Position measuring apparatus and driving method thereof

A method and a position measuring apparatus that measures a position of a touch by an object on a device including the position measuring apparatus using an electrode unit for sensing a capacitance or voltage variation caused by a touch of the object and a control circuit unit for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit are provided. The method includes sensing a touch signal of the object on an independent channel connected to the control circuit unit through an independent connector; selectively driving a multi-channel disposed adjacent to the independent channel and electrically connected to the control circuit through a common connector, in response to the touch signal applied on the independent channel; and sensing the touch signal of the object using the multi-channel.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to a Korean Patent Application filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Apr. 10, 2012 and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0037372, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a position measuring apparatus, and more particularly, to a position measuring apparatus for realizing a high touch resolution and a driving method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a tablet Personal Computer (PC) or a portable terminal such as a navigator, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer-3 (MP3) player, a Portable Multimedia Player (PMP), or an e-book reader is equipped with a touch panel. Touch panels in such devices include resistive touch panels, capacitive touch screens, ultrasonic touch panels, and infrared touch panels, for example. Among these types of touch panels, the resistive touch panel and the capacity touch panel are popular. Resistive touch panels have decreased light transmission through a display compared to other types of touch panels, due to reflection from an air gap between Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) layers within the resistive touch panels. Resistive touch panels also cause an increased fatigue of a user's eyes compared to other types of touch panels, due reflection of outside light from the surface of resistive touch panels.

Compared to the resistive touch panel, the capacitive touch panel provides excellent durability and light transmission, and therefore, use of capacitive touch panels has recently become widespread. Conventional technologies regarding capacitive touch panels are included in Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-1999-0064226 (published on Jul. 26, 1999), International Application No. PCT/US1996/17862, and Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2009-0048770 (published on May 15, 2009).

FIG. 1is a simplified diagram illustrating a structure of a conventional position measuring apparatus.

Referring toFIG. 1, a touch panel includes an electrode pattern10with equally spaced channels arranged in one direction on a substrate (not shown), a driving chip13for sensing a touched position when a channel11is touched, and connection electrodes12for connecting the channels11to the driving chip13. The electrode pattern10is formed by depositing a transparent conductive material (not shown) having uniform resistive components (not shown), such as ITO, to a uniform thickness on a substrate by, for example, vapor deposition. The substrate is generally a transparent film or glass on which an electrode pattern formed of a material such as ITO can be deposited. The electrode pattern includes X-axis grid channels (X-grid channels) and Y-axis grid channels (Y-grid channels) so as to detect a two-dimensional touched position. The connection electrodes12are individually formed at both sides of the channels11in order to connect the channels11to the driving chip13.

A user touches a keyboard or an icon displayed on a touch panel having the electrode pattern10in a terminal with the user's finger or a conductive pen capable of touching a small area, such as a stylus pen, for example. Specifically, when the user touches a screen displayed on a display panel with the finger or the conductive pen, a variation occurs to the capacitance of X-grid and Y-grid channels arranged at the touched position. The capacitance variation is applied to the driving chip13via a connection electrode12at the touched position and the driving chip13detects position information, thus determining the touched position.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, for six channels11, six connection electrodes12are provided. To increase a touch resolution of the touch panel ofFIG. 1, the number of channels11must be increased. However, the increased number of channels11in turn increases the number of connection electrodes12that connect the channels11to the driving chip13. As a result, the connection electrodes12occupy more space. The connection electrodes12are arranged at both sides of the channels11to prevent interference with a display area. As the connection electrodes12are arranged over a larger area, the peripheral area of the display screen is widened.

FIG. 2is a simplified diagram illustrating another conventional position measuring apparatus in which a number of sensing electrodes is doubled in order to double a touch resolution in comparison to the conventional position measuring apparatus illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIG. 2, if the number of channels11of the touch panel ofFIG. 1is increased to 12 in order to double a touch resolution, the number of connection electrodes12of the touch panel ofFIG. 1is also increased to 12. Consequently, in the touch panel ofFIG. 2, additional space for the additional connection electrodes12is required, thereby increasing the total installation space of all of the connection electrodes12. The edges of the touch panel must also be widened by an amount corresponding to the installation space of the added connection electrodes12. The increased width of the edges of a touch panel reduces the favorable aesthetics of a portable terminal having the touch panel according toFIG. 2in comparison to aesthetics of a terminal having a touch panel according toFIG. 1.

