Integrated touch sensor and light emitting apparatus

The present invention relates to the integration of a touch sensor and a light emitting device.

A touch sensor is a solid-state switch that responds to a user's touch or approach. As such, they can be used in place of traditional mechanical switches. Known touch sensors generally include a touchpad with one or more electrodes and an electric field near the touchpad, the electric field being disturbed by a stimulus such as a user's touch or approach. Occasionally, it includes related circuits that respond to changes in the electric field. The touchpad and associated circuitry are typically placed on a substrate such as a printed wiring board or glass plate. This, or another, part of the associated substrate defines an effective touch surface that the user must touch or approach to provide the stimulus needed to trigger the touch sensor. The control circuit can be configured to control a light emitting device, motor, or other device.

Several types of touch sensors are known in the art, including capacitive touch sensors, infrared touch sensors, electric field touch sensors, acoustic touch sensors, and electromagnetic touch sensors. Such touch sensors can be configured as described in US Pat. Nos. 5,594,222, 5,856,646, 6,310,611, and 6,320,282 and many other publications.

The touch sensor can be used as part of an input / output device, in which case some form of audio or visual feedback is provided. The return alerts the user to the presence of an effective touch surface or informs the user that the touch has triggered a response of the touch sensor. Visual feedback often involves back lighting in the effective touch surface or other areas on the interface panel. Back lighting can be done with light emitting diodes (LEDs) or light emitting polymers (LEPs), which can be organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) or polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs) (both of which are LEPs), or Any other suitable light source is included.

LED, OLED, and PLED devices convert electrical energy into light energy in the form of photons. These light emitting devices can have a transparent anode or a transparent cathode through which photons generated in the light emitting layer can pass. The light emitting layer of the LED contains a semiconductor having a doped physical lattice crystal structure. The light emitting layers of OLEDs and PLEDs are composed of small organic molecules and relatively large organic molecules, respectively. All of the above light emitting devices are generally very thin and can be configured as point light sources or can be made to illuminate a large area, but it is better to do so with OLEDs and PLEDs like LEDs. It is more economical than using simple semiconductor devices. Thermal evaporator, and Yeoul a thin film sputtering or spin-coating techniques, OLED Contact and PLED may be mass produced by fewer steps than semiconductor, also using the micro-deposition or ink jet and spin coating apparatus Can be produced economically. Light generated by any light source can also be spread or diffused using lenses, light tubes and other suitable devices.

Sometimes it is desirable to place the touch sensor in the immediate vicinity of the light emitting device and / or at the top of the light emitting device, as back lighting can be advantageously aligned to the effective touch surface. In the latter case, the electrodes of the touch sensor are preferably transparent so that the light generated by the light emitting device can reach the user. In the prior art, these electrodes are separate components from the backlit touch sensor. Since the touch sensor and the backwriting device are separate components, the electrical addressing required to drive them is often complex and costly. If the touch sensor must be on top of the light emitting device, the light from the light emitting device is attenuated by the transparent layer of the OLED or PLED and further by the touch sensor component before reaching the user. It is possible. In all cases, aligning the light emitting device with a separately configured touch sensor requires extra materials and other manufacturing costs due to the necessary connections and alignment of both.

<p> An object of the present invention is the integration of a touch sensor and a light emitting device.</p>

<p> One embodiment of the present invention provides a touch sensor with one or more electrodes that also serves as a conductive layer in a light emitting device. Another embodiment of the invention provides a variety of touch sensor configurations in which the touch sensor is on top of the light emitting device but is electrically separated from the light emitting device. The present invention further provides electrical drive and control circuits for operating such devices.</p>

