Abstract:
A touch panel module has a touch panel, a sensation feedback panel, a control unit and a stimulating signal generating circuit. The sensation feedback panel is mounted on the touch panel and has multiple stimulating circuits arranged in a matrix configuration or a non-overlap configuration. The stimulating signal generating circuit electrically connects to the stimulating circuits and the control unit. When the control unit receives a touch signal produced by the touch panel, it controls the stimulating signal generating circuit to output stimulating currents to the stimulating circuits. When a user touches the stimulating circuits, the stimulating current can flow through the user&#39;s finger to electrically stimulate nerve, thereby achieving the sensation feedback effect to notice the user that the touch panel has been pressed properly to activate desired function.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a touch panel module, especially to a touch panel module that is able to generate electrical stimulation as feedback information in response to user&#39;s operations on a touch panel. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Either the resistive or capacitive type touch panel applied in electronic apparatus is manufactured as a full flat structure for artistic purpose. However, while operating the touch panel, users cannot feel the real sensations as touching practical buttons, keys, switches, etc. The users have to carefully watch the touch panel to see whether the touch panel responds exactly to activate designated functions. If the touch panel receives the user&#39;s commands but fails to respond immediately, the users may think that the touch panel has problems and touch again, which will further cause incorrect operations of the touch panel. To overcome the problem, attempts are made to incorporate vibrating function in the conventional touch panel to notice the user that the touch panel has been triggered. 
         [0005]    Actuators or piezoelectric transformers (PZT) are often used in the touch panel to implement the vibrating function. With reference to  FIG. 14 , a motor-based actuator  50  is affixed on a frame  52  of a display  51 . When a touch panel  53  above the display  51  is activated or triggered, the actuator  50  generates vibrations as feedback to notice users. 
         [0006]    However, implementing the vibration function in the touch panel has the following shortcomings. 
         [0007]    1. Integrating the actuator in the touch panel is difficult. The actuator must be separately and securely mounted on a proper structure near the touch panel, for example mounted on the frame  52 . 
         [0008]    In addition, mounting the piezoelectric transformers on the touch panel involves high-temperature manufacturing process and a glass substrate of the touch panel is unable to sustain such high temperature. Further, since the piezoelectric transformer is opaque and visible, it is unsuitable for the transparent touch panel. 
         [0009]    2. The entire touch panel will experience the vibration. In other words, vibration movement cannot be limited in a local small region on the touch panel to particularly identify a touch point or multiple touch points where the user presses. 
         [0010]    To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention proposes a touch panel module for providing electrical stimulating sensation to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The main objective of the present invention is to provide a touch panel module that generates electrical stimulation as the sensation feedback message to notice users that a touch panel has been successfully touched. 
         [0012]    The touch panel module in accordance with the present invention comprises a touch panel, a sensation feedback panel, a control unit and a stimulating signal generating unit. 
         [0013]    The touch panel is capable of producing a touch signal in response to a touch point. 
         [0014]    The sensation feedback signal is mounted on the touch panel and comprises a second substrate, multiple first stimulating circuits formed on the second substrate, and multiple second stimulating circuits formed on the second substrate and electrically insulated from the first stimulating circuits. 
         [0015]    The control unit is electrically connected to the touch panel and receives the touch signal to generate a touch-point coordinate signal based on the touch signal. 
         [0016]    The stimulating signal generating unit is electrically connected to the control unit, electrically connected to the first stimulating circuits and the second stimulating circuits via a second flexible circuit board. The stimulating signal generating unit receives the touch-point coordinate signal and outputs stimulating currents to the first and second stimulating circuits where the touch point presents. 
         [0017]    When a user presses the sensation feedback panel to indirectly activate the touch panel, the user&#39;s finger touches the sensation feedback panel and contacts at least one first stimulating circuit and at least one second stimulating circuit simultaneously. The touch panel accordingly generates and sends a touch signal to the control unit. Upon reception of the touch signal, the control unit outputs a touch-point coordinate signal to the stimulating signal generating unit. Therefore, the stimulating signal generating unit is able to produce stimulating currents transmitted to the sensation feedback panel where the user is pressing, thereby electrically stimulating the user&#39;s finger nerve. If the user feels the small stimulation, he or she can recognize the touch panel has been triggered to execute desired functions. 
         [0018]    Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a circuit block diagram of a touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of a first embodiment of a touch panel used in the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a second embodiment of a touch panel used in the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a third embodiment of a touch panel used in the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a third embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a plan view of a fifth embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an operational view of the touch panel module in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is another operational view of the touch panel module in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a side plan view of a conventional touch panel equipped with an actuator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first embodiment of a touch panel module in accordance with the present invention comprises a touch panel  10 , a sensation feedback panel  20 , a control unit  30  and a stimulating signal generating unit  40 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the touch panel  10  includes various types and produces a touch signal in response to the presence of a touch. The touch panel  10  in  FIG. 3  comprises a first substrate  11 , multiple first electrodes  12   a  formed on the first substrate  11 , and a first flexible circuit board  14  attached at one edge of the first substrate  11  and electrically connected to the first electrodes  12   a  by wires  15 . 
