TWI884059B - Illuminated touchpad - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated touchpad includes a panel, a light guide layer and a circuit board. The panel includes a first light transmitting region and a second light transmitting region. The light guide layer is located below the panel. The light guide layer includes a first light guide region and a second light guide region. The circuit board is located below the light guide layer. The circuit board includes a controller, a touch module, a first light source and a second light source. The first light source is located at a side of the first light guide region. The second light source is located at a side of the second light guide region. The controller controls the first light source to emit light, such that the first light guide region guides the light emitted by the first light source to the first light transmitting region. When the touch module senses that the first light transmitting region is touched, the controller controls the second light source to emit light, such that the second light guide region guides the light emitted by the second light source to the second light transmitting region.

Description

Luminous touch panel

The present invention relates to a touch panel, in particular to a luminous touch panel.

With the development of touch technology, touch panels can be integrated into various electronic devices, such as keyboards, mobile devices, etc. The surface of the touch panel generally only has printed icons. When the touch panel is used in an environment with insufficient light, it is difficult for users to find the desired touch position, causing inconvenience in use. In addition, the current touch panel with integrated backlight module only provides light for the touch icon. When the user touches the touch icon with a finger, the touch icon will be blocked by the finger, making it impossible for the user to confirm whether the touch action has been executed.

The present invention provides a luminous touch panel to solve the above problems.

According to one embodiment, the light-emitting touch panel of the present invention includes a panel, a light-guiding layer and a circuit board. The panel includes a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area. The light-guiding layer is located below the panel. The light-guiding layer includes a first light-guiding area and a second light-guiding area. The first light-guiding area overlaps with the first light-transmitting area. The second light-guiding area overlaps with the second light-transmitting area. The circuit board is located below the light-guiding layer. The circuit board includes a controller, a touch module, a first light source and a second light source. The touch module overlaps with the first light-transmitting area. The first light source is located on one side of the first light-guiding area. The second light source is located on one side of the second light-guiding area. The controller controls the first light source to emit light, so that the first light-guiding area guides the light emitted by the first light source to the first light-transmitting area. When the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched, the controller controls the second light source to emit light, so that the second light-guiding area guides the light emitted by the second light source to the second light-transmitting area.

In summary, the present invention sets a first light guide area and a second light guide area in the same light guide layer. The light emitted by the first light source is guided to the first light-transmitting area of the panel through the first light guide area, thereby forming a light-emitting pattern corresponding to the first light-transmitting area (for example, a touch icon). In addition, when the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched, the controller will control the second light source to emit light. At this time, the light emitted by the second light source is guided to the second light-transmitting area of the panel through the second light guide area, thereby forming a light-emitting effect corresponding to the second light-transmitting area as a prompt of the touch action. The user can confirm whether the touch action has been executed through the prompt of the touch action. Since the first light guide area and the second light guide area are arranged in the same light guide layer (that is, the first light guide area and the second light guide area are located in the same plane), the first light guide area and the second light guide area will not increase the overall thickness of the light-emitting touch panel, which is conducive to the thin design of the light-emitting touch panel. In addition, the same light guide layer includes multiple light guide areas, which is also easier to assemble. Since the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area as the light-emitting pattern are formed on the panel, the resolution will be better than the pattern formed on the traditional light guide plate.

The advantages and spirit of the present invention can be further understood through the following detailed description of the invention and the attached drawings.

1,1': Luminous touch panel

3: Fingers

10: Panel

10a: light-transmitting layer

10b: Shading layer

12:Light guide layer

14: Circuit board

16: Reflective sheet

100: First light-transmitting area

102: Second light-transmitting area

104:Contact area

106: The third light-transmitting area

120: First light guide area

122: Second light guide area

124: Shading structure

126: The third light-guiding area

140: Controller

142: Touch module

144: The first light source

146: Second light source

148: The third light source

1200: First microstructure

1220: Second microstructure

1260: The third microstructure

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the touch operation of the luminous touch panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial exploded view of the light-emitting touch panel in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the luminous touch panel in Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of three different styles of second light-transmitting areas.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the touch operation of the luminous touch panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a partial exploded view of the light-emitting touch panel in Figure 5.

