Patent ID: 12236045

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are given the same and similar reference numerals, so duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted. The terms “module” and “unit” used for the elements in the following description are given or interchangeably used in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles by themselves. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when the detailed description of the relevant known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description may be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and the technical spirit disclosed herein is not limited to the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that all changes, equivalents, or substitutes thereof are included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Terms including an ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, or the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element.

In the case where an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to any other element, it should be understood that another element may be provided therebetween, as well as that the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element. In contrast, in the case where an element is “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to any other element, it should be understood that no other element is present therebetween.

A singular expression may include a plural expression unless they are definitely different in a context.

As used herein, the expression “include” or “have” are intended to specify the existence of mentioned features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, and should be construed as not precluding the possible existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

FIG.1illustrates a position detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.1, a position detection apparatus100according to this embodiment may include a display unit110and a sensor unit130.

The display unit110displays information on a screen.

For example, the display unit110may have a rectangular display area having a major axis direction extending in one axis (here, the second axis) and a minor axis direction extending in another axis direction (here, the third axis) that intersects the one axis, but this is an example and the display unit is not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the shape of the display area may be a polygon, a circle, or an ellipse, instead of a rectangle, and the major axis direction and the minor axis direction may be interchanged, or the display area may have a square shape without distinction between the major axis and the minor axis.

In addition, the display unit110may be a display screen of an audio, video, and navigation (AVN) system disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat in a vehicle. For example, the display unit110may display a multimedia playback screen, a navigation screen for providing a direction to a driver in a vehicle, a user interface for setting various vehicle functions, and the like.

In addition, the display unit110may be formed in a layered or integral structure with touch sensor, thereby implementing a touch screen. Such a touch screen may function as a user input unit providing an input interface to a user and may provide an output interface to the user.

The display unit110may be configured as at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, a 3D display, and an e-ink display, but this is only an example and the display unit110is not necessarily limited thereto.

The sensor unit130extends along one direction (here, the second-axis direction) in which the display unit110extends and is disposed side by side with the display unit110to detect an object approaching the display unit110, the position and movement thereof, and the like. The sensor unit130may be referred to as a “linear sensor” according to its shape.

The linear sensor130includes at least one light-emitting means arranged linearly and a plurality of light-receiving means arranged linearly.

In this case, if an object, for example, a finger (hereinafter, an object to be detected is assumed to be a finger for convenience of description) approaches the display unit110located above the linear sensor130, the linear sensor130may detect the finger approaching the display unit110using the principle in which light (e.g., an infrared ray) emitted from the light-emitting means is reflected by the finger and then detected by the light-receiving means. The detailed arrangement of the light-emitting means and the light-receiving means will be described later with reference toFIG.3.

The linear sensor130may be provided to be separated from and spaced apart from the display unit110, or may be disposed to be in contact with the bottom of the display unit110as shown inFIG.1, or may be configured as an embedded type so as to be hidden behind, for example, the rear surface of a cover glass member covering the screen of the display unit110.

Meanwhile, the light-emitting means may be disposed such that a sensing area (i.e., a sensing field) of the linear sensor130is formed within a predetermined area in front of the screen of the display unit110. That is, the light-emitting means may be disposed such that the light-emitting direction thereof includes at least the first-axis direction. In addition, in the case where the light emission pattern of the light-emitting means is a fan-shaped diffusion pattern, the sensing field may expand more along the third axis as it is farther from the screen of the display unit110to the front thereof. In addition, the sensing field may be divided into a plurality of zones according to the range of distance from the screen of the display unit110to the front of the screen of the display unit110, that is, along the first-axis direction, and may be divided into a plurality of regions along one extension direction (here, the second-axis direction) of the display unit110. For example, the sensing field may be divided into 2 zones along the first-axis direction and 12 regions along the second-axis direction, but this is illustrative, and the sensing field is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the size of the sensing field may be variously set according to depending on the light intensity of the light-emitting means, a radiation angle when emitting light, the light-receiving sensitivity of the light-receiving means, the arrangement pattern or number of light-emitting means and light-receiving means, and the like.

The position detection apparatus100according to the embodiment, compared to a general position detection apparatus in which a sensing field is provided perpendicular to the display screen, is able to detect a finger approaching the front of the display unit110from a relatively long distance, as well as a finger adjacent to the display unit110, because the sensing field of the linear sensor130expands more as it is farther from the screen of the display unit110to the front thereof as described above.

FIG.2illustrates an example of a sensing area of a display unit of the position detection apparatus shown inFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.2, the sensing area of the linear sensor130may include 12 regions along the second-axis direction. As described above, the number of sensing areas may vary depending on the configuration of the light-emitting means and the light-receiving means constituting the linear sensor130.

