U.S. patent application number 14/550230 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-26 for flexible circuit board based force sensor.
The applicant listed for this patent is UNEO INC.. Invention is credited to Chia-Hung CHOU, Chih-Sheng HOU.
Application Number | 20160147318 14/550230 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55375512 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160147318 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHOU; Chia-Hung ; et
al. |
May 26, 2016 |
FLEXIBLE CIRCUIT BOARD BASED FORCE SENSOR
Abstract
A flexible circuit board based force sensor is disclosed. A
flexible circuit having a first metal pad and a second metal pad,
the flexible circuit board is folded so that the first metal pad
functioning as a top metal pad and the bottom metal pad functioning
as a bottom metal pad. A force sensing material is configured in
between the top metal pad and the bottom metal pad to form a force
sensor. An electronic drawing system adopts the flexible circuit
board based force sensor in an electronic pen for sensing pressures
applied against the pen tip of the electronic pen.
Inventors: |
CHOU; Chia-Hung; (Taipei
City, TW) ; HOU; Chih-Sheng; (Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNEO INC. |
Taipei |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
55375512 |
Appl. No.: |
14/550230 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0383 20130101;
G06F 3/03546 20130101; G06F 3/03545 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/0354 20060101
G06F003/0354 |
Claims
1. An electronic drawing system, comprising: an electronic pen
comprising: a pen tip; a tip base, configured on bottom of the pen
tip; a flexible circuit board, having a first metal pad and a
second metal pad; the flexible circuit board is bent so that the
first metal pad is configured as a top metal pad and the second
metal pad is configured as a bottom metal pad facing the top metal
pad; wherein the top metal pad is configured below the tip base; a
force sensitive material, configured between the top metal pad and
the bottom metal pad; when a force is applied against the pen tip,
the force sensitive material is compressed, a corresponding force
signal is generated; wherein the force signal is positively related
to an amount of the force applied against the pen tip; and wherein
the force sensitive material is selected from a group consisting of
piezoresistive material and piezocapacitive material.
2. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a display; a point displayed on the display
corresponding to the force applied against the pen tip; and the
size of the point is positively related to the amount of the force
applied against the pen tip.
3. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a control system; the force signal, electrically
coupled to the control system; and a coordinate panel, configured
on top of the display; electrically coupled to the control system
to detect an X-Y position where the electronic pen touches.
4. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a gap, configured between the top metal pad and the
force sensitive material.
5. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising: a gap, configured between the bottom metal pad and the
force sensitive material.
6. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
force sensitive material is separated into a top section and a
bottom section; and a gap, configured between the top section and
the bottom section.
7. An electronic drawing system, comprising: an electronic pen
comprising: a pen tip; a tip base, configured on bottom of the pen
tip; a flexible circuit board, having coplanar first metal pad and
second metal pad; a force sensitive material, configured between
the tip base and the coplanar first metal pad and second metal pad;
when a force is applied against the pen tip, the force sensitive
material is compressed, a corresponding force signal is generated;
wherein the force signal is positively related to an amount of the
force applied against the pen tip; and wherein the force sensitive
material is selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive
material and piezocapacitive material.
8. An electronic drawing system, comprising: an electronic pen
comprising: a pen tip; a tip base, configured on a bottom of the
pen tip; a conductive block, configured on a bottom of the tip
base; a flexible circuit board, having a first metal pad and a
second metal pad; the flexible circuit board is bent so that the
first metal pad is electrically coupled to the conductive block so
that the conductive block is configured as a top metal pad and the
second metal pad is configured as a bottom metal pad facing the top
metal pad; and a force sensitive material, configured between the
top metal pad and the bottom metal pad; when a force is applied
against the pen tip, a corresponding force signal is generated;
wherein the force signal is positively related to an amount of the
force applied against the pen tip; and wherein the force sensitive
material is selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive
material and piezocapacitive material.
9. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 8, further
comprising: a display; a point, corresponding to the force applied
against the pen tip, displayed on the display; and the size of the
point is positively related to the amount of the force applied
against the pen tip.
10. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 8, further
comprising: a control system; the force signal, electrically
coupled to the control system; and a coordinate panel, configured
on top of the display; electrically coupled to the control system
to detect an X-Y position where the electronic pen touches.
11. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 8, further
comprising: a gap, configured between the conductive block and the
force sensitive material.
12. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 8, further
comprising: a gap, configured between the bottom metal pad and the
force sensitive material.
13. An electronic drawing system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
force sensitive material is separated into a top section and a
bottom section; and a gap, configured between the top section and
the bottom section.
14. A flexible circuit board based force sensor, comprising: a
flexible circuit board, having a first metal pad and a second metal
pad; the flexible circuit board is bent so that the first metal pad
is configured as a top metal pad and the second metal pad is
configured as a bottom metal pad facing the top metal pad; and a
force sensitive material, configured between the top metal pad and
the bottom metal pad; when a force is applied against the force
sensor, a corresponding force signal is generated; wherein the
force signal is positively related to an amount of the force
applied against the force sensor; wherein the force sensitive
material is selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive
material and piezocapacitive material.
15. A flexible circuit board based force sensor as claimed in claim
14, further comprising: a gap, configured between the top metal pad
and the force sensitive material.
16. A flexible circuit board based force sensor as claimed in claim
14, further comprising: a gap, configured between the bottom metal
pad and the force sensitive material.
17. A flexible circuit board based force sensor as claimed in claim
14, wherein the force sensitive material is separated into a top
section and a bottom section; and a gap, configured between the top
section and the bottom section.
18. A flexible circuit board based force sensor, comprising: a
flexible circuit board, having a first metal pad and a second metal
pad configured side by side; and a force sensitive material,
configured on top of the first metal pad and the second metal pad;
when a force is applied against the force sensor, a corresponding
force signal is generated; wherein the force signal is positively
related to an amount of the force applied against the force sensor.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic drawing
system with a flexible circuit board based force sensor included in
an electronic pen for sensing pressures applied against the pen tip
of the electronic pen.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] FIGS. 1A.about.1B show a prior art.
[0005] FIG. 1A shows a traditional electronic drawing system,
including a transparent coordinate panel 11 and an underlaid
display 12. An electronic pen 10 is electrically coupled to the
coordinate panel 11 and the display 12. When the electric pen 10
draws onto a surface of the coordinate panel 11, the display 12
displays stokes the pen has drawn.
[0006] FIG. 1B shows a section view according to line AA' in FIG.
1A. FIG. 1B shows a coordinate panel 11 for detecting X-Y
coordinates of the position of a point the pen touches. A display
12 is configured on bottom of the coordinate panel 11.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a prior art electronic pen.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows a pen tip 13, optical sensor 14 for sensing
pressure applied against the pen tip 13. A printed circuit board 15
for processing the signal information and transmits to a display, a
batter 16 provides the energy for powering the pen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1A.about.1B show a prior art.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a prior art electronic pen.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a flexible circuit used in the embodiments
according to the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 4A.about.4D shows a folding example of the flexible
circuit board according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0017] FIGS. 9A.about.9B show a fifth embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a seventh embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows an eighth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 14 shows a function block according to the present
invention.
[0023] FIGS. 15A.about.15C show a stroke drawn by the pen tip of an
electronic pen according to the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 16 shows a flexible circuit board based force sensor
according to the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 17 shows a first embodiment of a flexible circuit board
based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 18 shows a second embodiment of a flexible circuit
board based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 19 shows a third embodiment of a flexible circuit board
based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 20A.about.20B show a fourth embodiment of a flexible
circuit board based force sensor according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] The present invention discloses a flexible circuit board
based force sensor and several embodiments to incorporate the
sensor in an electronic pen mechanism.
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a flexible circuit used in the embodiments
according to the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 3 shows a flexible circuit board 21 where a top metal
pad 22T and a bottom metal pad 22B are configured thereon. A first
terminal metal pad 221 is configured electrically coupled to the
bottom metal pad 22B and a second terminal metal pad 222 is
configured electrically coupled to the top metal pad 22T.
