JP2015215897A - Contact detection keypad controller - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a keypad control device showing a plurality of input capabilities so as to adapt to diversifying user interfaces.
A touch detection keypad control device for a controlled device is provided. The contact detection keypad control device includes a housing 10, a contact control device disposed in the housing, and a keypad device 11 disposed on the contact control device and exposed from the housing. The touch control device generates a first command for controlling the controlled device in response to a user gesture related to the keypad device. The keypad device generates a second command for controlling a controlled device that reacts to a user's pressing operation and reacts to a level change of the keypad device associated with the housing.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a keypad control device, and more particularly to a touch detection keypad control device.

With the development of digital television, various user interfaces are operated on the television.
For this reason, it is desirable that the control device of the television satisfies all requirements related to various user interfaces. To date, keypad controls with push keys are almost the only commercially valid choice. Unfortunately, the keypad controller is not a suitable tool for operating a window type user interface.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a keypad control device showing a plurality of input capabilities so as to adapt to diversifying user interfaces.

The present invention is a touch detection keypad control device for a controlled device, having a housing and a contact detection surface not covered by the housing, and a first gesture of a user related to the contact detection surface A contact control device that reacts to generate a first command for controlling the controlled device;
A keypad device integrated with the contact control device and movable relative to the contact sensing surface, wherein the keypad device is adapted to move the controlled device in response to movement of the keypad device made by a user. A second command for controlling is generated, and the contact control device further generates a third command for controlling the controlled device in response to a user's second gesture related to the keypad device.

In another embodiment, the touch detection keypad control device according to claim 1 is a remote control,
The keypad device has a plurality of push buttons each independently acting as a trigger for generating the second command in response to a user's pressing operation.

In another form, the keypad device is disposed in a specific area of the contact sensing surface,
The first gesture is a slide operation outside the specific range, and the second gesture is a slide operation inside the specific range. In still another embodiment, the first gesture is a vertical motion within a specific range or a stationary motion on a specific period of time on the keypad device, and the second gesture is a slide on the keypad device or an upper side thereof. It is an operation.

The present invention is a contact detection keypad control device for a controlled device, wherein the housing, a contact control device disposed in the housing, and the contact control device are disposed and exposed from the housing. The touch control device generates a first command for controlling the controlled device in response to a user gesture related to the keypad device, the keypad device comprising: A second command for controlling the controlled device that reacts to a level change of the keypad device associated with the housing in response to a user's pressing operation is generated.

The present invention can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art after referring to the later-described embodiments and drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an appearance of a touch detection keypad control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top view showing an arrangement of detection electrodes included in the contact detection keypad control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 3A is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the structure of the first embodiment of the detection electrode according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the structure of the first form of the sensing electrode along the line AA ′ of FIG. 3A.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the flexible dome structure shown in FIG. 3A.

  FIG. 5A is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the structure of the second embodiment of the detection electrode according to the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the structure of the second form of the detection electrode along the line BB ′ in FIG. 5A.

  FIG. 6A is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the structure of the third embodiment of the detection electrode according to the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the structure of the third form of the sensing electrode along the line CC ′ of FIG. 6A.

  FIG. 7A is a schematic vertical sectional view showing the structure of the fourth embodiment of the detection electrode according to the present invention.

