CN102981663A - Electret input device and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses an electret input device and an operation method thereof. First, an input signal is received. Whether a voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value is judged. If the voltage level is greater than the first default value, the voltage level is compared with a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal. If the input signal is judged to be a valid signal, the position value of the input signal is obtained. And comparing the position value with a preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device. Converting the input signal into an output signal and outputting the output signal. The method can avoid the occurrence of the condition of mistaken touch, thereby increasing the operation convenience of the electret input device.

Description

Electret input device and method of operation thereof

technical field

The invention relates to an input device and its operating method, in particular to an electret input device capable of judging the input state and its operating method.

Background technique

In recent years, the technology of the touch panel has gradually matured, thus prompting various touch devices to be widely used in various electronic products. Generally speaking, touch panels can be roughly classified into resistive touch panels and capacitive touch panels, and each of these touch panels has different advantages and disadvantages. The surface of the resistive touch device is easily scratched, and a large touch force is required to be detected, and the sensitivity is poor. Although the capacitive touch device has high sensitivity, its manufacturing process is much more complicated, and it cannot use non-conductors, such as stylus pens, finger cots, etc. as touch input objects, which are its main disadvantages.

However, there is now a patent that proposes a touch device made of electret, such as Taiwan Patent Publication No. 201044229, no matter whether the electret touch device uses a conductor, such as a finger, a probe or a non-conductor, For example, both the stylus and finger cots can touch and press objects. Moreover, the electret does not need to apply additional bias voltage, so it can further save power consumption.

As far as the existing touch keyboards on the market are concerned, no matter whether they are resistive or capacitive, they almost only output corresponding operation signals when touched. That is to say, as long as the user touches the touch-sensitive keyboard, the touch-sensitive keyboard will output a touch signal to the back-end device for corresponding operations without discriminating the falsely touched signal. Moreover, the above-mentioned electret touch device does not discriminate the false touch signal. Therefore, when using the touch-sensitive keyboard, the user needs to hang both hands in the air, so as to avoid false actions caused by the wrist or palm touching or placing on the touch-control area of the touch-sensitive keyboard. In this way, the operation convenience of the touch keyboard will be reduced.

Contents of the invention

In view of the above problems, the present invention is to provide an electret input device and an operation method thereof, which are used to avoid accidental touches and increase the convenience of operation of the electret input device.

An operating method of an electret input device provided by the present invention includes the following steps. Receive an input signal. It is judged whether a voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value. If it is determined that the voltage level is greater than the first default value, the voltage level is compared with a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal. If it is judged that the input signal is a valid signal, the position value of the input signal is obtained. The position value is compared with a preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device. After that, the input signal is converted into an output signal and output.

In an embodiment, after the step of converting the input signal into an output signal and outputting the above step, it further includes updating the preset position value with the position value, and returning to the step of receiving the input signal.

In one embodiment, the step of comparing the position value with the preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device includes the following steps. Judge the position value and the preset position value. If it is determined that the position value is equal to the preset position value, the input signal maintains the operation command of the previous input signal. If it is determined that the position value is greater than the preset position value, the input signal has a new operation command. If it is determined that the position value is smaller than the preset position value, it is checked whether the position value is the same as the stored position value of the register. If it is judged that the position value is not the same as the stored position value, the input signal is to release the button. If it is determined that the position value is the same as the stored position value, the position value identical to the stored position value is removed from the register, and the input signal maintains the operation command of the previous input signal.

In an embodiment, the above step of judging whether the input signal is a valid signal further includes the following steps. If it is judged that the input signal is not a valid signal, the position value of the input signal is obtained. The position value of the input signal is stored in the register, and the position value is used as the memory position value, and the step of comparing the position value with the preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device is performed.

In an embodiment, after the step of judging whether the voltage level of the input signal is greater than the first default value, the following steps are further included. If it is judged that the voltage level of the input signal is lower than the first default value, the position value of the input signal is obtained, and the step of comparing the position value with the preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device is performed.

