Abstract
The invention relates to a capacitive information carrier in which information is encoded by an information pattern comprising a first and a second electrically conductive area on an electrically non-conductive substrate, wherein each conductive area comprises one or more sub-sections, wherein said information is detectable by a capacitive touch screen comprising intersection points formed from driving electrodes and sensing electrodes. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a system comprising a touch screen which comprises intersection points formed from driving electrodes and sensing electrodes and a capacitive information carrier. Furthermore, the invention relates to a use of the capacitive information carrier and the system.
Claims
1. A capacitive information carrier in which information is encoded by an information pattern comprising a first and a second electrically conductive area on an electrically non-conductive substrate (1), wherein each conductive area comprises one or more sub-sections (2, 3), wherein said information is detectable by a capacitive touch screen comprising intersection points formed from driving electrodes (5) and sensing electrodes (4), wherein at least one sub-section (3) of the second electrically conductive area connects at least two sub-sections (2) of the first electrically conductive area and the at least two sub-sections (2) of the first electrically conductive area cover at least two different intersection points of the touch screen when brought into contact with said touch screen, wherein the capacitive information carrier is a self-grounding carrier due to the arrangement of the electrically conductive areas.
2. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least two sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area (2) are located on top of intersection points formed from at least two different driving electrodes (5) and at least two different sensing electrodes (4).
3. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive information carrier is grounded by bringing the information carrier into contact with the touch screen, wherein the grounding is substantially effected by the capacitive interaction between the electrically conductive areas of the information carrier and the electrodes (4, 5) of the touch screen.
4. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional electrically conductive element is arranged on the touch screen and wherein said additional electrically conductive element covers at least a further intersection point that is not covered by the first (2) or second (3) electrically conductive area.
5. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein information is encoded by the shape, geometry and/or size of the information pattern and/or by the arrangement, distances, numbers and/or relative positions of the sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area (2) on the electrically non-conductive substrate (1).
6. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area (2) have dimensions in a preferred range of 1 to 20 mm.
7. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area (2) have at least one symmetry axis.
8. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one sub-section of the second electrically conductive area (3) has a width in a preferred range of 0.1-4.0 mm.
9. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein at least one sub-section of the second electrically conductive area (3) is straight and/or curved.
10. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive information carrier is a flat or a spatial object.
11. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the first (2) and second (3) electrically conductive area are applied on an electrically non-conductive substrate (1) by printing processes and/or foil transfer methods.
12. The capacitive information carrier according to claim 1, wherein the electrically conductive areas are at least partially covered by at least one non-conductive cover layer selected from a group comprising a paper layer, a foil layer, a lacquer layer, an ink layer, a coating layer and/or any combinations thereof.
13. A system comprising a touch screen comprising intersection points formed from driving electrodes (5) and sensing electrodes (4) and a capacitive information carrier in which information is encoded by an information pattern comprising a first and a second electrically conductive area on an electrically non-conductive substrate (1), wherein each conductive area comprises one or more sub-sections (2, 3), wherein said information is detectable by a capacitive touch screen comprising intersection points formed from driving electrodes (5) and sensing electrodes (4), wherein at least one sub-section (3) of the second electrically conductive area connects at least two sub-sections (2) of the first electrically conductive area and the at least two sub-sections (2) of the first electrically conductive area cover at least two different intersection points of the touch screen when brought into contact with said touch screen, wherein the capacitive information carrier is a self-grounding carrier due to the arrangement of the electrically conductive areas.
14. A method for use of the system according to claim 13, wherein the capacitive information carrier is grounded by bringing the capacitive information carrier into contact with the touch screen, wherein the grounding is substantially effected by the capacitive interaction between the electrically conductive areas of the information carrier and the electrodes (4, 5) of the touch screen.
15. A method for use of the system according to claim 14, wherein the information carrier is placed entirely on the touch screen device.
