Touch switch device for controlling an appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch switch device for a control device with a touch screen, comprising a mounting area and a plurality of activation elements, by means of the underside of which mounting area the touch switch device can be fastened in a prescribed manner on the touch screen, each activation element comprising a transparent pressing area with an electrically conductive contact element and an elastic spacing area, which completely surrounds the pressing area and distances the pressing area from the plane of the mounting area, wherein the touch switch device is transparent at least in the pressing area, so that the touch screen lying thereunder is visible, wherein the surface of the touch switch device is at least water-repellent, so that liquid cannot enter from the surface under the pressing area. Furthermore, the invention comprises a control device and a method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a touch switch device for controlling equipment, a control device, and a method for manufacturing the control device. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, medical devices have been controlled via remote control devices with touch-sensitive screens (so-called "touchscreens" or "touchscreens"). However, problems can arise when the screen recognizes signals not intentionally entered by the user, such as those caused by spilled conductive liquids. Capacitive touchscreens, in particular, are susceptible to damage from erroneous touch events caused by conductive liquids such as blood or NaCl solution.

[0003] For example, imaging diagnostic systems have safety-critical functions, such as C-arm movement or radiation triggering, which could lead to injury in case of malfunction. Therefore, these functions cannot be triggered by special circumstances in the working environment, such as spilled liquids.

[0004] For certain functions, they even need to be implemented reliably to ensure that no danger arises from spontaneous electronic or hardware failures. This is typically achieved through redundant queries.

[0005] In humidity-sensitive areas, capacitive touchscreens are generally not used. Modern capacitive touchscreens offer the possibility of switching from the particularly susceptible multi-touch operation to the less susceptible single-touch operation, requiring only one signal at one location on the display instead of multiple signals for operation. However, this is not ideally feasible in conductive liquids, as activating GUI elements covered by conductive liquids is impossible.

[0006] EP 3 355 474 A1 describes a particular configuration of a control device having a touchscreen and control elements applied thereon. However, this does not allow for optimal operation and does not take full advantage of the particular benefits of the touchscreen. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a touch switch device for controlling a device, a control device, and a method for manufacturing the control device, thereby avoiding the disadvantages described above.

[0008] The objective is achieved by the touch switch device according to the invention, the control device according to the invention, and the method according to the invention.

[0009] The touch switch device according to the present invention is contemplated for use in control devices having a touchscreen. The touch switch device includes a mounting area and a plurality of activation elements (buttons), which can be securely fastened to the touchscreen via the underside of the mounting area. Each activation element includes a transparent pressing area and a resilient spacer area, the pressing area having a conductive contact element, and the spacer area completely surrounding the pressing area and distancing the pressing area from the plane of the mounting area. Here, the touch switch device is transparent at least in the pressing area, making the touchscreen below visible. Here, the surface of the touch switch device is at least waterproof, preventing liquid from entering below the pressing area from the surface.

[0010] Touch switch devices are specifically designed for use on touchscreens. The touch switch device should provide a user-friendly, reliable, and weather-resistant operating interface that prevents unintended activation of the function through liquids on the switch device. For better understanding, it can be assumed that the touch switch device is formed of a silicone pad, with the activation element formed as a raised portion within the silicone pad. The touch switch device has activation elements (at least two, but also potentially five or more) serving as buttons and a placement area surrounding the activation elements, by means of which the activation elements can be positioned on the touchscreen.

[0011] The mounting area is essentially the lower side of the touch switch device or the space between the activation element and the outer edge surrounding the activation element. This mounting area is specifically designed for direct fastening to the touchscreen. The surface ensures a reliable and, in particular, waterproof connection between the touch switch device and the touchscreen. For this purpose, adhesive or double-sided tape can be applied to the mounting area.

