Touch Sensor Electrode Layout for Stylus and Hover Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch sensors experience signal loss or divergence when touched in a non-holding state, leading to reduced touch sensing sensitivity and issues with stylus pen detection and hovering touch recognition.

Innovation Solution

A touch sensor design with a driving electrode and receiving electrode configuration that includes alternating receiving pattern parts and connection patterns, enhancing active capacitance variation and reducing dummy capacitance variation, allowing for improved stylus pen detection and hovering touch sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional driving electrode and receiving electrode configuration is used, then the touch sensor can detect basic touch inputs, but signal loss or divergence occurs when touched in a non-holding state, reducing touch sensing sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch sensing sensitivityVSAvoidsignal stability in non-holding state

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving electrode is divided into multiple receiving pattern parts (first receiving pattern parts and second receiving pattern parts) that are alternately arranged. This segmentation allows for differential signal processing that cancels out noise and divergence effects, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining signal stability in non-holding states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the receiving electrode are assigned different functions: the first receiving pattern parts are optimized for detecting active capacitance variation (touch signals), while the second receiving pattern parts are positioned to detect and cancel dummy capacitance variation (noise). This local differentiation improves both touch sensing sensitivity and signal reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If the touch sensor uses a simple electrode configuration, then manufacturing is easier, but the active capacitance variation in signal output is reduced and dummy capacitance variation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactive capacitance variation detectionVSAvoidelectrode pattern configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving electrode pattern and receiving electrode pattern are designed with asymmetric configurations relative to each other. The driving electrode includes connection patterns that electrically connect adjacent driving pattern parts, while the receiving electrode has alternately arranged first and second receiving pattern parts. This asymmetric design optimizes the capacitive coupling for detecting active capacitance variation while minimizing dummy capacitance variation, achieving high measurement precision with a manageable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional electrode patterns are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the touch sensor cannot reliably detect stylus pen inputs and hovering touches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestylus pen and hovering touch detectionVSAvoidelectrode pattern arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The alternating arrangement of first and second receiving pattern parts creates a universal detection system that can handle multiple input types: finger touches (capacitive), stylus pen inputs (inductive and capacitive), and hovering touches. The differential signal processing inherent in the alternating pattern configuration enables the sensor to distinguish between different input types and states, providing multi-functional detection capability without requiring separate electrode systems for each input type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design increases touch sensing sensitivity and enables reliable detection of stylus pen inputs and hovering touches by optimizing signal output and reducing interference, thereby enhancing user interaction with touch input devices.

Implementation Method 1

a phenomenon, in which a signal that has to be normally sensed disappears, or a signal that has to be sensed is diverged as being touched at two or more points appears

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

when a driving signal is applied to a driving electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric Field: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20250370564A1Touch sensor and touch input device comprising same

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 HIDEEP INC

AI summary

Provided are a touch sensor and a touch input device including the same. The touch sensor includes a driving electrode including a plurality of driving pattern parts arranged in a first direction and a connection pattern configured to electrically connect two driving pattern parts, which are adjacent to each other, of the plurality of driving patterns to each other, and a receiving electrode, in which a first receiving pattern part and a second receiving pattern part, which are disposed with the connection pattern of the driving electrode therebetween, are alternatively arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.