Touch Panel Integrating Finger and Pen Sensing on Single Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Touch panels with multiple functions such as finger touch sensing, pen touch sensing, and haptic feedback require additional substrates, leading to increased thickness and weight, which contradicts the trend of slimness and lightweight designs.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel design where a substrate integrates both sensing electrodes for finger touch input and haptic feedback, and antennas for pen touch input, allowing these functions to be performed in a time-divisional mode, reducing the need for multiple substrates and minimizing thickness and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional substrates are added to provide pen touch sensing and haptic feedback functions, then the functionality is improved, but the thickness and weight of the touch panel increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensing electrode for finger touch sensing and the antenna for pen touch sensing into a single substrate. The sensing electrode and antenna are formed in the same layer structure, eliminating the need for separate substrates for these functions. This merging approach maintains multi-functionality while reducing overall panel weight and thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing electrode is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the sensing electrode for finger touch sensing and as part of the antenna structure for pen touch sensing. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the need for additional substrates and maintaining lightweight construction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional substrates are added to provide pen touch sensing and haptic feedback functions, then the functionality is improved, but the thickness of the touch panel increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensing electrode and antenna into a single substrate structure. Both components are formed within the same layer stack, with the sensing electrode and antenna sharing the same substrate support. This integration eliminates the need for additional substrates, thereby maintaining thin panel profile while achieving multi-functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the same physical layer for both the sensing electrode and antenna, effectively using the z-dimension (vertical stacking) to accommodate multiple functions within a single thin plane. By forming both components in the same layer rather than stacking separate substrates, the design maintains thinness while achieving multi-functionality.
3Weight of moving object
If sensing electrode and antenna are formed on the same substrate, then weight and thickness are reduced, but signal interference may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensing electrode into multiple segments or regions, with different portions serving different functions. The sensing electrode is segmented such that certain regions are optimized for finger touch sensing while other regions function as antenna elements for pen touch sensing. This segmentation reduces mutual interference by spatially separating the functional zones within the same layer.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sensing electrode are designed with different properties: some regions have characteristics optimized for capacitive sensing while other regions have characteristics optimized for antenna function. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function with minimal interference from other regions, despite being on the same substrate.
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 detection sensitivity, reduces mutual signal interference, and decreases fabrication costs while maintaining the functionality of finger touch sensing, pen touch sensing, and haptic feedback in a single, thinner, and lighter touch panel.
Implementation Method 1
an electrostatic capacity type touch panel senses a variation of the capacitance between electrodes and detects a touch position
Implementation Method 2
a haptic driver of the touch driver unit that is configured to generate a signal to the sensing electrode to provide the haptic feedback
Implementation Method 3
an antenna formed over the substrate, the antenna configured to sense pen touch input
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a touch panel comprises a substrate; a sensing electrode formed over the substrate, the sensing electrode configured to sense finger touch input and to provide haptic feedback; and an antenna formed over the substrate, the antenna configured to sense pen touch input; wherein a first mode in which the finger touch input is sensed, a second mode in which the haptic feedback is provided, and a third mode in which pen touch input is received are time-divisionally performed.