Please refer to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the touch operation of the luminous touch panel 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a partial exploded view of the luminous touch panel 1 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the luminous touch panel 1 in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of three different styles of the second light-transmitting area 102.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the luminescent touch panel 1 includes a panel 10, a light-guiding layer 12, and a circuit board 14. The luminescent touch panel 1 can be applied to a touch function row or other devices with a touch function. The panel 10 includes a first light-transmitting area 100 and a second light-transmitting area 102. In this embodiment, the panel 10 may include a light-transmitting layer 10a and a light-shielding layer 10b, wherein the light-shielding layer 10b is disposed on one side of the light-transmitting layer 10a. In this embodiment, the light-shielding layer 10b may be disposed on the side of the light-transmitting layer 10a facing the circuit board 14. In another embodiment, the light-shielding layer 10b may also be disposed on the other side of the light-transmitting layer 10a away from the circuit board 14. In other words, the light-shielding layer 10b can be disposed on one of the two opposite sides of the light-transmitting layer 10a, depending on the actual application. The light-transmitting layer 10a can be glass, polycarbonate (PC) or other light-transmitting plates. The light-shielding layer 10b can be ink or other light-shielding materials, formed on the light-transmitting layer 10a by printing or other methods. The light-shielding layer 10b is formed with a first light-transmitting area 100 and a second light-transmitting area 102, wherein the first light-transmitting area 100 and the second light-transmitting area 102 are arranged at intervals.

The light guide layer 12 is located below the panel 10. The light guide layer 12 includes a first light guide area 120 and a second light guide area 122, wherein the first light guide area 120 overlaps with the first light-transmitting area 100, and the second light guide area 122 overlaps with the second light-transmitting area 102. In this embodiment, the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122 are located in the same plane. For example, the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122 can be two light guide plates spaced and arranged side by side. The two light guide plates can be connected or not, depending on the actual application. The light guide layer 12 can further include a light shielding structure 124, located between the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122. The light shielding structure 124 may be a light absorbing element (e.g., black sponge, black mask, etc.) or a light reflecting element to prevent the light in the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122 from interfering with each other. In this embodiment, the first light guide area 120 may have a first microstructure 1200, and the second light guide area 122 may have a second microstructure 1220, wherein the first microstructure 1200 overlaps with the first light-transmitting area 100, and the second microstructure 1220 overlaps with the second light-transmitting area 102. The first microstructure 1200 is used to reflect light toward the first light-transmitting area 100, and the second microstructure 1220 is used to reflect light toward the second light-transmitting area 102.

The circuit board 14 is located below the light guide layer 12. The circuit board 14 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) or other circuit boards that can provide electrical connections, wherein the circuit board 14 may include a substrate and circuits on the substrate. In addition, the circuit board 14 includes a controller 140, a touch module 142, a first light source 144, and a second light source 146. The touch module 142 overlaps with the first light-transmitting area 100 to sense whether the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched. In addition, the light-shielding structure 124, the second microstructure 1220, and the second light-transmitting area 102 do not overlap with the touch module 142. The first light source 144 is located on one side of the first light-guiding area 120, and the second light source 146 is located on one side of the second light-guiding area 122. The controller 140 controls the operation of the touch module 142, the first light source 144 and the second light source 146 through the circuit of the circuit board 14. The touch module 142 is electrically connected to the circuit of the circuit board 14, generates a sensing signal according to the user's operation, and outputs the sensing signal to the system end (for example, a computer) through the circuit. In practice, the touch module 142 may include an integrated circuit chip (IC die) and a package covering the integrated circuit chip. The touch module 142 may include a fingerprint recognition module and any type of touch module, or any combination. The first light source 144 and the second light source 146 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other components that can emit light.

