Touch sensor device

Abstract

A touch sensor device includes a light guide plate for guiding light for backlighting; a touch sensor positioned on or underneath the light guide plate and formed with at least one electrode pattern on a surface thereof which faces the light guide plate; and at least one light source positioned on a side surface of the light guide plate for generating light to be directed by the light guide plate. The touch sensor device is thereby significantly thinner and requires much less energy than conventional sensors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a conventional touch sensor device with backlight means;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a touch sensor device with backlight means in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a touch sensor device with backlight means in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims

1. A touch sensor device comprising: a light guide plate for guiding light for backlighting;an electrode layer positioned at one of on and underneath the light guide plate and having at least one electrode pattern on a surface of said electrode layer which faces the light guide plate; andat least one light source positioned on a side surface of the light guide plate and the electrode layer, for generating light to be directed by the light guide plate.

2. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrode layer comprises a polymer having conductivity.

3. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a side emission type LED.

4. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light guide plate comprises a plurality of diffusion patterns for diffusing light at a uniform intensity where the backlighting is required.

5. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light guide plate comprises core layer and clad layer which respectively cover an upper and lower surface of the core layer and have a refraction index less than that of the core layer.

6. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light guide plate is integrated with the light source in the form of a flexible printed circuit board.

7. A touch sensor device comprising: a light guide plate for guiding light for backlighting;a touch sensor positioned at one of on and underneath the light guide plate and having at least one electrode pattern on a surface of the touch sensor which faces one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the light guide plate; andat least one light source positioned on a side surface of the light guide plate for generating light to be directed by the light guide plate.

8. The touch sensor device as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a printed circuit board positioned below the touch sensor.