Touch Module Bezel Electrode Sharing Signal Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screens are limited to sensing input signals in a single plane, which restricts their functionality and user experience, especially in devices like mobile phones where additional control buttons are needed, and they often require additional physical buttons that occupy space.
Innovation Solution
A touch module with a first touch electrode structure in the touch area and a second touch electrode structure in the bezel area, both sharing touch signal traveling lines, allowing for touch signal sensing in different planes and enabling the design of virtual buttons that save space and simplify the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-plane touch screen is used, then the structure is simple and durable, but the functionality is limited and cannot provide additional control buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the touch electrode structures from the touch area into the bezel area, utilizing the lateral dimension of the substrate to create virtual buttons. This dimensional extension allows the touch screen to sense inputs in both the touch area and bezel area, providing additional functionality without adding separate physical buttons or complex multi-layer structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second touch electrode structures share common signal traveling lines and scanning electrodes, allowing the same electrode system to serve multiple functions: sensing touches in the touch area and generating virtual buttons in the bezel area. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical control buttons are added to the device, then additional control functions are provided, but the device occupies more space and the screen-to-panel ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of physical control buttons with the touch screen by extending the touch electrode structures into the bezel area. The virtual buttons are integrated into the existing touch screen substrate and share signal traveling lines with the touch area electrodes, consolidating multiple functions into a single unified structure that saves space.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual buttons in the bezel area are created as electromagnetic copies of physical button functionality using the same touch sensing principle. Instead of creating separate mechanical buttons, the patent uses capacitive touch electrodes that replicate button functions through electrical fields, maintaining functionality while eliminating physical space requirements.
3Reliability
If separate touch electrode structures are created for touch area and bezel area, then independent sensing is achieved, but the number of touch signal traveling lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning electrodes serve dual purposes: they scan the touch area for touch inputs and simultaneously scan the bezel area to detect virtual button presses. The same signal traveling lines carry signals for both functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits while maintaining independent sensing capability through spatial separation of electrode structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch electrode structures are segmented into first electrodes in the touch area and second electrodes in the bezel area, with clear spatial separation. This segmentation allows independent sensing in each region while the shared signal traveling lines reduce overall system complexity by consolidating the electrical connection infrastructure.
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
Enables the detection of touch signals in both the touch area and bezel area, improving user experience by replacing physical buttons with virtual ones, enhancing the screen-to-panel ratio, and reducing the number of touch signal traveling lines, thus simplifying the module's structure without increasing the bezel area's size.
Implementation Method 1
a first touch electrode structure located in the touch area, and configured to sense a touch signal in the touch area; a second touch electrode structure located in the bezel area, and configured to sense a touch signal in the bezel area
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure discloses a touch module, a method for fabricating the same, and a touch display device, and the touch module includes a touch area and a bezel area, and further includes: a first touch electrode structure located in the touch area, and configured to sense a touch signal in the touch area; a second touch electrode structure located in the bezel area, and configured to sense a touch signal in the bezel area; and the second touch electrode structure shares touch signal traveling lines with at least a part of the first touch electrode structure.