Haptic device for capacitive button and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a haptic device for a capacitive button, the device comprising: a touch control module for detecting pressing of a capacitive button attached to a front surface of a touch screen to output a trigger signal to a haptic control module; and the haptic control module for driving a vibration element in accordance with preset haptic data and driving a clicker element to output a click sound when the trigger signal is input from the touch control module.

Description

Haptic device for electrostatic button and control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a haptic device for a capacitive button and a control method thereof, which can provide a user with a sensation similar to that of a physical button being pressed when the capacitive button attached to the surface of a touch screen is pressed.

[0002]

[0003] Typically, an electronic device has a display unit. A button device is fixed to the display unit. The display unit includes a circuit board, a touch panel, and a glass unit, and the button device is connected to the circuit board by wires. Touch detection lines are wired to cross horizontally and vertically on the touch panel. In addition, the button device is fixed to the upper side of the glass unit (the glass unit of the touch panel) by screws or a latch. A specific function of the electronic device is selected when a signal from the push button unit is input to the circuit board.

[0004] However, conventional electronic devices form wire passage holes or button mounting holes in the glass portion to connect the button device to the circuit board via wires, which may reduce the rigidity of the glass portion. Furthermore, cracks may occur around the wire passage holes and button mounting holes when the glass portion is subjected to impact or external force.

[0005] In addition, when the thickness of the glass part is increased to reinforce the rigidity of the glass part, the manufacturing cost of the glass part may increase and the touch sensitivity of the glass part may decrease.

[0006] Additionally, if external moisture or water penetrates into the display unit through the wire passage hole or button mounting hole of the glass unit, the display unit may malfunction or be damaged.

[0007] In addition, since the button device is fixed to the glass portion by a screw or latch, the installation structure of the button device becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost may increase.

[0008] Additionally, when disassembling or assembling the glass unit or button device, the screws or latch must be released, and the button device must be completely separated from the glass unit before disassembling the glass unit or button device. Therefore, the disassembly and assembly time and repair costs of the glass unit or button device may significantly increase.

[0009] Meanwhile, the above touch panel is an input device that allows the user to operate the display screen by directly touching the point where the user wishes to input.

[0010] Depending on the operating method, these touch panels can be categorized into capacitive, resistive, and infrared, sound, and pressure-based touch panels. Initially, the resistive method, which operates mainly through pressing force, was mainly used, but recently, the capacitive method has become mainstream, and many computing devices (e.g., small game machines, large game machines in casinos, laptop computers, smart phones, smart pads, etc.) that use touch screens with capacitive touch panels (i.e., the touch screen consists of a display panel and a touch panel glass part) are being released.

[0011] However, when a user controls a computing device by directly touching the touchscreen (i.e., the touch panel glass part) (e.g., controlling the touchscreen of a game console by touching it with a finger), the finger contact area of ​​the touchscreen can become contaminated, and the physical input feeling is reduced because there is no actual button press sensation. There is also the problem of difficulty in inputting while wearing gloves.

[0012] Accordingly, a button (hereinafter, in this embodiment, may be described as a button device for an electronic device or an electrostatic button) that can be easily attached to and detached from the surface of the touch screen and allows the user to feel a physical input without directly touching the touch screen with their finger is required.

[0013] The background technology of the present invention is disclosed in Korean Patent No. 10-2520994 (registered on April 7, 2023) and Korean Patent No. 10-2487998 (registered on January 9, 2023).

[0014] Background technologies disclose the structure and characteristics of electrostatic buttons and methods for controlling various functions of a computing device by operating the electrostatic buttons.

[0015] However, the aforementioned electrostatic buttons, due to their structural characteristics, lack the sensations (e.g., sound, tactile sensations) that users experience when pressing a conventional physical button. Therefore, there is a need for technology that can provide users with the same sensations (e.g., sound, tactile sensations) as when pressing a physical button, by linking the input of the electrostatic button.

[0016] However, small electronic devices with small touchscreens, such as existing smartphones or smart pads, have built-in vibration motors, and when the user directly touches (not presses) the screen (touchscreen) with their fingers or an electronic pen, the entire small electronic device vibrates to indicate that the user's touch has been accurately input.