FIG. 7B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view of the structure of the fourth embodiment of the detection electrode along the line DD ′ in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a schematic view partially showing an example of an integrated outer shape of the detection electrode of the contact control device and the push button of the keypad device formed on the first surface of the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the integrated outline formed on the second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface and shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing the structure of the fifth embodiment of the detection electrode of the contact control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of the structure of the push button of the keypad device used for the detection electrode shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is a schematic vertical sectional view showing another example of the structure of the push button of the keypad device using the detection electrode shown in FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view partially showing another example of an integrated outer shape of the contact control device and the keypad device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing the structure of the sixth embodiment of the detection electrode of the contact control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11B is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of the structure of the push button of the keypad device using the detection electrode shown in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view partially showing a further illustration of the integrated outline of the touch control device and the keypad device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following embodiments. It should be noted that the following description of the more preferred forms of the present invention is provided here for the purpose of drawings and illustration only.
It is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the details disclosed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top view showing an appearance of a touch detection keypad control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The touch detection keypad control device 1 according to the present invention is a type of control device that is used to control the controlled device X and integrates the touch control function and the keypad control function. The contact detection keypad control device 1 has the appearance of a corded or cordless remote control, for example, as shown in FIG. Of course, you may have another preferable external appearance different from this. For example, a computer keyboard, a mouse device with a keypad, or a non-portable ATM keypad. The controlled device X is, for example,
An image reproduction system such as a television, a computer, a disc player, a set top box or a touch sensitive smart display. The controlled device may be another preferred device that can be controlled by keypad control and contact control methods. When the controlled device X is an image reproduction system, it can display a graphic user interface GUI.
Information or instructions are input to the controlled device via the UI. The touch detection keypad control device 1 according to the present invention is for a user to easily and easily input information or instructions for operating a graphic user interface GUI.

The term “contact detection” means not only detection of a slide or contact gesture actually performed on a specific surface, but also detection of an air gesture performed in a non-contact manner on the upper portion of the specific surface. Please keep in mind. This air gesture is a vertical movement within a specific range and / or a horizontal movement, or a static movement for a specific period. The vertical movement is, for example, the movement of a cursor on the controlled device, the horizontal movement (movement in the Z-axis direction), for example, activates a pressing operation on a virtual key, and the stationary movement is For example, starting the touch detection keypad control device from the suspension state or the sleep state. Hereinafter, the finger is exemplified as a tool for executing a gesture. However, other suitable tools that can cause capacitance changes are used depending on the actual requirements and the size of the touch sensitive keypad controller. For example, palms or conductors are used instead. For a wide range of contact detection, a large number of contact detection units are connected to detect a change in capacitance, effectively increasing sensitivity and effective detection distance. For example, the connection of seven touch detection units has a detection distance larger than the connection of three touch detection units. For details of other grouping effects, reference may be made to pending US patent application publication 2014/0035865 A1.

Specifically, when the user performs a certain amount of vertical movement on the contact detection unit side with a finger or palm, the pressing operation is determined. On the other hand, when the touch detection operation on the X, Y, and Z axes is scanned, the outline of the icon image included in the graphic user interface GUI is
It changes according to the progress of the pressing operation. For example, the icon image is gradually chipped or deformed as the finger or palm approaches the contact detection unit, and is eventually destroyed when a predetermined distance between the finger or palm and the contact detection unit is reached. . The animation effect causes execution of the function indicated by the icon image.

As described above, the touch detection keypad control device 1 includes a touch control device and a keypad device integrated with the touch control device. The contact detection keypad control device 1 includes a housing 10 for housing components (not shown) related to an electronic circuit, a contact control device, and a keypad device. The contact control device includes a contact detection unit (not shown, which will be described later) disposed in the housing, and a contact detection surface 10 that is exposed from the housing 10 and disposed on or above the contact detection unit.
0. As a preferred design, the surface of the housing 10 functions as the contact detection surface 100. In addition, a contact sensing surface that is independent of the housing illustrated later is also provided. The keypad device 11 has a plurality of push buttons 110 and 111 arranged on the surface of the housing and protruding from the surface. In response to a pressing operation to one or more push buttons on the housing surface side by the user, the keypad device 11 generates a command corresponding to the button or a plurality of buttons pressed to control the controlled device. . For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the keypad device 11 includes 5 push buttons 1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, and 1105.
Has a set of directional keys 110, for example, each to be up, right, down, left, and enter keys to adjust the degree of parameters, and multiple push buttons for data entry 111. Other types of keypad devices activated by a specific method instead of a pressing operation can also be applied to the touch detection keypad device according to the present invention. Basically, as long as it is an effective operation of one or more keypad elements that produce a detectable change, the keypad device 11 is a keypad element or group of elements that are moved to control the controlled device. Generate commands related to.

