Display Input Sensor Segmentation for Touch and Pen Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices face challenges in reliably detecting user inputs, such as touch and active pen inputs, due to noise interference and reduced sensitivity, particularly when using electromagnetic resonance or active electrostatic methods.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a separate active-pen sensing electrode and touch sensing electrode, with a specific configuration of sensing electrodes and wiring lines, including bridge and auxiliary electrodes, to operate in distinct modes for improved detection reliability and noise reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single sensing electrode is used for both touch detection and active pen detection, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision and reliability deteriorate due to noise interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing electrode configurationVSAvoidinput detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing electrode is divided into two separate electrodes: a first sensing electrode for touch detection and a second sensing electrode for active pen detection. This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific function, improving detection precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display panel are assigned different sensing functions with tailored electrode configurations. The first sensing electrode uses a grid pattern optimized for touch detection, while the second sensing electrode uses a different configuration optimized for active pen detection, allowing each local region to have the quality needed for its specific detection purpose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If electromagnetic resonance or active electrostatic methods are used for input detection, then detection capability is enhanced, but noise interference increases and reduces detection reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection capabilityVSAvoiddetection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing system is segmented into separate touch sensing and active pen sensing channels with dedicated electrodes and processing circuits. This separation prevents noise from one detection mode from interfering with the other, improving reliability while maintaining the advanced detection capabilities of both EMR and AES methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A switching circuit acts as an intermediary that selectively connects either the first sensing electrode or the second sensing electrode to the processing circuit based on the detected input type. This intermediary mechanism prevents signal interference and ensures reliable detection by routing signals through appropriate channels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If sensing electrodes are closely spaced to improve touch detection sensitivity, then touch detection sensitivity increases, but noise from adjacent electrodes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection sensitivityVSAvoidnoise interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing electrode is divided into two separate electrodes: a first sensing electrode for touch detection and a second sensing electrode for active pen detection. This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific function, improving detection precision while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the display panel are assigned different sensing functions with tailored electrode configurations. The first sensing electrode uses a grid pattern optimized for touch detection, while the second sensing electrode uses a different configuration optimized for active pen detection, allowing each local region to have the quality needed for its specific detection purpose

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11614842B2Electronic device comprising a display panel and an input sensor on the display panel

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device, includes: a display panel; and an input sensor on the display panel, wherein the input sensor is configured to operate in a first mode during which the input sensor detects a first input from a user's touch or in a second mode during which the input sensor detects a second input from an input apparatus, wherein the input sensor includes: a first sensing part configured to detect the first input and the second input; and a second sensing part configured to recognize the input apparatus.