Patent Description:
A robot is an electronic device capable of making a determination and moving autonomously, and may play an important role as a tool for performing various tasks on behalf of humans. For example, robots may be used to automate many types of tasks, including, for example, logistics, assembly, welding, and painting in manufacturing production lines, whereby the robots are capable of contributing to improving productivity and protecting humans from working under inhumane conditions, and are capable of performing various tasks on behalf of humans even in an extreme environment. In addition, since robots are capable of behaving similar to humans and interacting with users, robots are able to induce significant interest therein and engage users, especially children. Thus, it is possible to provide education or play more easily using robots.

Such robots may recognize (or sense) a user's touch input (a simple touch or complex touch gesture) as part of a user interface, and may provide various functions in response to the recognized touch input. In order to recognize the user's touch input, a robot may include a touch sensor. For example, at least one touch sensor may be disposed along the inner wall surface of a housing forming the exterior of a robot.

<CIT> discloses a curved touch device which can have a spherical shape.

<CIT> discloses, per its abstract, a sensor device including a capacitive element and an input operation unit. The capacitive element has a first surface and is configured to change a capacitance thereof by an approach of an operating element to the first surface. The input operation unit is arranged on the first surface. The input operation unit has a second surface on which an operation of the operating element is received and is configured to allow the operating element brought into contact with the second surface to move toward the first surface.

<CIT>, discloses, per its abstract, a touch location determination approach involving a plurality of touch location techniques are described. Each touch location technique is capable of independently determining a location of a touch within a touch area of the touch sensitive device. The touch location determination made by at least one touch location technique is enhanced using touch location information associated with the touch acquired from one or more other touch location techniques. One touch location technique may use a different type of sensor, signal, and/or algorithm from the one or more other touch location techniques.

In the conventional touch recognition method using a touch sensor, a touch input is sensed only in an area where a touch sensor is disposed. Therefore, it is necessary to mount touch sensors on the entire surface of the robot in order to recognize touch. Otherwise, it is inevitable to abandon touch recognition in some surface areas. In addition, when a user's touch input is a continuous touch input with a plurality of direction changes, there is a problem in that the touch is not recognized, or is misrecognized as a simple touch. In addition, when the area in which a touch sensor is to be mounted is a curved surface rather than a flat surface, it is difficult to mount the touch sensor, and even when the touch sensor is mounted, it is difficult to realize consistent touch sensitivity throughout the mounted surface area. Thus, there is a problem in that the accuracy of touch recognition is poor.

An electronic device including the features specified in the appended independent apparatus claim is provided.

Preferred embodiments of the electronic device in accordance with the present invention are subject of the appended dependent apparatus claims.

A touch input processing method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps specified in the appended independent method claim.

Preferred embodiments of the method according to the present invention are subject of the appended dependent method claims.

In addition, various effects may be provided that may be directly or indirectly understood through this document.

In connection with the description of the drawings, the same or similar components may be denoted by the same or similar reference numerals.

Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, the components illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated or reduced in size, and the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the illustrated examples.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a view illustrating a sensor module disposed inside an electronic device according to an embodiment, <FIG> is a plan view illustrating the sensor module of <FIG>, <FIG> is a rear view illustrating the sensor module of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a side view illustrating the sensor module of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may include a housing <NUM> forming an exterior, a display <NUM> exposed to the outside through at least one face of the housing <NUM>, sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> disposed on inner faces of the housing <NUM>, and a main board disposed inside the housing <NUM>. However, the configuration of the electronic device <NUM> is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the electronic device <NUM> may further include one or more other components in addition to the above-mentioned components. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may further include a communication circuit for communication with an external device.

The housing <NUM> may include a first face <NUM> and a second face <NUM> surrounding the periphery of the first face <NUM> and extending from the periphery of the first face <NUM> to a point spaced apart from the first face <NUM> by a predetermined distance. The second face <NUM> may include a curved face in at least a partial area thereof. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, at least a partial area of the housing <NUM> may have a shape protruding in a rounded form. However, the shape of the housing <NUM> is not limited thereto. According to various embodiments, the housing <NUM> may include a front face, a rear face, and a side face surrounding the front and rear faces. Here, the front face may be the first face <NUM>, and the rear face and the side face may constitute the second face <NUM>.

Since the second face <NUM> surrounds the periphery of the first face <NUM>, a space may be formed between the first face <NUM> and the second face <NUM>. In addition, various electronic components for operating the electronic device <NUM> may be disposed in the space. For example, the display <NUM>, the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the main board may be disposed in the space.

According to an embodiment, at least one face of the housing <NUM> may include a transparent material. For example, at least a partial area of the first face <NUM> may be formed of a transparent material (e.g., glass). According to an embodiment, the housing <NUM> may be formed of various materials such as silicon, rubber, or plastic (e.g., polycarbonate (PC)).

