CN102147673A - Panel with Proximity Sensing - Google Patents

Abstract

A panel with proximity sensing functionality, comprising: the device comprises a substrate, at least one proximity sensing unit and at least one sensing circuit. The proximity sensing unit is formed on the periphery of the substrate, so that the cost is reduced and the complexity of system winding is reduced. The proximity sensing unit is used for sensing the approach of an object to generate a sensing signal, and the sensing circuit receives the sensing signal to generate a control signal.

Description

Panel with Proximity Sensing

technical field

The invention relates to a panel, in particular to a panel with proximity sensing function.

Background technique

With the development of optoelectronic technology, proximity switching devices have been widely used in different machines, such as smart phones, ticketing systems for transportation vehicles, digital cameras, remote controls, and LCD screens. Common proximity switching devices (Proximity Device) include such as proximity sensor (Proximity sensor) and touch panel (touch panel), which are mainly used to switch the system state. The operation mode of the proximity sensor is: when an object is close to the sensing range of the sensor, the proximity sensor knows the position of the object through proximity sensing under the condition of touching the object or not touching the object, and the proximity sensor will sense the obtained The signal is converted into an electronic signal, and the system or machine will respond appropriately according to the electronic signal to achieve the purpose of controlling the state of the system.

Proximity sensors, also known as proximity switches, are used in many LCD TVs, power switches, home appliance switches, access control systems, handheld remote controls, and mobile phones. In recent years, they have become one of the indispensable roles of these devices and equipment. . It is responsible for detecting whether an object is approaching so that the controller can know where the object is currently located. For home appliance applications, proximity sensors are widely used to control light sources. As long as you approach or touch the proximity sensor, the light source can be turned on or off according to the sensing signal. There are various types and shapes of proximity sensors, such as rectangular, square, cylindrical, round hole, groove, and multi-point. According to its principle, it can be divided into the following four types: inductive, capacitive, photoelectric and magnetic.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a functional block diagram of a general capacitive proximity sensing system 100 , which includes: an object 10 , a proximity sensing unit 101 , a sensing circuit 105 and a microcontroller 106 . When the object 10 approaches the proximity sensing unit 101, the capacitance sensed by the proximity sensing unit 101 will vary with the distance of the object. At this time, the oscillation frequency/amplitude generated by the oscillator 102 will vary according to the distance of the object. change and generate an oscillating signal. The detection circuit 103 converts the oscillating signal into a fixed DC voltage and sends it to the output circuit 104. The output circuit 104 receives the fixed DC voltage and enhances the driving force as an output signal, and sends it to the microcontroller 106 or a controlled load terminal.

Nowadays, various display panels have been widely used in different devices. In order to realize the interactive concept of the touch panel, the previous technology added a panel with proximity sensing function around the panel, including: circuit board (PCB), Proximity sensing unit, sensing circuit and microcontroller. As shown in FIG. 2, it is a top view of a prior art touch panel, which includes: a touch panel 130, a proximity sensing unit 140, and a circuit board (PCB) 150. FIG. 3 is a structure of a prior art capacitive touch panel. picture.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be seen that in the prior art, at least one circuit board (PCB) must be added outside the touch panel, and individual proximity sensing units are placed on individual circuit boards (PCB). . Such an approach will increase the cost and increase the complexity of system wiring, making system integration difficult. Therefore, in the application of the panel, how to reduce the cost of making the proximity sensing unit on the panel and simplify the complexity of system wiring has become an important issue in the development of the interactive panel in the future.

Contents of the invention

The invention provides a panel with a proximity sensing function, which includes a substrate and at least one proximity sensing unit. In the prior art, it is necessary to add at least one circuit board (PCB) and place at least one proximity sensing unit. The present invention proposes the process of making the panel. At the same time, the proximity sensing unit is formed on the substrate of the panel, which reduces the cost and reduces the system winding. the complexity.

The present invention further provides a panel with a proximity sensing function, including: a substrate, at least one proximity sensing unit, and at least one sensing circuit. The proximity sensing unit is formed around the substrate, and the proximity sensing unit senses the approach of the object and generates a corresponding sensing signal. The sensing circuit is connected to the proximity sensing unit and is used to receive the sensing signal and generate a control signal.

In order to make the above-mentioned and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, several preferred embodiments are specifically cited below, together with the accompanying drawings, as follows:

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a capacitive proximity sensing system (prior art);

2 is a top view of a prior art touch panel (prior art);

3 is a structural diagram of a prior art touch panel (prior art);

4 is a system functional block diagram of a panel with a proximity sensing function;

5 is a top view of a first embodiment of a panel with a proximity sensing function;

Fig. 6 is the top view of the second embodiment of the panel with proximity sensing function;

Fig. 7 is the top view of the third embodiment of the panel with proximity sensing function;

8 is a cross-sectional view of a capacitive touch panel with a proximity sensing function;

9 is a partial view of a resistive touch panel with a proximity sensing function;

10 is a cross-sectional view of a full-plane capacitive touch panel with a proximity sensing function;

11 is a cross-sectional view of a full-plane resistive touch panel with proximity sensing function;

12 is a cross-sectional view of an optical panel with a proximity sensing function; and

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a sonic panel with a proximity sensing function.

