Detection tool and detection method for touchpad

Abstract

The present application provides a detection tool for a touchpad, which includes a substrate adapted to be placed on the touchpad, and a plurality of bumps arranged on the substrate corresponding to a plurality of touch detection points and arranged along a detection track. A detection method for a touchpad is also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a testing fixture and method, and more particularly to a testing fixture and method for a touchpad. Background Technology

[0002] Advances in various touch technologies have significantly improved the ease of use of electronic products. However, in writing applications, hand-based touch operation may not achieve ideal resolution, making stylus-based touch applications an important mode. However, when writing with a pen, both the pen and the palm come into contact with the writing surface. Therefore, eliminating the influence of the palm is a crucial technology. Touch technology is a type of touch technology that uses a pen for touch operation while eliminating false sensing caused by the palm. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a testing fixture for touch panels, which helps to improve testing efficiency.

[0004] This invention provides a method for detecting touchpads, and the detection steps are simple.

[0005] The detection fixture for the touch panel in this embodiment of the invention includes: a substrate adapted to be placed on the touch panel; and a plurality of bumps, corresponding to a plurality of touch detection points, disposed on the substrate and arranged along the detection trajectory.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present invention, the detection trajectory described above is circular or linear.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height of each of the plurality of bumps varies along the detection trajectory.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height described above first gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the detection trajectory.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the height described above first gradually increases along the detection trajectory and then remains fixed.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the width of each of the plurality of protrusions measured along the detection trajectory is greater than or equal to 2 mm.

[0011] The touchpad detection method of this invention includes: mounting a detection fixture onto the touchpad, wherein the detection fixture includes: a substrate; and a plurality of bumps, wherein the bumps are disposed on the substrate corresponding to a plurality of touch detection points and arranged along a detection trajectory; and moving a stylus along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture and passing through the bumps.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of moving the stylus along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture causes the touch tip of the stylus to be abutted by a protrusion, thereby prompting the stylus to emit a signal.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the touchpad described above is adapted to sense signals emitted by a stylus.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the moving speed of the stylus along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture is from 10 mm / s to 50 mm / s.

[0015] Based on the above, the touch panel detection fixture and detection method of the present invention utilize the method of defining detection points by setting bumps on the substrate to achieve efficient touch panel detection. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a testing fixture for a touchpad according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This illustration schematically presents a method for detecting a touchpad according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the layout relationship between the touchpad's sensing channels and the detection points of the detection fixture.

[0019] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Exemplary side view diagrams of the bumps are presented in different embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same element references are used in the drawings and description to denote the same or similar parts.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a touchpad detection fixture according to an embodiment of the present invention. The detection fixture 100 includes a substrate 110 and a plurality of bumps 120, and Figure 1 The substrate 110 and bump 120 are shown in a side view. The inspection fixture 100 may optionally include other components, but for ease of explanation... Figure 1 Only the substrate 110 and a plurality of bumps 120 are shown. In this embodiment, the bumps 120 are disposed on the substrate 110. In some embodiments, the bumps 120 may be arranged according to the points to be detected, and the positions of the bumps 120 may be regarded as detection points P. In addition, the substrate 110 is adapted to be placed on the touch panel to be detected (e.g., electromagnetic touch panel 200), such as Figure 1 As shown. In some embodiments, the touchpad to be detected is, for example, an electromagnetic touchpad 200, but is not limited thereto.

[0022] The substrate 110 can be a supportive plate, such as a rigid substrate. The bump 120 can be temporarily or permanently fixed to the substrate 110. The substrate 110 and the bump 120 can be made of the same material or different materials. The material used for the substrate 110 and the bump 120 is a material that allows magnetic field lines to pass through. The materials of the substrate 110 and the bump 120 are non-conductive materials and do not include metals to avoid affecting the electromagnetic detection results. In some embodiments, the substrate 110 and the bump 120 can be integrally formed, and there is no structural interface between them. For example, the substrate 110 and the bump 120 can be integrally formed by molding. In some embodiments, the bump 120 can be attached to the substrate 110 using an adhesive material. In some embodiments, the bump 120 can be fixed to the substrate 110 by a locking method. In some embodiments, the bump 120 can be detachably fixed to the substrate 110.

[0023] The bumps 120 disposed on the substrate 110 have a certain degree of stability and are not easily peeled off from the substrate 110. That is, even if the bumps 120 are disposed on the substrate 110 in a detachable manner, the bumps 120 disposed on the substrate 110 can still withstand a certain amount of external force and are not easily peeled off. In addition, the layout of the bumps 120 on the substrate 110 can be determined according to the set detection points. If the bumps 120 are disposed on the substrate 110 using a detachable fixing method, the layout of the bumps 120 can be adjusted according to the needs of each detection. Therefore, the detection fixture 100 can be flexibly adjusted to suit different detection applications.

