Touch Panel Keyboard Layer for Thin Dual-Mode Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mechanical and capacitive keyboards face issues such as loud noise, complicated structure, large thickness, and high production costs due to their complex hardware and separate control mechanisms for keyboard and handwriting functions.
Innovation Solution
A touch panel with a transparent substrate, a light blocking layer featuring a keyboard pattern with hollow characters, and a touch sensing layer, where a controller toggles between keyboard and handwriting functions based on user input, reducing the number of film layers and IC chips required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical or capacitive keyboard structures are used, then keyboard input function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the keyboard pattern directly into the light blocking layer of the touch panel, merging the keyboard display function with the existing touch panel structure. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical or capacitive keyboard components, thereby reducing structural complexity while maintaining keyboard input functionality through touch sensing
Solution Approach 2:
The touch panel is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a touch-sensitive display and a keyboard input device. The light blocking layer with keyboard pattern enables the display to function as a keyboard, allowing the same surface to perform both visual display and input functions, thus reducing overall device complexity
2Ease of operation
If traditional mechanical or capacitive keyboard structures are used, then keyboard input function is achieved, but the thickness becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard structure is merged into the light blocking layer which is already part of the thin touch panel assembly. By integrating the keyboard pattern into an existing thin layer rather than adding separate keyboard components, the overall thickness is minimized while maintaining full keyboard functionality through the touch sensing capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate control mechanisms for keyboard and handwriting functions are used, then both functions can be controlled, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensing layer serves as a universal control mechanism for both keyboard input and handwriting functions. The same touch-sensitive electrodes and control circuitry detect both typed characters and handwritten input, eliminating the need for separate control systems and thereby reducing production costs while maintaining full functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts its function based on touch characteristics. The controller distinguishes between keyboard input and handwriting mode by analyzing touch pressure, duration, and pattern, allowing a single static hardware structure to perform multiple functions through dynamic software control, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
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
The solution results in a thinner, lighter, and more cost-effective touch panel that integrates keyboard and handwriting functions, offering a simpler hardware structure and reduced production costs while maintaining user comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a light blocking layer in a touch area of the touch panel and on the transparent substrate. The light blocking layer may include a keyboard pattern, the keyboard pattern may include hollow characters, and the light blocking layer may be configured to display the characters of the keyboard pattern on the transparent substrate by light passing through the hollow characters
Implementation Method 2
A traditional capacitive keyboard implements keyboard input by detecting changes in capacitance due to distance changes after a finger presses
Data Source
AI summary
A touch panel may include a transparent substrate and a light blocking layer in a touch area and on a side of the transparent substrate. The light blocking layer may include a keyboard pattern, and the keyboard pattern may include hollow characters. The light blocking layer may be configured to display the characters of the keyboard pattern on the light blocking layer by light passing through the hollow characters.