Touch Key Electrodes Integrated Into Display Panel

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional display devices with touch panels, such as smartphones, require additional physical buttons that complicate manufacturing and increase costs due to the need for extra parts and separate assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a touch panel that integrates touch key functions, using a touch panel configuration with first and second touch electrodes and a touch controller to detect touches, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons by incorporating touch key functionality directly into the touch panel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical buttons are added to the display device, then dedicated input functions are provided, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated input functionsVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dedicated physical button functions into the touch panel by integrating touch key electrodes with the existing touch sensor electrodes. This combination allows the touch panel to provide both general touch input and dedicated function inputs through a single integrated component structure, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons while maintaining all required input capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a general touch sensor for user input and incorporates dedicated touch key electrodes for specific functions. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated physical buttons, reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical buttons are added to the display device, then dedicated input functions are provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated input functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dedicated physical button functions into the touch panel by integrating touch key electrodes with the existing touch sensor electrodes. This combination allows the touch panel to provide both general touch input and dedicated function inputs through a single integrated component structure, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons while maintaining all required input capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a general touch sensor for user input and incorporates dedicated touch key electrodes for specific functions. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate dedicated physical buttons, reducing the overall number of parts while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If physical buttons are added to the display device, then dedicated input functions are provided, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvededicated input functionsVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dedicated physical button functions into the touch panel by integrating touch key electrodes with the existing touch sensor electrodes. This combination allows the touch panel to provide both general touch input and dedicated function inputs through a single integrated component structure, eliminating the need for separate physical buttons while maintaining all required input capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the number of parts required, simplifies the manufacturing process, and lowers costs by integrating touch key functions into the touch panel, thereby reducing the complexity and expense of manufacturing display devices.

Implementation Method 1

a touch controller configured to detect a touch and connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes, the plurality of second touch electrodes, and the first touch key electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10303309B2Display device including touch key electrodes

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a display area, a plurality of first touch electrodes disposed along a first direction in the display area, a plurality of second touch electrodes disposed along a second direction in the display area, a first touch key electrode disposed in a touch key area adjacent to the display area, and a touch controller configured to detect a touch and connected to the plurality of first touch electrodes, the plurality of second touch electrodes, and the first touch key electrode. The plurality of first touch electrodes and the plurality of second touch electrodes are disposed on a same layer.