<p> The various embodiments of the invention described below can greatly reduce the cost and complexity of sharing a touch sensor and back lighting. For example, the present invention reduces or eliminates the extra materials and manufacturing costs associated with separate touch sensors and light emitting assemblies that must be electrically coupled and aligned, known in the art. be able to. (Detailed description of the drawing)</p><p> Although the drawings generally show a capacitive touch switch for illustration purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present invention are capacitive touch switches, infrared touch switches, electric field touch switches, acoustic touch switches. It can be seen that it is suitable for any type of touch switch device, including, but not limited to, switches and electromagnetic touch switches. A specific example is David W. Cardwell. Includes the touch switches described in US Pat. Nos. 5,594,222, 5,856,646, 6,310,611, and 6,320,282, respectively, invented by Caldwell). The above disclosure of US patents is incorporated herein by reference. US Patent Application No. 10 / 271,933, all filed October 15, 2002, all invented by David W. Cardwell, entitled Intelligent Shelving System, molded / integrated. No. 10 / 272,219 entitled Touch Switch / Control Panel Assembly and Its Manufacturing Method, No. 10 / 272,377 entitled Touch Switch with Integrated Control Circuits, and No. 10 entitled Touch Sensor with Integrated Decoration. The disclosure of / 272,047 is also incorporated herein by reference here.</p><p> Figures 1A through 1C show the individual layers that make up a typical light emitting device. The light emitting devices shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C are bottom firing light emitting devices, but as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, they can also represent top firing light emitting devices. Individual layers of each light emitting device shown in FIGS. 1A through 1C can be deposited on substrate 20 using the techniques described above, or other suitable techniques known in the art. The individual layers of each light emitting device include an anode 21, a light emitting stack 22, and a cathode 23. In FIGS. 1A-1C, the anode 21 is generally transparent and can be composed of indium tin oxide or other transparent electrode material. The composition of the luminescent stack 22 is slightly different for each device. That is, in FIG. 1A, the light emitting junction layer 22 of the illustrated LED can be a standard PN junction material, such as InGaN, GaP, AlInGaP, or GaAlAs. In FIG. 1B, the illustrated OLED light emitting stack 22 has a hole injection layer 24, a hole transport layer 25, a light emitting layer 26, and an electronic transport layer 27, respectively, which can be, for example, CuPc, NPB, and Alq3. And can be included. In FIG. 1C, the illustrated PLED light emitting stack can include a hall transport layer 25 and a light emitting layer 26, which can be PEDOT and PPV, respectively. One difference between the composition of the light emitting layer 22 of the OLED in FIG. 1B and that of the PLED in FIG. 1C is that the polymer molecule (not shown) is relatively large in the latter. The OLED configuration of FIG. 1B provides an efficient LEP, while other inefficient configurations can be used in any of the embodiments of the invention described below. For example, LEP can contain as few organic layers as one. The multi-layer configuration of the OLED (or PLED) shown in Figure 1B can vary depending on the application. The luminescent stack 22 of FIGS. 1B and 1C shows HTL, ETL, and other luminescent organics. It can include molecules or composites. When these light emitting devices are configured according to certain embodiments of the invention described below, they can exhibit a touch sensor field and, when coupled to a control circuit, as a touch switch. I can work. Each of these devices is compatible with the various embodiments described below. It should be understood that if one device is used to illustrate a particular embodiment, it can be replaced by another light emitting device.</p><p> Figures 2A-2C show the individual layers and basic configuration of a typical bottom emitting PLED or OLED. FIG. 2A shows the anode 21 of the PLED or OLED, the emission stack 22, and the cathode 23. Both anode 21 and cathode 23 include traces 36 and 37, respectively, which allow connection to a PLED or OLED voltage source (not shown). FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the assembled PLED or OLED, with the anode 21 under the light emitting stack 22 and the light emitting stack 22 under the cathode 23. FIG. 2C shows an assembled PLED or OLED held on substrate 20. The anode 21 can be made transparent to advantage because the light from the light emitting stack 22 reaches the surface of the substrate 20. Other configurations of the anode 21 may include a fine mesh or other structure that is opaque but allows at least a portion of the light from the emission stack 22 to reach the surface of the substrate 20. In any of the configurations described herein, at least a portion of the substrate 20 must be transparent or translucent if light should pass through.</p><p> 3A and 3B show a capacitive touch sensor. Figure 3A shows the square wave voltage source V via trace 34._input(In other embodiments, other voltage sources and waveforms may be used) and the electrode 31 substantially surrounding the electrode 31 and the resistor R through the trace 35._outputThe electrode 33 connected to is shown. Voltage source V_inputInduces an electric field between and around the electrode 31 and the electrode 33. FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the capacitive touch sensor of FIG. 3A held on the substrate 20. The surface 19 of the substrate 20 prevents the user from directly touching or approaching the electrodes 31 and 33 beyond the minimum distance. This is the capacitance C between the user's appendage and each of the electrodes 31 and 33, as shown in FIG. 3A._innerAnd capacitance C_outermake. The user's approach or touch to the surface 19 of the substrate 20 can increase the capacitance between the electrode 33 and the user's approached or touched appendage. This increase in capacitance increases the voltage at electrode 33. This increase in voltage induces a signal in the control circuit (not shown) and causes the terminal device (not shown) to respond.</p><p> Other touch sensor configurations are also possible. Electrode 33 is a voltage source V_inputThe signal of can be received, and the electrode 31 can send an output signal to the control circuit. Alternatively, a single electrode can both receive the input signal and send the output signal. A third electrode (not shown) may also be included within the touch sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B, preferably between electrodes 31 and 33. This third electrode is the square wave voltage source V_inputCan be connected to the signal of. The electrodes 31 and 33 can then both be connected to a differential control circuit, which can be advantageously configured to create a difference between the voltages induced at the electrodes 31 and 33. For example, when the voltage induced in the electrode 31 is relatively large, the control circuit can generate an output that causes the terminal device to respond, while when the voltage induced in the electrode 33 is relatively large, Alternatively, when the voltages induced in both electrodes 31 and 33 are equal, no output is generated from the control circuit, or a differential output is generated that does not cause a response in the terminal device.</p><p> The touch sensors can be arranged in a matrix pattern on the input / output interface panel. FIG. 3C schematically shows a drive circuit capable of selectively activating the touch sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix. The touch sensors TS1 through TS4 are shown schematically. Each touch sensor has a capacitance C1 between the electrode 31 and the electrode 33 and a capacitance C between the electrode 33 and the surface 19 of the substrate 20._ledincluding. When the user of the interface panel of the touch sensor touches or approaches the surface 19 of the substrate 20, the capacitance between the electrode 33 and the surface 19 and the voltage of the electrode 33 can be increased. The touch-induced voltage increase of electrode 33 lengthens the peak detected by the AND gate AND shown in connection with the input OSC in Figure 3C. This change in voltage can be sent to the output gate, the control circuit, or ultimately the terminal device.</p><p> The logic gate of the drive circuit in Figure 3C can control the activation of the touch sensor matrix. In FIG. 3C, the vibration signal OSC sends a square wave signal to AND gates AND1 and AND2, which also receive the inputs of the signals TSCSELECT1 and TSCSELECT2 supplied by logic circuits (not shown). When both the vibration signal OSC and the signal TSC SELECT1 are high, the AND gate AND1 produces a high power TSC1, which induces an electric field in the touch sensors TS1 and TS2. In this way, the signal TSCSELECT1 has a function of controlling the passage of the vibration signal OSC to the touch sensor in the right column of the touch sensor composed of the touch sensors TS1 and TS2. The analog marichiplexa AMP in Figure 3C can select whether to send the response signal to the AND gate AND from the touch sensors TS1 and TS2. By logic circuit (not shown), when TSELECT1 sends a signal to switch SW1 to close it and TSELECT2 does not send a similar signal to switch SW2, the AND gate AND is a signal that depends on the voltage of TS1. Can be output on the trace AND_OUT. When TSELECT1 or TSELECT2 sends a signal to switches SW1 or SW2, respectively, and closes either switch, the AND gate AND outputs a voltage-dependent signal on the touch sensor TS1 or TS2 on the trace AND_OUT. can do. In this way, the drive circuit of FIG. 3C is preferably by logic circuit (not shown) a row of individual touch sensors in a matrix, a column of touch sensors in a matrix, or a row of touch sensors in a matrix. Can be started.</p><p> 4A and 4B show a touch switch with an integrated control circuit, where the integrated control circuit 32 is located near the touch sensor electrodes 31 and 33, where these electrodes are trace 34 and respectively. It is connected to the integrated control circuit 32 via 35. FIG. 4B shows a cross section of a touch switch with the integrated control circuit of FIG. 4A held on substrate 20. FIG. 4C shows a possible configuration of the integrated control circuit 32 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. In Figure 4C, the vibration signal OSC is the resistor R_innerAnd R_outerBoth electrodes 31 and 33 are stimulated via each of the above. The active devices M2 and M4 are connected to the chip selection signal VDD. Although NMOS active devices are shown, they can also be replaced with MOSFETs or bipolar active devices or other devices including resistors. The gates of active devices M1 and M3 are connected to electrodes 31 and 33, respectively. Although NMOS devices are shown, they can be replaced with other types of active devices, including MOSFETs or bipolar active devices. The components of the integrated control circuit 32 and the electrodes 31 and 33 can be configured such that the peak potentials generated at the input POS and NEG are substantially equal when no stimulus is applied to any of the electrodes. Alternatively, the neutral peak voltage at the input NEG can be made relatively higher than at the input POS to prevent accidental activation of the processing and latching circuits 40 and 41, respectively. When a user-induced stimulus is applied to the electrode 31, the electric field capacitance C1 increases and the potential of the electrode 31 increases. Then, the potential of the gate of the active device M1 temporarily becomes higher than the potential of its source, and the active device M1 is biased and turned on. When the active device M1 is biased to the on state, a drain current is generated, and this drain current is converted into a potential proportional to that of the active device M2 to change the potential difference between the input POS and NEG, and thus latched by the processor circuit 40. Close circuit 41 and resist resistor R_outputGenerates an electric current. The operation of one embodiment of processing circuit 40 and latching circuit 41 is further fully described in US Pat. No. 6,320,282. Other processing outputs and latching circuits can be used as well.</p>

5A-5D show light emitting touch switches according to the invention, including the capacitive touch sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B and the light emitting devices of FIGS. 2A to 2C. The embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 5A-5D include touch switches and light emitting devices that are physically integrated but electrically separated. FIG. 5A shows the individual layers of the light emitting device, including the anode 21, the trace 36 connected to the anode 21, the light emitting stack 22, the cathode 23, and the trace 37 connected to the cathode 23. FIG. 5C shows a touch sensor that includes an electrode 31, a trace 34 connected to the electrode 31, an electrode 33, and a trace 35 connected to the electrode 33. Traces 34 and 35 can act as output lines, can be connected to a signal source, or both. FIG. 5B shows the individual layers of a light emitting touch switch according to the invention having the touch switch component of FIG. 5C, one at the top of the other, i.e. the light emitting stack 22 at the top of the cathode 23. At its top is the anode 21 and at the top are the electrodes 31 and 33. In FIG. 5B, since the electrode 31 is aligned with the anode 21 and is arranged on the anode 21, the anode 21 is not marked. FIG. 5D shows a light emitting touch switch according to the invention held on substrate 20. The insulating layer 50 separates the touch switch component of FIG. 5C from the light emitting device component of FIG. 5A. The insulating layer 50 is SiO₂Alternatively, it can be any other suitable material, preferably overall transparent, or transparent in some areas, but may be opaque. The anode 21 of the light emitting device is preferably transparent so that the light from the light emitting stack 22 reaches the surface 19 of the substrate 20, but it is not necessary as described above. As mentioned above, at least a portion of the substrate 20 must be transparent or translucent and allow light to pass through its surface 19.