In this embodiment, a reflective sheet 16 may be disposed on the circuit board 14. The reflective sheet 16 may be used to recycle light or assist light emission. Specifically, the reflective sheet 16 may help guide the light that escapes from the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122 into the first light guide area 120 and the second light guide area 122 for recycling, thereby helping to improve the light emission effect.

When the luminous touch panel 1 is turned on, the controller 140 controls the first light source 144 to emit light, so that the first light guide area 120 guides the light emitted by the first light source 144 to the first light-transmitting area 100 to emit light, thereby forming a luminous pattern (for example, a touch icon) corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100. In this way, the user can accurately find the desired touch position according to the luminous pattern. In this embodiment, when the first light-transmitting area 100 is not touched, the second light source 146 does not emit light. In other words, when the user does not touch the first light-transmitting area 100, only the first light-transmitting area 100 will emit light, and the second light-transmitting area 102 will not emit light.

When the user wants to execute the touch function corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100, the user can touch the first light-transmitting area 100 with a finger 3, as shown in FIG. 1. When the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched, the controller 140 controls the second light source 146 to emit light according to the sensing signal output by the touch module 142, so that the second light-guiding area 122 guides the light emitted by the second light source 146 to the second light-transmitting area 102, thereby forming a light-emitting effect corresponding to the second light-transmitting area 102 as a prompt of the touch action. The user can confirm whether the touch action has been executed through the prompt of the touch action. In this embodiment, the panel 10 may define a touch area 104 corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100, and the second light-transmitting area 102 is located outside the touch area 104. When the user performs a touch operation on the touch area 104 with the finger 3, the luminous effect corresponding to the second light-transmitting area 102 will not be blocked by the finger 3. In this way, the user can be prompted whether the touch action has been performed. As shown in FIG. 4, the second light-transmitting area 102 may be at least one horizontal stripe pattern, at least one vertical stripe pattern and/or at least one corner pattern located outside the touch area 104, depending on the actual application.

When the second light source 146 is turned on and the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is no longer touched, the controller 140 will turn off the second light source 146. Specifically, when the user moves the finger 3 away from the first light-transmitting area 100 (i.e., the finger 3 no longer touches the first light-transmitting area 100), the controller 140 will turn off the second light source 146, so that the light emitted by the second light-transmitting area 102 disappears, as shown in FIG. 1. Thus, only when the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched, the second light-transmitting area 102 will emit light to prompt the user whether the touch action has been executed.

Please refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the touch operation of the luminous touch panel 1' according to another embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a partial exploded view of the luminous touch panel 1' in Figure 5.

The main difference between the luminous touch panel 1' and the luminous touch panel 1 mentioned above is that the panel 10 of the luminous touch panel 1' further includes a third light-transmitting area 106, the light-guiding layer 12 of the luminous touch panel 1' further includes a third light-guiding area 126, and the circuit board 14 of the luminous touch panel 1' further includes a third light source 148, wherein the third light-guiding area 126 overlaps with the third light-transmitting area 106, and the third light source 148 is located on one side of the third light-guiding area 126, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. The third light-transmitting area 106 can be formed on the above-mentioned light-shielding layer 10b, and the third light source 148 can be a light-emitting diode or other element that can emit light. It should be noted that the elements with the same number in Figures 5-6 and 1-3 have roughly the same working principle and structural configuration, which will not be repeated here.

In the present embodiment, the second light-transmitting area 102 and the third light-transmitting area 106 may be located on two adjacent sides of the first light-transmitting area 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In the present embodiment, the first light-guiding area 120, the second light-guiding area 122 and the third light-guiding area 126 are located on the same plane. For example, the first light-guiding area 120, the second light-guiding area 122 and the third light-guiding area 126 may be three light-guiding plates spaced and arranged side by side. The three light-guiding plates may be connected or not, depending on the actual application. As shown in FIG. 6, the third light-guiding area 126 may connect the first light-guiding area 120 and the second light-guiding area 122, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the above-mentioned light shielding structure 124 separates the first light guide area 120, the second light guide area 122 and the third light guide area 126 to prevent the light in the first light guide area 120, the second light guide area 122 and the third light guide area 126 from interfering with each other. In this embodiment, the third light guide area 126 may have a third microstructure 1260, wherein the third microstructure 1260 overlaps with the third light-transmitting area 106 and does not overlap with the touch module 142. The third microstructure 1260 is used to reflect light toward the third light-transmitting area 106.

