KR-20260064962-A - Curved touch input device to prevent malfunction

KR20260064962AKR 20260064962 AKR20260064962 AKR 20260064962AKR-20260064962-A

Abstract

A curved touch input device is disclosed that can prevent unintended control commands from being touched by a passenger in the front seat who is not the driver. The disclosed curved touch input device is, It includes: a touch sensor unit that detects a user's touch operation and receives a control command; a proximity sensor installed spaced apart from the touch sensor unit in the direction of the driver's seat and generating a detection signal that detects when the driver's hand approaches the touch sensor unit; and a control module that receives the detection signal generated by the proximity sensor and activates the touch sensor unit.

Inventors

김동호

Assignees

주식회사 이랜텍

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241030

Claims (5)

A touch sensor unit that detects user touch operations and receives control commands; A proximity sensor installed spaced apart toward the driver's seat of the touch sensor unit and generating a detection signal that detects when the driver's hand approaches the touch sensor unit; A control module that receives a detection signal generated by the proximity sensor and activates the touch sensor unit; A curved touch input device capable of preventing malfunction, including
In claim 1, The above control module disables the touch sensor unit when there is no detection signal from the proximity sensor. A curved touch input device capable of preventing malfunctions characterized by
In claim 1, The above control module activates the touch sensor unit only for a preset time and deactivates the touch sensor unit when the preset time has elapsed. A curved touch input device capable of preventing malfunctions characterized by
In claim 1, The above proximity sensor is a directional proximity sensor in which the detection range is limited to a defined angle or direction. A curved touch input device capable of preventing malfunctions characterized by
In claim 1, A detection operation mode in which touch input is performed based on the detection signal of the proximity sensor, or an always-on operation mode in which touch input is always performed even without the detection signal of the proximity sensor, can be selected. A curved touch input device capable of preventing malfunctions characterized by

Description

Curved touch input device to prevent malfunction The present invention relates to a curved touch input device, and more specifically, to a curved touch input device capable of preventing unintended control commands from being touched by a passenger in the front seat rather than the driver. A curved touch sensor is a sensor capable of detecting touch input even on curved displays or surfaces. In a curved touch sensor, a transparent conductive material and sensing electrodes are arranged on a flexible substrate, allowing it to detect touch signals even on curved surfaces. Unlike conventional flat touch sensors, curved sensors are characterized by their ability to receive input from irregular and three-dimensional surfaces, such as curved displays. Curved touch sensors enhance the design freedom of electronic devices and can provide users with an intuitive operation experience. By applying curved touch sensors to the vehicle's dashboard or center console, drivers can intuitively control the climate control system, audio, navigation, and more. In particular, a touch-based curved interface is provided, taking into account both interior design and ease of operation. However, the passenger in the front seat can also input control commands by touching the curved touch sensors located on the dashboard or center console; if the input command relates to the vehicle's driving, the vehicle's movement may be controlled regardless of the driver's intention, potentially leading to an accident. In particular, if the passenger is a young child, such as a kindergartener or elementary school student, unintentional touches may occur as a result of touching the sensors out of curiosity or by moving their hands around. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the interior of a vehicle to which a curved touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a curved touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a curved touch input device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a touch sensor part of a curved touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining an electrode pattern provided in a curved touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. The terms used in this invention are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this invention, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the accompanying drawings, identical components are indicated by the same reference numerals whenever possible. Furthermore, detailed descriptions of known functions and configurations that may obscure the essence of the present invention will be omitted. For the same reason, some components in the accompanying drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the interior of a vehicle to which a curved touch input device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioning system may be provided inside a vehicle. An air conditioning system refers to a device that automatically controls the air conditioning environment, including indoor/outdoor environmental conditions of the vehicle, air intake/exhaust, circulation, and cooling/heating status, or controls it in response to a user's control command. For example, the vehicle may be equipped with an air conditioning system capable of performing both heating and cooling, and may control the temperature inside the vehicle by discharging heated or cooled air through vents. Additionally, an AVN terminal (10) may be provided inside the vehicle. Here, the AVN terminal (10) refers to a terminal capable of providing a navigation function that provides a route to a destination to the user, as well as providing integrated audio