The position detection apparatus100may detect the region to which a finger approaching the display unit110belongs and provide or change a user interface (e.g., a pop-up of a detailed menu, information display, etc.) through the display unit110in response to the detected region. For example, as shown inFIG.2, the sensing area may include 12 regions, i.e., a first region to a twelfth region, from left to right along the second-axis direction. Here, the position detection apparatus100may execute (or enlarge/activate/display a pop-up) a navigation menu when a finger is located in the first to third regions, execute a media menu when the finger is located in the fourth to sixth regions, and execute a weather menu when the finger is located in the seventh to ninth regions.

In addition, the position detection apparatus100may measure the degree of proximity of a finger to the linear sensor130on the basis of the receiving-light intensity, and for example, there may be 2 zones, that is, a near zone in the case where the finger approaches within 5 cm from the linear sensor130and a far zone in the case where the finger approaches 5 cm or more and within 15 cm from the linear sensor130. In this case, the position detection apparatus100may be configured to perform different operations depending on the cases where the finger is located in the near zone and where the finger is located in the far area. For example, the position detection apparatus100may be configured to emphasize and display a selected menu on the display screen to give visual effects such as enlarging/changing color when the finger is located in the far area, and execute the selected menu when the finger is located in the near zone.

In addition, although not shown, the position detection apparatus100may change the arrangement state of the menu depending on the region where the finger is first detected. For example, if the finger is first detected in the first region, menus may be provided to be concentrated on the left side, and if the finger is first detected in the twelfth region, menus may be provided to be concentrated on the right side.

FIG.3illustrates a linear sensor module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.3, the linear sensor module130according to the present disclosure may have configuration in which sensor arrays SA including a light-emitting element131and a light-receiving element133are spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other along one direction. For example, as shown inFIG.3, the sensor array SA may have an arrangement pattern in which the light-emitting element131is disposed at the center and in which the light-receiving elements133are disposed on both sides of the light-emitting element131, respectively, but this is only an example, and the sensor array is not necessarily limited thereto.

The light-emitting element131may emit light, and the light-receiving element133may detect light that is emitted from the light-emitting element131, reflected by an object, and then incident on the light-receiving element133. To this end, the light-emitting element131may include a light-emitting diode (LED), and the light-receiving element133may include a photodiode (PD). Preferably, the light-emitting element131may be an IR LED emitting infrared rays. If the light-emitting element131is an IR LED, a visual discomfort may be prevented when the user views the display unit110when particularly considering the formation direction and shape of the sensing field.

The position detection apparatus100may continuously and simultaneously operate the light-emitting elements131provided in the respective sensor arrays SA or operate only some (e.g., one) light-emitting elements131at one moment through a time division method. In the case of using a time division method, power for sensing may be reduced, and light interference caused by simultaneous light emission of adjacent light-emitting elements131may be reduced.

Meanwhile, the number of sensor arrays SA may be the same as or different from the number of the sensing regions. For example, in the case where the sensing field is divided into 12 regions along the second-axis direction, 12 sensor arrays SA may be used such that one sensor array SA corresponds to one region. As another example, as shown inFIG.3, the light-emitting area of each sensor array SA may at least partially overlap the light-emitting area of a sensor array SA adjacent thereto so that the sensor arrays SA fewer than the regions of the sensing field may be used. In this case, the sensing area may provide regions more than the sensor arrays SA by comprehensively determining the relative intensity of the light detected by the respective light-receiving elements133of the plurality of sensor arrays SA.

FIG.4is an exploded perspective view of a position detection apparatus400according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.5illustrates an example of a cross-section taken along line A-A′ inFIG.4.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, a position detection apparatus400according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cover glass member410, a liquid crystal display430, a panel450, a proximity module470, and a rear cover490.

The cover glass member410is located at the frontmost portion of the position detection apparatus and protects the liquid crystal display430from external impact, which is made of a transparent material so as to transmit the information displayed on the liquid crystal display430therethrough.

The liquid crystal display430corresponds to one embodiment of the aforementioned display unit110and is disposed inside the cover glass member410to display information on the screen. For example, the liquid crystal display430may be a display screen of an audio, video, and navigation (AVN) system disposed between a driver's seat and a passenger seat in a vehicle. For example, the liquid crystal display430may display a navigation screen for providing direction to a driver in a vehicle. At this time, the liquid crystal display430may be a touch screen capable of detecting a contact position where a user's finger touches.

