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WO2001088839A1 - Element conducteur de courant unidirectionnel destine a detecter des contacts avec une surface - Google Patents

Element conducteur de courant unidirectionnel destine a detecter des contacts avec une surface Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001088839A1
WO2001088839A1 PCT/HU2001/000058 HU0100058W WO0188839A1 WO 2001088839 A1 WO2001088839 A1 WO 2001088839A1 HU 0100058 W HU0100058 W HU 0100058W WO 0188839 A1 WO0188839 A1 WO 0188839A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
monoconductor
stripe
terminals
opposite
areas
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/HU2001/000058
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English (en)
Inventor
Gábor RÁCZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU2001262561A priority Critical patent/AU2001262561A1/en
Publication of WO2001088839A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001088839A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
    • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
    • G06F3/047—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using sets of wires, e.g. crossed wires

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a monoconductor element for sensing surface contacts, more particularly for determining any established contact between predetermined 5 elementary surface areas of two opposite objects, wherein the surfaces of both elementary areas are electrically conductive.
  • the term "monoconductor" is used to express the fact that the element according to the invention enables only unidirectional flow of current through the established surface contact.
  • a plurality of ways are known for sensing the contact of surface elements, of these the most conventional ones are the simple closing contacts, through which current can flow after the contact has been established. Such contacts are provided with a pair of terminals. There are applications, in which the task lies in that in a predetermined area the pressed states (or states activated by pressure) of a plurality
  • a known way for the detection of activated states of surface elements is the use of a matrix arrangement, in which contacts are positioned on the surface along rows and columns with appropriate spacing, and each row and column has only one terminal. Such an arrangement is appropriate for detection alone, but it cannot identify the simultaneous activated states of a plurality of sub-areas without giving erroneous
  • An example for the most general way of detection is the keyboard of personal computers, wherein the pressing of individual keys causes contacts.
  • the keys are arranged in six rows and 16 columns, and altogether 96 keys can be distinguished.
  • the sensing element is a processor that receives the terminal lines of each rows and columns.
  • the system functions perfectly as long as one key is let be pressed in every row at a time. When more than one key is pressed simultaneously, the system cannot always make distinction between the pressed keys. In keyboard applications this drawback cannot cause problems, but in case of keyboards simulating a piano or any other musical instrument there is a need for the correct identification of each of the simultaneously pressed keys .
  • the problem gets more serious when the task lies in the reconstruction of the shape of pressed regions of a given surface. Such is the task e.g. if the number of passengers of a vehicle should be counted, where the knowledge of the shapes of pressed spots on a sensed surface is rather essential.
  • the task of simultaneous detection can be solved easily if respective diodes are connected in series with each sensing spot element. If only a unidirectional flow of current is possible, then the states of activated contacts cannot influence the states of other contacts, since such a reaction would require inverse flow of current. In large and flat areas the arrangement and connection of individual diodes constitutes a task that cannot be solved in the practice.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an element that ensures a uni-directional flow of current and which is capable of sensing activated sub-areas of large surfaces.
  • the problem of surface sensing can be solved by using a special monoconductor element that provides a specific unidirectional flow of current.
  • the monoconductor element can be imagined as if it were a diode physically cut in two parts with terminals located on two separated bodies, and the diode function can work only if the sensing surfaces of the two bodies contact each other. Current can flow through such a monoconductor element in a single direction only.
  • the invention is therefore a monoconductor element for sensing contacts between predetermined elementary areas on the surface of two opposite objects, wherein the surface of both of said elementary areas being electrically conductive, wherein according to the invention the conductive surfaces of said elementary areas are connected directly or through at least one semiconductor layer to respective lead out terminals, and between said terminals a uni-directional current conducting path is provided through the contacting surfaces.
  • a conductive layer constituting one of said terminals, having a semiconductor thereon provided with two opposite type of doping to form a p-n junction, and the contacting surface is provided by a metal layer made on the free surface of the semiconductor that is at the opposite side thereof relative to the conductive layer, and on the opposite other object the conductive surface is constituted by the second terminal.
  • the lead out terminal is provided in the form of a stripe made on a carrier, and said stripe comprises a plurality of spaced and separated p-n junctions, each provided with respective metal layers that constitute said contact surfaces.
  • the lead out terminal on the opposite object is a metal stripe, preferably a column stripe that closes an angle, preferably a right angle with the stripe that forms the terminal of the first object.
