Sensor Panel Electrode Layout for Narrow-Bezel Pen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor panel configurations in electronic equipment fail to adequately reduce the bezel width due to limitations in electrode arrangement, particularly when using active area circumferential side cover systems.
Innovation Solution
The sensor panel employs a configuration where outside electrodes are solid conductors and inside electrodes are mesh or transparent conductors, allowing for a significant reduction in the width of these electrodes outside the active area, thereby minimizing the bezel width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If outside electrodes are made with standard width to ensure proper signal detection, then detection reliability is maintained, but bezel width cannot be reduced further
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the structure of outside electrodes from inside electrodes. Specifically, the outside electrodes are configured as mesh conductors with reduced width compared to the solid conductor inside electrodes. This local differentiation allows the outside electrodes to maintain sufficient detection capability while minimizing their width to reduce bezel size, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and bezel width reduction.
2Length of stationary object
If outside electrode width is reduced to minimize bezel area, then bezel width is reduced, but signal detection capability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining mesh conductor structure with conductive material for the outside electrodes. The mesh configuration provides sufficient electrical conductivity and signal detection capability despite the reduced width, while solid conductor material ensures adequate signal reception. This composite approach allows the outside electrodes to achieve both reduced width for smaller bezel and maintained detection precision.
3Reliability
If outside electrodes are positioned further outside the active area to improve circumferential side cover, then detection coverage is improved, but required sensor panel area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the width parameter of outside electrodes to a smaller value compared to conventional designs. By reducing the outside electrode width while maintaining their positioning outside the active area, the patent achieves improved circumferential side cover performance without proportionally increasing the sensor panel area, thus resolving the contradiction between detection coverage and panel area.
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 configuration enables a further reduction in the bezel width of electronic equipment by optimizing electrode placement, ensuring efficient detection of active pen positions while maintaining minimal bezel area.
Implementation Method 1
The active pen is a stylus that includes a power supply part and a signal processing circuit and is configured to be capable of transmitting a pen signal by supplying a charge according to a signal generated by the signal processing circuit to an electrode (pen electrode) disposed near a pen tip. At the time of detection of the active pen, the pen signal is received by the linear electrode that exists near the pen tip in the multiple linear electrodes in the sensor panel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a sensor panel connected to an integrated circuit that detects a position of an active pen. The sensor panel includes a plurality of first electrodes arranged adjacent to each other along a first direction. The plurality of first electrodes include at least one outside electrode located at an end in the first direction of the plurality of first electrodes, wherein the at least one outside electrode is a solid conductor. The plurality of first electrodes include at least one inside electrode that is different from the at least one outside electrode, wherein the inside electrode is a mesh conductor.