The display <NUM> (e.g., the display device <NUM>) may be visible to the outside through the first face <NUM>. For example, a screen output through the display <NUM> may be displayed to the outside through the transparent area of the first face <NUM>.

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (e.g., the sensor module <NUM>) may sense a user input for interacting with a user. For example, the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a touch sensor that receives a user's touch input. As another example, the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a microphone that receives a user's voice input. In some embodiments, the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, a hall sensor, or the like.

The sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a plurality of sensing units. For example, the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a first sensing unit <NUM> connected to the main board and at least one other sensing unit (e.g., a second sensing unit <NUM>, a third sensing unit <NUM>, or a fourth sensing unit <NUM>) connected to the first sensing unit <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the state in which the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> include a first sensing unit <NUM> connected to the main board, a second sensing unit <NUM> connected to the left side of the first sensing unit <NUM>, a third sensing unit <NUM> connected to the right side of the first sensing unit <NUM>, and a fourth sensing unit <NUM> connected to the upper side of the first sensing unit <NUM>. However, the number and manner of connection of sensing units included in the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are not limited thereto. <FIG> illustrated that when it is assumed that the electronic device <NUM> is configured in a robot head shape, the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, the third sensing unit <NUM>, and the fourth sensing unit <NUM> are respectively disposed in the upper portion, the left portion, the right portion, and the rear portion of the robot head.

Each of the plurality of sensing units may be disposed on (or attached to) the inner face of the housing, which is configured such that the distance from the inner face of the housing <NUM> is maintained to be substantially constant within a predetermined range of error in order to easily recognize a user's touch. To this end, each of the sensing units may have a structure having a central portion and angular peripheral portions arranged around the central portion. Each of the center portion and peripheral portions may include a touch sensor. According to an embodiment, at least one of the central portion and peripheral portions may include a flexible printed circuit board, which forms a seating face of the touch sensor and is bent along the shape of the inner face of the housing <NUM> on which the seating face is to be disposed (or attached). Accordingly, the sensing units may be disposed on the inner face of the housing <NUM> along the inner face of the housing <NUM>.

The sensing units may have various shapes. For example, like the first sensing unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the central portion may have a polygonal shape (e.g., a hexagonal shape), and each of the peripheral portions, connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, may have a polygonal shape (e.g., a hexagonal shape). In this case, each of the peripheral portions may share one side of the central portion. As another example, like the fourth sensing unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> or the third sensing unit <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the central portion may have a circular shape, and each of the peripheral portions, connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, may have a polygonal shape (e.g., a trapezoidal shape).

Hereinafter, each sensing unit will be described in detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first sensing unit <NUM> may include a central portion <NUM>, as well as a first peripheral portion <NUM>, a second peripheral portion <NUM>, a third peripheral portion <NUM>, a fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, a fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, and a sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, which are connected to a partial area of the central portion <NUM> and arranged around the central portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the state in which the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> are sequentially arranged around the central portion <NUM> in a clockwise direction, starting below the central portion <NUM>. However, the number of peripheral portions arranged around the central portion <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Each of the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the central portion <NUM>, and each of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> may include a touch sensor. According to an embodiment, each of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> may form one touch channel that senses a touch input.

According to an embodiment, one of the peripheral portions may be electrically connected to the main board. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first peripheral portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the main board via a first connector <NUM>. In some embodiments, the main board may be directly electrically connected to the central portion <NUM> via the first connector <NUM>.

According to an embodiment, the first sensing unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to another sensing unit through at least one connector. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first sensing unit <NUM> may be electrically connected to the second sensing unit <NUM> via a second connector <NUM>, may be electrically connected to the third sensing unit <NUM> via a third connector <NUM>, and may be electrically connected to the fourth sensing unit <NUM> via a fourth connector <NUM>. Each of the second connector <NUM>, the third connector <NUM>, and the fourth connector <NUM> may be connected to a central portion or a peripheral portion other than the central portion <NUM> or a peripheral portion of the first sensing unit <NUM> (e.g., the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, or the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>).

