Integrated Touch Panel Fingerprint Electrode Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices with fingerprint recognition sensors require additional processing and increased thickness due to the separate provision of fingerprint recognition sensors, which complicates integration with touch panels and affects device thickness and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design that integrates fingerprint recognition functionality without a separate sensor, utilizing a substrate with specific electrode configurations, including stem and branch portions, and routing wirings, to enable fingerprint recognition within the same layer as the touch recognition area, reducing thickness and enhancing sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fingerprint recognition sensor is provided, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but device thickness increases and integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fingerprint recognition sensor with the touch panel by integrating the sensing electrodes directly into the touch panel structure. The touch panel includes first driving and sensing electrodes for touch recognition, and second driving and sensing electrodes for fingerprint recognition, all formed on the same substrate without requiring a separate sensor layer, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed to perform multiple functions: touch recognition and fingerprint recognition. By incorporating both touch sensing electrodes and fingerprint sensing electrodes into a single integrated structure, the device achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate components, thus avoiding increased thickness and integration complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fingerprint recognition sensor is provided, then fingerprint recognition function is achieved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fingerprint recognition sensor with the touch panel by forming both touch sensing electrodes and fingerprint sensing electrodes on the same substrate. This merging eliminates the need for separate sensor integration processes, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving both touch and fingerprint recognition functions in a unified structure.
3Measurement precision
If electrode area is increased for fingerprint recognition, then sensitivity is improved, but light transmittance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating fingerprint sensing electrodes with specific local structures (stem portions and branch portions) that concentrate sensing capability in the fingerprint recognition area. The branch portions extend from the stem portions to increase the effective sensing area and improve sensitivity, while the overall electrode design maintains transparency in regions where light transmission is critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses zig-zag shaped electrode patterns instead of straight lines. The curved, zig-zag configuration increases the electrode length and sensing area within a compact space, improving fingerprint sensing sensitivity while maintaining a smaller footprint that allows better light transmission compared to larger planar electrodes.
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 integrated design allows for effective fingerprint recognition without increasing device thickness, improving sensitivity and minimizing light transmittance loss, while maintaining touch functionality, thus enhancing user experience and device efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The capacitive type fingerprint recognition sensor recognizes a fingerprint based on a capacitance difference in accordance with a distance between a ridge of the fingerprint and a valley of the fingerprint, which is sensed by finely disposed sensing electrodes.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel includes: a substrate including a touch recognition area and a fingerprint recognition area; a first driving electrode and a first sensing electrode insulated from each other on the substrate and each positioned in the touch recognition area; and a second driving electrode and a second sensing electrode insulated from each other on the substrate and each positioned in the fingerprint recognition area. At least one of the second driving electrode and the second sensing electrode includes: a stem portion; and a branch portion branching off from the stem portion.