Touch control device

Disclosed is a touch control device comprising at least two modules. A touch control device includes a submodule having a first housing, a first sensor electrode formed on at least one face of the first housing, and a first sensor integrated circuit (IC) detecting a change in permittivity of the first sensor electrode, and a main module having a second housing detachably coupled to the first housing, a second sensor electrode formed at least one face of the second housing, a second sensor IC detecting a change in permittivity of the second sensor electrode, a power supplier provided to supply power to the submodule, a communication module provided to communicate with an external device, and a controller configured to control the external device based on the change in permittivity of the second sensor IC.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0164694 filed on Dec. 2, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a touch control device, and more particularly, to a touch control device capable of being assembled and disassembled.

2. Discussion of Related Art

A touch control device is one of the devices making up an interface between an information and communication terminal with many different displays and the user. The touch control device enables the human-terminal interface when the user directly contacts or approaches a touch pad or touch screen using an input tool, such as his/her finger or a touch pen.

Recently, touch control devices provided separately from an external device have been developed. The external device may include various devices such as a vehicle, a smart phone, a television, etc. The touch control device may be connected to the external device wiredly or wirelessly, for controlling the external device by means of a touch face.

The touch control device has thus far been manufactured individually to fit the external device, so the universality has not been secured and the production efficiency has been low.

Moreover, it has been difficult for the user to arbitrarily change the size or shape of the touch control device.

The disclosure of this section is to provide background of the invention. Applicant notes that this section may contain information available before this application. However, by providing this section, Applicant does not admit that any information contained in this section constitutes prior art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a touch control device having the form of blocks to be coupled and decoupled. The present disclosure also provides a touch control device capable of being changed in size and shape according to an external device or the user's preference.

The present disclosure also provides a touch control device compatible with various external devices.

In accordance with one aspect of present disclosure, a touch control device includes a submodule having a first housing, a first sensor electrode formed on at least one face of the first housing, and a first sensor integrated circuit (IC) detecting a change in permittivity of the first sensor electrode, and a main module having a second housing detachably coupled to the first housing, a second sensor electrode formed at least one face of the second housing, a second sensor IC detecting a change in permittivity of the second sensor electrode, a power supplier provided to supply power to the submodule, a communication module provided to communicate with an external device, and a controller configured to control the external device based on the change in permittivity of the second sensor IC.

The submodule may include at least one first male connector arranged on at least one face of the first housing, and at least one first female connector arranged on at least one other face than the at least one face of the first housing.

The main module may include at least one second female connector arranged on at least one face of the second housing and formed to be detachably coupled to the first male connector, and at least one second male connector arranged on at least one other face than the at least one face of the second housing, and formed to be detachably coupled to the first female connector.

The first male connector may include a plurality of first male connectors, and the second female connector may include a plurality of second female connectors, and the main module and the submodule may be electrically coupled when one of the plurality of first male connectors and one of the plurality of second female connectors are coupled to each other.

The first female connector may include a plurality of first female connectors, and the second male connector may include a plurality of second male connectors, and the main module and the submodule may be electrically coupled when one of the plurality of first female connectors and one of the plurality of second male connectors are coupled to each other.

When the main module and the submodule are electrically coupled, the power supplier supplies power to the submodule, and the controller is configured to control the external device based on a change in permittivity of the first sensor IC and a change in permittivity of the second sensor IC.

The first housing may include a metal complex, and the first sensor electrode may be formed by metalizing an electrode recess formed by irradiating laser to an outer surface of the first housing.

The first male connector may protrude outward from at least one face of the first housing, and the first female connector may be sunken inward from other face than the at least one face of the first housing.

The first female connector may include a plurality of ribs arranged with a gap, and the second male connector may be formed to be fitted in between the plurality of ribs.

The first female connector may be arranged to correspond to the second male connector and has an insertion rib with insertion space, and the second male connector may be inserted to the insertion space to be coupled to the first female connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the present disclosure are only preferred examples, and various modifications thereof may also fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts or components.

The terms including ordinal numbers like “first” and “second” may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term “˜ and/or ˜,” or the like.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout.

An aspect of the invention provides a touch sensor device and modules (modular bricks) for constructing the touch sensor device. In certain embodiments, a touch sensor device comprises only one main module1and at least one submodule2physically connected to the main module. The main module1comprises at least one communication interface (device) to transmit information to an external device other than the touch sensor device. The at least one submodule does not have a communication interface to transmit information to the external device such that only the main module communicate with the external device to provide information of a touch made on a touch sensitive surface of the submodule.