The first sensing unit <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the central portion <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> disposed on the periphery thereof so as to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. The microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may sense a sound input. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain a user's voice input through the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may receive sound according to the user's touch input through the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the electronic device <NUM> may analyze the sound input received through the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and may determine the direction of a touch input. For example, when sound according to the user's touch input is received through the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may detect a DoA (Direction of Arrival) so as to determine the direction of the touch input. In this case, the electronic device <NUM> may adjust the sensitivity of the touch sensor based on the direction of the touch input. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may increase the sensitivity of the touch sensor included in the sensing unit in which the touch input is expected or in a portion (at least one of the central portion or the peripheral portions) of the sensing unit based on the direction of the touch input, thereby improving a touch recognition rate.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fourth sensing unit <NUM> may include a central portion <NUM>, as well as a first peripheral portion <NUM>, a second peripheral portion <NUM>, a third peripheral portion <NUM>, a fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, a fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, a sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and a seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, which are connected to a partial area of the central portion <NUM> and arranged around the central portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the state in which the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> are sequentially arranged around the central portion <NUM> in a clockwise direction, starting above the central portion <NUM>. However, the number of peripheral portions arranged around the central portion <NUM> is not limited thereto.

Each of the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> may be electrically connected to the central portion <NUM>, and each of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> may include a touch sensor. According to an embodiment, each of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> may form one touch channel that senses a touch input.

The fourth sensing unit <NUM> may include at least one microphone <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> may detect a sound input. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain a user's voice input through the microphone <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may determine the direction of the user's touch input using the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the first sensing unit <NUM> together with the microphone <NUM> included in the fourth sensing unit <NUM>, and may adjust the sensitivity of the touch sensor based on the determined direction.

The fourth sensing unit <NUM> may include at least one illuminance sensor <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain an illuminance value through the illuminance sensor <NUM>, may calculate an amount of change in the illuminance value using a plurality of illuminance values obtained at different times, and may determine the direction of the user's touch input based on the amount of change in the illuminance value. For example, when the user moves a hand closer to the fourth sensing unit <NUM> in order to make a touch, the illuminance value obtained through the illuminance sensor <NUM> is changed, and, based thereon, the direction in which the user intends to make a touch may be determined. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may adjust the sensitivity of the touch sensor based on the direction of the touch input. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may increase the sensitivity of the touch sensor included in the sensing unit in which the user intends to make a touch or in a portion (at least one of the central portion or the peripheral portions) of the sensing unit, thereby improving a touch recognition rate.

According to an embodiment, the fourth sensing unit <NUM> may include a power switch <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. When the power switch <NUM> is in the ON state, power may be supplied to the electronic device <NUM>, and when the power switch <NUM> is in the OFF state, the power supplied to the electronic device <NUM> may be cut off.

According to an embodiment, when it is determined that the user's hand approaches the power switch <NUM> through a microphone (e.g., the microphone <NUM> or at least one of the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>) or an illuminance sensor <NUM>, the electronic device <NUM> may move so as to allow the user to more easily operate the power switch <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) may include a central portion <NUM>, as well as a first peripheral portion <NUM>, a second peripheral portion <NUM>, a third peripheral portion <NUM>, a fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, a fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, a sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and a seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, which are connected to a partial area of the central portion <NUM> and arranged around the central portion <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the state in which the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> are sequentially arranged around the central portion <NUM> in a clockwise direction, starting above the central portion <NUM>. However, the number of peripheral portions arranged around the central portion <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) may include at least one microphone <NUM>. The microphone <NUM> may detect a sound input. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain a user's voice input through the microphone <NUM>. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may determine the direction of the user's touch input using the microphones <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in the first sensing unit <NUM> together with the microphone <NUM> included in the third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>), and may adjust the sensitivity of the touch sensor based on the determined direction.

The third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) may include at least one illuminance sensor <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may obtain an illuminance value through the illuminance sensor <NUM>, may calculate an amount of change in the illuminance value using a plurality of illuminance values obtained at different times, and may determine the direction of the user's touch input based on the amount of change in the illuminance value. For example, when the user moves a hand closer to the third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) in order to make a touch, the illuminance value obtained through the illuminance sensor <NUM> is changed, and, based thereon, the direction in which the user intends to make a touch may be determined. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may adjust the sensitivity of the touch sensor based on the direction of the touch input. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may increase the sensitivity of the touch sensor included in the sensing unit in which the user intends to make a touch or in a portion (at least one of the central portion or the peripheral portions) of the sensing unit, thereby improving a touch recognition rate.

According to an embodiment, the third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) may include a hall sensor <NUM>. The hall sensor <NUM> may sense magnetism. The electronic device <NUM> may determine the approach of an external magnetic body through the hall sensor <NUM>. For example, the electronic device <NUM> may determine whether a magnetic accessory is attached to an area of the housing <NUM> in which the third sensing unit <NUM> (or the second sensing unit <NUM>) is disposed, through the hall sensor <NUM>. When such an accessory is attached, the electronic device <NUM> may adjust the intensity of a motion such that the accessory is not removed from the housing <NUM>.

The main board may include various electronic components for operating the electronic device <NUM>. For example, a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>), memory (e.g., the memory <NUM>), a communication circuit (e.g., the communication module <NUM>), an input/output circuit (e.g., the input device <NUM>), a sound output device <NUM>, an audio module <NUM>, or an interface <NUM> may be mounted on the main board.

