Multi-Surface Touch Sensor Structure for Unobstructed Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in efficiently gathering touch input from users while displaying images, as user's hands often block the display, and traditional input devices like buttons are less convenient and versatile.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates transparent and opaque materials in its enclosure walls, with display layers mounted under transparent portions and touch sensor layers under both transparent and opaque wall portions, allowing touch input to be gathered from various directions without obstructing the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch sensor layer is mounted under transparent wall portions to enable touch input, then touch input capability is improved, but the display may be blocked by the user's hand during interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the display and touch sensor layers onto sidewalls and rear surfaces, moving the interaction space from a single front plane to multiple spatial dimensions. This allows touch input to be gathered from various directions (front, sides, back) without the user's hand blocking the front display area, as touches can be registered on lateral and rear surfaces instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch sensor functionality is divided into multiple separate touch sensor layers positioned on different surfaces (front wall, sidewalls, rear wall). Each layer independently captures touch input from its respective surface, distributing the touch interaction across multiple locations rather than concentrating it all on the front display area.
2Illumination intensity
If display layers are mounted under transparent wall portions to enable visibility, then display visibility is improved, but touch input gathering capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions display and touch sensor layers on multiple surfaces including front walls, sidewalls, and rear walls, extending the interaction area beyond the traditional front-display-only paradigm. This multi-surface arrangement maintains front display visibility while enabling touch input gathering on lateral and rear surfaces where the display does not obstruct the view.
3Device complexity
If traditional buttons are used to gather touch input, then device structure is simplified, but convenience and versatility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent wall portions serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural enclosure, enable display visibility through transparency, and support touch sensor layers for input gathering. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate physical buttons while maintaining structural integrity and enhancing input versatility across multiple device surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Display layers and touch sensor layers may be overlapped by enclosure walls in an electronic device. The electronic device may have a front wall and opposing rear wall and curved sidewalls. The front wall and the curved sidewalls may be formed from a glass layer or other transparent member. A touch sensor layer and display layer may extend under the glass layer with curved sidewalls. A touch sensor layer may also extend under the opposing rear wall. A foldable electronic device may have a flexible transparent wall portion that joins planar transparent walls. Components may be interposed between the transparent planar walls and opaque walls. Display and touch layers may be overlapped by the transparent walls and the transparent flexible wall portion. Touch sensor structures may also be overlapped by the opaque walls.