Single-Layer Touch Electrode Layout for Thin Stylus Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-magnetic resonance (EMR) type passive stylus pens struggle with miniaturization and thinning due to thick digitizers, and both active and passive stylus pens face challenges in sensitivity and battery-related issues.
Innovation Solution
A touch device with a single-layer design incorporating touch electrodes and traces, using a touch controller to correct output signals via n-th order functions, determining touch positions based on current directions induced by a stylus pen's resonance circuit, and employing a driving method to group and calculate coefficients for improved signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If EMR type passive stylus pens use densely arranged coils in the digitizer to receive touch information, then touch sensing capability is improved, but the device cannot keep pace with miniaturization and thinning of electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a multi-layer coil-based digitizer to a single-layer touch electrode design. Instead of stacking multiple coil layers to achieve dense arrangement, the invention uses a single layer of touch electrodes with trace connections, fundamentally changing the spatial arrangement from three-dimensional stacking to two-dimensional planar layout, thereby reducing thickness while maintaining sensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex multi-layer coil structure from the digitizer. By removing the unnecessary coil arrangements and intermediate layers, the invention retains only the essential touch electrode elements connected by traces, significantly simplifying the digitizer structure and enabling miniaturization.
2Adaptability or versatility
If active stylus pens include batteries and electronic components to provide additional functions, then pen performance and functionality are improved, but they are difficult to use during battery charging
Solution Approach 1:
The passive stylus pen design allows the pen to be charged simply by placing it on the touch screen surface. The touch screen itself serves as the charging interface, eliminating the need for separate charging devices or complex charging mechanisms. This self-service charging approach ensures the pen is always ready for use without requiring additional charging equipment.
3Ease of manufacture
If passive stylus pens are designed to be inexpensive and battery-free, then cost and portability are improved, but sensitivity to delicate touches is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the touch sensing system by using alternating current (AC) signals with specific frequencies and amplitudes. The touch electrodes are driven with AC signals that create electromagnetic fields capable of detecting delicate touches. The controller processes these signals with adjusted parameters to maintain high sensitivity while keeping the pen passive and cost-effective.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, enables a thinner and smaller form factor, enhances signal-to-noise ratio, improves touch input sensitivity, and allows for more accurate touch position calculation while supporting palm rejection.
Implementation Method 1
a current in a first direction may be induced in some of the plurality of touch electrodes by a resonance circuit of a stylus pen adjacent to the plurality of touch electrodes
Implementation Method 2
a current in a second direction opposite to the first direction may be induced in another part of the touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A touch device according to an example embodiment includes a plurality of touch electrodes each of which has a first end and a second end, a plurality of first traces that is connected to the first ends of a plurality of first touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes, a plurality of second traces that is connected to the second ends of a plurality of second touch electrodes among the plurality of touch electrodes, and a touch controller configured to correct the plurality of first output signals and/or the second output signals based on a first reference output signal of a first touch electrode adjacent to the plurality of second touch electrodes among a plurality of first output signals received through the plurality of first traces, and a second reference output signal of a second touch electrode adjacent to the plurality of first touch electrode among a plurality of second output signals received through the plurality of second traces.