[0012] Each activation element includes a transparent pressing area and a resilient spacing area, the spacing area preferably also being transparent. The transparent pressing area enables visual perception of the touchscreen beneath it. The resilient spacing area maintains a certain distance between the pressing area and the plane of the placement area. "Resilient" means that the pressing area can be pressed downwards (i.e., towards the lower side) under the deformation of the spacing area, and the spacing area exerts a reaction force against the downward pressing force during this process, particularly a force greater than 0.4N.

[0013] During operation (i.e., when the touch switch is applied to the touchscreen of the control device), the corresponding function of the activated element is displayed on the touchscreen below the pressing area. This can be done via icons, text, or specific colors. The translucent pressing area allows the user to visually identify the corresponding function based on the touchscreen display. To prevent liquids such as blood or NaCl solution from triggering the function, spacers are used to separate the pressing area of ​​each activated element from the touchscreen. For example, a silicone shape in the form of a button can include both a pressure area and a spacer area.

[0014] When a user presses onto the transparent pressing area of ​​the activation unit, the pressing area overcomes the preset spacing of the elastic interval area and makes contact with the touchscreen, which triggers an action. Simultaneously, the elasticity of the interval retainer prevents a prolonged connection, causing the pressing area to return to its initial position after being released.

[0015] For reliable activation, the pressing area is equipped with a conductive contact element. This contact element performs the actual activation function for the touchscreen. It should be noted that simply placing a finger on the pressing area (without pressing down) is sufficient to trigger a signal in the contact element. This can be used for redundancy or activation of (non-critical) auxiliary functions.

[0016] For example, the activation element can be formed from a transparent plastic part (press area) coated with a thin layer of conductive material. The activation element is surrounded by a resilient annular rubber ring or resilient edge that holds the activation element above the touchscreen at a certain distance. The underside of the annular rubber ring is the placement area.

[0017] The entire surface of the touch switch device, including the mounting area and the activation element, is at least waterproof. For this purpose, the touch switch device can be made of a waterproof material, such as a silicone pad, or have a waterproof coating. This coating prevents liquid from entering below the pressing area, ensuring reliable functionality. By repelling moisture, it prevents the activation of key functions via conductive liquids on the touch switch device on the touchscreen. Key functions cannot be activated without actively pressing the pressing area downwards by a force applied from above.

[0018] "Water resistant" should be understood as meaning that liquid cannot enter the touch switch device (i.e., below the pressing area). Here, it is based on the same meaning as in clocks. The feature "water resistant" means that the touch switch device is at least protected from water spray, preventing the water from entering. Preferably, the touch switch device is waterproof up to 2 atm, preferably up to 3 atm, preferably up to 5 atm, or even up to 10 atm, which prevents moisture from potentially entering the touch switch device even under external pressure.

[0019] Touch switch devices themselves are generally not suitable for triggering signals. However, the touch switch device can be attached to the touchscreen of a control device equipped with a control program that has preset activation areas on the touchscreen corresponding to pressing areas, the activation areas triggering the function by touch. The control device can also operate the device without the touch switch device; however, liquid on the touchscreen may undesirably activate the function. But if the touch switch device is placed on the touchscreen, more precisely, placed on the touchscreen to match the activation area, reliable control can be achieved even if liquid is spilled.

[0020] By pressing down on the pressing area, the finger approaches the capacitive sensor of the touchscreen, which can be recognized by the capacitive sensor, thereby triggering a touch event in the control device. Thanks to this simple switching device, liquid spilled on the touch switch device can no longer trigger erroneous touch events, because the touch switch device maintains a certain distance from the touchscreen through each active element in the relevant area.

[0021] The control device according to the invention includes a (preferably capacitive) touchscreen and a touch switch device according to the invention, the touch switch device being disposed on the touchscreen. Preferably, the touch switch device is attached by means of (preferably transparent) adhesive.

