Transparent Electrode Sheet for Touch Input Beyond Panel Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with versatile designs face challenges in detecting operations outside the detection region of a touch panel without significant hardware changes or additional wiring, making it difficult to meet customer-specific requirements without increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a transparent electrode sheet with operation and detection electrodes made of transparent conductive materials, which overlap the touch panel's detection region, allowing for the detection of operations outside the detection region without additional wiring or dedicated switches, thus enabling versatile design configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a touch panel with a larger detection region is used to cover the entire front surface, then operations outside the original detection region can be detected, but the wiring space for the touch panel is not secured and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the detection capability from the two-dimensional detection region to the third dimension by placing operation electrodes on the side surface of the housing. This allows detection of operations outside the front surface detection region without increasing the front surface area, thus preserving wiring space while enabling expanded operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the detection function into two separate components: the touch panel with detection region for front surface operations, and the operation electrodes on the side surface for edge operations. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the touch panel maintaining its original wiring space requirements while the operation electrodes provide additional detection capability without competing for wiring resources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the detection region size is changed to add new operation positions, then customer-specific requirements can be met, but coordinate axes change requiring software modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal detection system where the operation electrodes on the side surface can detect various operations (pressing, sliding, long-pressing) without requiring changes to the coordinate system. The detection region maintains its original coordinate axes while the operation electrodes provide additional detection zones, allowing customization of operation positions without software reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation electrodes act as an intermediary between the user and the detection region, translating operations performed outside the detection region into detectable signals within the existing coordinate system. This intermediary layer allows customized operation positions to be mapped to the original coordinate axes, eliminating the need for software changes when adapting to customer requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a dedicated switch is provided for operations outside the detection region, then the operation can be detected, but hardware complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operation detection function into the existing touch panel structure by integrating operation electrodes with the side surface housing, rather than adding separate dedicated switches. This consolidation uses the same electrostatic capacitance detection principle as the touch panel, eliminating the need for additional switch hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation electrodes provide multi-functional detection capability, serving as both the detection element and the operational interface. This universal component replaces the need for dedicated switches while maintaining the same detection mechanism, thereby reducing hardware complexity and manufacturing cost.
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 solution allows for cost-effective detection of operations outside the touch panel's detection region, enhancing versatility without major hardware changes, and enabling the electronic device to meet customer-specific requirements with reduced software and hardware modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a detection region which is predetermined and detects an operation by an electrostatic capacitance system
Implementation Method 2
The operation electrode and the detection electrode are made of a transparent conductive material
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a touch panel having a detection region and a transparent electrode sheet disposed in such a manner that at least a part of the transparent electrode sheet overlaps the detection region of the touch panel and including a transparent sheet, an operation electrode, and a detection electrode. The operation electrode and the detection electrode are made of a transparent conductive material and are disposed on the transparent sheet. The operation electrode is located outside the detection region in a state where the transparent electrode sheet overlaps the touch panel. The detection electrode is electrically connected to the operation electrode and is located inside the detection region in the state where the transparent electrode sheet overlaps the touch panel.