Electronic Device Touch Panel Segmentation for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible touch screen panels, which offer aesthetic and utility benefits by reducing bezel area and allowing a wider display, are expensive and difficult to apply to cost-effective electronic devices due to their high production costs.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device design incorporating a housing with a first plate for a display area, a second plate, and a side member enclosing the space between them, featuring a first touch panel with high touch point density on the front and a second touch panel with lower touch point density on the side, connected to a processor that sets designated areas for function keys and induces user interfaces based on user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a flexible touch screen panel is used to reduce bezel area and widen display, then display area and aesthetic impression are improved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The touch panel is divided into two separate panels: a first touch panel for the front surface and a second touch panel for the side surface. This segmentation allows each panel to be manufactured independently using cost-effective rigid materials rather than expensive flexible materials, while still achieving the overall effect of reduced bezel area and widened display through the side touch panel integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the touch functionality from the traditional two-dimensional front surface to include the three-dimensional side surface of the device. By adding a second touch panel on the side surface, the display area is effectively widened without requiring a fully flexible touch screen, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining aesthetic benefits.
2Area of stationary object
If a flexible touch screen panel is used to reduce bezel area, then outer edge area is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into a first plate for the front surface and a side member for the side surface, with corresponding separate touch panels for each. This segmentation allows the use of rigid, cost-effective materials for both panels while achieving reduced bezel area through the integrated side touch panel design.
Solution Approach 2:
The second touch panel on the side surface serves multiple functions: it reduces the perceived bezel area, provides additional touch interaction surface, and maintains structural integrity of the housing. This multi-functionality achieves bezel reduction without requiring expensive flexible materials.
3Measurement precision
If high touch point density is used on the front touch panel, then touch precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different touch point densities are applied to different locations based on functional requirements: the first touch panel on the front surface uses high touch point density for precise interaction with display content, while the second touch panel on the side surface uses lower touch point density for simpler control functions. This local quality differentiation optimizes touch precision where needed while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
High touch point density is applied only to the front touch panel where precise touch input is critical for display interaction, while the side touch panel uses lower density sufficient for its simpler control functions. This partial application of high density avoids unnecessary complexity in areas where it is not required.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including a first plate, a second plate, and a side member, the side member being attached to or integrally formed with at least one of the first plate or the second plate, a display positioned inside the housing and configured to form a display area through the first plate, a first touch panel positioned inside the housing and interposed between the display and the first plate or integrally formed with the display and including a first plurality of sensing elements having a first touch point density, a second touch panel positioned inside the housing, adjacent to the side member, and oriented to face a portion of the side member, and including a second plurality of sensing elements having a second touch point density lower than the first touch point density, and a processor.