  • the safety of the contact can be increased if the width of the stripe on the second object is higher then the spacing on the first object, and the stripe is sufficiently wide to get into opposite position with at least two of said p-n junctions.
  • the spacing is provided by spacer stripes made of a resilient and electrically insulating material providing a distance between said contacting surfaces of said first and second objects in inactivated state.
  • the monoconductor elements are provided in a pressure sensing carpet along a plurality of rows and columns, wherein each row and column have respective separate terminals.
  • the monoconductor element according to the invention is a semiconductor device that has a very wide field of applications.
  • a substantial application is constituted by being used as a combination lock, comprising a pair of surfaces that can be positioned to contact each other, and at predetermined discrete locations of the surface areas on said surfaces respective monoconductor elements or the terminals thereof are arranged, and at the correctly matching position of said surfaces said monoconductor elements become being connected in series through which current can flow, and this flow can occur only at such matched position.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the sensing of a given surface in a matrix arrangement
  • Fig. 2 illustrates a scanning arrangement for the crossing areas
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the establishments of false sensing of crossings
  • Fig. 4 is the schematic view of the monoconductor element and its electrical substitute circuit
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a detail of a monoconductor element
  • Fig. 6 is the elevation sectional view of the monoconductor element
  • Fig. 7 is the enlarged top view of the monoconductor element in a crossing zone
  • Fig. 8a is a schematic view of an application as a combination lock
  • Fig. 8b is the electric circuit diagram of the arrangement of Fig. 8a at correct positioning.
  • Fig. 1 shows a rectangular sensing surface 11 made preferably in the form of a flat loadable carpet.
  • the purpose of using the sensing surface 11 is to detect the location of bodies placed thereon and symbolised in the drawing by pressed surface 10.
  • the classic way of detection is provided by using a raster, in which the sensing surface 11 is divided by a plurality of rows and columns spaced corresponding to the required resolution.
  • rows a to z and columns 1 to n are arranged on the sensing surface 11, i.e. in the interior of the device (e. g. carpet).
  • the rows and columns are constituted by conductive stripes with small spacing between them, furthermore that the material of the spacing is flexible and can be deformed, then under the effect of pressing forces an electrical contact is established at each crossing zone of the stripes.
  • the sensing surface 11 can comprise at the crossing zones individual contacts instead of using conductive stripes, however, in that case the number of lead out wires will be n x z instead of the number n + z required at the embodiment using stripes. In case of greater size and need for higher accuracy the arrangement and connection of a number of n x z wires constitutes a problem that cannot be realised in the practice. If n + z wires are used, then the selection of the crossing points and their storage in a memory can be solved e.g. by the arrangement shown in Fig. 2. The wires of number "z" rows are coupled to the first input group of multiplexer 13 controlled by processor 12 and the number "n" wires of the columns are coupled to the second input group of the multiplexer 13.
  • the output of the multiplexer 13 is connected to write input of memory 14, which memory 14 is addressed by the processor 12 according to the co-ordinates of the contact pairs at the momentary selected zone.
  • the complete scanning of the sensing surface 11 can e.g. be carried out in such a way that the processor 12 selects a row and supplies a logical one level (e.g. a positive voltage) thereon, and in subsequent clock cycles the columns are switched in a one by one order to the input of the memory 14, and the storage address is increased at each clock cycle.
  • the logical "one" and “zero" states of the columns will be read in the memory cells associated with the selected row during "n" clock pulses.
  • the storage of the next row takes place in a similar way.
  • This problem can be eliminated if between the rows and columns only a uni- directional flow of current is provided (e.g. that flows from a row to the column).
  • the row “b” cannot become positive because this would happen only by a column-to-row (i.e. prohibited) flow of current.
  • the uni-directional flow of current requires respective pairs of contacts and respective diodes connected in series therewith at each crossing zone as it is illustrated at the first (left) half of Fig. 4.
  • the sensing surface 11 is arranged in a flat object e.g. in a carpet, and the interior of such an object is so small that the placement and mounting of individual contacts and diodes each having the number of "n x z" cannot be carried out by a mass production technology with realistic costs.
  • diodes comprise respective cathodes and anodes made by contacting semiconductor chips with "n" and "p” type of doping, respectively, and they comprise two lead out wires coupled permanently with the respective chip.
  • the problem can be solved that the diode will be realised with the listed components only at the site of the crossing zone by mechanically pressing the zone, and only for the duration of the pressed state.
  • the right half of Fig. 3. shows three such monoconductor elements, where the cathodes of these elements are interconnected and constitute the row "b", while the distinct contacts are connected with the conductive stripes of columns 2, 3 and 4 or in other words they constitute such columns.