[0022] In practice, each activation element of a touch switch device (which is essentially a keyboard in a control unit) should have a non-conductive, waterproof, (highly) transparent, and rigid upper side (press area) and a flexible edge (gap area), the edge also being as transparent as possible. The gap area allows the upper side to be pressed down onto the touchscreen, but maintains a certain distance without external pressure. The thickness of the gap area should be determined such that a contact pressure of at least 0.5 N, and especially at least 1 N, is required to fully press down the press area, preventing accidental activation through accidental liquids.

[0023] The capacitive touch sensor of the touchscreen should preferably be configured for "mutual" measurements, which enable multi-touch operation in areas without physical buttons. Essentially no other hardware is required besides existing display controls and touch controllers, theoretically allowing for a reliable control device to be provided using commercially available tablet computers and the touch switch device according to the invention.

[0024] The method according to the present invention is used to manufacture a control device according to the present invention. The method includes the following steps:

[0025] - Provides a touch switch device according to the present invention.

[0026] - Provides a computing system with a touchscreen.

[0027] - Determine the location of the touch switch device on the touchscreen.

[0028] - Apply the touch switch device to its designated area, preferably attach it to the touchscreen.

[0029] A computing system with a touchscreen can be, for example, a specially manufactured control device or a commercially available tablet computer with corresponding software. As mentioned above, the computing system is essentially a control device (known in the prior art); however, such a control device is still susceptible to the effects of liquids on the touchscreen. To obtain a reliable control device according to the invention, the touch switch device must also be combined with the computing system.

[0030] The software of the calculation system predetermines the location on the touchscreen where the areas that must be touched to activate a function are located. The touch switch device is shaped so that it can be precisely positioned on the touchscreen, allowing these areas to be touched via activation elements. This is the placement area of ​​the touch switch device on the touchscreen.

[0031] If the touch switch device is positioned directly above the setting area on the touchscreen, it can be applied there. For example, a protective film can be removed from the adhesive layer in the application area, and the touch switch device can be attached to the touchscreen.

[0032] Other particularly advantageous designs and modifications of the invention will be described in the following description. Embodiments of one category of embodiments may also be modified in a similar manner to embodiments of other categories of embodiments and the description portion. In particular, features of different embodiments or variations may be combined to form new embodiments or variations.

[0033] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that the placement area, spacing area, and pressing area (i.e., activation area) of the touch switch device are manufactured as a single piece. The element is preferably made of a transparent, elastic material, particularly silicone. For example, the element can be manufactured from a translucent, elastic plastic by injection molding or casting. Preferably, the touch switch device is formed from a transparent, non-conductive, waterproof film, in which the activation element is formed as a protrusion.

[0034] The vertical distance from the pressing area to the lower side of the placement area should be large enough that a finger placed on the surface of the touchscreen below the pressing area (i.e., in the area corresponding to the vertical projection of the pressing area) will not generate a touch signal. In absolute terms, the vertical distance from the pressing area to the lower side of the placement area is preferably greater than 1 mm, particularly greater than 3 mm, or even greater than 5 mm. The thickness of the pressing area should be large enough that, when the pressing area is fully pressed down (i.e., when the pressing area contacts the touchscreen), a finger will generate a touch signal on the surface of the touchscreen below the pressing area. In absolute terms, the thickness of the pressing area is preferably less than 2 mm, particularly less than 1 mm, or even less than 0.5 mm. However, the force used to press the pressing area down should not be too small, such that liquid on the touch switch device may press the pressing area down. Therefore, the pressing area and the spacing area should preferably be thicker than 0.05 mm, preferably more than 0.1 mm.

[0035] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that at least the upper surface of the pressing area, preferably the entire upper surface of the touch switch device, is made of an insulating material. The preferred insulating material has a density greater than 10. 8 Specific resistance in Ω·cm.

[0036] A preferred touch switch device includes an adhesive layer, preferably double-sided tape, on the underside of the placement area. Preferably, the adhesive layer is transparent and, in particular, non-conductive (i.e., also an insulating material, see above). The adhesive layer should be water-insoluble and thus applied to the placement area so that the touch switch device is waterproof with respect to its adhesive portion while affixed to the touchscreen.