The panel450is located on the rear side of the liquid crystal display430and forms a space in which the liquid crystal display430may be tightly accommodated so as to protect the same from external impact.

In this case, the panel450may be disposed to protrude forward from the housing471so as to be flat with respect to the cover glass member410when viewed from the front of the position detection apparatus400in order to protect the proximity module470disposed under the liquid crystal display430.

The proximity module470is located between the panel450and the rear cover490, includes a housing471, a prism473, and a printed circuit board475, and corresponds to the linear sensor130described above. A sensor cover460may be disposed in front of the housing471, and the front surface of the sensor cover460may be aligned with the front surface of the cover class410so as to give a sense of unity with the cover glass member410. The sensor cover460may be configured as a light-transmitting material such as polycarbonate (PC), but this is exemplary, and the sensor cover460is not necessarily limited thereto.

The housing471provides a space in which the prism473and the printed circuit board475may be accommodated.

The prism473causes, using a light refraction phenomenon, the light emitted from the light-emitting element mounted on the printed circuit board475to be reflected by an external object and return to the light-receiving element.

The printed circuit board475has at least one light-emitting element for emitting light and at least one light-receiving element for receiving light reflected by an object, which are mounted thereon, in order to detect an object located in front of the position detection apparatus400.

The rear cover490protects the rear surface of the position detection apparatus400from external impact.

Although the cover glass member410and the sensor cover460are shown as separate objects inFIGS.4and5, the cover glass member410may extend downward to replace the sensor cover460according to another implementation.

FIG.6is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a position detection apparatus100according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, the position detection apparatus100according to the present embodiment may include a display unit110, a position detection sensor130, and a processor150.FIG.6shows primary elements related to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and the position detection apparatus100may include more elements than that.

Since the configurations and functions of the display unit110and the linear sensor130have been described above, redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted and the functions of the processor150will be described below.

In particular, the processor150may receive a light detection signal of the light-receiving element from the linear sensor130, determine in which region/area of the sensing field a finger is detected based on this, and control the display unit110on the basis of this. For example, the processor150may detect which region/area of the sensing field a finger approaching the display unit110belongs to and cause a detailed menu pops up or display information corresponding thereto.

The processor150may control overall operations of the position detection apparatus100in addition to the operation related to object detection in the sensing field described above. For example, the processor150may process signals, data, information, etc. input or output through the elements described above, or execute application programs stored in a memory (not shown), thereby providing appropriate information or functions to a user or processing the same.

In addition, the processor150may control at least some of the elements described above in order to drive application programs stored in the memory. Furthermore, the processor150may combine and operate two or more of the elements included in the position detection apparatus100in order to drive application programs.

FIG.7illustrates a position detection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.8illustrates an example of a cross-section taken along line A-A′ inFIG.7.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, a position detection apparatus700according to the embodiment may include a display unit710, a sensor unit730, a cover glass member790, and a panel795.

The display unit710displays information on a screen. In this case, the display unit710may be a display having the same structure as the display unit110in the embodiment shown inFIG.1.

The sensor unit730extends along one direction in which the display unit710extends (here, the second-axis direction) and is disposed side by side with the display unit710to detect an object approaching the display unit710, the position and movement thereof, and the like.

The sensor unit730includes an element731, a housing771, a lens or lenses773, a printed circuit board775, and an adhesive780.

The element731may be one of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and may be, for example, one of either a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element constituting an arrangement pattern in which the light-emitting element is disposed in the center and in which the light-receiving elements are disposed on both sides of the light-emitting element as the sensor array SA shown inFIG.3.

The housing771provides a storage space at which the lens773and the printed circuit board775are disposed.

The lens773causes, using refraction of light, the light emitted from the light-emitting element mounted on the printed circuit board775to be reflected by an external object and return to the light-receiving element.

In this case, as many lenses773as the number of elements731may be disposed on a movement path of a reference light emitted from the element731or a reflection light incident on the element731.

The printed circuit board775has at least one element731mounted thereon to detect an object located in front of the position detection apparatus700.

The adhesive780provides adhesion between and conjoins the cover glass member790and the sensor unit730.

In this case, the adhesive780may be provided to cover all or some of the spaces between the respective lenses773.

In addition, the adhesive780may be provided to cover a portion of the panel795exposed below the lens773.

Referring toFIG.7, if the vertical length of the lens773is X mm, the adhesive780may be provided to the remaining area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X+Y mm greater than the lens773, excluding the area of the lens773. For example, the vertical length of the lens773may be 5 mm, and the vertical length of the adhesive780may be 7 mm, which is greater than 5 mm.