  • Fig. 5 shows a possible way of implementing the monoconductor element.
  • a thin, long and preferably flexible silicon stripe 20 is provided on a surface with a conductive layer 21.
  • both the stripe 20 and the conductive layer 21 are provided on a carrier plate not shown in Fig. 5.
  • a mask 22 is provided e.g. by using a photolitographic method which forms a plurality of thin transversal spacing, and in the spaced areas the stripe 20 is uncovered.
  • a doping in the embodiment shown an n-type doping is provided in the full depth of the stripe 20, then islands 23 of thin different i.e. p-type doping are provided thereon.
  • the so established stripe 20 can be regarded as a monoconductor stripe, provided with a segmented metal layer 24 facing uncovered in upward direction and which can be used for being contacted.
  • a portion of the cross-section of a sensing carpet 25 is shown that has a sensing surface as shown in Fig. 1.
  • the sensing carpet 25 has a flexible material, and it consists of plates 26 and 27 united at the edge regions or moulded in a single body.
  • the plate 26 comprises the parallel rows of a raster extending e.g. in longitudinal direction formed by the stripes 20 made according to the design of Fig. 5, wherein the spacing between the stripes 20 are filled with collapsible and flexible spacer stripes 28 having a sponge structure, and the upper plane of the spacer stripes 28 are higher then the metal layers 24 provided on the stripes 20.
  • conductive column stripes 29 are provided that constitute the columns of a raster extending normal to the stripes 20. If any surface area of the sensing stripe 25 is pressed, the underlying metal surfaces of the mutually crossing stripes are pressed together and the so established contacts will conduct current only in a single direction.
  • Fig. 7 shows the enlarged picture of such a contact area.
  • the width of the column stripe 29 is several times higher then the period length of the distinct conductors provided on the opposite monoconductor stripe 20, in the embodiment shown this is by 3 times higher.
  • the column stripe 29 will contact at least three metal layers 24a, 24b and 24c, which provides a secure and safe electrical contact.
  • the resilient biasing force of the spacer stripes 28 moves the rows and columns away from each other.
  • the stripe 20 comprised a row of diodes having a single lead out wire and a single contact in surface. Such a solution can provide the most appropriate contact between the rows and columns.
  • a manufacturing technology can also be used in which there is no use for providing a separate metal layer 24, and the monoconductor element can be contacted in such a way that the metal surface of the opposite stripe 29 contacts directly the doped islands 23.
  • one stripe, e.g. stripe 20 can comprise the n-type layers and the opposite column stripe 29 is provided by a homogenous p-type stripe having a conductive metal stripe at one surface. Under the effect of the pressure forces the junction is provided when p-type and n-type semiconductor surfaces contact each other.
  • the monoconductor element according to the invention has been described in the form of being built in a raster network in connection with the sensing of pressed areas of a surface.
  • a monoconductor element can be provided also along planar surfaces or spatial special surfaces with a fully separated other surface.
  • Figures 8a and 8b show a further way of use and different embodiment.
  • the surface 30 shown in Fig. 8a is the exploded view of a closed spatial surface or it can represent an actual planar surface as well.
  • On the surface 30 three monoconductor elements 31, 32 and 33 are shown with hatched lines, and all of them has been made as shown in Fig. 5.
  • Areas 34 and 35 designate electrically conductive surfaces which can get into contact with monoconductor elements provided in an opposite closing member (not shown in the drawing).
  • an opposite closing member that can cover the surface 30 and conform thereto, and this member comprises conductive areas opposite to the elements and areas 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35 or monoconductor elements, then if the two pieces are fit together in a perfectly matching position, a current conducting path is established as illustrated in Fig. 8b and current will flow between the two terminal wires. Any different fitting of the surfaces will not render the flow of current possible. Even in case of a small available surface a high number of monoconductor elements can be provided with any possible interconnections between them, and owing to the high number of potential variations locks or matching conditions with high security can be provided.
  • the monoconductor element according to the invention can have several other fields of applications, therefore it can be used as a general purpose novel electronic component.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Length, Angles, Or The Like Using Electric Or Magnetic Means (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
  • Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément monoconducteur destiné à détecter des contacts entre des zones prédéterminées élémentaires sur la surface de deux objets opposés (26, 27), la surface de ces zones complémentaires étant électriquement conductrice. Les surfaces conductrices (29) de ces zones complémentaires sont connectées directement ou par l'intermédiaire d'au moins une couche semi-conductrice à des bornes de sortie respectives, un passage de courant unidirectionnel étant situé entre lesdites bornes et comprenant au moins une jonction p-n formée dans le semi-conducteur.
PCT/HU2001/000058 2000-05-18 2001-05-18 Element conducteur de courant unidirectionnel destine a detecter des contacts avec une surface Ceased WO2001088839A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001262561A AU2001262561A1 (en) 2000-05-18 2001-05-18 Uni-directional current conducting element for detecting contacts with surface

