Touch Panel Electrode Dummy Pattern Visibility

Solution Overview

Problem

Touch panels face issues with visibility due to the structural limitations of sensing electrodes, which can also be damaged during manufacturing, leading to deteriorated touch sensitivity and increased visibility of the electrodes, affecting their performance.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a touch panel design featuring a sensing electrode structure with sub-electrodes and dummy patterns that are electrically connected through multiple pathways, allowing for continued functionality even if some connections are damaged, and a printing layer to obscure the electrodes, improving visibility by reducing their visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sensing electrodes are formed on the touch panel to enable touch sensing, then touch sensing capability is achieved, but visibility of the panel is deteriorated due to discontinuity or irregularity of the electrodes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing capabilityVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming dummy patterns only in specific regions where sensing electrodes are not present, rather than uniformly across the entire panel. This localized approach fills gaps in electrode regions to improve visibility without interfering with the electrical sensing functionality in electrode areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dummy patterns that replicate the visual appearance of sensing electrodes in non-electrode regions. These dummy patterns copy the visual characteristics (discontinuity, irregularity) of the actual electrodes to create visual uniformity across the panel surface, making the electrode regions less visually distinct and improving overall visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If sensing electrodes are formed with standard structure to sense touch coordinates, then touch coordinate sensing is achieved, but the electrodes are visually recognized and glitter, increasing visibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch coordinate sensingVSAvoidvisibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by forming dummy patterns only in specific regions where sensing electrodes are not present, rather than uniformly across the entire panel. This localized approach fills gaps in electrode regions to improve visibility without interfering with the electrical sensing functionality in electrode areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dummy patterns that replicate the visual appearance of sensing electrodes in non-electrode regions. These dummy patterns copy the visual characteristics (discontinuity, irregularity) of the actual electrodes to create visual uniformity across the panel surface, making the electrode regions less visually distinct and improving overall visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Illumination intensity

If additional dummy patterns are formed in regions between sensing electrodes to reduce visibility, then visibility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the dummy pattern formation process with the existing sensing electrode fabrication process. Both the sensing electrodes and dummy patterns are formed using the same photolithography and etching steps, combining two structural elements into a single manufacturing sequence to avoid additional process complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the dummy patterns serve multiple functions: they fill visual gaps to improve visibility, provide structural support in non-electrode regions, and act as part of the overall panel design aesthetic. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design maintains touch sensing performance while reducing visibility of the electrodes and preventing sensitivity loss due to damage, enhancing the panel's durability and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

A touch panel for sensing a touch input on an image display area by using a human hand or an object has been widely used... the capacitive scheme has been widely used... the touch panel must be able to sense information input in a touch scheme as an electrical signal, the touch panel generally includes a sensing electrode for sensing touch stimulation and a circuit for receiving the variation of a signal generated from the sensing electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic capacity variation: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10227600B2Touch panel and image display device having the same

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 LG INNOTEK CO LTD

AI summary

A touch panel may include: a sensing electrode part including a plurality of first sensing electrodes and a plurality of second sensing electrodes insulated from the first sensing electrodes and crossing the first sensing electrodes; an opening part in the sensing electrode part; and a dummy pattern adjacent to the sensing electrode part.