The above-described electronic device <NUM> may be an intelligent robot that is capable of making determinations and moving autonomously and that provides services while intelligently communicating with a user through various means. However, the type of the electronic device <NUM> is not limited thereto. The electronic device <NUM> may be any type of device having a surface on which the sensor modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are capable of being disposed.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing touch input sensing in a single sensing unit included in a sensor module according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a sensing unit <NUM> (e.g., the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, the third sensing unit <NUM>, or the fourth sensing unit <NUM>) included in the electronic device <NUM> may include a central portion <NUM> and a plurality of peripheral portions connected to a partial area of the central portion <NUM> and arranged around the central portion <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the peripheral portions may include a first peripheral portion <NUM>, a second peripheral portion <NUM>, a third peripheral portion <NUM>, a fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, a fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, a sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and a seventh peripheral portion <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> and the peripheral portions may be electrically connected to each other.

Each of the central portion and the peripheral portions may include a touch sensor. For example, each of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> may form one touch channel that senses a touch input.

The central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> may transmit the sensed touch input to the processor, and the processor may determine a touch trajectory by identifying a touch-sensing order and the mounting positions of the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>. According to an embodiment, the processor may set a plurality of vectors based on the touch order of the touch channels and the positions of the touch panels (e.g., the central portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, or the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>), and may determine a touch trajectory in the manner of connecting the vectors. For example, when a touch input is continuously made through a plurality of touch channels, the processor may set a first vector, of which the start point is the position of a first touch channel where the touch is sensed at the first order among the touch channels and the end point is the position of a second touch channel where the touch is sensed at the second order among the touch channels, may set a second vector, of which the start point is the position of the second touch channel and the end point is the position of a third touch channel where the touch is sensed at the third order among the touch channels, and may determine a touch trajectory by connecting the first vector and the second vector.

As in the first state <<NUM>>, when the touch channels from the first order to the fifth order at which a touch input is sensed correspond, in order, to the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, the first peripheral portion <NUM>, and the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the touch input may be recognized as a touch <NUM> rotating in a clockwise direction when a first vector, of which the start point is the position of the fifth peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, a second vector, of which the start point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, a third vector, of which the start point is the position of the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the first peripheral portion <NUM>, and a fourth vector, of which the start point is the position of the first peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the second peripheral portion <NUM>, are connected in that order.

As in the second state <<NUM>>, when the touch channels from the first order to the third order, at which a touch input is sensed, correspond, in order, to the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, the touch input may be recognized as a touch <NUM> moving straight to the bottom end when a first vector, of which the start point is the position of the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, and a second vector, of which the start point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, are connected. In addition, when the touch channels from the first order to the third order at which a touch input is sensed correspond, in order, to the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, and the second peripheral portion <NUM>, the touch input may be recognized as a touch <NUM> moving straight to the top end when a first vector, of which the start point is the position of the fourth peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the third peripheral portion <NUM>, and a second vector, of which the start point is the position of the third peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the second peripheral portion <NUM>, are connected.

As in the third state <<NUM>>, when the touch channels from the first order to the fifth order at which a touch input is sensed correspond, in order, to the seventh peripheral portion <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, the central portion <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, and the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, the touch input may be recognized as a continuous touch <NUM> with a plurality of direction changes when a first vector, of which the start point is the position of the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, a second vector, of which the start point is the position of the sixth peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the central portion <NUM>, a third vector, of which the start point is the position of the central portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the third peripheral portion <NUM>, and a fourth vector, of which the start point is the position of the third peripheral portion <NUM> and the end point is the position of the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, are connected in that order.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing touch input sensing using a plurality of sensing units included in a sensor module according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a sensor module may include a plurality of sensing units. For example, the sensor module may include a first sensing unit <NUM>, a second sensing unit <NUM>, a third sensing unit <NUM>, a fourth sensing unit <NUM>, a fifth sensing unit <NUM>, and a sixth sensing unit <NUM>. However, the number of sensing units is not limited thereto.

The method of sensing a touch input through a plurality of sensing units described with reference to <FIG> may also be similar to the method of sensing a touch input using a single sensing unit as described with reference to <FIG>. For example, assuming that the touch channels in the single sensing unit in <FIG> are a central portion and a plurality of peripheral portions, in <FIG>, each of the sensing units may be a touch channel. In other words, the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, the third sensing unit <NUM>, the fourth sensing unit <NUM>, the fifth sensing unit <NUM>, and the sixth sensing unit <NUM> may be set as a first touch channel, a second touch channel, a third touch channel, a fourth touch channel, a fifth touch channel, and a sixth touch channel, respectively.