         [0035]    The touch panel  10  in  FIG. 4  includes a first substrate  11  having a top surface and a bottom surface, multiple first electrodes  12   b  formed on the top surface of the first substrate  11 , multiple second electrodes  13   b  formed on the bottom surface, and a first circuit board  14  attached at the first substrate  11 . The first electrodes  12  are connected to form multiple electrode strings and each electrode string is electrically connected to the first substrate  11 . The second electrodes  13  are connected to form multiple electrode strings and each electrode string is electrically connected to the first substrate  11 . The electrode strings on the opposite surface of the first substrate  11  may be disposed across each other to form a matrix configuration. 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 5 , the touch panel  10  comprises a first substrate  11 , multiple first electrodes  12   c  and second electrodes  13   c  formed on the same surface of the first substrate  11 , and a first flexible circuit board  14  mounted on the first substrate  11 . The first electrodes  12 , for example as X-axis electrodes, are connected to form multiple electrode strings and each electrode string is electrically connected to the first substrate  11 . The second electrodes  13 , for example Y-axis electrodes, are connected to form multiple electrode strings and each electrode string is electrically connected to the first substrate  11 . The two types of electrode strings on the same surface of the first substrate  11  are disposed across each other but electrically-insulated to form a matrix configuration. Each intersection between the X-axis electrode string and Y-axis electrode string is provided with an insulating layer  16  to isolate the two different electrode strings and to prevent short circuits. 
         [0037]    The sensation feedback panel  20  is mounted above the touch panel  10  and comprises a second substrate  21 , multiple first stimulating circuits  22   a  and multiple second stimulating circuits  23   a.  Both the first stimulating circuits  22   a  and multiple second stimulating circuits  23   a  are formed on the substrate  21 . The first stimulating circuits  22   a  and multiple second stimulating circuits  23   a  are preferably made of indium tin oxide (ITO) because of its electrical conductivity and optical transparency. 
         [0038]    In the first embodiment, each of the first stimulating circuits  22   a  is an X-axis stimulating circuit that includes multiple X-axis electrodes  220   a  and multiple X-axis wires connecting the X-axis electrodes  220   a.  Each of the second stimulating circuits  23   a  is a Y-axis stimulating circuit that comprises multiple Y-axis electrodes  230   a  and multiple Y-axis wires connecting the Y-axis electrodes  230   a.  The second stimulating circuits  23   a  non-electrically intersect the first stimulating circuits  22   a  to form a matrix configuration, wherein an insulating layer  24  is provided at each intersection between the X-axis wire and the Y-axis wire to accomplish insulation effect. 
         [0039]    In addition to the matrix configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the foregoing first stimulating circuits and the second stimulating circuits can be arranged in a non-overlap configuration without the insulating layer  24 . 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , the first stimulating circuits  22   b  and the second stimulating circuits  23   b  in the second embodiment are arranged on the substrate alternately without overlap. In comparison to the first embodiment, the first stimulating circuits  22   b  and the second stimulating circuits  23   b  can be simultaneously fabricated on the through a single lithography process. The first stimulating circuits  22   b  and the second stimulating circuits  23   b  are straight lines with equal width. The preferable width of each first stimulating circuit  22   b  and each second stimulating circuit  23   b  approximates to three to six millimeters (mm). The gap between adjacent stimulating circuits  22   b,    23   b  is about one to three millimeters in width. 
         [0041]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , each of the first stimulating circuits  22   c  and the second stimulating circuits  23   c  in the third embodiment is a tapered line with a narrow end and a wide end. Similar to the second embodiment, the wide end is about three to six millimeters in width, and the gap between adjacent stimulating circuits  22   c,    23   c  is also about one to three millimeters. 
         [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , the each of the first stimulating circuits  22   d  and the second stimulating circuits  23   d  in the fourth embodiment is a serrated line with equal width. The width of each first stimulating circuit  22   d  and each second stimulating circuit  23   d  approximates to three to six millimeters. The gap between adjacent stimulating circuits  22   d,    23   d  is about one to three millimeters in width. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 to 8  the first and second stimulating circuits  22   b - 22   d,    23   b - 23   d  are not limited to particular shapes as long as each stimulating circuit and the gap have reasonable widths. 
         [0044]    The sensation feedback panel  20  usually corresponds to the touch panel  10  in shape, and preferably both are rectangular in shape. The first stimulating circuits  22   b - 22   d  and the second stimulating circuits  23   b - 23   d  can be formed on the second substrate  21  lengthwise and parallel to the long edge of the second substrate  21 . The flexible circuit board  45  can be attached at the long edge of the second substrate  21 . 