Symbol Description

10 Objects 100 Capacitive Proximity Sensing System

101 Proximity sensing unit 102 Oscillation circuit

103 Detecting circuit 104 Output circuit

105 sensing circuit 106 microcontroller

130 Touch Panel 140 Proximity Sensing Unit

141 Square proximity sensing unit 142 Spiral proximity sensing unit

143 circular proximity sensing unit 150 circuit board

160 sensing circuit 170 microcontroller

200 Panel with Proximity Sensing Function 201 Capacitive Touch Panel 201

210 First electrode layer 220 Substrate

230 second electrode layer 301 resistive panel 201

310 First substrate 320 Isolation point

330 second substrate 400 full planar capacitive touch panel

402 Covering 402 404 Shell

406 Protective layer 408 LCD panel

410 full flat resistive panel 420 optical panel

422 Light source transmitter 424 Light source receiver

426 Spacer 440 Sonic panel

442 Sound Wave Transmitter 444 Sound Wave Receiver

Detailed ways

The invention provides a panel with a proximity sensing function, which includes a substrate and at least one proximity sensing unit. By forming the proximity sensing unit directly on the periphery of the substrate of various panels, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced and the complexity of system winding is reduced, so that the applied substrate has a proximity sensing function, so that the machine using this panel can achieve more Excellent human-computer interaction effect. Formed on the periphery of the panel, the proximity sensing unit can be made by using the narrow edge of the panel without affecting the original panel production process, and it is managed to integrate the production of the proximity sensing unit into the panel production process, so that it can be greatly reduced. The cost required for the proximity sensing unit.

Please refer to FIG. 4 , which is a functional block diagram of a panel 130 with a proximity sensing function of a panel 200 with a proximity sensing function of the present invention, wherein the panel 200 with a proximity sensing function includes: a panel 130, at least one proximity sensing unit 140 and At least one sensing circuit 160 . The proximity sensing unit 140 is formed around the substrate 130 and can generate a corresponding proximity sensing signal according to the approach of the object 10 , and the magnitude of the proximity sensing signal changes according to the distance of the object 10 . The sensing circuit 160 is used for receiving the proximity sensing signal to generate a control signal. The microcontroller 170 is connected to the sensing circuit 160 for receiving control signals and performing calculations to generate coordinate information (X, Y). The microcontroller 170 can use the coordinate information (X, Y) to judge the gesture direction, for example: the object moves from left to right, from right to left, from left to right, from right to left, from up to Bottom, bottom to top, two objects zoom in, two objects zoom out, etc. In this way, gestures for interaction between the user and various panels can be realized.

Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 is any combination of the following: a capacitive proximity sensing unit, an inductive proximity sensing unit, a photoelectric proximity sensing unit, and a magnetic proximity sensing unit. That is, in practice, one type of proximity sensing unit can be used to fabricate the panel, or multiple proximity sensing units can be adopted to be fabricated on the panel.

The capacitive proximity sensing unit uses the distance of the object 10 to change the magnitude of the sensing signal, wherein the magnitude of the sensing signal is the change of capacitance. The oscillating circuit in the sensing circuit 160 changes the oscillating frequency/amplitude according to the change of the capacitance, and generates a control signal according to the oscillating frequency/amplitude to output to the microcontroller 170 .

The inductive proximity sensing unit uses the distance of the object to change the magnitude of the sensing signal, wherein the magnitude of the sensing signal is the change of inductance. The oscillating circuit in the sensing circuit 160 changes the oscillating frequency/amplitude through the change of the inductance, and generates a control signal according to the oscillating frequency/amplitude and outputs it to the microcontroller 170 .

The shape of the capacitive and inductive proximity sensing units can be selected from: circle, square, ellipse, star, heart, spiral, hollow or any shape.

The photoelectric proximity sensing unit includes: a light emitter and a light receiver. The principle of its operation is to use the light emitter to emit a light source, which is infrared. The photoelectric proximity sensing unit receives the light intensity reflected from the surface of the object and generates a signal close to a light source, and the sensing circuit 160 generates an electronic signal according to the light intensity of the light source signal and outputs it to the microcontroller 170 .

The magnetic proximity sensing unit is a magnetic sensing component. Its operating principle uses an external magnetic object to rely on the magnetic proximity sensing unit. The magnetic sensing component of the magnetic proximity sensing unit is a contact formed by two ferrous reeds. . When a magnetic object approaches, the ferrous reed of the magnetic proximity sensing unit induces a large amount of magnetism, which makes the contact conduct. The sensing circuit 160 generates an electronic signal according to the contact point and outputs it to the microcontroller 170 .

Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 is formed on: the upper surface of the substrate, the lower surface of the substrate, the side surface of the substrate or the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate. Wherein, the substrate of the panel with the proximity sensing function is selected from: a substrate of a projected capacitive touch panel, a substrate of a surface capacitive touch panel, a substrate of a resistive touch panel, a substrate of an ultrasonic touch panel, an infrared touch panel Panel substrates, organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel substrates, liquid crystal panel substrates, electronic paper substrates, glass substrates, plastic substrate (PET) substrates and acrylic substrates.