As described above, the contact sensing surface 100 may be independent of the surface of the housing 10. For example, the surface of the keypad device 11, for example, the surface constituted by the cover surface of the five direction push buttons 110 serves as a contact detection surface. In other words, the user performs the actual action of a slide or touch gesture on the cover surface of the button and also performs an air gesture at the top of the cover surface of the button. Therefore, the controlled device is controlled by a method corresponding to the gesture. For example, a cursor on the screen is moved to work with a graphic user interface.

  Programming the firmware of the touch detection unit or touch keypad device provides a new method of operation that mainly includes a push mode and a cursor control mode. In the push mode, the operation of pressing any push button 1101 to 1105 of the five direction push buttons 110 is detected, and the corresponding input is received. Furthermore, pressing the cover surface of the set of five directional keys 110 means a quick press of the directional keys. For example, when the user presses the cover surface of the set of five directional keys 110 downward, the touch detection unit responds as a quick and repeated push button 1103.

  If the pressing operation of the set of five directional keys 110 is held for a predetermined time, for example, 3 seconds, the touch detection unit shifts from the pressing operation mode to the cursor control mode. In the cursor control mode, the sliding gesture operation on the direction push buttons 1101 to 1104 can be controlled to move the cursor on the screen along the corresponding direction. On the other hand, the pushing operation on the direction push buttons 1101 to 1104 moves the cursor slightly along the corresponding direction so that five tune movement controls are performed in the cursor control mode. Furthermore, the operation of pressing the push button 1105 means a left click or right click simulation of the mouse device. In a further embodiment, when the user makes a clockwise / counterclockwise sliding gesture on the cover surface of the set of five directional keys 110, it means that a scroll up / down command has been issued. Sliding or touching gestures and air gestures are not limited to the above examples, and gestures can be modified and improved to provide other surprising modes of operation depending on the concepts of the present disclosure.

In a further form, both the surface of the keypad device area and the surface of the housing 10 outside the keypad device area are used as the touch sensitive surface of a single touch sensitive keypad controller. Thus, the command for controlling the controlled device is generated by the touch control device in response to a user gesture on the touch sensing surface outside the keypad device area, and another command for controlling the controlled device is: Generated by the touch control device in response to another user gesture regarding the touch sensitive surface in the keypad device area. The surface of the housing outside the keypad device area for touch detection may be the same surface as the surface on which the keypad device is placed. Instead, it may be the surface of the housing opposite the surface on which the keypad device is located. In order to perform contact sensing associated with the bottom surface, sensing electrodes are placed near the bottom surface, or additional sensing electrodes are provided near the bottom surface, so that gestures are accurately detected. For example, the index finger detects contact on the upper surface of the housing or the lower portion of the bottom surface of the housing. By the way, each element of the keypad device is still arranged on the upper surface of the housing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the layout of the contact detection unit. The contact detection unit is a one-dimensional contact detection unit formed on the substrate 2 and has a plurality of hexagonal detection electrodes separated from each other. The detection electrode 21 detects a capacitance change corresponding to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and outputs a detection result to a detection circuit (not shown) via a signal line (not described here). To do. The detection circuit can then calculate a contact control point and an action according to the contact control point. For the contact detection method, apparatus, and related technology, reference can be made to the disclosure of the pending US Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0097885 A1 and the corresponding Taiwan Patent Application Publication No. 201415334.