In embodiments, referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 4, the main module1(main brick) has a first touch sensitive surface, a plurality of stud110protruding from the first touch sensitive surface10c, a second touch sensitive surface10e, a plurality of recesses120formed into the second touch surface10efor receiving studs210protruding from a third touch sensitive surface20aof a submodule2. When studs210of a submodule2are inserted into the recesses120of the main module1, as illustrated inFIG. 2, a controller103of the main module1disables the second touch sensitive surface10e(ignores signals from the surface10e) as the second touch sensitive surface10eis facing the submodule2and is not exposed to receive a touch input. In embodiments, the controller203(or controller103) disables the third touch sensitive surface20aas the third touch sensitive surface is facing the main module and is not exposed.

In embodiments, the controller203of the submodule2communicates with the controller103of the main module1when the two modules are physically coupled. However, the controller203(or the submodule) does not have capability to communicate with an external device other than a main module for the touch sensor device. In embodiments, when the two modules are physically coupled, in response to a touch on a first portion of sensitive touch surface10cand a subsequent touch on a second portion of sensitive touch surfaces20fimmediately neighboring the first portion of surface10c, the touch sensor device communicate to an external device that a single touch (across the two surface10c,200has been made.

FIG. 1shows the exterior of a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIGS. 2 and 3show combinations of a main module and a submodule of a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch control device100may include a main module1and a submodule2.

In the following description, an occasion when the main module and the sub module are each provided in the singular will be focused, but the sub module may be provided in the plural in another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the latter case, for example, a single main module may be combined with two or more submodules.

The main module1may be independently used. The main module1may include a power supplier105(seeFIG. 5) and a communication module104(seeFIG. 5) to be independently connected to an external device (not shown) and have power without a need for an external power source.

The submodule2, unlike the main module1, may not be independently used. The submodule2may not be powered unless it is coupled to the main module1, because the submodule2has no power supplier. Furthermore, the submodule2may not be independently connected to an external device because it has no communication module. Alternatively, like the main module1, the submodule2may be provided with a power supplier and a communication module. In this case, given that the touch control device can be connected to an external device only if a single communication module is connected to the external device, it is not desirable to have a plurality of communication modules in terms of productivity and product costs. If the submodule2includes a power supplier, it may give the benefit of an increase in touch control use time as compared with an occasion when both the main module1and the submodule2are powered from the power supplier of the main module1.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the main module1and the submodule2may have the same exterior. They are not, however, limited thereto, but may have different exteriors. Although not shown, in the case that a plurality of submodules are provided, the plurality of submodules may have different exteriors. In other words, there are no limitations on the shapes of the main module1and the submodule2.

A first male connector210of the submodule2and a second male connector110of the main module1may be provided to have the same type, and a first female connector220of the submodule2and a second female connector120of the main module1may be provided to have the same type. This is to freely couple or decouple the main module1and the submodule2.

The submodule2may include a first housing20. The first housing20may have the form of a cube, a cuboid, or a cylinder. In the following description, as shown in the accompanied drawings, an occasion when the first housing20has the form of a cube will be focused.

The first housing20may include the first male connector210and the first female connector220.

The first male connector210and the first female connector220may be formed on the outer surface of the first housing20and may each be in the plural.

The first male connector210may protrude outward from the outer surface of the first housing20. As mentioned above, the first male connector210may have almost a cylindrical form, without being limited thereto.

Each of the plurality of first male connectors210may be provided with a combination of three wires. Specifically, the first male connector210may include a first wire (now shown) for data communication, a second wire (not shown) for power connection, and a third wire (not shown) for grounding. The first to third wires may extend inward from the outer surface of the first housing20to be connected to a controller103(seeFIG. 5), which will be described later. Each first male connector210may include three wires and have a 3-pin connector structure. Since each first male connector210has three wires, a combination of one first male connector210and one second female connector120alone may make the main module1and the submodule2electrically connected.

The plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged on at least one face (side) of the first housing20. The first female connectors220may be arranged on three faces of the total six faces of the first housing20having the form of a cuboid. It is merely by way of example, and there are no limitations on the number of faces of the first housing20where the first female connectors220are arranged.

The plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged across the entire area of at least one face of the first housing20. In this case, the plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged in a regular pattern to be separated by a certain distance. Alternatively, the plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged on one side or both sides of a face of the first housing20.

The first female connector220may be sunken inward from the outer surface of the first housing20. The first female connector220may be sunken in the form corresponding to the second male connector110. It is for the second male connector110to fit into the first female connector220.

Each of the plurality of first female connectors220may be provided with a combination of three wires. Specifically, the first female connector220may include a first wire (now shown) for data communication, a second wire (not shown) for power connection, and a third wire (not shown) for grounding. The first to third wires may extend inward from the outer surface of the first housing20to be connected to a controller103(seeFIG. 5), which will be described later. Each first female connector220may include three wires and have a 3-pin connector structure. Since each first female connector220has three wires, a combination of one first female connector220and one second male connector110alone may make the main module1and the submodule2electrically connected.

The plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged on at least one face of the first housing20. The first female connectors220may be arranged on three faces of the total six faces of the first housing20having the form of a cuboid. It is merely by way of example, and there are no limitations on the number of faces of the first housing20where the first female connectors220are arranged.

The plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged across the entire area of at least one face of the first housing20. In this case, the plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged in a regular pattern to be separated by a certain distance. Alternatively, the plurality of first female connectors220may be arranged on one side or both sides of a face of the first housing20.

The main module1may include a second housing10. The second housing10may have the form of a cube, a cuboid, or a cylinder. As described above, the structure of the exterior of the main module1may be the same as that of the submodule2. Even if the main module1and the submodule2have different structures, the first male connector210and the second male connector110have the same structure and the first female connector220and the second female connector120have the same structure, so the overlapping description thereof will not be repeated.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 3, the main module1and the submodule2may be coupled or decoupled. Furthermore, the main module1and the submodule2may be coupled in various combinations. For example, although the bottom face of the main module1and the top face of the submodule2are coupled together inFIG. 2, the top module of the main module1and the bottom module of the submodule2may be coupled in another embodiment. Besides, a side face of the main module1and the top face or the bottom face of the submodule2may be coupled in another embodiment.

In some embodiments, the main module1and the submodule2may be coupled through partial faces. As shown inFIG. 3, a partial area of the top face20aof the submodule2may be coupled with the main module1while the other area of the top face20amay not be coupled with the main module1. As described above, since a combination of one first male connector210and one second female connector120or a combination of one first female connector220and one second male connector110alone may make the main module1and the submodule1electrically connected, there may be various methods for the main module1and the submodule2to be combined.

FIG. 4is a conceptual diagram of an unfolding housing of a main module of a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

InFIG. 4, the conceptual diagram is provided to illustrate the entire faces of the second housing10of the main module1in accordance with an embodiment, which may be different in practice.

As shown inFIG. 4, the second housing10may have a total of six faces (or sides). Among them, three faces10a,10b, and10cmay have the second male connectors110arranged thereon, and the remaining three faces,10e, and10fmay have the second female connectors120arranged thereon. This is merely by way of example, and the number and placement of the second male connectors110and the second female connectors120may vary.

The faces10a,10b, and10cwhere the second male connectors110are arranged is called a first area11, and the faces10d,10e, and10fwhere the second female connectors120are arranged is called a second area12.

A second sensor electrode13may be formed on at least one face of the second housing10.

The second sensor electrode13may be formed using a Laser Directing Structure (LDS) method. The LDS method refers to a method of forming a conductive structure in a region of a supporter member exposed to laser by forming the supporter member with a material including a non-conductive and chemically stable metal complex, exposing a metal seed by exposing a portion of the supporting member to laser, such as Ultra Violet (UV) laser or Excimer laser to break chemical bonding of the metal complex, and metalizing the supporting member.

The second housing10may be made of a substance including a metal complex. An electrode recess14(seeFIG. 5) may be formed on the second housing10by exposing the second housing10to laser, and the electrode recess14may be metalized to form the second sensor electrode13.

The second sensor electrode13aformed in the first area11may be formed where the second male connectors110are not arranged. The second sensor electrode13amay be formed not to join or overlap the second male connectors110and may be formed in the first area11at regular intervals.

The second sensor electrode13bformed in the second area12may be formed where the second female connectors120are not arranged. The second sensor electrode13bmay be formed not to join or overlap the second female connectors120and may be formed in the second area12at regular intervals.

