Touch Sensing Apparatus Electrode Pattern Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch sensing technologies face inaccuracies when the pattern of touch electrodes on a touch panel is changed, leading to incorrect touch coordinate determination.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensing apparatus comprising a touch driving circuit to supply signals to vertical and horizontal pattern electrodes, and a data processing circuit to determine touch coordinates based on sensing values from these electrodes, allowing for accurate coordinate identification even with changed electrode patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the pattern of touch electrodes is changed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of touch coordinates deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of touch electrodesVSAvoidtouch coordinate accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The touch electrode pattern is segmented into multiple sub-patterns (first sub-pattern, second sub-pattern, third sub-pattern, fourth sub-pattern) within each electrode group. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reduced overall electrode count while achieving fine-grained coordinate measurement through combination of sub-pattern sensing data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a data processing dimension to resolve the contradiction. By processing sensing values from multiple sub-patterns through mathematical operations (combining first and second sub-patterns, combining third and fourth sub-patterns), the system reconstructs accurate coordinate information without requiring a proportional increase in physical electrode count.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the number of touch electrodes is reduced, then the integrated circuit size is reduced, but the reliability of touch sensing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated circuit sizeVSAvoidtouch sensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Sensing values from multiple sub-patterns are merged through data processing operations. The first and second sub-pattern sensing values are combined, as are the third and fourth sub-pattern sensing values, to produce reliable coordinate determination from reduced electrode inputs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of electrode functionality through data processing. By processing combinations of sub-pattern sensing values, the system effectively recreates the measurement capability of more numerous electrodes without physically implementing them, maintaining reliability while reducing circuit size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If a different touch electrode pattern is used, then the adaptability of the touch panel is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch electrode pattern flexibilityVSAvoidelectrode pattern alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The data processing circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple electrode patterns. By implementing a flexible processing algorithm that can combine various sub-pattern configurations, the system adapts to different electrode layouts without requiring precision adjustments for each specific pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters (mathematical operations on sensing values) rather than physical parameters (electrode positions) to achieve adaptability. This allows the system to accommodate different electrode patterns through software/firmware configuration rather than precision manufacturing adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables precise and accurate touch coordinate determination while reducing the number of touch electrodes and corresponding integrated circuit size, thereby lowering manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

a touch driving circuit to supply driving signals to a first vertical pattern electrode comprising a plurality of vertical sub-pattern electrodes and a first horizontal pattern electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical signal transmission: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a data processing circuit to determine data corresponding to the one vertical sub-pattern electrode for identifying touch coordinates based on a sensing value sensed by the first vertical pattern electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance sensing: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS11842020B2Touch sensing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.12 LX SEMICON CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a technology to sense a touch panel on which vertical pattern electrodes and horizontal pattern electrodes are disposed and provides a technology to identify touch coordinates based on sensing values of the vertical pattern electrodes and the horizontal pattern electrodes.