In this case, the adhesive780may be made of various materials providing adhesion, and for example, the adhesive780may be a double-sided tape.

Meanwhile, the adhesive780may be a double-sided tape made of a transparent material through which light may pass, and in this case, the adhesive780may be provided to the entire area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X+Y mm.

The cover glass member790is formed to cover the front of the display unit710and the sensor unit730, thereby protecting the display unit710and the sensor unit730from external impact.

In this case, the cover glass member790may extend downward from the display unit710to cover the entirety of the lens773and the adhesive780.

For example, the cover glass member790may extend to cover the entire area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X+Y mm.

In this case, the cover glass member790may be made of a transparent material to transmit light emitted from or incident on the element731.

The panel795forms a space in which the display unit710and the sensor unit730may be tightly accommodated so as to receive the sensor unit730and protect the same from external impact.

In this case, the panel795may be disposed to protrude forward from the housing771so as to look flat with the cover glass member790when viewed from the front of the position detection apparatus700in order to protect the sensor unit730.

In this case, the cover glass member790may extend to the bottom of the lens773to cover a portion of the panel795, and a step may be formed on the panel795such that the extending surface of the cover glass member790engages with the panel795.

In this case, the adhesive780may be disposed on a contact surface between the cover glass member790and the panel795to provide a contact force between the cover glass member790and the panel795.

FIG.9illustrates a position detection apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG.10illustrates another example of a cross-section taken along line A-A′ inFIG.9.

Referring toFIGS.9and10, a position detection apparatus900according to the embodiment may include a display unit910, a sensor unit930, a cover glass member990, and a panel995.

The display unit910displays information on a screen. In this case, the display unit910may be a display having the same structure as the display unit110in the embodiment shown inFIG.1.

The sensor unit930extends along one direction in which the display unit910extends (here, the second-axis direction) and is disposed side by side with the display unit910to detect an object approaching the display unit910, the position and movement thereof, and the like.

The sensor unit930includes an element931, a housing971, a lens973, a printed circuit board975, and an adhesive980.

The element931may be one of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element, and may be, for example, one of either a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element constituting an arrangement pattern in which the light-emitting element is disposed in the center and in which the light-receiving elements are disposed on both sides of the light-emitting element as the sensor array SA shown inFIG.3.

The housing971provides a space in which the lens973and the printed circuit board975are able to be accommodated.

The lens973causes, using refraction of light, the light emitted from the light-emitting element mounted on the printed circuit board975to be reflected by an external object and return to the light-receiving element.

In this case, as many lenses973as the number of elements931may be disposed on a movement path of light emitted from the element931or incident on the element931.

The printed circuit board975has at least one element931mounted thereon to detect an object located in front of the position detection apparatus900.

The adhesive980provides adhesion between the cover glass member990and the sensor unit930.

In this case, unlike the embodiment inFIGS.7and8, the adhesive980may be provided to cover only some or all of the spaces between the respective lenses973.

Referring toFIG.9, if the vertical length of the lens973is X mm, the adhesive980may be provided to the remaining area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X mm, excluding the area of the lens973. For example, the vertical lengths of both the lens973and the adhesive980may be 5 mm.

In this case, the adhesive980may be made of various materials providing adhesion, and for example, the adhesive980may be a double-sided tape.

Meanwhile, the adhesive980may be a double-sided tape made of a transparent material through which light may pass, and in this case, the adhesive980may be provided to the entire area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X mm.

The cover glass member990is formed to cover the front of the display unit910and the sensor unit930, thereby protecting the display unit910and the sensor unit930from external impact.

In this case, the cover glass member990may extend downward from the display unit910to cover the entirety of the lens973and the adhesive980.

In this case, the cover glass member990may extend to cover the entire area of a rectangle having a vertical length of X mm.

In this case, the cover glass member990may be made of a transparent material to transmit light emitted from or incident on the element931.

The panel995forms a space in which the display unit910and the sensor unit930may be tightly accommodated so as to receive the sensor unit930and protect the same from external impact.

In this case, the panel995may be disposed to protrude forward from the housing971so as to look flat with the cover glass member990when viewed from the front of the position detection apparatus900in order to protect the sensor unit930.

According to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above, even if the display cover glass member is configured to extend downward to cover an optical sensor, it is possible to protect the sensor at the bottom of the display while minimizing an increase in the size of the cover glass member.

In addition, it is possible to secure the rigidity of a proximity sensor module by replacing an assembly screw with a double-sided tape.

In addition, it is possible to provide a sense of unity with an upper display screen in appearance.

In addition, it is possible to secure luxurious design.