FIG. 5conceptually shows the interior of a main module of a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 6conceptually shows the interior of a submodule of a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 5, the main module1may include the second housing10having the second male connector110, second female connector120, and the second sensor electrode13, a second printed circuit board (PCB)101placed inside the second housing10, a second sensor integrated circuit (IC)102mounted on the second PCB101, a second controller103, a communication module104, and a power supplier105.

The second male connector110and the second female connector120may be connected to the second controller103. The plurality of second male connectors110may be connected via wires112, and the wire112may be connected to the second controller103. The plurality of second female connectors120may be connected via wires122, and the wire122may be connected to the second controller103.

When the second male connector110and the first female connector220are coupled via the wire112, the second controller103may recognize it.

When the second male connector110and the first female connector220are coupled, power may be supplied to the submodule2from the power supplier105through the wire112.

When the second female connector120and the first male connector210are coupled via the wire122, the second controller103may recognize it.

When the second female connector120and the first male connector210are coupled, power may be supplied to the submodule2from the power supplier105through the wire122.

As shown in an enlarged portion ofFIG. 5, the second electrode recess14may be formed by irradiating laser to the second housing10, and the second electrode recess14may be metalized to form the second sensor electrode13. A paint layer15may be provided on the outer surface of the second housing10to prevent the second sensor electrode13from being directly exposed to the outside.

The second sensor electrode13may be connected to the second sensor IC102. A wire part16may be provided to connect the second sensor electrode13and the second sensor IC102.

The wire part16may electrically connect the second PCB101and the second sensor electrode13, thereby having the second sensor IC102mounted on the second PCB101and the second sensor electrode13electrically connected.

The wire part16may be provided in various ways. The wire part16may be formed by the LDS method or provided as a flexible PCB. Alternatively, the wire part161may be provided as a wire.

The second sensor IC102and the communication module104mounted on the second PCB101may be connected to the second controller103. Furthermore, the power supplier105may be connected to the second controller103on the PCB101via a power wire part106, or may be connected directly to the second controller103. The second controller103may receive power from the power supplier105through the power wire part106.

The second controller103may be connected to the second male connector110, the second female connector120, the second sensor IC102, and the communication module104. The second controller103may receive a signal from the second male connector110about whether the first female connector220is connected to the second male connector110. The second controller103may receive a signal from the second female connector120about whether the first male connector210is connected to the second female connector120.

The second sensor IC102may detect whether an input means, such as the user's finger is approaching or contacting the second sensor electrode13and send the detection result to the second controller103. Accordingly, the second controller103may recognize whether the input means approaches or contacts the second sensor electrode13.

The communication module104may communicate with an external device wirelessly. The communication module104may be connected to the external device wirelessly. Once the communication module104is connected to the external device, the second controller103may control the external device based on the signal of touch or approach to the second sensor electrode13.

Referring toFIG. 6, the submodule2may include the first housing20having the first male connector210, first female connector220, and the first sensor electrode23, a first PCB201placed inside the first housing20, a first sensor IC202mounted on the first PCB201, and a first controller202. Unlike the main module1, the submodule2may not include the power supplier and the communication module.

Internal configuration of the submodule2overlaps the internal configuration of the main module1, so the description will not be repeated below.

FIG. 7shows the exterior of a touch control device, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 8is a plan view of the touch control device shown inFIG. 7, andFIG. 9is a front view of the touch control device shown inFIG. 7.

In the following description, the exterior of a module (hereinafter, called a touch module), which may be the main module or the sub module, will be explained. Internal components of the main module and the submodule are described in connection withFIGS. 1 to 6, so the overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 7, in another embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch module3may include a housing30. The housing may have the form of a cuboid, without being limited thereto.

There may be a plurality of male connectors310arranged on a top face30aand a first side face30bof the housing30. The plurality of male connectors310may be arranged to be adjacent to both ends of each of the top face30aand the first side face30b.

The male connectors310may be formed to protrude from the housing30. The male connectors310may each have almost a cylindrical form. A first contact portion311may be provided on the top of the male connector310.

There may be a plurality of ribs320on a second side face30cof the housing30. The plurality of ribs320may be arranged to be adjacent to both ends of the second side face30c, or alternatively, may be arranged across the entire area of the second side face30c.

The plurality of ribs320may have the form of a cylinder with inner space321. The inner space321is not used for the male connector310to be inserted thereto, but may be used to facilitate elastic deformation when the male connector310is fitted in between the plurality of ribs320.