Another electret input device provided by the present invention includes a touch control unit, an amplifier circuit and a microcontroller. The touch unit generates an input signal according to the input state of the electret input device. The amplifying circuit is electrically connected to the touch unit for receiving and amplifying the input signal. The microcontroller is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit to receive the input signal after gain, and judge whether a voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value. When it is determined that the voltage level is greater than the first default value, the microcontroller The device will compare the voltage level with the second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal. If it is determined that the input signal is a valid signal, the microcontroller will obtain a position value of the input signal, and then the microcontroller compares the position value with a The preset position value is used to determine the input state of the electret input device, and convert the input signal into an output signal and output it.

An electret input device and its operating method provided by the present invention determine whether the input signal is a valid signal by judging the voltage level of the input signal, so as to prevent the user from accidentally touching the electret input device or placing the wrist Malfunctions occur on electret input devices. In this way, the user can place the wrist on the electret input device in the most comfortable and ergonomic way, even if it is placed within the touch range, there will be no wrong movements, allowing the touch keyboard The product can be more in line with the traditional keyboard usage mode.

Regarding the features and implementation of the present invention, the preferred embodiments are described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the block diagram of the electret input device of the present invention;

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, and FIG. 2D are schematic diagrams of the structure of the touch unit and the touch position of the present invention;

3 is a flow chart of the operating method of the electret input device of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of step S310 in FIG. 3 .

Among them, reference signs:

100 electret input device

110 touch unit

120 amplifier circuit

130 microcontrollers

A, B position

Detailed ways

The present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but not as a limitation of the present invention.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which is a block diagram of an electret input device of the present invention. The electret input device 100 includes a touch unit 110 , an amplifier circuit 120 and a microcontroller (Micro Control Unit, MCU) 130 .

The touch unit 110 has, for example, a plurality of scanning data lines, which are arranged to intersect and form touch points at the intersecting nodes to form a touch area. Moreover, the touch unit 110 can generate an input signal according to the state of the user operating (pressing or touching) the electret input device 100 . The amplifier circuit 120 is electrically connected to the touch unit 110 for receiving and amplifying the above-mentioned input signal. The microcontroller 130 is electrically connected to the amplifier circuit 120 to receive the above-mentioned input signal and judge the above-mentioned input signal to determine whether the above-mentioned input signal is a valid input signal and the input of the electret input device 100 state.

In this embodiment, the touch unit 110 may be an electret touch panel, and the electret input device 100 may be an electret keyboard with an electret touch panel. The electret touch panel sequentially includes a first electret film, a first electrode, a spacer, a second electrode and a second electret film. When the user operates (ie presses or touches) the electret touch panel, the first electret film will be deformed due to external force and the electrostatic field will be changed to generate a corresponding input signal. That is to say, the electret touch panel will change the electrostatic field according to the different pressing stress, and generate the input signal of the corresponding voltage level (that is, the voltage level of the input signal will vary with the vary with the pressing stress). In addition, the charging method of the first electret film or the second electret film can be a high-voltage corona method or a polarization method, and there are multiple nanometers on the first electret film or the second electret film. Holes can keep high bias charge for a long time after charging, so the electret resident control panel does not need to apply additional bias voltage like a capacitive touch device.

From the above, it can be known that when the user operates (ie presses or touches) the electret input device 100, since the electret film is deformed due to external force, the electrostatic field changes, so the touch unit 110 will generate a charge. , that is, the input signal will have a voltage level. Moreover, the touch unit 110 will generate input signals of different voltage levels according to the pressure of the electret input device 100 touched by the user (finger press or wrist touch). For example, suppose that when the user presses the electret input device 100 with a finger, an input signal with a voltage level of about 0.5 mV is generated; the user places the wrist on the electret input device 100 (or accidentally touches the electret input device 100), an input signal with a voltage level of, for example, 0.1 mV is generated.