[0032] FIGS. 4A.about.4D shows a folding example of the flexible
circuit board according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 4A shows the flexible circuit board is prepared before
folding.
[0034] FIG. 4B shows a first fold is made on top portion of the
circuit board 21.
[0035] FIG. 4C shows a second fold is further made on top portion
of the circuit board 21.
[0036] FIG. 4D shows a third fold is further made on top portion of
the circuit board 21. A first fold is made on lower portion of the
circuit board 21 to leave the top metal pad 22T on top and facing
down, and leave the bottom metal pad 22B on bottom and facing up
and aligned with the top metal pad 22T.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0038] An electronic pen having a flexible circuit board based
force sensor is disclosed. The electronic pen has a pen tip 23; a
tip base 24 is configured on bottom of the pen tip 23; a flexible
circuit board 21 has a first metal pad 22T and a second metal pad
22B; the flexible circuit board 21 is bent so that the first metal
pad 22T is configured as a top metal pad 22T and the second metal
pad 22B is configured as a bottom metal pad 22B facing the top
metal pad 22T. A holding block 29 is fixed on the tube wall of the
pen. The holding block 29 is configured under the bottom metal pad
22B. The top metal pad 22T is configured below the tip base 24 so
that when a force is applied against the pen tip 23, the force
shall transmit to the tip base 24. A force sensitive material 281
is configured between the top metal pad 22T and the bottom metal
pad 22B. When a force is applied against the pen tip 23, the force
transmits to the tip base 24 and hence when the force sensitive
material 281 is compressed, a corresponding force signal is
generated at terminal metal pads 221, 222; wherein the force signal
is positively related to an amount of the force applied against the
pen tip 23; and wherein the force sensitive material 281 is
selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive material and
piezocapacitive material.
[0039] The force single generated from the terminal metal pads
221,222 is electrically coupled to a control system 33. A
coordinate panel 11 configured to detect an X-Y position where the
electronic pen touches is electrically coupled to the control
system 33. The control system 33 is electrically coupled to a
display 12.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0041] FIG. 6 shows a modified version of the first embodiment. A
gap 223 is configured between the bottom metal pad 22B and the
force sensitive material 282. A compressible spacer 224 is
configured for maintaining the gap 223 before a pressure is applied
against the pen tip 23.
[0042] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 7 shows a modified version of the first embodiment. A
gap 223 is configured between the top metal pad 22T and the force
sensitive material 283. A compressible spacer 224 is configured for
maintaining the gap 223 before a pressure is applied against the
pen tip 23.
[0044] FIG. 8 shows a fourth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0045] FIG. 8 shows a modified version of the first embodiment. The
force sensitive material 283 is separated into a top section 28T
and a bottom section 28B; and a gap 223 is configured between the
top section 28T and the bottom section 28B. A compressible spacer
224 is configured for maintaining the gap 223 before a pressure is
applied against the pen tip 23.
[0046] FIGS. 9A.about.9B show a fifth embodiment according to the
present invention.
[0047] FIG. 9A shows a flexible circuit board 21, thereon a pair of
circuit is presented, a coplanar first metal pad 311 and second
metal pad 312 is configured on top. A pair of terminal metal pads
311, 312 is configured on bottom.
[0048] FIG. 9B shows an electronic pen using the flexible circuit
board 21. The electronic pen has a pen tip 23. A tip base 24 is
configured on bottom of the pen tip 23. A flexible circuit board 21
having a coplanar first metal pad 22T and second metal pad 22B is
configured under the tip base 24. The flexible circuit board 21 is
bent so that the pair of coplanar first metal pad 311 and second
metal pad 312 is configured under the tip base 24. A force
sensitive material 28 is configured on bottom of the tip base 24
and is configured on top of the coplanar first metal pad 311 and
second metal pad 312.
