ARRANGEMENT FOR DETECTION BY A TOUCH-SENSITIVE SENSOR MATRIX

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement that is detectable by a touch-sensitive sensor matrix, such as a touch-sensitive screen. The arrangement comprises an electrically conductive structure and an electrically insulating carrier material on which the structure is applied or in which the structure is embedded. Furthermore, the invention encompasses a group of such arrangements, a method for producing an arrangement, a system comprising the arrangement and a control and processing unit, and a method for detecting the arrangement on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix or a touch-sensitive screen.

[0002] Touch-sensitive screens (touchscreens) are used in a variety of applications today. Touch-sensitive screens are used in smartphones, tablet PCs, and various vending machines, for example. One advantage of these touch-sensitive screens is that both input and output can be performed via the screen. Touch-sensitive screens are typically capable of detecting where the screen is touched with a finger.

[0003] Capacitive touchscreens are used in many touch-sensitive screens. These typically consist of two grids of transparent electrical conductors arranged perpendicular to each other within a glass layer. The upper of the two conductor grids continuously sends electrical signals to the lower grid. When the screen is touched with a finger, the electrical capacitance of the insulating layer between them changes, and the signal weakens at that point. A processor then calculates the position at which the signal dropped and transmits the location and duration of the touch to the device's software. This, in turn, performs an appropriate action in response to the touch.

[0004] Such capacitive touchscreens, which can often also detect multiple touches simultaneously (multi-touch displays), are typically not designed to detect objects placed on the touchscreen. Rather, such systems typically include filters to actively filter out touch data triggered by the objects.

[0005] The literature proposes various active and passive input units that can be detected by a touch-sensitive screen, or methods in which passive input units can be detected by a touch-sensitive screen. For example, US 2010 / 0149119 A1 relates to an information processing device that monitors a change in the capacitance of a capacitive touchscreen. The change in capacitance is caused by a conductive material in which pattern information, such as a QR code, can be encoded.

[0006] For smooth operation of a touch-sensitive screen using an input device, at least one or two or more of the following conditions should be met: 1. It should be possible to determine whether input devices are currently on the touch-sensitive screen, regardless of whether they are being touched by a user, and regardless of their position and orientation on the touch-sensitive screen. 2. Each input device should be uniquely identifiable. 3. The precise position and / or orientation of the input device(s) on the screen should be determinable. 4. Changes in the position and orientation of rapidly moving input devices should be detectable without any noticeable delay.

[0007] It has been found that many systems shown in the prior art are unable to satisfy at least one or more than one or all of these four conditions, or are unable to satisfy them satisfactorily.

[0008] In certain embodiments of a touch-sensitive screen, the touch-sensitive screen is provided with electrode lines arranged in rows and columns, with each row containing a drive line and each column containing a readout line. This so-called sensor matrix can be used to measure capacitance by sequentially stimulating each drive line with an electrical pulse and measuring the response on each readout line. This measurement method is generally referred to as mutual capacitance measurement. The corresponding sensors are typically called mPCAP sensors (mutually projective capacitive touch). The goal of mutual capacitance measurement is to measure the change in capacitance between a drive line and a readout line, which can indicate the presence and extent of a touch.However, the charge from a touch that is not fully grounded can transfer from the trigger line to the readout line instead of completely transferring to ground, which can distort the measurement signal. This effect is referred to in the literature as retransmission. Retransmission can even occur when a person places two fingers on the sensor.

[0009] Retransmission in a touch-sensitive screen can cause several effects. First, retransmission can cause a touch-sensor controller to interpret a single large touch as multiple touches. Second, retransmission can reduce the touch amplitude of a signal, thereby reducing the accuracy of touch position estimation. For example, the touch-sensor controller may incorrectly interpret a touch in the upper left section of the touch-sensitive screen as a touch in the upper middle section of the touch-sensitive screen. Third, retransmission can reduce touch amplitude values to create so-called "anti-touch" with negative amplitudes.

[0010] These retransmission effects are generally considered detrimental in the literature and the prior art. For example, the publication US 9 335 873 B2 attempts to compensate for the described effects of retransmission.

[0011] In the book "Projected Capacitive Touch - a practical guide for engineers" by Tony Gray, Springer 2019, ISBN 978-3-319-98391-2, retransmission is described in more detail in chapters 17 and 18.

[0012] EP 2 724 761 A1 discloses a modular object consisting of at least a first and at least a second module, wherein the first module is a base object and the second module is an identification means. The identification means has an electrically conductive layer.

[0013] WO 2011 / 154524 A1 discloses a system. The system comprises a capacitive information carrier in which an electrically conductive layer is arranged on an electrically insulating substrate, and a surface sensor in contact with the capacitive information carrier.

[0014] WO 2018 / 134418 A1 discloses an input element for a touch-sensitive screen. The input element comprises a first communication unit for communicating with a control and processing unit and at least two touch surfaces detectable by the touch-sensitive screen. WO 2016 / 131963 discloses a self-grounding information carrier for detection by a touch-sensitive sensor matrix. The information carrier consists of a conductive ring with markings on it.

[0015] US 2018 / 150145 discloses a conductive ring on the bottom of a toy figure (or similar) for detection by a touchscreen. The figure is grounded via the conductive ring.

[0016] The object of the invention is to propose an arrangement that can be reliably detected and recognized by a touch-sensitive sensor matrix. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for recognizing the arrangement on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix that can at least partially overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0017] The problem is solved by an arrangement having the features of the main claim, a group of arrangements, and a system comprising the arrangement and a control and processing unit having the features of the dependent claims. Furthermore, a method for producing the arrangement and a method for recognizing the arrangement on a touch-sensitive screen are proposed. Further developments emerge from the features of the dependent claims as well as from the description and the figures.

[0018] According to the invention, an arrangement for detecting by a touch-sensitive sensor matrix is provided, comprising at least one electrically conductive structure, the structure having an annular contact surface and at least one marking, and an electrically insulating carrier material on which the structure is applied or in which the structure is embedded.

[0019] The electrically conductive structure is designed to cause capacitance changes when the arrangement is placed on the touch-sensitive sensor matrix, which changes can be detected as sensor data by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive sensor matrix, in particular even when the arrangement is not touched by a user. In many cases, a plurality of touch-sensitive sensors arranged next to one another is provided, which can also be referred to as a sensor arrangement or sensor matrix. An input can then be made, for example, by placing the arrangement on the sensor matrix or by the arrangement contacting the sensor matrix. If an output to a user is also desired, an output unit, such as a screen, can be provided. The sensor matrix can be a component of a touch-sensitive screen, which typically allows output via the screen.However, output via the screen is not mandatory. Other types of feedback to the user are also conceivable, e.g., other visual, auditory, or haptic feedback. Since a touch-sensitive screen is frequently used in practice, this term will be used frequently below. In this document, the terms "touch-sensitive sensor matrix" and "touch-sensitive screen" can be used interchangeably. In certain embodiments, the sensor matrix is rectangular. The sensor matrix can be formed by M columns and N rows, with the number of sensors then being M*N.

[0020] Electrically conductive material, also referred to as electrically conducting material, that rests on a sensor matrix or touchscreen and extends across multiple electrode lines (or wires) of the sensor matrix can cause capacitive coupling to other electrode lines, especially horizontal electrode lines connected to ground. These cause a signal change similar to that caused by fingers. However, the signal-to-noise ratio is lower, typically between 1:3 and 1:20, because the sensor glass of the touchscreen must be crossed twice. The signal from the control line must cross the sensor glass once for the control line and the sensor glass once for the readout line. The sensor matrix can contain a multitude of touch-sensitive, capacitive sensors.Furthermore, the sensor matrix can be designed for simultaneous detection of multiple touches ("multi-touch").

[0021] The inventors have recognized that the retransmission effects described above can be exploited to enable improved detection or recognition of the arrangement. The same phenomenon of retransmission can also occur with electrically conductive structures and can trigger characteristic signals in the touch-sensitive sensor matrix or touch-sensitive screen. If the electrically conductive structure is touched, the opposite signal triggered by retransmission is weaker than the positive signal at intersection points of the electrode lines, which are covered by the electrically conductive material of the structure. If the electrically conductive pattern is not touched, both signals are approximately equally strong, since both signals must cross the sensor glass (glass pane) of the touch-sensitive screen twice.This can lead to rectangular shapes, when arranged parallel to the sensor matrix, canceling out all signals if there is no other capacitive coupling to ground, such as via a human.

[0022] Thus, the electrically conductive structure can cause a characteristic capacitance pattern in the touch-sensitive screen.

[0023] The inventors recognized that two conditions must be met to enable, on the one hand, reliable detection of the electrically conductive structure of the arrangement by the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen, and, on the other hand, identification of the electrically conductive structure. Identification of the electrically conductive structure can be particularly important when using or applying multiple electrically conductive structures to the sensor matrix or the screen.

