Touch Sensor Matrix with Segmented Electrode Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In touch sensor devices, particularly those with in-cell type touch sensors, it is challenging to simultaneously ensure a sufficient display period and touch detection period within a limited frame period, leading to reduced touch detection density and precision due to the increased number of drive electrodes and scans required for larger display areas and higher pixel resolutions.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a touch sensor device configuration where drive electrodes are arranged in a matrix pattern with alternating regions of different sensitivities, allowing for simultaneous driving of multiple electrodes to reduce the touch driving time and maintain high touch detection density, achieved by integrating adjacent drive electrodes and increasing the number of detection electrodes, enabling efficient touch detection without altering input signal levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the number of drive electrodes and scans is increased to cover larger display areas and higher pixel resolutions, then the display quality and coverage are improved, but the touch detection density and precision deteriorate due to the limited frame period
Solution Approach 1:
The touch detection area is divided into multiple regions with different detection densities. First detection regions have higher detection density with more detection electrodes, while second detection regions have lower detection density. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high touch detection precision in critical areas while covering larger display areas, resolving the contradiction between display area coverage and touch detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the touch detection area are assigned different detection densities and electrode configurations based on local requirements. The first detection regions (with higher sensitivity) are positioned where precise touch detection is most important, while second detection regions (with lower sensitivity) cover other areas. This local quality approach enables high precision where needed while maintaining overall system efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the number of drive electrodes is increased to cover larger display areas, then the display area coverage is improved, but the touch driving time increases due to the limited frame period
Solution Approach 1:
The drive electrodes are segmented into multiple groups that can be driven simultaneously or in parallel. By dividing the large number of drive electrodes into smaller groups, the system can reduce the sequential driving time while still covering the entire display area, thus resolving the contradiction between display area coverage and touch driving time.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjacent drive electrodes are integrated and controlled together as a group. By merging the control of adjacent electrodes, the system reduces the number of individual scan operations required, thereby decreasing touch driving time while maintaining comprehensive display area coverage.
3Measurement precision
If the number of detection electrodes is increased to maintain high touch detection density, then the touch detection precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection electrodes are segmented into different groups positioned at specific intervals, with the first detection electrodes having different configurations from the second detection electrodes. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high touch detection precision in critical regions without uniformly increasing the number of electrodes across the entire display area, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different detection electrode configurations are applied locally based on specific detection requirements. The first detection electrodes are positioned and configured where high precision is needed, while other areas use simpler configurations. This local quality approach maintains high touch detection precision where necessary while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other regions.
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
This configuration effectively shortens the touch driving time and detection period while maintaining high touch detection density, allowing for precise touch position detection with multiple output signals of predetermined sensitivities without adjusting input signal levels.
Implementation Method 1
The electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor device is provided with drive electrodes (also referred to as transmission side electrodes) and detection electrodes (also referred to as reception side electrodes) as the electrodes constituting a touch sensor function. Units of touch detection are constituted by intersections in the pairs of the drive electrodes and the detection electrodes. When the capacitance in a detection unit is changed by a touch of a conductor such as a finger to the surface of a touch detection area, the circuit unit detects the change of the capacitance as an electric signal.
Data Source
AI summary
The touch sensor device and the display device include: a panel unit having a touch detection area in which a plurality of drive electrodes extend in an X-direction, a plurality of detection electrodes extend in a Y-direction, and a plurality of detection units each composed of a pair of the drive electrode and the detection electrode are formed in a matrix pattern; the drive electrodes each having a width forming two detection units in the Y-direction; and regions each formed by the intersection between one drive electrode and first to fourth detection electrodes. In this region, detection regions having a first sensitivity in which first to fourth detection units are provided and non-detection regions having a second sensitivity are alternately disposed. For example, the detection electrodes have different shapes between the detection region and the non-detection region.