Accordingly, in the first state <<NUM>>, a touch input may be recognized as a touch <NUM> moving from the first touch channel to the fourth touch channel passing through the space between the second touch channel and the fifth touch channel, in the second state <<NUM>>, a touch input may be recognized as a touch <NUM> rotating in a clockwise direction from the fourth touch channel to the third touch channel via the fifth touch channel, the sixth touch channel, the first touch channel, and the second touch channel, and, in the third state <<NUM>>, a touch input may be recognized as a continuous touch <NUM> with a plurality of direction changes moving from the first touch channel to the fourth touch channel via the space between the first touch channel and the sixth touch channel, the space between the second touch channel and the fifth touch channel, and the space between the third touch channel and the fourth touch channel.

As described above, according to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may include: a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM>); a sensor module disposed on an inner face of the housing and including a plurality of sensing units (e.g., the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, the third sensing unit <NUM>, or the fourth sensing unit <NUM>); and a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) positioned within the housing and electrically connected to the sensor module. Each of the plurality of sensing units may be electrically connected to another sensing unit adjacent thereto among the plurality of sensing units, and may include a central portion (e.g., the central portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) and a plurality of peripheral portions (e.g., the first peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> or <NUM>) connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, and each of the central portion and the plurality of peripheral portions includes a touch sensor.

According to various embodiments, the housing may include a first face (e.g., the first face <NUM>) and a second face (e.g., the second face <NUM>) surrounding a periphery of the first face and extending from the periphery of the first face to a point spaced apart from the first face by a predetermined distance, a partial area of the second face may include a curved face, and at least one of the central portion or the plurality of peripheral portions includes a flexible printed circuit board, which forms a seating face of the touch sensor and is bent along the shape of the inner face of the housing on which the seating face is to be disposed.

According to various embodiments, the central portion and the plurality of peripheral portions may be disposed such that a distance from an inner face of the housing thereto is within a predetermined range.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to: sense a touch input through touch sensors included in at least two of the central portion and the plurality of peripheral portions; confirm mounting positions and a sensing order of touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed; and determine a touch trajectory of the touch input based on the mounting positions and the sensing order.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to: set at least one vector, of which a start point is a mounting position of a first touch sensor, of which the sensing order is a preceding order among the touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed and an end point is a mounting position of a second touch sensor, of which the sensing order is a subsequent order among the touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed; and determine the touch trajectory based on the direction of the at least one vector.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to: sense a touch input through at least two sensing units among the plurality of sensing units; confirm mounting positions and a sensing order of sensing units in which the touch input is sensed; and determine a touch trajectory of the touch input based on the mounting positions and the sensing order.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to: set at least one vector, of which a start point is a mounting position of a first sensing unit, of which the sensing order is a preceding order among the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed and an end point is a mounting position of a second touch sensing unit, of which the sensing order is a subsequent order among the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed; and determine the touch trajectory based on the direction of the at least one vector.

According to various embodiments, the processor may be configured to: sense a touch input through at least two sensing units among the plurality of sensing units; confirm touch sensitivities of the touch sensors included in the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed and an intensity of the touch input sensed in each of the touch sensors; determine a touch position of the touch input based on the touch sensitivities of the touch sensors and the intensity of the touch input; and adjust, when it is determined that the touch position is an area between the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed, the touch sensitivities of the touch sensors adjacent to the area.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of sensing units may include a microphone (e.g., the microphone <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>), and the processor may be configured to: sense a touch input through a first touch sensor among a plurality of touch sensors included in the plurality of sensing units; receive a sound input through the microphone; determine the direction of the touch input based on a result of analysis of the sound input; and adjust a touch sensitivity of a second touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors based on the direction of the touch input.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of sensing units may include an illuminance sensor (e.g., the illuminance sensor <NUM> or <NUM>), and the processor may be configured to: sense a touch input through a first touch sensor among a plurality of touch sensors included in the plurality of sensing units; obtain an illuminance value through the illuminance sensor; determine a direction of the touch input based on a result of analysis of the illuminance value; and adjust a touch sensitivity of a second touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors based on the direction of the touch input.

According to various embodiments, at least one of the plurality of sensing units may include a hall sensor (e.g., the hall sensor <NUM>), and the processor may be configured to: determine whether an external magnetic body is attached to the housing through the hall sensor; and adjust an intensity of a motion of the electronic device based on a determination that the external magnetic body is attached to the housing.

<FIG> illustrates a view for explaining a touch input processing method according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may sense a touch input through a plurality of touch sensors in operation <NUM>. The touch sensors may be included in a plurality of sensing units included in a sensor module of the electronic device, and each of the sensing units may include a plurality of touch sensors. For example, each sensing unit may include a central portion and a plurality of peripheral portions connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, in which the central portion and the peripheral portions may include the touch sensors, respectively.