Figure 5E shows the possible drives of Figures 5A and 5B that can control the activation of the 2x2 matrix of touch sensors and light emitting devices that are physically integrated but electrically separated. The circuit is shown. In Figure 5E, the activation of individual touch sensors TS1 to TS4, or a row of touch sensors, allows the respective electrodes 31 or 33 of touch sensors TS1 to TS4 to be directly connected to the input signal TSCSELECT1 or TSCSELECT2. As described above in connection with FIG. 3C, except that the other electrodes 31 or 33 of the sensors TS1 to TS4 can be connected to the AND gate AND via the corresponding switches SW1 or SW2 of the analog marichiplexa AMP. The activation of the light emitting devices L1 to L4 can be independent of the activation of the touch sensors TS1 to TS4, otherwise synchronized with the activation of the touch sensors TS1 to TS4, or to the activation of the touch sensors TS1 to TS4. Can depend on. For example, a logic circuit (not shown) can activate a light emitting device or devices under an individual touch sensor or group of touch sensors that has been activated (ie, ready for use). Alternatively, a logic circuit (not shown) can activate a light emitting device or devices under a touch sensor or group of touch sensors that are activated and stimulated by touch. Other logical schemes are also possible. The activation of the light emitting devices L1 to L4 can be controlled by the input signals LCSELECT1 and LCSELECT2 and the input signals LRSELECT1 and LRSELECT2 via the AND gates AND3 and AND4. For example, the light emitting device L1 is turned on and emits light when the output LRS1 of the AND gate AND3 is high and the input LCSELECT1 is low. In this state, a current flows through the light emitting device L1 to cause it to emit light. It should be understood that the drive circuit in Figure 5E can activate individual light emitting devices, or columns or rows of light emitting devices.

5F and 5G are timing diagrams of the drive circuit of FIG. 5E, which show the timing of activation of both the touch sensor and the light emitting device. In FIG. 5F, the timing of the drive circuit is as described above with respect to FIG. 3C. Figure 5F further shows how the output AND_OUT of the AND gate AND responds to the user's touch. For example, at times T1 and T5, the touch sensor TS1 is activated and the AND gate AND input 61 can correspond to the potential of the electrode 31 or 33 of the touch sensor TS1. When stimulated by touch, the output AND_OUT is higher for a shorter interval during time T1 than when not stimulated. The activation and stimulation of touch sensors T3 and T4 are similar to those of touch sensor T1. Also, as can be seen from the drive circuit description in Figure 5E, although not shown in Figure 5F, the rows or columns of touch sensors can be activated at the same time as individual touch sensors can be activated. ..

In Figure 5G, when the inputs LRSELECT1 and OSC are high, the output LRS1 of the AND gate AND3 is high. When the input LCSELECT1 is low, the output LCS1 in buffer B3 is low. Thus, when the inputs LRSELECT1 and LCSELECT1 are high, LRS1 is high and LCS1 is low, as shown in time T1 and T3 of FIG. 5F, to carry the current through the light emitting device L1. The light emitting device L1 is turned on and emits light. The drive circuit in Figure 5E can also activate a column or row of light emitting devices. Thus, at times T2 and T4, the inputs LRSELECT1, LRSELECT2 and OSC are high and the outputs LRS1 and LRS2 are similarly high, and the inputs LCSELECT2 are high and the output LCS2 in buffer B4 is low. The state of the drive circuit at time T2 and T4 causes current to flow through the light emitting devices L3 and L4 to cause them to emit light. The activation of the line of the light emitting device is not shown in Figure 5G, but should be understood from the description of the drive circuit in Figure 5E.

6A-7D show an integrated luminescent touch sensor, where the conductive layers of the luminescent device, namely the anode 121 and the cathode 123, also serve as electrodes for the touch sensor. Figures 6A through 6E show a bottom-launch integrated luminescent touch sensor. 7A-7D show a top-launch integrated luminescent touch sensor. 6A and 7A show the individual layers of the integrated luminescent touch sensor, including the anode 121, the luminescent stack 22, and the cathode 123. Traces 36 and 37 are connected to anode 121 and cathode 123, respectively. 6B and 7B show the voltage source stimulation V._inputHow can the trace 37 be connected to the cathode 123 via the trace 37, and how the trace 36 can be connected to the resistor R._outputIndicates whether the return line can include. The layers of the integrated luminescent touch sensor are shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C with the anode 121 above the luminescent stack 22 and the stack 22 above the cathode 123, while FIG. 7B. And in FIG. 7C, the cathode 123 is above the light emitting stack 22 and the stack 22 is above the anode 121. 6C and 7C show how the light emitting touch sensors of FIGS. 6B and 7B can be held on the substrate 20, respectively.

In FIG. 7C, the decorative layer 51 is above the integrated luminescent touch sensor of FIG. 7B. As shown in FIG. 7D, the decorative layer 51 can provide capacitance C1 between the anode 21 and the surface 18 of the decorative layer 51, which is otherwise shown in FIG. 6E. As such, it is given by the substrate 20. Capacitance C1 in Figure 7D is also provided by a second substrate (not shown) above the integrated luminescent touch sensor. Capacitance C in both Figure 6E and Figure 7D_ledExists between the anode 121 and the cathode 123. FIG. 6D shows a schematic diagram of the integrated luminescent touch sensor of FIG. 6B.

FIG. 8A shows possible drive circuits for the integrated luminescent touch sensor of FIGS. 6A-7D. FIG. 8B is a timing diagram of the drive circuit of FIG. 8A. The drive circuit of Figure 8A advantageously requires only four address lines to control the activation of the touch sensor and light, and the operation of the entire matrix. Minimizing the number of address lines saves space on the board that holds the integrated luminescent touch sensor and reduces the complexity of the manufacturing process. The touch sensor function of the integrated light emitting touch sensors TL1 and TL2 is activated when the output CS1 of the AND gate AND5 is high, which means that both the input of the AND gate AND5, that is, the vibration signals OSC and CSELECT1, It happens when it is high. In the analog marichiplexa AMP including switches SW1 and SW2, the potential of one or the other or both of the integrated light emitting touch sensors TL1 and TL2 becomes the input 61 of the AND gate AND, and its output AND_OUT is the integrated light emitting touch. Controls whether the touch sensor response output of the sensor matrix is formed. The inputs LSELECT1 and LSELECT2 control the active devices M5 and M6, which in turn control the light generated current through the integrated luminescent touch sensor, for example, when LSELECT1 is low, the active device M5 is in the on state. It is biased and RS1 becomes high. Capacitance C_isolateSeparates the AND gate AND from the effects of the light emission operation of the drive circuit. As mentioned above, the active devices M5 and M6 are illustrated as MOSFET devices, but NMOS, bipolar and other active devices can also be used.