[0037] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that the pressing area is implemented more rigidly than the spaced area. Preferably, the spaced area (at least in the downward pressing state of the pressing area) applies a force of at least 0.5 N, preferably at least 1 N, upward toward the corresponding pressing area. This requires a contact pressure of at least 0.5 N (or at least 1 N) to reduce the upward pressure, preventing accidental activation due to the applied liquid.

[0038] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that at least one activation element has a number of tactile elements in the pressing area, preferably as a pattern of recesses and / or ridges on the surface of the pressing area, particularly in the form of characters or Braille patterns. This has the advantage that the user can locate the activation element without looking through tactile feedback, for example, when it is not permissible to remove their gaze from the patient during operation. For example, characters such as "+" and "-" can be identified by fingertips, and the position of the examination table can be precisely set by means of the corresponding button during blind operation of the corresponding activation element. The tactile elements can be applied, especially adhered, to the pressing area, or the tactile elements can also be formed on the surface of the pressing area by corresponding molding portions. For example, when molding a silicone pad with a correspondingly designed shape, the pressing area can be directly provided with tactile elements.

[0039] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that at least one pressing area has at least one conductive contact element on or under its underside. Therefore, preferably, a layer of another material, preferably an insulating material, is also present on the contact element. Preferably, the contact element comprises a layer of conductive material (especially micrometer-thin), particularly copper in the form of a meandering loop or mesh, or a layer of transparent indium tin oxide (ITO), which is applied to the underside of the pressing area. This additional layer causes the conductive surface to always be very close to the glass substrate, regardless of the thickness of the button and the user's possible gloves, and thus yields very good measurements for capacitive sensors while maintaining good transparency.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, the pressing area is penetrated by a conductive element, which is surrounded by a non-conductive material on the surface of the pressing area. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pressing area has a conductive region on its surface that can guide current down to the underside of the pressing area. The penetrating contact element is a connection between the operator—in the absence of gloves—and allows for further improved capacitive measurements in this case.

[0041] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that at least one contact element in the pressing area is electrically connected to a signal line that extends from the contact element to the placement area. This has the advantage that the signal generated capacitively by the contact element from the placed finger can be recorded by the touchscreen below the placement area. Here, the area of ​​the touchscreen below the placement area can be sensitively designed, and a touch can be recorded when a finger is placed on the pressing area (without pressing down on the pressing area). The sensitive area is not used to activate critical functions (because liquids may also generate signals), but can activate auxiliary functions, such as, for example, turning on a light or unlocking the touch area of ​​the touchscreen below the pressing area. Essentially, this specific function can be used in a similar manner to hovering a mouse pointer. Also preferably, the signal line extends from the placement area to a pressure detection unit designed to measure the pressure acting on the pressing area based on the signal on the signal line, preferably independently of the touchscreen.

[0042] A preferred touch switch device is characterized in that the activating element has at least two contact elements below the pressing area, the contact elements overlapping in a vertical projection and maintaining a certain distance from each other. These two contact elements are preferably made of a transparent material, particularly an ITO layer. The spacing between the contact elements is preferably achieved by a spacer, which is preferably made of a transparent flexible plastic. The contact elements and, if necessary, the spacer (especially its plastic component) are preferably designed such that the conductive closing element contacts under approximately the same contact pressure as the entire button. The contact elements are thus arranged such that they do not touch each other in the unactivated state of the activating element and form a conductive closing element.

[0043] Preferably, the signal line is guided from these two contact elements to the pressure detection unit. Therefore, the contact elements can be monitored by the pressure detection unit, which determines whether the contact element is being touched. An additional insulating layer can also be provided beneath the contact elements. This allows pressure signals to be detected independently of the touchscreen. This can be used for redundancy or monitoring.