In addition, the input signal generated by the touch unit 110 not only has a voltage level, but also has a position value (X, Y) corresponding to the touch position. For the convenience of description, it is assumed that the touch unit 110 has 4×4 scanning data lines intersecting as shown in FIG. 2A , and these scanning data lines form a touch area. When the user does not touch the electret input device 100, the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0000, 0000), as shown in FIG. 2A . When the user touches the position "A" as shown in FIG. 2B , the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0100, 1000). When the user touches the position "B" as shown in FIG. 2C , the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0001, 0001). When the user touches the positions "A" and "B" as shown in FIG. 2D , the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0101, 1001).

Hereinafter, a detailed operation method of the electret input device 100 will be described with an operation flow chart.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is the operation flow of the electret input device of the present invention. First, in step S302, an input signal is received. For example, the touch unit 110 generates an input signal according to the operating state of the electret input device 100 , wherein the input signal has a voltage level and a position value.

Next, in step S304, it is determined whether the voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value. In this embodiment, the first default value can be used to determine the operating state of the electret input device 100 . That is to say, when the microcontroller 130 determines that the input signal is smaller than the first default value, it means that the user has not touched the electret input device 100, the user's finger or palm has moved away from the electret input device 100, or The user keeps pressing or touching the electret input device 100; when the microcontroller 130 determines that the input signal is greater than the first default value, it means that the user touches the electret input device 100 with a finger or wrist.

When it is determined that the voltage level of the input signal is greater than the first default value, the process proceeds to step S306 to determine whether the voltage level of the input signal is greater than a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal. When it is determined that the voltage level of the input signal is greater than the second default value, it means that the input signal is a valid signal, and then enter step S308 to obtain a position value of the input signal.

Next, in step S310, the position value is compared with a preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device. That is to say, by comparing the position value with the preset position value, it is possible to determine what the input state of the electret input device 100 is, for example, the user presses a new button, or the user continues to press the same button of the electret input device 100 . The key or the user's finger moves away from the electret input device 100 .

In addition, this step S310 also includes the following steps, please refer to FIG. 4 . In step S410, the position value and the preset position value are determined. When it is determined that the position value is greater than the preset position value, the process proceeds to step S420, and the microcontroller 130 learns that the input signal has a new operation instruction, that is, the user presses a new button. When it is determined that the position value is equal to the preset position value, the process proceeds to step S430, and the microcontroller 130 learns that the input signal maintains the operation instruction of the previous input signal, that is, the user continues to press the same button of the electret input device 100 . When it is determined that the position value is smaller than the preset position value, the process proceeds to step S440 , where the microcontroller 130 compares the position value with a stored position value. The stored position value is stored in a register, for example.

When comparing the position value and the memory position value, then enter step S450, the microcontroller 130 removes the position value identical to the memory position value from the register (that is, removes the position value of the invalid signal), so the micro The controller 130 obtains the position value of the previous input signal. Then in step S430 , the microcontroller 130 receives an operation instruction that the input signal maintains the previous input signal. On the other hand, when the comparison shows that the position value is not the same as the stored position value, then enter step S460, and the microcontroller 130 knows that the input signal is to release the key, that is, the user's finger moves away from the electret input device 100 , that is, stop operating the electret input device 100 or the electret input device 100 does not operate.

Next, in step S312, the input signal is converted into an output signal and output. That is, the output signal is output to a back-end application device for subsequent related operations. In step S314, the preset position value is updated with the position value. Next, return to step S302 to judge the next input signal.

In addition, following step S306, when it is determined that the voltage level of the input signal is lower than the second default value, indicating that the input signal is not a valid signal, then proceed to step S316 to obtain the position value of the input signal. Next, in step S318, the position value of the input signal (that is, not a valid signal) is stored in the register, and the position value is used as a memory position value.

In addition, after the above step S304, when it is judged that the voltage level of the input signal is lower than the first default value, go to step S320, obtain the position value of the input signal, and perform steps S310, S312, S314 to complete subsequent operations program.