In addition, the increased the number of connection electrodes12inFIG. 2also corresponds to an increased size of the driving chip13that controls the connection electrodes12, which is unfavorable in terms of installation space and fabrication cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to address at least the above-described problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide a position measuring apparatus for realizing a high touch resolution by increasing the number of channels to accurately sense even a position touched by an object having a small touch area and minimizing the installation space of connection electrodes by minimizing the number of connection electrodes that connect the channels to a driving chip, and a driving method thereof in an apparatus capable of sensing a touched position like a touch panel.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for measuring a position of a touch by an object on a device included the apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an electrode unit for sensing a capacitance or voltage variation caused by a touch of the object; a control circuit unit for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit, sensing electrodes included in the electrode unit and formed in two crossing directions for sensing a touch of the object on a plane; connectors included in the electrode unit for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes to the control circuit unit, and independent channels connected to independent connectors among the connectors, which are included in the electrode unit for sensing electrodes arranged in at least one of the two crossing directions, the independent connectors connecting a part of the sensing electrodes independently to the control circuit unit; and multi-channels included in the electrode unit and connected to common connectors among the connectors, the common connectors connecting the other part of the sensing electrodes commonly to the control circuit unit

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for measuring a position of a touch by an object on a device including the apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an electrode unit for sensing a capacitance or voltage variation caused by the touch of the object; a control circuit unit for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit; sensing electrodes included in the electrode unit for sensing a touch of the object, and connectors for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes to the control circuit unit; and a plurality of multi-channels included in the electrode unit and electrically connected to the control circuit unit through the connectors electrically connected to the sensing electrodes, wherein each of the multi-channels includes a region distinguishing channel for defining a region and a fine position measuring channel for measuring a fine position and only one sensing electrode of the fine position measuring channel is interposed between a plurality of sensing electrodes of the region distinguishing channel.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method for driving a position measuring apparatus that measures a position of a touch by an object on a device including the position measuring apparatus, the position measuring apparatus using an electrode unit for sensing a capacitance or voltage variation caused by a touch of the object and a control circuit unit for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit is provided. The method includes sensing a touch signal of the object on an independent channel connected to the control circuit unit through an independent connector; selectively driving a multi-channel disposed adjacent to the independent channel and electrically connected to the control circuit through a common connector, in response to the touch signal applied on the independent channel; and sensing the touch signal of the object using the multi-channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described as follows with reference to the attached drawings. The thicknesses of lines or the sizes of components may be exaggerated in the drawings, for clarity and convenience sake. Although the terms used in the present invention are selected from generally known and used terms, the terms may be changed according to the intention of a user or an operator, or customs. While ordinal numbers like first, second, etc. can be used to describe a number of components, such components according to embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the terms. Herein, such terms are used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component or vice versa within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

A position measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described as follows with reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is a simplified diagram illustrating a position measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 3, a position measuring apparatus100includes an electrode unit102that includes independent channels S (which include sensing electrodes S1to S6), multi-channels M (which include electrodes M1and M2), independent connectors130, common connectors140(which include connectors141and142), and connection ports150(which include ports151and152) for sensing a variation in capacitance or voltage caused by an object's touch. The position measuring apparatus100further includes a control circuit unit101for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit102. The electrode unit102includes sensing electrodes S1to S6and M1and M2and connectors130,140and150for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes S1to S6and M1and M2to the control circuit unit101. The sensing electrodes S1to S6and M1and M2are divided into sensing electrodes S1to S6for independent channels S and sensing electrodes M1and M2for multi-channels M. When a part of the sensing electrodes S1to S6and M1and M2are connected to the control circuit unit101, the independent channels S are connected via the independent connectors130, and when another part of the sensing electrodes S1to S6and M1and M2are connected to the control circuit unit101, the multi-channels M are connected via the common connectors140.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sensing electrodes S1to S6for the independent channels S (six independent channels S in the present example) are arranged in one direction (hereinbelow, referred to as an X-axis direction), spaced from one another along a direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (hereinbelow, referred to as a Y-axis direction). The sensing electrodes S1to S6for the independent channels S are independently connected to the control circuit unit101via the independent connectors130.

