Touch Sensing Device With Multi-Functional Electrodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current touch devices that support both contact and contactless touch events require multiple sensing modules, increasing their size and manufacturing cost.
Innovation Solution
A touch sensing device with a substrate, first, second, third, and fourth electrodes, where the first and second electrodes receive triggering signals to sense contact and contactless touch events, respectively, and the third and fourth electrodes are configured to sense both events simultaneously, reducing the device's volume and manufacturing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a touch device uses separate contact touch event sensing module and contactless touch event sensing module, then it can support both contact and contactless touch events, but the volume and manufacturing cost of the touch device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling electrodes to perform multiple sensing roles. Specifically, the first and second electrodes can receive triggering signals for both contact and contactless touch events, while the third and fourth electrodes can sense both types of events, allowing a single electrode structure to fulfill multiple sensing functions that would traditionally require separate modules
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of separate contact touch event sensing and contactless touch event sensing into a unified electrode structure. By integrating these sensing capabilities into one device with shared electrodes, the patent reduces the overall volume compared to using discrete sensing modules for each touch type
2Adaptability or versatility
If a touch device uses separate contact touch event sensing module and contactless touch event sensing module, then it can support both contact and contactless touch events, but the manufacturing cost of the touch device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing cost by designing electrodes with universal sensing capabilities. The first and second electrodes can be configured to receive triggering signals for different touch types, and the third and fourth electrodes can sense both contact and contactless events, eliminating the need to manufacture separate specialized modules for each touch type
Solution Approach 2:
By combining multiple sensing functions into a single integrated electrode structure, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. Instead of producing and assembling separate contact touch sensing modules and contactless touch sensing modules, the unified design requires fewer discrete components and assembly steps, thereby reducing manufacturing cost
3Volume of moving object
If a touch device integrates sensing functions into fewer electrodes, then the volume and manufacturing cost decrease, but the complexity of electrode configuration and signal processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages complexity through functional segmentation of electrode roles. The first and second electrodes are designated for receiving triggering signals, while the third and fourth electrodes are designated for sensing touch events. This clear segmentation of responsibilities among electrodes simplifies the overall configuration and signal processing logic despite the multi-functional capabilities
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 device effectively supports both contact and contactless touch events while minimizing size and manufacturing costs by integrating sensing functions into fewer electrodes, maintaining a three-dimensional electric field sensing range.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining a three-dimensional electric field sensing range
Implementation Method 2
The first electrode is configured to receive a first triggering signal. The second electrode is configured to selectively receive the first triggering signal and a second triggering signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A touch sensing device includes a substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, a fourth electrode. The first electrode receives a first triggering signal. The second electrode selectively receives the first triggering signal and a second triggering signal. The first electrode and the second electrode are parallelly disposed on the substrate. The third electrode senses contact touch event according to the first triggering signal to generate a first sensing signal. The fourth electrode selectively senses the contact touch event according to the first triggering signal to generate the first sensing signal and senses contactless touch event according to the second triggering signal to generate a second sensing signal. The third electrode and the fourth electrode are parallelly disposed on the substrate, and the third electrode and the fourth electrode are vertically disposed to the first electrode and the second electrode.