According to the timing charts of FIGS. 8A and 8B, at time T1, both the input vibration signals OSC and CSELECT1 are high, and the output CS1 of the AND gate AND5 is high. Also at time T1, the inputs LSELECT1 and LSELECT2 are both high, putting the active devices M5 and M6 into high impedance mode, thus activating the integrated luminescent touch sensors TL1 and TL2. When the input TRSELECT1 is high, the switch SW1 closes to bring the signal from the anode 121 of the integrated light emitting touch sensor TL1 to the AND gate AND. The output AND_OUT of this AND gate is the response output of the drive circuit. Similar requirements exist for the activation of other individual integrated luminescent touch sensors, or their rows or columns. As shown in Figure 8B, when there is a touch stimulus to the integrated luminescent touch sensor TL1, the response output AND_OUT lasts for a relatively small portion of time T1 than when there is no stimulus. To do. Stimulation of other integrated luminescent touch sensors produces a similar response to the response output AND_OUT. In order to activate the luminescence of the integrated luminescent touch sensor TL1, the output CS1 of the AND gate AND5 must be low and the input RS1 must be high. Under these conditions, current can flow from the anode of the integrated luminescent touch sensors to the cathode, causing those luminescent touch sensors to emit light. As can be seen from FIG. 8B, the active device M5 is biased when its gate potential is lower than its source, which occurs when the input LSELECT1 is low. When biased to the on state, the active device M5 draws current from the anode 121 to the cathode 123 of the integrated luminescent touch sensor TL1. The integrated light emitting touch sensors TL2 to TL4 work in the same way. As can be seen from the drive circuit of FIG. 8A and the timing diagram of FIG. 8B, the rows and columns of the integrated light emitting touch sensor can emit light at the same time as well. The timing diagram in Figure 8B shows an integrated light emitting touch sensor. Shows how the luminescence of is synchronized. As mentioned above, the inputs CSELECT1, CSELECT2, TRSELECT1, TRSELECT2, LSELECT1 and LSELECT2 are controlled by logic circuits (not shown) to allow the two modes of the system to interact with each other as needed for a particular application. Can be related.

9A-9D show the individual touch switches with integrated control circuitry according to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are physically integrated but electrically separated from the bottom emitting light device. Shows layers and configurations. FIG. 9A shows the individual layers of the light emitting device, including the anode 21, the light emitting stack 22, and the cathode 23. Traces 36 and 37 are connected to anode 21 and cathode 23, respectively. The anode 21 is preferably transparent so that the light from the light emitting stack 22 reaches the surface 19 of the substrate 20, but it is not necessary as described above. FIG. 9C includes an electrode 31, an integrated control circuit 32, an electrode 33, a trace 34 connecting the electrode 31 to the integrated control circuit 32, and a trace 35 connecting the electrode 33 to the integrated control circuit 32, FIG. 4A and FIG. Figure 4B shows a touch switch with an integrated control circuit. 9B and 9D show how the individual layers of FIGS. 9A and 9C are integrated. FIG. 9D shows how the integrated assembly of FIG. 9B can be held on substrate 20. The insulating layer 50 separates the touch sensor component of the touch switch assembly of FIG. 9C from the light emitting device and also has a decorative function. At least a portion of the insulating layer 50 and the substrate 20 should be transparent or translucent to allow light to pass from the light emitting device to the surface 19.

FIG. 9E shows a possible drive circuit for a touch switch with an integrated control circuit and an integrated light emitting device of FIGS. 9A-9D, arranged in a 2x2 matrix. As can be seen from FIG. 9E and above, the input of the drive circuit is controlled by a logic circuit (not shown), causing the matrix touch switches and light emitting devices to start and operate interdependently. The drive circuit of Figure 9E includes buffers B2 to B7 connected to inputs TRSELECT1, TRSELECT2, LRSELECT1, LRSELECT2 and outputs TCRETURN1 and TCRETURN2, respectively, and active devices M7 and M8, with gates for active devices M7 and M8, respectively. Connected to LCSELECT1 and LCSELECT2. Inputs TRSELECT1 and TRSELECT2 control the activation of touch switches with integrated control circuit assemblies TSA1 to TSA4. The outputs TCRETURN1 and TCRETURN2 respond to changes induced in the touch sensor of a touch switch with integrated control circuit assemblies TSA1 through TSA4.

As shown in the timing diagram of FIG. 9F, when TRS1 of buffer B2 becomes high and the integrated control circuit 32 and the touch sensor of the touch switch having the integrated control circuit assemblies TSA1 and TSA3 are activated. Touch switches with integrated control circuit assemblies TSA1 and TSA3 can be activated, receive signals, and respond to stimuli to the electric field of their electrodes. The output of the integrated control circuit 32 of a touch switch having an integrated control circuit assembly can include a low voltage when each touch switch is unstimulated and a high voltage when they are stimulated. Outputs TCR1 and TCR2 are resistors R_output1And R_output1The currents can be generated in, and these currents can be sent through buffers B6 and B7 to the outputs TCRETURN1 and TCRETURN2 and finally to the terminal device.

The light emitting devices L1 to L4 receive inputs LRS1 and LRS2 from buffers B4 and B5, respectively, and receive inputs LCS1 and LCS2 from active devices M7 and M8, respectively. The light emitting device L1 turns on and emits light at time T1 when the output LRS1 of buffer B4 is high, that is, when the input LCSELECT is high and the input LCS1 is low, as shown in FIG. 9F. To do. In this state, the active device M7 is biased to the on state, providing a current path from the anode 21 to the cathode 23 of the light emitting device L1. As described above, and from FIGS. 9E and 9F, it will be appreciated how other light emitting devices, or rows or columns of light emitting devices, can be activated as well. Figure 9F shows the activation and operation of touch switch and light emitting device assemblies with integrated control circuits as synchronized, but other methods of assembly activation and operation are also possible. ..

10A-10E show the individual layers and configurations of a bottom-launch integrated light-emitting touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly, where the internal electrodes 121 of the touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly emit light. The conductive layer of the device. FIG. 10A shows the individual layers of an integrated luminescent touch switch with an integrated control circuit, including an anode 121, a luminescent stack 22, and a cathode 23. FIG. 10C shows a touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly that includes an anode 121, electrodes 33, and an integrated control circuit 32. Figure 10B shows the layers incorporated within an integrated luminous touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly. In FIG. 10B, traces 36, 37, and 35 connect the anode 121, the cathode 23, and the electrode 33 to the integrated control circuit 32, respectively. FIG. 10D shows a cross-sectional view of how an integrated luminous touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly can be held on substrate 20. In FIG. 10D, the anode 121 is above the light emitting stack 22, and the light emitting stack 22 is further above the cathode 23. Electrodes 33 are held on substrate 20 substantially surrounding an integrated light emitting touch switch having an integrated control circuit assembly. FIG. 10E shows the capacitance C1 on the surface 19 of the substrate 20 and the capacitance C between the anode 121 and the cathode 23._ledThe schematic diagram of is shown. The integrated control circuit 32 of FIG. 10B can control the activation and operation of the touch switch and the light emitting layer 22 of the integrated light emitting touch switch assembly. The integrated luminous touch switch assembly of Figure 10B can form a low impedance touch detection device. The anode 121 is preferably transparent, but does not necessarily have to be transparent. The integrated luminous touch switch with integrated control circuit assembly of FIGS. 10A-10E can be controlled by the control circuits shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

11A and 11B show a schematic of a control circuit capable of controlling an integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly of FIG. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, the integrated control circuit 32 generates a differential response output via a logic and determination circuit 40 and a latch circuit 41. In FIG. 11A, the vibration signal OSC from the logic and determination circuit 40 goes through the buffering configuration of the active devices M14 and M15 and has the power R._innerAnd R_outerAfter each of the above, the electrodes 121 and 33 are activated. Anode 121 is activated by the vibration signal OSC through the relatively large coupling capacitance of the light emitting device LED. The active device M13 is in the logic and decision circuit 40 and also in the resistor R_LED1It is shown to be connected to the anode 121 of the light emitting device LED and to the chip selection signal VDD. The active device M12 has a resistor R_LED2, Diode D1, and active device M14, and are shown to be connected to the cathode 23 of the light emitting device LED. During the touch detection operation of the control circuit, the active devices M13 and M12 are unbiased and in a non-conductive, high impedance state, and the operation of the control circuit is described with respect to FIG. 4C and also described in US Pat. No. 6,320,282. It is the same as the operation of the control circuit. During the LED drive operation of the control circuit, the active devices M14, M13, and M12 are biased to the on state, conducting and in a low impedance state, and the chip selection signal VDD is applied to the source of the active device M13 to generate current. But resistance R_LED1, Anodes and cathodes 21 and 23 of light emitting device LEDs, and resistors R_innerAnd R_LED2It flows with low impedance through. The current flowing through the light emitting device LED makes it emit light.