The independent connectors130are arranged at one side of the sensing electrodes S1and S6for the independent channels S, connecting the sensing electrodes S1and S6to the control circuit unit101. As the independent connectors130connect the sensing electrodes S1to S6individually to the control circuit unit101, the number of the independent connectors130is equal to the number of the sensing electrodes S1to S6. For example, when there are six sensing electrodes S1to S6for independent channels S as illustrated inFIG. 1, six independent connectors130are provided to connect the six sensing electrodes S1to S6independently to the control circuit unit101.

The sensing electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M are arranged alternately with the sensing electrodes S1to S6for the independent channels S in the vicinity of the sensing electrodes S1to S6. Specifically, each of the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M is interposed between sensing electrodes for independent channels S. The electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M are connected collectively to the control circuit unit101via at least one common connector140. The common connectors140are arranged at the other side of the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M and connected to the control circuit unit101. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the common connectors140are divided into a first common connector141and a second common connector142, which are connected to the control circuit unit101. Thus, the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M are divided into the sensing electrodes M1for a first multi-channel connected to the first common connector141, and the sensing electrodes M2for a second multi-channel connected to the second common connector142. Therefore, the six sensing electrodes S1to S6for the independent channels S, the three sensing electrodes M1for the first multi-channel M, and the three sensing electrodes M2for the second multi-channel M are arranged in the order of the sensing electrode S1for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode M1for the first multi-channel, the sensing electrode S2for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode M2for the second multi-channel, the sensing electrode S3for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode M1for the first multi-channel, the sensing electrode S4for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode M2for the second multi-channel, the sensing electrode S5for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode M1for the first multi-channel, the sensing electrode S6for an independent channel S, and a sensing electrode M2for the second multi-channel. Although the present embodiment of the present invention has been described with respect to sensing electrodes M1and M2for two multi-channels M, connected to the two common connectors141and142, alternate common connectors141and142, alternate with each other with a sensing electrode for an independent channel S interposed between them, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

In another example, multi-channels M of only one type are provided and are connected to the control circuit unit101via a single common connector140. In this alternate example, each of the sensing electrodes M1for the multi-channels M are interposed between sensing electrodes for independent channels S. The arrangement order or number of multi-channels M varies according to the number of the common connectors140.

In yet another example, if three common connectors140are provided, three multi-channels are arranged sequentially, with a sensing electrode for an independent channel S interposed between them. Specifically, sensing electrodes for independent channels S and the three multi-channels M are arranged in the order of a sensing electrode for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode for a first multi-channel, a sensing electrode for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode for the second multi-channel, and a sensing electrode for an independent channel S, a sensing electrode for a third multi-channel.

Accordingly, the electrode pattern100may be formed in various manners according to the number of common connectors140and the number of multi-channels M connected to the common connectors140.

Connection ports150are interposed between the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the multi-channels M and the common connectors140. In the present embodiment of the present invention, the sensing electrodes M1for the first multi-channel are connected to the first common connector141via the first connection ports151and the sensing electrodes M2for the second multi-channel are connected to the second common connector142via the second connection ports152. The first connection ports151meet the second common connector142at intersection points C and the second connection ports152meet the first common connector141at intersection points C. For example, when the first common connector141is disposed outside the second common connector142, the first connection ports151are connected to the first common connector141, crossing the second common connector142at the intersection points C, as illustrated inFIG. 1. To insulate the first connection ports151from the second common connector142at the intersection points C, insulation members162are provided. The insulation members162are formed on at least one of an electrode layer having sensing electrodes (an X-axis electrode unit X and/or a Y-axis electrode unit Y or170) and an insulation layer D.

If 12 channels in total are provided by interposing each of the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the six multi-channels M between every two of the sensing electrodes S1to S6for the six independent channels S, the total number of connectors connecting the channels (the sum of the number of the independent connectors130and the number of the common connectors140) is 8, because the six independent connectors130connect the sensing electrodes S1to S6for the independent channels S to the control circuit unit101and the two first and second common connectors141and142connect the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the first and second multi-channels M to the control circuit unit101.

If 16 channels are provided by interposing each of eight multi-channels between every two of eight independent channels S, the total number of required connectors is 10. Specifically, eight independent connectors130connect sensing electrodes S1to S8for the independent channels S to the control circuit unit101and the two first and second common connectors141and142connect the sensing electrodes M1and M2for the first and second multi-channels M to the control circuit unit101. Accordingly, a resolution can be increased by increasing the total number of sensing electrodes without a high increase in the total number of connectors. As a result, the connectors occupy almost the same space as in the conventional technology.