Hereinafter, an example will be used to describe the operation process of the electret input device 100 in detail.

First, the preset position value in the microcontroller 130 is initialized, such as (0000, 0000), the first default value is about 0.05mV, and the second default value is 0.3mV. When the user operates the electret input device 100 with a finger and presses the position "A" shown in FIG. 2B (step S302), the voltage level of the input signal generated by the touch unit 110 is, for example, 0.5mV, and the The position value of the signal is, for example, (0100, 1000). Next, the microcontroller 130 determines that the voltage level (0.5mV) of the input signal is greater than the first default value (0.05mV) (step S304 ), indicating that the user operates (ie presses) the electret input device 100 .

Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 compares the voltage level of the input signal with a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal (step S306 ). Because the voltage level (0.5mV) of the input signal is greater than the second default value (0.3mV), the microcontroller 130 will determine that the input signal is a valid signal, and obtain the position value (0100, 1000) of the input signal (step S308). Next, the microcontroller 130 compares the above-mentioned position value (0100, 1000) with the preset position value (0000, 0000) (step S410), and determines that the position value (0100, 1000) is greater than the preset position value (0000, 0000) ), indicating that the input signal has a new operation instruction (step S420), and the input signal is converted into an output signal and output to the back-end application device (step S312), for subsequent related operations. Finally, the microcontroller 130 updates the preset position value with the position value (0100, 1000) (step S314 ), so that the preset position value is changed to (0100, 1000) for the next input signal judgment.

Next, if the user continues to press the position "A" as shown in FIG. 2B (step S302), the touch unit 110 (that is, the electret touch panel) will not produce any electrostatic changes (for example, the first The electret film does not deform), so that the voltage level of the input signal is, for example, 0mV, so the microcontroller 130 determines that the input signal is lower than the first default value (0.05mV) (step S304 ). Since the input signal still maintains the original position value (0100, 1000), the position value of the input signal obtained by the microcontroller 130 is still (0100, 1000) (step S320). Next, microcontroller 130 judges that the position value (0100, 1000) of the input signal is equal to the preset default value (0100, 1000) (step S410), indicating that the input signal maintains the operation of the previous input signal (step S430), that is, using Or keep pressing the same button of the electret input device 100 . Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 converts the input signal into an output signal output (step S312 ), so that the back-end application device still displays the related operation of the position value (0100, 1000). Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 updates the preset position value with the position value (0100, 1000) (step S314 ), so the preset position value is still (0100, 1000).

Afterwards, if the user releases the press on the position "A" as shown in Figure 2B, that is, the user's finger moves away from the electret input device 100 (step S302), so the voltage level of the input signal is, for example, 0mV, then slightly The controller 130 determines that the input signal is smaller than the first default value (step S304). Since the user's finger moves away from the electret input device 100, the position value of the input signal obtained by the microcontroller 130 is (0000, 0000) (step S320). Next, the microcontroller 130 compares the position value (0000, 0000) with the preset position value (0100, 1000), and determines that the position value (0000, 0000) is smaller than the preset position value (0100, 1000) (step S410) . Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 judges that the position value (0000, 0000) is different from the stored position value (step S440), and then the microcontroller 130 judges that the position value (0000, 0000) is zero (step S450), indicating that the input signal To release the key (step S460 ), the user's finger moves away from the electret input device 100 . Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 converts the input signal into an output signal and outputs it to the back-end application device (step S312 ). Since the output signal also does not carry an operation command, the back-end application device will not generate a corresponding operation. Next, the microcontroller 130 updates the preset default value with the position value (0000, 0000) (step S314 ), so that the preset default value is changed to (0000, 0000) for the next input signal judgment.