FIG. 11B shows how the vibration signal OSC can drive the anode 121 directly, rather than through the relatively large capacitance of the light emitting device LED. The control circuit of FIG. 11B includes the logic and decision circuit 40, the chip selection signal VDD, and the active device M13 connected to the anode 121, the logic and decision circuit 40, and the resistor R._LED1Includes the active device M20, which is connected to the cathode 23 of the light emitting device LED via. Also, capacitance C_blockCan separate the touch detection circuit from the direct current passing through the light emitting device LED during the LED drive operation of the drive circuit. The optional active device M21 can provide AC grounding for the touch sensor. The control circuit of FIG. 11B operates in the same manner as the drive circuit of FIG. 11A during the touch detection operation. During LED drive operation, the active devices M20, M13, and M12 are biased to the on state, conducting and in a low impedance state, and the chip selection signal VDD is applied to draw current to the light emitting device LED and resistor R._LED1And R_LED2Flow through. In both FIGS. 11A and 11B, the current can be limited by changing the values of various resistors and the characteristics of the active device. It should be understood that although a MOSFET or NMOS device is illustrated in some places in the control circuit, other devices, including vanipolar devices, can be used as well. FIG. 13F shows a timing diagram that can accommodate the operation of a matrix of touch sensors with an integrated control circuit 32, such as that shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 11B.

12A-12E show the individual layers and configurations of a bottom-launch integrated light-emitting touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly, where the single electrode 121 of the touch switch assembly is conductive on the light-emitting device. It is a layer. FIG. 12A shows the individual layers of an integrated luminescent touch sensor, including an anode 121, a luminescent stack 22, and a cathode 123. Trace 37 can connect cathode 123 to integrated control circuit 32 as shown in FIG. 12B. FIG. 12C shows a touch sensor including the anode 121 and a trace 36 connecting the anode 121 to the integrated control circuit 32 in single electrode mode. FIG. 12B shows how individual layers can be assembled to form an integrated luminous touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly. FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view showing how the assembly of FIG. 12B can be held on substrate 20. In FIG. 12D, the anode 121 is above the light emitting stack 22 and the light emitting stack 22 is above the cathode 123. FIG. 12E shows the capacitance C1 between the surface 19 of the substrate 20 and the capacitance C between the anode 121 and the cathode 23._ledThe schematic diagram of is shown. The integrated control circuit 32 of FIG. 10B can control the activation and operation of the touch switch and light emitting layer of the integrated light emitting touch switch assembly. The integrated luminous touch switch assembly of Figure 10B can form a low impedance touch detection device. The anode 121 is preferably transparent, but does not necessarily have to be transparent. Also, at least a portion of the substrate 20 should be transparent or translucent to allow light to pass from the light emitting device to the surface 19.

13A through 13D show the individual layers and configurations of a top-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly with an integrated control circuit assembly, where the single electrode 121 of the touch switch assembly is a luminescent device. It is a conductive layer of. 13A to 13D show that the anode 121, light emitting stack 22, and cathode 123 of the embodiments of FIGS. 13A to 13D are held on the surface 19 of the substrate 20 and covered by the decorative layer 59, while the integrated control circuit. Except that 32 is held on the other surface of substrate 20 opposite surface 19 and is connected to anode 121 and cathode 123 through substrate 20 by traces 36 and 37 respectively. , As described with respect to FIGS. 12A to 12D. To accommodate the traces 36 and 37, the substrate 20 can include a cutout, but it is not necessary. Alternatively, the substrate 20 can be formed around the trace during the manufacture of a touch switch with an integrated control circuit assembly. Traces 36 and 37 can also be connected to the integrated control circuit 32 using individual traces built into the substrate 20. As mentioned above, the decorative layer 59 can be replaced by a second substrate (not shown), and the light from the emission stack 22 is a user of an integrated emission touch switch having an integrated control circuit assembly. A transparent area can be included to reach.

The activation and operation of the 2 × 2 matrix of the integrated light emitting touch switch with integrated control circuit assembly of FIGS. 12A to 13D can be controlled by the drive circuit of FIG. 13E according to the timing diagram of FIG. 13F. Other drive circuits and timing schemes can also be used. The drive circuit of Figure 13E advantageously requires only four address lines, which saves space and reduces the complexity of the touch switch matrix configuration and its manufacture, as described above for Figure 8A. To do. The drive circuit in Figure 13E is a row of integrated light-emitting touch switch assemblies with inputs CS1 and CS2 to control touch switch activation in a column of integrated light-emitting touch switches with an integrated control circuit assembly in a matrix. Includes inputs LEDSEL1 and LEDSEL2 that control the light activation of the. The return lines RS1 and RS2 are the touch switch response outputs of the integrated control circuit 32 in two rows of the integrated light emitting touch switch assembly. Buffers B9 and B10 buffer the input signal, and buffers B11 and B12 buffer the response output signal. The active devices M10 and M11 are biased on by the inputs LEDSEL1 and LEDSEL2 and carry current from the anode through the light emitting layer to the cathode of the integrated light emitting touch switch with integrated control circuit assemblies TL1 through TL4. The signals in the timing diagram of FIG. 13F are shown to be synchronized, but as described above, they may not be. At time T1, the high input CS1 activates the touch sensor function of the integrated luminous touch switch assemblies TL1 and TL2. The touch sensor function of the integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly TL3 and TL4 is not activated due to the low input CS2. Thus, at time T1, one or both of the integrated light emitting touch switches having the integrated control circuit assembly TL1 and TL2 will receive a touch stimulus signal and response outputs RS1 or RS2, respectively.

Since the input CS1 is high at time T4 and T5, at time T5, the integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly TL1 emits light and its touch sensor function is activated. Also, because the input LEDSEL1 is high and therefore the active device M10 is biased to the on state, current flows through the active device M10.

The touch sensor and optical activation of other integrated light emitting touch switches with integrated control circuit assembly are similar to the activation of integrated light emitting touch switches with integrated control circuit assembly TL1. In FIGS. 13E and 13F, it should be understood that the rows and columns of an integrated light emitting touch switch with integrated control circuit assembly can also act as touch switches and emit light. The touch sensor operation and emission of the integrated light emitting touch switch with integrated control circuit assembly in Figure 13E is therefore only when the integrated light emitting touch switch with integrated control circuit assembly is stimulated by touch. It is illustrated as being synchronized to emit light. As mentioned above, other patterns of activation can also be used to advantage.

14A-14C show the individual bottom light emitting touch switches with the integrated control circuit assembly according to the invention, including the integrated control circuit assembly of FIGS. 5A and 5B and the touch switch with the integrated light emitting device. Shows layers and configurations. FIG. 14A shows the individual layers of a light emitting device and touch sensor, including an anode 21, a light emitting stack 22, a cathode 23, and an electrode 31. FIG. 14B shows how the individual layers can be assembled and connected to the integrated control circuit 32 via traces 34, 36, and 37. FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view showing how the assembly of FIG. 14B can be held on substrate 20. In FIGS. 14B and 14C, the electrode 33 is shown to be above the anode 21, which is further above the light emitting stack 22 and the cathode 23. The insulating layer 50 separates the electrode 31 from the layer of the light emitting device. The insulating layer 51 is preferably transparent and is SiO₂Or it can be any other suitable dielectric material. The electrode 31 and anode 21 are also preferably transparent, but as mentioned above, they do not have to be. As shown in FIGS. 14A-14C, the electrodes 31 and anode 21 are smaller than the light emitting stack 22 so that the opaque electrode 31 or anode 21 can also form edges or caps around it. To. Thus, in some applications it is not necessary to use transparent electrodes and anodes. Possible control circuits for the integrated luminous touch switch assembly of FIG. 14C are described in connection with FIGS. 15C and 15D.