[0017] However, large electronic devices with large touch screens, such as large game machines in casinos, unlike small electronic devices, cannot have a built-in vibration motor large enough to vibrate the entire large electronic device, and even if a large vibration motor could be built-in, it would be inefficient. Furthermore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to provide a sensation (e.g., sound, tactile sensation) similar to that of pressing a conventional physical button, especially when the user does not directly touch the screen (touch screen) with their finger but presses a capacitive button attached to the front of the screen (touch screen).

[0018] Accordingly, there is a need for technology that can provide users with a sensation (e.g., sound, tactile sensation) similar to that of a physical button being pressed when a capacitive button is pressed.

[0019]

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a haptic device for an electrostatic button and a control method thereof, which can provide a user with a sensation (e.g., sound, tactile sensation) similar to that of pressing a physical button when a detachable electrostatic button is pressed on the surface of a touchscreen of a game console or computing device using a touchscreen.

[0021]

[0022] A haptic device for a capacitive button according to one aspect of the present invention is characterized by including: a touch control module that detects the pressing of a capacitive button attached to the front of a touch screen and outputs a trigger signal to a haptic control module; and a haptic control module that, when a trigger signal is input from the touch control module, drives a vibration element according to preset haptic data and also drives a clicker element to output a click sound.

[0023] In the present invention, the touch control module outputs a trigger signal corresponding to the input of the electrostatic button to the haptic control module through a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal or an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication terminal, and when a plurality of electrostatic buttons are attached, outputs a trigger signal corresponding to each electrostatic button.

[0024] In the present invention, the touch control module is characterized in that, based on the coordinates or coordinate area of ​​the touch screen to which the electrostatic button is attached, when a touch is detected in the corresponding coordinates or coordinate area, it is determined that the electrostatic button has been input.

[0025] In the present invention, the vibration element and clicker element are attached to the back of the touch screen, and are characterized in that they are attached to a position corresponding to the electrostatic button.

[0026] In the present invention, the haptic data is characterized in that it includes haptic power and haptic cycle.

[0027] In the present invention, the touch control module is characterized in that it outputs haptic data for controlling the vibration element in response to the input of the electrostatic button to the haptic control module through an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication terminal.

[0028] In the present invention, the touch control module is characterized in that it initializes internal variables, initializes a communication terminal, checks the connection of an external input device, initializes a terminal for checking the power of the haptic control module, checks whether power is supplied to the haptic control module using the initialized terminal for checking the power, and if power is supplied to the haptic control module, it checks whether the initialization of the haptic control module is completed, and if the initialization is not completed, it performs an initialization process of reading haptic data stored in an internal memory and setting it to the haptic control module.

[0029] In the present invention, the touch control module is characterized in that, when a touch event does not occur, it checks whether updated haptic data is received from a management computer that sets the haptic data, and, when the updated haptic data is received from the management computer, it stores the received haptic data in an internal memory and performs an initialization process of resetting the updated haptic data to the haptic control module.

[0030] In the present invention, when a touch event occurs in a coordinate or coordinate area to which the electrostatic button is attached and the current input state of the electrostatic button is a pressed state and a press flag is 0, the touch control module outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module to turn on the haptic function to drive the vibration element according to haptic data, turn on the clicker element to generate a click sound, and changes the press flag to 1, so that even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button, vibration and a click sound are generated only at the initial stage of pressing the electrostatic button.

[0031]

[0032] A method for controlling a haptic device for a capacitive button according to another aspect of the present invention is characterized by including the steps of: a touch control module detecting a pressing of a capacitive button attached to the front of a touch screen and outputting a trigger signal to a haptic control module; and a step of, when a trigger signal is input from the touch control module, driving a vibration element according to preset haptic data, and driving a clicker element to output a click sound.

[0033] In the present invention, in the step of detecting the pressing of the electrostatic button, the touch control module is characterized in that, based on the coordinates or coordinate area of ​​the touch screen to which the electrostatic button is attached, if a touch is detected in the corresponding coordinates or coordinate area, it is determined that the electrostatic button has been input.

[0034] In the present invention, before detecting the pressing of the electrostatic button, the touch control module is characterized in that it initializes internal variables, initializes a communication terminal, checks the connection of an external input device, initializes a terminal for checking the power of the haptic control module, checks whether power is supplied to the haptic control module using the initialized terminal for checking the power, and if power is supplied to the haptic control module, it checks whether the initialization of the haptic control module is completed, and if the initialization is not completed, it performs an initialization process of reading haptic data stored in an internal memory and setting it to the haptic control module.

