Touch input device and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A touch input device in which an electrode is installed using laser processing and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The touch input device includes: a base including a metal compound; a first pattern groove and a second pattern groove formed over one surface of the base; a first sense pattern formed over the first pattern groove and including a conductive material; a second sense pattern formed over the second pattern groove, including a conductive material, and spaced apart from the first sense pattern; and a line unit connecting the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern to an integrated-circuit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A touch input apparatus comprising:
 a base including a metal compound;   a first pattern groove and a second pattern groove formed over one surface of the base;   a first sense pattern formed over the first pattern groove and including a conductive material;   a second sense pattern formed over the second pattern groove, including a conductive material, and spaced apart from the first sense pattern; and   a line unit connecting the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern to an integrated-circuit.   
     
     
         2 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first sense pattern and the second pattern are configured in a shape of a plurality of columns,   wherein a single first sense pattern column and a single second sense pattern column adjacent to the single first sense pattern form a single channel; and   a ground line is disposed between the channels adjacent to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the ground line is provided in a ground pattern groove formed over one surface of the base, includes a conductive material, and blocks noise generated between the adjacent channels.   
     
     
         4 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base includes:
 a resin including at least one of: Polycarbonate (PC), Polyamide (PA), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS); and   a metal oxide including at least one of: magnesium (Mg), chrome (Cr), copper (Cu), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), and aluminum (Al).   
     
     
         5 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the base is coated over a surface formed of resin, glass, rubber, or leather. 
     
     
         6 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 some parts of a lower part of the first sense pattern are accommodated in the first pattern groove, and some parts of an upper part of the first sense pattern protrude from one surface of the base; and   some parts of a lower part of the second sense pattern are accommodated in the second pattern groove, and some parts of an upper part of the second sense pattern protrude from one surface of the base.   
     
     
         7 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 a half of the first sense pattern is accommodated in the first pattern groove, and the remaining half of the first sense pattern protrudes from one surface of the first base; and   a half of the second sense pattern is accommodated in the second pattern groove, and the remaining half of the second sense pattern protrudes from one surface of the second base.   
     
     
         8 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern is integrated with the line unit.   
     
     
         9 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 some parts of a lower part of the ground line are accommodated in the ground pattern groove, and some parts of an upper part of the ground line protrude from one surface of the base.   
     
     
         10 . The touch input apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a controller configured to interpret an input touch signal upon receiving a signal regarding capacitance of the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern.   
     
     
         11 . A touch input apparatus comprising:
 a first base, a top surface of which is used as a touch surface to which a touch signal is input, and configured to include a metal compound;   a first pattern groove and a second pattern groove formed over one surface of the base;   a first sense pattern formed in the first pattern groove, and configured to include a conductive material; and   a second sense pattern formed in the second pattern groove, including a conductive material, and spaced apart from the first sense pattern.   
     
     
         12 . A touch input apparatus comprising:
 a basic material, a top surface of which is used as a touch surface to which a user's touch signal is input;   a first base stacked over a bottom surface of the basic material, and configured to include a metal compound;   a first pattern groove and a second pattern groove formed over one surface of the base;   a first sense pattern formed in the first pattern groove, and configured to include a conductive material;   a second sense pattern formed in the second pattern groove, including a conductive material, and spaced apart from the first sense pattern.   
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacturing a touch input apparatus, comprising:
 providing a base including a metal compound;   forming a first pattern groove and a second pattern groove by irradiating laser light to one surface of the first base;   forming a first sense pattern in the first pattern groove through a plating or deposition process;   forming a second sense pattern spaced apart from the first sense pattern in the second pattern groove through a plating or deposition process; and   providing a current to the first and second sense patterns, determining a change of capacitance between the two sense patterns, and determining whether the two sense patterns are used as a sensor on the basis of the determined change of capacitance.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 determining a change of mutual capacitance between the first and second sense patterns, and determining whether the first and second sense patterns are capable of being used as a sensor according to the determined change of mutual capacitance.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein:
 the first sense pattern and the second sense pattern are simultaneously formed by a Laser Directing Structuring (LDS) method.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 forming a ground pattern groove by irradiating laser light to one surface of the base; and   forming a ground line in the ground pattern groove through a plating or deposition process.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the first sense pattern, the second sense pattern, and the ground line are simultaneously formed by a Laser Directing Structuring (LDS) method.