[0044] To clearly determine which active elements have been pressed, it is preferable that the signal lines of different active elements are individually, i.e., separately, located at the pressure detection unit. Alternatively or additionally, the contact elements may differ from each other in terms of individual resistance values, wherein the resistance values ​​are preferably selected such that a clear association of the pressed active elements is achieved even when the contact elements of different active elements are connected in parallel and / or in series (i.e., multiple active elements are pressed). This can be achieved, for example, by having different resistance values ​​(a). 2nThe resistance values ​​are given, where n varies. In the preferred variant, reducing the number of measuring lines is sufficient.

[0045] The pressure sensing unit and the touchscreen controller should be completely separate so that a single error in one controller does not propagate to the other. Preferably, the pressure sensing unit and the touchscreen controller are further connected to a control element that compares the two measurements to each other, thereby enabling self-testing.

[0046] Two-stage switching can also be achieved using the contact element, wherein, preferably, the force applied to the contact element is greater than or less than the force applied to the downward pressing area. Contacting the contact element can trigger a function different from that applied when touching the touchscreen.

[0047] A preferred control device is configured such that the surface of the touchscreen (according to specifications) covered by an activation element is designed to trigger at least one function. This means that the touchscreen is sensitive below the pressing area of ​​such an activation element, allowing an activation signal to be triggered by pressing the pressing area on the relevant surface with a finger. Preferably, the control device is configured to allow multi-touch operation in areas not covered by the activation element. However, this should prevent the activation of potentially dangerous functions.

[0048] A preferred control device is configured such that the surface of the touchscreen covered by the placement area is designed to trigger a function, and the touch switch device includes signal lines from a contact element in the pressing area to the relevant portion of the placement area. Thereby, a signal capacitively generated by the contact element from a placed finger can be recorded by the touchscreen in the relevant area of ​​the placement area, thereby activating or deactivating the function. However, the function should not be potentially hazardous, as spilled liquids may also activate it. Preferably, the function is an auxiliary function for controlling the function, which is activated upon downward pressing of the relevant pressing area, such as illumination or a special display.

[0049] A preferred control device is characterized in that the area below the pressing area of ​​the touchscreen has multiple touch-activated areas, i.e., areas in which the touchscreen records signals after a touch, thereby stimulating control commands. Preferably, the touch-activated areas are arranged side-by-side, preferably in a straight line, and simulate a sliding adjuster. "Side-by-side" simply refers to the relative arrangement with respect to each other, so from the user's perspective, the description refers not only to lateral side-by-side, but also to vertical stacking and oblique side-by-side. This allows multiple different signals (or control commands) to be activated by pressing on the pressing area, for example, by continuously adjusting control parameters up or down through a "sliding" motion.

[0050] This invention enables capacitive touchscreens to operate even under strong pressure from conductive liquids. Additionally, the touch switch device can be manufactured in a simple and cost-effective manner, which is another advantage. The safety function of having a closing element in each individual button allows for virtually arbitrarily high resolution, thus allowing for buttons to be placed side-by-side. According to embodiments, resistive touch events, which can be measured independently, can also be triggered in addition to capacitive touch events. Attached Figure Description

[0051] The invention will now be described in detail again with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Here, in different drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. The drawings are generally not to scale. The drawings show:

[0052] Figure 1 A CT system with control devices is shown.

[0053] Figure 2 An example of a touch switch device according to the present invention is shown in a side view.

[0054] Figure 3 An example of the function of the touch switch device according to the present invention is shown in a side view.

[0055] Figure 4 An example of a touch switch device with special contact elements according to the present invention is shown in a side view.

[0056] Figure 5 Another example of a touch switch device according to the invention is shown in a side view.

[0057] Figure 6 Another example of a touch switch device according to the invention is shown in a side view.

[0058] Figure 7 A control device having a touch switch according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0059] Figure 1 A computed tomography (CT) system 20 is shown as an example, controlled by a control unit 10. The CT system is equipped with a radiation detector 24 and an X-ray source 25, wherein the X-ray source 25 is configured to irradiate the radiation detector 24 with X-ray radiation. The illustrated CT system 20 includes a gantry 22 with a rotating component 23, which in turn includes the X-ray source 25 and the radiation detector 24. The control unit 10 can control the function of the gantry 22 and activate the radiation source 25 by pressing one of the buttons B on a touchscreen to examine a patient P on an examination table 21.