[0024] Figure 2 This illustration illustrates a method for detecting a touchpad according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 use Figure 1 The testing fixture 100 tests the electromagnetic touch panel 200 and Figure 2 Corresponding to Figure 1 Region E in, therefore Figure 1 and Figure 2The same component symbols are used to represent the same components. To test the electromagnetic touchpad 200, a testing fixture 100 is first mounted on the electromagnetic touchpad 200. The testing fixture 100 includes a substrate 110 and a plurality of bumps 120, with the bumps 120 arranged along a testing trajectory TP. The substrate 110 can be placed on the electromagnetic touchpad 200 such that the substrate 110 is positioned between the electromagnetic touchpad 200 and the bumps 120. Next, a stylus 300 is moved along the testing trajectory TP on the testing fixture 100, passing through the bumps 120. In some embodiments, the movement speed of the stylus 300 along the testing trajectory TP on the testing fixture 100 can be from 10 mm / s to 50 mm / s, but is not limited thereto. After testing, the testing fixture 100 can be removed from the electromagnetic touchpad 200, thus completing the testing operation. After testing, the qualified electromagnetic touch panel 200 can be used with a display panel as a touch display device, either alone or integrated into other electronic products.

[0025] In some embodiments, the stylus 300 may have a touch tip 302. When the touch tip 302 is pressed, the stylus 300 emits a signal, which is a valid signal. When the touch tip 302 is not pressed, the stylus 300 does not emit a signal, which is an invalid signal. In other embodiments, the stylus 300 continuously emits a signal, and the degree of pressure on the touch tip 302 varies. For example, a larger pressure on the protrusion is considered a valid signal, while a smaller or no pressure on the area without the protrusion is considered an invalid signal. Furthermore, the stylus 300 may emit different signals. The signals emitted by the stylus 300 can be signals that can be sensed by the touchpad 200, such as electromagnetic signals. Therefore, during the movement of the stylus 300, the electromagnetic touchpad 200 can sense the corresponding signal to detect whether its sensing channel is functioning correctly.

[0026] Here, Figure 2 The detection points defined by the two protrusions 120 are labeled as detection point P1 and detection point P2, respectively, for illustration. Figure 2In this embodiment, when the stylus 300 moves along the detection trajectory TP on the detection fixture 100, it can pass at least the bumps 120 defining detection point P1 and detection point P2. During the movement of the stylus 300 along the detection trajectory TP on the detection fixture 100, the pressed state of the touch tip 302 changes. Therefore, the signal sensed by the touch electromagnetic plate 100 can be used to determine the detection result. For example, since the bumps 120 are relatively protruding structures on the substrate 110, the step of the stylus 300 moving along the detection trajectory TP on the detection fixture 100 allows the touch tip 302 of the stylus 300 to be pressed against by the bumps 120 at detection points P1 and P2, causing the stylus 300 to emit a signal. Therefore, when the stylus 300 moves to detection points P1 and P2, the electromagnetic touch plate 200 can receive the signal emitted by the stylus 300.

[0027] The detection method of this embodiment can determine whether the electromagnetic touchpad 200 is functioning properly based on the signals received by the electromagnetic touchpad 200. For example, if the sensing results of the electromagnetic touchpad 200 show that there are corresponding signals when the stylus 300 moves to both detection points P1 and P2, it indicates that the sensing channels corresponding to detection points P1 and P2 can sense normally. If the sensing results of the electromagnetic touchpad 200 show that there is no corresponding signal when the stylus 300 moves to at least one of detection points P1 and P2, it indicates that the sensing channel corresponding to at least one of detection points P1 and P2 cannot sense normally. The above detection method can be used to detect whether the electromagnetic touchpad 200 is a qualified product.

[0028] In some embodiments, the width W120 of the bump 120 measured along the detection trajectory TP can be designed to ensure that the touch tip 302 remains abutted by the bump 120 as the stylus 300 moves 2 mm or more on the bump 120. For example, the width W120 of the bump 120 measured along the detection trajectory TP can be 2 mm, but the present invention is not limited to the above, and the design of the width W120 is suitable in the range of 1 mm to 3 mm. In addition, during the detection process, the relative height position of the stylus 300 can be set such that the distance DS between the height of the touch tip 302 of the stylus 300 when it is not pressed and the top surface of the bump 120 is equal to or greater than the compressible distance of the touch tip 302 of the stylus 300. The distance DS is, for example, 1 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0029] Additionally, in some embodiments, the step of moving the stylus 300 along the detection trajectory TP on the detection fixture 100 ensures that the touch tip 302 of the stylus 300 is not pressed when moving away from the bump 120. For example... Figure 2As shown, when the stylus 300 is located in the interval section SP between the bumps 120, the touch tip 302 can avoid contacting the substrate 110 and thus not be pressed. When the stylus 300 is located in the interval section SP, the stylus 300 does not emit a signal. Therefore, during the movement of the stylus 300 along the detection trajectory TP on the detection fixture 100, a signal is emitted only when the stylus 300 is located at detection points P1 and P2. The touch panel 200 can determine whether the sensing channel corresponding to detection points P1 and P2 is normal based on whether a signal is detected. In another embodiment, the stylus 300 continuously emits a signal, and the electromagnetic touch panel 200 determines it as a valid signal only when the stylus 300 is located at detection points P1 and P2. During movement along the detection trajectory TP, the electromagnetic touch panel 200 determines it as an invalid signal; that is, only valid signals are used to determine whether the sensing channel is normal.

[0030] In some embodiments, when the stylus 300 is located in the interval segment SP between the bumps 120, the touch tip 302 can be pressed against the substrate 110. However, the degree to which the touch tip 302 is pressed in the interval segment SP may be less than the degree to which it is pressed in the bumps 120, so that the stylus 300 can emit different signals (e.g., different electromagnetic field magnitudes) in the interval segment SP and in the bumps 120. Since the signals of the stylus 300 at detection points P1 and P2 and the signals of the stylus 300 at the interval segment SP are distinguishable, the electromagnetic touch panel 200 can determine whether the sensing channels corresponding to detection points P1 and P2 are normal based on the detected signal differences.

[0031] Without the detection fixture 100, as the stylus 300 moves along the detection trajectory TP, the touch tip 302 is continuously pressed, causing the stylus 300 to still emit a signal even when it is in the interval segment SP. Furthermore, the degree of pressure on the touch tip 302 may not differ significantly depending on the position of the stylus 300. Thus, the electromagnetic touchpad 200 may fail to correctly distinguish the signal corresponding to the detection point, or even misjudge the presence of other detection points in the interval segment SP, leading to incorrect detection results. To solve this problem, additional detection steps are needed, such as using the stylus 300 to press individual detection points to determine if the corresponding detection channel is functioning correctly. Therefore, without the detection fixture 100, the detection method of the electromagnetic touchpad 200 may require at least a continuous detection step of moving the stylus 300 along the detection trajectory TP (e.g., drawing lines) and a single-point detection step of using the stylus 300 to press individual detection points. With the detection fixture 100, such as Figure 2 As shown in the embodiment, a correct detection result can be obtained by simply moving the stylus 300 along the detection trajectory TP in a continuous detection process. In other words, the detection fixture 100 helps to improve the detection efficiency of the electromagnetic touchpad 200.

[0032] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram schematically illustrates the layout relationship between the sensing channels of the electromagnetic touchpad and the detection points of the detection fixture 100. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic touchpad, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows n first sensing channels X1 to Xn and m second sensing channels Y1 to Ym-1 and Ym, where n and m are positive integers. The first sensing channels X1 to Xn each extend along a first direction D1, and the second sensing channels Y1 to Ym each extend along a second direction D2, with the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 intersecting to form a sensing array between the first sensing channels X1 to Xn and the second sensing channels Y1 to Ym. Figure 1 When the testing fixture 100 tests the electromagnetic touch panel 200, the protrusions 120 of the testing fixture 100 can be correspondingly positioned at these testing points P. In other words, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The layout of the detection point P can be regarded as an implementation of the layout of the protrusions 120 of the detection fixture 100.

[0033] exist Figure 3 In this process, the detection point P can be set at the outermost edge of the first sensing channels X1~Xn and the second sensing channels Y1~Ym-1, Ym, for example, along the first sensing channel X1, the first sensing channel Xn, the second sensing channel Y1, and the second sensing channel Ym. In this way, the detection points P can be arranged in a loop, meaning the corresponding detection trajectory TP ( Figure 2 It is ring-shaped. Figure 4 In this model, the number of the first sensing channels X1~Xn is equal to the number of the second sensing channels Y1~Ym, meaning n equals m, and the detection points P can be arranged in a line. That is, the corresponding detection trajectory TP( Figure 2 The points are linear and arranged diagonally. For example, the detection point P is set at position (Xi, Yi), where i is from 1 to n (or m). Figure 3 and Figure 4 The detection point P layout design allows all sensing channels to be detected and the number of detection points P is less than the number of sensing channels, but is not limited to this.

