Touch Panel Body Composition Sensing Without External Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for measuring body composition using terminals expose external electrodes, which are aesthetically detrimental and prone to damage from dust or moisture, and pose a risk of electric shock.

Innovation Solution

A terminal design that measures body composition using a coil antenna and touch screen panel without external electrodes, utilizing internal electrodes and a magnetic or electric field to induce eddy currents for body composition analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external electrodes are used for body composition measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but electrode damage and electric shock risk occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode safetyVSAvoidelectrode exposure to dust and moisture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the measurement function from external electrodes and relocates it to internal electrodes integrated into the touch panel. The external electrodes are completely removed, while the internal electrodes remain protected inside the terminal, eliminating exposure to dust and moisture while maintaining body composition measurement capability through eddy current detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent nests the measurement electrodes within the touch panel structure, integrating them into the existing internal components of the terminal. The electrodes are embedded within the terminal housing and touch panel layers, allowing body composition measurement while keeping the electrodes protected inside the device rather than exposed externally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If external electrodes are used for body composition measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but terminal aesthetics are deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveterminal appearanceVSAvoidelectrode configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the measurement electrode function with the existing touch panel structure. The same internal electrodes that enable touch sensing are utilized for body composition measurement, eliminating the need for separate external electrodes and maintaining a clean, aesthetic terminal appearance while preserving measurement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the internal touch panel electrodes serve multiple functions: both touch sensing and body composition measurement. By utilizing the existing electrodes for dual purposes, the patent eliminates the need for additional external electrodes, thereby maintaining aesthetic appearance while achieving measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If internal electrodes are used instead of external electrodes, then electrode protection is improved, but measurement precision may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode protectionVSAvoidbody composition measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts measurement parameters such as driving signal frequency and amplitude to optimize eddy current detection sensitivity for internal electrodes. By modifying these parameters, the system compensates for the different electromagnetic coupling characteristics of internal versus external electrodes, maintaining measurement precision while utilizing protected internal electrode placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents electrode damage and electric shock while accurately measuring body composition by using internal electrodes and induced eddy currents, enhancing terminal aesthetics and safety.

Implementation Method 1

apply current to the coil member, the coil member being configured to form an electric field and/or magnetic field when the current is applied

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

determine body composition of a user based on a sensing signal output from the touch panel in accordance with eddy current, the eddy current being induced to a body of the user by the electric field and/or magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentUS12521067B2Terminal and method for controlling the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

The terminal may include a touch panel including first electrodes arranged in a first direction and second electrodes arranged in the second direction intersecting the first direction, a display panel attached to the touch panel and to display an image, and a processor to control the touch panel and the display panel. In a measuring mode, the processor is configured to: apply a driving signal to the touch panel, the touch panel being configured to form an electric field and/or magnetic field when the driving signal is applied, and determine body composition of a user based on a sensing signal output from the touch panel in accordance with eddy current, the eddy current being induced to a body of the user by the electric field and/or magnetic field formed around the touch panel.