Touch Panel Floating Detection via Self-Capacitance Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mutual capacitance touch panels cannot accurately respond to touch operations when the touch object is not in contact, limiting their application scenarios due to the requirement of physical contact for accurate capacitance detection.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design incorporating row and column electrodes with self-capacitance electrodes and electrode blocks, allowing for both mutual capacitance and self-capacitance touch detection states, enabling floating touch operations by switching between detection modes based on the power status of the electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mutual capacitance touch panel uses only row and column electrodes for touch detection, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the touch panel cannot accurately detect floating touch operations when the touch object is not in contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines mutual capacitance electrodes (row and column electrodes) and self-capacitance electrodes into a single touch panel structure. The self-capacitance electrodes are integrated within the mutual capacitance electrode structure, allowing the panel to perform both mutual capacitance detection and self-capacitance detection functions without adding separate independent electrode systems, thus improving touch detection accuracy while controlling structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed with multi-functional electrodes that can operate in different modes. The row and column electrodes can function as mutual capacitance electrodes for contact detection, while the integrated self-capacitance electrodes enable floating touch detection. This multi-functionality allows a single electrode structure to handle multiple touch detection scenarios, resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the touch panel structure is simplified to use only mutual capacitance detection, then the device complexity is reduced, but the application scenarios are limited due to inability to perform floating touch operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges self-capacitance electrode functionality into the mutual capacitance electrode structure by placing self-capacitance electrodes at specific positions within the mutual capacitance electrode layout. This integration enables the touch panel to support both contact-based mutual capacitance detection and floating self-capacitance detection, expanding application scenarios without requiring a completely separate electrode system.
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel implements dynamic switching between mutual capacitance detection mode and self-capacitance detection mode based on the touch state. The control unit can selectively activate different electrode groups and detection algorithms depending on whether contact or floating touch is detected, allowing the system to adapt to different application scenarios while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If self-capacitance electrodes are added to enable floating touch detection, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to multiple etching processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary planning of the electrode layout during the design phase, positioning self-capacitance electrodes at specific locations that can be formed using the same etching process as the mutual capacitance electrodes. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the etching masks and process parameters can be optimized for both electrode types simultaneously, reducing the precision requirements compared to forming electrodes at arbitrary positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the formation of self-capacitance electrodes and mutual capacitance electrodes into a single etching process by using a unified mask design and process flow. The self-capacitance electrodes are etched together with the row and column electrodes in the same process step, eliminating the need for separate etching operations and thereby maintaining manufacturing precision requirements at acceptable levels while enabling floating touch detection 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
Enables accurate detection of touch points even when the touch object is not in contact, enriching the application scenarios of mutual capacitance touch panels by allowing floating touch operations, enhancing usability and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
A row electrode and a column electrode, which are made of indium tin oxide (ITO), are perpendicularly arranged and overlap with each other to form a mesh shape, so as to form the touch electrode of the mutual capacitance touch panel. A capacitor will be formed where the row electrode is overlapped with the column electrode, and the row electrode and the column electrode respectively form two electrodes of the capacitor.
Implementation Method 2
each self-capacitance electrode is arranged in the second open hole, and the self-capacitance electrode is insulated from the electrode block; each self-capacitance electrode and each electrode block are electrically connected to the driving unit
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a touch panel and a touch display device, the touch panel includes a display area and a non-display area. The display area is provided with a plurality of row electrodes arranged at intervals along a first direction and a plurality of column electrodes arranged at intervals along a second direction. The non-display area is provided with a driving unit electrically connected to each row electrode which is provided with a plurality of first open holes, and each column electrode includes a plurality of electrode blocks; each electrode block is arranged in the first open hole, and the electrode block is insulated from the row electrode; each electrode block is provided with a second open hole, and a plurality of self-capacitance electrodes are provided in the display area; each self-capacitance electrode is arranged in the second open hole, and the self-capacitance electrode is insulated from the electrode block.