[0049] A holding block 29 is fixed on the tube wall of the pen. The
holding block 29 is configured under the coplanar first metal pad
311 and the second metal pad 312. When a force is applied against
the pen tip 23, the force transmits to the tip base 24 and hence
when the force sensitive material 28 is compressed, a corresponding
force signal is generated at terminal metal pads 321, 322; wherein
the force signal is positively related to an amount of the force
applied against the pen tip 23; and wherein the force sensitive
material 281 is selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive
material and piezocapacitive material.
[0050] The force single generated from the terminal metal pads
321,322 is electrically coupled to a control system 33. A
coordinate panel 11 configured to detect an X-Y position where the
electronic pen touches is electrically coupled to the control
system 33. The control system 33 is electrically coupled to a
display 12.
[0051] FIG. 10 shows a fifth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0052] FIG. 10 shows an electronic pen which has a pen tip 23. A
tip base 24 is configured on bottom of the pen tip 23. A conductive
block 24B is configured on bottom of the tip base 24. A flexible
circuit board 21 has a first metal pad 22T and a second metal pad
22B. The flexible circuit board 21 is bent so that the first metal
pad 22T is electrically coupled to the conductive block 24B at the
side. The conductive block is configured as a top metal pad 24B and
the second metal pad 22B is configured as a bottom metal pad 22B
facing the top metal pad 24B. A force sensitive material 28 is
configured between the top metal pad 24B and the bottom metal pad
22B.
[0053] A holding block 29 is fixed on the tube wall of the pen. The
holding block 29 is configured under the bottom metal pad 22B. A
force sensitive material 281 is configured between the top metal
pad 24B and the bottom metal pad 22B. When a force is applied
against the pen tip 23, a corresponding force signal is generated;
wherein the force signal is positively related to an amount of the
force applied against the pen tip. When a force is applied against
the pen tip 23, the force transmits to the tip base 24 and the
conductive block 24B, and hence when the force sensitive material
28 is compressed, a corresponding force signal is generated at
terminal metal pads 221, 222. The force sensitive material 28 is
selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive material and
piezocapacitive material.
[0054] The force single generated from the terminal metal pads
221,222 is electrically coupled to a control system 33. A
coordinate panel 11 configured to detect an X-Y position where the
electronic pen touches is electrically coupled to the control
system 33. The control system 33 is electrically coupled to a
display 12.
[0055] FIG. 11 shows a sixth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0056] FIG. 11 shows a modified version of the fifth embodiment. A
gap 223 is configured between the bottom metal pad 22B and the
force sensitive material 28. A compressible spacer 224 is
configured for maintaining the gap 223 open before a pressure is
applied against the pen tip 23.
[0057] FIG. 12 shows a seventh embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0058] FIG. 12 shows a modified version of the fifth embodiment. A
gap 223 is configured between the conductive block 24B and the
force sensitive material 28. A compressible spacer 224 is
configured for maintaining the gap 223 open before a pressure is
applied against the pen tip 23.
[0059] FIG. 13 shows an eighth embodiment according to the present
invention.
[0060] FIG. 13 shows a modified version of the fifth embodiment.
The force sensitive material is separated into a top section 28T
and a bottom section 28B. A gap 223 is configured between the top
section 28T and the bottom section 28B. A compressible spacer 224
is configured for maintaining the gap 223 open before a pressure is
applied against the pen tip 23.
[0061] FIG. 14 shows a function block according to the present
invention.
[0062] A pressure sensor 31 of an electronic pen generates a
pressure signal. The pressure signal transmits to a control system
33. A coordinate panel 11 is electrically coupled to the control
system 33 to detect X-Y coordinate of a point where the pen tip of
the electronic pen touches. The control system 33 is electrically
coupled to a display 12. The display 12 is used to display an image
the electronic pen has drawn.
[0063] FIGS. 15A-15C show a stroke drawn by the pen tip of an
electronic pen according to the present invention.
[0064] FIG. 15A shows a thin line P1 has been displayed on the
screen when a user applies a relatively light force with the
electronic pen sliding on top of the coordinate panel 11.
