Display Input Sensor Timing for Non-Overlapping Touch and Pen Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices struggle to efficiently sense both touch and pen inputs simultaneously without overlapping sensing periods, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a sensor controller that manages non-overlapping sensing periods for touch and pen inputs within a single frame, utilizing a first and second sensing frame with adjustable blank, touch, and pen sensing periods, and multiple layers of pen sensing electrodes to enhance input detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the sensor uses a single sensing electrode for both touch and pen input, then the device structure is simplified, but the sensing accuracy and reliability for different input types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor structureVSAvoidsensing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor divides the sensing electrode into separate functional regions: a first sensing electrode for touch input and a second sensing electrode for pen input. This segmentation allows each electrode to be optimized for its specific input type, improving sensing accuracy while maintaining a unified sensor structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a temporal dimension by implementing separate sensing periods for touch and pen inputs within the same sensing frame. This time-based differentiation allows the single sensor to distinguish between input types without requiring completely separate sensing systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the sensor uses separate sensing periods for touch and pen input, then the sensing reliability is improved, but the sensing time and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing reliabilityVSAvoidsensing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor implements periodic sensing actions within a single sensing frame, alternating between a first sensing period for touch input and a second sensing period for pen input. This periodic structure ensures reliable detection while completing both sensing tasks within one frame time, minimizing overall time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the touch sensing and pen sensing operations into a single sensing frame, allowing both input types to be detected within the same time cycle. This combination eliminates the need for separate sensing frames, reducing total sensing time while maintaining reliability through structured period separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blank period duration is increased, then the sensor can perform additional sensing operations, but the response speed and productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing operation flexibilityVSAvoidresponse speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the blank period duration adjustable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically configures the blank period length based on system needs, allowing flexibility for additional sensing operations when necessary while maintaining fast response when the blank period is minimized, thus balancing adaptability with speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250341913A1Input sensor and a display device for sensing a touch input and a pen input
Publication Date: 2025.11.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20250341913A1 patent drawing
  • US20250341913A1 patent drawing
  • US20250341913A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An input sensor including: a sensor including a sensing electrode for sensing a touch input and a pen sensing electrode for sensing a pen input; and a sensor controller configured to acquire a first coordinate based on a touch sensing signal received from the sensing electrode and acquire a second coordinate based on a pen sensing signal received from the pen sensing electrode during a first sensing frame, wherein the first sensing frame includes a first blank period, a touch sensing period for sensing the touch input, and a pen sensing period for sensing the pen input, wherein the first blank period, the touch sensing period, and the pen sensing period are sequentially arranged, and wherein a duration of the first blank period and a duration of the pen sensing period are adjustable.