15A and 15B show schematics of possible control circuits capable of controlling an integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly of FIGS. 12D and 13D, including the anode 121. The anode 121 in FIGS. 15A and 15B is connected to the integrated control circuit 32 as described with respect to FIGS. 11A and 11B. Where the resistor R_innerIs a resistor R_touchThe name has been changed to because the integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly in FIGS. 12D and 13D does not include internal and external electrodes. During the touch detection operation of the control circuit, the active devices M12 and M13 are not biased, are in a non-conductive and high impedance state, and the control circuit is due to the logic and decision circuit 40 having only one input. Except for the fact that no differential output is supplied to the latch circuit 41, it operates in the same manner as described with respect to FIGS. 11A to 11D. FIG. 15B shows a control circuit that can activate the anode 121 directly rather than through the relatively large capacitance of the light emitting device LED. During the LED drive operation, the control circuit of FIG. 15B operates as described with respect to FIG. 11B.

FIG. 15C shows a schematic representation of possible control circuits capable of controlling an integrated light emitting touch switch with the integrated control circuit assembly of FIG. 14C. During the touch detection operation, the control circuit of FIG. 15C works as described above with respect to FIG. 15B. Further, during the touch detection operation, in this control circuit, there is no DC path for the current passing through the light emitting device LED other than the leakage current. During the driving operation of the light emitting device LED, the capacitance C3 between the electrode 31 and the anode 21 separates the touch switch operating circuit from the current of the LED driving operation of this circuit. As shown in FIG. 14C, the capacitance C3 schematically shown in FIG. 15C is provided by the separating layer 50, which is SiO₂It may be of any suitable material, including.

FIG. 15D shows a schematic representation of possible control circuits capable of controlling the integrated luminous touch switch assembly commonly shown in FIG. 14C. The control circuit in Figure 15D consists of electrodes 33, active devices M18 and M19, and a resistor R._outerHowever, it works as described with respect to FIG. 15C, except that it provides an input to the logic and determination circuit 40 and the logic and determination circuit 40 can supply a differential output to the latch circuit 40.

Figure 16A shows the touchpad electrodes 31 and 32 and traces 34 and 35. 16B to 16J show a light emitting device LEDV, which light emitting device LEDV can be, for example, an inorganic semiconductor diode having an anode 21, a light emitting junction 22, and a cathode 23, wherein the anode 21 and the cathode 23 are: It is coupled to electrodes 31 and 33 of the touchpad of FIG. 16A, respectively. The configuration shown in FIGS. 16B to 16J is how the inorganic semiconductor diodes and other light emitting devices are far from the electrodes of the touchpad with respect to the touchpad to which they are coupled according to the present invention. Indicates whether it can be placed in various positions, including cases. Such a configuration can give flexibility to the design of the integrated luminescent touch sensor device, while at the same time providing a simple addressing scheme as shown in FIG. 19 described below. be able to. In FIG. 16B, the light emitting device LEDV is located between the electrodes 31 and 33 so that the light can reach the surface 19 of the substrate 20 without having to pass through the electrodes 31 or 33. Therefore, the electrodes 31 and 33 need not be transparent to allow light to reach the surface 19 of the substrate 20 shown in FIG. 16B. The substrate 20 is preferably transparent in order for the light from the light emitting device LEDV to reach the surface 19. In the touch switches shown in FIGS. 16C to 16J, similar to FIG. 16B, the light emitting device is coupled to the touch detection electrodes 31 and 33, but at the top and bottom of those electrodes. Instead, the light emitted from the light emitting device LEDV reaches the surface 19, and the transparent electrode is unnecessary.

In FIGS. 16C and 16D, the light emitting stack 22 of the light emitting device LEDV is located between the electrodes 31 and 33. In FIG. 16C, the anode 21 and cathode 23 are coupled to the electrodes 31 and 33, and in FIG. 16D they are reversed. The anode 21 and cathode 23 can also be configured directly from the electrodes 31 or 33, eliminating the need for small line tracing or integration of the electrodes. In FIGS. 16E and 16F, the light emitting device LEDV is located far from the electrodes 31 and 33, and the anode 21 and cathode 23 are coupled to the electrode 31 or 33 via traces 34 and 35. Electrodes 31 and 33 can also be coupled to the control circuit (not shown) via traces 34 and 35, or through another trace (not shown). In FIGS. 16G and 16H, each touch switch has four light emitting device LEDVs located between electrodes 31 and 33. In FIG. 16G, the trace 58 connects the anode to the electrode 31, while in FIG. 16H, the trace 58 connects the cathode 23 to the electrode 31. In FIGS. 16I and 16J, the electrode 31 has a notch 52 that houses the light emitting device LEDV. In FIG. 16I, the anode 21 is coupled to the electrode 31, the cathode 23 is coupled to the electrode 33 via the trace 57, while in FIG. 16J, the cathode 23 is coupled to the electrode 31 and the anode 21 is coupled to the trace 57. It is coupled to the electrode 33 via. In both FIGS. 16I and 16J, the notch 52, and thus the light emitting device LEDV, is shown to be centered on the electrode 31. Modifications to other such configurations and the configurations shown in these figures are also possible.

The configuration according to this embodiment of the present invention (with the light emitting device LEDV beside the electrodes of the touchpad) provides other advantages in addition to eliminating the need for transparent electrodes. For example, in FIGS. 16E and 16F, the light emitted from the light emitting device LEDV can reach the surface 19 located far from the electrodes of the touchpad, also integrated by the principles of the present invention. 17A through 17J show the configuration of FIGS. 16A to 16J where the touch switch also includes an integrated control circuit 32 in close proximity to the touch detection electrodes 31 and 33.

18A-18D show a touch switch with an integrated control circuit, where the light emitting device LEDV and the opening of the touch detection electrode 31 are aligned with the window 54 in the substrate 20. In FIG. 18D, which shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled touch switch with an integrated control circuit and light emitting device, the decorative layer 51 is located on top of electrodes 31 and 33 on the substrate 20. The decorative layer 51 is preferably transparent or translucent, at least in the area aligned with the light emitting device LEDV and the window 54, allowing the light from the light emitting device LEDV to reach the surface 18 of the decorative layer 51. FIG. 18A shows electrodes 31 and 33 coupled to traces 34 and 35, respectively. In FIG. 18A, the electrode 31 includes an opening 53. FIG. 18B shows the integrated control circuit 32 coupled to traces 34 and 35. In FIG. 18B, the trace 35 is also coupled to the light emitting device LEDV. 18C and 18D show the configurations of FIGS. 18A and 18B assembled together. In FIGS. 18C and 18D, aperture 53 is shown to be aligned with the light emitting device LEDV. In FIG. 18D, the substrate 20 is shown with a window 54, which window is also aligned with the light emitting device LEDV. The window 54 is also preferably transparent or translucent, allowing light from the light emitting device LEDV to reach the surface 18 of the decorative layer 51. Alternatively, the substrate 20 can be entirely translucent or transparent, instead of incorporating the window 54 within the substrate 20. The touch switch shown in FIG. 18D also has a decorative layer 51, which can have a translucent portion (not shown) aligned with the window 54 of the substrate 19, or is fully. Can be translucent and so on. The traces 34 and 35 were integrated with the electrodes 31 and 33 because the electrodes 31 and 33 are on the surface 19 of the substrate 20 opposite the surface holding the integrated control circuit 32 and the light emitting device LEDV. Control circuit 32 and light emitting device LEDV

FIG. 19 shows the arrangement of four touchpads electrically coupled to the four light emitting devices. In FIG. 19, the light emitting devices LEDV1 to LEDV4 are coupled to touchpads TP1 to TP4, respectively, and both the touchpads TP1 to TP4 and the corresponding light emitting devices LEDV1 to LEDV4 are coupled to input / output pins P1 to P4, respectively. , These pins can be further coupled to an integrated control circuit (not shown). As shown in FIG. 19, the light emitting devices LEDV1 through LEDV4 can be far from the touchpad of the touch switch and at the same time can be integrated by the present invention.