[0024] First, a range of changes in the capacitive images triggered by the conductive structure should be as independent as possible of the orientation, i.e., the angle of rotation of the electrically conductive structure relative to the sensor matrix. This range can be used for rough identification of the arrangement and / or determination of the arrangement's position on the screen.

[0025] Furthermore, the orientation of the conductive structure should be resolvable. Other areas of the electrically conductive structure should change upon rotation of the electrically conductive structure in a way that does not result in similarities with other variants of the electrically conductive structure, so that the electrically conductive structures remain distinguishable on the touch-sensitive screen regardless of the orientation of the electrically conductive structure.

[0026] The first condition can be ensured by the aforementioned annular touch surface of the arrangement. The annular touch surface means that the locations on the touch-sensitive screen where the arrangement rests are easy to find (for example, using thresholding, contour detection, template matching, and / or temporal variation), since a characteristic touch pattern is created in a square of the sensor matrix encompassing the annular touch surface outside the annular touch surface or in an area within the annular touch surface that does not depend, or depends relatively little, on the orientation or angle of rotation of the arrangement relative to the sensor matrix. The annular touch surface can be designed such that, for example, a negative signal or several negative signals are triggered in the sensor matrix in the center of the annular touch surface, where there is no electrically conductive material.An imaginary square area of the sensor matrix can be defined with a width or length corresponding to the diameter of the annular contact surface. This imaginary square area can be placed around the annular contact surface by the arrangement when the sensor matrix is contacted, so that the imaginary square area encloses the annular contact surface. The corners of the square area then lie outside the annular contact surface. Negative signals in the sensor matrix can be triggered by the annular contact surface at at least one corner point or at all corner points of this square area. Neither the center of the annular contact surface nor the corners of the square area depend on the orientation of the arrangement on the sensor matrix.Thus, these orientation-independent characteristic signals can be used to detect the position of the array on the sensor matrix.

[0027] The second condition can be met by the claimed marking of the electrically conductive structure. The marking can thus be used to determine the orientation of the arrangement on the screen. Furthermore, the marking can be designed to distinguish the electrically conductive structure from other electrically conductive structures and thus, in particular, to distinguish the arrangement from arrangements with different markings.

[0028] In one embodiment, the marking comprises or is at least one additional contact surface. The marking configured as a contact surface can thus be provided in addition to the annular contact surface. The additional contact surface can, in particular, be electrically conductively connected to the annular contact surface. This can increase the signal strength or improve the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0029] The additional touch surface can, for example, be arranged within the annular touch surface. In particular, when using a plurality of arrangements, the outline of the electrically conductive structure can be the same for each arrangement. In this embodiment, the touch-sensitive screen can relatively quickly recognize, based on the outline of the electrically conductive structure, that it is a previously known arrangement. The arrangement can then be distinguished from other arrangements (identified) via the provided marking, which is preferably located within the annular touch surface or is a component of the annular touch surface.

[0030] The marking comprises, for example, at least two contact surfaces. By providing at least two contact surfaces, the number of arrangements that can be distinguished from one another can be increased. The at least two contact surfaces can be arranged at an angle to one another. An exemplary marking comprises a first contact surface and a second contact surface. A first imaginary straight line runs through the center of the annular contact surface and the center of gravity of the first contact surface. A second imaginary straight line runs through the center of the annular contact surface and the center of gravity of the second contact surface. The first straight line and the second straight line can, in particular, enclose an angle of less than 180° and / or greater than 0°. A center angle between the first contact surface and the second contact surface on the annular contact surface can be greater than 10° and / or less than 180°.Angles greater than 20° are particularly suitable, as smaller angles can impede the resolution of the contact surfaces. The circumferential distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface on the annular contact surface is preferably greater than 5 mm. The circumferential distance between the first contact surface and the second contact surface on the annular contact surface can be greater than the distance between adjacent sensors in the sensor matrix. Typically, the distance between adjacent sensors in the sensor matrix is greater than 5 mm, e.g., 7 mm.

[0031] The marking can comprise at least two contact surfaces of different sizes and / or two contact surfaces of different shapes. The shape is considered to be constant if the ratio of the widths to lengths of the contact surface remains the same when the contact surface is enlarged or reduced. The contact surfaces of the marking can therefore have different sizes and / or different shapes even if they are the same size.

[0032] The at least one contact surface can be adjacent to the annular contact surface. It can be provided that a border of the contact surface of the marking is delimited by a circular arc of the annular contact surface.

[0033] Typically, the ratio of conductive area to non-conductive area within the annular contact surface is less than 0.8, in particular less than 0.6, and preferably less than 0.3. This can simplify identification of the marking by the touch-sensitive screen. If the ratio is greater than 0.8 for two different arrangements, for example, the markings of these arrangements may no longer be distinguishable from one another.

[0034] The outer diameter of the ring-shaped touch surface is preferably matched to the sensor wire pitch (spacing between the electrode lines) in the touch-sensitive screen. The outer diameter should be slightly larger than the sensor wire pitch. The sensor wire pitch is, in turn, selected for most touch-sensitive screens so that a fingertip with a width of approximately 10 mm can be reliably detected. Most capacitive touch-sensitive screens have sensor wires that are spaced approximately 5 mm to 8 mm, such as 7 mm. The outer diameter of the ring-shaped touch surface can therefore be at least 10 mm, for example. There is no maximum value for the outer diameter, but it should be smaller than the horizontal or vertical dimensions of the touch-sensitive screen.The width of the annular contact surface can be smaller than the largest dimension of the at least one contact surface of the marking. Furthermore, an area enclosed by the annular contact surface can have a diameter of at least 7 mm, preferably at least 10 mm or at least 20 mm. This area is circular, except for any markings in the form of contact surfaces.

[0035] As indicated above, the marking can be designed to break the rotational symmetry of the annular contact surface or the electrically conductive structure. Despite the annular contact surface, the electrically conductive structure, in some embodiments, has no rotational symmetry axis and / or at most a CS symmetry (mirror symmetry) due to the marking, i.e., the two-dimensional contact pattern of the electrically conductive structure has no rotational symmetry. Mirror-symmetric structures allow very easy detection of the mirror axis and thus the position of the structure in a direction perpendicular to the mirror axis. In the presence of mirror symmetry, machine learning can thus be simplified and accelerated.

[0036] The marking can also be configured by a ring width of the annular contact surface, i.e., the difference between the outer radius and the inner radius. In this case, the annular contact surface is identifiable by its ring width and distinguishable from other annular contact surfaces. The ring width should be at least 2 mm and / or can be at most 50%, preferably at most 20%, of the outer diameter of the annular contact surface. In some embodiments, the ring width is at most half the outer diameter minus 5 mm. Additionally or alternatively, the marking can be provided by the diameter of the annular contact surface. In this case, the annular contact surface is identifiable by its diameter and distinguishable from other annular contact surfaces. The diameter should be at least 10 mm.In practice, the size of the sensor matrix is typically an upper limit for the stated diameter.

[0037] The marking may alternatively or in addition to the touch surface described above also comprise or be an opening in the annular touch surface. In this case, the touch surface may be C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped. Said opening may, for example, have an opening angle of at least 5° and / or at least 10° and / or at least 20° and / or at least 30°. Said opening may have an opening angle of at most 150° and / or at most 120° and / or at most 90° and / or at most 60° and / or at most 45° and / or at most 40° and / or at most 35°. How large or small the opening angle can be selected depends on the sensitivity of the touch-sensitive screen. The maximum value of the opening angle should ensure that the annular touch surface can still be recognized as such. The minimum value of the opening angle depends on the sensitivity of the sensor matrix, e.g.a sensor wire spacing of the sensor matrix.

[0038] To increase the number of identifiable arrangements, at least two of the above-mentioned markings can be combined. One of the markings can be used to determine the orientation of the electrically conductive structure on the screen, while another marking is used to distinguish the arrangement from other arrangements.

[0039] In addition, a plurality of electrically conductive structures can be provided, each having an annular contact surface and at least one marking. In this case, the arrangement comprises at least two annular contact surfaces and at least two markings. The number of markings is preferably greater than or equal to the number of electrically conductive structures or the number of annular contact surfaces. In particular, each electrically conductive structure can be assigned at least one marking. Furthermore, each pair of electrically conductive structures can be assigned a further marking.

[0040] If the arrangement has at least two electrically conductive structures, at least one further marking can be provided, which is characterized by the distance and / or orientation (angle of rotation) of the electrically conductive structures relative to one another. In one embodiment, the electrically conductive structures are identical in terms of their shape and / or size. This can significantly reduce the amount of data to be acquired for machine learning, since only a few shapes of the electrically conductive structures have to be learned and different combinations of the marking enable a large number of distinguishable objects. For example, two identical C-shaped contact surfaces can be provided that do not differ in terms of their shape and size. A rotation angle of the Cs relative to one another can be used as a marking to distinguish the arrangement from other arrangements.

