Vibrating Display Panel Layout for Speakerless Touch Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices require separate speakers for sound output, which do not direct sound towards the viewer, and lack effective touch detection mechanisms without requiring touch electrodes.

Innovation Solution

A display device with vibration generators and receivers on the back plate to generate and detect vibration signals for sound output and touch detection, allowing sound to be directed towards the viewer and enabling touch position detection without touch electrodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a separate speaker is installed in the display device, then sound output is achieved, but sound is not directed toward the viewer and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound directionalityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the speaker function with the display panel by integrating vibration generators directly into the back plate of the display device. This allows the display panel to serve dual purposes: visual display and sound output, eliminating the need for a separate speaker and directing sound toward the viewer through the display panel structure itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display panel is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both the visual display interface and the sound output mechanism. The vibration generators enable the display panel to generate sound waves, making it a universal component that handles both imaging and acoustic functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If touch electrodes are formed in the display panel, then touch detection is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch detectionVSAvoidpanel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional electrical touch electrode system with a mechanical vibration-based touch detection system. Instead of using capacitive or resistive electrodes that require complex patterning and fabrication processes, the system uses vibration generators and receivers that detect touch through mechanical vibration changes, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining touch sensitivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces vibration generators and receivers as intermediary components between the user's touch input and the detection system. These vibration-based intermediaries convert touch pressure into detectable vibration signals, providing a simpler alternative to direct electrical contact methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multiple vibration generators and receivers are disposed on the back plate, then sound directionality and touch detection accuracy are improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetouch position detection accuracyVSAvoiddisplay device weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies vibration generators and receivers in specific local areas of the back plate corresponding to different display regions. By strategically positioning these components in local areas rather than uniformly across the entire back plate, the system achieves accurate touch detection and sound directionality while minimizing the total number of components and associated weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The back plate is divided into multiple regions with vibration generators and receivers disposed in each segment. This segmentation allows the system to detect touch positions in different areas independently and provides localized sound output, improving detection accuracy and audio spatialization without requiring all components to be present throughout the entire device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 enables sound output aligned with image display and accurate touch detection without additional electrodes, enhancing viewer immersion and reducing device weight.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of first vibration generators disposed in the first back plate area and vibrating according to a first vibration signal obtained by synthesizing a first sound signal and a first touch driving signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of first receivers disposed in the first back plate area to detect the first vibration signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12535909B2Display device

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A display device can include a display panel having a first display area and a second display area, a back plate coupled to a rear surface of the display panel, a first vibration generator disposed in a first back plate area, a second vibration generator disposed in a second back plate area, a plurality of receivers disposed on the back plate, and a touch circuit determining a position of a touch object from a reception vibration signal detected by the plurality of receivers.