[0034] in addition, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The detection point P layout design can be matched with Figure 2 The detection method is used for detection. For example, detection point P is... Figure 3 When setting up the electromagnetic touchpad, the detection method can be to move the stylus along the circular trajectory enclosed by the detection point P. In other words, the circular trajectory enclosed by the detection point P can be used as... Figure 2 The detection trajectory TP in the middle. Detection point P is... Figure 4 When configured in this way, the detection method of the electromagnetic touchpad can be to move the stylus along a linear trajectory arranged by the detection points P, that is... Figure 2 The detection trajectory TP in the model can be a linear trajectory through detection points arranged in a line. However, Figure 3 and Figure 4 The layout of the detection points is merely an example and is not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 5 and Figure 6 Exemplary side view diagrams of the protrusions in different embodiments are presented, and Figure 5 and Figure 6 Any bump in can be applied to Figure 1 In the testing fixture. Figure 5 In this design, the width W120 of the bump 120 measured along the detection trajectory TP can be greater than or equal to 2 mm, and a width W120 of 1–3 mm is suitable. The height H120 of the bump 120 disposed on the substrate 110 can vary along the detection trajectory TP, and the change in height H120 shows a gradual increase followed by a gradual decrease along the detection trajectory TP. Figure 5 The rate of change of the medium-altitude H120 along the detection trajectory TP can be variable, but is not limited to this. For example, Figure 5 The bump 120 has a hemispherical profile.

[0036] exist Figure 6 In this process, the height H122 of the bump 122 disposed on the substrate 110 can vary along the detection trajectory TP, and the change in height H122 shows that it first gradually increases along the detection trajectory TP and then remains fixed. Figure 6 The rate of change of the height H122 along the detection trajectory TP can be constant; therefore, the bump 122 has a sloping top surface ST and a flat top surface FT. For example, Figure 6 The profile of the bump 122 has a chamfer, but is not limited to this.

[0037] In some embodiments, the bump 122 is applied to Figure 2 In the detection method shown, the stylus 300 moves along the detection path TP, first contacting the inclined top surface ST, then the flat top surface FT, and then leaving from the flat top surface FT. The inclined top surface ST gradually increases the pressure on the touch tip 302 of the stylus 300, making the movement of the stylus 122 smooth and fluid. Similarly, Figure 5 The bump 120 also provides a gradually rising top surface, which helps to make the movement of the stylus 300 smooth and fluid. However, Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is only used as an example to illustrate the shape of the bump and is not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention.

[0038] In summary, the detection fixture of this invention is equipped with multiple protrusions arranged along the detection trajectory to define detection points. When the stylus moves along the detection trajectory, it can contact the protrusions, causing the touch tip to be pressed, thereby generating an effective signal for the electromagnetic touchpad to sense. When the stylus leaves the protrusions, the touch tip is not pressed and no signal is generated, or the pressure is slight, generating different signals. Therefore, the stylus generates different signals as it moves along the detection trajectory between the protrusions, which can improve the detection accuracy. At the same time, the continuous detection steps of the stylus sliding and drawing lines can complete the detection of the electromagnetic touchpad, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the electromagnetic touchpad.

[0039] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A testing fixture for a touchpad, characterized in that, include: A substrate suitable for placement on the touchpad; as well as Multiple bumps, corresponding to multiple touch detection points, are disposed on the substrate and arranged along the detection trajectory. The substrate and the plurality of bumps are integrally formed from a non-conductive material, there is no structural interface between the plurality of bumps and the substrate, and the non-conductive material allows magnetic lines of force to pass through.

2. The detection fixture for the touchpad according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection trajectory is either circular or linear.

3. The detection fixture for the touchpad according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of each of the plurality of bumps varies along the detection trajectory.

4. The touchpad detection fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The height gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the detection trajectory.

5. The touchpad detection fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The height first gradually increases along the detection trajectory and then remains constant.

6. The detection fixture for the touchpad according to claim 1, characterized in that, The width of each of the plurality of bumps measured along the detection trajectory is greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 3 mm.

7. A method for detecting a touchpad, comprising: The testing fixture is installed onto the touch panel, wherein The testing fixture includes: Substrate; and Multiple bumps, corresponding to multiple touch detection points, are disposed on the substrate and arranged along the detection trajectory. The substrate and the plurality of bumps are integrally formed from a non-conductive material, there is no structural interface between the plurality of bumps and the substrate, and the non-conductive material allows magnetic field lines to pass through; and The stylus is moved along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture and passes through the plurality of bumps.

8. The touchpad detection method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The step of the stylus moving along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture causes the touch tip of the stylus to be abutted by the protrusion, thereby prompting the stylus to emit a valid signal.

9. The touchpad detection method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The touchpad is adapted to sense the valid signal emitted by the stylus.

10. The touchpad detection method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The stylus moves at a speed from 10 mm / s to 50 mm / s along the detection trajectory on the detection fixture.

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