Integrated Sensor Layer for Touch and Pen Input Detection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack efficient methods for sensing inputs using both touch and pen-based inputs, particularly for applications requiring detailed input, such as sketching or drawing, without the need for additional components like digitizers that increase thickness and weight.

Innovation Solution

The electronic device incorporates a sensor layer with specific electrode configurations and connection lines of varying resistances and phases, allowing for both touch and pen input detection through a single sensor layer, including first and second sensing electrodes, first and second electrodes, and connection lines with different line widths and phases, driven by a sensor driver in different modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a digitizer is added to enable pen input detection, then pen input sensing capability is improved, but device thickness and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen input sensing capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs and pen inputs using the same electrode structure. By applying different signaling schemes (different phases and time sequences), the same physical layer serves dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate digitizer components and thereby avoiding increased weight and thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the touch sensing function and pen sensing function into a single integrated sensor layer. The first and second electrodes, along with connection lines of varying resistances, are combined in one structure that can differentiate between touch and pen inputs through signal processing, rather than using separate physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a digitizer is added to enable pen input detection, then pen input sensing capability is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen input sensing capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs and pen inputs using the same electrode structure. By applying different signaling schemes (different phases and time sequences), the same physical layer serves dual purposes, eliminating the need for separate digitizer components and thereby avoiding increased weight and thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the touch sensing function and pen sensing function into a single integrated sensor layer. The first and second electrodes, along with connection lines of varying resistances, are combined in one structure that can differentiate between touch and pen inputs through signal processing, rather than using separate physical components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If connection lines with different resistances are used to differentiate input types, then input detection precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection precisionVSAvoidsensor layer complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the connection lines are assigned different resistance values (first connection line with first resistance, second connection line with second resistance). This local differentiation in electrical properties allows the system to distinguish between touch and pen inputs based on which connection line is activated, providing precise input detection through simple resistance-based identification rather than complex sensing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250271976A1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A method of driving a sensor layer of an electronic device includes, at a first time, driving a first connection line with a first signal, the first connection line connected to a first end of each of first electrodes, driving a second connection line with the first signal, the second connection line connected to a second end of each of first group electrodes of the first electrodes, and driving a third connection line with a second signal different from the first signal, the third connection line connected to a second end of each of second group electrodes of the first electrodes, and generating a magnetic field with the first connection line, the first group electrodes, and the second group electrodes to charge a RLC resonance circuit of a pen at a first time.