Entangled Touch Electrode Matrix for Large Panel Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional capacitive touch panels face limitations in size due to pitch constraints and linearity issues, leading to poor touch detection accuracy for larger sizes, as the pitch of sensing units cannot be enlarged indefinitely and the number of sensing units is limited by finger size and IC channels.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensing device with a matrix arrangement of first and second touch electrodes, where each electrode is formed of conductive material and electrically insulated, with sensing pads of polygon shapes that are complementary and entangled along directions, improving linearity and sensitivity by maintaining consistent pitch while allowing larger panel sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the pitch of sensing units is enlarged, then the panel size can be increased, but the touch detection precision deteriorates because the finger cannot simultaneously touch multiple sensing units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel sizeVSAvoidtouch detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing pad is divided into multiple sensing regions (first sensing region and second sensing region) with different sensing units arranged in a matrix pattern. This segmentation allows multiple sensing units to be simultaneously activated by a single finger touch, enabling precise coordinate detection on large panels without requiring excessive pitch enlargement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional single-direction sensing arrangements to a two-dimensional matrix arrangement of sensing units (first touch electrodes and second touch electrodes intersecting at multiple points). This dimensional expansion allows the finger to simultaneously touch multiple sensing units across different rows and columns, providing both X and Y coordinate information with higher precision even when pitch is enlarged for larger panels.

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

2Area of stationary object

If the number of sensing units is increased, then the panel size can be increased, but the device complexity increases due to limited IC channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel sizeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensing units are merged into a single sensing pad structure where first touch electrodes and second touch electrodes intersect to form multiple sensing regions. This merging allows multiple sensing functions to be integrated into one pad, reducing the total number of separate sensing units and IC channels required while still enabling large panel coverage through the matrix arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each sensing pad is designed to perform multiple sensing functions simultaneously by incorporating both first sensing regions and second sensing regions with different sensing units. A single sensing pad can detect touches at multiple intersection points, providing both X and Y coordinate information, thereby reducing the need for additional dedicated sensing units and simplifying the overall device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If diamond-type electrodes are used, then the panel can be manufactured, but the linearity and touch detection accuracy deteriorate for large sized panels

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemanufacturabilityVSAvoidlinearity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses polygon-shaped sensing pads (such as hexagons) instead of symmetric diamond-shaped electrodes. This asymmetric polygon design creates multiple distinct sensing regions arranged in a matrix pattern, which improves linearity by providing more uniform charge distribution and better geometric relationships between sensing units, particularly for large panel sizes where diamond electrodes suffer from linearity degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The entangled sensing pad design enhances touch detection linearity and sensitivity, enabling precise coordinate detection even on larger panels exceeding 12 inches, maintaining consistent pitch and improving overall touch sensing performance.

Implementation Method 1

A capacitive touch sensor that typically includes a single conductive layer for touch detection. A finger touch to the sensor provides a capacitively coupled path from the conductive layer through the body to earth ground. The location of the contact point is detectable by a controller that measures a capacitance change in a capacitively coupled electrical signal at the touch location.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2413223B1Touch sensing device
Publication Date: 2015.07.08 AU OPTRONICS CORP
  • EP2413223B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP2413223B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2413223B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention relates to a touch sensing device. In one embodiment, the touch sensing device includes a plurality of first touch electrodes and a plurality of second touch electrodes, alternately arranged along a first direction and a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to form a sensing matrix, such that each first touch electrode and a corresponding second touch electrode are entangled each other along with at least one of the first and second directions.