Integrated Touch and Fingerprint Electrodes in Same Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screen and fingerprint recognition technologies in mobile terminals require separate devices for fingerprint recognition, increasing the width or thickness of the terminal and complicating integration, especially for full-screen designs with flexible displays.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel with integrated touch detection and fingerprint recognition areas on the same substrate, using self-capacitive and mutual capacitive electrodes in the same layer, along with signal transmission lines for both functions, allowing for thinner designs by sharing the same signal wiring layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate fingerprint recognition devices are used below the screen or at the back side, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but the width of borders or thickness of mobile terminal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint recognition electrode and touch detection electrode into the same layer, allowing both functions to be integrated in a single panel structure. This eliminates the need for separate fingerprint recognition devices below the screen or at the back side, thereby reducing the width of borders and thickness of the mobile terminal while maintaining both fingerprint recognition and touch detection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional electrode layer that serves both fingerprint recognition and touch detection purposes. By designing the electrode structure to perform multiple functions simultaneously, the invention eliminates the need for separate dedicated devices, thus reducing overall device thickness and border width while achieving universal functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate sonic wave sending and echo recognition devices and reflected light sensing devices are used for ultrasonic and optical fingerprint recognition, then fingerprint recognition is achieved, but integration difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fingerprint recognition functionalities into a single integrated electrode layer that works with the touch detection system. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate sonic wave sending devices, echo recognition devices, and reflected light sensing devices, thereby reducing integration difficulty and overall device complexity while maintaining various fingerprint recognition capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal electrode structure that can support multiple fingerprint recognition methods (capacitive, ultrasonic, optical) through a single integrated system. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying integration and reducing cost while maintaining versatility in fingerprint recognition approaches.
3Length of stationary object
If touch detection electrode and fingerprint recognition electrode are in the same layer, then thickness is reduced, but signal transmission interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrode layer into distinct functional regions - touch detection areas and fingerprint recognition areas - within the same layer. By spatially separating the functions while maintaining the same layer structure, the invention reduces thickness without causing signal transmission interference, as each region operates independently in its designated area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different regions of the same electrode layer. The touch detection regions are optimized for touch sensing while fingerprint recognition regions are optimized for fingerprint detection, allowing both functions to coexist in the same layer without signal interference through localized functional differentiation.
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 efficient and accurate touch detection and fingerprint recognition with reduced thickness and complexity, facilitating full-screen designs with integrated functionality.
Implementation Method 1
each touch detection unit including a touch detection electrode... the touch detection electrode is electrically coupled to a corresponding first signal transmission line and transmits a touch detection signal
Implementation Method 2
each fingerprint recognition unit including a fingerprint recognition electrode... the fingerprint recognition electrode is electrically coupled to a corresponding second signal transmission line and transmits a fingerprint recognition signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a touch panel, including: a substrate including a touch detection area and a fingerprint recognition area; plural touch detection units in the touch detection area, each touch detection unit including a touch detection electrode; plural fingerprint recognition units in the fingerprint recognition area, each fingerprint recognition unit including a fingerprint recognition electrode, and the fingerprint recognition electrode and the touch detection electrode being in a same layer; a signal wiring layer on a same side of the substrate as the touch detection electrode and the fingerprint recognition electrode and including plural first signal transmission lines and plural second signal transmission lines. The touch detection electrode is electrically coupled to and transmits a touch detection signal through a corresponding first signal transmission line, and the fingerprint recognition electrode is electrically coupled to and transmits a fingerprint recognition signal through a corresponding second signal transmission line.