3A and 3B show the structure of the first form of the sensing electrode according to the present invention, where FIG.
Is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3A. In this embodiment, the detection electrode 31 has an outer ring portion 311, a central portion 312, and a bridge portion 313 formed on the substrate 3, and the bridge portion 313 is the only connection portion between the outer ring portion 311 and the central portion 312. It is. The detection electrode 31 is connected to a detection circuit (not shown) via the signal line 310. In this embodiment, each signal line is used for signal transmission of independent sensing electrodes. The detection electrode 31 detects a change in capacitance according to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point according to them.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the keypad device further includes a flexible dome structure 314 at the bottom of each push button cover 315. The bottom 316 of the flexible dome structure 314 is fixed on the substrate 3, and the detection electrode 31 is formed away from the detection electrode 31. Since the flexible dome structure 314 is made of a conductive material that can be deformed, the flexible dome structure 314 moves toward the central portion 312 in response to a pressing operation on the cover 315 by the user. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary structure of the conductive dome structure 314, where the slit 3141 is the bridge portion 31.
3, thereby forming the signal line 310, the outer ring portion 311, and the central portion 31.
2, bridge portion 313, bottom 316 of conductive dome structure 314, and ground line 314
0 is allowed to be formed simultaneously by etching the signal conductive layer formed on the surface of the substrate 3. Therefore, it becomes efficient in terms of cost and labor. Once the conductive dome structure 314 is pressed toward the central portion 312 and the capacitance is increased to a predetermined value, a change in capacitance between the ground line 3140 and the signal line 310 is detected. An input or command corresponding to is input.

5A and 5B show the structure of a second embodiment of the sensing electrode according to the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a schematic vertical sectional view, and FIG. 5B is a schematic horizontal view along the line BB ′ of FIG. 5A. It is sectional drawing. The detection electrode 51 in this embodiment is similar to that shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and has an outer ring portion 511 and a central portion 512 formed on the substrate 5, but between the outer ring portion 511 and the central portion 512. There is no bridge. Instead, the outer ring portion 511 and the central portion 512 are each formed in the through hole 520.
It extends to the other surface of the substrate 5 via 2 and 5201 and is connected to a bridge portion 517 on the other surface of the substrate 5, respectively. The detection electrode 51 is connected to a detection circuit (not shown) via a signal line 510.
Connected to. The detection electrode 51 detects a change in capacitance according to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point according to them.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the keypad device further includes a flexible dome structure 514 under the cover 515 of each push button. Bottom 513 of flexible dome structure 514
Is fixed on the substrate 5, and the detection electrode 51 is formed away from the detection electrode 51. Since the flexible dome structure 514 is made of a conductive material that can be deformed, the flexible dome structure 514 moves toward the central portion 512 in response to a user's pressing operation on the cover 515. In this form,
Since the outer ring portion 511 and the central portion 512 are connected to each other on the opposite surface of the substrate 5, no bridge portion is required and no slit is required in the flexible dome structure 514. Once the conductive dome structure 514 is pressed toward the central portion 512 and the capacitance is increased to a predetermined value, a change in capacitance between the ground line (not shown) and the signal line 510 is detected, and as a result. An input or command corresponding to the push button is input.

6A and 6B show the structure of the third embodiment of the sensing electrode according to the present invention, where FIG.
A is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. 6B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. 6A. In this embodiment, the detection electrode 61 and the first common electrode 621 are separately formed on the first surface of the substrate 6, and the second common electrode is formed on the second surface of the substrate 6 opposite to the first surface. The first common electrode 621 is connected through a through hole 620 between the first surface and the second surface. Detection electrode 61
Has an outer ring portion 611 and a flexible dome portion 612. The outer ring portion 611 includes a first portion 6111 that is coated with an insulating print layer and covered, and a second portion 6112 that is not covered with the insulating print layer. The flexible dome portion 612 is made of a conductive material,
Further, it is connected to the second part 6112 of the outer ring part 611. Lower portions of the flexible dome portion 612 and the second portion 6112 of the outer ring portion 611 serve as an internal space, and the first common electrode 621 is disposed here. The detection electrode 61 detects a capacitance change according to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point according to them.