The position measuring apparatus100includes electrodes arranged in two opposite directions so that the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M arranged in one direction may cross each other.

An X-axis electrode unit X formed in the X-axis direction and a Y-axis electrode unit Y formed in the Y-axis direction are overlaid with each other and a touched position (i.e., a position touched via user input) is sensed based on a variation in sensing electrodes positioned at an intersection between the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y. At least one of the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units includes the afore-described independent channels S and multi-channels M. More specifically, the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M and the connectors130,140and150are formed in such a manner that one of the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y includes the independent channels S and the multi-channels M and the other electrode unit includes only the independent channels S, to which the present invention is not limited. For example, the independent channels S and the multi-channels M may be formed in both the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y. Thus, various modifications can be made according to a module in which the position measuring apparatus100is provided. Similar configurations may also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention, such as those described later herein.

If each of the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y includes the independent channels S and the multi-channels M, the independent channels S in the X-axis or Y-axis electrode unit X or Y are connected to a Transmission (Tx) end of the control circuit unit101that generates a signal for sensing an object's touch and the multi-channels M in the X-axis or Y-axis electrode unit X or Y are connected to a Reception (Rx) end of the control circuit unit101.

If the X-axis electrode unit X includes the independent channels S and the multi-channels M and the Y-axis electrode unit Y includes only the independent channels S, the independent channels S in the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y are connected to the Tx end of the control circuit unit101that generates a signal for sensing an object's touch and the multi-channels M in the X-axis electrode unit X are connected to the Rx end of the control circuit unit101that receives a signal.

FIGS. 4A through 4Dare simplified diagrams illustrating a configuration of the position measuring apparatus illustrated inFIG. 3according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 5illustrates a state where structures illustrated inFIGS. 4A through 4Dare layered according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The configuration described below with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5may also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention described later herein. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention described hereinafter are described with a focus on features that differ from previously-described embodiments.

Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, the X-axis electrode unit X having sensing electrodes arranged in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis electrode unit X having sensing electrodes arranged in the Y-axis direction are layered on opposite surfaces with the insulation layer D interposed in between.

When the X-axis electrode unit X is formed, the patterns161are also formed on the X-axis electrode unit X in order to electrically connect the intersection points C of the connection ports150. In addition, the insulation members162are formed on the insulation layer D to insulate the intersection points of the connection ports150. As an electrical connection can be insulated at the intersection point C simply by stacking a substrate B, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, the insulation layer D, and the X-axis electrode unit X, fabrication cost is remarkably reduced and an assembly process is simplified.

In the present embodiment of the present invention, diamond patterns are uniformly repeated in one direction for the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M or a direction perpendicular to this direction, for example. However, the shapes of the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M are not limited thereto. For example, the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M may take the form of lines.

FIG. 13is a diagram illustrating examples of geometric patterns of sensing electrodes and multi-channels according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 13, it is also possible to uniformly repeat curved geometric patterns, such as patterns1301and1303for the sensing electrodes for the independent channels S and the multi-channels M. The same configuration may also be applied to other embodiments of the present invention described herein.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4A to 4D, connectors130,140and150for connecting the independent channels S and/or the multi-channels M of the X-axis electrode unit X to the control circuit unit101and connectors130,140and150for connecting the independent channels S and/or the multi-channels M of the Y-axis electrode unit Y to the control circuit unit101are formed on the substrate B. Herein, the intersection points C, at which the connection ports151cross the common connectors140, are not connected. The intersection points C are electrically connected by patterns111formed on the X-axis electrode unit X and electrically insulated by the insulation members162of the insulation layer D by stacking the substrate B, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, the insulation layer D, and the X-axis electrode unit X. Specifically, at the position intersection point C, the patterns161are formed on the X-axis electrode unit X and the insulation members162are formed on the insulation layer D. Therefore at the position intersection point C, the connection ports151and the first common connector141electrically are connected by the patterns161and the first connection ports151and the second common connector142are not connected by the insulation members162. It is also possible to replace the electrodes applied to the X-axis electrode unit X with electrodes used in the later-described embodiments of the present invention. In different embodiments of the present invention described herein, the overall shapes, arrangements, and positions of sensing electrodes and connectors are changed by configuring the electrode units in different manners. By changing these configurations, the positions of the insulation members162on the insulation layer D and the layout, arrangement, or intersection points C of ports disposed on the substrate B are changed. Nonetheless, the layered structure of the X-axis electrode unit X, the insulation layer D, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, and the substrate B is identical in the embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, the description of this particular embodiment of the present invention is also referenced herein below in describing the other embodiments of the present invention.