In addition, if the user presses the position "A" as shown in Figure 2B with his fingers, and then presses the position "B" as shown in Figure 2C, since the electret film at position B will be deformed due to external force, the touch The voltage level of the input signal generated by the control unit 110 is, for example, 0.5 mV, and the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0101, 1001), as shown in FIG. 2D (step S302 ). Next, the microcontroller 130 determines that the voltage level (0.5mV) of the input signal is greater than the first default value (0.05mV), indicating that the user operates (ie presses) the electret input device 100 (step S304 ).

Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 compares the voltage level (0.5mV) of the input signal with a second default value (0.3mV) to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal (step S306 ). Since the voltage level (0.5mV) of the input signal is greater than the second default value (0.3mV) (step S306), the microcontroller 130 will determine that the input signal is a valid signal, and obtain the position value of the input signal (0101, 1001). Next, the microcontroller 130 compares the position value (0101, 1001) with the preset position value (0100, 1000) (step S410), to determine that the position value (0101, 1001) is greater than the preset position value (0100, 1000), indicating that the input signal has a new operation instruction (step S420). Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 converts the input signal into an output signal and outputs it to the back-end application device (step S312 ) for subsequent related operations. Finally, the microcontroller 130 updates the preset position value with the position value (0101, 1001) (step S314 ), so that the preset position value is changed to (0101, 1001) for the next judgment. In this way, the electret input device 100 of this embodiment can also have a multi-touch function.

In addition, if the user presses the position "A" as shown in Figure 2B with his fingers, and then places his wrist at position "B" as shown in Figure 2C, the electret film at position "B" will be deformed due to external force. Therefore, the voltage level of the input signal generated by the touch unit 110 is, for example, 0.1 mV, and the position value of the input signal is, for example, (0101, 1001), as shown in FIG. 2D . Next, the microcontroller 130 determines that the voltage level (0.1 mV) of the input signal is greater than the first default value (0.05 mV) (step S304 ), indicating that the user operates (ie presses) the electret input device 100 .

Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 compares the voltage level (0.1 mV) of the input signal with a second default value (0.3 mV) to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal (step S306 ). Since the voltage level (0.1mV) of the input signal is less than the second default value (0.3mV), the microcontroller 130 determines that the input signal is not a valid signal, and obtains the position of the input signal (that is, not a valid signal) The value (0001, 0001), that is, the position value of the touch position "B" (step S316).

Since the input signal is an invalid signal, the microcontroller 130 stores the position value (0001, 0001) of the input signal (that is, not a valid signal), that is, the position value of the touch position "B", in a register ( Step S318), and the position value is used as a memory position value. Next, the microcontroller 130 compares the above-mentioned position value (0001, 0001) with the preset position value (0100, 1000) (step S410), and determines that the position value (0001, 0001) is smaller than the preset position value (0100, 1000) ). Next, enter step S440, the microcontroller 130 compares the position value (0001, 0001) with the stored position value, and finds that the position value is the same as the stored position value, then the same position value (0001) as the stored position value (0001, 0001) , 0001) are removed from the buffer. Since the position value (0001, 0001) of the invalid signal has been removed, the position value of the previous input signal obtained by the microcontroller 130, i.e. (0100, 1000), represents the operation of maintaining the previous input signal (step S430) . Afterwards, the microcontroller 130 converts the input signal into an output signal and outputs it to the back-end application device (step S312 ) for subsequent related operations. Finally, the microcontroller 130 updates the preset position value with the position value (0100, 1000) (step S314 ), so that the preset position value is changed to (0100, 1000) for the next judgment.

In this way, this embodiment can effectively judge whether the input signal is a valid signal, so as to avoid the situation that the user accidentally touches the electret input device 100 or places the wrist on the electret input device 100 to cause a false action, thereby increasing The ease of operation of the electret input device 100 .

