Touch-sensing device with a touch hold function and a corresponding method
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a touch-sensing device comprising an interaction surface with a touch location system for determining a touch position based on an acoustic signal. Gaskets, forming a means for acoustically isolating the interaction surface from the underground on which it is placed, are provided with an upper electrode and a lower electrode. The gaskets are elastically compressible and have dielectric properties, so that the two electrodes and the gasket form a capacitor with a capacitance that varies with the force applied to the interaction surface. In addition to the touch position determined by the acoustic signal, the touch-sensing device detects a touch duration based on capacitance variations, so that touch events can be classified according to their duration. The invention also relates to the corresponding method.
1. A touch sensing device with a touch hold function, comprising:
an interaction surface, in particular a touch panel, with a touch location system for determining a touch position based on an acoustic signal,
an acoustic isolating means being elastically compressive and dielectric provided on one surface of the interaction surface;
a first conductive electrode provided between the interaction surface and the isolating means;
a second conductive electrode, the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode sandwiching the isolating means;
a means for determining the capacitance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode; and
a capacitance processing means configured to
determine a touch hold and/or touch release based on a change of capacitance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode,
determine a hold action upon the detection of a touch by the touch location system,
provide information regarding a hold position on the basis of a plurality of measured capacitances, and
and carry out a comparison of the touch position determined by the touch location system and the hold position.
2. A touch sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitance processing means is configured to determine the touch hold and/or touch release based on a change of capacitance being larger than a predetermined threshold.
3. A touch sensing device according to claim 2 ,
wherein the isolating means comprises a plurality of isolating means, in particular placed along more than one edge of the touch panel,
each of the plurality of isolating means being sandwiched between a first conductive electrode and a second conductive electrode, and
a means for measuring the capacitance of each pair of first conductive electrode and second conductive electrode.
4. A touch sensing device according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of measured capacitances comprises measured capacitances of each pair of first and second conductive electrodes.
5. A touch sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the touch location system for determining a touch position comprises at least two transducers for acoustic waves.
6. A touch sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the first conductive electrode is a wire, in particular a steel wire, or a tape, in particular a copper plate.
7. A touch sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the second conductive electrode is a metallic plate, in particular a copper tape.
8. A touch sensing device according to claim 1 , wherein the capacitance processing means is furthermore configured to carry out an auto-adaptation based on a change of a baseline of the measured capacitance.
9. A touch screen system with a hold and/or release function, comprising:
a touch sensing device according to claim 1 and a screen with a metallic frame, wherein the metallic frame corresponds to the second electrode.
10. A method for determining a touch position and a touch hold and/or touch release action on a touch sensing device according to claim 1 , comprising:
determining a touch, in particular the location of the touch, based on an acoustic signal provided by an impact on the interaction surface;
monitoring the capacitance between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode, in particular after detecting the touch;
deciding whether a touch-hold action or a touch-release action is detected on the basis of the monitored capacitance,
wherein a touch release action is established when a change in capacitance is larger than a predetermined threshold value.
11. The method according to claim 10 ,
wherein a touch hold action is established if a change in capacitance is within a predetermined range over a predetermined time duration after detecting the touch.