Sensor Layer Electrode Layout for Pen Input Without a Digitizer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multimedia electronic devices lack efficient detection of pen input without increasing thickness, weight, or flexibility due to the inclusion of digitizers.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a sensor layer comprising specific electrode configurations and trace lines, including first and second electrodes, auxiliary electrodes, and trace lines, capable of detecting both touch and pen input without a digitizer, by utilizing coupling capacitors and trace lines on different layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digitizer is included to enable pen input detection, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device thickness, weight, and flexibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensing function and pen input detection function into a single sensor layer. The sensor layer includes first and second electrodes for touch detection, and third and fourth electrodes for pen input detection, all integrated within the same display device structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate digitizer layer, thereby maintaining device thickness while enabling both touch and pen input capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs from users and pen inputs from writing instruments. The first and second electrodes handle touch detection, while the third and fourth electrodes handle pen input detection. This multi-functional design allows a single layer to replace what would traditionally require separate components, reducing overall device thickness and weight.
2Measurement precision
If a digitizer is included to enable pen input detection, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device weight is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensing function and pen input detection function into a single sensor layer. The sensor layer includes first and second electrodes for touch detection, and third and fourth electrodes for pen input detection, all integrated within the same display device structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate digitizer layer, thereby maintaining device thickness while enabling both touch and pen input capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs from users and pen inputs from writing instruments. The first and second electrodes handle touch detection, while the third and fourth electrodes handle pen input detection. This multi-functional design allows a single layer to replace what would traditionally require separate components, reducing overall device thickness and weight.
3Measurement precision
If a digitizer is included to enable pen input detection, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device flexibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the touch sensing function and pen input detection function into a single sensor layer. The sensor layer includes first and second electrodes for touch detection, and third and fourth electrodes for pen input detection, all integrated within the same display device structure. This merging eliminates the need for a separate digitizer layer, thereby maintaining device thickness while enabling both touch and pen input capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor layer is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects both touch inputs from users and pen inputs from writing instruments. The first and second electrodes handle touch detection, while the third and fourth electrodes handle pen input detection. This multi-functional design allows a single layer to replace what would traditionally require separate components, reducing overall device thickness and weight.
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 precise pen input detection without the need for a digitizer, maintaining device thickness, weight, and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first coupling capacitor is provided between one first electrode of the first electrodes and one first auxiliary electrode of the first auxiliary electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a second coupling capacitor is provided between one second electrode of the second electrodes and one second auxiliary electrode of the second auxiliary electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device including: a display layer; and a sensor layer disposed on the display layer and including a sensing area and a peripheral area that is adjacent to the sensing area, wherein the sensor layer includes: first electrodes extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction; second electrodes extending in the second direction and arranged in the first direction; a third electrode extending in the first direction and electrically insulated from the first electrodes; a fourth electrode extending in the second direction and electrically insulated from the second electrodes; first trace lines electrically connected to the first electrodes, respectively, wherein the plurality of first trace lines overlap the peripheral area; and a sub trace line electrically connected to a portion of the first trace lines and overlapping the sensing area.