When the luminous touch panel 1 is turned on, the controller 140 controls the first light source 144 to emit light, so that the first light guide area 120 guides the light emitted by the first light source 144 to the first light-transmitting area 100 to emit light, thereby forming a luminous pattern (for example, a touch icon) corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100. In this way, the user can accurately find the desired touch position according to the luminous pattern. In this embodiment, when the first light-transmitting area 100 is not touched, the second light source 146 and the third light source 148 do not emit light. In other words, when the user does not touch the first light-transmitting area 100, only the first light-transmitting area 100 will emit light, and the second light-transmitting area 102 and the third light-transmitting area 106 will not emit light.

When the user wants to execute the touch function corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100, the user can touch the first light-transmitting area 100 with a finger 3, as shown in FIG. 1. When the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched, the controller 140 controls the second light source 146 and the third light source 148 to emit light according to the sensing signal output by the touch module 142. At this time, the second light-guiding area 122 guides the light emitted by the second light source 146 to the second light-transmitting area 102, thereby forming a light-emitting effect corresponding to the second light-transmitting area 102 as a prompt of the touch action. The user can confirm whether the touch action has been executed through the prompt of the touch action. At the same time, the third light guide area 126 guides the light emitted by the third light source 148 to the third light-transmitting area 106, thereby forming a light-emitting pattern corresponding to the third light-transmitting area 106 (for example, an icon corresponding to the touch function of the first light-transmitting area 100).

When the second light source 146 is turned on and the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is no longer touched, the controller 140 turns off the second light source 146. Specifically, when the user moves the finger 3 away from the first light-transmitting area 100 (i.e., the finger 3 no longer touches the first light-transmitting area 100), the controller 140 turns off the second light source 146, so that the light emitted by the second light-transmitting area 102 disappears, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, only when the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched, the second light-transmitting area 102 will emit light to prompt the user whether the touch action has been performed. In addition, when the third light source 148 is turned on and the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is no longer touched, the controller 140 does not turn off the third light source 148, so that the third light-transmitting area 106 continues to emit light. In this way, the user can know the state of the touch function corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100 according to the light-emitting pattern of the third light-transmitting area 106. For example, the touch function corresponding to the first light-transmitting area 100 can be speaker volume adjustment, and the light-emitting pattern of the third light-transmitting area 106 can be a mute icon. When the third light-transmitting area 106 emits light, it means that the speaker is in a mute state.

When the third light source 148 is turned on and the touch module 142 senses that the first light-transmitting area 100 is touched again, the controller 140 will turn off the third light source 148. Specifically, when the third light source 148 is turned on and the user touches the first light-transmitting area 100 with the finger 3 again, the controller 140 will turn off the third light source 148, so that the light emitted by the third light-transmitting area 106 disappears, as shown in FIG. 6. For example, when the third light-transmitting area 106 does not emit light, it indicates that the speaker is in a non-mute state.

In summary, the present invention sets a first light guide area and a second light guide area in the same light guide layer. The light emitted by the first light source will be guided to the first light-transmitting area of the panel through the first light guide area, thereby forming a light-emitting pattern corresponding to the first light-transmitting area (for example, a touch icon). In addition, when the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched, the controller will control the second light source to emit light. At this time, the light emitted by the second light source will be guided to the second light-transmitting area of the panel through the second light guide area, thereby forming a light-emitting effect corresponding to the second light-transmitting area as a prompt for the touch action. The user can confirm whether the touch action has been executed through the prompt of this touch action. Since the first light guide area and the second light guide area are arranged in the same light guide layer (that is, the first light guide area and the second light guide area are located in the same plane), the first light guide area and the second light guide area will not increase the overall thickness of the light-emitting touch panel, which is conducive to the thin design of the light-emitting touch panel. In addition, the same light guide layer includes multiple light guide areas, which is also easier to assemble. Since the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area as the light-emitting pattern are formed on the panel, the resolution will be better than the pattern formed on the traditional light guide plate.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the patent application of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