[0035] In the present invention, in the step of detecting the pressing of the electrostatic button, the touch control module is characterized in that, if a touch event does not occur, it checks whether updated haptic data is received from a management computer that sets the haptic data, and, if the updated haptic data is received from the management computer, it stores the received haptic data in an internal memory and performs an initialization process of resetting the updated haptic data to the haptic control module.

[0036] In the present invention, in the step of detecting the pressing of the electrostatic button, if a touch event occurs in a coordinate or coordinate area to which the electrostatic button is attached and the current input state of the electrostatic button is a pressed state and a press flag is 0, the touch control module outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module to turn on the haptic function to drive the vibration element according to haptic data, turn on the clicker element to generate a click sound, and changes the press flag to 1, so that even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button, vibration and a click sound are generated only at the initial stage of pressing the electrostatic button.

[0037]

[0038] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention can provide a user with a sensation (e.g., sound, tactile sensation) similar to that of pressing a physical button when a detachable electrostatic button is pressed on a touchscreen surface of a game console or computing device using a touchscreen.

[0039]

[0040] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an example diagram showing a user interface screen for setting haptic data in FIG. 1.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 is an exemplary drawing showing a photograph of a touch control module, a haptic control module, and a vibration element constituting a haptic device for an electrostatic button in FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 6 is an example drawing showing a photograph of the back of a touch screen to which a haptic device for a static button is attached in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIGS. 7A to 7C are exemplary drawings showing photographs of electrostatic buttons attached to the front surface of the touch screen in FIG. 1.

[0047]

[0048] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a haptic device for an electrostatic button and a control method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0049] In this process, the thickness of lines and the sizes of components depicted in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions within the present invention and may vary depending on the intent or custom of the user or operator. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be based on the overall content of this specification.

[0050] Below, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In addition, in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly explain the present invention, and similar parts are designated with similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0051] Throughout the specification, whenever a part is said to "include" a component, this does not mean that it excludes other components, but rather that it may include other components, unless otherwise stated.

[0052] Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0053] Therefore, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can replace them at the time of the present application. In addition, when used in this specification, "comprise", "include" and / or "comprising", "including" specify the presence of mentioned shapes, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements and / or groups thereof, and do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other shapes, numbers, operations, members, elements and / or groups. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present invention, "may be", "may be" may include "one or more embodiments of the present invention."

[0054] Additionally, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and some components may be exaggerated in size. Furthermore, identical components may be assigned the same reference numbers in different embodiments.

[0055] The statement that two compared objects are "identical" means "substantially identical." Therefore, "substantially identical" may include, but is not limited to, a deviation considered low in the art, such as a deviation of less than 5%. Furthermore, uniformity of a parameter over a given region may also mean uniformity on average.

[0056] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0057] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0058] Any configuration being placed “on top (or bottom)” of a component or “on top (or bottom)” of a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the top (or bottom) of the component, but also that other configurations may be interposed between the component and any configuration placed on (or under) the component.

[0059] Additionally, when it is described that a component is “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be “interposed” between the components, or that each component may be “connected,” “coupled,” or “connected” through another component. Furthermore, when it is said that a part is electrically coupled to another part, this includes not only cases where they are directly connected, but also cases where they are connected with another element in between.

[0060] When reference is made throughout the specification to “A and / or B,” this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated. In other words, “and / or” includes all or any combination of the listed items. When reference is made to “C through D,” this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0061]

[0062] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing a schematic configuration of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to the present embodiment includes a touch control module (110), a haptic control module (120), a vibration element (130), a clicker element (140), and a power supply module (150).

[0064] The touch control module (110) detects the input of the electrostatic button (10) attached to the touch screen (20) and outputs a trigger signal (i.e., an interrupt signal) to the haptic control module (120).

[0065] A plurality of electrostatic buttons (10) can be attached to the touch screen (20).

[0066] A trigger signal corresponding to the input of the electrostatic button (10) can be output to the haptic control module (120) through the GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal.

[0067] The touch control module (110) can determine that a first electrostatic button (not shown) has been input based on the coordinates (or coordinate area) of the touch screen (20) to which the electrostatic button (10) is attached, for example, if a touch is detected at the first coordinate (or coordinate area), it can determine that a second electrostatic button (not shown) has been input if a touch is detected at the second coordinate (or coordinate area).