The operation method of the electret input device provided by the embodiment of the present invention determines whether the input signal is a valid signal by judging the voltage level of the input signal, so as to prevent the user from accidentally touching the electret input device or placing the wrist on the Electret input devices may cause malfunctions. In addition, the input state of the input device can be further judged by the position value of the input signal (that is, a new button input, a button is released, and an instruction to maintain the previous input electret signal) to adjust the preset value for the next input signal judgment. The basis for setting the position value. In this way, the user can place the wrist on the electret input device in the most comfortable and ergonomic way, even if it is placed within the touch range, there will be no wrong movements, thereby increasing the electret input device. Ease of use of body input devices.

Of course, the present invention can also have other various embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention. All changes and deformations should belong to the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A method of operating an electret input device, comprising: receiving an input signal; judging whether a voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value; If it is determined that the voltage level is greater than the first default value, comparing the voltage level with a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal; If it is judged that the input signal is a valid signal, obtaining a position value of the input signal; comparing the position value with a preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device; and The input signal is converted into an output signal and output. 2. The operating method of the electret input device according to claim 1, further comprising: Update the preset position value with the position value, and return to the step of receiving the input signal. 3. The operating method of the electret input device according to claim 1, wherein the step of comparing the position value with the preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device comprises: judging the position value and the preset position value; If it is judged that the position value is equal to the preset position value, the input signal maintains the previous operation command of the input signal; If it is determined that the position value is greater than the preset position value, the input signal has a new operation command; If it is determined that the position value is smaller than the preset position value, comparing whether the position value is the same as a stored position value in a register; If it is judged that the position value is not the same as the stored position value, the input signal is to release the button; and If it is determined that the position value is the same as the stored position value, the position value that is the same as the stored position value is removed from the register, and an operation command that the input signal maintains the previous input signal is entered. 4. The operating method of the electret input device according to claim 3, wherein the step of judging whether the input signal is a valid signal also includes: If it is judged that the input signal is not a valid signal, obtaining the position value of the input signal; and storing the position value of the input signal in the register, and using the position value as the memory position value, and entering into the process of comparing the position value with the preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device step. 5. The operating method of the electret input device according to claim 3, characterized in that, after the step of judging whether the voltage level of the input signal is greater than the first default value, further comprising: If it is determined that the voltage level of the input signal is less than the first default value, the position value of the input signal is obtained, and the position value is compared with the preset position value to determine the input of the electret input device status steps. 6. An electret input device, characterized in that, comprising: a touch unit for generating an input signal according to the input state of the electret input device; an amplifying circuit, electrically connected to the touch unit, for receiving and amplifying the input signal; and A microcontroller, electrically connected to the amplifying circuit, for receiving the input signal after gain, and judging whether a voltage level of the input signal is greater than a first default value, when it is judged that the voltage level is greater than the first When a default value is selected, the microcontroller will compare the voltage level with a second default value to determine whether the input signal is a valid signal, and if it is determined that the input signal is a valid signal, the microcontroller will obtain the input signal Then the microcontroller compares the position value with a preset position value to determine the input state of the electret input device, and converts the input signal into an output signal and outputs it. 7. The electret input device according to claim 6, wherein the microcontroller updates the preset position value with the position value. 8. The electret input device according to claim 6, wherein when the microcontroller determines that the position value is equal to the preset position value, the input signal maintains the operation command of the previous input signal ; When the microcontroller judges that the position value is greater than the preset position value, the input signal has a new operation instruction; when the microcontroller judges that the position value is smaller than the preset position value, the microcontroller comparing the position value with a memory position value of a register, and the position value is not the same as the memory position value, then the input signal is to release the button, when the microcontroller judges that the position value and the memory position value If they are the same, the position value identical to the stored position value is removed from the register, and the input signal maintains the operation command of the previous input signal. 9. The electret input device according to claim 8, wherein if the microcontroller determines that the input signal is not a valid signal, the position value of the input signal is obtained, and the microcontroller The position value of the input signal is stored in the register, and the position value is used as the memory position value. 10. The electret input device according to claim 8, wherein if the microcontroller determines that the voltage level of the input signal is less than the first default value, then obtain the position value of the input signal .

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