[0065] FIG. 15B shows a thick line P2 has been drawn when a user
applies a relatively heavy force with the electronic pen sliding on
top of the coordinate panel 11.
[0066] FIG. 15C shows a thin to thick line P3 has been drawn when a
user applies a gradually increasing force with the electronic pen
sliding on top of the coordinate panel 11.
[0067] FIG. 16 shows a flexible circuit board based force sensor
according to the present invention.
[0068] FIG. 16 shows a flexible circuit board which has a first
metal pad 22T and a second metal pad 22B. The flexible circuit
board is bent so that the first metal pad 22T is configured as a
top metal pad 22T and the second metal pad 22B is configured as a
bottom metal pad 22B facing the top metal pad 22T. A force
sensitive material 281 is configured between the top metal pad 22T
and the bottom metal pad 22B. The top metal pad 22T, force
sensitive material 281 and the bottom metal pad 22B form a force
sensor. The flexible circuit board has a first terminal pad
electrically coupled to the first metal pad 22T, and has a second
terminal pad electrically coupled to the second metal pad 22B. When
a force is applied against the force sensor, a corresponding force
signal is generated; wherein the force signal is positively related
to an amount of the force applied against the force sensor. The
force sensitive material 281 is selected from a group consisting of
piezoresistive material and piezocapacitive material.
[0069] The force single generated from the terminal metal pads
221,222 is electrically coupled to a control system 33. A
coordinate panel 11 configured to detect an X-Y position where the
electronic pen touches is electrically coupled to the control
system 33. The control system 33 is electrically coupled to a
display 12.
[0070] FIG. 17 shows a first embodiment of a flexible circuit board
based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 17 shows a modified version to the first embodiment of
a flexible circuit board. FIG. 17 shows a gap 223 is configured
between the top metal pad 22T and the force sensitive material 281.
A compressible spacer 224 is configured for maintaining the gap 223
open before a pressure is applied against the force sensor.
[0072] FIG. 18 shows a second embodiment of a flexible circuit
board based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0073] FIG. 18 shows a modified version to the first embodiment of
a flexible circuit board. FIG. 18 shows a gap 223 is configured
between the bottom metal pad 22B and the force sensitive material
281. A compressible spacer 224 is configured for maintaining the
gap 223 open before a pressure is applied against the force
sensor.
[0074] FIG. 19 shows a third embodiment of a flexible circuit board
based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0075] FIG. 19 shows a modified version to the first embodiment of
a flexible circuit board. FIG. 19 shows the force sensitive
material is separated into a top section 28T and a bottom section
28B. A gap 223 is configured between the top section 28T and the
bottom section 28B. A compressible spacer 224 is configured for
maintaining the gap 223 open before a pressure is applied against
the force sensor.
[0076] FIGS. 20A-20B show a fourth embodiment of a flexible circuit
board based force sensor according to the present invention.
[0077] FIG. 20A shows a flexible circuit board 21, thereon a pair
of circuit is presented, a coplanar first metal pad 311 and second
metal pad 312 is configured on top. A pair of terminal metal pads
311, 312 is configured on bottom.
[0078] FIG. 20B shows the flexible circuit board 21 is bent so that
the first metal pad 22T and second metal pad 22B is coplanar.
[0079] A force sensitive material 28 is configured on top of the
coplanar metal pad 311, 312. When a force is applied against the
force sensor, the force sensitive material 28 is compressed, a
corresponding force signal is generated at terminal metal pads 321,
322; wherein the force signal is positively related to an amount of
the force applied against the force sensor. The force sensitive
material 28 is selected from a group consisting of piezoresistive
material and piezocapacitive material.
[0080] The force single generated from the terminal metal pads
321,322 is electrically coupled to a control system 33. A
coordinate panel 11 configured to detect an X-Y position where the
electronic pen touches is electrically coupled to the control
system 33. The control system 33 is electrically coupled to a
display 12.
[0081] While several embodiments have been described by way of
example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications may be configured without departs from the
spirit of the present invention. Such modifications are all within
the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *