Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch input device capable of detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface includes a display panel and an electrode disposed under the display panel. An electrical characteristic detected at the electrode is changed by the bending of the display panel. A magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the change amount of the electrical characteristic. The display panel includes a first area and a second area. A pressure detection sensitivity of the first area is higher than a pressure detection sensitivity of the second area. When the first area and the second are bent to the same degree, a change amount of the electrical characteristic detected when a pressure is applied to the second area is greater than a change amount of the electrical characteristic detected when a pressure is applied to the first area.

Abstract: An electrode sheet including an electrode layer and a support layer may be provided. The electrode layer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode sheet is used to detect a capacitance change between the first electrode and the second electrode, which is changed according to a relative distance change between the electrode layer and a reference potential layer disposed apart from the electrode sheet. The support layer is made of a material which is bent when a pressure is applied thereto and which is restored to its original state when the pressure is released therefrom.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention can be a touch input device capable of unlocking a passcode accordance with a touch pressure. The device can include a touch screen which displays a passcode input window; a controller which generates a first control signal as to whether or not a touch on the passcode input window matches a predetermined passcode; and a memory which stores the predetermined passcode. The passcode input window can include a plurality of nodes which are disposed in different positions. The number of touched nodes among the plurality of nodes, the order of the touched nodes among the plurality of nodes, and a pressure level of the touch on each of the touched nodes among the plurality of nodes can be set as the predetermined passcode. Further, the pressure level of the touch can he classified into at least two levels.

Abstract: An electrode sheet including an electrode layer and a support layer may be provided. The electrode layer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode sheet is used to detect a capacitance change between the first electrode and the second electrode, which is changed according to a relative distance change between the electrode layer and a reference potential layer disposed apart from the electrode sheet. The support layer is made of a material which is bent when a pressure is applied thereto and which is restored to its original state when the pressure is released therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tunable capacitor. The tunable capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a variable capacitor unit placed between a first terminal and a second terminal; and a bypass switch which on/off controls a bypass connection between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the variable capacitor unit and the bypass switch are integrated on one semiconductor die or on one module. The tunable capacitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes: a variable capacitor unit placed between a first terminal and a second terminal; an impedance tuner placed between aground terminal and either the first terminal or the second terminal; and a tuning switch which on/off controls the connection between the variable capacitor unit and an impedance tuner, wherein the variable capacitor unit, the impedance tuner and the tuning switch are integrated on one semiconductor die or on one module.

Abstract: A touch input device performing a feedback according to a touch level may be provided that includes; a touch screen which displays a passcode input window; a controller which generates a first control signal as to whether or not a touch on the passcode input window matches a predetermined passcode, and determines a touch level among a plurality of touch levels by using at least one of a pressure magnitude, area and time period of the touch; and a memory which stores the predetermined passcode. The touch level is set to the predetermined passcode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch input device includes a cover layer; a touch sensor; a display panel which is located under the cover layer; a pressure electrode which is located under the display panel; and a first converter which converts a signal comprising information for electrical characteristics outputted from the pressure electrode to a digital signal; wherein a driving signal is applied to the touch sensor and a touch position is detected from a sensing signal which is outputted from the touch sensor; and wherein a magnitude of a touch pressure is detected from the digital signal converted by the first converter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch input device capable of detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface includes a display panel and an electrode disposed under the display panel. An electrical characteristic detected at the electrode is changed by the bending of the display panel. A magnitude of the pressure applied to the touch surface is detected according to the change amount of the electrical characteristic. The display panel includes a first area and a second area. A pressure detection sensitivity of the first area is higher than a pressure detection sensitivity of the second area. When the first area and the second are bens to the same degree, a change amount of the electrical characteristic detected when a pressure is applied to the second area is greater than a change amount of the electrical characteristic detected when a pressure is applied to the second area.

Abstract: A touch input device detecting a touch position and a touch pressure may be provided. The touch input device includes a display module which includes a first layer made of glass or plastic and a second layer which is disposed under the first layer and is made of glass or plastic; a plurality of touch electrodes which are formed within the display module and are for detecting the touch position and the touch pressure; and a reference electrode which is disposed apart from the touch electrode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a touch input device includes a first electrode; a second electrode located on one side of the first electrode; a display disposed on one side of the first electrode opposite to the second electrode; and a spacer layer between the first electrode and the second electrode. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is a drive electrode, and the other is a receiving electrode that receives the drive signal by a mutual capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. When an external pressure is applied to the first electrode through the display, the first electrode is concavely bent toward the second electrode. The mutual capacitance between the electrodes changes according to a distance between the electrodes. The magnitude of the external pressure according to the change of the capacitance between the electrodes is detected.

Abstract: A smartphone may be provided that includes: a cover layer; an LCD panel; a backlight unit which is located under the LCD panel; a pressure electrode which is located under the backlight unit; a shielding member which is located under the pressure electrode; and a converter which converts a signal comprising information for a capacitance change amount outputted from the pressure electrode to a digital signal. A magnitude of a touch pressure is detected from the digital signal.

Abstract: A touch detection chip may be provided that includes: a drive unit which applies a drive signal to at least two of a plurality of electrodes; a sensing unit which receives a plurality of signals from the at least two of the plurality of electrodes and detects a touch position and a touch pressure; and a plurality of input terminals for receiving the plurality of signals. At least one of the plurality of input terminals is a pressure detection input terminal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a smartphone includes a first cover layer; an LCD panel located under the first cover layer; a backlight unit located under the LCD panel and comprising a reflective sheet and a second cover layer; and a capacitive touch sensor; wherein the backlight unit further comprises a pressure sensor and a spacer layer, the pressure sensor comprising electrodes attached on the second cover layer and spaced apart from the reflective sheet; wherein a touch position is detected by a sensing signal output from the touch sensor; wherein a magnitude of a touch pressure is detected based on a change amount of capacitance that is changed according to a distance between the pressure sensor and an electrode located within the LCD panel; wherein the LCD panel is bent according to the touch; and wherein the capacitance change amount changes as the LCD panel bends.

Abstract: A touch input device capable of detecting a pressure of a touch on a touch surface may be provided that includes: a display panel; and an electrode disposed under the display panel. When a pressure is applied to the touch surface, a distance between the electrode and a reference potential layer is changed. A capacitance which is detected at the electrode is changed according to the distance change. The display panel includes a first area and a second area. Under a same distance change condition, a capacitance change amount detected at the electrode disposed under the second area is greater than a capacitance change amount detected at the electrode disposed under the first area.

Abstract: A touch panel control device may be provided that includes: a touch panel which generates at least one touch signal in response to a touch of an object; a displayer; and a controller which performs a first touch action mode in which the change of the touch position of the object is displayed on the displayer by a line in response to the object which has touched the touch panel, and performs a second touch action mode in which, in response to the position change of the object which corresponds to the position of the line displayed on the displayer, it is to carry out at least one of the removal of at least a portion of the line displayed on the displayer and the change of the color coordinate of the line. Also, a method for controlling the touch panel may be also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capacitance sensor including: a capacitance-voltage/current converter which converts a capacitance value of a sense capacitor into a voltage signal or a current signal by using an input signal; a multiplier which applies a weight to an output signal of the capacitance-voltage/current converter and outputs the weighted output signal; and an accumulator which accumulates continuously the output signal of the multiplier.

Abstract: An electrode sheet including an electrode layer and a support layer may be provided. The electrode layer includes a first electrode and a second electrode. The electrode sheet is used to detect a capacitance change between the first electrode and the second electrode, which is changed according to a relative distance change between the electrode layer and a reference potential layer disposed apart from the electrode sheet. The support layer is made of a material which is bent when a pressure is applied thereto and which is restored to its original state when the pressure is released therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tunable capacitor. The tunable capacitor according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes: a first capacitor; and a switching transistor which switches on/off the connection of the first capacitor between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein an on/off operation of the switching transistor is performed by a high signal H and a low signal L. The tunable capacitor according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes: a first capacitor; and a switching transistor which switches on/off the connection of the first capacitor between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein an on/off operation of the switching transistor is performed by a high signal H and a low signal L, and wherein the tunable capacitor is integrated on one semiconductor die or on one module.

Abstract: A smartphone may be provided that includes: a cover layer; an LCD panel which is located under the cover layer and includes a liquid crystal layer, and a first glass layer and a second glass layer between which the liquid crystal layer is placed, wherein at least a portion of a touch sensor which senses touch in a capacitive manner is located between the first glass layer and the second glass layer; and a backlight unit which is located under the LCD panel and includes an optical film, a light source, a reflective sheet and a cover. The backlight unit further includes a pressure sensor attached on the cover between the reflective sheet and the cover.

Abstract: A pressure sensor may be provided that includes: an electrode; a drive unit which applies a drive signal to the electrode; a sensing unit which receives, through the electrode, a reception signal including information on a capacitance which is between the electrode and a reference potential layer and is changed according to a relative distance between the electrode and the reference potential layer spaced from the electrode; and a first impedance between the drive unit and the electrode, and a second impedance between the sensing unit and the electrode.