[0041] The electrically conductive structure can be formed essentially as a flat, two-dimensional structure. In other words, the thickness of the electrically conductive structure can be at least a factor of 10 smaller than the length and / or width of the structure. The thickness depends in particular on the materials used. If paint, ink, or varnish is used as the electrically conductive structure, a typical thickness of the electrically conductive structure is approximately at least 0.01 mm and / or at most 0.1 mm. If an ITO material is used, a thickness of at least 5 nm and / or at most 500 nm is possible.

[0042] The electrically conductive structure can comprise or be an electrically conductive paint or lacquer. The electrically conductive structure can be printed onto the carrier material, for example, by screen printing.

[0043] In one embodiment, the arrangement and / or the structure and / or the carrier material have an optical transmittance of at least 75% in the visible wavelength range 400 nm - 700 nm. Typically, the transmittance is at least 80%, in particular at least 85%.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the electrically conductive structure can comprise or be, in particular, indium tin oxide (ITO). ITO typically has an optical transmittance in the range of 80% to approximately 90%. ITO is available as a thin plastic film that is electrically conductive on one side and electrically insulating on the other. ITO can be processed, for example, with a laser cutter.

[0045] In other embodiments, the electrically conductive structure comprises or is, for example, a metal foil or a metal plate, which can be particularly thin. Suitable electrically conductive materials would be, for example, copper, aluminum, or stainless steel.

[0046] The electrically conductive structure can be printed, glued, or otherwise applied to the carrier material. The electrically conductive structure can be bonded to the carrier material, for example, by a material fit, a form fit, and / or a force fit.

[0047] The carrier material can be made of or comprise plastic. The carrier material can be, for example, a polymeric material such as PET, polyacrylate, or polycarbonate. The choice of carrier material may depend on the material of the electrically conductive structure. For example, if electrically conductive ink is used that cures at 60°C to 100°C, the carrier material must withstand this temperature. Polycarbonate, for example, remains chemically stable at a temperature of 60°C. Other materials such as textiles, paper, or cardboard are also conceivable carrier materials.

[0048] The arrangement can have a protective layer covering the electrically conductive material and the carrier material. The thickness of the protective layer should be selected such that detection of the electrically conductive structure is still possible through the protective layer. The carrier material can also be designed as a protective layer.

[0049] The arrangement can have a fastening means which is designed to fasten the arrangement to a further element which is different from the arrangement. The fastening means can, for example, be arranged on a side of the arrangement opposite the electrically conductive structure. The fastening means can also be arranged on the side of the electrically conductive structure, for example if the carrier material is designed as a protective layer. The carrier material can therefore be arranged optionally on the underside or on the top side of the arrangement. The underside is typically used for contacting the sensor matrix / the touch-sensitive screen. The underside of the arrangement is typically essentially flat, i.e. an essentially two-dimensional structure without any major elevation or depression. In one embodiment, the arrangement has an adhesive layer as a fastening means.

[0050] The arrangement described above can be manufactured, for example, by the following method.

[0051] The method for manufacturing the assembly comprises the steps: Providing an electrically insulating carrier material, applying an electrically conductive material onto the carrier material or into the carrier material, forming the electrically conductive structure, forming the arrangement.

[0052] In an advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive material is an electrically conductive paint or lacquer. In this case, the electrically conductive material can be applied to the carrier material, for example, by screen printing. Materials that can be used in a screen printing process are then suitable for the carrier material. If an electrically conductive coating material, such as paint or lacquer, is used, this can be applied to the carrier material by rolling, brushing, and / or spraying.

[0053] Alternatively, the electrically conductive material can be applied to the substrate as a layer or as a prefabricated layer, covering it partially or completely, for example. The electrically conductive structure can be formed by removing part of the electrically conductive layer, in particular by scraping or lasering. The electrically conductive layer can be formed from an ITO (see above).

[0054] Alternatively, the electrically conductive layer or structure or the electrically conductive material is glued onto the carrier material.

[0055] The electrically conductive structure can be connected to the carrier material in a material-locking, form-locking and / or force-locking manner.

[0056] Furthermore, the invention proposes a group of arrangements. Each arrangement of the group has a differently configured electrically conductive structure. For example, each electrical structure has a differently configured marking and an identical annular contact surface. In one embodiment, the outer contour or outer border of each electrically conductive structure of the group is the same and can, in particular, be formed by the contour or border of the annular contact surface. The respectively different markings can then be provided within the annular contact surface. Each arrangement of the group can be characterized by a different circumferential distance or central angle of the first and second contact surfaces relative to one another.Each arrangement of the group can be configured by a specific size or shape of the touch surfaces within the annular touch surface. In particular, each arrangement of the group can be configured to generate a characteristic touch pattern in the sensor matrix or the screen that differs from the touch patterns of the other arrangements in the group. The touch pattern can also be referred to as a capacitance pattern. Alternatively, each arrangement of the group can also have at least two electrically conductive structures that are identical in terms of their shape and size, but can be distinguished from one another by an angle of rotation and / or distance. In this respect, an additional marking is provided that includes the angle of rotation and / or the distance.

[0057] It should be emphasized that features mentioned, for example, only with respect to the arrangement can also be claimed for the arrangements in the group, and vice versa. Furthermore, the group of arrangements can also be manufactured using the manufacturing processes described above.

[0058] Furthermore, an input element for a touch-sensitive sensor matrix and / or a touch-sensitive screen is proposed. The input element comprises a housing and the arrangement described above, wherein the arrangement is arranged on an underside of the housing. The arrangement can be attached to the housing in such a way that, when the input element is placed on it, the electrically conductive structure touches the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen or at least causes capacitance changes in the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen. The input element can be designed as a passive input element without electronics and without a power supply. Alternatively, the input element can be designed as an active input element with electronics and / or a power supply. Exemplary active input elements are shown in the publication WO 2018 / 134418 A1.

[0059] Furthermore, a system comprising the arrangement described above is proposed. The system also has a control and processing unit for a sensor matrix or a touch-sensitive screen. The control and processing unit comprises, for example, a communications unit, a processor, and / or a memory.

[0060] As indicated above, the electrically conductive structure of the arrangement is designed to cause capacitance changes when the arrangement is placed on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix or a touch-sensitive screen, which changes can be detected as sensor data by capacitive sensors of the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen. The control and processing unit is configured to receive the sensor data and recognize the arrangement based on the electrically conductive structure.

[0061] The control and processing unit can be configured to receive sensor data detected by capacitive sensors of the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen. The capacitive sensors can detect capacitance changes caused by the electrically conductive structure of an arrangement contacting the screen or by an arrangement placed on the screen. This detection typically includes a spatially resolved determination of the magnitude of the capacitance changes thus caused.

[0062] Optionally, the control and processing unit then creates a capacitance pattern for the electrically conductive structure of the arrangement, wherein the capacitance pattern contains a spatially resolved representation of at least two capacitance changes of different magnitudes or at least three pairwise capacitance values of different magnitudes or quantities derived therefrom. The capacitance pattern can then be stored in the memory.

[0063] The capacitive sensors enable the detection of capacitance changes triggered by the electrically conductive structure at different locations with varying strengths. Thus, similar to a grayscale image, the capacitance pattern can map the magnitudes of capacitance changes at different locations, rather than just one location where a capacitance change occurs. As mentioned, the capacitance pattern therefore comprises at least two capacitance changes of different magnitudes at different locations and contains their relative position, for example, their distance. The at least two different capacitance changes generally contain at least the information from two different black-and-white images with different capacitance change thresholds.In possible implementations, the capacitance patterns are stored as a grayscale image with at least two gray levels or as at least two black and white images with different thresholds.

[0064] To set the thresholds, so-called adaptive thresholding methods can be used, for example, whereby a threshold value for a pixel is calculated from signals from the pixel's surroundings. Such methods enable, in particular, the detection of multiple arrays (this option is explained in detail below) if their electrically conductive structures trigger signals of different strengths due to their design or their orientation relative to the grid of the touch-sensitive screen. Adaptive thresholding also makes it possible to detect different areas of a single array, in which the electrically conductive structure of the array generates signals of different strengths, with a different threshold.

[0065] The touch-sensitive screen can be configured to detect capacitance changes of 10 pF or less. For example, in possible embodiments, capacitance changes of 3 pF, preferably 1 pF, and particularly preferably 0.1 pF, are detectable. The glass thickness of the touch-sensitive screen can be, for example, 4 mm or less.

[0066] The capacitance pattern thus captures a differentiated, characteristic image of the electrically conductive structure. This, on the one hand, represents a recognition feature similar to a fingerprint, and, on the other hand, enables tracking of the arrangement on the screen and detection of the orientation of the arrangement on the screen. The control and processing unit can analyze and process the capacitance patterns thus stored or tracked using image processing methods. To determine the described capacitance pattern, the positions of the induced capacitance changes are recorded, at least relative to one another.