In the following, the embodiments of FIG. 5 , FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 will respectively list three panel embodiments using capacitive and inductive proximity sensing units.

Next, please refer to FIG. 5 , which illustrates the top view of the first embodiment of the panel with the proximity sensing function. The proximity sensing unit 141 adopts a square design.

Next, please refer to FIG. 6 , which illustrates a top view of a second embodiment of a panel with a proximity sensing function. The proximity sensing unit 142 adopts a spiral design.

Next, please refer to FIG. 7 , which illustrates a top view of a third embodiment of a panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the proximity sensing unit 143 adopts a circular design.

Next, FIG. 8 to FIG. 13 will respectively list six embodiments of the locations where the proximity sensing function is formed on the touch panel. The rest are formed on the substrate of the OLED panel, the substrate of the liquid crystal panel, or the substrate of the electronic paper, etc., since their principles are the same, and will not be repeated here.

Next, please refer to FIG. 8 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a capacitive touch panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the capacitive touch panel 201 with a proximity sensing function includes: a first electrode layer 210, a substrate 220, a second electrode Layer 230 and proximity sensing unit 140 . Since the first electrode layer 210 and the second electrode layer 230 are respectively located on the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 220, the proximity sensing unit 140 may be formed on the upper or lower surfaces of the first electrode layer 210 and the second electrode layer 230, or on the upper and lower surfaces. are formed.

Next, please refer to FIG. 9 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a resistive touch panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the resistive touch panel 301 with a proximity sensing function includes: a first substrate 310, an isolation point 320 (spacer), a second The substrate 330 and the proximity sensing unit 140 . Since the surfaces of the first substrate 310 and the second substrate 330 have electrode layers, the proximity sensing unit 140 can be formed on the surface of the first substrate 220 or the surface of the second substrate 230 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 10 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a full-planar capacitive touch panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the full-planar capacitive touch panel 400 with a proximity sensing function includes: a proximity sensing unit 140, a cover layer 402 , a casing 404 , a protective layer 406 and a liquid crystal panel 408 . Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 can be formed on the lower surface of the covering layer 402, and the covering layer 402 can be a glass layer, a plastic layer (PET) or an acrylic layer.

Next, please refer to FIG. 11 , which illustrates a structural diagram of a full-planar resistive touch panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the full-planar resistive touch panel 410 with a proximity sensing function includes: a proximity sensing unit 140, a first substrate 310, The spacer 320 , the second substrate 330 , the cover layer 402 , the housing 404 and the liquid crystal panel 408 are isolated. Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 may be formed on the lower surface of the covering layer 402 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 12 , which illustrates a structural diagram of a cross-sectional view of an optical panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein an optical panel 420 with a proximity sensing function includes: a proximity sensing unit 140, a cover layer 402, a housing 404, a liquid crystal The panel 408 , the light source emitter 422 , the light source receiver 424 and the spacer 426 . Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 can be formed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the covering layer 402 , and the embodiment of FIG. 12 is formed on the lower surface of the covering layer 402 .

Next, please refer to FIG. 13 , which illustrates a cross-sectional view of a sonic panel with a proximity sensing function, wherein the sonic panel 440 with a proximity sensing function includes: a proximity sensing unit 140, a cover layer 402 and a housing 404, a liquid crystal panel 408, The sound wave transmitter 442 and the sound wave receiver 444 . Wherein, the proximity sensing unit 140 may be formed on the lower surface of the covering layer 402 .

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person familiar with the related art can make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, The scope of protection of the present invention must be based on the content defined by the claims of the present application.

Claims (7)

1. A panel with a proximity sensing function, characterized in that it comprises: a substrate; At least one proximity sensing unit is formed on the periphery of the substrate, and the proximity sensing unit is used to sense the approach of an object to generate a sensing signal; and At least one sensing circuit is connected to the proximity sensing unit for receiving the sensing signal and generating a control signal. 2. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensing unit is selected from the group consisting of: a capacitive proximity sensing unit, an inductive proximity sensing unit, a photoelectric proximity sensing unit and a magnetic proximity sensing unit . 3. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the proximity sensing unit is selected from the group consisting of circle, square, ellipse, star, heart, spiral and hollow. 4. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensing unit comprises: a light emitter for emitting a light; and A light receiver is used to receive the light and generate the induction signal according to the intensity of the light. 5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the proximity sensing unit comprises: A magnetic sensing component is used for sensing a magnetic object outside, and makes a contact of the magnetic sensing component close to generate the sensing signal. 6. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is selected from: a substrate of a projected capacitive touch panel, a substrate of a surface capacitive touch panel, a substrate of a resistive touch panel, an ultrasonic touch panel Panel substrate, infrared touch panel substrate, organic light emitting diode panel substrate, liquid crystal panel substrate, electronic paper substrate, glass substrate, plastic substrate and acrylic substrate. 7 . The panel according to claim 1 , wherein the proximity sensing unit is formed on the upper surface of the substrate, the lower surface of the substrate, the side surface of the substrate, or the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.

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