20A and 20B show a touch switch with an electroluminescent device held on substrate 20, including electrodes 221 and 223 separated from the electroluminescent layer 122 by an insulating layer 150. In FIG. 20B, the AC source AC is coupled to electrodes 221 and 223. The electrode 221 is preferably transparent or translucent, allowing light from the electroluminescent device to reach the surface 19 of the substrate 20. The luminous behavior of electroluminescent devices is well understood by those skilled in the art of electroluminescent devices. Figure 20B also shows capacitance C_touchAnd C_ACAre shown schematically, respectively, representing the capacitance at substrate 20 and the capacitance at an electroluminescent device including an insulating layer 150 and an electroluminescent layer 122, respectively.

FIG. 21A shows possible configurations of inputs to and out of logic 40 for a touch switch with the integrated electroluminescent device of FIGS. 20A and 20B. In FIG. 21A, the surface 19 and the electrodes 221 and 223 have a capacitance C, as also shown in FIG. 20B._touchAnd C_ACAnd form. Electrode 221 is coupled to the drains of active devices M33 and M34 via trace DRIVE2, and the gates of these devices are coupled to outputs DRIVE2H and DRIVE2L of logic circuit 40, respectively. Electrode 223 is coupled to the drains of active devices M31 and M32 via output DRIVE1, and the gates of these devices are coupled to outputs DRIVE1H and DRIVE1L of logic and determination circuits 40, respectively. The electrode 221 is also coupled to the input RETURN1 and to the resistor R1, the resistor R1 is coupled to the drain of the active device M40, and the gate of this device is coupled to the output SELECT1 of the logic and decision circuit 40. FIG. 21B shows a timing diagram in the configuration of FIG. 21A. Electrodes 221 and 223 receive an AC signal from the source AC (shown in FIG. 20B), which, in FIG. 21AC, originates in the logic and decision circuit 40 and traces DRIVE1H, DRIVE1L, DRIVE2H, and It is transmitted via DRIVE 2L. It can be seen that the operation of the buffering configuration of the active devices M31 and M32 and the active devices M33 and M34 causes alternating current on traces DRIVE1 and DRIVE2 when the appropriate signal is received from the logic and decision circuit 40. Figure 21B shows how the signals on trace DRIVE1 and DRIVE2 are opposite to each other, such that when the signal on trace DRIVE1 is high, the signal on trace DRIVE2 is low and vice versa. Indicates whether it is.

The light emitting electroluminescent device shown in FIG. 20B is configured as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B and can function as a touch switch when receiving a signal. When the output DRIVE1H becomes high, the active device M31 is biased to the on state, and the voltage PLUS appears on the trace DRIVE1, the trace DRIVE1 becomes high. As shown in FIG. 21B, when the output SELECT1 of the logic and determination circuit 40 is high, the active device M40 draws a current through the resistor R1 so that a voltage appears on the input RETURN1. Also, when the output SELECT1 is high, no signal appears on the trace DRIVE2. The voltage appearing on the input RETURN1 is one value when the surface 19 is not stimulated, and even lower when the surface 19 is stimulated. Specifically, the stimulus on surface 19 is the effective capacitance C._touchIf not, the current that produces a high voltage in resistor R1 is shunted to ground. This increase in effective capacitance and the shunt to ground are lower than would be if the voltage on trace DRIVE2 and input RETURN1 were not stimulated and there was no increase in capacitance in relation to the stimulus state. Corresponds to. This is shown in Figure 21B. The configuration in FIG. 21A and the timing shown in FIG. 21B are for illustration purposes only. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of circuit design that other configurations and other timing patterns using the configuration of FIG. 21A or another configuration are possible as well.

Figure 22A shows a possible configuration of the input line of a logic circuit for a 2x2 matrix of electroluminescent touch switches. In FIG. 22A, the four electroluminescent touch switches ELTS1 through ELTS4 are arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix and are coupled to the logic and decision circuit 40 via buffering devices including active devices M31 to M38. There is. Each electroluminescent touch switch operates as described with respect to FIGS. 21A and 21B. FIG. 22B shows a timing diagram in the configuration of FIG. 22A. The configuration of FIG. 22A and the timing diagram of FIG. 22B show how one of the two electroluminescent touch switches ELTS1 to ELTS4 in the two touch switch rows is stimulated in that row. Indicates whether a signal can be produced on the associated input line RETURN1 or RETURN2. For example, as shown in Figure 22B, when the output SELECT2 is high, the touch switch ELTS2 or ELTS4 is stimulated to shunt the current and the resistor R2 coupled to the drain of the active device M41. The voltage on the input RETURN2 coupled to can be reduced. To stimulate the touch switch ELTS2, which reduces the voltage on the input RETURN2, the trace DRIVE1 must be high and create a potential on electrode 223 of the touch switch ELTS2. Trace DRIVE2 must be high for stimulation of the touch switch ELTS4, which so reduces the voltage on input RETURN1. As mentioned above, other configurations or timing schemes are similarly possible, as can be seen from the above description.

FIG. 23 shows a touch switch with a liquid crystal integrated light emitting device that can replace the electroluminescent touch switch in the schematics of FIGS. 21A and 22A. In FIG. 23, the AC signal source AC is coupled to electrodes 221 and 223, which are supported by spacers 64 on both sides of the liquid crystal layer 222. The glass layer 60 and the polarizer layer 62 are arranged one after another on the outermost surfaces of the electrodes 221 and 223. Electrodes 221 and 223 have capacitance C_ACThe top glass layer and polarizer layers 60 and 62 form a capacitance C_touchTo form. The light emitting operation of the liquid crystal light emitting device of FIG. 23 will be understood by those skilled in the art, and the touch switch operation will be understood from the above description of FIGS. 21A to 22B.

Some embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated using only one particular type of touch sensor, eg, a touch sensor having an integrated control circuit, but any of the present invention. It should be understood that the type examples can also be used with any type of touch switch. Moreover, the various features of the invention described above can be combined as required by the application in which the use of the touch sensor is intended. The invention may also be practiced in other forms not expressly shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit or essential features of the invention. The examples described are merely exemplary in all respects and should not be considered in a limited sense. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the appended claims. Therefore, all modifications that have the same meaning and scope as the claims are included within the scope of the present invention. (Cross reference for related applications)

This application claims priority from US Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 334,040 filed November 20, 2001 and Dec. 18, 2001 No. 60 / 341,350. The disclosure of the above references is incorporated herein by reference.