[0068] The touch control module (110) can output trigger signals corresponding to each of a plurality of electrostatic buttons (10).

[0069] For example, the touch control module (110) outputs a first trigger signal when the first electrostatic button (not shown) is input, and outputs a second trigger signal when the second electrostatic button (not shown) is input.

[0070] When a trigger signal is input from the touch control module (110), the haptic control module (120) drives the vibration element (130) according to preset haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) and also drives the clicker element (140).

[0071] For example, the vibration element (130) may include at least one vibration motor, and the clicker element (140) may include a relay.

[0072] The electrostatic button (10) is attached to the front of the touch screen (20).

[0073] The vibration element (130) and the clicker element (140) are attached to the back of the touch screen (20) and are attached at positions corresponding to the electrostatic button (10).

[0074] Accordingly, when a user presses the electrostatic button (10), vibration occurs around the electrostatic button (10), and the clicker element (140) (e.g., relay) is switched, thereby generating a click sound (e.g., click) similar to that generated when a physical button is pressed.

[0075] At this time, the clicking sound (e.g., click) may vary depending on the type of clicker element (140) (e.g., relay).

[0076] The haptic control module (120), the vibration element (130), and the clicker element (140) can be configured as one set, and when a plurality of electrostatic buttons (10) are attached, they can be configured as multiple sets.

[0077] For example, assuming that the first and second electrostatic buttons (not shown) are attached to the touch screen, it may include one set consisting of a haptic control module, a vibration element, and a clicker element corresponding to the first electrostatic button (not shown), and one set consisting of a haptic control module, a vibration element, and a clicker element corresponding to the second electrostatic button (not shown).

[0078] The touch control module (110) outputs preset haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) to the haptic control module (120) to drive the vibration element (130) when the electrostatic button (10) is input.

[0079] Haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) can be set via a user interface program (see 111 in Fig. 2).

[0080] FIG. 2 is an example diagram showing a user interface screen for setting haptic data in FIG. 1. Haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) can be stored in the internal memory (not shown) of the touch control module (110) with the haptic strength (Haptic Power) and haptic cycle (Haptic Cycle) desired by the user. Alternatively, the setting values ​​of an EGM (Electronic Gaming Machine) (not shown) can be input and operated.

[0081] The haptic control module (120) stores haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) input from the touch control module (110) in internal memory (not shown).

[0082] The touch control module (110) can output haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) for controlling the vibration element (130) in response to the input of the electrostatic button (10) to the haptic control module (120) through an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication terminal.

[0083] Haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) can be set to correspond to each of a plurality of electrostatic buttons (10).

[0084] For example, when the first electrostatic button (not shown) is input, the haptic control module (120) drives the vibration element by the first haptic data, and when the second electrostatic button (not shown) is input, the haptic control module (120) drives the vibration element by the second haptic data.

[0085] The power supply module (150) supplies a voltage of a specified level (e.g., 5 V, 12 V, 24 V, etc.) to the haptic control module (120).

[0086] Accordingly, when a user presses the electrostatic button (10), the touch control module (110) detects the pressing of the electrostatic button (10) and outputs a designated trigger signal to the haptic control module (120), and the haptic control module (120) drives the vibration element (130) based on preset first haptic data in response to the first trigger signal to generate vibration centered on the electrostatic button (10), and also drives the clicker element (140) to generate a click sound (e.g., click) that occurs when a physical button is input.

[0087] It should be noted that FIGS. 3 and 4, which are illustrated to explain the process of performing the control method for the haptic device for the electrostatic button according to the present embodiment, do not illustrate all the processes performed in an actual device (i.e., the entire program is not described in detail in the flowchart), and only the processes to help understanding of the present invention are schematically described for the convenience of explanation.

[0088] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 3, when the operation of the haptic device for the electrostatic button is initiated, the touch control module (110) performs an initialization process for haptic control (S101 to S107).

[0090] For example, the touch control module (110) initializes internal variables (S101), initializes a communication terminal (e.g., GPIO) (S102), checks the connection of an external input device (e.g., USB HID) (S103), and initializes a terminal (e.g., GPIO) for checking the power of the haptic control module (120).

[0091] The touch control module (110) checks whether power is supplied to the haptic control module (120) using an initialized power check terminal (e.g., GPIO) (S105).