[0060] Figure 2 An example of a touch switch device 1 according to the invention is shown in a side view. Below the touch switch device 1 are shown a display screen 13, a touch sensor 14, and a protective glass plate 15, symbolically illustrated, for example, in… Figure 1 The control device 10 shown in the figure has a touch screen 17. The touch switch device 1 supplements the control device 10, so that reliable control can still be achieved even if liquid is spilled.

[0061] The touch switch device 1 includes a mounting area 3, under which the touch switch device 1 is secured to the touchscreen 17 by means of an adhesive layer 3a. Furthermore, two activation elements 2 are visible here, each comprising a transparent pressing area 2a with a conductive contact element 4 and a resilient spacer area 2b. The spacer area 2b completely surrounds the pressing area 2a and keeps the pressing area 2a away from the plane of the mounting area. Here, the touch switch device 1 is transparent, at least in the pressing area 2a, making the touchscreen 17 below it visible. The surface of the touch switch device 1 is waterproof, preferably watertight, so that liquid cannot enter below the pressing area 2a from the surface. The adhesive layer 3a, such as double-sided tape, on the underside of the mounting area 3 is transparent and non-conductive.

[0062] In the touch switch device 1, the placement area 3, the spacing area 2b, and the pressing area 2a are made of a transparent elastic material, such as silicone resin, as a one-piece element. The activation element 2 is formed as a protrusion there. Therefore, the entire upper surface of the touch switch device 1 is made of an insulating material.

[0063] Contact element 4 comprises a layer of a conductive material, such as copper or indium tin oxide, applied to the underside of the pressing area 2.1. The contact element can be, for example, formed as a meandering shape or a mesh of micron-thin copper wires, or coated as a layer of transparent indium tin oxide. This additional layer causes the conductive surface to always be very close to the glass substrate, regardless of the button thickness or the user's possible gloves, thus yielding very good measurements for the capacitive touch sensor 14, while maintaining very high transparency.

[0064] Figure 3 Shown in side view according to Figure 2An example of the function of the touch switch device 1 according to the present invention. The left pressing area 2a is spaced apart from the touch screen 17 by the spacing area 2b (arrow). Force is required to press the pressing area downward. The right pressing area 2a is pressed downward by the finger F, and the desired contact between the pressing area 2a or its contact element 4 and the glass plate 13 is achieved. By pressing the pressing area 2a downward against the force of the spacing area 2b, the finger F or the contact element 4 approaches the capacitive touch sensor 14, which can be recognized by the capacitive touch sensor. Touch events are triggered in this way. Moisture on the touch switch device 1 cannot trigger erroneous touch events because the pressing area 2a is maintained at a certain distance from the touch screen 17 by the spacing area 2b.

[0065] Figure 4 Shown in side view Figure 2 A variation of the touch switch device 1 according to the invention is shown as another example. A curved contact element 4 is shown on the left, and a contact element 4 electrically connected to a signal line 8 is shown on the right, the signal line 8 leading from the contact element 4 to a placement area 3. There, the signal line 8 can apply a capacitive touch signal to the placement area 3, which can be recorded there by the sensitive area of ​​the touch sensor 15. The signal line 8 causes the placement of a finger F to trigger capacitive touch recognition of a secondary contact in a second area. The second area can also be used for multiple buttons simultaneously. A meaningful response to placing a finger F on a button is a visual indication below or near the transparent button, which informs the user that the device is ready for further input.