A method for driving the position measuring apparatus having the above-described configuration is described as follows with reference toFIG. 12If the length of an object touching the position measuring apparatus100is greater than the distance between a sensing electrode for an independent channel S and its adjacent sensing electrode, the touched position can be determined just with the independent channel S and thus the multi-channels M are not operated. However, if the length of an object touching the position measuring apparatus100is less than the distance between a sensing electrode for an independent channel S and its adjacent sensing electrode, for example, the distance between the sensing electrodes S1and S2for independent channels S, the touched position is determined using the independent channel S and a multi-channel M.

Hence, when an object touches the X-electrode unit X and/or the Y-axis electrode Y having the electrode unit102, a variation in the capacitance or voltage of a sensing electrode for an independent channel S corresponding to the touched position is applied to the control circuit unit101through an independent connector connected to the sensing electrode and the control circuit unit101senses the applied signal, in step S100. If the length of the object is less than the sensing electrode for the independent channel S and its adjacent sensing electrode, a multi-channel M adjacent to the independent channel (i.e., the sensing electrode for the multi-channel M adjacent to the sensing electrode for the independent channel) is selectively driven in response to a touch signal applied to the sensing electrode for the independent channel S, in step S200. Then, the sensing electrode for the adjacent multi-channel M senses the touch of the object, in step S300. Thus, a position touched by the object can be accurately determined.

If the touched position is apart from an independent channel S, the independent channel S and its adjacent multi-channel M are driven, to thereby accurately locating the touch of the object.

FIG. 6is a simplified diagram illustrating a position measuring apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 6, in a manner similar to the position measuring apparatus100according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference toFIG. 3, a position measuring apparatus300according to another embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode unit302that includes region distinguishing channels310(which include distinguishing channels310A and310B), fine position measuring channels320(which include fine positioning channels320A and320B), responsive connectors330(which include responsive connectors331,332,333, and334), common connectors340(which include first common connector340A and second common connector340B), connection ports350(which include first connection ports350A and350B), and MA/MB connection port360(which includes MA connection port360A and MB connection port360B). The electrode unit302senses a capacitance or voltage variation caused by an object's touch, and further includes the control circuit unit101for exchanging electrical signals with the electrode unit302. The electrode unit302also includes sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB for sensing an object's touch and connectors330and340for electrically connecting the sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB to the control circuit unit101. The electrode unit302has a plurality of multi-channels300A and300B. In this embodiment of the present invention, the electrode unit302includes the plurality of multi-channels300A and300B electrically connected to the control circuit unit101through the connectors330and340that connect the sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB to one another. These multi-channels300A and300B are divided into region distinguishing channels310A and310B and fine position measuring channels320A and320B. A plurality of sensing electrodes A1to A4and B1to B4are arranged in one direction for the region distinguishing channels310A and310B, and only one of the sensing electrodes MA and MB is interposed between every pair of adjacent sensing electrodes A1to A4and B1to B4for the region distinguishing channels310A and310B. That is, in this embodiment of the present invention, the two multi-channels300A and300B are provided and the multi-channel300A includes the region distinguishing channels310A and the fine position measuring channel320A, while the multi-channel300B includes the region distinguishing channels310B and the single fine position measuring channel320B. Each of the region distinguishing channels310A and310B has four sensing electrodes A1to A4or B1to B4and each of the fine position measuring channels320A and320B includes four sensing electrodes MA or MB. However, the number of the multi-channels300A and300B and the number of the sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB are not limited to the above specific values in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For instance, the number of the multi-channels300A and300B and the number of the sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB are preferably determined, taking into account the spacing of the sensing electrodes A1to A4, B1to B4, MA, and MB or the size of the position measuring apparatus300.

Specifically, the multi-channel300A (multi-channel A) includes the region distinguishing channels310A with the plurality of sensing electrodes A1to A4and the single fine position measuring channel320A with the plurality of sensing electrodes MA.

