Touch Screen Electrode Layout for Circular Edge Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The uniformity of sensor electrodes in the edge area of touch screens on hand-held devices, such as smart watches, is reduced, leading to decreased reliability of touch sensing data and limited recognition of touch points, especially when sliding actions occur on the edge area.
Innovation Solution
A touch apparatus with a touch screen featuring first rectangular touch sensing electrodes in the center area and second touch sensing electrodes in the edge area, each corresponding to equal central angles, which improves the uniformity and accuracy of touch sensing coordinates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sensor electrodes are divided along horizontal and vertical axes in a circular touch screen, then the touch screen can be manufactured with standard grid layout, but the shape and size of sensor electrodes in the edge area are limited by the circular shape, reducing sensing uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different electrode configurations to different regions of the touch screen. In the edge area, electrodes are arranged radially with equal central angles, while the center area uses a different configuration. This local differentiation ensures that each region's electrodes are optimized for its specific geometric constraints, improving sensing uniformity across the entire circular touch screen while maintaining manufacturability.
2Ease of manufacture
If sensor electrodes in the edge area have limited shape and size due to circular touch screen constraints, then manufacturing is simplified, but the reliability of touch sensing data decreases and the number of recognizable touch points is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen is divided into a center area and an edge area, with each area having independently optimized electrode configurations. The edge area electrodes are segmented radially with equal central angles, allowing each electrode to be optimally sized and shaped for its specific position, thereby improving touch sensing accuracy and the number of recognizable touch points without complicating manufacturing.
3Shape
If uniformity of sensor electrodes in the edge area is reduced, then the touch screen can accommodate the circular shape, but the reliability of touch sensing data calculated by the touch apparatus decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements region-specific electrode designs where the edge area electrodes are configured with equal central angles radiating from the center, while the center area uses a different configuration. This local optimization maintains the overall circular shape of the touch screen while ensuring high reliability of touch sensing data through improved electrode uniformity in the edge area.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch apparatus includes a touch screen and a touch controller. The touch controller is configured to process touch sensing signals received from the touch screen to generate a touch coordinate with respect to a touch event occurring on the touch screen. The touch screen includes a plurality of first touch sensing electrodes and a plurality of second touch sensing electrodes. The first touch sensing electrodes are disposed in a center area of the touch screen, wherein at least one part of the first touch sensing electrodes are rectangular. The second touch sensing electrodes are disposed in an edge area of the touch screen surrounding the center area, wherein each of the second touch sensing electrodes is corresponding to a central angle and a plurality of central angles corresponding to the plurality of second touch sensing electrodes substantially equal.