1: Luminous touch panel 10: Panel 10a: Translucent layer 10b: Shading layer 12: Light-guiding layer 14: Circuit board 16: Reflector 100: First light-transmitting area 102: Second light-transmitting area 120: First light-guiding area 122: Second light-guiding area 124: Shading structure 142: Touch module 144: First light source 146: Second light source 1200: First microstructure 1220: Second microstructure

Claims (20)

A light-emitting touch panel comprises: A panel comprising a first light-transmitting area and a second light-transmitting area; A light-guiding layer located below the panel, the light-guiding layer comprising a first light-guiding area and a second light-guiding area, the first light-guiding area overlapping with the first light-transmitting area, and the second light-guiding area overlapping with the second light-transmitting area; and A circuit board located below the light-guiding layer, the circuit board comprising a controller, a touch module, a first light source and a second light source, the touch module overlapping with the first light-transmitting area, the first light source being located on one side of the first light-guiding area, and the second light source being located on one side of the second light-guiding area; Wherein, the controller controls the first light source to emit light, so that the first light-guiding area guides the light emitted by the first light source to the first light-transmitting area; When the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched, the controller controls the second light source to emit light, so that the second light-guiding area guides the light emitted by the second light source to the second light-transmitting area. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the first light-guiding area and the second light-guiding area are located in the same plane. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the first light guide area and the second light guide area are two light guide plates spaced apart and arranged side by side. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the light-guiding layer further comprises a light-shielding structure located between the first light-guiding area and the second light-guiding area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 4, wherein the shading structure does not overlap with the touch module. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein when the second light source is turned on and the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is no longer touched, the controller turns off the second light source. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein when the first light-transmitting area is not touched, the second light source does not emit light. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the first light-guiding area has a first microstructure, the first microstructure overlaps with the first light-transmitting area, and the second light-guiding area has a second microstructure, the second microstructure overlaps with the second light-transmitting area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 8, wherein the second microstructure does not overlap with the touch module. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the second light-transmissive area does not overlap with the touch module. The luminous touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the panel includes a light-transmitting layer and a light-shielding layer, the light-shielding layer is arranged on one side of the light-transmitting layer, and the light-shielding layer forms the first light-transmitting area and the second light-transmitting area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 11, wherein the panel defines a touch area corresponding to the first light-transmitting area, and the second light-transmitting area is located outside the touch area. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 12, wherein the second light-transmissive area is at least one horizontal stripe pattern, at least one vertical stripe pattern and/or at least one corner pattern located outside the touch area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 1, wherein the panel further includes a third light-transmitting area, the light-guiding layer further includes a third light-guiding area, the third light-guiding area overlaps with the third light-transmitting area, and the circuit board further includes a third light source, which is located on one side of the third light-guiding area; when the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched, the controller controls the third light source to emit light, so that the third light-guiding area guides the light emitted by the third light source to the third light-transmitting area. The luminous touch panel as described in claim 14, wherein when the third light source is turned on and the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is no longer touched, the controller does not turn off the third light source. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 15, wherein when the third light source is turned on and the touch module senses that the first light-transmitting area is touched again, the controller turns off the third light source. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 14, wherein the second light-transmitting area and the third light-transmitting area are located on two adjacent sides of the first light-transmitting area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 14, wherein the third light-guiding area is connected to the first light-guiding area and the second light-guiding area. The light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 14, wherein the light-guiding layer further comprises a light-shielding structure to separate the first light-guiding area, the second light-guiding area and the third light-guiding area. A light-emitting touch panel as described in claim 14, wherein the third light-guiding area has a third microstructure, and the third microstructure overlaps with the third light-transmitting area and does not overlap with the touch module.

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