<figref num="1">FIGS. 1A-1C show typical cross-sectional structures of LEDs, OLEDs, and PLEDs, each of which can act as a touch sensor when configured according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="2">Figures 2A-2C show the individual layers and configurations of an OLED or PLED that can act as a touch sensor.</figref><figref num="3A">The basic configuration of the capacitive touch sensor is shown.</figref><figref num="3B">The basic configuration of the capacitive touch sensor is shown.</figref><figref num="3C">A schematic diagram of the drive circuit for a 2x2 matrix of touch sensors is shown.</figref><figref num="4A">The basic configuration of a touch switch assembly is shown, including a typical touch switch with an integrated control circuit in close proximity to the touch sensor.</figref><figref num="4B">The basic configuration of a touch switch assembly is shown, including a typical touch switch with an integrated control circuit in close proximity to the touch sensor.</figref><figref num="4C">A schematic diagram of the integrated control circuit of FIGS. 4A and 4B, including an input stage and a block diagram of a processing circuit and a latch circuit, is shown.</figref><figref num="5A">The individual layers and configurations of the capacitive touch sensor in Figures 3A and 3B integrated with an OLED or PLED backlight device are shown.</figref><figref num="5B">The individual layers and configurations of the capacitive touch sensor in Figures 3A and 3B integrated with an OLED or PLED backlight device are shown.</figref><figref num="5C">The individual layers and configurations of the capacitive touch sensor in Figures 3A and 3B integrated with an OLED or PLED backlight device are shown.</figref><figref num="5D">The individual layers and configurations of the capacitive touch sensor in Figures 3A and 3B integrated with an OLED or PLED backlight device are shown.</figref><figref num="5E">5A to 5D show schematics of drive circuits that separately stimulate the 2x2 matrix of the integrated touch sensor and light emitting device.</figref><figref num="5F">It is a timing diagram in the drive circuit of FIG. 5E. (Example 1)</figref><figref num="5G">It is a timing diagram in the drive circuit of FIG. 5E. (Example 1)</figref><figref num="6">6A-6E show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom-launch integrated luminescent capacitive touch sensor, where the electrodes of the touch sensor are the conductive layers of the luminescent device. (Example 2)</figref><figref num="7">7A-7D show the individual layers and configurations of the top-launch integrated luminescent capacitive touch sensor, where the electrodes of the touch sensor are the conductive layers of the luminescent device.</figref><figref num="8A">FIG. 6A to 7D show a schematic of the drive circuit for the 2x2 matrix of the integrated light emitting touch sensor.</figref><figref num="8B">It is a timing diagram of the drive circuit of FIG. 8A.</figref><figref num="9A">The individual layers and configurations of an integrated touch switch assembly are shown, including the capacitive touch switch assemblies of FIGS. 4A and 4B that are integrated with the light emitting device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="9B">The individual layers and configurations of an integrated touch switch assembly are shown, including the capacitive touch switch assemblies of FIGS. 4A and 4B that are integrated with the light emitting device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="9C">The individual layers and configurations of an integrated touch switch assembly are shown, including the capacitive touch switch assemblies of FIGS. 4A and 4B that are integrated with the light emitting device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="9D">The individual layers and configurations of an integrated touch switch assembly are shown, including the capacitive touch switch assemblies of FIGS. 4A and 4B that are integrated with the light emitting device according to the present invention.</figref><figref num="9E">A schematic diagram of the drive circuit for a 2x2 matrix in the integrated touch switch assembly of Figures 9A through 9D is shown.</figref><figref num="9F">It is a timing diagram in the drive circuit of FIG. 9E. (Example 3)</figref><figref num="10">10A-10E show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly, where the internal electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device. (Example 4)</figref><figref num="11A">A schematic diagram of the control circuit for the integrated touch switch assembly of FIGS. 10A-10E is shown, showing the stimulation of the electrodes of the touch switch assembly through the relatively large coupling capacitance of the light emitting device.</figref><figref num="11B">A schematic diagram of the control circuit for the integrated touch switch assembly of FIGS. 10A-10E is shown, showing the direct stimulation of the electrodes of the touch switch assembly.</figref><figref num="12">12A-12E show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device. (Example 5)</figref><figref num="13A">The individual layers and configurations of the top-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly are shown, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device.</figref><figref num="13B">The individual layers and configurations of the top-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly are shown, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device.</figref><figref num="13C">The individual layers and configurations of the top-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly are shown, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device.</figref><figref num="13D">The individual layers and configurations of the top-launch integrated luminescent touch switch assembly are shown, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layers of the luminescent device.</figref><figref num="13E">FIG. 10A to 13D show a schematic of the drive circuit for a 2x2 matrix of an integrated touch switch assembly with an integrated light emitting device.</figref><figref num="13F">It is a timing diagram of the drive circuit of FIG. 13E. (Example 6)</figref><figref num="14A">Figure 5A and 5B show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom firing touch switch assembly according to the invention, including the capacitive touch switch assembly and the integrated light emitting device.</figref><figref num="14B">Figure 5A and 5B show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom firing touch switch assembly according to the invention, including the capacitive touch switch assembly and the integrated light emitting device.</figref><figref num="14C">Figure 5A and 5B show the individual layers and configurations of the bottom firing touch switch assembly according to the invention, including the capacitive touch switch assembly and the integrated light emitting device. (Example 7)</figref><figref num="15A">FIG. 12A to 13D show a schematic of the control circuit for the integrated light emitting touch switch assembly, where the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layer of the light emitting device and the relatively large coupling of the light emitting device. It shows the stimulation of the electrodes of the touch switch assembly through the capacitance.</figref><figref num="15B">12A to 13D show a schematic of the control circuit for the integrated light emitting touch switch assembly, the electrodes of the touch switch assembly are the conductive layer of the light emitting device and directly on the electrodes of the touch switch assembly. Shows irritation.</figref><figref num="15C">FIG. 14A to 14D show a schematic diagram of a control circuit for an integrated touch switch assembly according to the invention.</figref><figref num="15D">9A to 9D show a schematic of a control circuit for an integrated touch switch assembly according to the invention.</figref><figref num="16">Figures 16A to 16J show touch switches, where the light emitting device is coupled to the touch detection electrode, but not at the top or bottom of the touch detection electrode. (Example 8)</figref><figref num="17A">Figure 16A shows the configuration, the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17B">Figure 16B shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17C">Figure 16C shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17D">Figure 16D shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17E">Figure 16E shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17F">Figure 16F shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17G">Figure 16G shows the configuration, the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17H">Figure 16H shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17I">Figure 16I shows the configuration of the touch switch, which includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="17J">Figure 16J shows the configuration, where the touch switch includes an integrated control circuit near the touch detection electrode.</figref><figref num="18A">Indicates a touch switch, the light emitting device and the aperture of the touch detection electrode are aligned with the opening of the carrier substrate and the transparent window of the decorative layer.</figref><figref num="18B">Indicates a touch switch, the light emitting device and the aperture of the touch detection electrode are aligned with the opening of the carrier substrate and the transparent window of the decorative layer.</figref><figref num="18C">Indicates a touch switch, the light emitting device and the aperture of the touch detection electrode are aligned with the opening of the carrier substrate and the transparent window of the decorative layer.</figref><figref num="18D">The light emitting device and the opening of the touch detection electrode are aligned with the opening of the carrier substrate and the transparent window of the decorative layer. (Example 9)</figref><figref num="19">Each of the four touch switches shows the arrangement of the four touch switches coupled to the light emitting device located far from the touch pad of the touch switch.</figref><figref num="20A">Shown shows a touch switch with an integrated electroluminescent light emitting device.</figref><figref num="20B">Shown shows a touch switch with an integrated electroluminescent light emitting device. (Example 10)</figref><figref num="21A">The possible configurations of the input / output lines of the logic circuit for the touch switch and integrated electroluminescent device shown in Figures 20A and 20B are shown.</figref><figref num="21B">The timing diagram in the configuration of FIG. 21A is shown.</figref><figref num="22A">The possible configurations of the input / output lines of the logic circuit for the 2x2 matrix of the touch switch and integrated electroluminescent device shown in Figures 20A and 20B are shown.</figref><figref num="22B">The timing diagram in the configuration of FIG. 22A is shown.</figref><figref num="23">A touch switch having a liquid crystal integrated light emitting device is shown. (Example 11)</figref>