Touch Electrode Layout for Contact and Proximity Display Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices face challenges in detecting user proximity touches accurately due to limitations in capacitive sensing methods.
Innovation Solution
The display device incorporates a touch layer with sensor electrodes arranged in specific configurations to sense changes in capacitances between different electrode pairs, allowing for both contact and proximity inputs through alternating sensing modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a capacitive sensing method is used to detect contact touch, then contact touch detection is achieved, but proximity touch detection capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing unit is divided into multiple sensing regions with different electrode configurations. First sensor electrodes and second sensor electrodes form a first sensing region for contact touch detection, while third sensor electrodes form a second sensing region for proximity touch detection. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its specific detection purpose, resolving the contradiction between contact and proximity detection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sensing regions are assigned different electrode arrangements and sensing modes. The first sensing region uses mutual capacitance sensing between first and second sensor electrodes for contact detection, while the second sensing region uses self-capacitance sensing with third sensor electrodes for proximity detection. This local differentiation of sensing qualities enables both contact and proximity touches to be detected with appropriate precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional touch electrode configurations are used, then contact touch sensing is achieved, but multiple sensing modes cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The touch layer is designed with multiple sets of sensor electrodes that can operate in different sensing modes. The first sensor electrodes can participate in mutual capacitance sensing with second sensor electrodes for contact detection, and also in self-capacitance sensing with third sensor electrodes for proximity detection. This multi-functionality allows a single touch layer structure to support multiple sensing modes without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension of sensing by adding third sensor electrodes that extend in a direction different from the first and second sensor electrodes. This dimensional addition enables self-capacitance sensing for proximity detection while maintaining the mutual capacitance sensing capability for contact detection, thereby achieving multi-mode sensing through structural dimensionality expansion.
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
Enhances the detection of both contact and proximity inputs, improving user interaction capabilities with display devices.
Implementation Method 1
the touch layer is configured to sense amounts of change in first capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and the second sensor electrodes, and in a second mode, the touch layer is configured to sense amounts of change in second capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and some of the second sensor electrodes, and amounts of change in third capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and the third sensor electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes: a substrate; a display layer on the substrate; and a touch layer on the display layer, and including: a touch area; first sensor electrodes located along a first direction, and electrically connected to each other; second sensor electrodes located along a second direction crossing the first direction, and electrically connected to each other; and third sensor electrodes located along the first direction, and electrically insulated from the first and second sensor electrodes. In a first mode, the touch layer is to sense amounts of change in first capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and the second sensor electrodes, and in a second mode, the touch layer is to sense amounts of change in second capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and some of the second sensor electrodes, and amounts of change in third capacitances between the first sensor electrodes and the third sensor electrodes.