Touch Sensing Optical System with Organic Dielectric Layer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices with both 3D image display and touch sensing functions face increased thickness, weight, processing steps, and manufacturing costs due to the need for separate optical systems and sensors, which can reduce image brightness and product competitiveness.

Innovation Solution

An optical system that integrates a dielectric constant of 2.5 to 3.5 organic insulating layer functioning as a touch sensing capacitor, with a liquid crystal optical conversion layer, and drivers for voltage application, reduces the number of processing steps and costs while maintaining image luminance by combining 3D image and touch sensing functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate optical system and sensor are attached to display device, then touch sensing function and 3D image display function are achieved, but thickness and weight of display device are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing function and 3D image display functionVSAvoidthickness and weight of display device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the optical system for 3D/multi-viewing image display and the touch sensing sensor into a single integrated structure. The optical conversion layer serves dual purposes: converting light for 3D/multi-viewing display and acting as a dielectric layer for the touch sensing capacitor. This merging eliminates the need for separate attached components, thereby reducing the overall thickness and weight of the display device while maintaining both touch sensing and 3D image display functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical conversion layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It serves as both the optical conversion medium for 3D/multi-viewing image display and as the dielectric layer for the touch sensing capacitor. This multi-functionality allows a single component to fulfill multiple roles, reducing the number of separate components needed and thereby decreasing the device's thickness and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate optical system and sensor are attached to display device, then touch sensing function and 3D image display function are achieved, but brightness of displayed image is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing function and 3D image display functionVSAvoidbrightness of displayed image
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the optical system and touch sensor into a single integrated structure, the light path is optimized with fewer interfaces and less light loss. The integrated design allows for better light management, ensuring that the brightness of the displayed image is maintained or even improved compared to separate attached components that would introduce additional light loss at each interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate optical system and sensor are attached to display device, then touch sensing function and 3D image display function are achieved, but number of processing steps and manufacturing cost are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch sensing function and 3D image display functionVSAvoidnumber of processing steps and manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the optical system and touch sensor into a single structure significantly reduces the number of manufacturing steps. Instead of separately manufacturing and then attaching two distinct components, the patent describes a unified fabrication process where the optical conversion layer and touch sensing layers are formed together. This reduces the number of alignment steps, bonding operations, and quality checks required, thereby simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-functional design allows for a single set of manufacturing processes to produce components that serve multiple purposes. The same layers that form the optical conversion system also serve as the touch sensing structure, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing lines and assembly processes for distinct components, thus reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Weight of stationary object

If integrated optical system with touch sensing is used, then thickness and weight are reduced, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness and weight of display deviceVSAvoidintegration of optical system and touch sensor
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

While merging components reduces thickness and weight, the patent addresses manufacturing complexity by designing the integration process to follow standard display manufacturing workflows. The optical conversion layer and touch sensing layers are formed using conventional deposition and patterning techniques, minimizing the introduction of complex new manufacturing steps while achieving the benefits of integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 reduces the thickness, weight, and processing time of the display device while maintaining image luminance, enhancing product competitiveness by integrating touch sensing and 3D/multi-viewing image display functions without increasing manufacturing complexity or costs.

Implementation Method 1

a sensing capacitor and detects a change in capacitance of the sensing capacitor which is generated when a conductor, such as a finger, approaches the sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

A dielectric constant of 2.5 to 3.5 organic insulating layer functioning as a touch sensing capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDielectric: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

an optical system, such as a lenticular lens, a parallax barrier, or the like, is disposed on a display device and displays a 3D image without using glasses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 4

a liquid crystal optical conversion layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid Crystals: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP2996021B1Touch sensing optical system and display device including the same
Publication Date: 2018.12.05 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2996021B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2996021B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2996021B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical system includes: a first panel including a plurality of first electrodes extending in a first direction; a second panel facing the first panel and including a plurality of second electrodes extending in a second direction crossing the first direction; an optical conversion layer between the first panel and the second panel; and a first insulating layer between the first electrodes and the second electrodes, the first insulating layer including an organic material, wherein, in a touch mode, one or more of the first electrodes and one or more of the second electrodes crossing each other form a touch sensing capacitor, and wherein, in a multi-view mode, the first electrodes and the second electrodes apply an electric field to the optical conversion layer, the electric field depending on a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode, to generate different phase differences.