Description
[0075] In the following, preferred embodiments and application examples of the present invention will be illustrated and described by the following drawings:
[0076] FIG. 1A: Preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier according application example 1 of the present invention
[0077] FIG. 1B: Preferred embodiment of a self-grounding information carrier with an information pattern according to application example 1 arranged on a touch screen
[0078] FIG. 2: Preferred embodiment of a self-grounding information according to application example 1 with a curved connecting line arranged on a touch screen
[0079] FIG. 3A: Preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier according to application example 2 of the present invention arranged on a touch screen
[0080] FIG. 3B: Alternative arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier with an information pattern according to application example 2 on a touch screen
[0081] FIG. 3C: Additional alternative arrangement of a preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier with an information pattern according to application example 2 on a touch screen
[0082] FIG. 4: Three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of a self-grounding capacitive information carrier with an information pattern with three sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area arranged on a touch screen
[0083] FIGS. 5A to 5F: Various preferred embodiments of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier comprising different information patterns according to the present invention.
[0084] FIG. 1A shows a preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier according to the present invention comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate material 1 and sub-sections of a first electrically conductive area 2. The sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 2 are connected by a sub-section of the second electrically conductive area 3 which is also referred to as connecting line or conductive trace in the context of the present invention. Preferably, in the case of two sub-sections of a first electrically conductive area 2, there is only one sub-section of the second electrically conductive area 3, so that this one sub-section of the second electrically conductive area 3 represents the total second electrically conductive area.
[0085] The sub-sections of the first 2 and the second 3 electrically conductive area form the information pattern in which information is encoded. Preferably, the information is encoded by the shape, geometry, size and/or arrangement of the components of the information pattern, i.e. the sub-sections of the first 2 and the second 3 electrically conductive area. In the context of the invention, the information is preferably encoded by sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area, in particular by their arrangement, position, distance to each other, size, shape, numbers, geometry and/or the angles which are enclosed by virtual lines connecting the touch points. The information pattern shown in FIG. 1A represents the first application example of a self-grounding capacitive information carrier according to the present invention.
[0086] FIG. 1B shows a preferred embodiment of an arrangement of an information pattern according to application example 1 of a self-grounding capacitive information carrier on a touch screen. FIG. 1B shows two sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area, i.e. two touch points. A black touch point (without reference sign) is arranged on top of an active driving line 6, whereas another touch point 7 is arranged on at least one other inactive driving line 5. The information carrier itself and the electrically non-conductive substrate material are not shown in FIG. 1 for clarity reasons. FIG. 1B shows a touch screen comprising sensing electrodes 4 and driving electrodes 5. In particular, FIG. 1B shows a state of a self-grounding information carrier at a defined time with one active driving electrode 6. The area 8 where electrically conductive areas 7 can potentially contribute to grounding is marked with dashed line. The size of the area contributing to grounding depends on the number of sensing electrodes 4 and driving electrodes 5 which are covered by components of the information pattern and/or the arrangement of the information pattern on the touch screen. The sub-section of the first electrically conductive area which contributes to the grounding of the self-grounding information carrier is marked by the reference sign 7. It is depicted with a hatching, as well as a part of the connecting line 3 which is arranged within the area 8 contributing to grounding.
[0087] FIG. 2 also shows a preferred embodiment of an information pattern with two sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 2, 7, preferably representing application example 1. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the two touch points 2, 7 of the information pattern are connected with a curved connecting line 3. Compared to the straight connecting line 3 of FIG. 1A, the curved connecting line 3 of FIG. 2 is longer, therefore covering a larger distance and comprising a larger amount of electrically conductive material. In FIG. 2, the driving electrode which is active is marked with the reference number 6. The touch point depicted with a hatching is marked with reference sign 7. This touch point 7 and the part of the connecting line 3 which is hatched contribute to the grounding. It can be seen in FIG. 2, that the dashed touch point 7 covers three sensing electrodes 4 and one driving electrode 5. Compared to the information pattern shown in FIG. 1B, in particular to the straight connecting line 3 used in that embodiment, it is clear that a curved connecting line 3 increases the grounding effect as a larger area 7 contributes to the grounding. The black touch point 2 covers two sensing electrodes 4 and one driving electrode which is referred to as active driving electrode 6.