When the touch input is sensed, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may confirm the mounting positions and sensing order of touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed. For example, depending on the sensing order, the electronic device may confirm the positions of the sensing units in which touch sensors, in which the touch input is sensed, are mounted, and/or the positions of the touch sensors in the sensing units. The positions of the sensing units may indicate the positions where the touch sensors are disposed on the inner face of the housing. The positions of the touch sensors in the sensing units indicate whether the touch sensors are disposed in the central portion of the sensing units or the touch sensors are disposed in the peripheral portion, of the sensing units, connected to the central portion in a certain direction.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine a touch trajectory based on the mounting positions and the sensing order of the touch sensors. For example, the electronic device may set vectors of a touch input based on the mounting positions and the sensing order of the touch sensors, and may determine a touch trajectory by connecting the vectors. Any of the vectors may be, for example, a vector of which the start point is the position of the touch sensor at which the touch is sensed at the first order and the end point of the position of the touch sensor at which the touch is sensed at the second order, which is the order subsequent to the first order.

When the touch trajectory is determined, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may recognize the user's gesture according to the touch trajectory. For example, the electronic device may determine whether the user simply touches or strokes the electronic device, and may determine a stroking direction, a change of direction, or the like. Accordingly, the electronic device may perform an operation according to the recognized user gesture.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing touch input sensing in an area in which a touch sensor according to an embodiment is not mounted.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may sense a touch input in an area in which a touch sensor is not mounted (an unmounted area). In the electronic device, the unmounted area may exist between the sensing units including the touch sensors. For example, an area in which the touch sensors are not mounted may exist among three sensing areas, as in the first state <<NUM>>, or between two sensing areas, as in the second state <<NUM>>.

As in the first state <<NUM>>, when a first sensing unit <NUM> is disposed on the top end of the electronic device, a second sensing unit <NUM> is disposed on the left side of the electronic device, and a third sensing unit <NUM> is disposed on the rear side of the electronic device, a first area <NUM> in which no sensing unit is mounted may exist among the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, and the third sensing unit <NUM>. In this case, in order to recognize a touch in the first area <NUM>, the electronic device may increase the sensitivities of a peripheral portion <NUM> of the first sensing unit <NUM>, a peripheral portion <NUM> of the second sensing unit <NUM>, and a peripheral portion <NUM> of the third sensing unit <NUM>, which are adjacent to the first area <NUM>. Thereafter, when a touch input occurs in the first area <NUM>, the electronic device may sense the touch input in the first area <NUM> using sensing values (e.g., capacitance values) measured in the peripheral portion <NUM> of the first sensing unit <NUM>, the peripheral portion <NUM> of the second sensing unit <NUM>, and the peripheral portion <NUM> of the third sensing unit <NUM>.

As another example, as in the second state <<NUM>>, when the first sensing unit <NUM> is disposed on the top end of the electronic device and a fourth sensing unit <NUM> is disposed on the right side of the electronic device, a second area <NUM> in which no sensing unit is mounted may exist between the first sensing unit <NUM> and the fourth sensing unit <NUM>. In this case, in order to recognize a touch in the second area <NUM>, the electronic device may increase the sensitivities of a peripheral portion <NUM> of the first sensing unit <NUM> and a peripheral portion <NUM> of the fourth sensing unit <NUM>, which are adjacent to the second area <NUM>. Thereafter, when a touch input occurs in the second area <NUM>, the electronic device may sense the touch input in the second area <NUM> using sensing values (e.g., capacitance values) measured in the peripheral portion <NUM> of the first sensing unit <NUM> and the peripheral portion <NUM> of the fourth sensing unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a touch input processing method in an area in which a touch sensor according to an embodiment is not mounted.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may sense a touch input through a plurality of touch sensors. The touch sensors may be included in a plurality of sensing units included in a sensor module of the electronic device, and each of the sensing units may include a plurality of touch sensors. For example, each sensing unit may include a central portion and a plurality of peripheral portions connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, in which the central portion and the peripheral portions may include the touch sensors, respectively.

When the touch input is sensed, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may confirm the touch sensitivities of the touch sensors and the intensity of the touch input sensed by each of the touch sensors. In addition, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine a touch position based on the touch sensitivities and the intensity of the touch input. For example, when the intensity of a touch input is equal to or greater than a threshold determined according to the touch sensitivities, the electronic device may determine that the touch input is made in an area where a touch sensor is mounted. As another example, when the intensity of a touch input is less than the threshold, the electronic device may determine that no touch input is made or may determine that the touch input is made in an area where no touch sensor is mounted (unmounted area). For example, when the intensity of a touch input is less than the threshold but is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the electronic device may determine that the touch is input in the unmounted area. When the intensity of the touch input is less than the predetermined value, it may be determined that no touch input is made. In addition, the electronic device may more accurately determine a touch position in the unmounted area using a plurality of touch sensors adjacent to the unmounted area.

