Key module, electronic equipment, pressing position detection method and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a key structure, and discloses a key module, electronic equipment, a pressing position detection method and a storage medium. The key module comprises a key, a fixing piece, a circuit board, two groups of capacitor structures and a bracket, the fixing pieces are arranged at the two ends of the key, and the two ends of the key are elastically fixed to the support through the fixing pieces; the circuit board is fixed on the surface of the key, and the circuit board is located between the key and the bracket; the two groups of capacitor structures are arranged on the circuit board and are respectively positioned at two ends of the key; under the condition that the key moves under the action force, the circuit board moves along with the key, and the two groups of capacitor structures respectively generate capacitance signals related to the position and the size of the action force. Detection of various operation behaviors of the key can be achieved only by adding the capacitor structure in the key module, the production cost of the key module is controlled to a certain degree, and miniaturization of the key module is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to a key structure, and more particularly to a key module, an electronic device, a method for detecting a pressed position, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Conventional mechanical buttons usually only have a press-trigger function. In order to meet the diversification of button functions, the buttons need to have a press-trigger function while also detecting the force the user presses, the location of the press, and whether the user slides on the button. In order to achieve the above-mentioned detection of button operation behavior, different sensors are usually integrated into the button module, for example, using a pressure sensor to detect the force the user presses the button, and using an ultrasonic detection structure to detect the location the user presses.

[0003] The inventors have discovered that the current button modules that integrate multiple types of sensors have at least the following problems: since the detection of pressing force and pressing position requires different sensors for detection, integrating multiple types of sensors in the button module will increase the production cost of the button module, and the multiple types of sensors integrated into the button module will increase the volume of the button module, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the button module. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a key module, an electronic device, a method for detecting a pressed position, and a storage medium. By adding a set of capacitor structures at the two ends of a key, the pressing force and the position of the force acting on the key can be calculated and determined by the change of the capacitor signal of the capacitor structure. The detection of various operation behaviors of the key can be realized by simply adding the capacitor structure to the key module, and the production cost of the key module can be controlled to a certain extent. Since the capacitor structure occupies less space on the circuit board, it is conducive to the miniaturization of the key module.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a button module, comprising: a button, a fixing part, a circuit board, two groups of capacitor structures and a bracket; the fixing part is arranged at both ends of the button, and the fixing part elastically fixes the two ends of the button to the bracket; the circuit board is fixed to the surface of the button, and the circuit board is located between the button and the bracket; the two groups of capacitor structures are arranged on the circuit board, and the two groups of capacitor structures are respectively located at the two ends of the button; when the button is moved by a force, the circuit board moves with the button, and the two groups of capacitor structures respectively generate capacitor signals related to the position and magnitude of the force.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an electronic device, comprising: a housing and the above-mentioned key module arranged on the housing.

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for detecting a pressed position, which is applied to the above-mentioned button module, and the method includes: determining, based on capacitance signals respectively generated by two groups of capacitance structures, a first component force and a second component force acting on the button at the positions of the two groups of capacitance structures respectively; and calculating the position of the force acting on the button based on the first component force, the second component force and the relative distance between the two groups of capacitance structures.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the above-mentioned method for detecting a pressing position is implemented.

[0009] Compared with the related art, the embodiment of the present invention sets two groups of capacitor structures on the circuit board of the key module. When the key moves due to the force, the circuit board will be moved, thereby causing the capacitor structure on the circuit board to generate different capacitor signals. The magnitude of the force applied to the key and the position of the force applied to the key can be calculated based on the capacitor signals generated by the two groups of capacitor structures. The detection of various operation behaviors of the key can be achieved by simply adding a capacitor structure to the key module, which controls the production cost of the key module to a certain extent. Since the capacitor structure occupies a small space on the circuit board, it is conducive to the miniaturization of the key module.

[0010] In addition, when the key is moved by the force, the distance moved by the end of the key that is close to the force position is greater than the end of the key that is far from the force position; the change in capacitance signal of the group of capacitance structures close to the force position in the two groups of capacitance structures is greater than the change in capacitance signal of the group of capacitance structures far from the force position in the two groups of capacitance structures.

[0011] In addition, the force position is determined based on the change in capacitance signal of the two groups of capacitance structures and the relative distance between the two groups of capacitance structures.

[0012] In addition, the capacitor structure is composed of a first emitter plate, a first receiving plate and a conductive medium; the first emitter plate and the first receiving plate are arranged in parallel on the circuit board; the conductive medium is fixed to the bracket, and the conductive medium is spaced apart from the circuit board; the first emitter plate and the first receiving plate form a capacitor structure through the conductive medium.

