Touch Sensor Signal Line Reduction via Parallel Sensor Block Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices with touch sensing units face challenges in sensitivity due to noise interference and potential short-circuits from signal lines, which affect the accuracy of touch input detection, particularly in distinguishing between single-touch and multi-touch inputs.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a touch sensing unit featuring a single-layer structure where sensor blocks are arranged in a specific configuration, reducing the number of signal lines and noise interference by electrically connecting second sensors across different blocks, thereby enhancing sensitivity and reducing noise impact on capacitance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional multi-layer touch sensing structures with separate signal lines for each sensor are used, then comprehensive touch detection coverage is achieved, but noise interference and potential short-circuits increase, reducing touch sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple second sensors into sensor blocks where second sensors from different sensor columns are electrically connected in parallel within the same conductive layer. This consolidation reduces the total number of signal lines required, thereby minimizing noise interference and potential short-circuit risks while maintaining comprehensive touch detection coverage across the display panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional multi-layer structure with separate signal lines for each sensor to a single-layer structure where sensor blocks are formed by electrically connecting second sensors in parallel within the same conductive layer. This dimensional reorganization eliminates the need for multiple layers and reduces signal line complexity, thereby reducing noise interference while preserving touch detection sensitivity.
2Reliability
If multiple signal lines are used to connect each sensor individually, then complete touch input detection is achieved, but the number of signal lines increases, leading to more potential short-circuits and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple second sensors into sensor blocks by electrically connecting them in parallel within the same conductive layer. This merging approach maintains the ability to detect complete touch inputs while significantly reducing the number of signal lines required, thereby lowering device complexity and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor blocks serve multiple functions: they detect touch inputs across different sensor columns simultaneously, maintain comprehensive detection coverage, and reduce signal line requirements. This multi-functionality allows the touch sensing unit to achieve reliable touch input detection with fewer signal lines, improving overall system reliability.
3Measurement precision
If a single-layer sensor structure with sensor blocks is used, then noise interference is reduced and sensitivity improves, but the structural configuration becomes more specific and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the touch sensing unit into multiple sensor blocks, where each block contains second sensors from different sensor columns that are electrically connected in parallel. This segmentation approach organizes the sensors into manageable units, reducing noise interference through the single-layer structure while the systematic arrangement of sensor blocks maintains manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter from a traditional multi-layer arrangement to a single-layer configuration with sensor blocks. This parameter change reduces the vertical complexity of the structure while the horizontal arrangement of sensor blocks provides a systematic organization that balances noise reduction with manufacturing considerations.
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 improves touch sensitivity by reducing noise and potential short-circuits, allowing for accurate detection of both single-touch and multi-touch inputs with fewer signal lines, leading to enhanced user interaction in multimedia devices.
Implementation Method 1
noise caused, at least in part, by the signal lines may be reduced, which may improve touch sensitivity
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a display panel and a touch sensing unit including touch signal lines (TSL) and sensor columns (SCs) including sensor blocks (SBs). Each SB includes a first sensor (FS) and i (i being ≥2) second sensors (SSs). The TSLs include: first signal lines (FSLs) respectively connected to some of the FSs, a portion of each of the FSLs extending to a first end of a corresponding SC from a corresponding sensor of the some of the FSs; second signal lines (SSLs) respectively connected to other FSs, a portion of each of the SSLs extending to a second end of the corresponding SC from a corresponding sensor of the other FSs; and third signal lines connecting a j-th (j being ≤1) SS of an n-th (n being ≥1) SB to an (i−j+1)-th SS of an (n+1)-th SB.