Handheld Apparatus Touch Module Light Guide Icon
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld electronic devices with touch functions often require additional touch circuits and enlarged display areas to accommodate touch panels, limiting their convenience and compactness.
Innovation Solution
A handheld electronic apparatus featuring a touch module independent from the in-cell touch display module, utilizing a light guide member to direct light from a light emitting element to a light transmissive icon, allowing touch signals to be generated without additional touch circuits or enlarged display areas, and enabling touch functionality outside the display area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel is disposed over a display module with icons used as touch keys, then touch function is achieved, but the display area is enlarged and additional touch circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch function from the display function by using a separate touch module positioned below the display module. The touch module includes independent touch-sensitive regions that correspond to icon positions, allowing touch input without requiring the display area itself to serve as the touch interface. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling touch functionality while maintaining the original display area boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension (depth layer) by placing the touch module in a separate layer below the display module rather than overlaying the touch panel on top of the display. The light guide member extends the light path through this additional dimension, allowing light to pass through the touch module's sensitive regions to illuminate icons while keeping the touch sensing function spatially separated from the display area.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch panel is disposed over a display module with icons used as touch keys, then touch function is achieved, but additional touch circuits are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the touch sensing function with the existing display module structure by positioning the touch module to work in conjunction with the display module and light guide member. The touch-sensitive regions are integrated into the overall display assembly, sharing structural and electrical components with the display system, thereby achieving touch functionality without requiring completely separate touch circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member serves multiple functions: it guides light from the light source to illuminate the icons on the cover, and simultaneously allows the touch module to sense touch input through its light-transmissive regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components and circuits for touch operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a touch module independent from display module is used, then touch function outside display area is achieved, but device structure is more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the touch module is positioned within the same housing space as the display module, with the light guide member connecting the two components. The touch-sensitive regions are nested within the overall display assembly structure, allowing touch input in regions corresponding to icon positions without requiring external or separate structural elements.
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 solution allows for a more compact and user-friendly design by enabling touch functionality similar to physical keys without enlarging the display area or adding extra touch circuits, making it suitable for handheld devices with in-cell touch display modules.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide member is disposed within the accommodation space, and is capable of guiding a light generated from the light emitting element to the light transmissive icon
Implementation Method 2
when the user touches the icons, the touch panel is driven to generate signals
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld electronic apparatus including a casing, a cover, a motherboard, an in-cell touch display module, a light guide member, and a touch module is provided. The cover covers a casing opening, and constitutes an accommodation space with the casing. The cover has a first area and a second area having a light transmissive icon. The motherboard is electrically connected with the in-cell touch display module and the touch module. The in-cell touch display module has a display area disposed beneath the first area. The light guide member is disposed within the accommodation space, and capable of guiding a light generated from a light emitting element to the light transmissive icon. The light guide member has a sheet-shaped portion disposed beneath the second area by corresponding to the light transmissive icon. The touch module is disposed within the accommodation space and beneath the second area.