         [0045]    With further reference to  FIG. 9 , the first stimulating circuits  22   e  and the second stimulating circuits  23   e  can be parallel to the short edge of the second substrate  21  in the fifth embodiment. The flexible circuit board  45  can be mounted at the short edge of the second substrate  21 . 
         [0046]    With reference to  FIG. 10 , the sensation feedback panel  20  can be affixed on the touch panel  10  via an adhesive layer  50 . The sensation feedback panel  20  can further has a transparent glue layer  25  and a transparent protecting layer  27 . The transparent glue layer  25  is spread on the second substrate  21  to cover the first stimulating circuits  22  and the second stimulating circuits  23 . The transparent glue layer  25  includes conduct particles  26  that possess high electrical conductivity in a vertical direction, but provide good electrical insulation in a horizontal direction. The transparent glue layer  25  can be made of an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). The transparent protection layer  27  is formed on the transparent glue layer  25  to protect the first stimulating circuits  22  and the second stimulating circuits  23  from damage. 
         [0047]    In the seventh embodiment of  FIG. 10 , the transparent glue layer  25  is thick enough to cover the conduct particles  26  completely. Alternately, the thickness of the transparent glue layer  25  can be smaller than the size of the conduct particles  26  as shown in  FIG. 11  to partially expose the conduct particles  26 . The preferable thickness of the transparent glue layer  25  should be more than one micrometer. The thickness of the transparent protecting layer  27  is about 0 to 1 micrometer. 
         [0048]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the control unit  30  is connected to the touch panel  10  and receives the touch signal generated by the touch panel  10 . After processing the touch signal, the control unit  30  outputs a touch-point coordinate signal to the stimulating signal generating unit  40 . The touch-point coordinates signal may comprise the coordinates information of one or more touch points. 
         [0049]    The stimulating signal generating unit  40  is connected to the control unit  30  and also connected to the sensation feedback panel  20  via the flexible circuit board  45 . The stimulating signal generating unit  40  receives the touch-point coordinates signal and accordingly outputs stimulating currents to the first stimulating circuits  22   a  and the second stimulating circuits  23   a  where the touch points are located. 
         [0050]    The stimulating signal generating unit  40  comprises a power unit  41 , an oscillating unit  42 , a regulating unit  43  and an output amplifier  44 . The power unit  41  generates operating voltages. The oscillating unit  42  receives the operating voltage and outputs a periodic signal with a constant frequency. The regulating unit  43  regulates the periodic signal to form an electrical-stimulation signal suitable for stimulating human body. The output amplifier  44  receives the electrical-stimulation signal and accordingly produces constant voltages or constant currents that are transmitted to the corresponding first stimulating circuits  22   a  and the second stimulating circuits  23   a  where the user touches. 
         [0051]    With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 10  to  12 , when a user presses the sensation feedback panel  20  to indirectly activate the touch panel  10 , the user touches the sensation feedback panel  20  and contacts at least one first stimulating circuit  22   a - 22   e  and at least one second stimulating circuit  23   a - 23   e  simultaneously. Thus, the control unit  30  outputs the touch-point coordinate signal to the stimulating signal generating unit  40 . Upon reception of the touch-point coordinate signal, the stimulating signal generating unit  40  outputs stimulating currents to the touch point where the user is pressing, thereby electrically stimulating the user&#39;s finger nerve. 
         [0052]    With reference to  FIG. 13 , when two or more fingers make contact with the sensation feedback panel  20  at the same time, the touch-point coordinate signal transmitted from the control unit  30  to the stimulating signal generating unit  40  has coordinates information of two or more touch-points. The stimulating signal generating unit  40  outputs stimulating currents to different positions on the feedback panel  20  based on the coordinates information. Therefore, the user&#39;s fingers can feel electrical stimulation at the same time. 
         [0053]    In short, the touch panel module in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages. 
         [0054]    1. The sensation feedback panel can be mounted on the touch panel easily, for example by the adhesive layer. When a user operates the touch panel module and contacts the sensation feedback panel, electrical stimulation is used as the feedback information to identify whether the user has actually touched or not. 
         [0055]    2. The electrical stimulation is limited at the local position where the user touches. For more than one touch-points, the sensation feedback panel is able to produce multiple electrical stimulations respectively. 
         [0056]    3. In comparison to the matrix configuration, the non-overlapped configuration of the stimulating circuits simplifies the manufacturing processes of the stimulation feedback panel because of the omission of the insulating layer. 
         [0057]    4. The transparent glue layer and the transparent protecting layer prevent the user from directly touching the stimulating circuits to avoid possible damage. 
         [0058]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.