Folded Touch Sensor State Detection via Capacitance Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible touch display panels face difficulties in distinguishing between a user's finger touch and the panel being folded, as both events increase capacitance, leading to ambiguity in determining the state of the panel.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device employs a touch sensor configuration with first and second electrodes aligned in specific directions, defining reference capacitances and distances to differentiate between a finger touch and the panel being folded by comparing capacitance values between these electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If capacitance increase is used to detect touch input, then touch sensitivity is improved, but the ability to distinguish between finger touch and panel folding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor is divided into multiple electrode pairs with different orientations (first electrode pairs extending in first direction, second electrode pairs extending in second direction). By segmenting the detection function across different electrode orientations, the system can analyze capacitance changes from multiple perspectives to distinguish between finger touch and panel folding events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of detection by using electrode pairs oriented in different directions (first direction and second direction perpendicular to first direction). This multi-directional capacitance measurement allows the system to differentiate between touch events and folding events by comparing capacitance changes across different spatial dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flexible touch display panel is folded, then capacitance of touch electrodes increases, but this causes false detection as finger touch
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple electrode pairs with different orientations. First electrode pairs detect capacitance changes along one axis while second electrode pairs detect along the perpendicular axis. This segmentation allows the system to identify the characteristic pattern of folding (affecting electrodes in a specific geometric pattern) versus finger touch (affecting electrodes locally).
Solution Approach 2:
By measuring capacitance across electrode pairs oriented in perpendicular directions, the system adds a dimensional aspect to detection. Folding events produce characteristic capacitance patterns across both dimensions that differ from finger touch events, enabling reliable distinction between these states while maintaining panel flexibility.
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
This configuration allows the device to accurately distinguish between a user's finger touch and the panel being folded, ensuring precise determination of the panel's state through capacitance analysis.
Implementation Method 1
the capacitance of the touch electrodes increases. Therefore, in the flexible touch display panel, when the capacitance of the touch electrodes is greater than a threshold, it is determined that the flexible touch display panel is folded
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided in which a capacitance of a capacitor that is formed between one or more reference second touch sensor electrodes and at least one first touch sensor electrodes is defined as a first reference capacitance with the capacitor formed when the touch sensor is folded along a folding line. Moreover, a capacitance of a capacitor formed between a left second touch sensor electrode and at least one of the plurality of first touch sensor electrodes is defined as a left capacitance. Furthermore, a capacitance of a capacitor formed between a right second touch sensor electrode and at least one of the plurality of first touch sensor electrodes is defined as a right capacitance. Using these capacitances, a determining unit of the electronic device can determine that a touch sensor is folded if both the left and the right capacitances are greater than the first reference capacitance.