Each of the sensing electrodes MA is disposed adjacent to one of the sensing electrodes A1to A4. Thus, the four sensing electrodes MA alternate with the sensing electrodes A1to A4. The sensing electrodes A1to A4of the region distinguishing channels310A in multi-channel A are connected to the control circuit unit101through the respective connectors330. The sensing electrodes MA of the fine position measuring channel320A are connected to the control circuit unit101through a single connector340A.

The multi-channel300B (multi-channel B) includes the region distinguishing channels310B with the plurality of sensing electrodes B1to B4and the fine position measuring channel320B with the plurality of sensing electrodes MB. Each of the sensing electrodes MB is disposed adjacent to one of the sensing electrodes B1to B4. Thus, the four sensing electrodes MB alternate with the sensing electrodes B1to B4. The sensing electrodes B1to B4of the region distinguishing channels310B in multi-channel B are connected to the control circuit unit101through the respective connectors330. The sensing electrodes MB of the fine position measuring channel320B are connected to the control circuit unit101through a single connector340B.

The states of the connectors340A and340B of multi-channel A and multi-channel B are described below. As described before, the region distinguishing channels310A of multi-channel A are connected to the respective connectors330, i.e., the sensing electrodes A1to A4are connected to the control circuit unit101through the four respective connectors330. The sensing electrodes B1to B3of the region distinguishing channels B1to B4in multi-channel B are connected in their arrangement order to the connectors330connected to the sensing electrodes A1to A4of the region distinguishing channels310A in multi-channel A, i.e., the sensing electrodes B1to B4are connected to the same connectors330as connected to the sensing electrodes A1to A4in the same arrangement order. More specifically, a first connector331connects the sensing electrodes A1and B1electrically to the control circuit unit101. A second connector332connects the sensing electrodes A2and B2electrically to the control circuit unit101. A third connector333connects the sensing electrodes A3and B3electrically to the control circuit unit101. A fourth connector334connects the sensing electrodes A4and B4electrically to the control circuit unit101.

The sensing electrodes MA of the fine position measuring channel320A in multi-channel A are connected to the control circuit101through the single common connector340A. The sensing electrodes MB of the fine position measuring channel320B in multi-channel B are connected to the control circuit101through the single common connector340B separate from the first common connector340A.

In the position measuring apparatus300, the total number of sensing electrodes310and320(i.e., all sensing electrodes included in the plurality of multi-channels300A and300B) is 16, and the total number of connectors330and340(i.e. the first to fourth connectors331to334and the first and second common connectors340A and340B) is 6. Specifically, multi-channel A has the four sensing electrodes A1to A4in the region distinguishing channels310A and the four sensing electrodes MA in the fine position measuring channel320A, and multi-channel B has the four sensing electrodes B1to B4in the region distinguishing channels310B and the four sensing electrodes MB in the fine position measuring channel320B. Thus 16 sensing electrodes are arranged.

In comparison, no more than 6 connectors suffice, i.e., the four connectors331to334are provided to the sensing electrodes A1to A4and B1to B4to the control circuit unit101in an integrated manner and the first and second common connectors340A and340B are provided to connect the sensing electrodes MA and the sensing electrodes MB commonly to the control circuit unit101. Thus the 16 sensing electrodes310and320can be connected to the control circuit unit101using only the six connectors330and340. Accordingly, a resolution can be increased by increasing the total number of sensing electrodes310and320without a significant increase in the total number of connectors330and340. As a result, the connectors330and340occupy almost the same or less space as the space occupied by connectors in conventional technology.

These sensing electrodes310and320include a plurality of transparent electrodes and a metal connecting the transparent electrodes, or transparent electrodes and other transparent electrodes connected to the transparent electrodes.

FIGS. 7A through 7Dare simplified diagrams illustrating a configuration of the position measuring apparatus illustrated inFIG. 6andFIG. 8illustrates a state where the structures illustrated inFIG. 7A through 7Dare layered.

