Capacitive Sensor Mesh Discontinuities for Curved Display Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Curved displays experience issues with non-uniform light obscuration and color distribution due to capacitive sensor meshes, leading to reduced brightness and undesirable tinting, especially from orthogonal perspectives.

Innovation Solution

Introduce discontinuities in the capacitive sensor mesh cells to accommodate curvature, varying their size, shape, and orientation based on subpixel characteristics and user perspectives, ensuring balanced light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a uniform capacitive sensor mesh is used on a curved display, then the mesh structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the light obscuration becomes non-uniform and color distribution deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemesh structure simplicityVSAvoidlight obscuration uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the mesh cell characteristics (size, shape, orientation, or presence of discontinuities) in different regions of the curved display. Specifically, cells in curved portions have modified properties compared to flat portions, with discontinuities strategically placed to compensate for the curvature-induced light obscuration variations. This local adaptation ensures uniform light transmission across the entire curved surface while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying mesh cell parameters (dimensions, orientation, discontinuity characteristics) based on the local curvature of the display surface. The cell parameters are adjusted as a function of position on the curved surface, allowing the mesh to adapt to varying curvature radii and angles. This dynamic parameter adjustment compensates for curvature effects and maintains uniform optical properties across the curved display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If the mesh is adapted to curvature with discontinuities, then color and brightness uniformity improves, but the mesh structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrightness uniformityVSAvoidmesh structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the curved display surface into multiple regions or zones with different curvature characteristics. Within each zone, mesh cells with specific discontinuity patterns are placed. This segmentation approach allows systematic management of the mesh complexity, where each segment handles a localized curvature variation, making the overall complex structure more manageable and manufacturable through modular approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating and pre-positioning the discontinuities in the mesh structure during the design and manufacturing phase. The optimal location, size, and orientation of each discontinuity are determined in advance based on the known curvature profile of the display. This preliminary planning reduces the operational complexity during assembly and ensures that the complex discontinuity pattern is consistently reproduced without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Illumination intensity

If discontinuities are introduced in curved regions, then color distribution uniformity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor distribution uniformityVSAvoiddiscontinuity placement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the mesh structure where the discontinuities are inherently aligned with the curvature geometry through the manufacturing process itself. The mesh fabrication method automatically positions discontinuities based on the underlying curvature profile, eliminating the need for separate high-precision alignment steps. The structure essentially configures itself to match the curvature, reducing the burden on external manufacturing precision while achieving the desired color uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4348407B1Capacitive sensor mesh with discontinuities
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • EP4348407B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4348407B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4348407B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A display with a curved portion is provided. The display includes a capacitive sensor mesh layer including a plurality of cells, wherein at least a cell of the plurality of cells includes at least one cell face that has a discontinuity in the cell face based at least in part on a position of the cell on the curved portion.