According to an embodiment, in order to more accurately sense a touch in the unmounted area, the electronic device may increase the sensitivities of the touch sensors adjacent to the unmounted area so that the intensity of the touch input in the unmounted area is increased to be higher than or equal to a predetermined level.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a touch input processing method for improving touch recognition using a microphone according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may sense a touch input through a first touch sensor. The first touch sensor and a second touch sensor to be described below may be included in a plurality of sensing units included in a sensor module of the electronic device, and each of the sensing units may include a plurality of touch sensors. For example, each sensing unit may include a central portion and a plurality of peripheral portions connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion, in which the central portion and the peripheral portions may include the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may sense a sound input through a microphone. For example, the electronic device may receive sound generated due to the touch input through the microphone. Thereafter, the electronic device may analyze the sound input. For example, the electronic device may detect a DoA of the sound.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine the direction of the touch input based on the result of analysis of the sound input. For example, the electronic device may determine the direction of the touch input using the DoA of the sound. In addition, the electronic device may estimate (or determine) the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch based on the direction of the touch input.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may adjust the touch sensitivity of the second touch sensor based on the direction of the touch input. The second touch sensor may be a touch sensor located in the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch based on the direction of the touch input. When the sensitivity of the second touch sensor located in the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch is increased, the touch recognition rate may be improved.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a touch input processing method for improving touch recognition using an illuminance sensor according to an embodiment.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may sense an illuminance value through an illuminance sensor. For example, the electronic device may obtain a changed illuminance value according to the touch input. In addition, the electronic device may analyze the obtained illuminance value. For example, the electronic device may detect an amount of change in the illuminance value. In this case, the electronic device may use a predetermined reference illuminance value from the illuminance sensor or a plurality of illuminance values obtained at different times.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may determine the direction of the touch input based on the result of analysis of the illuminance value. For example, when the user moves a hand toward the first touch sensor to perform a touch or moves the hand away from the first touch sensor toward the second touch sensor, the illuminance value obtained through the illuminance sensor disposed at a position adjacent to the first touch sensor or the second touch sensor is changed, and, based thereon, it is possible to estimate (or determine) the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device may adjust the touch sensitivity of the second touch sensor based on the direction of the touch input. The second touch sensor may be a touch sensor located in the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch based on the direction of the touch input. When the sensitivity of the second touch sensor in the direction in which the user intends to perform a touch is increased, the touch recognition rate may be improved. According to various embodiments, optical sensors other than the illuminance sensor may be used.

As described above, according to various embodiments, a touch-input-processing method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may include: an operation of sensing a touch input through a sensor module disposed on an inner face of a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM>) of the electronic device and including a plurality of sensing units (e.g., the first sensing unit <NUM>, the second sensing unit <NUM>, the third sensing unit <NUM>, or the fourth sensing unit <NUM>), each of the plurality of sensing units including a plurality of touch sensors; an operation of confirming mounting positions and a sensing order of touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed, among the plurality of touch sensors, through a processor (e.g., the processor <NUM>) disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the sensor module; and an operation of determining a touch trajectory of the touch input based on the mounting positions and the sensing order through the processor. Each of the plurality of sensing units may be electrically connected to another sensing unit adjacent thereto among the plurality of sensing units, and may include a central portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) and a plurality of peripheral portions (e.g., the first peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the second peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the third peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the fourth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the fifth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, the sixth peripheral portion <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or the seventh peripheral portion <NUM> or <NUM>) connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion. Each of the central portion and the plurality of peripheral portions may include a touch sensor.

According to various embodiments, the operation of sensing the touch input may include: an operation of sensing the touch input through touch sensors included in at least two of the central portion and the plurality of peripheral portions.

According to various embodiments, the operation of determining the touch trajectory may include: an operation of setting at least one vector, of which a start point is a mounting position of a first touch sensor, of which the sensing order is a preceding order among the touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed and an end point is a mounting position of a second touch sensor, of which the sensing order is a subsequent order among the touch sensors in which the touch input is sensed; and an operation of determining the touch trajectory based on the direction of the at least one vector.

According to various embodiments, the operation of sensing the touch input may include: an operation of sensing the touch input through at least two sensing units among the plurality of sensing units, and the operation of confirming the mounting positions and the sensing order of the touch sensors may include an operation of confirming the mounting positions and the sensing order of the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed.