The flexible dome 612 is variable so as to move toward the common electrode 62 including the first common electrode 621 and the second common electrode 622 in response to a pressing operation by the user on the cover 615.
Once the conductive dome 612 is pressed to the common electrode 62 side and the capacitance is increased or saturated to a predetermined value, a change in capacitance between the common electrode 62 and the signal line 610 extending from the detection electrode 61 is detected. As a result, an input or command corresponding to the push button is input.
In other words, the flexible dome 612 functions not only as a part of the detection electrode in contact detection but also for activation of the associated push button. The touch control device and keypad device integrate not only the structure but also the electrical circuit. In addition, a driving voltage is applied to the common electrode 62 to enhance the sensing capability, thereby extending the effective sensing distance.

7A and 7B show the structure of the fourth embodiment of the sensing electrode according to the present invention, where FIG.
Is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view, and FIG. 7B is a schematic horizontal cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. 7A. In this embodiment, the detection electrode 71 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B and has an outer ring portion 711 and a flexible dome portion 712 formed on the substrate 7. The outer ring portion 711 includes a first portion 7111 that is coated with an insulating print layer and covered, and a second portion 7112 that is not covered with the insulating print layer. The flexible dome part 712 is made of a conductive material and is connected to the second part 7112 of the outer ring part 711. The lower part of the flexible dome part 712 and the second part 7112 of the outer ring part 711 is an internal space, and the common electrode 72 is disposed here. The common electrode 72 is formed on the substrate 7 and is separated from the detection electrode 71. In this embodiment, the conductive wire 729 extending from the common electrode 72 to the opening 719 of the outer ring portion 711 is electrically connected to another common electrode. Once the conductive dome 712 is pressed to the common electrode 72 side,
When the capacitance is increased or saturated to a predetermined value, a change in capacitance between the common electrode 72 and the signal line 710 extending from the detection electrode 71 is detected, and as a result, an input or command corresponding to the push button is input. . In other words, the flexible dome portion 712 serves not only as a part of the detection electrode in contact detection but also as a function of activating the associated push button. The touch control device and the keypad device are integrated not only as a structure but also as an electrical circuit. The detection electrode 71 detects a capacitance change corresponding to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point corresponding to the change.

The structure of the flexible dome portion 712 is similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4, and the slit of the flexible dome portion 712 is disposed on the opening 719 side. Optionally, but preferably, an insulating protective layer is formed on top of the opening 719 and an electrode layer 722 is formed on the opposite surface of the substrate 7 to shield the contact sensing unit from unwanted interference. .

FIG. 8A partially shows an example of an integrated outer shape formed on the first surface of the substrate according to the embodiment of the present invention and integrated with the detection electrode of the contact control device and the push button of the keypad device. FIG.
FIG. 8B shows an example of the integrated profile of FIG. 8A formed on the second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface. The keypad device of this embodiment has a five-way key set similar to the key set consisting of the upper, right, lower, left, and enter push buttons shown in FIG. The integrated outline of the sensing electrodes of the touch control device and the push buttons of the keypad device corresponds to the arrangement of the five push buttons. In this embodiment, two different integrated structures of a touch control device and a keypad device are applied.

The three units of the middle column of FIGS. 8A and 8B are similar to the integrated structure shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, while the two units located beside the column are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Similar to an integrated structure. On the first surface of the substrate shown in FIG.
The first common electrode 621 is separated from the outer ring portion 611, and includes a first portion coated with an insulating printed layer and covered with a second portion 6112 that is not covered with an insulating printed layer. A through-hole 620 between the first surface and the second surface for connecting 621 and the second common electrode 622 disposed on the second surface of the substrate is shown. Furthermore, through-holes 5201 and 5202 connecting the outer ring portion 511 and the central portion 512 on the second surface of the substrate as the outer ring portion 511, the central portion 512, the bridge portion 517, the bottom portion 513 of the flexible dome structure 514, and the flexible dome structure A through-hole 5203 is shown for connecting the bottom 513 of 514 to a common electrode 622 disposed on the second surface of the substrate. On the second surface of the substrate shown in FIG. 8B, the outer ring portion 511 and the central portion 521 are connected to each other as a bridge portion 517 through the through holes 5201 and 5202. By applying the preferred structure, the touch-sensitive keypad controller can function normally even if the push button is associated with the sensing electrode or is zigzag offset from the sensing electrode.

