Integrated Touch Panel Merging Capacitive and Inductive Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing input detection devices require separate capacitive sensing and electromagnetic induction touch panels to detect both fingers and pens, leading to increased size and manufacturing costs, as well as the need for additional display devices for image display.

Innovation Solution

An input detection device that integrates both electromagnetic induction and capacitive sensing methods, using a single device configuration to perform detection operations and display functions by employing a plurality of drive electrodes, scanner circuits, and a controller to supply specific drive voltages, allowing for simultaneous detection of pens and fingers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate capacitive sensing and electromagnetic induction touch panels are used to detect both fingers and pens, then detection capability for both input types is improved, but device size and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges capacitive sensing and electromagnetic induction touch panels into a single integrated device. The capacitive touch panel and electromagnetic induction touch panel are combined such that they share common components including the controller, scanner circuits, and drive electrodes, allowing both finger and pen detection capabilities to coexist in one device rather than requiring separate panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated touch panel device performs multiple functions using a single configuration. The same drive electrodes and controller are used for both capacitive sensing (finger detection) and electromagnetic induction (pen detection), making the device universal in its ability to detect different input types without requiring separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate capacitive sensing and electromagnetic induction touch panels are used to detect both fingers and pens, then detection capability for both input types is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges capacitive sensing and electromagnetic induction touch panels into a single integrated device. The capacitive touch panel and electromagnetic induction touch panel are combined such that they share common components including the controller, scanner circuits, and drive electrodes, allowing both finger and pen detection capabilities to coexist in one device rather than requiring separate panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated touch panel device performs multiple functions using a single configuration. The same drive electrodes and controller are used for both capacitive sensing (finger detection) and electromagnetic induction (pen detection), making the device universal in its ability to detect different input types without requiring separate dedicated systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional display devices are mounted on the touch panel for image display, then display function is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the display function directly into the touch panel structure. The liquid crystal display panel serves as both the display medium and the substrate for the touch detection layers, eliminating the need for separate additional display devices. The touch panel and display are merged into a single integrated unit where the same structural components serve dual purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 detection of both pen and finger inputs within a single device, reducing size and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective touch detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

An example of the various techniques is an electromagnetic induction method. The electromagnetic induction method is a dominant technique as a technique for detecting touch with a pen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an example of the methods of detecting a change in electric field is a capacitive sensing method using electrostatic capacitance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10474284B2Input detection device and electronic device

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 WACOM CO LTD

AI summary

An input detection device includes: a plurality of drive electrodes each of which includes a first end and a second end; a first scanner circuit and a second scanner circuit which select the first ends of the plurality of drive electrodes; a third scanner circuit and a fourth scanner circuit which select the second ends of the plurality of drive electrodes; and a controller which supplies a first drive voltage to the first end of a first drive electrode and to the second end of a second drive electrode and supplies a second drive voltage different from the first drive voltage to the second end of the first drive electrode and to the first end of the second drive electrode via the first scanner circuit, the second scanner circuit, the third scanner circuit, and the fourth scanner circuit.