Electronic Device Sensor Layer for Digitizer-Free Pen Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices lack efficient methods to sense inputs from pens without increasing thickness, weight, or reducing flexibility by incorporating digitizers.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a sensor layer with first and second electrodes extending in different directions, and auxiliary electrodes, along with a sensor driver that operates in a charging and sensing mode to detect pen inputs through capacitive coupling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a digitizer is incorporated to enable pen input sensing, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device thickness, weight, and flexibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen input detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pen sensing function with the existing display panel structure by integrating auxiliary electrodes into the display panel's electrode arrangement. The auxiliary electrodes are positioned between the first and second electrodes and share the same substrate, eliminating the need for a separate digitizer layer and thus reducing device thickness while enabling pen input detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel's electrode structure is designed to serve multiple functions: the first and second electrodes provide touch sensing capability, while the auxiliary electrodes enable pen input detection. This multi-functional design allows the display panel to handle both touch and pen inputs without requiring additional dedicated components, thereby maintaining device flexibility and reducing thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a digitizer is incorporated to enable pen input sensing, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device weight is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen input detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pen sensing function with the existing display panel structure by integrating auxiliary electrodes into the display panel's electrode arrangement. The auxiliary electrodes are positioned between the first and second electrodes and share the same substrate, eliminating the need for a separate digitizer layer and thus reducing device thickness while enabling pen input detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the pen sensing functionality from a separate digitizer component and integrates it directly into the display panel's electrode structure. By taking out the independent digitizer layer and incorporating its sensing capability into the display panel, the overall device weight is reduced while maintaining pen input detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a digitizer is incorporated to enable pen input sensing, then pen input detection capability is improved, but device flexibility is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen input detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pen sensing function with the existing display panel structure by integrating auxiliary electrodes into the display panel's electrode arrangement. The auxiliary electrodes are positioned between the first and second electrodes and share the same substrate, eliminating the need for a separate digitizer layer and thus reducing device thickness while enabling pen input detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the pen sensing functionality from a separate digitizer component and integrates it directly into the display panel's electrode structure. By taking out the independent digitizer layer and incorporating its sensing capability into the display panel, the overall device weight is reduced while maintaining pen input detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 pen input detection without the need for a digitizer, maintaining device thickness and flexibility while enhancing input sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor driver may be configured to receive a second sensing signal transferred by a capacitive coupling between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of auxiliary electrodes in the sensing mode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive coupling: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS20250258561A1Electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.08.14 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device includes: a display layer; a sensor layer; and a sensor driver to drive the sensor layer. The sensor layer includes: first electrodes, each extending in a first direction; second electrodes, each extending in a second direction; and auxiliary electrodes, each extending in the first direction, and insulated from the second electrodes. The sensor driver is to operate in a first mode for sensing a touch or in a second mode for sensing an external input device, and the second mode includes a charging mode and a sensing mode. In the first mode, the sensor driver is to electrically connect a first end and a second end to each other of each of the second electrodes, and transmit a driving signal to each of the second electrodes. In the sensing mode, the sensor driver is to receive a first sensing signal through the second end.