Integrated Touch Force Sensing Piezoelectric Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch-sensitive devices in electronic devices are limited to positional input, lacking additional input modes that could enhance user interaction beyond simple x-, y-positioning, which restricts their functionality in applications requiring more nuanced input mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An integrated touch sensing and force sensing device is implemented, featuring a force-sensitive layer made of piezoelectric material, with electrode layers and analog front-end processing channels to detect both touch and force inputs, enabling multi-touch and force-based interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensing is used to detect user input, then position identification is provided, but input sensitivity and interaction modalities are limited to positional constraints only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines touch sensing and force sensing capabilities into a single integrated device structure. The force-sensitive layer is integrated with the touch-sensitive display, allowing both touch position detection and force magnitude detection to occur through the same physical structure, thereby increasing input modalities without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensing device performs multiple functions: it detects touch position (x, y coordinates), detects force magnitude applied to the surface, and provides both capabilities through a unified sensor structure. This multi-functionality allows the device to support diverse input modalities including light touches, firm presses, and force-dynamic gestures
2Measurement precision
If traditional touch sensing is implemented, then position detection is achieved, but force sensitivity and nuanced interaction capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a force-sensitive layer made of piezoelectric material in the form of a thin film or layer structure. This piezoelectric layer can detect force applied to the input surface by generating electrical signals in response to mechanical stress, providing precise force detection capability while maintaining a thin, integrated structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing device uses composite material structure combining piezoelectric material with the touch-sensitive display layers. The piezoelectric layer is integrated with the display structure, creating a composite material system that provides both structural integrity and dual sensing capabilities (touch position and force magnitude) through the same physical structure
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 enhanced user interaction by incorporating force sensitivity, enabling applications to respond to varying levels of force applied to the input surface, thereby expanding the input modalities beyond traditional touch sensing, improving user engagement and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the force-sensitive layer is made of a piezoelectric material
Implementation Method 2
The touch signal, for example, may be based on a change in a capacitance between the first and second electrode layers
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated touch sensing and force sensing device is included in an electronic device. The integrated touch sensing and force sensing device includes a force-sensitive layer operably attached to an input surface, a first electrode layer attached to a first surface of the force-sensitive layer, and a second electrode layer attached to a second surface of the force-sensitive layer. An analog front end processing channel is operable to process a touch signal that is based on a change in an electrical property between the first and second electrode layers and operable to process a force signal that is based on an electrical property generated by the force-sensitive layer based on a force applied to the input surface.