[0092] If power is supplied to the haptic control module (120) (Y of S105), the touch control module (110) checks whether the initialization of the haptic control module (120) is complete (S106).

[0093] Here, the initialization of the haptic control module (120) may include a process of checking whether the haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) set to drive the vibration element (130) when the electrostatic button (10) is input is stored in the internal memory (not shown).

[0094] If the initialization of the haptic control module (120) is not completed (N of S106), the touch control module (110) transmits haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) to the haptic control module (120) to perform initialization (S107).

[0095] When the initialization process (S101 to S107) of the haptic device for the electrostatic button is completed, the pressing of the electrostatic button (10) is detected and the haptic action and click sound output process is performed (S108 to S117) as shown below.

[0096] After the initialization process for haptic control (S101 to S107) is completed, if a touch event occurs on the touch screen (20) (Y of S108), the touch control module (110) changes the touch data corresponding to the touch event (e.g., data including touch coordinate information) into a preset standard format (S109).

[0097] For example, since the touch screen (20) is implemented to detect and output a touch event through various types (various specifications) of chips (ICs), the touch data must be changed into a standard format that is preset for use in the haptic device for the electrostatic button according to the present embodiment.

[0098] The touch control module (110) checks whether a touch event occurs at the coordinates (or coordinate area) to which the electrostatic button (10) is attached (S110).

[0099] If a touch event occurs at a coordinate (or coordinate area) where a capacitive button (10) is attached (Y of S110) and the current input state of the capacitive button (10) is in the Release state (Y of S111), the touch control module (110) turns off the clicker element (140) (S112).

[0100] If a touch event occurs at a coordinate (or coordinate area) where a capacitive button (10) is attached (Y of S110) and the current input state of the capacitive button (10) is a press state (Y of S113), the touch control module (110) checks whether the press flag is 0 (S114).

[0101] If a touch event occurs at a coordinate (or coordinate area) where a capacitive button (10) is attached (Y of S110), the current input state of the capacitive button (10) is a press state (Y of S113), and the press flag is 0 (Y of S114), the touch control module (110) outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module (120) to turn on the haptic function (i.e., drive the vibration element (130) according to haptic data) (S115), turn on the clicker element (140) (i.e., turn on the clicker element (140) to generate a click sound) (S116), and changes the press flag to 1 (S117).

[0102] By changing the press flag to 1 in this way, the haptic and click sounds are generated only when the user presses the electrostatic button (10). In other words, even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button (10), the haptic and click sounds are generated only when the electrostatic button (10) is initially pressed.

[0103] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of a haptic device for an electrostatic button according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining in more detail the control method of the haptic device for an electrostatic button described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0104] Therefore, the same symbols are used for the same process as in Fig. 3.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 4, when the operation of the haptic device for the electrostatic button is initiated, the touch control module (110) initializes internal variables (S101), initializes a communication terminal (e.g., GPIO) (S102), checks the connection of an external input device (e.g., USB HID) (S103), initializes a terminal (e.g., GPIO) for checking the power of the haptic control module (120) (S104), and checks whether power is supplied to the haptic control module (120) using the initialized power check terminal (e.g., GPIO) (S105).

[0106] As a result of the check (S105), if the haptic control module (120) is powered (Y of S105), the touch control module (110) checks whether the initialization of the haptic control module (120) is completed (S106), and if the initialization of the haptic control module (120) is not completed (N of S106), the touch control module (110) reads haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) from the internal memory (not shown, e.g., flash memory) (S201), sets (or transmits) it to the haptic control module (120), and performs initialization (S202).

[0107] After the initialization process for haptic control (S101 to S106, S201 to S202) is completed in this way, the touch control module (110) checks whether haptic data is received from a management computer (not shown, computer that sets haptic data described in FIG. 2) when no touch event occurs (N of S108) (S203). In other words, it checks whether haptic data is updated.

[0108] As a result of the check (S203), when haptic data (i.e., updated haptic data) is received from a management computer (not shown, a computer that sets haptic data described in FIG. 2) (Y of S203), the received haptic data is stored in an internal memory (not shown, e.g., flash memory) (S204), and the stored haptic data (i.e., updated haptic data) is reset (or transmitted) to the haptic control module (120) to perform initialization (S205).