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HU0001962A HU225339B1 (en) 2000-05-18 2000-05-18 Conduction of current for sensing surfacial contacting spots
HUP0001962 2000-05-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001088839A1 true WO2001088839A1 (fr) 2001-11-22

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/HU2001/000058 Ceased WO2001088839A1 (fr) 2000-05-18 2001-05-18 Element conducteur de courant unidirectionnel destine a detecter des contacts avec une surface

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001262561A1 (fr)
HU (1) HU225339B1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001088839A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2914756A1 (fr) * 2007-04-05 2008-10-10 Jazzmutant Soc Par Actions Sim Capteur multi-tactile transparent.
CN103365454A (zh) * 2012-04-05 2013-10-23 东莞万士达液晶显示器有限公司 触控装置以及其触控感测方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3925610A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-12-09 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Graphic communications tablet
US4827084A (en) * 1987-11-19 1989-05-02 Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc. Solid state image detector and signal generator
EP0989509A2 (fr) * 1998-09-26 2000-03-29 Electrotextiles Company Limited Détecteur de position en matériau textile

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3925610A (en) * 1974-08-12 1975-12-09 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Graphic communications tablet
US4827084A (en) * 1987-11-19 1989-05-02 Ovonic Imaging Systems, Inc. Solid state image detector and signal generator
EP0989509A2 (fr) * 1998-09-26 2000-03-29 Electrotextiles Company Limited Détecteur de position en matériau textile

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2914756A1 (fr) * 2007-04-05 2008-10-10 Jazzmutant Soc Par Actions Sim Capteur multi-tactile transparent.
WO2008139050A1 (fr) * 2007-04-05 2008-11-20 Stantum Capteur multi-tactile transparent
CN103365454A (zh) * 2012-04-05 2013-10-23 东莞万士达液晶显示器有限公司 触控装置以及其触控感测方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HUP0001962A2 (hu) 2002-01-28
AU2001262561A1 (en) 2001-11-26
HU225339B1 (en) 2006-09-28
HU0001962D0 (en) 2000-07-28

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