Referring toFIGS. 6, 7A through 7D, andFIG. 8, as described before in relation to the position measuring apparatus100ofFIG. 3, the position measuring apparatus300is provided with the electrode unit302arranged in two directions so that the sensing electrodes310and320arranged in one direction may cross each other. The position measuring apparatus300is the same as the position measuring apparatus100except that the electrodes310to360are formed in the X-axis and Y-axis electrode units X and Y, i.e., the electrode unit302is arranged in the multi-channels300A and300B in the X-axis electrode unit X and/or the Y-axis electrode unit Y. As shown inFIGS. 7A through 7D, when the X-axis electrode unit X is formed, patterns161are also formed on the X-axis electrode unit X in order to electrically connect connection ports350A and350B to the connectors330and340at the intersection points C. In addition, the insulation members162are formed on the insulation layer D to insulate the connection ports350A and350B from the intersection points C.

Therefore, electrical connection of the connectors, electrical connection of the intersection points C of the sensing electrodes310and320, and insulation of the connection ports350A and350B from the intersection points C are with a stack of only the four layers of the X-axis electrode unit X, the insulation layer D, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, and the substrate B.

A method for driving the position measuring apparatus300having the afore-described configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention is described as follows.

If the length of an object touching the position measuring apparatus300is greater than the distance between a sensing electrode310or320of the region distinguishing channels310A or310B and its adjacent sensing electrode (e.g., the distance between the sensing electrodes A2and A3), the touched position can be determined simply with the sensing electrode, and thus the sensing electrodes310and320of the fine position measuring channels320A and320B are not operated. However, if the length of the object is less than the distance between the sensing electrode and its adjacent sensing electrode, the touched position is determined using the region distinguishing channels310A and310B and the fine position measuring channels320A and320B.

Therefore, when an object touches the X-axis electrode unit X and/or the Y-axis electrode unit Y that has the electrode unit310to360, a variation in the capacitance or voltage of a sensing electrode310or320of the region distinguishing channels310or320is provided to the control circuit unit101and the control circuit unit101senses the applied signal. If the length of the object is less than the distance between the sensing electrode310or320of the region distinguishing channels310or320and its adjacent sensing electrode310or320, the sensing electrode310or320of a fine position measuring channel320A or320B, specifically a sensing electrode310or320adjacent to the sensing electrode310or320that has sensed the touch is selectively driven. Thus, the sensing electrode310or320of the fine position measuring channel320A or320B adjacent to the sensing electrode310or320of the region distinguishing channels310A or310B senses the object's touch, thereby accurately locating the touch of the object. If the touched position is apart from the sensing electrode310or320of the region distinguishing channels310A or310B, its adjacent sensing electrode310or320of the fine position measuring channel320A or320B is driven and thus the touched position is accurately determined. The same thing applies to the later-described other embodiment of the present invention, except that independent channels are further used to thereby determine a position touched by an object.

FIG. 9is a simplified diagram illustrating a position measuring apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 9, a configuration of a position measuring apparatus400is similar to that of the configuration of the position measuring apparatus300(seeFIG. 6), except that independent channels401A and401B are further provided in addition to multi-channels400A and400B.

More specifically, an electrode unit402(which includes independent channels401A and401B and410includes a plurality of multi-channels400A and400B and the independent channels401A and401B. Reference Numeral410includes multi-channels410A and410B). Thus, reference numeral410′ indicates multi-channel. As in the embodiment of the present invention described with reference toFIG. 6, the multi-channels400A and400B include region distinguishing channels411and fine position measuring channels412. The sensing electrodes of the region distinguishing channels411and the fine position measuring channels412are connected to connectors430and440in the same manner as in the second embodiment of the present invention. For reference, the same names are used for the same components as in the embodiment of the present invention described with reference toFIG. 6, but are denoted by different reference numerals. More specifically, reference numerals400A and400B denote the multi-channels, reference numerals411A and412A denote the region distinguishing channels and the fine position measuring channel of the multi-channel400A, respectively, reference numerals411B and412B denote the region distinguishing channels and the fine position measuring channel of the multi-channel400B, respectively, and reference numerals441and442denote first and second common connectors, respectively.