[0109] After this, as described in FIG. 3, when a touch event occurs through the touch screen (20) (Y of S108), the touch control module (110) changes the touch data corresponding to the touch event (e.g., data including touch coordinate information) into a preset standard format (S109) and checks whether the touch event occurs at the coordinates (or coordinate area) to which the electrostatic button (10) is attached (S110).

[0110] Accordingly, if the touch event occurs at the coordinates (or coordinate area) where the electrostatic button (10) is attached (Y of S110) and the current input state of the electrostatic button (10) is in the Release state (Y of S111), the touch control module (110) turns off the clicker element (140) (S112).

[0111] In addition, if a touch event occurs at a coordinate (or coordinate area) where a capacitive button (10) is attached (Y of S110), the current input state of the capacitive button (10) is a press state (Y of S113), and the press flag is 0 (Y of S114), the touch control module (110) outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module (120) to turn on the haptic function (i.e., drive the vibration element (130) according to the haptic data) (S115), turn on the clicker element (140) (i.e., turn on the clicker element (140) to generate a click sound) (S116), and changes the press flag to 1 (S117).

[0112] By changing the press flag to 1 in this way, the haptic and click sounds are generated only when the user presses the electrostatic button (10). In other words, even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button (10), the haptic and click sounds are generated only when the electrostatic button (10) is initially pressed.

[0113] FIG. 5 is an exemplary drawing showing a photograph of a touch control module (110), a haptic control module (120), and a vibration element (130) that constitute a haptic device for an electrostatic button in FIG. 1.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 5, the touch control module (110) detects the input of the electrostatic button (10) attached to the touch screen (20) and outputs a trigger signal (i.e., an interrupt signal) to the haptic control module (120).

[0115] The touch control module (110) sets preset haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) to the haptic control module (120).

[0116] When a trigger signal is input from the touch control module (110), the haptic control module (120) drives the vibration element (130) according to preset haptic data (e.g., Haptic Power, Haptic Cycle) and also drives the clicker element (140).

[0117] The vibration element (130) and the clicker element (140) are attached to the back of the touch screen (20) and are attached to positions corresponding to the electrostatic button (10) attached to the front of the touch screen (20).

[0118] FIG. 6 is an example drawing showing a photograph of the back of a touch screen to which a haptic device for a static button is attached in FIG. 1.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 6, only the vibration element (130) and the clicker element (140) are exposed, and the touch control module (110) and the haptic control module (120) are implemented so that they can be protected by a cover.

[0120] FIGS. 7A to 7C are exemplary drawings showing photographs of a electrostatic button (10) attached to the front surface of a touch screen (20) in FIG. 1.

[0121] Fig. 7a is an example drawing showing a photograph taken of a state in which a capacitive button (10) is attached to the front of a touch screen (20) on which content is displayed, and the light of the capacitive button (10) is turned on, and Figs. 7b and 7c are example drawings showing photographs taken of only the capacitive button (10) attached to the front of the touch screen (20), and the light of each color is turned on.

[0122] As shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, light can be output through the transparent area of ​​the electrostatic button (10), or text or emoticons can be output.

[0123] As described above, the present embodiment has the effect of providing a user with a sensation (e.g., sound, tactile sensation) similar to that of pressing a physical button when a detachable electrostatic button on the surface of a touchscreen is pressed.

[0124] In addition, this embodiment has the effect of reducing the user's sense of alienation from electrostatic buttons by providing a similar usage environment to existing physical buttons using electrostatic buttons.

[0125] In addition, this embodiment can adjust the tactile sensation by adjusting the vibration intensity and cycle using haptic data, and also has the effect of increasing the sense of immersion by varying the input tactile sensation of the electrostatic button (10) when an event such as a jackpot occurs.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from the drawings. Accordingly, the technical protection scope of the present invention should be defined by the following claims. In addition, the implementations described in this specification may be implemented as, for example, a method or process, a device, a software program, a data stream, or a signal. Even if discussed only in the context of a single form of implementation (e.g., discussed only as a method), the implementation of the discussed features may also be implemented in other forms (e.g., a device or a program). The device may be implemented by suitable hardware, software, firmware, etc. The method may be implemented in a device such as a processor, which generally refers to a processing device including, for example, a computer, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a programmable logic device. The processor also includes a communication device such as a computer, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant ("PDA"), and other devices that facilitate the communication of information between end-users.