[0067] It may happen, for example, that the ring-shaped touch surface triggers a stronger signal than the marking. The control and processing unit can then be designed to determine in a first step that the ring-shaped touch surface is contacting the touch-sensitive screen. By comparing it with previously known capacitance patterns, the ring-shaped touch surface can be recognized based on its ring-shaped outline and / or its characteristic capacitance pattern. This makes it possible to determine relatively quickly that an arrangement is actually resting on the screen and / or making contact with it. It can also be used to determine the position of the arrangement on the screen to a first approximation. By performing a further measurement with a different threshold value, the marking can be detected and recognized. By comparing it with previously known patterns, the identity of the arrangement or the marking can then be determined.The marker can also be used to determine the orientation (angle of rotation) of the arrangement on the screen.

[0068] Typically, capacitance changes triggered by a single array are detected at at least five locations or at least five intersection points of the sensor matrix. The number can be at least 10 and / or at least 20 locations or intersection points.

[0069] For example, with a resolution of at least 1 pixel per 35 mm 2 , preferably with a resolution of at least 1 pixel per 15 mm 2 , particularly preferably with a resolution of at least 1 pixel per 6.8 mm 2 . For example, the touch-sensitive screen can have a screen diagonal of between 10 and 100 inches. In one embodiment, the touch-sensitive screen has a screen diagonal of 55 inches, with dimensions of 1220 mm x 680 mm and has 172 x 105 pixels at which the sensor data can be collected and thus the conductive structure of the arrangement can be detected. A sensor area divided by the number of crossing points can represent a measure of the sensitivity.

[0070] As mentioned at the beginning, capacitive sensors can detect certain structures or objects even when they are not touched (passively). It has been shown that the proposed control and processing unit for the touch-sensitive screen can detect conductive structures of the arrangement described above and record their capacitance pattern, even when the arrangement is not touched. This is achieved in particular by the design of the capacitance pattern described here and the use of the capacitive sensors described.

[0071] The proposed control and processing unit can be configured to also determine a position of the stored arrangement on the touch-sensitive screen once the arrangement has been stored on the screen. In addition to determining a relative position of the capacitance changes caused by the arrangement, which is necessary for the capacitance pattern, this also includes determining an absolute position of the input unit on the touch-sensitive screen. For this purpose, at least one point of the capacitance pattern is assigned to a location on the touch-sensitive screen at which the corresponding capacitance change occurs. For this purpose, a grayscale image or one or more black-and-white images can be recorded which cover not only the area in which the capacitance changes are caused, but which cover the entire screen.Typically, the position of an outline or outer edge of the ring-shaped touch surface is detected on the screen to determine its position. The position of the outline can be extracted, for example, from one of several captured black and white images. For example, the outline can be detected from the black and white image with the lowest threshold.

[0072] From black-and-white images with a higher threshold, in which the electrically conductive structure is captured in relation to the entire screen, the marker can be used to detect not only the position but also the orientation of the array. Depending on the threshold, a different contrast and level of detail is achieved, making it possible to better resolve the electrically conductive structure using additional thresholds.

[0073] The proposed control and processing unit enables the detection of different structures of different arrangements. Since the capacitance changes triggered by the different structures of the different arrangements can differ from one another, the control and processing unit is typically configured to respond to the varying degrees of capacitance changes. It may be configured for the control and processing unit to use predefined threshold values for the capacitance changes in a first detection step.

[0074] The control and processing unit can be configured to compare detected capacitance patterns of the arrangement with previously known capacitance patterns. For example, the control and processing unit can first record a rough capacitance pattern with a few threshold values. This can result in speed advantages. Recorded capacitance patterns can be compared with the known capacitance patterns, where the known capacitance patterns were captured, for example, using machine learning methods. This then enables, for example, the determination of the annular contact area and / or a determination of the type of arrangement. Thus, the arrangement does not have to be measured completely upon placement, but only to the extent that it can be assigned to a previously known type or arrangement.

[0075] Data that may be present in the memory for previously known arrangements can include, for example, typical capacitance changes caused when placing an arrangement on the device, as well as other data that may be helpful when using the control and processing unit. For example, the type of capacitance changes that are characteristic of a particular arrangement when placed on the device, released, rotated, or lifted off the device can be stored. The control and processing unit has, for example, information about which signals a particular arrangement triggers when it is released, moved, or rotated, and / or information about how a signal triggered by an arrangement changes depending on its orientation.

[0076] The control and processing unit can be configured to determine an orientation of the array from the capacitance pattern, in particular based on the marking of the electrically conductive structure. As mentioned, the position of the array is detected by extracting the absolute position of the capacitance changes caused by it in relation to the overall dimensions of the touch-sensitive screen from the sensor data. While determining the position requires, for example, a single black-and-white image with a low threshold or the use of the lowest threshold of a grayscale image, determining the orientation may require using multiple images or grayscale values, or selecting one from multiple images.

[0077] For this purpose, it is advantageous if, on the black-and-white image used to determine the orientation or within the grayscale used to determine the orientation, a pattern with broken, as low as possible, symmetry or rotational symmetry can be recognized due to the capacitance changes. Since some of the markings of the arrangement described above break the rotational symmetry of the annular contact surface, the marking is preferably used to determine the orientation of the arrangement. The marking is designed such that the arrangement can be distinguished from other arrangements even when the arrangement is rotated. In other words, the arrangements can be differentiated from one another by providing different markings. Furthermore, the marking allows, in particular, a distinction to be made between different rotational positions of a single arrangement.Thus, the orientation of the array relative to the sensor matrix can be determined using the marking.

[0078] By using previously known data generated with the aid of machine learning, it is possible to know a priori which threshold value is suitable for obtaining such patterns with the lowest possible symmetry for a specific arrangement. Symmetries then do not need to be re-examined for a newly created arrangement; instead, only the identification described above needs to be performed. Typically, the arrangement is touched at least during placement and during movement, so that at least then the detection of the electrically conductive structures can be simplified. This aspect can also be exploited here. However, it should be emphasized that the arrangement is preferably designed so that touch by the user is no longer necessary.

[0079] The control and processing unit proposed here can be configured to track rotations and / or translations of the array on the screen once the array has been placed on the screen. This can be done by evaluating the sensor data, similar to the position determination described above.

[0080] As mentioned, it is possible for the control and processing unit to detect multiple arrangements simultaneously, such as the group of arrangements mentioned above. Possible additional arrangements typically have differently designed electrically conductive structures than the arrangement described above, which can be referred to as the first arrangement, and interact with the control and processing unit in the same way.

[0081] In this way, it can be determined whether another object placed on the screen is at least one further arrangement and thus it can be checked whether at least one further arrangement has been placed on the screen.

[0082] For the electrically conductive structure of the further arrangement, a capacitance pattern is then created, stored and / or compared with previously known capacitance patterns.

[0083] The arrangements are then typically assigned via the differently designed electrically conductive structures, in particular via the differently designed markings.

[0084] The control and processing unit may be configured to control the touch-sensitive screen based on the sensor data or to receive input signals from the touch-sensitive screen, in particular when the arrangement has been placed on the screen.

[0085] A further system proposed here comprises a touch-sensitive screen, in particular the previously described touch-sensitive screen, a control and processing unit, in particular the previously described control and processing unit, and an arrangement, in particular the previously described arrangement.

[0086] In such a system, the touch-sensitive screen comprises capacitive sensors for collecting sensor data. The touch-sensitive screen can be designed as a table, with the screen forming the tabletop, for example. The arrangement comprises an electrically conductive structure that, when the arrangement is placed on a touch-sensitive screen, causes local capacitance changes that can be detected by the capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive screen.

[0087] The control and processing unit is configured to check, based on the capacitance changes, whether contact or detachment of the arrangement has been detected. The control and processing unit can create and store a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure of the input unit, wherein the capacitance pattern contains a spatially resolved representation of at least two capacitance changes of different magnitudes or at least three pairs of capacitance values of different magnitudes or quantities derived therefrom.

[0088] It should be noted that the system may also comprise multiple sensor matrices or touchscreens, for example, two touchscreens or ten touchscreens. The one or more touchscreens may each be connected to the control and processing unit via a cable or, if they are located further away from the control and processing unit or if cables are undesirable, via a wireless connection, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a cellular network. The control and processing unit is then typically configured to interact with the additional screens in the same way as with the first touchscreen.In such scenarios, it is also possible that an interaction between the multiple screens is provided, i.e. an action that affects a first of the multiple touch-sensitive screens triggers a further action that affects another of the multiple touch-sensitive screens.

[0089] A method for using a touch-sensitive sensor matrix within the meaning of this application, or a system as described above, comprises at least the following steps: Detecting capacitance changes using capacitive sensors in a touch-sensitive sensor matrix, where the capacitance changes are caused by an electrically conductive structure of an array contacting the sensor matrix. Creating a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure of the array. Comparing the recorded capacitance pattern with previously known capacitance patterns. Recognizing the array on the touch-sensitive sensor matrix.

[0090] The sensor matrix can in particular be a component of the touch-sensitive screen described above.

[0091] In other words, sensor data can be generated using capacitive sensors in the sensor matrix or touchscreen. The capacitance changes detected by the capacitive sensors can be stored as sensor data. Contacting the sensor matrix or screen via the array can be achieved, for example, by placing the array on the sensor matrix or touchscreen.

[0092] The capacity pattern contains, in particular, a spatially resolved representation of at least two capacity changes of different magnitudes or at least three pairs of different capacity values or quantities derived therefrom. The capacity pattern can also be saved.

[0093] Further steps in the process include: Detecting, based on the annular touch surface of the arrangement, a position of the arrangement on the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen and / or Detecting, based on the marking of the arrangement, an orientation of the arrangement on the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen.

[0094] Such a method also solves the problem stated above. The method makes it possible to verify the identity of an arrangement placed or deposited on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix or touch-sensitive screen, to determine its location and / or orientation on the sensor matrix or screen, and to provide different arrangements for the sensor matrix or touch-sensitive screen, particularly through inputs regarding movements of the arrangements on the sensor matrix or touch-sensitive screen.

[0095] It should be emphasized that features which, for example, have been mentioned only with regard to the arrangement, the control and processing unit and / or the system can also be claimed for the said method and vice versa.

[0096] For possible detection of the arrangement and / or the input element by the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen, reference is additionally made to European patent applications EP 18 168 536.3 and EP 18 701 453.5.

[0097] The invention is explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Fig. 1 a bottom view of an arrangement; Fig. 2 a bottom view of another arrangement; Fig. 3 a section of the arrangement of the Fig. 2 ; Fig. 4 a section of an input element with the arrangement of the Figures 2 and 3; Fig. 5 a perspective view of a system comprising an input element, a touch-sensitive screen and a control and processing unit; Fig. 6 various embodiments of an electrically conductive structure Fig. 7 further embodiments of an electrically conductive structure; Fig. 8 bottom views of two arrangements; Fig. 9 capacitance patterns of the arrangements of the Fig. 8 and Figs. 10-16 show capacitance patterns of an array recorded by a touch-sensitive screen at different orientations of the array on the screen.

[0098] In the figures, recurring or similar features are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0099] The Fig. 1shows a bottom view of an arrangement 10 configured for detection by touch-sensitive sensors. The arrangement 10 comprises an electrically conductive structure 12 and an electrically insulating carrier material 14 on which the structure 12 is applied or in which the structure 12 is embedded. The electrically insulating carrier material 14 supports the structure 12 and serves as a mechanical support for the structure 12. In addition, the carrier material 14 provides electrical insulation for the electrically conductive structure 12. In particular, the arrangement 10 can be detected by capacitive sensors when the arrangement 10 touches these sensors. The capacitive sensors are preferably part of a touch-sensitive screen 40 (see below).

[0100] The electrically insulating carrier material 14 can be configured, for example, as a plastic film, wherein the plastic film is preferably made essentially of a soft, elastic material. The electrically insulating carrier material 14 can in particular comprise or be a polymeric material. The polymeric material can comprise an optically transparent material such as polyacrylate, acrylic glass (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyphenylene ether (PPO), polyethylene (PE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or combinations thereof. As such, the carrier material 14 can have an optical transmittance of at least 75% in the visible wavelength range 400 nm - 700 nm. The carrier material 14 can also comprise paper, cardboard or textile or be formed from these materials.

[0101] In the embodiment shown, the arrangement 10 is designed as a cover for an electronic input device, wherein the electronic input device is, for example, a mobile phone such as a smartphone. The cover 10 can be attached to the electronic input device in a form-fitting or force-fitting manner. In the assembled state, the cover 10 forms the underside of the input device. The cover 10 has a recess 18 so that a camera of the smartphone is not blocked by the cover 10. If the carrier material 14 and / or the structure 12 contain a transparent material, the recess 18 can be omitted.

[0102] The electrically conductive structure 12 has an annular contact surface 13 and a marking 15, 16, 17. The marking 15, 16, 17 is designed to break the rotational symmetry of the annular contact surface 13.

[0103] In the embodiment of the Fig. 1The marking is provided in the form of two contact surfaces 15, 16. The two contact surfaces 15, 16 are arranged within the annular contact surface 13 and are electrically conductively connected to the annular contact surface 13. The conductive structure 12 thus forms an arrangement of at least partially conductively connected conductive components 13, 15, 16. The structure 12 is detectable by means of touch-sensitive capacitive sensors of a touchscreen 40, as described in connection with the Figure 5 will be further elaborated.

[0104] The touch surfaces 13, 15, 16 of the arrangement 10 form a touch pattern on the underside of the arrangement 10, wherein the touch pattern in the embodiments of the input element 10 has no symmetry or at most a CS symmetry, i.e. the two-dimensional touch pattern has no rotational symmetry. A ratio of conductive area to non-conductive area within the annular touch surface 13 is less than 0.8, in particular less than 0.6, preferably less than 0.3. An outer diameter of the annular touch surface 13 is preferably larger than the distance between adjacent conductor tracks in the touch-sensitive screen 40. The outer diameter of the annular touch surface 13 is preferably at least 10 mm. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outer diameter is approximately 42 mm.

[0105] In the example of Fig. 1The contact surfaces 15, 16 have both the same shape and the same size. In other embodiments, which are discussed further below, two contact surfaces of different sizes and / or two differently shaped ones can also be provided.

[0106] The Fig. 2 shows a bottom view of another arrangement 11, which has the same electrically conductive structure 12 as that of the arrangement 10 of the Fig. 1 In contrast to the Fig. 1 The insulating carrier material 14 is circular here. The arrangement 11 can be used as a standalone input element. Alternatively, the arrangement 11 can be connected to an input element 20. An arrangement 11 for connecting to an input element 20 is shown in the Figures 3 and 4 shown.

[0107] The Figs. 3 and 4each show a section of the arrangement 11 and a section of the arrangement 11 which is connected to an input element 20. The arrangement 11 has an optional fastening means 19 for fastening the arrangement 11 to a housing 21 of the input element 20. For example, the arrangement 11 is connected to the input element 20 by means of the fastening means 19 in a fixed or detachable manner. Depending on the application, hooks, eyelets, adhesives, Velcro fasteners, suction cups, etc. can be considered for the fastening means. The fastening means 19 is in the illustrated Figure 3designed as an optically transparent adhesive layer 19. The fastening means is arranged, for example, on a side of the arrangement 11 opposite the electrically conductive structure 12, but can also be arranged on the same side as the electrically conductive structure 12. The arrangement 11 is fastened to an underside of the housing 21. The input element 20 is designed as an input element 20 for a touch-sensitive screen 40. The input element 20 comprises a housing 21 which consists essentially of a non-conductive plastic, such as PU, or rubber. A suitable material would be, for example, obomudolan®<.

[0108] The Figures 6 , 7 and 8 show examples of various electrically conductive structures 1A-1J, 2A-2J, 3A-3J, 4A-4C, 5A-5C, which are used, for example, in the arrangements 10 and 11 of the Figures 1 to 4can be used. For the sake of simplicity, reference is made below to structure 12. It is clear that the other structures 1A-1J, 2A-2J, 3A-3J, 4A-4C, 5A-5C may also be meant. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, not every structure shown in the figures is provided with reference symbols.

[0109] The electrically conductive structure 12 is configured such that it can be detected by a touch-sensitive screen 40. The electrically conductive structure 12 is configured, in particular, to cause capacitance changes when the structure 12 is placed on the touch-sensitive screen 40, which changes can be detected by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0110] Figure 5 shows two perspective views of a system 100, wherein the system comprises the Figure 4The device comprises the input element 20 described above and further comprises a touch-sensitive screen 40 and a control and processing unit 30. Instead of the input element 20, only the arrangement 10, 11 can be provided. The arrangement 10, 11 can also be provided in addition to the input element 20. Reference is made below to the input element 20.

[0111] The input element 20 is placed or placed on the touch-sensitive screen 40, as indicated by an arrow 25.

[0112] The touch-sensitive screen 40 is connected to the control and processing unit 30 by means of a cable 31, wherein the cable is preferably designed as a USB cable. Alternatively, a wireless connection can be provided between the screen 40 and the control and processing unit 30. The touch-sensitive screen 40 is also referred to as a touchscreen and, in the illustrated embodiment, is a capacitive touch-sensitive screen. The touch-sensitive screen 40 can also function, for example, as a tabletop; in this case, one or more table legs can be mounted to the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0113] Furthermore, the touch-sensitive screen 40 is configured to detect a plurality of touches simultaneously (multi-touch display). The touch can be made either by a human finger or by the touch surfaces 13, 15, 16 of the input element 20 shown above. Furthermore, touch surfaces 13, 15, 16 of a plurality of input elements 20 can be detected simultaneously by the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0114] The touchscreen 40 includes a sensor matrix having a plurality of rows and columns. Each column and row includes a vertical wire (conductor track) and a horizontal wire (conductor track), respectively, and a capacitive sensor is arranged at each of the wire intersections.

