Integrated Touch Screen Pixel Stackup Merging Display and Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screens face challenges such as added weight, thickness, increased power consumption, and decreased brightness due to the overlay of capacitive touch sensor panels on displays, which can be mitigated by integrating touch sensing circuitry directly into the display pixel stackup.
Innovation Solution
Integrating touch sensing circuitry, including multi-function circuit elements that operate as both display circuitry and touch sensing circuitry, within the display pixel stackup of LCDs, utilizing drive and sense lines, grounding regions, and other circuitry to sense touches on or near the display, thereby reducing the need for additional components and processing steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touch sensor panel is overlaid on a display to form a touch screen, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but weight, thickness, power consumption increase and brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensor panel and display into a single integrated structure where the touch sensor panel is formed within the display structure itself. The common electrode of the touch sensor is integrated with the common electrode of the display, and the transparent electrode is formed in the same layer as the pixel electrode, eliminating the need for a separate overlay panel and reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multi-functional circuit elements that serve dual purposes: the common electrode functions as both the common electrode for display operation and the transparent electrode for touch sensing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing weight while maintaining both display and touch capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touch sensor panel is overlaid on a display to form a touch screen, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor panel and display are merged into a single integrated structure where layers are shared. The transparent electrode is formed in the same layer as the pixel electrode, and the common electrode serves both display and touch functions, eliminating the need for additional thickness from a separate overlay panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor structure is nested within the display structure. The transparent electrode is nested in the same layer as the pixel electrode, and the common electrode of the touch sensor is nested with the common electrode of the display, creating a compact integrated structure that reduces overall thickness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touch sensor panel is overlaid on a display to form a touch screen, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive and sense lines of the touch sensor are integrated with the display circuitry. The same transparent conductive material and electrode structures are used for both display driving and touch sensing, eliminating the need for separate power consumption-intensive touch panel driving circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The common electrode serves dual functions as both the common electrode for display operation and the transparent electrode for touch sensing. This multi-functionality allows a single electrode structure to perform multiple tasks, reducing the overall power consumption compared to separate dedicated touch and display electrodes.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive touch sensor panel is overlaid on a display to form a touch screen, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but brightness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent electrode for touch sensing is formed in the same layer as the pixel electrode using the same transparent conductive material. This integration eliminates additional transparent layers that would otherwise be required, maintaining high light transmission and display brightness while providing touch sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pixel electrode and transparent electrode are combined into a single multi-functional electrode structure. This eliminates the need for separate transparent conductive layers for both display and touch functions, reducing total layer count and improving light transmission for brighter display output.
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 approach allows for thinner, brighter, and more power-efficient displays with integrated touch sensing capabilities, particularly beneficial for portable devices, while maintaining or improving touch sensitivity and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Capacitive touch sensor panels can be formed from a matrix of drive and sense lines of a substantially transparent conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
Displays with touch sensing circuitry integrated into the display pixel stackup are provided. Circuit elements, such as touch signal lines, such as drive lines and sense lines, grounding regions, in the display pixel stackups can be grouped together to form touch sensing circuitry that senses a touch on or near the display. An integrated touch screen can include multi-function circuit elements that can operate as circuitry of the display system to generate an image on the display, and can also form part of a touch sensing system that senses one or more touches on or near the display. The multi-function circuit elements can be, for example, capacitors in display pixels that can be configured to operate as storage capacitors/electrodes, common electrodes, conductive wires/pathways, etc., of the display circuitry in the display system, and that may also be configured to operate as circuit elements of the touch sensing circuitry.