The plurality of ribs320may be arranged with certain gap. The male connectors310may be fitted in between the plurality of ribs320. The gap between the plurality of ribs320may be smaller than the outer girth of the male connector310. Accordingly, the male connector310may be fitted in between the plurality of ribs320by elastic deformation of the plurality of ribs320.

Second contact portions322may be provided between the plurality of ribs320to come into contact with the first contact portion311when the male connector320is fitted in between the plurality of ribs320.

As shown inFIGS. 8 and 9, sensor electrodes31aand31bmay be formed on the top face30aand the second side face30cof the housing30, as shown inFIGS. 8 and 9. As described above, the sensor electrode31amay be formed not to join or overlap the male connectors310. The sensor electrode31bmay be formed not to join or overlap the plurality of ribs320and the second contact portions322.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 8 and 9, when the first contact portion311and the second contact portion322join, the main module1and the submodule2may be electrically coupled. Subsequent operation after the electrical coupling between the main module1and the submodule2is described above, so the description will not repeated below.

FIG. 10shows the exterior of a touch control device, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch module4may include a housing40. The housing40may have the form of a cube, without being limited thereto.

There may be a plurality of male connectors410arranged on a top face40aand a second side face40cof the housing40.

The male connectors410may be formed to protrude from the housing40. The male connectors410may each have almost a cylindrical form. A first contact portion411may be provided on the top of the male connector410.

There may be a plurality of insertion ribs420on a first side face40bof the housing40. The plurality of insertion ribs420may have the form of a cylinder with insertion space421. The insertion space421may be formed to correspond to the size of the male connector410in order to receive the male connector410.

When the male connector410is inserted to the insertion space of the insertion rib420, the first contact portion411and a second contact portion422may join. When the first contact portion411and the second contact portion422join, the main module1and the submodule2may be electrically connected.

FIG. 11is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a touch control device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 11, the main module1may be connected to an external device. The external device may be any device. For example, the external device may include a vehicle, a smart phone, a television, etc.

The main module1may determine whether it is connected to the external device. The main module1may be connected to the external device through a communication module provided in the main module1.

Once the main module1is coupled to the external device, the main module1determines whether it is coupled to the submodule2, in S100, S110.

The main module1may be independently connected to the external device, and the submodule2may be connected to the external device by being coupled to the main module1. The submodule2may not be independently connected to the external device.

While the main module1is coupled to the submodule2, the main module1may determine touchable faces of the main module1and the submodule2. The opposite faces of the main module1and the submodule2to be coupled may be excluded from the touchable faces.

When the main module1is not coupled to the submodule2, the main module1may determine touchable faces of the main module1. In this regard, the entire faces of the main module1may be touchable faces, in S120.

When the touchable faces are determined, the main module1may set up a face to be used for touch among the touchable face, in S130.

As many faces to be used for touch as the number of the touchable faces may be set up, or a smaller number of faces to be used for touch than the number of the touchable faces may be set up. The user may set up a desired face to the face to be used for touch to his or her liking.

Once the face to be used for touch is set up, the main module1may allocate a function to the face to be used for touch. The user may use the allocated function, in S140.

The main module1may allocate various functions to the face to be used for touch. For example, functions of turning on/off, channel tuning, volume control, function switching, air volume control or the like may be allocated.

If the user intends to change the number or positions of the faces to be used for touch, the main module1may return to the step of setting up the faces to be used for touch among the touchable faces and set up new faces to be used for touch.

Furthermore, even while the main module1is independently used or coupled to the submodule2, if an additional submodule is to be coupled to the main module1, the main module1may return to the step of determining touchable faces to determine touchable faces of the main module1and the submodule(s).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch control device having the form of blocks to be coupled and decoupled may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch control device capable of being changed in size and shape according to an external device or the user's preference may be provided.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a touch control device compatible with various external devices may be provided.

Logical blocks, modules or units described in connection with embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed by a computing device having at least one processor, at least one memory and at least one communication interface. The elements of a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by at least one processor, or in a combination of the two. Computer-executable instructions for implementing a method, process, or algorithm described in connection with embodiments disclosed herein can be stored in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium.

Several embodiments have been described above, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that various modifications can be made without departing the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it will be apparent to those ordinary skilled in the art that the true scope of technical protection is only defined by the following claims.