[0115] The electrically conductive material of structure 12 typically extends across several wires of the sensor matrix and generally causes capacitive coupling to other, particularly horizontal, wires connected to ground. Structure 12 can cause a signal change similar to that caused by a user's finger. However, with a lower signal-to-noise ratio, typically between 1:3 and 1:20, because it must cross the sensor glass twice.

[0116] For example, the touch-sensitive screen 40 may have a screen diagonal of between 5 and 100 inches. In the embodiment of the Fig. 5 The touch-sensitive screen 40 has a screen diagonal of 55 inches, with dimensions of 1220mm x 680 mm and has 172 x 105 pixels.

[0117] The control and processing unit 30 is also designed to receive and evaluate signals (touch signals) triggered by the touch surfaces 13, 15, 16 of the input element 20 in the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0118] The placement of the input element 20 on the touch-sensitive screen 40 is detected by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive screen 40 due to the conductive structure 12 of the arrangement 10, 11. Corresponding sensor data, generated by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive screen, is transmitted as an analog signal to a touch controller, which can be structurally integrated into a plate of the touch-sensitive screen 40, which is designed as a table. The data is digitized and interpolated there at a time interval of 0.1 ms, and then transmitted, along with a time stamp, via USB 2.0 or 3.0 to the control and processing unit 30, where the sensor data is received, stored, and further processed.The touch controller can also be part of the control and processing unit 30 and the control and processing unit 30 or parts thereof can also be integrated into the plate of the touch-sensitive screen 40 or into a housing of the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0119] After the input element 20 or the arrangement 10, 11 has been placed on the touch-sensitive screen 40, the control and processing unit 30 creates a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure 12 of the input element from the sensor data and stores it, wherein the capacitance pattern contains a spatially resolved representation of at least two capacitance changes of different sizes or at least three pairwise capacitance values of different sizes or quantities derived therefrom.

[0120] The control and processing unit 30 determines the position and orientation of the input element 20 on the touch-sensitive screen 40 from the sensor data.

[0121] The control and processing unit 30 is configured to control the touch-sensitive screen 40 based on the sensor data. This means that, for example, if the input element 20 is moved along the arrow 25 shown in the figure, this is registered by the control and processing unit, and actions can then be executed. For example, a display of the touch-sensitive screen 40 can be changed depending on this sensor data. The control and processing unit 30 can, for example, color-mark an area of the touch-sensitive screen 40 that represents the surroundings of a placed input element 20, or display text there.

[0122] Other actions can also be initiated based on the sensor data. For example, if a user changes the orientation or position of the input element 20 on the screen 40, this is registered and an action can be performed accordingly.

[0123] In summary, the input options for the control and processing unit include, for example, inputs on the touch-sensitive screen itself, for example, via a finger, and additional inputs via movements of the input element 20 or the input elements. On the other hand, there are the possible actions that the control and processing unit 30 can perform. This includes, for example, modifying the display of the touch-sensitive screen 40. If multiple input elements 20 are applied, multiple actions are also possible.

[0124] The Figure 9shows two capacitance patterns in which sensor signals from the capacitive sensors of a touch-sensitive screen 40 are represented in a spatially resolved manner, showing the sensor signals triggered by the arrangements 1A and 1J in the sensor matrix of the touch-sensitive screen 40. The touch-sensitive screen 40 comprises a capacitive grid of electrical detection conductors arranged orthogonally to one another. The horizontal detection conductors are located in a first plane, and the vertical detection conductors are located in a second, spaced-apart plane, so that a capacitance can be measured at the intersection points between the horizontal and vertical lines (which represent a projection of the detection conductor planes onto one another).If a finger or a conductive structure 12 of a placed arrangement 10, 11 is brought close to the grid, the capacitance changes at intersection points located in the area where contact or proximity occurs. The intersection points thus represent the pixels at which spatially resolved capacitance changes can be detected. Where the arrangement 10, 11 was placed, a capacitance change is registered at some intersection points. This change is indicated in the images by hatching a square area around the respective intersection point if it exceeds a certain threshold. In this way, a location where the arrangement 10, 11 was placed on the screen 40 can be detected.

[0125] In the Fig. 9 are capacitance patterns of the arrangements 1A and 1J of the Fig. 8For clarity, two square sections of the touch-sensitive screen 40 are shown. The length and width of the square sections correspond to the diameter of the annular touch surfaces 13 of the arrangements 1A and 1J plus one row and one column. The structure of the annular touch surface 13 is already clearly visible from these images. In the Fig. 9 The hatchings at the outermost edge 22 correspond to the values measured without interference on the screen 40 between the wires of the sensor matrix. The outer edge has a width and length of one pixel each. Thinner hatchings are caused by conductive material, ie, the structure 12, at locations where retransmission is low. As indicated above, the signals triggered by retransmission are negative and are Fig. 9indicated by hatching that is thicker than the hatching at edge 22. Thicker hatching is thus caused at places without conductive material and with retransmission. Fig. 9The position of the contact surfaces 15, 16 is indicated by reference numerals. In particular, it can be seen that the contact surfaces 15, 16 of the arrangement 1A, 1J trigger positive signals, i.e., hatchings with thinner thicknesses than the hatchings at the edge 22, in the sensors of the touch-sensitive screen 40. Furthermore, it is clearly visible that the contact surfaces 15, 16 of the arrangement 1A are arranged at a central angle α of approximately 90° to one another. As a result, the characteristic negative signals triggered by retransmission are greatest between these contact surfaces 15, 16 (top right) and in the center of the annular contact surface 13. The contact surfaces 15, 16 of the arrangement 1J are arranged approximately opposite one another and form a central angle α of approximately 170°. As a result, the negative signals triggered by retransmission are greatest around the center of the annular contact surface 13.The arrangements 1A and 1J thus exploit the effect of retransmission for an assignment of the arrangements 1A, 1J.

[0126] In the Figures 10-16 Capacitance patterns 200, 215, 230, 245, 260, 275, 290 of a single arrangement 23, recorded by the touch-sensitive screen 40, are shown at different orientations of the arrangement 23 on the screen 40. Here, the arrangement 23 has a distance of 4 pixels to the edge of the section. The edge therefore measures no signal, i.e., a capacitance change of 0 F. The arrangement 23 is resolved by approximately 64 intersection points of the screen (square with a length of 8 pixels and a width of 8 pixels). The structure and orientation of the arrangement 23, in particular the electrically conductive structure 12 of the arrangement 23, is shown on the right in a reduced form. Similar to the Fig. 9The hatching of the capacitance pattern is thicker for negative signals (corresponding to the retransmission). The hatching of the capacitance pattern is thinner for positive signals. Positive signals are measured particularly near the contact surfaces 13, 15, 16. Negative signals are measured particularly in the center of the ring-shaped structure 13 and in the corners of the square outside the ring-shaped structure 13. The relative orientation of the arrangement 23 on the screen 40 is shown in the Figures 10-160°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, and 90°, respectively. It can be seen that the capacitance patterns 200, 215, 230, 245, 260, 275, and 290 differ sufficiently from one another to allow a statement to be made about the orientation of the arrangement 23 on the screen 40. Due to the selected marking of the arrangement 23 in the form of two touch surfaces 15, 16, the rotational symmetry of the annular touch surface 13 is broken, and therefore a determination of the orientation of the arrangement 23 on the touch-sensitive screen 40 is possible. In other words, each orientation of the array 23 produces a characteristic capacitance pattern 200, 215, 230, 245, 260, 275, 290 with positive and negative signals in the screen 40 that is distinguishable from the other capacitance patterns.

[0127] It should be noted that detection can also occur when the input element 20 and / or the arrangement 10, 11 are not touched by a user. Since, with the exception of one horizontal and one vertical detection conductor track of the aforementioned grid, for example, neighboring detection conductor tracks are grounded, derivation is also possible when a region of the conductive structure 12 is located on a detection conductor track that is grounded. Since, in typical arrangements 10, 11, conductive structures 12 extend over a region of the arrangement 10, 11 that includes several conductor tracks on the touch-sensitive screen 40, it is no longer necessary for the input element 20 or the arrangements 10, 11 to be touched by a user for reliable detection by the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0128] In addition to the location of such a capacitance change, its magnitude can also be detectable in order to create a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure 12 of the arrangement 10, 11, which contains a spatially resolved representation of at least two capacitance changes of different magnitudes or at least three pairwise capacitance values of different magnitudes or quantities derived therefrom. Such capacitance patterns are shown for the arrangements 1A and 1J in the Fig. 9 shown.

[0129] This is done, for example, by using different threshold values to detect capacity changes, so that a signal is triggered at 10%, 20%, 30%, ... 100% of a maximum value or corresponding negative signals (thick hatching in the Fig. 9 ) by retransmission. At least two such thresholds can be used.

[0130] For example, images can be captured at a threshold of 1 pF and 2.5 pF. This corresponds to 10% and 25%, respectively, of a typical 10 pF capacitance change caused by a finger, which is used here as the maximum value.

