Touchscreen Sensor Layer With Differential Pen Noise Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices struggle to accurately sense inputs from both touch and pen without introducing noise, which affects the precision and reliability of user inputs.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a sensor layer with a plurality of electrode groups and trace lines, including first and second cross electrodes, which operate in a touch mode and a pen mode. In the pen mode, the sensor driver processes signals from the first and second cross electrodes to differentiate and amplify pen input signals, reducing noise through differential amplification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sensor layers are used to sense both touch and pen inputs, then basic sensing functionality is provided, but noise is introduced that reduces sensing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer is segmented into multiple electrode groups (first electrode groups and second electrode groups) arranged in different directions. Each electrode group can be independently controlled and sensed, allowing the system to selectively activate specific electrode groups for pen sensing while minimizing noise interference from other groups. This segmentation enables differential sensing approaches that improve precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different electrode groups are assigned different functions and sensing characteristics. The first electrode groups and second electrode groups have different orientations and are used for different sensing modes (touch vs. pen). This local differentiation allows optimized sensing performance for each input type while minimizing cross-interference and noise.
2Reliability
If a single electrode configuration is used for both touch and pen sensing, then device complexity is reduced, but sensing reliability for both input types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor layer employs a universal electrode structure that serves multiple functions. The same first and second electrode groups are used for both touch sensing and pen sensing operations, depending on the activated mode. This multi-functionality approach maintains reliability for both input types while avoiding the need for completely separate electrode systems, thus controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor driver dynamically switches between different sensing modes (touch mode and pen mode) by selectively activating different electrode groups and using different sensing algorithms. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize performance for the current input type while maintaining a unified hardware structure, balancing reliability and complexity.
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 solution enables the electronic device to accurately sense pen inputs while minimizing noise, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of user inputs compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor driver processes signals from the first and second cross electrodes to differentiate and amplify pen input signals, reducing noise through differential amplification
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electronic device including a sensor layer, and a sensor driver configured to drive the sensor layer and selectively operate in a first mode for sensing touch inputs or a second mode for sensing pen inputs. The sensor layer includes a plurality of first electrode groups arranged along a first direction, and a plurality of second electrode groups arranged along a second direction crossing the first direction and crossing the plurality of first electrode groups. Each of the plurality of second electrode groups include a first cross electrode and a second cross electrode, and in the second mode, the sensor driver is configured to receive a first signal from the first cross electrode and a second signal from the second cross electrode.