Touch Apparatus Third Sensing Electrodes Simultaneous Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current touch apparatuses using capacitive stylus technology face inefficiencies in sensing both fingers and active styluses due to shared sensing electrodes, leading to suboptimal performance and limited reporting rates.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of additional third sensing electrodes outside the first and second sensing electrodes allows for simultaneous signal reading, reducing processing time and improving sensing efficiency by enabling concurrent detection of stylus position and orientation, thereby enhancing the touch apparatus's ability to differentiate between finger and stylus inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If finger and active stylus share two sets of sensing electrodes, then cost is reduced, but sensing efficiency cannot be improved

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidsensing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensing function is segmented into three distinct electrode sets: first sensing electrodes for finger touch detection, second sensing electrodes for stylus detection during writing operations, and third sensing electrodes for stylus detection during non-writing operations. This segmentation allows each electrode set to be optimized for specific sensing tasks, thereby improving overall sensing efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness through shared infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different sensing modes by activating appropriate electrode sets based on the detected input type. When a stylus is detected in writing mode, the second sensing electrodes are activated; when in non-writing mode, the third sensing electrodes are activated. This dynamic switching optimizes sensing efficiency for different operational states while reusing the existing electrode infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If additional third sensing electrodes are added, then sensing efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing efficiencyVSAvoidelectrode configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The third sensing electrodes are designed to perform multiple functions: detecting stylus position during non-writing operations, determining stylus orientation, and supporting both finger and stylus sensing modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing enhanced capabilities that benefit from a single additional electrode set rather than requiring separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The third sensing electrodes are positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the first and second sensing electrodes, creating a three-dimensional sensing architecture. This dimensional addition enables simultaneous detection of multiple parameters (position, orientation, input type) without requiring proportional increases in processing complexity, as the spatial arrangement itself encodes additional information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 shortens processing time and increases reporting rates, improving the touch apparatus's efficiency in sensing both fingers and styluses, with potential enhancements in frame time and report rate from 7.5 ms to 6.2 ms and 133 Hz to 160 Hz or further to 260 Hz.

Implementation Method 1

A capacitive stylus needs an independent electromagnetic induction plate, and is unique because of enabling, through electromagnetic induction, the stylus to actively transmit a signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A capacitive stylus needs an independent electromagnetic induction plate, and is unique because of enabling, through electromagnetic induction, the stylus to actively transmit a signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3361365B1Touch apparatus for detecting finger and stylus
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 ACER INC
  • EP3361365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361365B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3361365B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A touch apparatus includes a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes, and a plurality of third sensing electrodes. The first sensing electrodes extend along a first direction. The second sensing electrodes are electrically isolated from the first sensing electrodes, and extend along a second direction. The plurality of third sensing electrodes are electrically isolated from the second sensing electrodes, and extend along the first direction. At least some of the first sensing electrodes, at least some of the second sensing electrodes, and at least some of the third sensing electrodes are formed at different film layers respectively.