[0088] FIG. 3A shows a preferred embodiment of an information pattern according to application example 2 comprising three touch points 2, 7. In FIG. 3A, the black touch point 2 covers the active driving electrode 6 and two sensing electrodes 4. In particular, the black touch point 2 covers an intersection point of these sensing electrodes 4 and the active driving electrode 6. These electrodes limit the area 8 in which the components of the information pattern present in this area 7 contribute to the grounding of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier. FIG. 3A shows a particular state of the interaction of a self-grounding information carrier with a touch screen at a defined time with one active driving electrode 6.
[0089] FIG. 3B shows a preferred embodiment of a second state of the capacitive information carrier at a second time point where a different driving electrode is currently the active driving electrode 6. By having a different active driving electrode 6, a different intersection point is formed from the currently active driving electrode 6 and sensing electrodes 4. This intersection point is covered by the black touch point 2. At this second time point, different areas 8 compared to FIG. 3A are spanned. In the example shown in FIG. 3B, four areas 8 are shown in which components of the information pattern may be located in order to potentially contribute to the grounding of the information carrier. Two of the three sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 7 are located in areas 8 contributing to a grounding of the information carrier. The three touch points 2, 7 of the information pattern are connected by sub-sections of the second electrically conductive area 3. Each connecting line 3 comprises a part that contributes to the grounding of the information carrier, which is depicted with a hatching. In other words, this is the case when parts of the connecting lines 3 are located in the areas 8 contributing to the grounding. Some parts of the connecting lines 3 are not located within these grounding areas 8. They do therefore not contribute to the grounding of the information carrier. These parts are depicted black.
[0090] FIG. 3C shows a further preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier, in particular a representative of application example 2. FIG. 3C shows an information pattern with three touch points 2, 7, wherein one touch point 2 is located on top of an active driving electrode 6 and two sensing electrodes 4. By these electrodes, a grounding area 8 is spanned in which certain components of the information pattern are located which contribute to the grounding of the information carrier. These components of the information pattern are marked with reference sign 7. The three sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 2, 7 are connected by three connecting lines 3. These connecting lines comprise parts contributing to the grounding of the information carrier, which are marked with a hatching, and parts that do not contribute to the grounding, depicted black. FIG. 3C shows circular connecting lines 3 wherethrough additional sections of the touch screen, which contribute to the grounding effect, are addressed.
[0091] FIG. 3C shows a preferred embodiment of the information pattern where each connecting line 3 connects two sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 2, 7. In the context of the present invention, the connecting lines 3 shown in FIG. 3C can be referred to as curved. When using curved connecting lines in order to connect two touch points 2, 7, the length of said connecting line will be longer than a corresponding straight connecting line between the same sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area. Because of the greater length of the connecting line within the grounding area 8 and the greater amount of electrically conductive material respectively, the area 7 contributing to grounding is larger compared to the use of straight connecting lines.
[0092] It can further be seen that additional areas contribute to the grounding which do not appear if straight connecting lines are used. This is due to the effect that curved connection lines 3 are placed on further driving 5 and sensing electrodes 4 that would not be covered by straight connecting lines.
[0093] FIG. 4 shows a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier comprising an information pattern with three subsections of the first electrically conductive area 2. The three sub-sections of the first electrically conductive area 2 are connected by three connecting lines 3. FIG. 4 shows the information pattern, whereas the electrically non-conductive substrate material is not shown for clarity reasons. The horizontal bars represent the driving electrodes 5. The bars, which are arranged perpendicularly to these first bars, represent the sensing electrodes 4 of the touch screen. The figure shows the information pattern, which is arranged on the touch screen at a certain point in time, when one of the touch points is located on top of the currently active driving electrode 6.
