Five-Wire Touch Panel Multi-Touch Detection via Terminal Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current five-wire-type touch panels are unable to readily detect multiple points of contact, limiting their functionality compared to four-wire-type models.
Innovation Solution
A five-wire-type touch panel design featuring specific terminal and switch configurations on rectangular upper and lower electrode substrates with conductive films, allowing for the detection of multiple points of contact by generating potential gradients and using resistors and switches to measure resistance changes between terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a five-wire-type touch panel configuration is used, then the device complexity is reduced compared to four-wire-type, but the ability to detect multiple points of contact is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel divides the detection function into multiple independent measurement circuits, each capable of measuring resistance between different terminal pairs. This segmentation allows the five-wire configuration to independently measure multiple touch points by sequentially activating different terminal combinations, thereby achieving multi-touch detection without requiring more wires
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching between different measurement modes using switches that can connect different terminal pairs to the measurement circuit. By dynamically reconfiguring which terminals are connected to the measurement instrument, the system can detect multiple touch points sequentially, transforming a static five-wire limitation into a dynamic multi-functional detection system
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple measurement circuits are added to detect multiple touch points, then the multi-touch detection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal measurement circuit that can measure resistance between any pair of terminals by using switches to reconfigure the measurement path. This single multi-functional circuit replaces what would otherwise require multiple dedicated measurement circuits, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to detect multiple touch points
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system uses the existing five-wire configuration and terminal structure to perform multiple measurement functions. By utilizing the same physical wires and terminals for different measurement purposes through switching, the system achieves multi-touch detection capability without adding extra measurement hardware, making the existing components serve multiple functions
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
Enables the detection of multiple points of contact and multi-touch gestures by accurately measuring resistance changes, enhancing the panel's ability to track touch positions and gestures.
Implementation Method 1
an upper electrode substrate having a rectangular shape and having an upper conductive film formed thereon, a lower electrode substrate having a rectangular shape and having a lower conductive film formed thereon
Implementation Method 2
a first resistor and a third switch that are series-connected between the second power feeding terminal and a power supply potential, a first potential detecting unit configured to detect a potential of the second power feeding terminal
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes an upper electrode substrate having a rectangular shape and having an upper conductive film formed thereon, a lower electrode substrate having a rectangular shape and having a lower conductive film formed thereon, a first power feeding terminal, a second power feeding terminal, a third power feeding terminal, and a fourth power feeding terminal disposed on the lower conductive film at four respective corners of the lower electrode substrate, a first potential detecting unit configured to detect a potential of the second power feeding terminal, a second potential detecting unit configured to detect a potential of the fourth power feeding terminal, and a third potential detecting unit configured to detect a potential of the third power feeding terminal.