[0013] In addition, the center of the first emitting plate coincides with the center of the first receiving plate.

[0014] In addition, the first emitting plate and the first receiving plate are symmetrically arranged.

[0015] In addition, the capacitor structure is composed of a second emitter plate and a second receiver plate; the circuit board is a flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board includes a main body and an extension portion extending from the edge of the main body; the projection of the extension portion toward the main body overlaps with part of the main body; one of the second emitter plate and the second receiver plate is arranged on the extension portion, and the other of the second emitter plate and the second receiver plate is arranged on the main body and is within the projection area of ​​the extension portion toward the main body; the second emitter plate and the second receiver plate are arranged opposite to each other. By changing the shape of the flexible circuit board, a structure suitable for arranging the capacitor structure is formed by the flexible circuit board itself, and the space occupied by the capacitor structure is further reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0017] Figure 1 is an exploded diagram of a key module provided according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a key module provided according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a state of a key module under no force provided by the present invention; Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the state of a key module under a condition where a key is subjected to force according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another state of a key module under a key force condition provided by the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the state of a key module under another condition of key force provided by the present invention; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating relevant parameters of a key module provided by the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a capacitor structure provided according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent model of a capacitor structure provided according to the present invention; Fig.10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first emitting electrode plate and a second emitting electrode plate provided according to the present invention; Fig.11 is a schematic structural diagram of another first emitting electrode plate and a second emitting electrode plate provided according to the present invention; Fig.12 is a structural schematic diagram of another capacitor structure provided according to the present invention; Fig.13 is a circuit connection diagram of a chip in a circuit board provided by the present invention; Fig.14 is a system block diagram of a chip provided according to the present invention; Fig.15 is an exploded view of another key module provided according to the present invention; Fig.16 It is a structural schematic diagram of an electronic device provided according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical scheme and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that in the embodiments of the present invention, many technical details are provided to enable readers to better understand the present invention. However, even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments, the technical scheme claimed in the present invention can be implemented.

[0019] The following embodiments are divided for the convenience of description and shall not constitute any limitation on the specific implementation of the present invention. The embodiments may be combined with each other and referenced to each other without contradiction.

[0020] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a key module, such as Figure 1 As shown, the key module includes: a key 10, a fixing member 20, a circuit board 30, two groups of capacitor structures 40 and a bracket 50; the fixing member 20 is arranged at both ends of the key 10, and the fixing member 20 elastically fixes the two ends of the key 10 on the bracket 50; the circuit board 30 is fixed to the surface of the key 10, and the circuit board 30 is between the key 10 and the bracket 50; the two groups of capacitor structures 40 are arranged on the circuit board 30, and the two groups of capacitor structures 40 are respectively located at both ends of the key 10; when the key 10 is moved by a force, the circuit board 30 moves with the key 10, and the two groups of capacitor structures 40 respectively generate capacitor signals related to the position and size of the force.

[0021] Compared with the related art, the embodiment of the present invention sets two groups of capacitor structures on the circuit board of the key module. When the key moves due to the force, the circuit board will be moved, thereby causing the capacitor structure on the circuit board to generate different capacitor signals. The magnitude of the force applied to the key and the position of the force applied to the key can be calculated based on the capacitor signals generated by the two groups of capacitor structures. The detection of various operation behaviors of the key can be achieved by simply adding a capacitor structure to the key module, which controls the production cost of the key module to a certain extent. Since the capacitor structure occupies a small space on the circuit board, it is conducive to the miniaturization of the key module.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the key 10 has a certain length, which is convenient for the user to complete the pressing operation or sliding operation at different positions on the surface of the key 10, thereby triggering different responses. When the key 10 is not subjected to an applied force, the distance between the surface of the key 10 and the surface of the bracket 50 is the initial threshold. Since the two ends of the key 10 are elastically fixedly connected to the bracket 50 respectively through a fixing member 20, when the position of pressing the key 10 is not in the middle position, the elastic fixing members 20 at both ends of the key 10 are deformed to different degrees, thereby causing the distance between the surface of the key 10 and the surface of the bracket 50 to change, and the different deformation degrees of the elastic fixing members 20 will bring about different sizes of spacing changes. Due to different spacing changes, the capacitor structures 40 at the two ends of the key 10 will produce different capacitance signal changes. Therefore, based on the changes in the capacitance signals of the capacitor structures 40 at both ends of the key 10, the position and size of the applied force can be inferred.

[0023] The following is a detailed description of the method of using capacitance signals to determine the position and magnitude of the force: In order to facilitate the explanation of the principle of determining the position and magnitude of the applied force, the structure of the key module in the embodiment of the present solution is simplified. Figure 3 As shown, the key 10 and two groups of capacitor structures 40 at both ends of the key, each group of capacitor structures 40 is connected to one end of the key 10 through a fixing member 20.

[0024] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, when the key 10 is pressed by an external force F, the key 10 is forced to move toward the capacitor structure 40, compressing the fixing members 20 at both ends to deform, and the distance between the key 10 and the capacitor structure 40 is reduced. Figure 4 As shown, if the force position of the key 10 under the external force F is in the middle of the key 10, the fixing members 20 at both ends of the key 10 have the same deformation degree, that is, the first force F1 applied to the capacitor structure 40 on the left side of the figure and the second force F2 applied to the capacitor structure 40 on the right side of the figure are approximately the same. The spacing between the key 10 and the two groups of capacitor structures 40 changes in the same way. Figure 5As shown, if the force position of the key 10 subjected to the external force F is close to the capacitor structure 40 on the left side of the figure, the distance moved by the end of the key 10 close to the force position is greater than the end of the key 10 far from the force position. The degree of deformation of the fixing member 20 at the end of the key 10 close to the force position is greater than the degree of deformation of the fixing member 20 at the end of the key 10 far from the force position. That is, the first component force F1 applied by the force F to the capacitor structure 40 on the left side of the figure is greater than the second component force F2 applied to the capacitor structure 40 on the right side of the figure. Figure 6 As shown, if the force position of the key 10 subjected to the external force F is close to the capacitor structure 40 on the right side of the figure, the distance moved by the end of the key 10 close to the force position is greater than the end of the key 10 far from the force position. The deformation degree of the fixing member 20 at the end of the key 10 close to the force position is greater than the deformation degree of the fixing member 20 at the end of the key 10 far from the force position. That is, the first component force F1 of the force F applied to the capacitor structure 40 on the left side of the figure is smaller than the second component force F2 applied to the capacitor structure 40 on the right side of the figure.

[0025] like Figure 7 As shown, assuming that the distance between the connection position O between the left fixing member and the key and the connection position P between the right fixing member and the key is L, the distance between the force position of the force F applied on the key and the connection position O between the left fixing member and the key is x, through the force balance formula in the vertical direction shown in the figure: F=F1+F2; and the torque balance formula about point O: F*x=F2*L, it can be known that the magnitude of the force applied on the key: F=F1+F2; the force position x of the force applied on the key=F2*L / (F1+F2).

[0026] The capacitor structure in the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented in different ways, one of which is as follows: like Figure 8 As shown, the capacitor structure is composed of a first emitter plate 401, a first receiver plate 402 and a conductive medium 403; the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 are arranged in parallel on the circuit board; the conductive medium 403 is fixed to the bracket 50, and the conductive medium 403 is spaced apart from the circuit board 30; the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 form a capacitor structure through the conductive medium. In practical applications, the conductive medium 403 can be a metal sheet, and the material of the metal sheet can be adjusted according to the demand for changes in the capacitor signal.

[0027] Under this capacitor structure, Fig. 9 As shown, the first emitter plate 401 and the conductive medium at its relative position form a sub-capacitor C1, and the first receiver plate 402 and the conductive medium at its relative position form a sub-capacitor C2. The two sub-capacitors are connected through the conductive medium (equivalent to Fig. 9The position of the conductors shown in the figure) forms sub-capacitors C1 and C2 connected in series as a capacitor structure.

[0028] When the key 10 is pressed, the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiving plate 402 arranged on the circuit board 30 move toward the conductive medium 403, while the position of the conductive medium 403 does not change. The distance between the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiving plate 402 and the conductive medium 403 is reduced, which will increase the capacitance signal of the capacitance structure. The change in capacitance signal is related to the distance between the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiving plate 402 and the conductive medium 403, that is, the change in capacitance signal is related to the pressing distance of the key 10, that is, the change in capacitance signal is related to the magnitude of the force applied to the capacitance structure. Based on the change in capacitance signal, the magnitude of the component force applied to the capacitance structure under the force applied to the key 10 can be determined. The magnitude of the force applied to the key 10 can be determined by calculating the magnitude of the component force respectively by the two groups of capacitance structures. At the same time, according to the force position formula for applying the force on the key mentioned above, the force position can be calculated.

[0029] In addition, the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 may be arranged as follows: Figure 8 As shown in the figure, the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 are arranged in parallel, and the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 are arranged symmetrically. Figure 10 to Figure 11 As shown, the center of the first emitter plate 401 coincides with the center of the first receiver plate 402. Fig.10 As shown, the first emitter plate 401 is a polygonal ring with a hollow center, and the shape of the first receiver plate 402 is a polygon that coincides with the center of the first emitter plate 401, and in the positive projection direction of the first emitter plate 401 toward the first receiver plate 402, the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 have no overlapping area. Fig.11 As shown, the first emitter plate 401 is a ring, and the shape of the first receiver plate 402 is a circle that coincides with the center of the first emitter plate 401, and in the positive projection direction of the first emitter plate 401 toward the first receiver plate 402, the first emitter plate 401 and the first receiver plate 402 have no overlapping area. Figure 8 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 The first receiving plate 402 and the first emitting plate 401 in the embodiment can be replaced with each other.

[0030] Another way to realize the capacitor structure is as follows Fig.12As shown, the capacitor structure is composed of a second emitter plate 404 and a second receiver plate 405; the circuit board 30 is a flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board includes a main body 301 and an extension portion 302 extending from the edge of the main body 301; the projection of the extension portion 302 toward the main body 301 overlaps with part of the main body 301; one of the second emitter plate 404 and the second receiver plate 405 is arranged on the extension portion 302, and the other of the second emitter plate 404 and the second receiver plate 405 is arranged on the main body 301 and is located in the projection area of ​​the extension portion 302 toward the main body 301; the second emitter plate 404 and the second receiver plate 405 are arranged opposite to each other. By changing the shape of the flexible circuit board, a structure suitable for arranging the capacitor structure is formed by the flexible circuit board itself, and the space occupied by the capacitor structure is further reduced.

[0031] In addition, if Fig.13 As shown, the key module also includes a chip, the emitter plates Tx1, Tx2...TxM of the M groups of capacitor structures are connected to the corresponding pins of the chip, and the receiving plates Rx1, Rx2...RxN of the N groups of capacitor structures are connected to the corresponding pins of the chip, usually M=N; the chip transmits the capacitance values ​​detected by all current capacitor structures to the microcontroller unit MCU of the chip for signal processing, and calculates the pressing force and the pressing force position at this time.

[0032] The chip and the host computer are connected by Fig.14 The interface (I2C) shown in the figure is used for communication, and the calculated pressing force and pressing force position are fed back to the host computer for further processing, such as focusing, taking pictures, etc. The host computer can be the main control chip of consumer electronic products. In addition, the capacitive signal can also be directly transmitted to the host computer, and the pressing force and pressing force position are calculated in the host computer. In addition, the signals of the transmitter plate Tx and the receiving plate Rx are processed by the signal processor to determine the pressing force and pressing position of the key, and then the micro control unit performs the corresponding instruction operation on the electronic device according to the pressing situation of the key module by the outside world.

[0033] In addition, if Fig.15 As shown, the fixing member is composed of a gasket 201 fixed to the end side of the button, an elastic metal sheet 202 connected to the gasket 201, and a fixing bolt 203 connected to the bracket. One end of the elastic metal sheet 202 is fixedly connected to the gasket 201, and the other end is provided with a through hole. The fixing bolt 203 is connected to the other end of the elastic metal sheet 202 through the through hole. When the button is pressed by an external force, the elastic metal sheet 202 is deformed and bent, changing the distance between the button and the bracket. In actual application, the gasket 201 can be a non-metallic material, such as silicone. The elastic metal sheet 202 can be a steel sheet. The fixing bolt 203 can be a screw.

[0034] In addition, if Fig.15 As shown, the circuit board extends out a contact 304, which is connected to the circuit board of the electronic device through the contact 304, so as to realize signal transmission between the key module and the electronic device.

[0035] In addition, if Fig.15 As shown, a chip 60 is also provided on the circuit board, and the chip 60 is used to process the capacitance signal and calculate information such as the force magnitude and force position of the key.

[0036] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an electronic device, such as Fig.16 As shown, the electronic device includes: a middle frame 70 and the above-mentioned key module arranged on the middle frame 70.