FIG. 9A is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing the structure of the fifth embodiment of the detection electrode of the contact control device according to the present invention. FIG. 9B is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of the structure of the push button of the keypad device used for the detection electrode shown in FIG. 9A. In this form, the detection electrode 81 on the substrate 8 has a recessed region 810 in which the common electrode 82 is disposed. The common electrode 82 is electrically connected to another common electrode through a through hole, an opening, and a wiring (not shown). A combined capacitance is generated between the sensing electrode 81 and the common electrode 82. The bottom 830 of the elastic key structure 83 includes a conductive rubber that can be electrically connected to the common electrode 82. When the elastic key structure 83 is pressed, the distance between the bottom surface of the elastic key structure 83 and the detection electrode and the common electrode 82 is shortened, or
As a result, the coupling capacitance between the detection electrode 81 and the common electrode 82 changes as a result.
Or, a short circuit occurs. The capacitance increases as the distance decreases, and saturation occurs.
Capacitance change between 1 and the common electrode 82 can be detected. Therefore, the external detection circuit can determine whether or not the corresponding switch is pressed according to the detection result. If the detected capacity is equal to or greater than the threshold value or reaches a saturation level, it is determined that the corresponding key has been pressed. Basically, the detection electrode 8
1 is a hexagon and is arranged in a honeycomb shape. The detection electrode 81 detects a change in capacitance according to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point according to them. Furthermore, similar to the integrated outline shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the structure shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B also supports the push button design and is partnered with the sensing electrode or sensing electrode. And a depression region 810 that zigzags away from the partner or sensing electrode. For waterproofing, the contact control device further includes a waterproof insulating layer 90 on the one-dimensional contact detection unit as shown in FIG. 9C.

Sometimes, for specific applications, a hard substrate such as a ceramic substrate or a curved substrate on which detection electrodes and a keypad device are formed is used. However, problems arise when a ceramic substrate, a curved substrate, or the like is used because it is difficult to handle the substrate or generate a through hole. In order to cope with this problem, for example, a copper foil layer 91, an insulating paint layer 92, and a carbon film 93 are continuously formed on the hard substrate 9 on the upper surface of the substrate. The copper foil layer 91 can be used to create a desired electrode layer layout formed on the bottom surface of the substrate as in the above-described form, but in this embodiment, it is actually formed on the top surface of the substrate 9. The insulating paint layer 92 functions as a substrate on which each element of the detection electrode and the keypad device is formed. The insulating paint layer 92 further includes a carbon film 93 formed on the copper foil layer 9.
1 functions to insulate from 1 and through holes are formed in the insulating paint layer 92 to connect the carbon film 93 to the copper foil layer 91. For example, the carbon film 93 is formed on the insulating paint layer 92 by a printing method.

