Touch sensitive display device

• US 7,705,834 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anders Swedin
• Original Assignee: Integritouch Development AB
• Inventors: Swedin, Anders
• Primary Examiner(s): Mengistu; Amare
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bolotin; Dmitriy
• Application Number:
  US10/575,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20070046639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,023 Days
• Field of Search: 345/104, 345/173, 345/174, 345/176, 345/178, 178 1801- 1811, 349/142
• US Class Current: 345/174
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13338 Input devices, e.g. touch panels
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1343 Electrodes reflective electrodes G02F1/133553
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/04 for presentation of a single character by selection from a plurality of characters, or by composing the character by combination of individual elements, e.g. segments using a combination of such display devices for composing words, rows or the like, in a frame with fixed character positions

Abstract

A touch sensor is disclosed comprising a display device having a substrate on which substrate at least one display electrode is disposed for the display of a shape on the display device. An interface is coupled to the at least one display electrode for receiving display data to the display device. Moreover is a measuring circuit coupled to the at least one display electrode. Switching means are provided for connecting the interface to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a first state of operation and connecting the measuring circuit to the at least one display electrode when the switching means is in a second state of operation.

Claims

1. A touch sensor, comprising:

a display device having a first substrate on which at least one display electrode is disposed, and a second substrate on which at least one display electrode is disposed, for the display of a shape on the display device;

an interface coupled to the at least one display electrode on the first substrate for receiving display data to the display device, the display data providing a voltage value between the at least one display electrode on the first substrate and the at least one display electrode on the second substrate;

a measuring circuit coupled to the at least one display electrode on the first substrate; and

switching means for connecting the interface to the at least one display electrodes on the first and second substrates when the switching means is in a first state of operation and for connecting the measuring circuit to the at least one display electrode on the first substrate when the switching means is in a second state of operation, wherein;

the measuring circuit is configured to detect a change in capacitance or resistance measured at the at least one display electrode on the first substrate; and

the switching means is configured to preserve the voltage value between the at least one display electrode on the first substrate and the at least one display electrode on the second substrate when the switching means is in the second state of operation.

2. A touch sensor according to claim 1, wherein the measuring circuit comprises:

a signal generator coupled to the at least one display electrode for providing a predetermined test signal to the display electrode; and

a signal evaluating circuit coupled to the at least one display electrode for receiving the test signal from the signal generator.

3. A touch sensor according to claim 2, wherein the signal evaluation circuit is configured to detect a deviation in the test signal when the switching means is in the second state of operation.

4. A touch sensor according to claim 2, wherein:

the display device comprises a front substrate having a plurality of segments; and

the signal generator is configured to apply the test signal to the segments on the front substrate.

5. A touch sensor according to claim 2, wherein:

the display device comprises a back substrate having a plurality of segments; and

the signal generator is configured to apply the test signal to segments on the back substrate.

6. A touch sensor according to claim 4, wherein the segments on the front substrate which are not connected to the signal generator are retained in a high-ohmic state.

13. A touch sensor according to claim 3, wherein:

the display device comprises a front substrate having a plurality of segments; and

the signal generator is adapted to apply the test signal to the segments on the front substrate.

14. A touch sensor according to claim 3, wherein:

the display device comprises a back substrate having a plurality of segments; and

the signal generator is adapted to apply the test signal to the segments on the back substrate.

15. A touch sensor according to claim 5, wherein the segments on the back substrate which are not connected to the signal generator are retained in a high-ohmic state.

7. A method for detecting a touch on a display device, said display device having a first substrate on which at least one display electrode is disposed and a second substrate on which at least one display electrode is disposed, for the display of a shape on the display device, wherein said display electrodes are coupled to an interface for receiving display data to the display device, comprising the steps of:

disconnecting the at least one display electrode on the first and second substrate from the interface;

connecting said display electrode on the first substrate to a measuring circuit; and

detecting, by the measuring circuit, a change in a capacitance or resistance of the at least one display electrode on the first substrate due to an electrical coupling with an object touching the display device in the vicinity of the display electrode on the first substrate, wherein

the at least one display electrode on the second substrate is connected such that a voltage level between the at least one display electrode on the first substrate and the at least one display electrode on the second substrate is preserved.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein detecting a change in a capacitance or resistance of the display electrode comprises:

applying a predetermined test signal to the display electrode and

detecting a deviation in the test signal due to an electrical coupling with an object touching the display device in the vicinity of the display electrode.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the electrical coupling comprises a capacitive coupling.

10. A method according to claim 7, wherein the electrical coupling comprises a galvanic coupling.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the electrical coupling comprises a capacitive coupling.

12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the electrical coupling comprises a galvanic coupling.