Interlaced Display Row Driving for Touch Interference Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic displays with self-emissive pixels face interference between display pixel operations and touch sensor systems, leading to noise-induced image artifacts and reduced touch sensitivity due to simultaneous writing of image data and touch detection.

Innovation Solution

Implementing interlaced display driving with intra-frame pauses at the end of the display panel and double data-line driving to synchronize touch sensing with image data writing, reducing interference and artifacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If touch sensing is performed simultaneously with writing image data to display pixels, then touch detection sensitivity is improved, but noise and interference increase causing image artifacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detection sensitivityVSAvoidnoise and image artifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display panel into multiple row groups (e.g., first row group, second row group) and performs touch sensing on alternating row groups at different time points within the same frame period. This segmentation allows the system to perform touch sensing more frequently without requiring complete frame interruptions, thereby improving touch detection sensitivity while minimizing impact on image display quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the display alternates between writing image data and checking for touch, then interference between subsystems is reduced, but touch detection responsiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsystem interferenceVSAvoidtouch detection responsiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic touch sensing by alternating between different row groups in a regular pattern within each frame period. Instead of performing a single touch sensing operation, the system periodically interrupts image writing to perform touch sensing on alternating row groups (e.g., odd rows first, then even rows), creating multiple measurement opportunities per frame while maintaining systematic interference management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Measurement precision

If intra-frame pauses are introduced for touch sensing, then touch sensor sensitivity is improved, but visual artifacts and display consistency worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensor sensitivityVSAvoiddisplay consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the display panel into multiple row groups and performs touch sensing on alternating segments rather than introducing a single long pause. By segmenting the touch sensing operations across different row groups within the frame period, the system achieves adequate sensitivity while distributing the interruptions in a way that minimizes visible artifacts and maintains display consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12614501B2Multiple-row display driving to mitigate touch sensor subsystem interaction

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for programming an electronic display in a double-row manner are provided. A system may include processing circuitry that generates image data and an electronic display that programs multiple rows of display pixels with different pixel data of the image data at the same time. This may allow double-row interlaced driving to reduce or eliminate image artifacts due to intra-frame pauses.