Sensor Pad Arrangement for Capacitive Input Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices, such as proximity sensor devices, face challenges in efficiently integrating capacitive sensing with display updating, often requiring complex patterns of sensor electrodes and routing traces that are difficult to manufacture and customize for different processing systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a regular pattern of vias to connect sensor electrodes with routing traces, allowing for simpler production inspection, increased uniformity, and customization of input devices to match specific processing systems, while enabling both capacitive sensing and display updating functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex patterns of sensor electrodes and routing traces are used for capacitive sensing integration, then sensing functionality is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and production inspection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The routing traces are segmented into distinct first routing traces connected to sensor electrodes and second routing traces connected to display driver pads. This segmentation allows for simplified inspection of each segment separately, reducing the complexity of production inspection while maintaining the integrated sensing and display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Common electrodes serve as intermediary elements that connect the sensor electrode layer with the display driver layer. These intermediaries enable signal routing between sensing and display functions without requiring complex direct connections, thereby simplifying manufacturing and inspection processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom routing patterns are designed for specific processing systems, then system integration is optimized, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The common electrodes perform multiple functions: they serve as sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing, as display driver electrodes for display updating, and as routing intermediaries. This multi-functionality allows a single standardized structure to integrate with different processing systems without requiring custom routing patterns, reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical layering (different dimensions) to separate sensor electrode connections from display driver connections. Sensor electrodes and display driver pads are positioned in different layers with common electrodes providing vertical interconnections, allowing standardized routing that adapts to various processing systems without increasing horizontal complexity.
3Area of stationary object
If sensor electrodes are positioned between display driver pads, then space utilization is improved, but routing trace complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Routing traces are divided into first routing traces that connect sensor electrodes to common electrodes, and second routing traces that connect common electrodes to display driver pads. This segmentation simplifies the routing arrangement by breaking down complex long-distance connections into shorter, more manageable segments, reducing overall routing complexity while maintaining efficient space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Common electrodes act as intermediary connection points positioned between the sensor electrode layer and display driver layer. This intermediary positioning allows routing traces to connect to intermediate points rather than spanning the entire distance between sensor electrodes and display driver pads, simplifying the routing trace arrangement while effectively utilizing the available space.
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 approach enhances the reliability and uniformity of input devices by simplifying the manufacturing process and allowing for tailored connections with various processing systems, effectively integrating sensing and display functions.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor module configured to drive the plurality of sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally describes input devices with associated processing system configured to perform display updating and capacitive sensing. The processing system includes first and second pluralities of display driver pads coupled with a plurality of source lines, and a plurality of sensor pads disposed between the first and second pluralities of display driver pads and coupled with a plurality of sensor electrodes through a plurality of conductive routing traces. The plurality of sensor electrodes includes at least one common electrode of a display device, the common electrode configured to be driven for display updating and capacitive sensing. The processing system is configured to drive the plurality of source lines for display updating, and to drive the plurality of sensor electrodes for capacitive sensing.