According to various embodiments, the operation of determining the touch trajectory may include: an operation of setting at least one vector, of which a start point is a mounting position of a first sensing unit, of which the sensing order is a preceding order among the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed and an end point is a mounting position of a second sensing unit, of which the sensing order is a subsequent order among the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed; and an operation of determining the touch trajectory based on a direction of the at least one vector.

According to various embodiments, the operation of sensing the touch input may include: an operation of sensing the touch input through at least two sensing units among the plurality of sensing units. The touch input processing method may further include: an operation of confirming touch sensitivities of the touch sensors included in the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed, and an intensity of the touch input sensed in each of the touch sensors; an operation of determining a touch position of the touch input based on the touch sensitivities of the touch sensors and the intensity of the touch input; and an operation of adjusting, when it is determined that the touch position is an area between the sensing units in which the touch input is sensed, the touch sensitivities of the touch sensors adjacent to the area.

According to various embodiments, the operation of sensing the touch input may include: an operation of sensing the touch input through a first touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors included in the plurality of sensing units. The touch input processing method may further include: an operation of receiving a sound input through the microphone (e.g., the microphone <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) included in at least one of the plurality of sensing units; an operation of determining a direction of the touch input based on a result of analysis of the sound input; and an operation of adjusting a touch sensitivity of a second touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors based on the direction of the touch input.

According to various embodiments, the operation of sensing the touch input may include an operation of sensing the touch input through a first touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors included in the plurality of sensing units. The touch input processing method may further include: an operation of obtaining an illuminance value through an illuminance sensor (e.g., the illuminance sensor <NUM> or <NUM>) included in at least one of the plurality of sensing units; an operation of determining a direction of the touch input based on a result of analysis of the illuminance value; and an operation of adjusting a touch sensitivity of a second touch sensor among the plurality of touch sensors based on the direction of the touch input.

According to various embodiments, the touch input processing method may further include: an operation of determining whether an external magnetic body is attached to the housing through a hall sensor (e.g., the hall sensor <NUM>) included in at least one of the plurality of sensing units; and an operation of adjusting an intensity of a motion of the electronic device based on a determination that the external magnetic body is attached to the housing.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device having a head and a body according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>) may include a head <NUM> and a body <NUM>. The shape of the head <NUM> may be similar to the shape of the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>. The body <NUM> may include a top face on which the head <NUM> is seated and fixed, a bottom face, which is in contact with the ground such that the body <NUM> is stably placed on the ground, and a side face surrounding the space between the top face and the bottom face. The side face may include a curved face in at least a partial area thereof.

The sensor module may be disposed inside the side face. The sensor module disposed in the body <NUM> may have a shape, which is the same as or similar to that of the sensor module described with reference to <FIG>. In addition, the sensor module disposed in the body <NUM> may perform a function, which is the same as or similar to that of the sensor module described with reference to <FIG>. For example, the sensor module may include a plurality of sensing units (e.g., a first sensing unit <NUM>, a second sensing unit <NUM>, or a third sensing unit <NUM>), and each sensing unit may include a touch sensor configured to receive a user's touch input. In addition, the sensing unit may further include at least one of a microphone that receives a sound input, an optical sensor, an illuminance sensor, or a hall sensor.

<FIG> illustrates a view for describing a method of executing an expansion function using a hall sensor according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device <NUM> (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> or the electronic device <NUM>) may further include a hall sensor <NUM>. The hall sensor <NUM> may be included in at least one sensing unit <NUM> included in the sensor module of the electronic device.

The hall sensor <NUM> may sense magnetism. The electronic device may determine the approach of an external magnetic body through the hall sensor <NUM>. For example, the electronic device may determine whether a magnetic accessory <NUM> is attached to the housing of the electronic device through the hall sensor <NUM>. When it is determined that the magnetic accessory <NUM> is attached, the electronic device may adjust the intensity of the motion of the electronic device. For example, the electronic device may move slowly by lowering the intensity of the motion such that the magnetic accessory <NUM> is not removed from the housing.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>);
a sensor module (<NUM>) disposed on a curved inner surface of the housing (<NUM>), the sensor module (<NUM>) including a plurality of sensing units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>) positioned within the housing, the processor (<NUM>) electrically connected to the sensor module (<NUM>),
wherein each of the plurality of sensing units is electrically connected to another sensing unit adjacent thereto among the plurality of sensing units (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein each of the plurality of sensing units includes a central portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a plurality of angular peripheral portions (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) at the curved inner surface of the housing (<NUM>), the plurality of angular peripheral portions connected to a partial area of the central portion and arranged around the central portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
wherein each of the central portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and the plurality of angular peripheral portions includes a touch sensor.