Touch Screen Sensor Blocks for Signal Line Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing touch screens often require a complex arrangement of signal lines, which can complicate the design and reduce touch sensitivity, making them less efficient for user interaction in multimedia devices.
Innovation Solution
A touch screen design featuring sensor blocks with a reduced number of signal lines, where k first sensors are electrically connected in a first direction and j sensor groups with i second sensors are arranged in a second direction, allowing for improved touch sensitivity through a simpler signal line configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional touch screen design with comprehensive signal lines is used, then complete touch detection coverage is achieved, but the signal line arrangement becomes complex and touch sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The touch screen sensor array is divided into multiple sensor blocks, where each block contains a reduced set of sensors (e.g., 3 first sensors and 3 second sensors). This segmentation allows each block to be independently controlled with fewer signal lines, reducing overall complexity while maintaining complete coverage through the aggregate of all blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a block dimension to organize sensors, transitioning from a flat 2D sensor array to a 3D hierarchical structure (blocks × sensors per block). This dimensional reorganization enables reduced signal lines per block while achieving complete touch detection coverage across the entire screen through the combined output of multiple blocks.
2Device complexity
If the number of signal lines is reduced, then the design is simplified, but touch detection capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensor blocks are merged in terms of their detection function, where each block independently detects touches within its region. The combined output from all blocks provides complete touch detection coverage, ensuring that no touch location is missed despite each individual block having reduced signal lines.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor block is designed with multi-functionality, where the reduced set of sensors within each block can detect touches across its entire coverage area. The universal detection capability of each block, when combined with others, ensures complete touch detection without requiring every sensor to be individually addressable with unique signal lines.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel configured to generate an image and a touch screen disposed on the display panel. The touch screen includes sensor blocks. Each of the sensor blocks includes: k (k being a natural number of two or more) first sensors disposed in a first direction and electrically connected to each other; and j (j being a natural number of two or more) sensor groups disposed adjacent to a corresponding first sensor among the k first sensors. Each of the j sensor groups includes i (i being a natural number of two or more) second sensors arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. Some of the k first sensors and the i second sensors are configured to receive first signals. Some of the k first sensors and the i second sensors are configured to transmit second signals different from the first signals.