[0094] In FIG. 4, electrical charges are indicated by small arrows. These arrows indicate that electrical charges are stolen by the touch point, which is located on top of the active driving electrode 6. This leads to a decrease of the capacity at the intersection point of the currently active driving electrode 6 and the sensing electrodes 4, which are located underneath the touch point on top of said driving and sensing electrodes. This decrease is detected by the touch controller. In the context of the present invention, this means that the electrical potential of the touch point, which is located on top of the active driving electrode 6, is changed. As the components of the information pattern are electrically or galvanically linked to each other by the connecting lines 3, the electrical potential of the whole information pattern is changed. The information pattern has a capacitive coupling to ground, in particular by those touch points which are not located on top of the active driving electrode 6. In particular, the touch points which are located on top of non-active driving lines 5 contribute to the grounding of the information carrier. They are located within the virtual grounding area 8 which is not shown in FIG. 4. It is noted that this grounding process works best if the touch points of the information pattern are located on different intersection points of different driving electrodes 5 and sensing electrodes 4. Furthermore, the connecting lines which are not located on top of the intersection point between the currently active driving electrode and sensing electrodes contributes to the grounding.
[0095] FIGS. 5A to F show preferred embodiments of the self-grounding capacitive information carrier according to the present invention. The figures show embodiments of the information pattern with alternating numbers of touch points 2 and connecting lines 3, curved and straight connecting lines 3, regular and irregular shapes of the information pattern and information pattern which comprise a closed arrangement of touch points 2 or an open arrangement, such as a line of touch points 2 and connecting lines 3.
[0096] In particular, FIG. 5A shows an information pattern with six touch points 2 and six connection lines 3. FIG. 5B shows an alternative information pattern with four touch points 2 and four connecting lines 3. FIG. 5C shows a further alternative information pattern comprising five sub-sections of the first 2 and the second 3 electrically conductive areas. It is noted that the connecting lines 3 in the FIGS. 5A to 5C are straight. FIG. 5D shows a preferred embodiment of the information pattern with four touch points and four curved connecting lines 3. It is noted that the arrangement of the touch points 2 of FIGS. 5B and 5D are the same. The difference between the two information patterns is the design of the connecting lines 3 which are straight in the case of FIG. 5B and which are curved in the case of FIG. 5D. Comparing the lengths of the connecting lines 3, it is noted that the connecting lines of FIG. 5D are longer compared to the connecting lines 3 of FIG. 5B. This is due to the fact that a direct and straight connection between two points in space will always be the shortest connection between these points. Other connections, for example a curved connection as shown in FIG. 5D, will be longer compared to that straight connection. The difference in length effects a different for the grounding effect of the information pattern as the length of the connecting lines 3 determines the amount of electrically conductive material within the grounding area 8. A larger amount of electrically conductive material leads to an enhanced grounding effect.
[0097] FIGS. 5E and 5F show alternative information patterns with four touch points 2 each. In the case of FIG. 5E, the touch points 2 are connected with four connecting lines 3 so that a quadrangular area is enclosed by the four connecting lines 3. In the case of FIG. 5F, the four touch points 2 are connected by three connecting lines 3 so that the information pattern forms a row of alternately touch points 2 and connecting lines 3. The connecting lines in FIGS. 5E and 5F are straight. FIG. 5E shows a closed circuit pattern. FIG. 5F shows a pattern which is not closed and has a starting point and an ending point. It is preferred to a pattern which is not closed as open pattern.
REFERENCE SIGNS
[0098] 1 Non-conductive substrate [0099] 2 Sub-section of the first electrically conductive area [0100] 3 Sub-section of the second electrically conductive area [0101] 4 sensing electrodes of the touch sensor [0102] 5 driving electrodes of the touch sensor [0103] 6 currently active driving electrode [0104] 7 subsection of an electrically conductive area contributing to grounding [0105] 8 area on touch screen, where electrically conductive areas can potentially contribute to grounding