[0131] This means that for a first signal, which is triggered at just 10% of the maximum value, only a very small change in capacitance is necessary. This is caused at many points where the arrangement 1A, 1J contacts the screen 40 (see Figure 9 ). Accordingly, the image outputs Figure 9 the outline of the entire arrangements 1A and 1J. It can thus be used to determine the position of the arrangement 1A, 1J on the screen 40, but does not provide any information about the internal details of the structure 12. For example, it is not clear where the top and bottom are and what the orientation of the arrangement 1A, 1J is on the screen 40.

[0132] The second signal, however, is only triggered when capacitance changes of at least 2.5 pF are present. This results in a more differentiated image. The conductive structure 12 triggers a signal at this threshold value, with the markings 15, 16 being clearly visible. The markings 15, 16 break a symmetry, and in addition to the position, the orientation of the arrangement 1A, 1J can also be analyzed. For example, by comparing it with data from the memory of the control and processing unit 30, it can be determined that the top and bottom of the present arrangement are different, and that a rotation of 180° does not produce the same image. The relative position of the signal strengths on the circumference of the annular contact surface 13 and inside the annular contact surface 13 to one another is crucial for the symmetry breaking. In addition to the symmetry breaking, the differences in the internal structure, i.e.the markings 15, 16, also the distinction between the different arrangements 1A, 1J.

[0133] As mentioned, the control and processing unit 30 can compare the capacitance pattern with previously known capacitance patterns to identify, for example, an input element 20, an arrangement 1A, 1J, or construction type. The recognition can be trained, for example, using machine learning methods. It should be noted that identification typically cannot be based solely on absolute values of the capacitance changes, since the absolute value depends on whether the arrangement 1A, 1J, or the input element 20 is touched, where it is located on the screen, and how it is oriented.

[0134] Once the capacitance pattern has been detected, the control and processing unit 30 can track its movements, such as rotations and / or translations, on the screen 40 using the sensor data.

[0135] When using multiple input elements 20 and / or multiple arrangements 10, 11, it may be advantageous to also form groups of arrangements 10, 11. Each arrangement 10, 11 of the group has a differently designed electrically conductive structure 12. For example, in the Fig. 6Structures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J are shown, which are referred to therein as group 1. The structures 1A-1J of group 1 differ in the arrangement of the first contact surface 15 and the second contact surface 16 relative to one another. The contact surfaces 15, 16 are the same size and shape, but are located at different locations within the annular contact surface 13. In particular, the electrically conductive structures 15, 16 of the arrangements 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J are spaced from one another such that a circumferential distance between the first contact surface 15 and the second contact surface 16 on the annular contact surface 13 is at least as large as the distance between adjacent sensor wires in the sensor matrix.

[0136] The electrically conductive structures 1A and 1J of the Fig. 6 are enlarged again for comparison in the Fig. 8shown. In the structure 1A, a first imaginary straight line 6 runs through the center M of the annular contact surface 13 and the center of gravity of the first contact surface 15. In addition, a second imaginary straight line 7 runs through the center M of the annular contact surface 13 and the center of gravity of the second contact surface 16. The first straight line 6 and the second straight line 7 enclose an angle α of less than 180° and greater than 0°, whereby the angle α in the structure 1A is approximately 90°. The angle α can be regarded as the center angle. The angle α is Fig. 6Structures 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F, 1G, 1H, 1J shown: 90°, 100°, 110°, 120°, 130°, 140°, 150°, 160°, and 170°, respectively. Group 1 thus comprises a total of nine different electrically conductive structures. For example, with a diameter of the annular contact surface of 42 mm and a circumferential distance of 7 mm between the first contact surface 15 and the second contact surface 16, the central angle α is approximately 20° or a multiple of 20° (e.g., 40°, 60°, 80°, 100°, 120°, 140°, or 160°).

[0137] Further in the Fig. 6Structures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2J are shown, which are referred to there as group 2. The structures 2A-2J of group 2 differ in the size of the contact surfaces 15, 16. In group 2 there are three different sized first contact surfaces 15 and three different sized contact surfaces 16. By combining the different sizes there are a total of nine different structures 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 2J. Otherwise the centers of gravity of the contact surfaces 15, 16 are at the same positions within the annular contact surface 13, in other words the angle α is the same for all structures 2A-2J.

[0138] In addition, the Fig. 6Nine different structures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J are shown, forming a group 3. The structures of group 3 differ in their size and shape. The structures of group 3 have a single contact surface 15 within the annular contact surface 13.

[0139] Pairs 3A - 3J, 3B - 3H, 3C - 3G, 3D - 3F of structures can be formed, wherein the contact surfaces 15 of these pairs are complementarily shaped and together form a circle that completely fills the annular contact surface 13. The borders of the contact surfaces 15 of the structures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3F, 3G, 3H, 3J are each delimited by two circular arcs, one of the circular arcs being determined by an inner circular arc of the annular contact surface 13. The border of the contact surface 15 of the structure 3E is delimited by a line and a circular arc. The contact surface 15 of the structure 3E forms a semicircle and can form a circle with another structure 3E, which completely fills the annular contact surface 13.

[0140] In addition, the Fig. 7three different structures 4A, 4B, 4C are shown, which form a group 4. The structures of group 4 differ in terms of their size and shape. The structures of group 4 have a single contact surface 15 within the annular contact surface 13. In a similar way to group 3, in group 4 the structures 4A and 4C are complementarily shaped and together form a circle, which completely fills the annular contact surface 13. The contact surface 15 of structure 4B forms a semicircle and can form a circle with another structure 4B, which completely fills the annular contact surface 13. The borders of the contact surfaces 15 of the structures 4A, 4B, 4C are defined by a line and an arc of a circle.

[0141] For all groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, each electrical structure 12 in each group has the same annular contact surface 13. However, the structures within each group 1, 2, 3, and 4 differ in their markings 15 and 16. Each electrically conductive structure 12 has at most a mirror symmetry plane, but no rotational symmetry.

[0142] Further in the Fig. 7 A group 5 with three different structures 5A, 5B, 5C is shown. The structures of group 5 differ from the structures of groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 in that the marking 17 of the structures 5 is an opening 17 in the annular contact surface. The opening 17 has, for example, an opening angle β of at least 10° and / or at most 45°.

[0143] In the Fig. 17A group 8 with six different structures 8A-8F is shown, which are C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped. The structures 8A-8F of group 8 differ from the structures of groups 1-5 in that a ring width 24 of the ring-shaped structure 13 and a diameter 26 of the ring-shaped structure 13 are used as markings. Further variations can thus be created by using different diameters 26 and ring widths 24. Furthermore, the structures 8A-8F can have openings 17 with different opening angles, analogous to structures 5A-5C. Thus, the openings of structures 8A and 8F also have different opening angles or different opening sizes. The ring widths 24 and diameter 26, or the variations in the ring widths 24 and diameter 26, are selected such that they can be resolved by the touch-sensitive screen 40. In the example shown, the diameters vary from 40 mm to 45 mm.The ring widths vary from 2mm to 8mm.

[0144] The Fig. 18 shows a group 9 with six different structures 9A-9F. The electrically conductive structures 9A-9F differ from structures 8A-8F only in that, analogous to groups 1-4, a bulge is additionally provided as a marking 15. Pairs 8A, 9A; 8B, 9B; 8C, 9C; 8D, 9D; 8E, 9E and 8F, 9F can be formed, whereby the structures of the respective pairs can be distinguished by the presence or absence of the marking 15. The bulge 15 can have a fixed diameter of, for example, 12 mm. Although the markings 15 in group 9 are each arranged centrally opposite the opening 17, other positions of the marking 15 within the C-shape are also conceivable and can be combined with one another.

[0145] The Fig. 19shows a group 50 of arrangements 50A-50F, which differ in the orientation of the electrically conductive structures. Each arrangement 50A-50F has two electrically conductive structures 12, each comprising an annular contact surface 13 with an opening (cf. opening 17 of Fig. 7 ) and are therefore C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped. The electrically conductive structures 12 of each arrangement 50A-50F are spaced apart by a fixed distance 27, which is determined by the length of the connecting line between the centers of the annular contact surfaces 13.

[0146] Each contact surface 13 also has a fixed diameter and a fixed ring width (thickness). The arrangements 50A-50F differ only by a rotation angle 28 of the electrically conductive structures 12 or the openings 17 relative to one another, with the rotation angle 28 thus being designed as a marking. The C-shaped contact surfaces 13 thus have different orientations relative to one another. Preferably, the C-shaped contact surfaces 13 are designed such that a rotation angle 28 of 22.5° is still distinguishable. It is also possible to vary the distance 27 between the structures (not shown).

[0147] The use of similarly shaped electrically conductive structures has the advantage that the detection system only needs to detect one structure and its rotation angle 28. For example, to train a machine learning algorithm, one can collect data for only one C (many different positions relative to the sensor matrix) and then derive the six combinations shown from this. This reduces the effort required for data acquisition, training, and detection, especially when several hundred combinations are used due to smaller rotation angles 28.

