Integrated Touch Panel Electrodes for Pen and Finger Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices that incorporate both a touch panel and a digitizer for detecting user inputs are thick due to the separate components, necessitating a solution to reduce thickness and cost.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a touch panel that includes first and second dummy electrodes connected by a connection line, floating sensing electrodes, and a touch panel driver that detects inputs in multiple touch periods, eliminating the need for a separate digitizer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate digitizer is used to detect pen inputs, then input detection capability is improved, but device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the digitizer's coil structure with the touch panel's electrode structure by forming the coil on the same substrate as the touch panel electrodes. This integration eliminates the need for a separate digitizer component, thereby reducing device thickness while maintaining both touch and pen input detection capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touch panel structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it detects both finger touches through its electrode structure and pen inputs through the integrated coil structure. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate touch panel and digitizer components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate digitizer is used to detect pen inputs, then input detection capability is improved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the manufacturing processes of the touch panel and digitizer into a single integrated structure. By forming the coil on the same substrate as the touch panel electrodes using similar fabrication techniques, the patent eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly processes, thereby reducing production costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated structure allows a single manufacturing process to produce components that perform both touch panel and digitizer functions, eliminating the need for separate production lines and reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If dummy electrodes are added to detect eddy current for pen input, then pen detection is improved, but touch panel complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepen detection capabilityVSAvoidtouch panel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the dummy electrodes with the existing coil structure of the digitizer. The dummy electrodes are formed as part of the same conductive pattern that makes up the coil, allowing them to share the same manufacturing process and structural framework, thereby minimizing additional complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coil structure serves dual purposes: it generates the magnetic field for pen detection and simultaneously acts as the dummy electrode that detects eddy current from the pen. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dummy electrode structures, keeping the design relatively simple

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

The solution allows the display device to detect multiple inputs without a separate digitizer, reducing thickness and cost while maintaining input detection capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the first dummy electrodes and the second dummy electrodes may detect eddy current that occurs according to a position of a pen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEddy current: Eddy Currents

Implementation Method 2

the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode may detect capacitance change that occurs according to a position of a finger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS12517610B2Display device and touch system including the same

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device includes a touch panel that includes first dummy electrodes that extends in a first direction and are connected to each other, second dummy electrodes that extend in a second direction that crosses the first direction and are connected to each other, a first sensing electrode disposed between the first dummy electrodes and that electrically floats with the first dummy electrodes, and a second sensing electrode disposed between the second dummy electrodes and that electrically floats with the second dummy electrodes; and a touch panel driver that drives the touch panel.