Touch Sensor Edge Electrodes for Edge Input Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch screens lack effective detection capabilities at their edges, limiting the recognition of edge-based gestures and interactions, such as pinches, edge slides, and finger-on-crown detection, which can enhance user interface experiences.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating touch sensor edge electrodes mounted in cavities with angled surfaces within the touch panel substrate, allowing for enhanced touch and hover detection at the edges, enabling the detection of new gestures and interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional touch screen structures are used, then the device structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but edge input detection capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends touch detection from the traditional flat 2D surface into the third dimension by positioning electrodes within cavities that protrude toward the front surface of the substrate. This vertical dimensionality change enables the electrodes to detect touches at the edges of the touch panel where conventional flat electrodes cannot effectively sense input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies touch sensor electrodes specifically at edge regions rather than uniformly across the entire substrate. The electrodes are strategically positioned in cavities at the edges where detection is needed, while the rest of the substrate maintains its original simple structure. This localized approach improves edge detection without unnecessarily complicating the entire device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If touch sensor edge electrodes are added to improve edge detection, then gesture recognition capability is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavities for housing the edge electrodes are formed in the substrate before the electrodes are mounted. This preliminary preparation of the substrate structure simplifies the subsequent electrode installation process, as the cavities are already in place to receive and position the electrodes accurately, reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge electrodes serve multiple functions: they detect touches at the panel edges, enable various edge-based gestures (pinch, slide, swipe), and can detect finger contact with mechanical inputs like crowns. This multi-functionality justifies the added manufacturing steps by providing versatile input capabilities from a single structural solution.
3Measurement precision
If electrodes are positioned in cavities with angled surfaces, then edge touch detection precision is improved, but electrode mounting difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cavities are designed with asymmetric angled surfaces rather than symmetric vertical walls. The angled surfaces are specifically configured to match the orientation of touches at the panel edges, optimizing the detection angle and precision. This asymmetric geometry allows the electrodes to better sense touches occurring at the angled edge regions of the touch panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled surfaces of the cavities act as intermediaries between the electrodes and the touch input. These surfaces provide an optimized geometric interface that facilitates better electrical coupling and signal detection for edge touches, mediating the interaction between the electrode and the finger contact in a way that enhances detection precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is disclosed. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a cover substrate having a front surface, a first edge and a first cavity adjacent to the first edge. In some examples, the apparatus comprises a plurality of touch sensor electrodes disposed opposite the front surface of the cover substrate. In some examples, the apparatus comprises at least one touch sensor edge electrode disposed within the first cavity on a surface that is angled relative to the front surface of the cover substrate. In some examples, at least one touch sensor edge electrode is disposed on an outward facing curved surface of the first cavity. In some examples, the plurality of touch sensor electrodes are formed from a first conductive material and the at least one touch sensor edge electrode is formed from a second conductive material. In some examples, the first conductive material is transparent, and the second conductive material is non-transparent. In some examples, the second conductive material is formed on a black mask layer disposed around a perimeter of a bottom surface of the cover substrate.