[0148] In the example shown, the Fig. 19 The same C-structure is used twice, and by rotating them 90° to each other, distinguishable combinations are created. The total number of distinguishable combinations on the touch-sensitive screen is as follows: 90° means 4 angles, i.e., 4^2 combinations where each structure and its 180° rotated version occur twice, and 4 that merge into themselves at 180° rotation (all where the second C is rotated exactly 180°) and therefore cannot be used. This results in (4^2 - 4) / 2 = 6 distinguishable combinations. 45° means 8 angles, i.e., (8^2 - 8) / 2 = 28. 22.5° means 16 angles, i.e., (16^2 - 16) / 2 = 120. 12.5° means 32 angles, i.e., (32^2 - 32) / 2 = 496.

[0149] Although the electrically conductive structures 12 of the Fig. 19 are the same (i.e. same shape and size), a large number of distinguishable patterns are still possible by varying the angle of rotation 28.

[0150] The position of the combined structures can be the center of the connecting line. The angle of rotation 28 can be determined from the direction of the connection vector. Combinations of more than two C-shaped contact surfaces 13 are equally conceivable. In further embodiments, in addition to the angle of rotation 28, the diameter 26, ring width 26, and / or distance 27 can be varied and combined.

[0151] At least for groups 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, and 50, an area enclosed by the annular contact surface 13 can have a diameter of at least 7 mm, preferably at least 10 mm, wherein the diameter is essentially determined by the sensor wire spacing in the sensor matrix of the screen 40. In some embodiments, the diameter can be, for example, between 30 mm and 50 mm. This area is circular, except for any markings in the form of contact surfaces 15, 16 within the annular contact surface 13.

[0152] A method for using the touch-sensitive sensor matrix 40 in the sense of this application, or a system 100 as described above, comprises at least the following steps: Detecting capacitance changes using capacitive sensors of a touch-sensitive sensor matrix 40, wherein the capacitance changes are caused by an electrically conductive structure 12 of an arrangement 10 contacting the sensor matrix. Creating a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure 12 of the arrangement 10. Comparing the recorded capacitance pattern with previously known capacitance patterns. Recognizing the arrangement 10 on the touch-sensitive sensor matrix 40.

[0153] Further steps in the process include: Detecting, based on the annular touch surface 13 of the arrangement, a position of the arrangement 10 on the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen 40 and / or detecting, based on the marking 15, 16 of the arrangement 10, an orientation of the arrangement 10 on the sensor matrix or the touch-sensitive screen 40.

[0154] Further steps are described above.

[0155] The arrangement 10, 11 described above can be manufactured, for example, by the following method.

[0156] The method for manufacturing the arrangement 10, 11 comprises the steps: Providing an electrically insulating carrier material 14, applying an electrically conductive material onto the carrier material 14 or into the carrier material 14, forming the electrically conductive structure 12, forming the arrangement 10, 11.

[0157] In an advantageous embodiment, the electrically conductive material is an electrically conductive paint or an electrically conductive varnish. In this case, the electrically conductive material can be applied to the carrier material 14, for example, by screen printing. Materials that can be used in a screen printing process are then suitable for the carrier material 14. If an electrically conductive coating material, such as paint or varnish, is used, this can be applied to the carrier material 14 by rolling, brushing, and / or spraying.

[0158] Alternatively, the electrically conductive material can be applied to the carrier material as a layer or as a prefabricated layer, for example, partially or completely covering it. The electrically conductive structure 12 can be formed by removing a portion of the electrically conductive layer, in particular by scraping or lasering. The electrically conductive layer can be formed from an ITO (see above). List of reference symbols

[0159] 1 Electrically conductive structures 1A-1J Electrically conductive structures 2 Electrically conductive structures 2A-2J Electrically conductive structures 3 Electrically conductive structures 3A-3J Electrically conductive structures 4 Electrically conductive structures 4A-4C Electrically conductive structures 5 Electrically conductive structures 5A-5C Electrically conductive structures 6 First straight line 7 Second straight line 8 Electrically conductive structures 8A-8F Electrically conductive structures 9 Electrically conductive structures 9A-9F Electrically conductive structures 10 Arrangement 11 Arrangement 12 Electrically conductive structure 13 Ring-shaped contact surface 14 Carrier material 15 Contact surface 16 Contact surface 17 Opening 18 Recess 19 Adhesive layer 20 Input element 21 Housing 22 Hatching at the outermost edge 23Arrangement 24Ring width 25Direction of movement 26Diameter 30Control and processing unit 31Connection 40Touch-sensitive screen 50Arrangements 50A-50FArrangements100 System 200Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at0° 215Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 15° 230Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 30° 245Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 45° 260Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 60° 275Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 75° 290Capacitance pattern of arrangement 23 at 90° αCenter angle

Claims

1. An arrangement (10, 11) for detection by means of a touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), comprising - at least one electrically conductive structure (12), the structure (12) having at least one marker (15, 16, 17), and - an electrically insulating substrate material (14) on which the structure (12) is applied or in which the structure (12) is embedded, - the structure (12) having an annular touch surface (13), wherein the annular touch surface (13) is designed to cause capacitance changes when the arrangement (10, 11) is placed on the touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), which capacitance changes are detectable as sensor data by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), even when the arrangement (10, 11) is not touched by a user, characterized in that the annular touch surface (13) triggers a stronger signal than the marker (15, 16, 17).

2. The arrangement (10, 11) according to claim 1, characterized in that the marker (15, 16, 17) comprises or is at least one touch surface (15, 16) which is electrically conductively connected to the annular touch surface (13).

3. The arrangement (10, 11) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one touch surface (15, 16) is arranged within the annular touch surface (13) and / or wherein the marker (15, 16, 17) comprises at least two differently sized touch surfaces (15, 16) and / or two differently shaped touch surfaces (15, 16), and / or wherein the arrangement (10, 11) comprises a first touch surface (15) and a second touch surface (16), wherein a circumferential distance between the first touch surface (15) and the second touch surface (16) on the annular touch surface (13) is greater than 5 mm.

4. The arrangement (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive structure (12) is applied to the substrate material (14) by screen printing.

5. The arrangement (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an outer diameter of the annular touch surface (13) is at least 10 mm.

6. The arrangement (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the marker (15, 16, 17) wherein the marker is configured to break the rotational symmetry of the annular touch surface (13), and / or wherein the marker comprises or is an opening (17) of the annular touch surface (13), wherein the opening (17) preferably has an opening angle (β) of at least 30° and / or at most 150° and / or wherein the annular touch surface (13) through the opening (17) is C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped.

7. The arrangement (50A-50F) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two electrically conductive structures (12) each having an annular touch surface (13) and at least one marker (15, 16, 17), each pair of electrically conductive structures (12) having a further marker associated therewith.

8. The arrangement of claim 7, wherein the further marker is characterized by an angle of rotation (28) and / or a distance (27) of the two electrically conductive structures (12) relative to each other, and / or wherein the electrically conductive structures (12) are the same with respect to their shape and / or size, and are preferably each C-shaped or horseshoe-shaped.

9. The arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a further marker configured by an annular width (24) and / or a diameter (26) of the annular touch surface (13).

10. The arrangement (10, 11) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a fastening means (19) configured to fasten the arrangement (10, 11) to a further element (20) different from the arrangement (10, 11).

11. A group of arrangements (10, 11) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that each arrangement (10, 11) has a differently configured electrically conductive structure (12) and each electrical structure (12) preferably has a differently configured marker (15, 16, 17) and an identical annular touch surface (13).

12. A method of manufacturing an arrangement (10, 11) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising the steps of: - providing an electrically insulating substrate material (14), - applying an electrically conductive material to the substrate material (14) or into the substrate material (14), - forming the electrically conductive structure (12), - forming the arrangement (10, 11).

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive material is an electrically conductive paint or electrically conductive varnish, and the electrically conductive material is applied to the substrate material by screen printing.

14. A system comprising an arrangement (10, 11) according to one of claims 1-14 and a control and processing unit (30), - wherein the electrically conductive structure (12) of the arrangement (10, 11) is designed to cause capacitance changes when the arrangement (10, 11) is placed on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), which capacitance changes are detectable as sensor data by capacitive sensors of the touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), - wherein the control and processing unit (30) is configured to receive the sensor data and recognize the arrangement (10, 11) based on the electrically conductive structure (12).

15. A method of detecting an arrangement (10, 11) of claims 1-10 on a touch-sensitive sensor matrix, comprising the steps of: - detecting capacitance changes by capacitive sensors of a touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40), wherein the capacitance changes are caused by the electrically conductive structure (12) of the arrangement (10, 11) contacting the sensor matrix (40), - creating a capacitance pattern for the conductive structure (12) of the arrangement (10, 11), - comparing the capacitance pattern with previously known capacitance patterns, - recognizing the arrangement (10, 11) on the touch-sensitive sensor matrix (40) based on the comparison.