductive layer is depressed at the operation position, causing a variation of the distance between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern, which leads to a change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern and also causing a variation of the distance between the conductive layer and the second electrode pattern, which leads to a change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the second electrode pattern, whereby the touch device is set in a capacitive touch position detection mode in which the microprocessor determines the operation position where the touching object operates the touch operation surface according to the change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern and the change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the second electrode pattern; and

wherein when the touching object forcibly depresses the touch operation surface of the touch device or when a hand writing input operation is performed on the touch operation surface of the touch device, the conductive layer is depressed at an operation position, making the conductive layer in physical contact with at least one corresponding position of the first electrode pattern, whereby the touch device is set in a resistive touch position detection mode in which the conductive layer applies the driving voltage to the corresponding position of the first electrode pattern and the microprocessor determines at least one operation position on the touch operation surface of the touch device according to variation of voltage in the first electrode pattern.

2. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern each comprises a plurality of strip-like electrodes that are parallel to and spaced from each other.

3. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strip-like electrodes of the first electrode pattern are connected to the microprocessor via a first scanning circuit and wherein the strip-like electrodes of the second electrode pattern are connected to the microprocessor via a second scanning circuit.

4. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the microprocessor supplies the driving voltage to the conductive layer through a driving voltage supply circuit.

5. A pressure detectable touch device, comprising:

a first substrate, which comprises a conductive layer bonding surface and a touch operation surface;

a conductive layer, which is formed on the conductive layer bonding surface of the first substrate;

a second substrate, which comprises an electrode pattern bonding surface;

a first electrode pattern, which is set below the conductive layer and provides a first predetermined distance from the conductive layer and is spaced from the conductive layer by insulation spacers; and

a second electrode pattern, which is set below the first electrode pattern and is formed on the electrode pattern bonding surface of the second substrate, the second electrode pattern providing a second predetermined distance from the conductive layer, the second electrode pattern being spaced from the first electrode pattern by an insulation layer;

6. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern each comprises a plurality of strip-like electrodes that are parallel to and spaced from each other.

7. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the strip-like electrodes of the first electrode pattern form recessed portions corresponding to intersections thereof with the strip-like electrodes of the second electrode pattern.

8. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the device further comprises a microprocessor, which is electrically connected to the conductive layer of the first substrate, the first electrode pattern and the second electrode pattern.

9. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the strip-like electrodes of the first electrode pattern are connected to the microprocessor via a first scanning circuit and wherein the strip-like electrodes of the second electrode pattern are connected to the microprocessor via a second scanning circuit.

10. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the microprocessor supplies a driving voltage to the conductive layer through a driving voltage supply circuit.

11. A pressure detectable touch device having a touch operation surface adapted to be operated by a touching object, comprising:

a conductive layer to which a driving voltage is applied;

a first electrode pattern, which is set below the conductive layer and provides a first predetermined distance from the conductive layer;

a microprocessor, which is electrically connected to the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern;

wherein when the touching object touches the touch operation surface of the touch device at an operation position, the conductive layer is depressed at the operation position, causing a variation of the distance between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern, which leads to a change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern, whereby the touch device is set in a capacitive touch position detection mode in which the microprocessor determines the operation position where the touching object operates the touch operation surface according to the change of electrical capacitive coupling between the conductive layer and the first electrode pattern; and

wherein when the touching object forcibly depresses the touch operation surface of the touch device or when a hand writing input operation is performed on the touch operation surface of the touch device, the conductive layer is depressed at an operation position, making the conductive layer in physical contact with at least one corresponding position of the first electrode pattern, whereby the touch device is set in a resistive touch position detection mode in which the conductive layer applies the driving voltage to the corresponding position of the first electrode pattern and the microprocessor determines at least one operation position on the touch operation surface of the touch device according to variation of voltage in the first electrode pattern.

12. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first electrode pattern comprises a plurality of strip-like electrodes that are parallel to and spaced from each other.

13. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the strip-like electrodes of the first electrode pattern are connected to the microprocessor via a first scanning circuit.

14. The pressure detectable touch device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the microprocessor supplies the driving voltage to the conductive layer through a driving voltage supply circuit.