[0066] Figure 5 Shown in side view Figure 2 Another variation is presented as another example of the touch switch device 1 according to the invention. On the left, the pressing area 2a is penetrated by a conductive element 5, which is surrounded by a non-conductive material on the surface of the pressing area 2a. The penetrating contact element is a connection between the operator—in the absence of gloves—and for this case, a further improved capacitive measurement can be derived. In the case of the activation element 2 on the left, the pressing area 2a has a tactile element 6, which is a pattern that can be touched with a fingertip. For example, this tactile feedback is very advantageous if the user must observe a patient during the operation of the device. For blind operation, it can be assumed that a directly accessible button is obviously preferred.

[0067] Figure 6 Shown in side view Figure 2Another variation is illustrated as an example of the touch switch device 1 according to the invention. Here, the activation element 2 has two contact elements 4 below the pressing area 2a, which overlap in vertical projection and are maintained at a distance relative to each other by a spacer 7, such that the contact elements 4 do not contact each other when the activation element 2 is not activated. When in contact, the contact elements 4 form a conductive closed element, wherein the signal line 8 of the two contact elements 4 can indicate this contact, for example, through which current can then flow. Two parallel contact elements 4 are shown on the left, and a straight and a curved contact element 4 are shown on the right, where more force is required to establish contact than on the left.

[0068] The spacer 7 is preferably made of a transparent, flexible plastic designed such that the conductive closure element contacts under approximately the same contact pressure as the entire button. The conductive layer (contact element 4) can be formed of ITO or other conductive transparent materials. The signal line 8 is preferably guided between the underside of the placement area 3 and the adhesive layer 3a. Therefore, inconspicuous integration is particularly suitable when the button is placed at the edge of the screen.

[0069] Figure 7 A control device having a touch switch device 1 according to the present invention is shown. It is known in the prior art that the touchscreen 17 has a display controller 11 for controlling the display on the touchscreen 17 and a touch controller 12 for recording touches on the touchscreen 17 by means of a touch sensor 14. These controllers are sufficient for normal control.

[0070] The supplement, shown here in the form of a pressure detection unit 16, is illustrated by dashed lines. This pressure detection unit 16 is functionally optimized based on... Figure 6 The implementation method is as follows. The signal line 8 of the contact element 4 is led to the pressure detection unit 16, where a signal can be transmitted to the pressure detection unit 16 when the contact element 4 is touched. Preferably, for explicit association, the signal lines 8 of different activation elements are separately located at the pressure detection unit 16, thereby triggering each activation element. If it is desired to reduce the signal line to the pressure detection unit 16, the contact elements 4 can be different from each other in terms of individual resistance values. Preferably, the pressure detection unit 16 is completely separated from the display controller 11 and the touch controller 12, so that a single error in one controller will not propagate to the other controller.

[0071] Finally, it must be reiterated that the invention described in detail above is merely an embodiment, and those skilled in the art can modify it in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the use of the indefinite article "a" does not preclude the existence of multiple features. Similarly, the term "unit" does not preclude the possibility that the component involved may consist of multiple cooperating sub-components that can be spatially distributed if necessary. The term "multiple" should be interpreted as "at least one." Nouns and pronouns relating to persons in this patent application generally do not specify a particular gender.

Claims

1. A touch switch device (1) for a control device having a touch screen (17), the touch switch device (1) comprising a placement area (3) and a plurality of activation elements (2), wherein the touch switch device (1) is compliantly fastened to the touch screen (17) by means of the underside of the placement area (3), each activation element (2) comprising a transparent pressing area (2a) and an elastic spacer area (2b), the pressing area (2a) having a conductive contact element (4), the spacer area (2b) completely surrounding the pressing area (2a) and distancing the pressing area (2a) from the plane of the placement area (3), wherein the touch switch device (1) is transparent at least in the pressing area (2a) such that the touch screen (17) below it is visible, wherein the surface of the touch switch device (1) is at least waterproof such that liquid cannot enter below the pressing area (2a) from the surface.