Claims

1. A touch control module that detects the pressing of a capacitive button attached to the front of the touch screen and outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module; and A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that it includes a haptic control module that drives a vibration element according to preset haptic data and also drives a clicker element to output a click sound when a trigger signal is input from the above touch control module.

2. In paragraph 1, The above touch control module, A trigger signal corresponding to the input of the above electrostatic button is output to the haptic control module through a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal or an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication terminal. A haptic device for a capacitive button, characterized in that when a plurality of capacitive buttons are attached, a trigger signal corresponding to each capacitive button is output.

3. In paragraph 1, The above touch control module, A haptic device for a capacitive button, characterized in that it is determined that the capacitive button has been input when a touch is detected in the corresponding coordinates or coordinate area based on the coordinates or coordinate area of ​​the touch screen to which the capacitive button is attached.

4. In paragraph 1, The above vibration element and clicker element, A haptic device for a capacitive button, characterized in that it is attached to the back of the touch screen and is attached to a position corresponding to the capacitive button.

5. In paragraph 1, The above haptic data is, A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized by including a haptic power and a haptic cycle.

6. In paragraph 1, The above touch control module, A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that it outputs haptic data for controlling the vibration element in response to the input of the electrostatic button to the haptic control module through an I2C (Inter Integrated Circuit) communication terminal.

7. In paragraph 1, The above touch control module, Initialize internal variables, initialize communication terminals, check the connection of external input devices, initialize terminals for power check of the haptic control module, and check whether power is supplied to the haptic control module using the initialized terminals for power check. A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that when power is supplied to the haptic control module, an initialization process is performed to check whether the initialization of the haptic control module is complete, and if the initialization is not complete, the haptic data stored in the internal memory is read and set to the haptic control module.

8. In paragraph 1, The above touch control module, If no touch event occurs, check whether updated haptic data is received from the management computer that sets the above haptic data, When updated haptic data is received from the above management computer, the received haptic data is stored in the internal memory, A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that it performs an initialization process for resetting the updated haptic data to the haptic control module.

9. In paragraph 1, If a touch event occurs in the coordinates or coordinate area where the electrostatic button is attached, and the current input state of the electrostatic button is a press state and the press flag is 0, A haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that the touch control module outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module to turn on the haptic function, thereby driving the vibration element according to the haptic data, turning on the clicker element to generate a click sound, and changing the press flag to 1 so that vibration and a click sound are generated only at the initial stage of pressing the electrostatic button, even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button.

10. A step in which the touch control module detects the pressing of the electrostatic button attached to the front of the touch screen and outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module; and A method for controlling a haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that when a trigger signal is input from the touch control module, the haptic control module drives a vibration element according to preset haptic data and also drives a clicker element to output a click sound.

11. In paragraph 10, In the step of detecting the pressing of the above electrostatic button, The above touch control module, A control method for a haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that when a touch is detected in a corresponding coordinate or coordinate area based on the coordinate or coordinate area of ​​a touch screen to which the electrostatic button is attached, it is determined that the electrostatic button has been input.

12. In paragraph 10, Before detecting the pressing of the above electrostatic button, The above touch control module, Initialize internal variables, initialize communication terminals, check the connection of external input devices, initialize terminals for power check of the haptic control module, and check whether power is supplied to the haptic control module using the initialized terminals for power check. A control method for a haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that when power is supplied to the haptic control module, an initialization process is performed to check whether the initialization of the haptic control module is complete, and if the initialization is not complete, the haptic data stored in the internal memory is read and set to the haptic control module.

13. In paragraph 10, In the step of detecting the pressing of the above electrostatic button, The above touch control module, If no touch event occurs, check whether updated haptic data is received from the management computer that sets the above haptic data, When updated haptic data is received from the above management computer, the received haptic data is stored in the internal memory, A control method for a haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that an initialization process is performed to reset the updated haptic data to the haptic control module.

14. In paragraph 10, In the step of detecting the pressing of the above electrostatic button, If a touch event occurs in the coordinates or coordinate area where the electrostatic button is attached, and the current input state of the electrostatic button is a press state and the press flag is 0, A control method for a haptic device for an electrostatic button, characterized in that the touch control module outputs a trigger signal to the haptic control module to turn on the haptic function, drives the vibration element according to the haptic data, turns on the clicker element to generate a click sound, and changes a press flag to 1 so that vibration and a click sound are generated only when the electrostatic button is initially pressed, even if the user continues to press the electrostatic button.

Images