Touch Panel Electrode Merging for Sensing Area Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch panels face limitations in sensing region size and touch signal line complexity, which restricts sensitivity and accuracy in detecting touch coordinates, particularly due to the restrictive area occupied by touch signal lines and the inability to effectively sense weak pressures.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design featuring first and second electrode patterns arranged in separate directions with touch signal lines on the same layer, allowing for a reduced number of touch signal lines and an expanded sensing region, along with a method to calculate and correct touch coordinates using capacitance measurements and offset values to improve accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If touch signal lines are formed for each touch electrode to enable individual control and sensing, then touch electrode control precision is improved, but the area occupied by touch signal lines increases and sensing region is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple touch signal lines into a shared signal line that serves multiple touch electrodes. Specifically, multiple second touch signal lines are merged into one shared second touch signal line, reducing the total number of signal lines and freeing up sensing region area while maintaining individual electrode control through selective signal activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared second touch signal line performs multiple functions by serving multiple second electrode patterns simultaneously. This universal signal line can be selectively activated to control different groups of electrodes, reducing the overall signal line count while preserving precise electrode control capability.
2Measurement precision
If multiple touch signal lines are used to control individual electrode patterns, then touch sensing accuracy is improved, but the number of touch signal lines increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple touch signal lines into a smaller number of shared signal lines. By merging multiple second touch signal lines into one shared line, the device complexity is reduced while touch sensing accuracy is maintained through selective activation of specific electrode groups using the shared signal line.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electrode patterns into multiple groups that can be controlled independently through the shared signal line. By dividing second electrode patterns into multiple groups, each group can be selectively activated, maintaining precise touch sensing accuracy while using fewer physical signal lines.
3Adaptability or versatility
If touch signal lines occupy more area, then electrode control capability is improved, but the sensing region area is reduced and touch sensitivity is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple second touch signal lines into one shared second touch signal line, significantly reducing the area occupied by signal lines. This frees up more sensing region area, improving touch sensitivity and reliability while maintaining full electrode control capability through selective signal activation.
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 enhances touch sensitivity and accuracy by reducing the number of touch signal lines, increasing the sensing region, and correcting touch coordinate errors, thereby improving the overall performance of touch panels.
Implementation Method 1
an amount of capacitance between the two electrodes changes when an object such as a finger contacts the touch panel to sense a touching point
Implementation Method 2
The touch sensing function is used to determine touch information such as whether an object has approached or touched a screen and a location of the touch by sensing changes in pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel including: a first electrode pattern arranged in a first direction, including a plurality of first electrode cells that are physically separated from each other; a second electrode pattern arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction, including a plurality of second electrode cells that are physically separated from each other; first touch signal lines connected to the first electrode cells; and second touch signal lines connected to the second electrode cells. The electrode patterns and the touch signal lines are arranged on the same layer on a substrate such that a first virtual connection line for connecting centers of second electrode cells of a first group corresponding to an n-th first electrode cell crosses a second virtual connection line for connecting centers of second electrode cells of a second group corresponding to an (n+1)-th first electrode cell.