This embodiment described with reference toFIG. 9is characterized in that the independent channels401A and401B are formed adjacent to the multi-channels400A and400B. For example, the electrode unit402includes the two multi-channels400A and400B each of which has the independent channel401A or401B. Specifically, the independent channel401A is disposed adjacent to the multi-channel400A and the independent channel401B is disposed adjacent to the multi-channel400B. The independent channels401A and401B are connected to the control circuit unit101through independent connectors420A and420B, respectively. Sensing electrodes S1and S2for the independent channels401A and401B are arranged adjacent to the multi-channels400A and400B, specifically adjacent to sensing electrodes for the region distinguishing channels411. More specifically, the sensing electrode S1of the independent channel401A is adjacent to the sensing electrode A1of a region distinguishing channel411A and the sensing electrode S2of the independent channel401B is adjacent to the sensing electrode B1of a region distinguishing channel411B. The sensing electrodes S1and S2for the independent channels401A and401B are electrically connected to the control circuit unit101through the independent connectors420A and420B. In this embodiment of the present invention, a total of 18 sensing electrodes are provided. Since only eight connectors430and440are provided, many sensing electrodes can be electrically connected to the control circuit unit101through a small number of connectors430and440. In addition, the sensing electrodes S1and S2can be densely arranged in a given space, and thus a position touched by an object can be accurately determined. Therefore, a high touch resolution can be realized. The installation space of the connectors430and440is the same as or less than an installation space used in conventional technology.

While the two multi-channels400A and400B are provided and the independent channels401A and401B are formed in the multi-channels401A and401B in this embodiment of the present invention, this configuration does not limit the present invention. For example, it is possible to form the independent channels401A and401B at the outermost sides of the electrode unit401A,401B and410. For instance, the independent channels401A and401B are formed at the top or bottom of the electrode unit401A,401B and410or at an upper or lower part of the electrode unit401A,401B and410and the independent connectors420A and420B are arranged so as to connect the sensing electrodes S1and S2of the independent channels401A and401B independently to the control circuit unit101.

When the X-axis electrode unit X is formed, intersection points are created on connection ports450, specifically connection ports450that connect the sensing electrodes of the region distinguishing channels in multi-channel B to the respective connectors430. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that electrically insulates the connection ports450from the intersection points C of the connectors430and440as well as electrically connects the connection ports450to the intersection points C of the connectors430and440. Thus, the patterns161are also formed on the X-axis electrode unit X and/or the Y-axis electrode unit Y in order to electrically connect the connection ports450to the intersection points of the connectors430and440. In addition, the insulation members162are also formed on the insulation layer D to insulate the connection ports450from the intersection points C. While the patterns161are formed on the X-axis electrode unit X and the insulation members162are formed on the insulation layer D, this configuration does not limit the present invention. The patterns161and the insulation members162may be provided to at least one of the X-axis electrode unit X, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, and the insulation layer D. Therefore, the intersection points C can be electrically insulated as well as electrically connected, just with a 4-layer stack of the X-axis electrode unit X, the insulation layer D, the Y-axis electrode unit Y, and the substrate B in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A through 10Dare simplified diagrams illustrating a configuration of the position measuring apparatus illustrated inFIG. 9andFIG. 11illustrates a state where structures illustrated inFIGS. 10A through 10Dare layered.

Referring toFIG. 9,FIGS. 10A through 10D, andFIG. 11, the position measuring apparatus400is configured by adding independent channels to the plurality of multi-channels in the position measuring apparatus300and thus the position measuring apparatus400is different from the position measuring apparatus300in terms of the electrode unit, specifically the arrangements or patterns of the sensing electrodes and the connectors and the configuration of the insulation layer. The remaining configuration of the position measuring apparatus400is identical to those of the position measuring apparatuses100and300, i.e., the electrode unit401A,401B and410is provided at least one of the X-axis electrode unit X and the Y-axis electrode unit Y in a position measuring apparatus having a plurality of electrodes, specifically the X-axis electrode unit X and the Y-axis electrode unit Y are layered. As the independent connectors420A and420B are provided to connect the sensing electrodes S1and S2of the independent channels401A and401B to the control circuit unit101, intersection points C are further created.

Therefore, the patterns for electrically connecting the intersection points C or the insulation members162are disposed at the intersection points C. According to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, since many sensing electrodes can be connected to a control circuit unit through a small number of connectors, a position touched by an object can be accurately determined, thereby increasing a touch resolution.

As is apparent from the above description, touch accuracy can be increased by increasing the number of sensing electrodes, thereby increasing a touch resolution and thus increasing touch reliability.

Although the number of sensing electrodes is increased, the total number of connectors that connect the sensing electrodes to the control circuit unit is minimized. Therefore, the connectors occupy a minimal space and the size of a driving chip is not increased relative to the increased number of sensing electrodes, and, fabrication cost and installation area are reduced.