FIG. 11A is a schematic horizontal sectional view showing the structure of the sixth embodiment of the detection electrode of the contact control device according to the present invention. FIG. 11B is a schematic vertical sectional view showing an example of the structure of the push button of the keypad device used for the detection electrode shown in FIG. 11A. In this embodiment, a resistance type keypad is inserted into the contact detection unit. The detection electrode 991 on the substrate 99 is a first key electrode 99.
21 and a recessed region 9910 in which a second key electrode 9922 is formed. First key electrode 9
The route of the layout of the 921 and the second key electrode 9922 is formed through the through hole or the opening 9911 of the detection electrode 991. The bottom 9930 of the elastic key structure 993 is made of conductive rubber. When the elastic key structure 993 is pressed until the bottom 9930 of the elastic key structure 993 is in contact with the first key electrode 9921 and the second key electrode 9922, the first key electrode 9921 and the second key electrode 9922 are electrically Conductive. The resistance change resulting from the electrical conductivity of the first key electrode 9921 and the second key electrode 9922 is used by an external sensing circuit to determine whether the corresponding key has been pressed. Basically, the sensing electrode 991 is hexagonal,
Arranged in a beehive. The detection electrode 991 detects a capacitance change corresponding to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point corresponding to the change.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view partially showing a further illustration of the integrated outline of the touch control device and the keypad device according to the embodiment of the present invention. The contact detection electrode 887 is an electrode pin (not shown)
Is formed on or under the bottom surface of the exposed substrate 88. The contact detection electrode 887 becomes a one-dimensional contact detection layer, and is used to detect how the capacitance changes due to, for example, a finger that touches or approaches (or a palm or a conductive material). The detection electrode 887 detects a capacitance change according to a gesture or a gesture change of a finger or a finger approach, and the detection circuit calculates a contact control point and an operation of the contact control point according to them.

The substrate 88 is planar or hemispherical as shown. At least one through hole 880 is formed in the substrate 88 to allow a physical key cover 888 to pass therethrough. The bottom surface of the physical key cover 888 stops on the flexible dome structure 8820 formed on the circuit board 881. The common electrode layer 882 and the switch detection electrode 883 are also formed on the circuit board 881. The common electrode layer 882 is electrically connected to a flexible dome structure 8820 made of a conductor. Common electrode layer 882 and flexible dome structure 88
In addition to screening the interference from each part of the lower side of the detection electrode layer 887, a drive voltage is applied to the electrode 20 to enhance the detection capability. As a result, a larger detection distance can be obtained. On the other hand, the switch detection electrode 883 is electrically connected to an external detection circuit (not shown) through a conductive wire 889. Flexible dome structure 88 for contacting switch sensing electrode 883
When 20 is pressed, an external detection circuit determines whether the corresponding key has been pressed.
Further, the driving voltage is applied to the common electrode 882, and the detection capability is increased. As a result, a larger detection distance can be obtained.

The one-dimensional capacitive contact detection electrode layer 887 may be connected to another signal line (not shown) on the circuit board 881, and is an electrode pin extending outside the end of the board, and the common electrode layer 882. In addition, contact with the switch detection electrode 883 is prevented. For example, the connection is made via conductive rubber or a metal cylinder. The cursor operation of the user interface is controlled by the contact control device having the substrate 88 and the contact detection electrode layer 887. Keypad device with physical key cover 888, flexible dome structure 8820, and switch sensing electrode 883 are 5
Used as an enter key, which is one of the two direction keys.

As described above, the present invention provides a number of forms of a touch detection keypad controller that satisfies various command input requirements. Both key-in and touch-sensing functions for controlling a window-type user interface can be performed by the same controller. The electrodes described above can be made of a transparent or translucent material. The electrode pattern can be formed, for example, by photolithography, printing, laser etching, or electroplating. As the substrate, a hard or soft substrate can be used. The integrated functions of the keypad device and the touch control device can be applied with a corded or cordless remote control, keyboard, or other suitable device. Since the touch detection keypad control device according to the present invention can detect an air gesture, it can be used for use as a keypad device of a medical device.

As described above, each aspect of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a control point adapted to a detection panel. Control point position information can be accurately detected by this method and apparatus without increasing the number of signal lines. Although the present invention has been described in detail for what is considered to be the most practical preferred embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar structures, including within the content and scope of the appended claims according to their broadest interpretation to enclose the modifications and similar structures.

