Segmented Ground Plane for Concurrent Touch and Display Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touchscreen displays face challenges in performing both touch and display operations concurrently due to signal interference, requiring operations to be switched between touch controller and display driver, limiting simultaneous functionality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a concurrent touch and display system using active matrix displays with capacitive coupling of touch controllers to the conductive pathways, allowing for simultaneous touch detection and display operation without interfering with each other's signals, utilizing existing conductive layers within the display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If touch controller operations are performed concurrently with display operations, then both touch detection and display functions can operate simultaneously, but signal interference occurs between the two operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ground plane into multiple isolated regions, each associated with specific pixel circuits. This segmentation allows the ground plane to serve different functions in different regions: some regions support touch sensing while others support display operations, enabling concurrent operations without signal interference across the entire display.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ground plane are given different properties and functions. Some ground plane regions are configured for touch sensing operations while others are configured for display operations. This local differentiation allows concurrent operations to proceed simultaneously without the harmful interference that would occur if the entire ground plane had uniform functionality.
2Reliability
If display driver operations are paused for touch operations, then touch sensing can be performed, but display functionality is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ground plane into functionally independent regions, the system can perform touch sensing operations in certain regions without interrupting display operations in other regions. This allows both functions to operate concurrently rather than requiring pauses, thereby maintaining display productivity while ensuring reliable touch sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The segmented ground plane architecture enables continuous display operation while simultaneously enabling touch sensing. Display driver operations continue uninterrupted in regions where display is the primary function, while touch controller operations proceed concurrently in regions configured for touch sensing, eliminating the need to pause display operations for touch operations.
3Device complexity
If a single ground plane is used for both display and touch operations, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference between operations occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ground plane is divided into multiple segmented regions, each electrically isolated from the others. This segmentation increases the number of discrete conductive elements but maintains overall structural simplicity. The segmented ground plane reduces signal interference by preventing cross-contamination of signals between touch and display operations, while the segmentation itself is implemented through standard fabrication processes.
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 high-sensitivity touch detection and concurrent display operation without altering the display content, improving user interaction while maintaining display performance.
Implementation Method 1
the touch controller capacitively couples to the conductive pathways of the active matrix display
Data Source
AI summary
A touchscreen display includes one or more display drivers coupled to an active matrix display and one or more touch controllers coupled to one or more touch sensor conductors. The one or more display drivers are coupled to the active matrix display via active matrix conductive components. When enabled, the one or more display drivers is configured to transmit a first signal to the active matrix display in accordance with display operation. A touch sensor conductor includes one or more segments of the active matrix conductive components. When enabled, a touch controller of the one or more touch controllers is configured to transmit a second signal via the touch sensor conductor in accordance with touchscreen operation that is performed concurrently with the display operation.