[0037] The button module is provided with a connector 701 at a fixed position on the middle frame 70, and the fixing bolt 203 of the button module is fixed to the connector 701 of the middle frame 70 through the through hole on the elastic metal sheet 202. The fixation between the button module and the middle frame is achieved. When the button is pressed down, since one end of the gasket 201 is fixed to the connector 701 of the middle frame 70, and the other end of the gasket 201 is fixed to the button, the end of the gasket 201 fixed to the button moves downward as the button is pressed down, changing the distance between the button and the bracket. And since the gasket 201 is elastic, after the external force is removed, the gasket 201 automatically returns to an unstressed state, and the initial distance between the button and the bracket is restored.

[0038] Compared with the related art, the electronic device provided by this embodiment of the present invention is provided with the key module provided by the aforementioned embodiment. Therefore, it also has the technical effects provided by the aforementioned embodiment, which will not be elaborated here.

[0039] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for detecting the movement distance of a key, which is applied to the above-mentioned key module, and the method includes: determining, based on the capacitance signals respectively generated by the two groups of capacitance structures, a first component force and a second component force of the key acting at the positions of the two groups of capacitance structures respectively; and calculating the position of the force acting on the key based on the first component force, the second component force and the relative distance between the two groups of capacitance structures.

[0040] In addition, the magnitude of the force acting on the key can also be calculated based on the first force component and the second force component.

[0041] The calculation of the magnitude of the force acting on the key and the position of the force is described in detail in the above embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0042] The step division of the various methods above is only for clear description. When implemented, they can be combined into one step or some steps can be split and decomposed into multiple steps. As long as they include the same logical relationship, they are all within the protection scope of the present invention. Adding insignificant modifications or introducing insignificant designs to the algorithm or process without changing the core design of the algorithm and process are all within the protection scope of the invention.

[0043] Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which implements the above method embodiment when executed by a processor.

[0044] That is, those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps in the above-mentioned embodiment method can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a program, and the program is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), disk or optical disk and other media that can store program codes.

[0045] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are specific embodiments for implementing the present invention, and that in actual applications, various changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A key module, characterized in that: include: Buttons, fixings, circuit boards, two sets of capacitor structures and brackets; The fixing member is disposed at two ends of the button, and the fixing member elastically fixes the two ends of the button to the bracket; The circuit board is fixed to the surface of the button, and the circuit board is located between the button and the bracket; The two groups of capacitor structures are arranged on the circuit board, and the two groups of capacitor structures are respectively located at two ends of the button; When the key is moved by the force, the circuit board moves with the key, and the two groups of capacitor structures respectively generate capacitor signals related to the position and magnitude of the force.

2. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the key is moved by a force, the distance moved by the end of the key closer to the force position is greater than the distance moved by the end of the key farther from the force position; The capacitance signal variation of a group of capacitance structures in the two groups of capacitance structures that is close to the force position is greater than the capacitance signal variation of a group of capacitance structures in the two groups of capacitance structures that is far from the force position.

3. The key module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The force position is determined by calculation based on the capacitance signal variation of the two groups of capacitance structures and the relative distance between the two groups of capacitance structures.

4. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The capacitor structure is composed of a first emitting plate, a first receiving plate and a conductive medium; The first emitting plate and the first receiving plate are arranged in parallel on the circuit board; The conductive medium is fixed to the bracket, and the conductive medium is spaced apart from the circuit board; The first emitting plate and the first receiving plate form the capacitor structure through the conductive medium.

5. The key module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The center of the first emitting plate coincides with the center of the first receiving plate.

6. The key module according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first emitting plate and the first receiving plate are symmetrically arranged.

7. The key module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The capacitor structure is composed of a second emitter plate and a second receiver plate; The circuit board is a flexible circuit board, and the flexible circuit board includes a main body and an extension portion extending from the edge of the main body; the projection of the extension portion toward the main body overlaps with a portion of the main body; One of the second emitting electrode plate and the second receiving electrode plate is arranged on the extension part, and the other of the second emitting electrode plate and the second receiving electrode plate is arranged on the main body part and is located in the projection area of ​​the extension part toward the main body part; the second emitting electrode plate and the second receiving electrode plate are arranged opposite to each other.

8. An electronic device, characterized in that: The invention comprises: a shell and a key module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 arranged on the shell.

9. A method for detecting a pressing position, characterized in that: Applied to the key module as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprises: Determine, based on capacitance signals respectively generated by the two groups of capacitance structures, a first force component and a second force component of the force acting on the key respectively at the positions of the two groups of capacitance structures; The position of the force acting on the key is calculated according to the first force component, the second force component and the relative distance between the two groups of capacitor structures.

10. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the method for detecting a pressed position according to claim 9 is implemented.

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