Claims (10)

A touch detection keypad control device for a controlled device,
A housing,
A contact control device that has a contact detection surface that is not covered by the housing, and that generates a first command for controlling the controlled device in response to a first gesture of a user associated with the contact detection surface;
A keypad device integrated with the contact control device and movable relative to the contact sensing surface;
The keypad device generates a second command for controlling the controlled device in response to movement of the keypad device made by a user;
The contact detection device further includes a third command for controlling the controlled device in response to a user's second gesture related to the keypad device. It becomes a remote control, the keypad device triggers generation of the second command in response to a user's pressing operation, each having a plurality of independent push buttons,
The keypad device is disposed in a specific area of the contact sensing surface;
The first gesture is a slide operation outside the specific range,
The second gesture is a slide operation inside the specific range,
The first gesture is a vertical movement within a specific range, or a static movement in a specific period on the keypad device,
The contact detection keypad control device according to claim 1, wherein the second gesture is a slide operation on the keypad device or an upper side thereof. The contact control device includes a one-dimensional contact detection unit formed of a plurality of separated detection electrodes and housed in the housing.
At least one of the detection electrodes has an outer ring portion, a central portion, and a bridge portion that uniquely connects the outer ring portion and the central portion,
The keypad device includes at least one cover and a flexible dome structure that is variable so as to move toward the central portion in response to a user's pressing operation on the cover. Touch detection keypad control device. The detection electrode and the first common electrode are separately formed on the first surface of the substrate,
A second common electrode is formed on the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface and is electrically connected to the first common electrode through a through hole between the first surface and the second surface. And
At least one of the detection electrodes includes an outer ring portion having a first portion covered with an insulating print layer and a second portion not covered with the insulating print layer, an internal space in which the first common electrode is disposed, And a flexible dome part electrically connected to the second part of the outer ring part,
The keypad device has at least one cover overlying the flexible dome;
The touch detection keypad control device according to claim 3, wherein the flexible dome portion is deformable so as to move toward the first common electrode in response to a pressing operation of a user on the cover.   The touch detection keypad control device according to claim 3, wherein the touch control device further includes a waterproof insulating layer on the one-dimensional touch detection unit. A touch detection keypad control device for a controlled device,
A housing,
A contact control device disposed in the housing;
A keypad device disposed on the contact control device and exposed from the housing,
The contact control device generates a first command for controlling the controlled device in response to a user gesture related to the keypad device;
The keypad device generates a second command for controlling the controlled device that reacts to a level change of the keypad device associated with the housing in response to a pressing operation by a user. Touch detection keypad control device. It becomes a remote control, the keypad device has a plurality of push buttons each serving as a trigger for generating the second command in response to a user's pressing operation, each having an independent level change,
The gesture is a slide operation on the keypad device or the upper side thereof,
The touch detection keypad control device according to claim 6, wherein the gesture is a vertical motion within a specific range, or a static motion in a specific period above the keypad device. The contact control device includes a one-dimensional contact detection unit formed of a plurality of separated detection electrodes and housed in the housing.
At least one of the detection electrodes has an outer ring portion, a central portion, and a bridge portion that uniquely connects the outer ring portion and the central portion,
The keypad device includes at least one cover and a flexible dome structure that is variable so as to move to the center side in response to a user's pressing operation on the cover. Touch detection keypad control device. The detection electrode and the first common electrode are separately formed on the first surface of the substrate,
A second common electrode is formed on the second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface and is electrically connected to the first common electrode through a through hole between the first surface and the second surface. And
At least one of the detection electrodes includes an outer ring portion having a first portion covered with an insulating print layer and a second portion not covered with the insulating print layer, an internal space in which the first common electrode is disposed, And a flexible dome part electrically connected to the second part of the outer ring part,
The keypad device has at least one cover overlying the flexible dome;
9. The touch detection keypad control device according to claim 8, wherein the flexible dome portion is deformable so as to move toward the first common electrode in response to a pressing operation of the user to the cover.   The contact detection keypad control device according to claim 9, wherein the contact control device further includes a waterproof insulating layer on the one-dimensional contact detection unit.

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