2. The touch switch device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the placement area (3), the spacing area (2b), and the pressing area (2a) of the touch switch device (1) are made as a one-piece element, preferably made of a transparent, elastic material, especially silicone resin. Preferably, the touch switch device (1) is formed of a transparent, non-conductive, waterproof film, and the activation element (2) is formed as a protrusion in the film.

3. The touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the upper surface of the pressing area (2a), preferably the entire upper surface of the touch switch device (1), is made of an insulating material.

4. The touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the touch switch device (1) includes an adhesive layer (3a) on the underside of the placement area (3), preferably double-sided tape, wherein the adhesive layer (3a) is transparent and, in particular, non-conductive.

5. The touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressing area (2a) is implemented more rigidly than the spacing area (2b), preferably wherein the spacing holding area (2b) applies a force of at least 0.5N, preferably at least 1N, upward toward the corresponding pressing area (2a).

6. The touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one activation element (2) has a number of tactile elements (6) in the pressing area (2a), preferably as a pattern of a number of recesses and / or ridges on the surface of the pressing area (2a), especially in the form of characters or Braille patterns.

7. The touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one pressing area (2a) has at least one conductive contact element (4) on its underside or on its underside, preferably wherein the contact element (4) comprises a layer of conductive material, particularly a layer of copper or indium tin oxide in the form of a meandering loop or mesh, the conductive material being applied to the underside of the pressing area (2a), and / or preferably wherein the pressing area (2a) is penetrated by a conductive element (5), the conductive element (5) being surrounded by a non-conductive material on the surface of the pressing area (2a).

8. The touch switch device (1) according to claim 7, wherein at least one contact element (4) of the pressing area (2a) is electrically connected to a signal line (8) that extends from the contact element (4) to the placement area (3), preferably wherein the signal line (8) extends further from the placement area (3) to a pressure detection unit (16) designed to measure the pressure acting on the pressing area (2a) based on a signal on the signal line (8).

9. The touch switch device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the activation element (2) has at least two contact elements (4) below the pressing area (2a), the at least two contact elements (4) overlapping in vertical projection and maintaining a distance relative to each other, preferably maintained by a spacer (7), such that the at least two contact elements (4) do not contact each other and form a conductive closed element in the unoperated state of the activation element (2), wherein signal lines (8) are guided from the two contact elements (4) to the pressure detection unit (16), preferably wherein the signal lines (8) of different activation elements (2) are individually located at the pressure detection unit (16) for explicit association, and / or the contact elements (4) are different from each other in terms of individual resistance values, wherein the resistance values ​​are preferably selected such that explicit association of the pressed activation element (2) is achieved even when the contact elements (4) of different activation elements (2) are connected in parallel and / or in series.

10. A control device (10) comprising a touch screen (17) and a touch switch device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the touch switch device (1) being applied to the touch screen (17), preferably being attached to the touch screen (17) by means of adhesive.

11. The control device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the control device (10) is configured such that the surface covered by the activated element (2) of the touch screen (17) is designed to trigger at least one function. Preferably, the control device (10) is configured to enable multi-touch operation in areas not covered by the activation element (2).

12. The control device (10) according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the control device (10) is configured such that the surface covered by the placement area (3) of the touch screen (17) is designed for triggering a function, and the touch switch device (1) includes a signal line (8) from the contact element (4) in the pressing area (2a) to the relevant portion of the placement area (3). Preferably, the function is an auxiliary function for a control function that is activated as the pressing area (2a) involved in the downward pressing is pressed.

13. The control device (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the touchscreen (17) has a plurality of touch-activated areas in the area below the pressing area (2a), Preferably, the touch-activated areas are arranged side-by-side and simulate a sliding adjuster.

14. A method for manufacturing a control device (10) according to any one of claims 10 to 13, the method comprising the following steps: - Provide a touch switch device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9. - Provide a computing system with a touchscreen (17), - Determine the setting area of ​​the touch switch device (1) on the touch screen (17), - Apply the touch switch device (1) to its setting area, preferably attach it to the touch screen (17).

Images